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Message started by L.A. Connection on Feb 17th, 2012 at 6:41pm

Title: Print Report for the Marathon
Post by L.A. Connection on Feb 17th, 2012 at 6:41pm
go David

Title: Re: Print Report for SF/37 Marathon
Post by David the Projectionist on Feb 17th, 2012 at 8:18pm
     I'm suspending my boycott of the board just long enough to post this report: I received too many requests for it to ignore.
     As per last year, if there are any reasonable questions, I'll try to answer them, but, as I just stated, I havent been on here in weeks, so I might not know if anything's been asked of me.
     These are listed in the order in which I inspected them; I'll just go through my notes.


Dimensions
     This is a DVD.  Havent received it yet; nothing to report.
     Theres some talk of putting in a different TV projector.  That may be happening tomorrow afternoon.  I'll see how it looks.
     This will all be moot by next year's thon, as the big TV projectors will be installed later this year.


Folklore
     Another DVD.

War of the Satellites
1.85 - B&W - Mono

     Print dates from 1962.  The density is lovely; this is from the days when labs still knew how to print B&W (as compared to now).  There are some splices & some wear, about what you would expect.


Duck Dodgers
     Same print we run every year.

Bambi Meets Godzilla
     Print is virtually new.

Brainstorm
2.40 - Colour - Mono

     This is a collector's print; film dates from 1983.  Colour is intact (LPP stock). There are some splicy sections, & some wear, which is what one would expect.
     And, yes, you read that right: the print is MONO.  This comes from the dual-inventory days, when a majority of the prints struck had a mono track, & some would have a Dolby A-type track.  A few of you will remember that when this title was bruited about by the powers-that-be, I begged for patience until the 70mm setup was complete, because a great deal of the movie was filmed in 70, but also because of the sound.  Well, now you can give up any hope of ever seeing this play in the Thon in 70, because the rotation will never bring it forth again.  Enjoy that mono sound, kids!  ;D

The Reanimator
1.85 - Colour - Mono

     An original print, on Fuji stock.  Colour looks okay, might be a bit off, but not by much.  Another print from a collector; typical amount of splices & wear present.

Enthiran
2.40 - Colour - Dolby SR/D

     Thats how it's spelled on the leaders & cans.  Well, this nine reel monster has seen better days: splices, wear, some damage, some scratches from a platter, some scratches from other sources.  For the most part, it should be okay.
     For those of you who take interest in such things, this is the same film stock used here, but note the difference in colour saturation!  Careful lab work gives you this result.

Island of Lost Souls
1.37 - B&W - Mono

     New: no splices, no wear, no dirt.  Stock dates from 2005, inspection notes from 2007, so reckon this was printed in 2006.  Despite its spectacular physical condition, the elements used for the print are a bit sketchy: I would say at least three if not four generations away from the camera negative.  And the printing is typical of new B&W (compare the whites & blacks to the War of the Satellites print to see what I mean): density is on the thin side.  And the sound dates from the Vitaphone days, & sounds it.
     All that aside, this is such a fun movie that I doubt these technical problems will even be noticed!

Frankenstein
1.37 - B&W - Mono

     Virtually new.  Much better density than Lost Souls.  Terrific print.

Paul
2.40 - Colour - Dolby SR/D

     Virtually new.  Off a DI, so it has the image problems inherent from that process.

Mission Galactica: The Cylon Attack
1.85 - Colour - Mono

     The rarest print youll be watching this thon, but it is, alas, Mission Galactica.  This is Universal's vault print, & they obviously stored it well.  Print dates from 1979, and was printed on SP stock (about which more later).  The colour is unevenly intact: as with all fading, some reels go faster than others.  Reels 1 through 4 have started to turn, but I think most of you wont notice.  Reel 5 is perfect.  Reel 6 is close to perfect.  (This movie is so bad, we'll see if any of you are even conscious by the time reel 5 unspools.)
     The print is in like-new condition: not a single splice, no wear, no dirt, no scratches, no nothing.  Remarkable.
     Like last year's Galactica, this movie was derived by splicing together a couple of the TV episodes, & the sound, as before, is EQ'd incredibly high.  Theres no low end to speak of.
     This is a Sensurround print, and, NO, WE CANT RUN IT IN SENSURROUND.  >:(

Scanners
1.85 - Colour - Mono

     Another collector's print, this one dates from 1980 & was printed on the aforementioned SP stock.  Having received complaints about the fading to red of its release stock, Kodak's solution was to make a stock that faded to a yellow-brownish-amber, & thats the case here.  Got that, Frank?  Not red, AMBER.  Ha, ha, ha!  (Frank knows I hate this movie, & I know Frank hates faded prints.)
     There is some wear, a reasonable number of splices (some of which I had to remake), & an abrasion emulsion scratch that may show.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes
2.40 - Colour - Dolby SR/D

     Virtually new.  No splices.  Theres an odd, minor scratch that shows up every once & again, which is not at all distracting.  Off a DI, & looks it.

Attack the Block
2.40 - Colour - Dolby SR/D

     Virtually new.  No splices.  Minor abrasion base scratches that will not show on screen.  Off a DI.

Cowboy BeBop
1.85 - Colour - Dolby SR/D

     To my compete & utter surprise, this is a new print.  No splices, no wear, & colour is good.  That means I have five prints which must be run off singles!  Yeeesh!

     Now lets see if I can survive this gauntlet!  :P

Title: Re: Print Report for the Marathon
Post by kirok on Feb 17th, 2012 at 9:27pm
i missed something here. why did dave boycott the board?

Title: Re: Print Report for the Marathon
Post by Frank on Feb 17th, 2012 at 10:19pm
As always Dave, thanks for your insightful report. In addition to your daily work routine, you take on this monster year after year.  Unfortunately, you are sort of a one of a kind now............ not too many master craftsmen left.  A tip of the visor, a blast of the raygun and the hope that you go unnoticed throughout the event except to take a bow and that the master's hand remains invisible throughout. 

Title: Re: Print Report for the Marathon
Post by Frank on Feb 17th, 2012 at 10:21pm
You did not miss anything here.  Dave did not go public with his reasons for boycott.   I appreciate his doing this for the many who asked him for the favor ( I was definitely one of them). 

Title: Re: Print Report for the Marathon
Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 17th, 2012 at 10:52pm
Thanks for the info on the prints.
Have to ask, does the Galactica print have the Sensurround warning on it?
If so, please run it.

Title: Re: Print Report for the Marathon
Post by ed symkus on Feb 17th, 2012 at 11:50pm
Excellent report. And it's nice to know that you still love what you do!

Title: Re: Print Report for the Marathon
Post by David the Projectionist on Feb 18th, 2012 at 11:18am

da_Bunnyman wrote on Feb 17th, 2012 at 10:52pm:
Have to ask, does the Galactica print have the Sensurround warning on it?  If so, please run it.


     It does not, & I would run that if it did!

Title: Re: Print Report for the Marathon
Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 20th, 2012 at 7:51pm

David the Projectionist wrote on Feb 18th, 2012 at 11:18am:

da_Bunnyman wrote on Feb 17th, 2012 at 10:52pm:
Have to ask, does the Galactica print have the Sensurround warning on it?  If so, please run it.


     It does not, & I would run that if it did!


Too bad because that is a classic bit of Hollywood promo BS.

Also just thought I'd take this oppurtunity to thank you for all your work at the thon itself.
GREAT JOB!
Even with the technical difficulties switching formats.

Title: Re: Print Report for the Marathon
Post by Metaluna on Feb 20th, 2012 at 7:59pm

da_Bunnyman wrote on Feb 20th, 2012 at 7:51pm:
Also just thought I'd take this oppurtunity to thank you for all your work at the thon itself.
GREAT JOB!
Even with the technical difficulties switching formats.

Yes! Thanks, Dave!

