Sunday, August 28, 2016

Blu Wiener-Dog

Okay, I guess it exists!  There was just one week's delay, and now Solondz's latest film, Wiener-Dog, is available on both DVD and blu-ray, as MOD DV-Rs and BD-Rs, direct from Amazon.  The blu is a single-layer disc with no special features or anything, but you are given the option of a 5.1 or Stereo mix.  The back of the case lists Closed Captions, too, but they don't seem to actually be on here.  The UPC symbol is also layered over the description, though; so clearly the artwork was a rush job.  But how does it look?  Pretty good!  Wanna see a couple screenshots?
The picture is slightly letterboxed to 1.85:1 and looks great in HD.  Unfortunately, as a BD-R, however, the playback was completely borked on my PC's blu-ray drive and even my Seiki.  But it worked alright in my Pioneer player.  Again, region free collectors might want to hold out for a properly pressed disc from another region.  Unfortunately, it's looking like Canada and the UK are only getting DVDs, so Germany's the only blu option so far (of course, more regions may still announce releases in the coming months... I'd be surprised if nothing came out in Australia, for instance).  I've been able to find a release date for that one now, though: November 29.  But for now at least, this is what we get.  And aside from BD-R playback drama, this is pretty satisfying.

Of course, you can also watch it streamed from Amazon now, if that's your bag.  Look at all the 1-star reviews it's getting from people expecting a happy family film about a puppy - yikes!  But hey, it's here.  We've finally got Wiener-Dog.  I haven't even had a chance to watch it yet; my copy just arrived an hour ago, but I can't wait.  =) 

Update 8/31/16: I imagine hearing this from the guy who runs toddsolondz.com carries roughly the same degree of integrity as your mother telling you that you're handsome, but I've just watched Wiener-Dog and thought it was great!

Now, I just wonder what's happening with Petersburg Carousel...

8 comments:

  1. Is there any chance you could do me a massive solid and screenshot a particular scene for me? It's not out here and it'd be really cool of you.

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    1. Which scene? (Also, it might already be on my Wiener-Dog stills gallery: http://toddsolondz.com/gallery8.html )

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    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    3. I was looking for the moment in which the bomb disposal technician reaches out to the dog right before the hard cut.

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    4. Okay, here ya go!
      http://toddsolondz.com/wiener-dogrequest.png

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    5. Can't thank you enough.

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  2. There captioned dialogue on the library's dvd of Wiener Dog that does not match the film's action. No one is talking about it online. ???

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  3. Enjoyed the show. First part was the best! I just want to know if anyone thought the dog committed suicide at the end because she couldn't take it anymore?

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