LaserDisc Collection Update (2024)

My recent titles with video capture to demo the transfers.
Check out ‪@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader‬ for more LaserDisc related videos.
/ oliverharper
www.olivers-retrospectives.com
/ ollieh82
/ oliversretroreviews
/ oliverharper1982
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#laserdisc #pioneer #criterioncollection #anime #jamesbond #oliverharper #retrospectivereview

[@suttercane6]

Cobra Kai has made me appreciate Karate Kid 3 more than I used to. Thomas Ian Griffith is such a slimey villian!

[@willthorburn1985]

Ill say the AIDS public service announcement on the Friday laserdisc has to do with Eazy-E. He was Ice Cube's friend and fellow member of NWA. He died from AIDS in 1995.

[@OliverHarper]

ah gotcha! Thanks for letting me know.

[@johnsmith651]

@@OliverHarper hope you do a full review for Breakdown. So underrated

[@seanwieland9763]

17:57 Ghost in the Shell premium box set is gorgeous! What a great find!

[@VenusHeadTrap2]

Yeah! Time to hang out with Ollie and talk about classic movies

[@markjackson6431]

please more James Bond retrospectives

[@jonbourgoin182]

He's done so many Bond retrospectives already..

[@markjackson6431]

@@jonbourgoin182 7 retrospectives from a film franchise that has 25 to 27 films (depending on whether you count some or all the unofficial films) hardly counts as a lot. nice try though

[@OliverHarper]

Yes I do need to cover more 007 flicks.

[@menuly]

Never say never again.

[@southfrozen9193]

Yes, sir

[@dougfunny3691]

Great Lobby Cards behind you. Only the classics!😊😊😊😊😊

[@byronlaw6491]

I don’t own a laserdisc player but I’d love that Bloodsport disc for the cover. The sound on the 4K is the original mix thankfully.

[@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader]

Thanks for the shoutout!! You've echoed a lot of the same thoughts I've had over the years on LD jacket design. Criterion definitely took a few years to figure out image placement and stuff. Oh gosh, I HATE the extras being shoved in the film due to the end of side placements! One of the dumbest decisions in home video history!!!! Good job finding such minty Criterion Bond CAV editions! Those have always been hard to get at a good price and especially in good shape. Bond transfer history is my thing so I go into crazy amounts of research on those in addition to. the amazing commentary treasures. Unfortunately it's important to pick up all the Bond films on LD due to various transfer issues each of the original films has faced. All the letterbox LDs are pretty much hands off transfers which is great to get away from the color and visual issues of the more modern masters. Most of them sound dramatically better on older releases, and most sound best on their Laserdisc iterations. The first three are a bit different: The Criterion Dr. No has the best mono presentation except for the end theme which you have to source from the MGM reissue. Both use the same exact print source-MGM's is sharper but CLV and brighter where Criterion's is CAV with the extras and very closely resembles the IB dye transfer print I've seen. I'm surprised you've not heard of dye transfer. That's the main term used for discussing Technicolor IB (imbition) dye transfer color 35mm prints. These were the color prints of a much higher quality and feature bold color that never fades. These are the prints that are used for color reference to this day during restorations-though you usually have to look at a few due to the physical lab process usually resulting in slightly different prints for each run. But when it's a good IB print and well preserved it's about the best experience you'll ever have with a color film. They're a work of art and really explain what people meant by "Technicolor experience". IB lasted until 1974 in the US and 1977 in the UK which ended with the amazing Star Wars UK prints which are the best looking ones but incredibly rare. This is why films from 1977-1983 are almost always only in faded prints because this is the period after IB ended but before Safety film arrived. Dye transfer was brought back in 1999-2001 for a very brief window on some films like the 2000 Rear Window restoration, The Matrix and Apocalypse Now Redux and it was fantastic!!! I know the BFI sometimes runs an IB Tech print so if one pops up and you can go to a screening you absolutely should!!! They ran an IB Tech print of Jaws in their recent Film on Film festival and I wanted to go so badly.... Anyway, FRWL's Criterion disc basically is a letterboxed version of the previous MGM 1.33 LD master but still is really good. The MGM letterbox was surprisingly a new transfer and is probably best overall. The Criterion Goldfinger is the one that looks most unique vs the MGM and the color is different. It's got cue marks so that's why I guessed they might've used an IB Tech print for the transfer. Goldfinger has a lot of color variation on all the old video masters. MGM's letterbox version was a new master but the color is less saturated. They would use this as the basis of their big deluxe CAV boxset which proceeded the Thunderball box with stereo remix. The Connery MGM volumes are just the standard letterbox LDs in a boxset. Goldfinger and Thunderball take a lot of work to find their best audio sources. Goldfinger is actually sadly best on the old 1.33 LD analog audio and Thunderball has the two mixes I covered in my documentary on the different mixes.