How much did you make from the tip jar? I was going to give you something but I was waiting for you to walk by so I could stick it in your pants. ;)

I owe you double for next year.

Title: Re: Print Report for Marathon 38
Post by David the Projectionist on Feb 16th, 2013 at 7:36pm
     Okay, you impatient people who must know things in advance: heres the annual print report.....made easier because there arent a whole hell of a lot of prints!
     As usual, if there are any reasonable questions, I'll be happy to answer them.  In terms of technology, this is going to be one challenging Thon, what with all the differing formats & ratios.
     These are in no particular order.

V for Vendetta
BluRay - 2.40 - colour - 5.1 TruHD

     The disc is new.  Remember, remember....when we could run this on film!

The Hands of Orlac
DVD - 1.33 - B&W - AC3

     The disc is new.  This is the type of silent film that gives silent films a bad rep.  Have a pleasant nap!

Battle Royale
BluRay - 1.78 - colour - 7.1 TruHD

     The disc is new.  Kill!  Kill!  Kill!

Phase IV
35mm - 1.85 - colour - mono

     An original print from 1974, which, technically speaking, should be completely faded, but it isnt!  Some first & some second stage fading apparent, but there are long sections that look quite good.  Some splices, and a good amount of visible wear in the screen: sbrasion scratches, base scratches, and dirt.  Missing the opening Paramount logo, as well as perhaps the first few seconds of the movie.

John Carter of Mars
DCP - 2.40 - colour - 7.1 PCM

     Theres no "new" or "old" with digital prints.  They either work or they dont.  We're one of the few theatres that can actually run 7.1 correctly.

The Ghastly Love of Johnny X
DCP - 2.40 - B&W - 5.1 PCM

     Shot on film, but transferred to digital.  Look at the difference in tones & grey scales in this, & then compare it to The Incredible Shrinking Man, & see which looks better (hint: not the DP).

Duck Dodgers
35mm - 1.37 in 1.85 frame - colour - mono

     Same print we run every year.

Asternauts
BluRay - 2.40 - colour - stereo

     Disc plays.  Thats a good thing, because sometimes they dont.

Death of a Shadow
DVD - 2.40 - colour - stereo

     Ditto.

The Incredible Shrinking Man
35mm - 1.85 - B&W - mono

     Print dates from 1994.  Struck from the camera negative, which is unusual.  Should look spectacular.  Density if pretty good.  A handful of splices; not much wear.

Safety Not Guaranteed
DCP - 2.40 - colour (I think) - 5.1 PCM

     Digital content.

The Fifth Element
35mm - 2.40 - colour - Dolby SR

     The Print From Hell.  This is the kind of thing that operators like me fear: some sprocket jockey scumbag had this last: he slapped on some masking tape to attach the tails haphazardly to the body, no leaders, spliced the film just anywhere, threw the reels (unmarked) into the can, spliced footage in out of order, & sent the stinking mess to me.  Took me over two hours to piece this thing back in the right order.  Good thing I know the movie so well!
     Print itself is okay.  Some wear, splices, &c.  The colour will blow you away!
     I will be running the analog track on this.

Escape from LA
35mm - 2.40 - colour - Dolby SR/D

     Original print from 1996.  In great shape!  One splice.
     I will also be running the analog track on this!

Reptilicus
35mm - 1.66 - colour - mono

     Print struck in 2005.  Some negative fading (bringing a yellow tinge to the screen), but surprisingly little.  Looks great most of the time, but yeeeesh, youll all have a hoot watching this turkey!  Difficult call on the aspect ratio (IMDB has it wrong, as usual), but I ran it for myself & got it right.
     Wait till you see the "special effects" in this!  Oh, and the "acting."  And theres a song!!  And, like, this travelogue of Copenhagen that comes out of nowhere!  My god.  Your brain will ache!

War of the World Goliath
DVD - 1.85 (I think) - colour- AC3

     The disc works!

La Luna
35mm - 2.40 - colour - Dolby SR/D

     Near mint.

     The gauntlet begins tomorrow.   Prepare!!  :P

Title: Re: Print Report for the Marathon
Post by L.A. Connection on Feb 16th, 2013 at 8:14pm
You the man Dave! tip jar everyone!

Title: Re: Print Report for the Terror Thon
Post by David the Projectionist on Oct 11th, 2013 at 9:52pm
     Even though this isnt "official," our little Thon certainly will have a few advantages over the regular one, the first being ALL FILM (not a digital anything in sight), & the second being that we will be showing actual real movies as opposed to some...ahem...other things.
     Believe it or not, running this half-a-Thon will probably be as challenging as the full thing, because almost every print (you know, the ones on real FILM) is marked archival, so I will be on my feet almost the entire time.
     BUT!  Ian & I have scheduled a twentyfive minute dinner break (yes, really!) at the half way point.  Wotta concept!
     That all having been said, heres the print report I know you people have been lusting for.  I should add that if any of you are on the fence about this, get your asses off it & get over here: the chances of your seeing these titles in prints of this quality again any time soon are growing slimmer by the minute!

The Cabinet of Dr Caligari
1.33 - colour - MOS - live music provided by Jeff Rapsis
     One of the many things that annoy the hell out of me is when film distributors print B&W movies on colour stock (which is cheaper to print on), using as their miserable excuse the moronic notion that they are following the "tinting" pattern from the silent days.  Bull.  Also, crap.  The colour added to the image looks nothing like the original tints, & the price you pay for it comes in the form of no gray scale, clotted blacks, wimpy whites, and high contrast.  This print was made in 2004, but at least it's FSA, so it has that going for it.
     This is the only bogus print we received.  And overlooking the fact that it's on colour stock, it's in excellent condition!

The Invisible Man
1.37 - B&W - mono
     Here we go gathering nuts & may!  This terrific print dates from 1996.  No splices, very little wear.  The density is astonishing for a print from this period.  I think it may have been struck from the camera negative, but I wont know for certain until I see it on screen.

Dr Cyclops
1.37 - colour - mono
     This is a vault print which dates from 2009 & is virtually new: not a splice, not a scratch, not a micron of dirt or wear.  The film is an Eastman print from the three strip negatives, and, regrettably, theres no way even the new Vision stock on which this was printed can duplicate the look of Technicolor, so it seems a little contrasty at times, and a little off at others.  Reel two looks the best, but, I repeat, your chances of seeing print like this again anytime soon are becoming scarcer by the second.  "Now you can call me Cyclops!"

Forbidden Planet
2.40 - colour - mono (though it does have a Perspecta track!)
     Print dates from 1999.  Very good condition: colour is okay, considering the date of the negative.  Some wear, a couple of splices.  Nothing to complain about!
     Ive run this movie so many times....  "Monsters from the Id!"

Planet of the Apes
2.40 - colour - Dolby SR/D
     Perceptive people will note that this now has a stereo track.
     This may very well be the finest print of the title I have ever seen, & Ive run about ten different ones.  This is much better than the one I ran for the Thon several years ago, which was scratched to hell & back.
     Print dates from 2011.  NEAR MINT condition.  Not a single splice, insignificant wear.  Colour is almost spot on!  "Get your filthy paws off me, you damn dirty ape!"

Westworld
2.40 - colour - mono
     This is a personal favourite of mine, & I pushed to get it.
     Print dates from 1996.  There is one splice, where someone took a couple of frames of Majel Barrett in her hooker togs (yes, that happens).  Some wear; some thin, visible scratches; some dirt (minor); and a bit if sprocket rubbing in reel four, I think.  Colour is very close.  This was struck off an IN, so it's a bit grainy & slightly washed out.  "Boy, have we got a vacation for you!"

The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
2.40 - colour - Dolby A
     This is a collector's print, an original, on Agfa stock.  Condition is very good: a few splices, minor wear.  "When are we going?"  "Real soon!"

