Kill Bill Volumes 1 and 2 (US - BD RA)
Gabe revisits his favourite Tarantino films, but likely not for the last time...
Feature
Four years ago, a beautiful blonde bride (Uma Thurman) and her wedding party were attacked by the Deadly Vipers Assassin Squad, under the direction of their leader, a mysterious man that goes by the name Bill (David Carradine). The assassins made one mistake, they didn’t kill the Bride, and after four years in a coma she’s ready for her revenge. It’ll be a long road to vengeance, but one thing is certain, at the end of the road the Bride will surely kill Bill.

It’s been four years since the second part of Quentin Tarantino’s first real ode to the grindhouse, Kill Bill, was released in theatres, and the hype has finally and thoroughly subsided. Now, as a fan, I can look back at the events of Beatrix Kiddo’s bloody affair without concerning myself with the baggage that came with the two film release, films which came so many years after Jackie Brown that even passing Tarantino fans were salivating at the mere possibility of a new film. Does everyone remember that first teaser trailer, the one that came before the films were divided? The one with the Tomoyasu Hotei Battle without Honor or Humanity song? That was a great teaser. Remember the news of the film being cut into halves, when the hype and expectations kicked into hyper-drive?
A lot of folks realized too late that Kill Bill wasn’t made for them—it was made for Quentin Tarantino. Despite the cult popularity of Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction and (to a lesser extent) Jackie Brown, Tarantino’s own personal tastes proved surprisingly varied, and even less mainstream then most fans had initially assumed. Then Volume Two was released, and it was even more varied, and even more experimental. Kill Bill as a whole is quite possibly the most self indulgent, self-serving motion picture ever released by a major studio. For some people this was a rude awakening, but for others, like yours truly, it was like watching a filmmaker you hadn’t quite trusted craft the sexiest pornography imaginable.

There’s been so much written about these films already that I doubt anything I have to say is going to change any opinions on anything to do with them, so putting it as simply as I can, it genuinely felt as if Kill Bill was made specifically for me, taking into account everything I love about film, music and pop entertainment.
Tarantino stirred homage to samurai fiction, spaghetti westerns, kung-fu operas, Italian horror and crime epics, and even an animated sequence into his homage pot. Watching Kill Bill is like conversing with a fellow multi-genre lover as he doles out his 35mm, OOP VHS and DVD collections, then dares you to step up your fandom and obsession to his level. And after the party of lights, colours, flash bulbs, camera tricks, and stolen imagery that was Volume 1, Volume 2 ended on a personal and dramatic note. The beauty of these films isn’t the deft homage alone, it’s the way that Tarantino manages to create an enthralling and entertaining mythology around the deft homage. He even makes distinct and sophisticated statements on the nature of revenge towards the end of Volume 2.

I also admit that I wasn’t, and am still not a fan of Tarantino’s work pre- Jackie Brown. Frankly I found Reservoir Dogs dull, and Pulp Fiction overwrought. I didn’t appreciate Tarantino’s sense of humour, I thought his compositions were lacking depth and intrigue, and I wasn’t fond of his wordy language (unless it was coming out of Sam Jackson’s capable mouth). With Jackie Brown I was convinced that Tarantino could write adult and interesting characters, but I still wasn’t convinced of his camera control, or ability to create his own adult and interesting characters (as Jackie Brown was based on an Elmore Leonard novel). With Kill Bill Tarantino proved his aptitude with the visual medium of film, and stopped depending solely on mouthfuls of flowery language.
Besides an almost shocking handle on graceful steady cam, complex action, expert split screens, and wonderfully post-modern stage setting, Tarantino’s greatest achievement here is the production of an almost infinitely exploreable mythology. Tarantino and his good friend Robert Rodriguiz had been trying to create a universe for their films for years, but I didn’t find myself buying into it until Kill Bill. Now I’m all ready for more journeys into this world. Hell, I’m willing to sacrifice any future Tarantino originals to see more of the same.