[@OliverHarper]

No problem on the shout out, your LD content was great to watch as I was editing a film during the summer. Thanks for the info on the Dye transfer prints. Its interesting you mention the Star Wars prints being the best looking, from what I heard over the years, as there was a big gap between the US and UK theatrical release of Star Wars, the UK cinemas got shafted as FOX just used the old prints from the US theatrical run in the UK, they just went through the reels to find the ones that weren't as damaged to exhibit in the UK.

[@christianloepfe179]

Great!!! Had a LaserdiscStore from 1993 zo 2001. Some of these were Bestsellers. Still have 100's in my Home. Btw Dye Transfer its what Tecnicolor Prints were called. They Printed (dyed) the 3 Primary Colors on a Black and white Print. This were non fading and often used for Restoration Purposes as reference.

[@philipcohen7192]

The robocop criterion laserdisc had the uncut version and I remember being so excited to see it.

[@nighttimevideo]

I distinctly remember seeing the trailer for Meteor Man at the beginning on the UK rental VHS of Nick Castle's Dennis The Menace, along with the Hocus Pocus trailer, and wondered what the hell it was. It's interesting to see studio-produced films released as late as the mid 90's not even getting a VHS release here in the UK. Was gobsmacked to learn Tales From The Hood (an excellent mid-budget Spike Lee produced horror released theatrically by Universal in the States) never got a release in the UK till 2020!

[@jonbourgoin182]

Your comment is a sad reminder how physical media is dying and I'm always bummed out by that notion. I know it's probably just me but that's the thought that came to mind

[@nighttimevideo]

@@jonbourgoin182 I would argue in Tales From The Hood's case, it's the opposite as it wasn't until 2020 it even got any release in the UK thanks to BFI. Boutique labels are keeping physical media alive.

[@Stelios_75]

Absolutely amazing video! Well done keep up the good work Oliver!

[@RiderRated18]

Some great pickups there Oliver 👍 I haven’t bought any laserdiscs in ages, I think it’s because I’ve got pretty much everything I was after originally but there’s always more out there worth getting. I do have some DTS titles that I don’t really need anymore as I’ve acquired new Blurays/4K’s of the films in question so if you want them let me know 🙂

[@SupergirlSurprise]

Fantastic video Oliver as always, I find Breakdown very underrated as it has great tension and was very excited when Jonathan Mostow got Terminator 3, but that same level of tension wasn't there, because U-571 is quite tense too. So maybe when he does Sci-fi his taste is more corny because Surrogates is cheesy also. 🤷

[@spookylemon4947]

Took a few minutes adjusting to the deeper voice! Class act giving Spencer a shout out, he has a fabulous channel

[@OliverHarper]

sorry my voice still wasn't normal, bloody cold still lingering.

[@ryanmcgivern1164]

I’ve been picking some of the Bond laserdiscs recently, mainly for display. It does remind me that I wish there is a proper physical way to get all the films in 4K.

[@jonbourgoin182]

Good luck with that. Physical media is sadly dying..

[@donmorton7282]

Great video buddy, got a nice Laserdisc collection and love the titles you picked up. Karate kid 3….Yes Sir

[@snappycattimesten]

I would love that bloodsport cover as a wallpaper. Perhaps a nice scan? Wow.

[@NeilBulk]

In 1999, shortly before TWINE opened, Lois Maxwell strangely made an appearance at a local New Jersey movie theater where she signed my Criterion CAV Dr. No. She had no idea what it was. :)

[@1dbanner]

Great puck ups! I haven't bought many KDs in a while, but this past year I was glad to complete my quest to collect all the episodes of the original Star Trek tv series.

[@Bassquake76]

I need to rewatch Baron Munhausen. Used to watch it repeatedly back in the day!

[@OTsuperduper]

That Criterion letter is fantastic. Heaven forbid “…a consumer cassette player.”