Tremors
1.85 - colour - Dolby A
     This is a vault print and is virtually new: not a splice or scratch, with some extremely light base abrasion scratches that will not show.  Colour is dead on.  Fantastic print!

     Well, it's back to work for me: have to put the cartoons & trailers together.
     Sure hope to see a majority of you people there, because folks, we really done gone & got us some top-notch prints!!!

Title: Re: Print Report for the Marathon
Post by Rich Bartlett on Oct 13th, 2013 at 6:53am
Dave, thank you for your hard work during the mini-marathon. The prints were great.

Title: Re: Print Report for the Marathon
Post by Dinsdale on Oct 13th, 2013 at 10:18am
I'll second the print quality- it was fantastic! What's up with the suit and tie???

Title: Re: Print Report for the Marathon
Post by Dinsdale on Oct 13th, 2013 at 10:25am
Almost forgot Dave, good job with the selection of cartoons and trailers. Boy were there some awful horror films in the 70's and 80's! Mother's Day? Ugh!!
So very sad that the turnout was so poor, people really missed some beautiful prints!

Title: Re: Print Report for the Marathon
Post by David the Projectionist on Oct 26th, 2013 at 5:14pm
     Okay, we're on a bit of a roll here with print acquisition.
     Once again, if any of you is on the fence about our up-coming Hallowe'en movies, get off it & get over here, because we've landed two really good prints!

The Exorcist
1.85 - colour - Dolby SR/D

     Near mint: not a scratch, not a splice, some minor dirt here & there.  In an unusual move, I will actually be running the digital track for this: it was derived from the 70mm remix.  At one point, Friedkin was supervising the best mixes in the business, & this was one of them.
     The Coolidge ran this title last year, & their print was completely faded.  This one is NOT: no colour shift of any kind!

Near Dark
1.85 - colour - Dolby A

     Once again, near mint: not a single splice, colour is dead-on.  Some minor wear in one reel.  This doesnt often run, so see it while you can!
     I ran a print of this title for the Thon a few years ago: this copy is better than that one.

     Both movies will be shown off single reels.
     Folks, get yer butts to the theatre & support film presentations while you still can!

Title: Near Dark : Print Report for the Marathon
Post by L.A. Connection on Oct 28th, 2013 at 12:14am
Where's Jay?

Isn't it a bit uncouth of the Coolidge to show NEAR DARK the same week as the Somerville?? And, the Somerville had this announced for WEEKS in advance??????





David the Projectionist wrote on Oct 26th, 2013 at 5:14pm:
     Okay, we're on a bit of a roll here with print acquisition.
     Once again, if any of you is on the fence about our up-coming Hallowe'en movies, get off it & get over here, because we've landed two really good prints!

The Exorcist
1.85 - colour - Dolby SR/D

     Near mint: not a scratch, not a splice, some minor dirt here & there.  In an unusual move, I will actually be running the digital track for this: it was derived from the 70mm remix.  At one point, Friedkin was supervising the best mixes in the business, & this was one of them.
     The Coolidge ran this title last year, & their print was completely faded.  This one is NOT: no colour shift of any kind!

Near Dark
1.85 - colour - Dolby A

     Once again, near mint: not a single splice, colour is dead-on.  Some minor wear in one reel.  This doesnt often run, so see it while you can!
     I ran a print of this title for the Thon a few years ago: this copy is better than that one.

     Both movies will be shown off single reels.
     Folks, get yer butts to the theatre & support film presentations while you still can!


Title: Re: Print Report for the Marathon
Post by David the Projectionist on Feb 15th, 2014 at 9:23pm
     Folks, I just received the final order & schedule yesterday, so things have been (to say the least) in a chaotic state of flux.  I also received the last of the programmed materials yesterday, so getting this report out has been understandably impossible before now.  And, on top of all that, Ive been juggling a boatload of prints for the theatre's anniversary, so Ive just been drowning in free time!
     That all having been said, heres this year's print report.  As usual, if there are any questions, I'll try to answer them, but I also have to point out that this is all so last minute that I wont be online to see if there are any questions (just found a bunch of messages in my in-box here, because I havent had a moment to log in for some time)!
     In no particular order:

Coherence
DCP - 2.40 - colour - 5.1 PCM

     And some of you were hoping that there wouldnt be any festival movies in this year's thon.   ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Grabbers
DCP - 2.40 - colour - 5.1 PCM

     Oh, look: digital perfection!  (Barf)

Europa Report
BluRay - 1.78 - colour - 5.1 DTS-HD

     And more!  Can your senses withstand the onslaught?

First Men in the Moon
35mm - 2.35 - colour - mono

     Print was struck in 1999 off separations.  Colour is good, condition of the print is near mint.  I watched this the other day, and it's actually a fun movie.

The Visitor
DCP - 1.85 - colour - 5.1 PCM

     The hits just keep on coming!

Children of Men
DCP - 1.85 - colour - 5.1 PCM

     It shouldnt come as much of a surprise to the members of this board that I didnt much like this movie, but hey!  Ravishing digital once again!

Westworld
35mm - 2.35 - colour - mono

     This is the same print we ran back in October.  Print dates from 1996, is in decent shape, though it does have some dirt & wear.  A bit on the light side, but dont complain!  If you overlook the dated computer technology, this movie holds up pretty well!

Flash Gordon
DCP - 2.40 - colour - 5.1 PCM

     Remember back a way, when I laughed on this board at the thought of our getting a print of this?  Well,  :D ;D :D ;D :D ;D :D ;D :D ;D :D ;D :D ;D pardon me while I fall down laughing!
     Check the colour out, & look at how false it is.  Typical for these transfers; they never look right.
     Oh, wait!  Sorry!  Digital is always perfect.  Dont know what I was saying....

Silent Running
DCP - 1.85 - colour - 5.1 PCM (though a mono track)

     Once again, look at the colour & how flat & lifeless it is.

Electric Dreams
35mm - 1.85 - colour - Dolby A

     This was a surprise: print is new, dates from 2003, & is struck from the camera negative.  Colour is spot on.  Should look really good, if any of you can stay conscious when this relic hits the screen!  (Speaking of overlooking dated computer technology....yeeeeeeesh......)

The Power
35mm - 2.40 - IB Technicolor - mono

     This print from England is the rarity this time out.  It's in very good condition: a few splices scattered throughout, some wear, some dirt, but what can you expect from a nearly fifty year old print?  The colour is, of course, perfect.  You wont be seeing this again any time soon!

The Truman Show
35mm - 1.85 - colour - Dolby SR/D

     This is a show print, & I have no idea how we got it.  Only one or two of these is ever struck.  Watch this, & get a good idea of what the director & the crew & the reviewers get to see, as compared to the release prints made for the rest of us.  In near mint condition!

The World, the Flesh, and the Devil
DVD - 2.35 - B&W - Dolby Digital 2 Channel Mono

     Yup, a standard-issue DVD.  No comment.

     Thats pretty much everything!
     And now, PREPARE!!!!  ;)

Title: Re: Print Report for the Marathon
Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 15th, 2014 at 10:53pm
World The Flesh & The Devil is likely a DVD-R courtesy of The Warner Bros Archives who I was surprised to find are a sponsor of the event now per their website.




Title: Re: Print Report for the Marathon
Post by David the Projectionist on Feb 15th, 2014 at 11:09pm

da_Bunnyman wrote on Feb 15th, 2014 at 10:53pm:
World The Flesh & The Devil is likely a DVD-R courtesy of The Warner Bros Archives who I was surprised to find are a sponsor of the event now per their website.


     Yup; DVD-R.  But still a DVD!

Title: Re: Print Report for the Marathon
Post by David the Projectionist on Feb 14th, 2015 at 2:25am
     Well, just when I think things cant get anymore katty-whompus after last year, along comes what we're dealing with now.  I have no friggin clue what the schedule is going to be at the moment, & showtime is almost here.
     That having been said, heres the lowdown of what we have so far, subject to change at any given moment:

Boy 7
DCP - 1.85 - colour - 5.1 PCM
     Festival fun you can all look forward to!