Buried in the mess of style and substance the performances in these films have been overlooked, or basically forgotten. Uma Thurman was given a stunt role, a part so steeped in parody that it was hard to mess up, but even harder to do right. Thurman was nominated for a BAFTA and a Golden Globe, but I’d put her above most of the 2003 and 2004 Academy Award nominees. David Carradine admirably overcame decades of shoddy productions, and old fashion bad career moves to make Bill one of the most surprisingly likeable characters in recent history. There’s simply no reason to think of Bill as anything but a bastard in the first film, but when we finally get to know him he’s positively loveable (too bad Carradine squandered this good will with STV and Yellow Book commercial work). Perhaps the most exciting cast elements are Sonny Chiba and Gordon Lui, specifically considering the humour and breadth they’re able to lend to their characters that, again, could’ve been jokes alone. Credit is also due to Michael Madsen and Daryl Hannah for digging themselves out somewhat embarrassing later careers to deliver two truly ‘cool’ performances (though like Carradine they seem to have wasted these gifts ever since).
One of the film's (both parts) most defining sequences is the one where Elle Driver attempts to murder Beatrix as she lies sleeping in a bullet to the head induced coma. These five or so minutes epitomize everything Tarantino was trying to achieve with the film. The scene’s early shots of Beatrix recall Citizen Kane directly. Then Driver enters the scene wearing a trench coat similar to that worn by the killer in De Palma’s Dressed to Kill, and as if to slam home the point of the homage, the belt and stitching is literally drawn onto the coat. Over her eye is a patch, in homage to Thriller: A Cruel Picture, and she whistles the theme to Twisted Nerve, while the screen breaks into very DePalmaian split screen (or possibly it’s John Frankenhiemer inspired, I suppose). Driver’s preparation harkens back to Dressed to Kill again, but also recalls Dario Argento, Lucio Fulci and Umberto Lenzi’s Gialli, which are known for their procedural and fetishistic close-up weapons worship. When Bill calls to stop the hit, his face is obscured, maintaining the mystery until the second film. This sequence recalls several specific films from many different genres, but makes the scene an important character introduction for Driver, and character verification for Bill, both of whom aren’t officially introduced into the plot until the second film.

It’s not all sunshine and cornflakes though; these are the US theatrical release, R-rated versions of the films. This is a minor problem in the case of Volume 2, but anyone that’s had the pleasure of seeing the international, Universal cut of Volume 1 knows what they’re missing, and if they’re anything like me they can never go back to black and white bloodshed, censored animation sequences and amputations, or the missing jokes in the Crazy 88 sequence. I don’t need the ‘Whole Bloody Affair’ version; I just want each film uncut.
Video
Kill Bill looked pretty good on DVD, and I assumed the only real difference between that and this Blu-ray release would be a general lack of compression noise and edge enhancement. I was wrong; there were apparently leagues of room for improvement. Honestly, I felt like I was watching a Hong Kong bootleg when I ran a direct comparison to the DVD (the R1 release of Volume 2, and the R2 release of Volume One for your notes).

Part of the fun of these films, and possibly their most impressive aspects, are the many different film stocks and lighting tricks Tarantino and cinematographer Robert Richardson used to tell such an homage steeped montage of a film. In their own way these choices tell the story just as well as the character dialogue.
The super saturated and soft-focused Pasadena sequence just leaps off the screen with vibrant pastels, each solid, clear, and relatively noiseless. The glaring whites of the following scenes are much more defined then the blooming chaos that accompanied the DVD release. The most noise in the entire first film appears during the animated sequence, but the noise appears so deliberate I have trouble believing otherwise, that and I hadn’t really noticed it on the DVD release due to a general lack of detail. The early Japanese sequences are as soft as the Pasadena sequences, but not quite as colourful, so details aren’t quite as sharp as Blu-ray lovers may be expecting, though noise still remains virtually absent. The black levels of the Yakuza meeting scene pushed my television to its limit, and the gory details of the fight at the House of Blue Leaves are breathtaking (if only they were in colour).

