I prefer the Optimum VC-1 to the Lionsgate/R1 SE in shots like this.  The latter is definitely more muted, and it's totally understandable that some would prefer it for that reason, but the stronger blues of the former strike me as fitting the film somehow.  Shots like this are arguably a bit magenta in the Lionsgate.  *shrugs* We need more references.

(2021-03-07, 05:44 PM)Chewtobacca Wrote: I prefer the Optimum VC-1 to the Lionsgate/R1 SE in shots like this.  The latter is definitely more muted, and it's totally understandable that some would prefer it for that reason, but the stronger blues of the former strike me as fitting the film somehow.  Shots like this are arguably a bit magenta in the Lionsgate.  *shrugs* We need more references.

Definitely a magenta push on the Lionsgate, at this point I've pretty much just accepted that this is a thing that basically all very early Blu-ray transfers from around that time have, which seems to be in line with @PDB's findings on the subject re. the CRT stuff. You can see it in that sky shot as well, and the 2nd screenshot, and I think to some extent in all of the ones on Caps-a-holic, so I think it's like that the whole way through which would make sense.

Other than that, I can definitely see why either one would be preferable for different reasons. Magenta aside, I quite like the older one, imperfect as it may be. But incredibly, I've never seen the film; part of why I'm interested in this thread is that I would like to watch it soon. The only release I own is the AVC UK encode which is unfortunate since it seems to be one of the less desirable ones to have. I even specifically chose it over the VC-1 purely for the newer codec. Should've checked if there had been anything else done to it before I bought it...

I tried regrading the full screen dvd a while back as part of my upscale project. I never finished it but the project used a bunch of 35mm sources and pics. This is what I came up with:

(2021-03-07, 06:05 PM)PDB Wrote: I never finished it but the project used a bunch of 35mm sources and pics. This is what I came up with:

Very nice! Blues are intact, reds are spot on, and there's none of the ubiquitous magenta push.

(2021-03-07, 04:47 PM)pipefan413 Wrote: It's a shame the MPEG-2 one is rotting, I'd very much like to see that preserved.

I actually picked up a second copy of this disc in a cheap 2-pack of Total Recall and T2, in the hope that it would be a newer rot-free pressing. (This was also to replace my original MPEG-2 T2, which rotted too!) I never got around to checking it out, but I'll get it out soon and see if I can get a good rip.

(2021-03-07, 05:54 PM)pipefan413 Wrote: But incredibly, I've never seen the film; part of why I'm interested in this thread is that I would like to watch it soon.

What! How is this possible?   Hopefully you'll love it.

The Verhoeven/Vacano films are definitely films I'd love to check out on 35mm. So the story goes Vacano prefers a cool blue timing, Verhoeven warmer red. Cannot find any proof of this online whatsoever unfortunately (much like the 1.66:1 saga)

(2021-03-07, 11:44 PM)resolution Wrote: What! How is this possible?   Hopefully you'll love it.

I actually do have *something* of an excuse though it only accounts for more recently failing to watch it and not for many years prior to that.

It was showing as part of Glasgow Film Festival and I wanted to wait to see it there instead of on Blu-ray but then I couldn't get the time off work to go so I missed it. And I've just not yet gotten round to it since then, partly due to not wanting to watch a dodgy transfer.

Well, there are far more egregious examples of classics I've never seen, so I can't judge!

Seeing Total Recall for the first time on the big screen with a crowd would have been fun. I never had that experience either, with my first viewing being on VHS.

(2021-03-07, 02:17 PM)Chewtobacca Wrote: Mars doesn't look obviously wrong to me[...]

Doubtless, this from American Cinematographer has been posted before, but wondering about what color Mars was intended to be in Total Recall made me want to read it again.

I do like those old AC articles. Frustratingly in talking about the colour of Mars they never actually describe it, only the fact that the gels had to be specially manufactured as they has been discontinued (and even then they don't name it). I guess you found out by attending a screening. The production photos look good though, the amount of blue in the reactor room (the scene with the hologram) is surprising.

There's a Vacano commentary tucked away in the German menu of the Mind-Bending release, I really should check it out. It's German language but I think it has subtitles