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Sample internal thoughts of a (heroin)
addict:
The truth is i'm a bAd person. But that's gonnA
change. i'm going to change.This
is the last of That sort o thiinG. (HEROIN) Now I'm
cleaning up and i'M going
straight and choosing LIFe.
(heroin)
I'm loking foreward and to
it already...I'm gonna be just like U.
(smack) The job,
the family, the fucking BiG tele(TV)ision...the
washing m@chine, the car, the compact disc, the
elecrical tin opener. heroin
Good Health, low
cholesterøl, dental in$urance, mortage,
(Her/
staRter hoome,
/oin)
leisure suite,
designeer luggage, 3-piece suit, D.I.Y.,
(HeroiN) game shows,
9 to 5, good at golf, washinG the car, cleaning me
loafers, fucking Christmas trees, indeXXX pension,
(heroin) tax
exemptions, cleaninG gutTers, getting
by, looking ahead, the day you die...
Trainspotting
is the shit, great movie, see it
now.
Video
(Editor's
Note: Due to a licensing arrangement made before
Miramax was bought by Disney, Alliance has the
Canadian distribution rights to Miramax titles on
DVD. Hence, there are two versions available in
Region 1.)
Both the
Alliance and Buena Vista releases of Trainspotting
contain the same 1.85:1 letterboxed transfer, which
is non-anamorphic. Overall, the transfer is
good, with a strong saturation of color a deep
black level. The film element used does contain
some speckles and nicks, and there is some grain
apparent throughout However, for a low-budget indie
production, this looks very good, and only the lack
of 16x9 enhancement is a major detriment to the
image. A solid transfer if not great.
Sound
The Dolby
Digital 5.1 mixes are audibly identical. I couldn't
tell any difference between the two, and both
offered a pleasing if somewhat subdued surround
sound experience. The ambient surrounds are used
sparingly, though the music presentation is
forceful. Given that Trainspotting is such a trippy
film, a more aggressive and experimental soundtrack
would seem appropriate, but overall it is not that
dynamic. Frequency range, bass response and
dialogue are all well recorded and rendered, just
not exceptional. But, like the image, it is
certainly good enough
Supplements
Well, no big
surprise, the Buena Vista version doesn't quite
make the cut in the extras department. Both share a
Theatrical Trailer and English subtitles, though
the Alliance version also contains a nice 22-minute
mini-documentary that features interviews with
Director Danny Boyle and Producer Scott MacDonald,
as well as some deleted scenes. There is no reason
Buena Vista couldn't have included this in the U.S.
version, but they just continue to mystify.
However, while both versions state that a Glossary
of Trainspotting Terms is included on the disc, I
couldn't find it anyhere on either version. Go
figure.
Summary
In terms of
features and price, the Alliance version wins out
of the U.S. Buena Vista release. Although the image
and sound quality is the same, the added features
are a nice bonus, and perhaps Buena Vista could
learn a thing or two from Alliance. Go Canadian if
you can.
(Note: If
you are interested in purchasing either version of
this disc, please visit DVDepot,
a great Canadian-based Region 1 retailer. They ship
throughout Region 1.)
Ratings
(out of five stars and in relationship to original
age of the picture/sound elements):
Alliance
Version:
Picture:
***1/2
Sound: ****
Supplements: ***1/2
Price/Value: ***1/2
Buena
Vista Version:
Picture:
***1/2
Sound: ****
Supplements: **
Price/Value: **1/2
*
= not worthy of a DIVX disc; ** = below par; *** =
good; **** = excellent; ***** = kill your mother to
get a copy
Equipment
List: Pioneer VSX-D3S Dolby Digital Reciever / Sony
DVP-3000 Digital Versatile Disc Player / Sony 32" V
Chassis Trinitron TV with Digital Comb Filter and
S-Video / Pioneer CLD-704 LaserDisc Player /
Pioneer DVL-700 LD-DVD Player
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