New Ninja Scroll DVD, should I buy?

I had read that Ninja Scroll was originally 4:3 so I bought the
original, 4:3 DVD, but now that the new 2-disc version has a WS version
on it, I'm not sure if I should upgrade or not. If the version I have
now is Pan and Scan I will definitely upgrade. And are the extras worth it?
--
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and tagging wildebeests."
--Michael J. Nelson

Grand Inquisitor
http://www.dvdprofiler.com/mycollection.asp?alias=Oost

Grand Inquisitor

"Grand Inquisitor" <> wrote...
> I had read that Ninja Scroll was originally 4:3 so I bought the
> original, 4:3 DVD, but now that the new 2-disc version has a WS version
> on it, I'm not sure if I should upgrade or not. If the version I have
> now is Pan and Scan I will definitely upgrade. And are the extras worth
it?

The WS version of the film is cropped from the original 4:3 image,
so it's not preferable at all. However, the 4:3 version is available
on the new DVD as well. So really, your decision relies on whether
the extras and improved sound are worth rebuying.

Here's a review:
http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=7623

-Jay

Jay G

<< really, your decision relies on whether
the extras and improved sound are worth rebuying.
>>

When I read the back of the package the extras didn't exactly wow me... I was
only intereted in it from the WS aspect - why would you ever want to further
crop a 4:3 picture?

Wade365

"Wade365" <> wrote ...
> << really, your decision relies on whether
> the extras and improved sound are worth rebuying.
> >>
>
> When I read the back of the package the extras didn't exactly wow me... I
was
> only intereted in it from the WS aspect - why would you ever want to
further
> crop a 4:3 picture?

Why, to fill your WS TV of course. You didn't think the switch over
to HDTV would get rid of the "I want my TV filled" people, did you?

-Jay

Jay G

<< why would you ever want to
further
> crop a 4:3 picture?

Why, to fill your WS TV of course. You didn't think the switch over
to HDTV would get rid of the "I want my TV filled" people, did you?
>>

I'm assuming this is tongue-in-cheek. It's like saying that everything before
Cinerama should be re-cropped.

"Why don't we remove the edges of the Mona Lisa, no one looks at the sides
anyway... just leave the broad."

I hope this isn't a trend... older films getting re-cropped for WS TVs... heh
heh... disturbing.

Wade365

"Wade365" <> wrote ...
> << why would you ever want to further crop a 4:3 picture?
>
> Why, to fill your WS TV of course. You didn't think the switch over
> to HDTV would get rid of the "I want my TV filled" people, did you?
>
> I'm assuming this is tongue-in-cheek. It's like saying that everything
before
> Cinerama should be re-cropped.

That has actually happened. When WS theatres first appeared,
films composed for 4:3 were sometimes cropped to a wider
ratio to fill the screen.

> "Why don't we remove the edges of the Mona Lisa, no one looks at the sides
> anyway... just leave the broad."

" That way it'll fit better into this frame."

> I hope this isn't a trend... older films getting re-cropped for WS TVs...
heh
> heh... disturbing.

The TV miniseries "IT" is only available in a cropped WS image on DVD.
The movie "Evil Dead," which has existed for decades on home video
in a director's approved 4:3 open-matte ratio was recently cropped
for a WS Special Edition DVD.

And it won't just be 4:3 films. "The Recruit" was recently released on
DVD in a 1.78 :1 ratio despite being shown in 2.35:1 in theatres.
"The Lord of the Rings" trilogy is having all of it's digital effects
rendered at a 1.78:1 ratio, presumably for future "open-matte"
HDTV showings.

Luckily, there seems to be enough demand for OAR by both
consumers and creators that the option for the correct ratio
will continue to exist, at least for most films.

-Jay

Jay G