Volume 2 begins with that beautifully lit black and white sequence, which unlike just about every other black and white sequence is actually presented in true black and true white. The following Bud and Driver sequences are probably the most naturally lit scenes in either film, and reveal the sharpest details and deepest depth of field. These scenes also demonstrate the most colours of any in the film, though not quite as overly splashy as some of the other sequences. It sounds a little funny, but one of the transfer’s greatest assets is actually Uma’s blonde hair, which looks almost like a special effect it’s so detailed and yellow. The Pai Mei scenes are more blown out and high contrast, featuring deep blacks, and fiery whites. The colours are muted too, mostly revelling in rich greens and deep blues. These scenes are also the grainiest of the second film, but the grain here is far finer than that of the DVD release. Just about my only complaint with the entire collection is the last act, which features a little bit of icky red noise in low-lit skin tones, and some minor edge enhancement on middle and background figures.
Audio
Kill Bill’s sound design is perhaps the most pronounced and hyper reactive of any non-animated or non-effects heavy feature I’ve ever had the pleasure of watching. Okay, so there is an animated scene, but you know what I mean. Unfortunately for me, I still cannot listen to uncompressed PCM tracks with my current set up, so I’m stuck with a good, but not perfect, Dolby Digital track. The Dolby track is still a slight improvement in general compression then the DVD’s DTS track, but it’s a close call.

Using mostly unoriginal or ‘acquired’ music wasn’t something new for Tarantino, after all, he was the guy who brought about newfound popularity of Stealer’s Wheel’s ‘Stuck in the Middle with You’ and Dick Dale’s ‘Miserlou’ several decades after they were first released, but using score rather than pop music was a stroke of genius. The Kill Bill CD soundtracks are two of the best homemade mix tapes you’re ever likely to hear, even if they are incomplete. I’ve got special love for the use of ‘Il Grande Duello’, ‘Battle without Honor or Humanity’ and ‘Flower of Carnage’ in Volume 1, and ‘Silhouette of Doom’, ‘Il Mercenario (L'Arena)’ and ‘Three Tough Guys’ in Volume 2.
Musically speaking, and from the point of view of pure audio design, movie one’s best scene is the steady cam walk around the House of Blue Leaves as the 5,6,7,8s belt out their most famous song. Following that we have Beatrice’s fight with Go Go, which is brimming with stylized and over-the-top audio shenanigans, and the arrival of the Crazy 88, which gives the rear channels an effective work out by way of revving motorcycle engines.

The ace scene audibly on Volume 2 is the burial scene, which starts with a cool, whistled score and some of the bassiest hammer hits you’ll ever hear. Then, while Thurman gasps and weeps into the centre channel, the surrounds are attacked by the sound of shovels of dirt being thrown onto her coffin. As the dirt becomes thicker the sound becomes muffled, and more prominent in the back speakers. Eventually the ever so subtle sound of Bud’s pick-up pulling away is heard, leaving a cherry atop the aural sundae.
Extras
I’d love to tell you this set features a Quentin Tarantino commentary track, pop-up facts pointing to the specific films paid homage on screen, and in depth documentaries about the making of the films, but there’s nothing new on either of these Blu-ray discs. You’d think that someone who enjoys talking as much at Tarantino would be dying to record commentary tracks, and you’d think that being friends with Robert Rodriguez he’d want to compete with making-of documentaries like Full Tilt Boogie, but apparently you’d be wrong.
Volume 1 comes with a twenty-two minute featurette, two 5,6,7,8 performances, and trailers for every Miramax released Tarantino film, all in standard definition. The featurette, which you all saw on the DVD, is informative enough, and includes a number of cute stories, such as QT’s discovery and hiring of the 5,6,7,8s, but it’s mostly just a tease. The musical performances are the best extra on the disc, but they aren’t even anamorphically enhanced. So sad.