Snowpiercer
DCP - 1.85 - colour - 5.1 PCM
     Lots of people liked this movie.  Alas, I am not among them.  (Shocking, I know.)

Ragnorak
Blu-Ray - 2.40 - colour - 5.1 DTS-HD
     Because nothing says perfection like Blu-Ray!

Moonraker
DCP - 2.40 - colour - 5.1 PCM
     Universally considered to be one of the lousiest Bonds ever made!  Now you call all see why, & see why in digital glory!
     As usual for transfers like this, the colours look completely false.

The Day the Earth Stood Still
DCP - 1.37 - "B&W" (quotes advised) - 5.1 PCM with mono track
     Nothing shows up digital limitations like B&W transfers, & this one is surely no exception.  It isnt black & white, it's magenta & something thats trying to be white.  It really looks like watching a Twilight Zone episode on a bad colour TV.  Theres no excuse for this.

This Island Earth
35mm - 1.85 - colour - mono
     Mixed reprint on both acetate & mylar; with the mylar dating from 1998.  Not a Technicolor print, which is a shame, though hardly surprising.  Some fringing from misaligned Tech negs.  Colour is adequate -- Ive seen worse -- but nowhere near what Tech prints would look like.  Some splices, repairs, & wear, but certainly a decent print.
     Be sure to say 'hi' to the Professor from Gilligan's Island!

Big Trouble in Little China
DCP - 2.40 - colour - 5.1 PCM
     Big trouble in trying to figure out what in this movie has anything to do with SF!
     Very, very dark, dull-looking transfer.  Right on par!

Them!
35mm - 1.75 - B&W - mono
     The first of the giant radioactive monster films, & one of the best; they started to get pretty ridiculous after a while (The Killer Shrews springs immediately to mind).
     An unusual ratio for Warner at the time.  Print is an old one (probably from the 60s), struck off the OCN, on Agfa, with very good density.  Some rough patches here & there: some splices, wear, & repairs.  Looks & plays well.  Keep a sharp eye out for a brief appearance by a very young Leonard Nimoy, who looks like he just started shaving!

The Cabinet of Dr Caligari
DCP - 1.33 - "B&W" (tinted) - maybe live accompaniment (weather dependent, I'd say) - German intertitles with English subtitles
     Justly famous for being one of the most innovative & inventive films in cinema history.  This DCP, struck off the recently discovered, nearly complete OCN, manages to get just about everything wrong.
     In the first place, the movie has been tinted, & the gamma is so high the grays have almost completely disappeared, so what remains is an off-colour, high-contrast disaster.  Worse, the transfer was step-printed to taking speed, which no silent film ever shot was ever supposed to be projected at, and which has the additional fun advantage of taking this 60 minute movie -- which Ive run many, many times -- and stretching it out to 90!  (The slower the movie runs, the more seriously people seem to take it.)  And, as if all that wasnt enough, the transfer was digitally steadied, so instead of the living, jumping frames you would get in regular silent movie projection, the image is as still as a rock, & every bit as lifeless.
     Disgusting.

Edge of Tomorrow
35mm - 2.40 - colour - Dolby SR/D / DTS
     The DCP was here, but then this print showed up.  Which do you think I'd run?  Hmmmmmmmm... a poser, yes?
     Print is new; never run.  Those of you who saw this digitally will be knocked out by the DTS track I'll be running.

The Iron Giant
35mm - 2.40 - colour - Dolby SR/D
     Print dates from 1999, & is in excellent condition!  No splices, some wear.

Duck Dodgers
35mm - 1.37 in 1.85 frame - colour - mono
     Same print we run every year.

2001: A Space Odyssey
70mm - 2.21 - colour - DTS 5.1 re-mix
     The best for last.  The first 70mm print to be shown in the forty-year marathon history, & the first public screening of a 70mm print in the Somerville Theatre's one hundred-year history.
      The print is a third generation strike from an IN, & therefore has more grain & more contrast than the original versions.  The lab tried to disguise the generational loss by ramping up the colour saturation, an old trick.  The sound has been re-mixed -- adequately, but just -- from the old 6-channel spread into the standard 5.1 track, so no voices from anything but the centre, & a lot of the sound panning has been suppressed.  Also sounds a little more trebly than the original, and theres a lot more sub-woofer signal as well.
     Nonetheless, I predict youll all be blown clear out of your seats!  This is, without question in my mind, the greatest science-fiction movie ever made, & to see it properly in 70mm is a rare treat these days!

     Get set!

Title: Re: Print Report for the Marathon
Post by L.A. Connection on Feb 14th, 2015 at 11:45pm

wrote on Feb 14th, 2015 at 2:25am:
     Well, just when I think things cant get anymore katty-whompus after last year, along comes what we're dealing with now.  I have no friggin clue what the schedule is going to be at the moment, & showtime is almost here.
     That having been said, heres the lowdown of what we have so far, subject to change at any given moment:

Boy 7
DCP - 1.85 - colour - 5.1 PCM
     Festival fun you can all look forward to!

Snowpiercer
DCP - 1.85 - colour - 5.1 PCM
     Lots of people liked this movie.  Alas, I am not among them.  (Shocking, I know.)

Ragnorak
Blu-Ray - 2.40 - colour - 5.1 DTS-HD
     Because nothing says perfection like Blu-Ray!

Moonraker
DCP - 2.40 - colour - 5.1 PCM
     Universally considered to be one of the lousiest Bonds ever made!  Now you call all see why, & see why in digital glory!
     As usual for transfers like this, the colours look completely false.

The Day the Earth Stood Still
DCP - 1.37 - "B&W" (quotes advised) - 5.1 PCM with mono track
     Nothing shows up digital limitations like B&W transfers, & this one is surely no exception.  It isnt black & white, it's magenta & something thats trying to be white.  It really looks like watching a Twilight Zone episode on a bad colour TV.  Theres no excuse for this.

This Island Earth
35mm - 1.85 - colour - mono
     Mixed reprint on both acetate & mylar; with the mylar dating from 1998.  Not a Technicolor print, which is a shame, though hardly surprising.  Some fringing from misaligned Tech negs.  Colour is adequate -- Ive seen worse -- but nowhere near what Tech prints would look like.  Some splices, repairs, & wear, but certainly a decent print.
     Be sure to say 'hi' to the Professor from Gilligan's Island!

Big Trouble in Little China
DCP - 2.40 - colour - 5.1 PCM
     Big trouble in trying to figure out what in this movie has anything to do with SF!
     Very, very dark, dull-looking transfer.  Right on par!

Them!
35mm - 1.75 - B&W - mono
     The first of the giant radioactive monster films, & one of the best; they started to get pretty ridiculous after a while (The Killer Shrews springs immediately to mind).
     An unusual ratio for Warner at the time.  Print is an old one (probably from the 60s), struck off the OCN, on Agfa, with very good density.  Some rough patches here & there: some splices, wear, & repairs.  Looks & plays well.  Keep a sharp eye out for a brief appearance by a very young Leonard Nimoy, who looks like he just started shaving!

The Cabinet of Dr Caligari
DCP - 1.33 - "B&W" (tinted) - maybe live accompaniment (weather dependent, I'd say) - German intertitles with English subtitles
     Justly famous for being one of the most innovative & inventive films in cinema history.  This DCP, struck off the recently discovered, nearly complete OCN, manages to get just about everything wrong.
     In the first place, the movie has been tinted, & the gamma is so high the grays have almost completely disappeared, so what remains is an off-colour, high-contrast disaster.  Worse, the transfer was step-printed to taking speed, which no silent film ever shot was ever supposed to be projected at, and which has the additional fun advantage of taking this 60 minute movie -- which Ive run many, many times -- and stretching it out to 90!  (The slower the movie runs, the more seriously people seem to take it.)  And, as if all that wasnt enough, the transfer was digitally steadied, so instead of the living, jumping frames you would get in regular silent movie projection, the image is as still as a rock, & every bit as lifeless.
     Disgusting.