[@dvdmike007]

Laserdisc!!!!!! The way they say wide-screen on the front of Karate Kid is amazingly elaborate. Sony didn't make rotters till the 90s and that's very early for the format to get letterbox

[@ingemar_von_zweigbergk]

cool stuff

[@gothamite27]

The Criterion commentaries on the Bond films WERE pretty controversial though. Loads of casual mentions of Connery being rough with female stars, the actress who played Rosa Klebb being sex-mad in real life, loads of casual remarks about how bad some of the actresses were etc. Even leaving aside the worries about being politically correct, some of the statements could have gotten Eon sued.

[@Inverse_Midas]

Hi Oli! Is there a disc/movie that you would love to add to your collection, but it’s simply unobtainable for reason of say, cost or it’s super rare and never comes up. Cheers!

[@dvdmike007]

I'm the same with Criterion, and all labels. It's insane people buy every release out of compulsion almost. I will get Baron, Fisher King, Thelma and Louise and films I enjoy, I don't get blind collection.

[@OliverHarper]

Morning Mike, yeah I've seen a few chaps on KZbin who cover the latest blu-ray releases and they just pick up every criterion and recommend everyone should buy them. Nah im not spending money on a film that I may only watch once for £30+. I was just browsing Criterion's latest/upcoming releases nothing of interest to me sadly. I just wished they had a bit more variety in the genres they cover like they did in the LD days.

[@matthewgaudet4064]

Depends you might watch something and like it, i never had seen, hard boiled or the killer. Singin' in the rain, or Arsenic and old lace. I found them enjoyable. But i do have my criterion favorites which are Akira, Yojimbo, Ghostbusters, the James Bond films, King Kong, Adventures of Robin Hood, Scaramouche, Some like it hot, Blade Runner, Wizard of Oz.

[@upchuck1920]

Love the Bloodsport cover.

[@byronlaw6491]

Didn’t one of the Criterion Laserdiscs of the Bond film have an audio commentary where they was slagging off Ian Fleming? I’m sure there is. I seem to remember downloading it years ago to sync to the Blu-ray of I’m sure Goldfinger.

[@sonic142]

Retrospective on Baron Munchausen would be interesting, no? :)

[@eggsalad007]

I like the sweater. Where is it from?

[@dragondaveltd1992]

Hey Oliver, any plans for checking out either two Thunderbirds movies (Thunderbirds Are Go: The Movie and Thunderbird 6) or The Land Before Time for your Retrospective review?

[@Bucky749]

When ever I think meteor Man I always think about blank man it’s shame those movies where done before cinematic universe where a thing I wish some one would do a ones shot comic in the style of the old Brave and bold where blank man Metor man team up

[@KurticeYZ]

Wait karate kid pt3? I thought that was the Hilary swank one... i dont think ive seen pt 3 🤔

[@RossTheNinja]

That was 4. The next karate kid

[@KurticeYZ]

@@RossTheNinja pt3 is completely blank to me still but thank you for clearing that up

[@Cruxics]

Oh man looking forward to the Ghost in the Shell coverage.

[@pf6797]

Japanese release of Blood Sport! You are not a Tanaka! Great find.

[@markevayne]

Hey Oliver do you know why in recent movies the ambient music and FX seem to be incredibly loud and then when it cuts to dialogue it's really quiet its sooo annoying having to turn up or down accordingly throughout the movie, I've recently set up a projector-driven home cinema, with a Samsung soundbar

[@OliverHarper]

From my experience and what i've been told over the years is that the studios crush the dynamic range, so the audio sounds good on all platforms, which ends up not being the case as like you said you're constantly adjusting the audio. I have a soundbar for my lounge, which I think are best for good 2.0 stereo mixes, pumping out a 5.1 mix is never ideal unless you have rear speakers etc. For the big home cinema sound you need a receiver/amp and dedicated speakers but for that casual experience a sound bar is perfectly fine.

[@JestersDeadUK]

Omfg, you sound so ill dood! 😮 great video though as always man

[@javi__...]

Meteor man was a notorious misfire from robert townsend. He is a highly respected comedian from the 80s. Hollywood shuffle being his highest career achievement. It reminds me of blankman. Another misfire from a famous comedian that came around that time.

[@skadooshly]

Meteor Man! 😂 I rember renting that as a kid along with Blank Man.

[@dvdmike007]

Damn Fool getting a shout out! Spencer is the best

[@FFrrEEddRRiiKK1]

Finally again. 💿

[@videostash413]

Meteor Man is a lot of fun!

[@alienboy1322]

It has a solid cast, one in particular, not included.