Volume 2 features another behind the scenes featurette (this one running twenty six minutes), which works on the same relatively entertaining and relatively informative level as the making-of on the other disc. Again, though, this is mostly a fluff piece, with a lot of footage from the film and EPK interviews, which teases a possibly more fully developed documentary. The disc also features a three and a half minute deleted scene, featuring Bill kicking Michael Jai White’s ass. This is the only hi-def extra on either disc. The scene is pretty cool, but it really doesn’t have much place in the narrative Tarantino was telling. Everything ends with a live musical performance featuring Robert Rodriguez and his band.
Overall
So I love Kill Bill, and I’m sure you do too, so the question of purchasing these Blu-ray discs really comes down to your level of patience. Apparently the Weinsteins own the rights to the US release of the uncut version of the film, but if their treatment of Grindhouse is any clue, we aren’t going to be seeing the ‘Whole Bloody Affair’ version anytime soon. I’m personally hoping for a Japanese Blu-ray release of Volume 1 sometime in the next year. These discs look and sound great (I’m sure even greater for those of you with PCM capabilities), but they are the cut versions, and have basically nothing in the way of extras.
But the Kill Bill adventure doesn’t have to end here, many, if not most of the films Tarantino has quoted here are readily available on DVD. Take a trip to this site to learn a little more. I personally recommend Hannie Caulder, Django Kill, City of the Living Dead, Deep Red, Seven Notes in Black (aka The Psychic), Shogun Assassin, Tokyo Drifter, Death Rides a Horse, The Five Deadly Venoms and especially Lady Snowblood, from which Tarantino takes the film’s basic structure. I’m going to continue looking for copies of Rolling Thunder, Samurai Fiction and Twisted Nerve.
*Note: The images on this page are not representative of the Blu-ray release.
Review by Gabriel Powers
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Existing Posts
snowman08 wrote: I'll bet those who paid through the nose for a Japanese import of kill Bill Volume 1 are pleased, sorry even more pleased with their investment now!
Eh, you can get it a lot cheaper these days, so I kind of regret it.
Eh, you can get it a lot cheaper these days, so I kind of regret it.
Worst Nightmare wrote: You would think that in the world of "un-cut" "un-rated" DVDs/BDs that they would have released these versions by now (note I am not even going to touch the rights issue!).
Obviously Disney wants to make money off kill Bill before the Weinstein's release the whole bloody affair.
I'll bet those who paid through the nose for a Japanese import of kill Bill Volume 1 are pleased, sorry even more pleased with their investment now!
Obviously Disney wants to make money off kill Bill before the Weinstein's release the whole bloody affair.
I'll bet those who paid through the nose for a Japanese import of kill Bill Volume 1 are pleased, sorry even more pleased with their investment now!
I'm guessing that several people commenting here were beaten up a lot in high school. Don't take it out on a guy who actually contributes something instead of whining like little girls (no offense to any little girls reading this- I have two of my own).
As for the review, I thought Jackie Brown was Tarantino's weakest film (well, next to Death Proof). I loved the first Kill Bill. Enjoyed the second one, but felt it was not as strong as the first. By the way, I thought the review, as usual, was very well written.
As for the review, I thought Jackie Brown was Tarantino's weakest film (well, next to Death Proof). I loved the first Kill Bill. Enjoyed the second one, but felt it was not as strong as the first. By the way, I thought the review, as usual, was very well written.
You would think that in the world of "un-cut" "un-rated" DVDs/BDs that they would have released these versions by now (note I am not even going to touch the rights issue!).
I finally gave in recently and bought both films (under $10 for both) as I got sick of waiting for the Affair to be released.
Maybe you shouldn't tell them you wear pea-green jeans when you review these Gabe or you will cause people to suicide
I finally gave in recently and bought both films (under $10 for both) as I got sick of waiting for the Affair to be released.
Maybe you shouldn't tell them you wear pea-green jeans when you review these Gabe or you will cause people to suicide