Edge of Tomorrow
35mm - 2.40 - colour - Dolby SR/D / DTS
     The DCP was here, but then this print showed up.  Which do you think I'd run?  Hmmmmmmmm... a poser, yes?
     Print is new; never run.  Those of you who saw this digitally will be knocked out by the DTS track I'll be running.

The Iron Giant
35mm - 2.40 - colour - Dolby SR/D
     Print dates from 1999, & is in excellent condition!  No splices, some wear.

Duck Dodgers
35mm - 1.37 in 1.85 frame - colour - mono
     Same print we run every year.

2001: A Space Odyssey
70mm - 2.21 - colour - DTS 5.1 re-mix
     The best for last.  The first 70mm print to be shown in the forty-year marathon history, & the first public screening of a 70mm print in the Somerville Theatre's one hundred-year history.
      The print is a third generation strike from an IN, & therefore has more grain & more contrast than the original versions.  The lab tried to disguise the generational loss by ramping up the colour saturation, an old trick.  The sound has been re-mixed -- adequately, but just -- from the old 6-channel spread into the standard 5.1 track, so no voices from anything but the centre, & a lot of the sound panning has been suppressed.  Also sounds a little more trebly than the original, and theres a lot more sub-woofer signal as well.
     Nonetheless, I predict youll all be blown clear out of your seats!  This is, without question in my mind, the greatest science-fiction movie ever made, & to see it properly in 70mm is a rare treat these days!

     Get set!
thank u David. BOY 7 and RAGNAROK are out. Something from the Fest will replace.

Title: Re: Print Report for the Marathon
Post by David the Projectionist on Feb 13th, 2016 at 8:40pm
     Okay, kids, here we are with my annual "print" report (quotes advised, as there are hardly any prints).  In stream of consciousness order:

EX MACHINA
DCP - 2.40 - colour - 5.1 PCM

     This was very popular, but I'm not a fan.  I dont like movies about "geniuses" who do really dumb, stupid things, like invent robots without an off switch.

BRIDE OF FINKLESTEIN
DCP - 1.85 - colour - not sure

     Short!

NEVER LET ME GO
DCP - 2.40 - colour - 5.1 PCM

     Them digital hits keep coming!

BIG ASS SPIDER
DCP - not sure - colour - 5.1 PCM

     Big ass digital!

BLADE RUNNER
DCP - 2.40 - colour - 5.1 PCM

     As Ive mentioned many times on this board, "dark" & "digital" are not like love & marriage: they dont go together like a horse & carriage!  More like sodium & water!  Expect this to look frigging AWFUL.

PITCH BLACK
DCP - 2.40 - colour - 5.1 PCM

     And this is an even darker movie, so expect it to look even worse!  Ironically, Ive been pushing for this title for years.

THEY LIVE
35mm - 2.40 - colour - Dolby A Type

     Print is from 2006 & is in excellent condition.  Bit of wear at the heads & tails.

INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS
DCP - 2.40 - "B&W" - 5.1 PCM with mono track

     The only thing that digital handles worse than dark is black & white, so expect this to look pretty bad!

THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH
DCP - 2.40 - colour - 5.1 PCM

     I'm not holding out much hope.  All these film to DCP transfers have been reliably crummy.

GREMLINS
DCP - 1.85 - colour - 5.1 PCM

     Same as above.

TRIP TO MARS
DCP - 1.33 in 1.85 frame (I'm guessing) - "B&W" - Jeff Rapsis!

     Havent seen it.

HIGH TREASON
35mm - 1.19 - B&W - mono

     An early British sound film that has all the forward momentum of a glacier on Pluto.  Get your No-Doz ready for this dated stinker!  Print is nearly new, from the Library of Congress, struck from a recently discovered surviving nitrate print.  As so many SF movies have tried to teach us over the decades, some things are best left undisturbed.

DONOVAN'S BRAIN
35mm - 1.37 - B&W - mono

     Another print of LoC.  Beautiful density, nearly new, gorgeous image, though struck from a DI.

IDIOCRACY
35mm - 1.85 - colour - Dolby SR/D

     Print is in excellent condition.  Minor wear.  Movie is funny as hell, being almost a documentary of the Republican Party.

STARMAN
70mm
- 2.21 - colour - Six channel mag sound with Dolby A NR

     Some minor base abrasion scratches at the beginning, but thats it!  Occasional dirt & minor wear.  Pretty awesome condition for an original print, and our first mag print ever!  Give it up for 70mm!!

     Buckle your seat belts! 

Title: Re: Print Report for the Marathon
Post by David the Projectionist on Feb 16th, 2019 at 12:13am
     I havent posted a print report in years, because there have been NO PRINTS worthy of reporting.  I could comment on that, but I wont.   ::)
     For this Thon, the majority of the titles are on film, which is a welcome change.  It makes the event special, in my opinion, as opposed to watching TV in the theatre.  In no particular order:

Annihilation / Sunshine / Escape from New York
     All DCPs.

Frau im Mond
(aka, The Living Death)
     Dont know. Either a Blu-Ray or a DCP.  Hasnt arrived.  But when it does, it will be 1.33, & Mr Rapsis will be trying his level best to keep you from killing yourselves.
     Yeah, good luck with that.

Dr Cyclops
35mm - 1.37 - colour - mono

     This is the same 2009 print that we ran in 2013.  It's still in pretty much the same condition, which is good news.  This was shot in 3-strip Technicolor, and, while this is not a Tech print, it still looks pretty good.
     This is a childhood favourite of mine.  The props are amazing!  And Albert Dekker kills it as the mad doctor.

Rollerball
35mm - 1.85 - colour - mono

     A recent print on Agfa, so the colour is good.  Print is in virtually unrun condition.

Innerspace
35mm - 1.85 - colour - Dolby SR

     An original 1987 print in NEAR MINT condition.  You wont see it better!

Destination Moon
DVD - 1.37 - colour - mono

     Yup, a standard DVD.  And it was made off an old Tech print (which You Shouldnt Do, because it never looks right).

Source Code
35mm - 1.85 - colour - Dolby SR-D/DTS

     An original print in excellent condition, although it came in a huge mess, with all the leaders & tails everywhere.  I put the reels in the right order.  I also managed to find someone with the DTS files, so youll be hearing this one in style!

The Andromeda Strain
35mm - 2.35 - colour - mono

     A 2005 strike; not sure what was used as a printing element; maybe seps; have to see it on screen.  Anyway, it's in excellent condition.

Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
70mm
- 2.21 - colour - Six channel split surround mag tracks with Dolby SR NR

     The second-best of the original crew Trek movies (at least as far as I'm concerned), which I didnt like at first, but which has grown on me over the years, despite all its glitches, and the weak ending.  The Shakespeare-quoting Christopher Plummer absolutely steals the show.
     The print is in excellent condition with only minor wear & a few splices.
     As a bit of history, the reason this movie has a split surround track (as opposed to all the other Trek features), is that a few prints were struck in the then-nascent Dolby Digital format, which would soon bring 5.1 channels of discrete, highly compressed, miserable audio to all the world, & kill off the 70mm format for years.
     THERE IS NO BETTER SOUND IN CINEMA HISTORY THAN MAG WITH SR NR.  Those of you who have only seen this on your home systems off a crappy Blu-Ray, or (worse) a DVD, or (even worse) streaming, or (may God forgive you) on your phone or laptop or tablet, are in for a revelation.  This print, & the sound on it, will ALTER YOUR LIFE.
     In terms of what youre going to hear, this will have the most overwhelming sound of any movie we've ever run.  People have forgotten, as the years slip by, just how fantastic mag sound is.  Well, I'm going to remind them.  Gird your loins!

