R2 Dune & Blue Velvet

[custard_chris]

With both of these being a fiver in HMV at the moment, are the R2 versions any good? In particular, I'm confused as to whether Blue Velvet is the correct aspect ratio. £5 seems too cheap to be all okay to me...

[Mork]

R2 Dune Widescreen is, IIRC, the same on all regions. (The Lynch film at least)
There is also the "TV Version" which is a Pan and Scan variant that David Lynch disowned (and is probably only of interest to Dune completists like myself ;) )

There is also the Dune Miniseries that was made for the SciFi channel recently - but I don't think this version is in the sale.

There are 2 versions of Blue Velvet in R2 - Make sure you get the widescreen version :) , rather than the Pan & Scan :mad:

I got the WS version in HMV the other day - so you should be ok.

[McD]

Dune R2 (Film, original Lynch version) is a reasonable disc - decent picture (not enhanced) and good sound.

Worth your five bucks, and chances are you'll appreciate it even more if you caught the recent TV series. It isn't an underrated masterpiece, but if you know the story going in (and no real help is given by Lynch) from the new series or novel, it's a very enjoyable experience.

[Jazzatola]

And there's also a new Lynch approved R1 edition of Blue Velvet coming soon. Along with Eraserhead too. In my opinion, these R2 versions in the HMV sale are worth every penny. ;)

[psmac27]

I've got both R2 versions of the films. As far as picture quality goes, Dune is basically sound, but Blue Velvet is a little ropey. Both worth a fiver of anyone's money, though (IMHO, of course).

[KeyserSoze]

is the TV series better than the film

i want to like the film as i like the atmosphere, but it always makes me puke my guts out, i think its some of the characters makeup :)

[rgfinch]

Had a quick look at Blue Velvet and regretted parting with even 4.99 as the non-anamorphic picture is very poor (and also doesn't look like the full 2.35:1 either). Shame on whoever put "16:9" on the packaging The Dennis Hopper interview might be worth watching though . R1 is supposed to be pretty good so I'd get that instead.

[McD]

Originally posted by KeyserSoze
is the TV series better than the film


No - but it does go to the lengths of following the whole story and explaining itself.

To compare the performances of Film and series against each other is to give Lynch 10/10. He wins each round, save maybe a draw between Sting and Matt Keyslar as Feyd. Poor Ian MacNiece was out of his depth trying to match up to Kenneth McMillan as Baron Harkonnen.

And Episode II of the series is a 90 minute non event, with little happening at all, just desert chases. And some of the desert backgrounds are godawful, just painted cardboard!

To be honest, Lynch may infact have filmed the definitive version of Dune. But it's not the version he released to the cinemas - he needs to add a good 40 mins or so (I haven't seen the TV edit).

And frankly, like LOTR, the book itself is overrated. Great character set up, but bogged down as a religious fantasy when being great sci-fi was within its grasp.

[utero]

I bouht Blue Velvet today for £4.99 and out of my 400+ dvd collection I have to say it's the worst transfer I have ever seen, some scenes are so dark you can't see anything

But it was cheap and the hopper interview is decent so can't complain a great deal.

[custard_chris]

Cheers, guys.

Looks like I'll pass on the Blue Velvet - especially if there's an SE coming as Mr Brooke seems to think in his seperate post. Will probably get Dune, though.