Yikes! Would you prefer he lied about his system in the reviews?
I'm still watching movies on a widescreen CRT with no HDMI inputs on it, Blu-ray and PCM are a long way off for me.
Despite that I still enjoyed the review, it's great to hear things are improving, even if I don't get to actually see it.
Keep up the great work Gabe!
I'm still watching movies on a widescreen CRT with no HDMI inputs on it, Blu-ray and PCM are a long way off for me.
Despite that I still enjoyed the review, it's great to hear things are improving, even if I don't get to actually see it.
Keep up the great work Gabe!
I don't post too often but I always read Gabe's reviews. With that being said I think that by him pointing out his limitations in the review that there shouldn't be a single problem from any reader and the braggarts should attempt to write their own review with their top of the line equipment and see if it reaches the same level of quality as gabe's reviews.
haha this is my favourite website. Great dvd news, excellent reviews, and hilarious arguments between a bunch of nerds and geeks. A comment on pcm turns into a heated debate about deaf people. This is heating up to be a bigger nerd fight than the cloverfield forum. I swear some of the cyber fights on this site are more entertaining than most movies these days. keep it up!
excellent review as usual gabe
excellent review as usual gabe
Great highly stylized flicks brooding with revenge. The Bride, O-Ren Ishii, Hattori Hanzo and Pai Mei are fantastic characters too. When are we going to get The Whole Bloody Affair?
Audio snobs= k.n.o.b.s.
I wonder how many of the trolls b***hing about sound, are actually using their tv speakers... More than they'd like to admit.
I wonder how many of the trolls b***hing about sound, are actually using their tv speakers... More than they'd like to admit.
What the hell is going on here? We take time out of our social lives to craft - in my opinion - good quality, reliable reviews (which can take HOURS if done with care and skill - which every single one of our team do), and we get nitpicked and sneered at by people who basically want to troll. I love doing this 'job', but am getting fed up of people trashing our writing in threads. Most of the members that post remarks here are fantastic and offer great banter, but people who want to rip into us should, I suggest, think about signing up for another site.
Great review of some great films. I'll definitely be upgrading to Blu-ray for these!
Thanks Gabe. I don't always appreciate the films you review (not always my cup of tea) but I do always enjoy a review written by yourself.
Thanks Gabe. I don't always appreciate the films you review (not always my cup of tea) but I do always enjoy a review written by yourself.
£ukasz D wrote: i agree with the guys supprised by the fact of writing the proper player and audio set.....
I remember, when i asked, why u are reviewing the same film, u told me, that it is a new, Blu-ray edition, and since this is a DVD/BD site, this is the point....now i see i was right
Why are you still here? You do nothing but Troll my reviews and ask us for content to ad to your little site. Go Away.
I remember, when i asked, why u are reviewing the same film, u told me, that it is a new, Blu-ray edition, and since this is a DVD/BD site, this is the point....now i see i was right