     And thats it for this year.  This will be my fourteenth marathon.  Always an even bet as to whether I can still pull this off, now that I'm entering my dotage.....

Title: SF44 Print Report for the Marathon
Post by L.A. Connection on Mar 7th, 2019 at 3:16pm
Thanks for the great job at the 'thon, David.

Yes, the film prints were quite the sight to see on the big screen. The colours in DR. CYCLOPS were amazing even if it was a modern print. Most of the modern era film prints were solid (although, as DDK notes, SOURCE CODE has the downside of having gone through heavy Digital Intermediate treatment, giving it a digital chalkiness). TREK in 70mm was amazing. It's a 35mm blowup, so the image was a tad soft, but, yes, the deep rich sound shook things up - in a good way, of course.  But, to me, the topper was the vintage INNER-SPACE print. Wow! And, to think of the crappy 2K digital that passes for standard mulitiplex release DCPs today. Sad.

Great job. Thank you


David the Projectionist wrote on Feb 16th, 2019 at 12:13am:
     I havent posted a print report in years, because there have been NO PRINTS worthy of reporting.  I could comment on that, but I wont.   ::)
     For this Thon, the majority of the titles are on film, which is a welcome change.  It makes the event special, in my opinion, as opposed to watching TV in the theatre.  In no particular order:

Annihilation / Sunshine / Escape from New York
     All DCPs.

Frau im Mond
(aka, The Living Death)
     Dont know. Either a Blu-Ray or a DCP.  Hasnt arrived.  But when it does, it will be 1.33, & Mr Rapsis will be trying his level best to keep you from killing yourselves.
     Yeah, good luck with that.

Dr Cyclops
35mm - 1.37 - colour - mono

     This is the same 2009 print that we ran in 2013.  It's still in pretty much the same condition, which is good news.  This was shot in 3-strip Technicolor, and, while this is not a Tech print, it still looks pretty good.
     This is a childhood favourite of mine.  The props are amazing!  And Albert Dekker kills it as the mad doctor.

Rollerball
35mm - 1.85 - colour - mono

     A recent print on Agfa, so the colour is good.  Print is in virtually unrun condition.

Innerspace
35mm - 1.85 - colour - Dolby SR

     An original 1987 print in NEAR MINT condition.  You wont see it better!

Destination Moon
DVD - 1.37 - colour - mono

     Yup, a standard DVD.  And it was made off an old Tech print (which You Shouldnt Do, because it never looks right).

Source Code
35mm - 1.85 - colour - Dolby SR-D/DTS

     An original print in excellent condition, although it came in a huge mess, with all the leaders & tails everywhere.  I put the reels in the right order.  I also managed to find someone with the DTS files, so youll be hearing this one in style!

The Andromeda Strain
35mm - 2.35 - colour - mono

     A 2005 strike; not sure what was used as a printing element; maybe seps; have to see it on screen.  Anyway, it's in excellent condition.

Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
70mm
- 2.21 - colour - Six channel split surround mag tracks with Dolby SR NR

     The second-best of the original crew Trek movies (at least as far as I'm concerned), which I didnt like at first, but which has grown on me over the years, despite all its glitches, and the weak ending.  The Shakespeare-quoting Christopher Plummer absolutely steals the show.
     The print is in excellent condition with only minor wear & a few splices.
     As a bit of history, the reason this movie has a split surround track (as opposed to all the other Trek features), is that a few prints were struck in the then-nascent Dolby Digital format, which would soon bring 5.1 channels of discrete, highly compressed, miserable audio to all the world, & kill off the 70mm format for years.
     THERE IS NO BETTER SOUND IN CINEMA HISTORY THAN MAG WITH SR NR.  Those of you who have only seen this on your home systems off a crappy Blu-Ray, or (worse) a DVD, or (even worse) streaming, or (may God forgive you) on your phone or laptop or tablet, are in for a revelation.  This print, & the sound on it, will ALTER YOUR LIFE.
     In terms of what youre going to hear, this will have the most overwhelming sound of any movie we've ever run.  People have forgotten, as the years slip by, just how fantastic mag sound is.  Well, I'm going to remind them.  Gird your loins!

     And thats it for this year.  This will be my fourteenth marathon.  Always an even bet as to whether I can still pull this off, now that I'm entering my dotage.....


Title: Re: Print Report for the Marathon
Post by David the Projectionist on Feb 13th, 2020 at 5:43pm
     Here we go with this year's crop o prints.  Let us all give thanks.
     This will be my 15th Marathon.  My goodness....


Fast Color / Tarantula / Spaceballs / Mysterious Island / Midnight Special / Soylent Green
     All DCPs.
     TV, anyone?
     Continuing......


Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
     This is a Blu-Ray.

Die, Monster, Die!
35mm - 2.35 - colour - mono
     This is a 1984 reprint in very good condition.  It was obviously struck off a slightly faded element, & the print has a few scratches & some signs of wear, but it runs through fine.
     Nice sets.  Karloff tries his best!


Miracle Mile
35mm - 1.85 - colour - Dolby A

     A 1987 original print also in very good condition.  Some wear at every head & tail, some dirt & a few light, occasional scratches.  Nothing to complain about.  Sound & colour are quite good.


The Fly
35mm - 1.85 - colour - Dolby A
     Here we have a 1986 original strike in moderate to good condition.  Some heavy wear at the heads & tails.  Not many splices, but this has been shown many times (as a friend of mine would put it, the print has been "well loved").


Altered States
35mm - 1.85 - colour - mono
     A 1991 reprint in very good condition.  Some minor wear & some dirt.
     Probably one of the most berserk movies made by Ken Russell -- who specialised in making berserk movies.  The script was so "altered" (couldnt resist) that Chayefsky took his name off it.
     The only way to really watch this one is in 70mm.  The blow-ups had a skull-crushingly hot track (in the now forgotten miracle of MEGASOUND [which was just a lower baby boom track piped through meatier subs]).  Really, the sound mix in 70 was unforgettable & overwhelming.  And here we have it mono.  Ahem.
     I will not comment further.   ::)


Seconds
35mm - 1.85 - B&W - mono
     Yes, 1.85 & not, as Criterion would have you believe, 1.75.  Sometimes I despair.
     This is an original print, struck right off the OCN, in very good condition.  Almost no splices; some occasional wear & a few visible scratches.  Wonderful density & as sharp as a pin.
     This is unquestionably the best movie we're running this year: it's creepy, disturbing, & unforgettable.  Rock Hudson turns in the performance of his life.


Fiend without a Face
35mm - 1.66 - B&W - mono
     This is the rarest print we'll be screening.  It's a 1958 original in stunning condition.  If youve never seen it, it's just....amazingly awful in a truly wonderful way: one of those really bad movies thats so beyond belief all you can do is laugh with joy.  A childhood favourite of mine (dont ask), it's pretty impressively gory for its time period & it has a few effective scenes.  Theres nothing quite like this one, so sit back & gape in awe!
     And always remember: atomic power......Is Not Good.  We're screening two movies to remind you of this important fact.

     And that wraps it up for this year.  For those of you still on this board who care about such things, please remember my tip jar!  :D

Title: DDK: Print Report for the Marathon
Post by L.A. Connection on Feb 13th, 2020 at 7:08pm
[  quote author=0D0802490 link=1329522075/26#26 date=1581633805]     Here we go with this year's crop o prints.  Let us all give thanks.
     This will be my 15th Marathon.  My goodness....


Fast Color / Tarantula / Spaceballs / Mysterious Island / Midnight Special / Soylent Green
     All DCPs.
     TV, anyone?
     Continuing......


Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
     This is a Blu-Ray.