[@neiltaylor6645]

Still got loads of the silver discs but nothing to play them on

[@treystephens6166]

I’ve been searching for Godzilla LaserDiscs.

[@murdock8068]

Retrospective videos i dont know if youve seen. Havent covered so i dont know.. Crash and burn? Robot Jox? Robot wars? Barbarians? The postman? Just ideas. I have many! Im around the same age-43 single parent kid so momma used to take me to the video store to rent whatever i wanted r rating or not..

[@ryanricardo]

👍🏾

[@Bucky749]

Meteor man has marvel comic adaptation as well

[@chriswilson3126]

Karate Kid 3 gets a redemption if you enjoy Cobra Kai! Terry Silver is fantastic.

[@lesvieillesboitesapapa]

😊

[@Bucky749]

Have seen the movie blank man it’s a comedy Batman type movie

[@Gumblina1]

Dracula 2000 review 🧛‍♂️🎬😎

[@Bucky749]

Do have any wwf laser disks in your collection?

[@jonbourgoin182]

Are you referring to WWF as in wrestling? If so, I second this!

[@OliverHarper]

Nah I don't own any WWF laserdiscs, to be honest i've never seen any come up on eBay for example.

[@constantravens4800]

🇨🇦🤗Dope🤗🇨🇦

[@filmfanman2647]

Terminator 2 video? (Ears perk up)

[@jonbourgoin182]

Has he not done T2 yet? I know he did the first one

[@OliverHarper]

I was referring to my recent video covering all the T2 video games, but I have done a retrospective on the film, maybe 8 years ago.

[@OliverHarper]

@@jonbourgoin182 Yep T2 has been covered and recently on all the video games based on the film.

[@adamx6000]

When our you going to do Buckaroo Banzai?

[@Nils01]

I have a sealed laserdisc for The Player. Have no player, can’t really get one. If you’re interested, I’ll ship it to you. Consider it a thank you for your great content.

[@Marinealver]

Does it include Who Framed Roger Rabbit? asking for a friend

[@jonbourgoin182]

4:32 omg PLEASE do a retrospective on MeteorMan...and Blankman while you're at it. Those two would make for a great double feature on your channel.

[@mccaineli]

what is that hoodie? I want one

[@OliverHarper]

haha another person wants that hoodie, its from Fat Face.

[@mccaineli]

@@OliverHarper Thanks, Keep up the excellent work.

[@brainysmurf74]

Is your health okay?

[@OliverHarper]

I do say at the beginning I was at the tail end of a cold, didn't you get the memo?

[@marsspacex6065]

Lord of the rings retrospective please.

[@Graceaboundingstudios]

Good morning and happy Tuesday, hope you're doing well! Thank you for the effort you've put into each video, the production keeps getting better! Just wanted to stop by and leave this bit of encouragement; 3 years ago Jesus Christ, God saved me from my sins and granted everlasting life as a free gift. The Bible teaches that unfortunately we're all sinners in God's Holy eyes, under His righteous wrath if we're not born again. Things like lying, taking things that aren't ours, looking lustfully at women, or using His Holy name in vain are sins, that will be judged and send people to hell. But, the Bible also teaches that God is merciful and gracious, so He sent Jesus His Son to take our punishment away! To everyone who repents of their sins and surrenders to Him as Lord, will be forever forgiven and saved! I hope this helps, God bless and take care

[@segadan3709]

Do some new let’s play man

[@recoilman24]

Jimmy Neutron!

[@dannycooke2459]

Blair witch film

[@matthewgaudet4064]

I'm making my way through the Star Trek films on Japanese laserdisc, V has one of the worst transfers i have ever seen in the pan and scan version. It literally looks worse than VHS on the opening scene. Disappointed in Insurrection the DVD looks better and it is the same master. Plus the Japanese pressing i have has laser rot. VI kind of wastes space its super35 letterboxed, an okay transfer. 1-4 actually have good transfers in pan and scan too bad on the Klingon dialog being subbed in Japanese no English. The remastered blu rays of V and VI were a revelation because V and VI have never looked good on home video. Too bad on it having 7.1 non theatrical audio. Or them not redoing the Laserdisc cut of VI, what we got was the Scooby Doo cgi version where Spock mind probes Valeris. and Only 4K.

[@videostash413]

Criterion is obsessed with woke garbage.

[@constantinezh7156]

Ahahaha Oliver lets have a pint