Why are you still here? You do nothing but Troll my reviews and ask us for content to ad to your little site. Go Away.
teamneedle wrote: I guess you didn't read the positive aspects of my comments?
I was addressing everyone who has been negative, but I still can't see any positive comments about the review in your post.
Quote: and my analogy stands- a blind person doesn't have the tools to make a review of the video- and obviously this reviewer did not have the tools to review this disc properly.
Your analogy is flawed. Perhaps if you'd said a colour-blind person you might have a point, but you didn't.
Quote: and then on top of not being able to review- it was given a dvdactive award for audio?
how a disc be awarded that wasn't tested to fail>?
Maybe because he gave the award for the Dolby Digital audio, not the PCM? We've all been getting along fine with it for years now, doesn't mean it's c**p overnight. How many reviews can you trust to have really compared the Dolby/DTS soundtracks when they say they did? Or TrueHD/Master Audio (not that many people can play the latter)? What about reviewers who don't have 1080p capability? Lots of them out there. At least Gabe explains the limitations of his hardware and then reviews based on that, which is all anyone can ask for.
If we're going to keep going down the road that a few people in this thread have started on, should all reviewers be experts about any given film they review? If they're not, it could be argued that they aren't equipped for the task at hand and shouldn't even bother.
Of course you could get into the subjectivity of reviewing, but that's another argument...
I was addressing everyone who has been negative, but I still can't see any positive comments about the review in your post.
Quote: and my analogy stands- a blind person doesn't have the tools to make a review of the video- and obviously this reviewer did not have the tools to review this disc properly.
Your analogy is flawed. Perhaps if you'd said a colour-blind person you might have a point, but you didn't.
Quote: and then on top of not being able to review- it was given a dvdactive award for audio?
how a disc be awarded that wasn't tested to fail>?
Maybe because he gave the award for the Dolby Digital audio, not the PCM? We've all been getting along fine with it for years now, doesn't mean it's c**p overnight. How many reviews can you trust to have really compared the Dolby/DTS soundtracks when they say they did? Or TrueHD/Master Audio (not that many people can play the latter)? What about reviewers who don't have 1080p capability? Lots of them out there. At least Gabe explains the limitations of his hardware and then reviews based on that, which is all anyone can ask for.
If we're going to keep going down the road that a few people in this thread have started on, should all reviewers be experts about any given film they review? If they're not, it could be argued that they aren't equipped for the task at hand and shouldn't even bother.
Of course you could get into the subjectivity of reviewing, but that's another argument...
Hey, I like Bam...oh, and great review...I also can't decode PCM...well, I don't even have a blu-ray player...=p
I like the review. I hope TWC does realize The Whole Bloody Affair soon.
A blind person can't review any video on any disc. Gabe is perfectly capable of listening to the standard audio on any disc, just not a certain type of uncompressed audio on HD formats. Just because his sound system isn't cutting edge doesn't make it s**t. Having a 2.0 system would be not having the tools for the job.
I imagine there are reviewers out there who only use 1.0 players to do their blu-ray reviews as well.
Also, the people who mention that Weinstein Co. owns The Whole Bloody Affair might be forgetting one crucial thing: TWBA is NOT just the two uncut movies reattached, it's a somewhat more elaborate recut and most importantly of all, Quentin hasn't even done it yet. As long ago as 2005 he was saying he was going to set aside time to work on it, something he's still saying today. So it's not the fault of the brothers Weinstein that you don't have it in your grubby little hands, it's Quentin's invariable ability to get distracted.
I imagine there are reviewers out there who only use 1.0 players to do their blu-ray reviews as well.
Also, the people who mention that Weinstein Co. owns The Whole Bloody Affair might be forgetting one crucial thing: TWBA is NOT just the two uncut movies reattached, it's a somewhat more elaborate recut and most importantly of all, Quentin hasn't even done it yet. As long ago as 2005 he was saying he was going to set aside time to work on it, something he's still saying today. So it's not the fault of the brothers Weinstein that you don't have it in your grubby little hands, it's Quentin's invariable ability to get distracted.
Chris Gould wrote: teamneedle wrote: This can be compared to trusting a review about image quality from a blind person....
For that analogy to work Gabe would have to be deaf, which he obviously isn't. PCM is only one of the formats found on the disc and obviously isn't supported by everyone. You know, it's amazing how many people concentrate on the one tiny perceived flaw in the review, rather than commenting on the positive stuff.
I guess you didn't read the positive aspects of my comments?
and my analogy stands- a blind person doesn't have the tools to make a review of the video- and obviously this reviewer did not have the tools to review this disc properly.
and then on top of not being able to review- it was given a dvdactive award for audio?
how a disc be awarded that wasn't tested to fail>?
For that analogy to work Gabe would have to be deaf, which he obviously isn't. PCM is only one of the formats found on the disc and obviously isn't supported by everyone. You know, it's amazing how many people concentrate on the one tiny perceived flaw in the review, rather than commenting on the positive stuff.
I guess you didn't read the positive aspects of my comments?
and my analogy stands- a blind person doesn't have the tools to make a review of the video- and obviously this reviewer did not have the tools to review this disc properly.
and then on top of not being able to review- it was given a dvdactive award for audio?
how a disc be awarded that wasn't tested to fail>?
teamneedle wrote: This can be compared to trusting a review about image quality from a blind person....
For that analogy to work Gabe would have to be deaf, which he obviously isn't. PCM is only one of the formats found on the disc and obviously isn't supported by everyone. You know, it's amazing how many people concentrate on the one tiny perceived flaw in the review, rather than commenting on the positive stuff.
For that analogy to work Gabe would have to be deaf, which he obviously isn't. PCM is only one of the formats found on the disc and obviously isn't supported by everyone. You know, it's amazing how many people concentrate on the one tiny perceived flaw in the review, rather than commenting on the positive stuff.
Great review Gabe!! These are two of my favorite films by QT. Sadly, the BD's are lacking in the extras that I was hoping for. Oh well, there's always a double-dip planned for later.
while i didnt like either of these movies, i can so relate to the comment that it felt like it was made for you. That's how i feel about The Crow and its a nice, cool feeling to have. Makes a movie that more special and fun to watch.
I think the bigger fail is posting a listing for a Bam Magera DVD like it is actually a product that anyone who visits this site cares about?
Scott Brooks wrote: Gabe Powers wrote: Scott Brooks wrote: You're reviewing Blu-ray movies and you don't have the ability to listen to PCM audio? Wow...
Are you offering to buy me a new set-up? It's not like I get paid for this.
Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. I just figured if someone is going to review Blu-ray movies they should have the proper set up to fully appreciate it and articulate it in writing.
rebel-scum wrote: Scott Brooks wrote: You're reviewing Blu-ray movies and you don't have the ability to listen to PCM audio? Wow...
And you joined in 2004 and have only made 5 posts... WOW!!
Yeah but at least I can listen to uncompressed PCM soundtracks
sadly brooks is correct- despite great work by this site- and it is usually, this is a fail.
This can be compared to trusting a review about image quality from a blind person....
yes that is extreme- but in theory it is the same-
However, I come here for DVD news- and I am usually satisfied.
Scott Brooks wrote: Gabe Powers wrote: Scott Brooks wrote: You're reviewing Blu-ray movies and you don't have the ability to listen to PCM audio? Wow...
Are you offering to buy me a new set-up? It's not like I get paid for this.
Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. I just figured if someone is going to review Blu-ray movies they should have the proper set up to fully appreciate it and articulate it in writing.
rebel-scum wrote: Scott Brooks wrote: You're reviewing Blu-ray movies and you don't have the ability to listen to PCM audio? Wow...
And you joined in 2004 and have only made 5 posts... WOW!!
Yeah but at least I can listen to uncompressed PCM soundtracks