Die, Monster, Die!
35mm - 2.35 - colour - mono
     This is a 1984 reprint in very good condition.  It was obviously struck off a slightly faded element, & the print has a few scratches & some signs of wear, but it runs through fine.
     Nice sets.  Karloff tries his best!


Miracle Mile
35mm - 1.85 - colour - Dolby A

     A 1987 original print also in very good condition.  Some wear at every head & tail, some dirt & a few light, occasional scratches.  Nothing to complain about.  Sound & colour are quite good.


The Fly
35mm - 1.85 - colour - Dolby A
     Here we have a 1986 original strike in moderate to good condition.  Some heavy wear at the heads & tails.  Not many splices, but this has been shown many times (as a friend of mine would put it, the print has been "well loved").


Altered States
35mm - 1.85 - colour - mono
     A 1991 reprint in very good condition.  Some minor wear & some dirt.
     Probably one of the most berserk movies made by Ken Russell -- who specialised in making berserk movies.  The script was so "altered" (couldnt resist) that Chayefsky took his name off it.
     The only way to really watch this one is in 70mm.  The blow-ups had a skull-crushingly hot track (in the now forgotten miracle of MEGASOUND [which was just a lower baby boom track piped through meatier subs]).  Really, the sound mix in 70 was unforgettable & overwhelming.  And here we have it mono.  Ahem.
     I will not comment further.   ::)


Seconds
35mm - 1.85 - B&W - mono
     Yes, 1.85 & not, as Criterion would have you believe, 1.75.  Sometimes I despair.
     This is an original print, struck right off the OCN, in very good condition.  Almost no splices; some occasional wear & a few visible scratches.  Wonderful density & as sharp as a pin.
     This is unquestionably the best movie we're running this year: it's creepy, disturbing, & unforgettable.  Rock Hudson turns in the performance of his life.


Fiend without a Face
35mm - 1.66 - B&W - mono
     This is the rarest print we'll be screening.  It's a 1958 original in stunning condition.  If youve never seen it, it's just....amazingly awful in a truly wonderful way: one of those really bad movies thats so beyond belief all you can do is laugh with joy.  A childhood favourite of mine (dont ask), it's pretty impressively gory for its time period & it has a few effective scenes.  Theres nothing quite like this one, so sit back & gape in awe!
     And always remember: atomic power......Is Not Good.  We're screening two movies to remind you of this important fact.

     And that wraps it up for this year.  For those of you still on this board who care about such things, please remember my tip jar!  :D
[/quote]
Thank you, David! Especially for FIEND WITHOUT A FACE. Too bad about the sound on ALTERED STATES.
Will TARANTULA be shown in the traditional 1:33 or Universal's revisionist 1:85?

Title: Re: DDK: Print Report for the Marathon
Post by David the Projectionist on Feb 13th, 2020 at 8:28pm

L.A. Connection wrote on Feb 13th, 2020 at 7:08pm:
Will TARANTULA be shown in the traditional 1:33 or Universal's revisionist 1:85?


     I have no way of finding out.  The key doesnt activate until Saturday afternoon, so theres no way I can test any of the DCPs before Sunday.
     Typical.
     Thanks, digital!


Title: Over ride: Print Report for the Marathon
Post by L.A. Connection on Feb 13th, 2020 at 11:25pm

David the Projectionist wrote on Feb 13th, 2020 at 8:28pm:

L.A. Connection wrote on Feb 13th, 2020 at 7:08pm:
Will TARANTULA be shown in the traditional 1:33 or Universal's revisionist 1:85?


     I have no way of finding out.  The key doesnt activate until Saturday afternoon, so theres no way I can test any of the DCPs before Sunday.
     Typical.
     Thanks, digital!

No way to over ride it if it is 1:85?

Title: Re: Over ride: Print Report for the Marathon
Post by David the Projectionist on Feb 15th, 2020 at 4:30pm

L.A. Connection wrote on Feb 13th, 2020 at 11:25pm:
No way to over ride it if it is 1:85?


     Are you serious?  Override it how, exactly?  Can you alter the AR of a DVD or Blu-Ray?
     Theres no extra picture information: you cant pull a plate & show more.  Whatever information is on the transfer, thats all there is.
     Geezuz.


Title: Re: Print Report for the Marathon
Post by kirok1 on Feb 19th, 2020 at 9:43am
what do all these numbers mean?

Title: Re: Print Report for the Marathon
Post by David the Projectionist on Feb 18th, 2022 at 6:13pm
     Here we go with my 16th Marathon.  The insanity continues!

Day the Earth Caught Fire / Laserblast / The Man Who Saved the World / Superman II
     All BluRays.

Cosmos
     Ya know; I'm not sure right now.  Something digital.  Probably a BluRay.

The Invisible Woman / Love & Monsters
     DCPs.

Star Trek: First Contact
35mm - 2.40 - colour - Dolby SR-D/DTS

     Original print in excellent condition.  Couple of lab splices; virtually no wear.  Should look & sound great.  And, yes, we'll be running the DTS tracks, because we can.

The Omega Man
35mm - 2.35 - colour - mono

     Heres pleasant surprise: Warner sent us an original IB Technicolor print.  Pretty awesome, I have to say.  It's in good to very good condition.  A line or two here & there, a few splices, some dirt & wear at the heads & tails.  Thats nothing for a print this old.  And nothing -- repeat: nothing -- looks like Tech!
     Amusingly (or alarmingly, depending on your point of view), "The Family" in this movie are dead-ringers for the anti-vaxx, anti-science, anti-fact-based idiots of today, whose stupidity is allowing the pandemic to spiral on & on.  Honestly, theres not any daylight between them.  Rather clairvoyant of the movie, I must say.


I, Robot
35mm - 2.40 - colour - Dolby SR-D/DTS

     Original print in near mint, virtually unplayed condition.  You cant ask for better!  And, once again, we will be running the DTS tracks.

Outbreak
35mm - 1.85 - colour - Dolby SR

     Original print in very good to excellent condition.  Some minor wear, especially at the heads & tails; a splice or two.  This movie is a lot of fun, though it doesnt have any anti-vaxxers.   ;)

Interstellar
70mm - 2.21 - colour - DTS 5.1

          A combined print: different reels were taken from different prints to give us this one.  Some of the reels are flawless, & some have varying types of damage: some speckling, some cinch scratches, some JJ scratches, an emulsion scratch here & there, some wear & dirt, all from lousy operators who dont know what theyre doing.
     I'm no Christopher Nolan fan, but I like this movie, in spite of its flaws.  And it's actual "science" fiction, as opposed to the titles we usually run.  The sound is tremendous, though I do have to reset everything to my "Christopher Nolan Settings" (a real thing) in order to make the dialogue intelligible, an habitual & annoying problem from the plainly stone-cold-deaf Mr Nolan.

     And thats it!  To those of you attending, please remember my tip jar!  I'm not getting any younger, you know!   :D

Title: Re: Print Report for the Marathon
Post by kirok1 on Feb 23rd, 2022 at 8:04am
"science" fiction???
can someone tell me how the gravity gradient of the black hole did not rip the space ship and it's contents into confetti?
the absolute limit of solar energy is 1400 watts per square meter. the solar panels on that drone could not possibly run a farm.

Title: DDK: Print Report for the Marathon
Post by L.A. Connection on Mar 10th, 2022 at 1:41pm
Would loved to have been there. But, safety first.

David the Projectionist wrote on Feb 18th, 2022 at 6:13pm:
     Here we go with my 16th Marathon.  The insanity continues!

Day the Earth Caught Fire / Laserblast / The Man Who Saved the World / Superman II
     All BluRays.

Cosmos
     Ya know; I'm not sure right now.  Something digital.  Probably a BluRay.

The Invisible Woman / Love & Monsters
     DCPs.

Star Trek: First Contact
35mm - 2.40 - colour - Dolby SR-D/DTS

     Original print in excellent condition.  Couple of lab splices; virtually no wear.  Should look & sound great.  And, yes, we'll be running the DTS tracks, because we can.

