Strange Invaders DVD...........

KillerCannabis · 12-19-2001, 05:11 PM

I picked this disc up recently and after watching it I thought: a) the film was flawed at many points but was not entirely a mess; b) the transfer was HORRID. The film looks washed out and waayyyyy too soft. I thought I had a defective disc, but I guess MGM just dropped the ball on this one. This isn't how the film is supposed to look right? Anyone else get this disc?

Jason25 · 12-19-2001, 05:51 PM

I was thinking of picking this up but you have made me think twice. It is a guilty pleasure of mine, I quite enjoy it.

gunner · 12-19-2001, 07:13 PM

I love the disc and anyone who has seen and enjoyed this odd little film should also appreciate it.The transfer is certainly flawed but it's great to finially see it in it's original 2.35:1 ratio,and it greatly out-shines the previous pan and scan vhs/ld and tv presentations. The audio commentary is a little slow paced but it still is extremely interesting. I actually prefer Strange Behavior and wish mgm would have released that title first but oh,well.

Mario77 · 12-20-2001, 08:45 PM

sorry, mistake entering this.

Mario77 · 12-20-2001, 08:45 PM

I love the disc, despite what flaws the print may have. Frankly, I don't think the print looks as terrible as some say. I guess it helps that I have a particular affection for this movie, as do scores of others, but I really enjoyed seeing it wide again after so many years now.
If you're a fan of "Strange Invaders" and have suffered the truly horrid pan/scan TV prints for nearly twenty years since it's theatrical release, then you will surely appreciate seeing it widescreen again.
There's nothing wrong with being a vigilant, discriminating consumer - we all want high quality. But I really don't see that much room for complaints about a disc that costs $9.99 and features a first-ever widescreen print of a classic B movie with commentary! We'd be paying through the nose for the same thing on laserdisc. Honestly, I love laserdiscs, but I am so glad to be past the days of paying $39.99 for a barebones, movie-only disc.
Lastly, besides the print damage, of which there is some, I would venture to say that some people's criticisms of the print should be attributed to the cinematography. "Strange Invaders" was lensed with a kind of photographic haze that permeates everything on the screen; it's totally intentional, like in DePalma's "Obsession", to give it that classic, vintage look. I've heard just as many people complain about the "Obsession" disc as "Strange Invaders" for this "softness" in the picture quality. Some people think that if a film doesn't look like it was made yesterday that it's deeply flawed. Not all films are made to look the same way.
Jason, if you enjoy the movie, you should get the disc. Despite a little print damage (which doesn't ruin anything, as far as I'm concerned), I thoroughly enjoyed seeing this classic again! Ahhh, nostalgia...

Yowie · 12-21-2001, 07:22 PM

I think it always looked this soft, I think it's supposed to have that dreamy and foggy feel.

12-23-2001, 11:52 PM

It's finally great to see Strange Invaders on DVD, been a long while since seeing it.

12-19-2001, 05:11 PM	#1
KillerCannabis Slow, Deep & Hard Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: So Cal Posts: 5,606	Strange Invaders DVD........... I picked this disc up recently and after watching it I thought: a) the film was flawed at many points but was not entirely a mess; b) the transfer was HORRID. The film looks washed out and waayyyyy too soft. I thought I had a defective disc, but I guess MGM just dropped the ball on this one. This isn't how the film is supposed to look right? Anyone else get this disc?

12-20-2001, 08:45 PM	#4
Mario77 Stalker Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 373	sorry, mistake entering this. Last edited by Mario77; 12-20-2001 at 08:49 PM.

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12-19-2001, 05:51 PM	#2
Jason25 Moderator Join Date: May 2000 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 2,403	I was thinking of picking this up but you have made me think twice. It is a guilty pleasure of mine, I quite enjoy it.

12-19-2001, 07:13 PM	#3
gunner Cropsy Maniac Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Bar Harbor, Maine Posts: 809	I love the disc and anyone who has seen and enjoyed this odd little film should also appreciate it.The transfer is certainly flawed but it's great to finially see it in it's original 2.35:1 ratio,and it greatly out-shines the previous pan and scan vhs/ld and tv presentations. The audio commentary is a little slow paced but it still is extremely interesting. I actually prefer Strange Behavior and wish mgm would have released that title first but oh,well.

12-21-2001, 07:22 PM	#6
Yowie Hologram Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Palookaville Posts: 868	I think it always looked this soft, I think it's supposed to have that dreamy and foggy feel.

12-23-2001, 11:52 PM	#7
V.Price Guest Posts: n/a	It's finally great to see Strange Invaders on DVD, been a long while since seeing it.