sadly brooks is correct- despite great work by this site- and it is usually, this is a fail.
This can be compared to trusting a review about image quality from a blind person....
yes that is extreme- but in theory it is the same-
However, I come here for DVD news- and I am usually satisfied.
Gabe Powers wrote: Scott Brooks wrote: You're reviewing Blu-ray movies and you don't have the ability to listen to PCM audio? Wow...
Are you offering to buy me a new set-up? It's not like I get paid for this.
Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. I just figured if someone is going to review Blu-ray movies they should have the proper set up to fully appreciate it and articulate it in writing.
rebel-scum wrote: Scott Brooks wrote: You're reviewing Blu-ray movies and you don't have the ability to listen to PCM audio? Wow...
And you joined in 2004 and have only made 5 posts... WOW!!
Yeah but at least I can listen to uncompressed PCM soundtracks
Are you offering to buy me a new set-up? It's not like I get paid for this.
Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. I just figured if someone is going to review Blu-ray movies they should have the proper set up to fully appreciate it and articulate it in writing.
rebel-scum wrote: Scott Brooks wrote: You're reviewing Blu-ray movies and you don't have the ability to listen to PCM audio? Wow...
And you joined in 2004 and have only made 5 posts... WOW!!
Yeah but at least I can listen to uncompressed PCM soundtracks