The Omega Man
35mm - 2.35 - colour - mono

     Heres pleasant surprise: Warner sent us an original IB Technicolor print.  Pretty awesome, I have to say.  It's in good to very good condition.  A line or two here & there, a few splices, some dirt & wear at the heads & tails.  Thats nothing for a print this old.  And nothing -- repeat: nothing -- looks like Tech!
     Amusingly (or alarmingly, depending on your point of view), "The Family" in this movie are dead-ringers for the anti-vaxx, anti-science, anti-fact-based idiots of today, whose stupidity is allowing the pandemic to spiral on & on.  Honestly, theres not any daylight between them.  Rather clairvoyant of the movie, I must say.


I, Robot
35mm - 2.40 - colour - Dolby SR-D/DTS

     Original print in near mint, virtually unplayed condition.  You cant ask for better!  And, once again, we will be running the DTS tracks.

Outbreak
35mm - 1.85 - colour - Dolby SR

     Original print in very good to excellent condition.  Some minor wear, especially at the heads & tails; a splice or two.  This movie is a lot of fun, though it doesnt have any anti-vaxxers.   ;)

Interstellar
70mm - 2.21 - colour - DTS 5.1

          A combined print: different reels were taken from different prints to give us this one.  Some of the reels are flawless, & some have varying types of damage: some speckling, some cinch scratches, some JJ scratches, an emulsion scratch here & there, some wear & dirt, all from lousy operators who dont know what theyre doing.
     I'm no Christopher Nolan fan, but I like this movie, in spite of its flaws.  And it's actual "science" fiction, as opposed to the titles we usually run.  The sound is tremendous, though I do have to reset everything to my "Christopher Nolan Settings" (a real thing) in order to make the dialogue intelligible, an habitual & annoying problem from the plainly stone-cold-deaf Mr Nolan.

     And thats it!  To those of you attending, please remember my tip jar!  I'm not getting any younger, you know!   :D


Title: Re: Print Report for the Marathon
Post by David the Projectionist on Feb 17th, 2023 at 10:42pm
     Believe it or not, this will be the 17th marathon that Ive projected.  Remember that when you see my tip jar!
     So here we go, once again, with the print report.

After Yang / Godzilla / Total Recall
     All DCPs.

Happy Accidents / Beyond the Time Barrier
     DVDs.

Bill & Ted Face the Music / La Jetee
     BluRays.



     Now we get to the actual film.

Escape from the Planet of the Apes
35mm - 2.35 - "colour" - mono

     Print is a British strike, on undated Agfa.  Looks nice and sharp, but the colour has warmed over the years.  Fortunately, Agfa never fades down to complete red, so theres still some colour peeping through, so it wont be too bad.  Still, theres no denying the colour has turned.
     Standard wear at the heads & tails, as well as a few scattered splices.  Overall, it's in good condition.
     The third in the original Apes series, & a lot of fun!  One of the things I like about all these movies is the misanthropic "humans suck" message that ran through them.  And it has a terrific Jerry Goldsmith score!

Stargate
35mm - 2.35 - colour - Dolby A/DTS

     1994 print in good to very good condition.  Standard wear at the heads & tails, but nothing to complain about.  And, of course, I got hold of the DTS files & thats how we'll run it, because we can.   :D

Alien
35mm - 2.35 - "colour" - Dolby A

     A movie that needs no introduction to this crowd.  This is a combined print, with different reels coming from different prints.
     So, reels 1/2/4/5/7 are on 1979 Kodak stock & have just about completely gone to red.  Theres some colour here & there, but not much.
     Reels 3 & 6 are on 1977 Fuji stock, which, at the time, held its colour very well.  Those reels look much better in terms of colour.
     The print is fairly beat up.  Theres wear & dirt & some scratches, as well as some splices.  Overall good condition (thats not high praise).  On the plus side: this also has a terrific Jerry Goldsmith score!
     And, just to date myself, I ran this sucker in 70mm at the Charles Theatre when it came out.  Scary, right?

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
35mm - 2.40 - colour - Dolby SR-D/DTS

     This 2003 print is in virtually new, barely-run condition.  A bit of dirt here & there, & thats it.  It looks fantastic on screen.  And (of course) we'll be running the DTS tracks, which will absolutely kick your ass.
     Because my opinions tend to run counter to everyone else's, I'll say here that this is my favourite of the Terminator movies.....something most people regard as blasphemous.  Nevertheless, there you are.  This thing moves, and it moves without ponderous messages about nuclear annihilation & clumsy attempts to be "meaningful."  The demolition derby car chase is one of the best Ive ever seen (in case you didnt know: they built the streets & blocks that get completely wrecked); the fight between the two terminators is awesome in its destruction, & the whole thing is just great fun.
     Plus, with this print, you will not see (or hear) it better!

UFOria
35mm - 1.85 - colour - mono

     1984 print in very good to excellent condition.  Theres some dirt scattered throughout, but thats pretty much it.

Future Kill
35mm - 1.85 - colour - mono

     On 1985 Fuji.  Wear throughout, though the movie is so dark youll barely notice.  Some scratches here & there, & some dirt, especially at the heads & tails.

     There are, in this strange world of ours, some superb movies that have unjustly fallen into obscurity.  These two, however, have fallen off the map because they just arent any good.
     UFOria is one of the strangest films Ive ever seen: it seems to have no idea what it's about or where it's going, which is probably why it sat on the shelf for years.  It reminds of that movie we ran at SF/38, Safety not Guaranteed, only it's even stranger than that one (and it came before).
     Future Kill I couldnt even get through.  Wow, you talk about a dated, incoherent mess.  Yeesh.
     Have fun with these, folks!   :D

Back to the Future Part 2
70mm - 1.85 - colour - Six channel mag sound with Dolby A NR

     The last surviving/existing 70mm print of this in the world is in overall very good to excellent condition.  It dates from 1989.  There are some hairline scratches down the middle that come & go, as well as some minor wear.  This is nothing to fuss over.  It looks & sounds great!
     And, once more for good luck: you aint ever going to see it better!

     And thats it once again!  Prepare yourselves!
     And dont forget the tip jar!  How many other geezers do you know who can project 24 hours' worth of movies in varying formats & not screw up too much?   :-?

Title: Re: Print Report for the Marathon
Post by David the Projectionist on Feb 12th, 2024 at 9:20pm
     Here we go with number 18 for me!  Think of my age, & then think of my tip jar!

Mad Max / Predestination / Upgrade / Dredd
     All DCPs.

Attack of the Crab Monsters / Top of the Food Chain / Duck Dodgers / Surprise
     DVDs.

Blast from the Past / Lapsis
     BluRays.



     And heeeeeeeeeeeeeres the almost non-existent film prints!

The Matrix
35mm - 2.40 - colour - Dolby SR-D/DTS

     Original print is good to very good to excellent condition (depending on the reel).  Some wear and some scratches, but pretty nice overall.
     And, of course, we'll be running the DTS tracks, because we can.

Deep Blue Sea
35mm - 2.40 - colour - Dolby SR-d

     In nearly new condition (unfortunately, because this movie is a stinker).

One Million Years BC
35mm - 1.85 - IB Technicolor (mostly) - mono

     Well, this one was so complicated that itll be easier for me to explain on stage, but, quickly, it's mostly, though not completely, a British-struck original Tech print with SP replacement footage spliced in.  In overall moderate condition: some wear and scratches and dirt.
     For a print this old, thats par for the course.

Ready Player One
70mm - 2.21 - colour - DTS

     In very nearly unrun condition.  Some minor wear, & thats all.

     And there we go, folks!  See you at the show!   :D

Title: : Print Report for the Marathon
Post by L.A. Connection on Feb 12th, 2024 at 9:46pm
Thank you, David!

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