I really despair sometimes. Gabe writes and informative, enjoyable review on a subject of which he clearly possesses superior knowledge, and all some people can do is b***h about his home cinema set-up. He clearly states the hardware limitations in his review; he is not attempting to con anyone. In fact, there are quite a few people out there who wanted to know if the discs had DD because they themselves couldn't handle PCM. I imagine there are quite a few people who use a PS3 with an old amp when listening to their BDs.
We'd all love to be able to afford the latest home cinema equipment, but we don't get paid for this gig. If you enjoy reviews from people with all of the latest hardware why not visit one of the websites run by faceless corporations and enjoy their sterile approach to reviewing?
We'd all love to be able to afford the latest home cinema equipment, but we don't get paid for this gig. If you enjoy reviews from people with all of the latest hardware why not visit one of the websites run by faceless corporations and enjoy their sterile approach to reviewing?
Scott Brooks wrote: You're reviewing Blu-ray movies and you don't have the ability to listen to PCM audio? Wow...
And you joined in 2004 and have only made 5 posts... WOW!!
Great review, Gabe. I was really impressed with these discs, especially Vol.2's use of color.
And you joined in 2004 and have only made 5 posts... WOW!!
Great review, Gabe. I was really impressed with these discs, especially Vol.2's use of color.
As soon as Blu-Ray was announced these were some of the first films to be talked about being released in the format, and judging by the photography and colours in the film these are a must on the hi-def format, but yet I can't help but to think that these are only bare bones releases. Whether or not the Whole Bloody Affair will ever see the light of day, I still think that the films as they are deserve a better sort of release. Casino Royale has become the first double-dip BD, I can only imagine that Kill Bill will go the same way soon too.
i agree with the guys supprised by the fact of writing the proper player and audio set.....
I remember, when i asked, why u are reviewing the same film, u told me, that it is a new, Blu-ray edition, and since this is a DVD/BD site, this is the point....now i see i was right
I remember, when i asked, why u are reviewing the same film, u told me, that it is a new, Blu-ray edition, and since this is a DVD/BD site, this is the point....now i see i was right

I feel like i have to get behind Gabe on this one. I've been reading a lot of his reviews and he's really good and writing them, so he is most certainly qualified to write reviews for this site. To say he isn't is just silly.
Sure, it would probably be better to have someone else review discs with PCM audio, but there is more to a review than the auido section of it. Did you read the rest of it?
Sure, it would probably be better to have someone else review discs with PCM audio, but there is more to a review than the auido section of it. Did you read the rest of it?
First of all, I was reviewing for the site long before Blu-ray was even an issue. If it's a matter of trust then I don't know what to tell you because I've been fully honest in every single one of my Blu-ray reviews, and made a statement about my PCM limitations (or at least I do with my Disney DVD reviews, as they're pretty much the only studio that offers PCM on BLu-ray).
I'll say it again, I'm not paid to do this, I do this because I like doing it, and my personal finance doesn't allow for a new system. If the fact that I'm short one piece of equipment negates every single one of my thoughts on the film, the video, the audio I can hear, and the extras then so be it. I advise you to find somewhere else to get your DVD information. Your hyperbole (it's not equal to viewing hi-def on a 32 inch analog set with Pro-Logic, that's ridiculous) isn't constructive or witty. It helps hiding behind an anonymous name on the faceless internet when putting absolutely none of yourself on the line, though, doesn't it?
I'll say it again, I'm not paid to do this, I do this because I like doing it, and my personal finance doesn't allow for a new system. If the fact that I'm short one piece of equipment negates every single one of my thoughts on the film, the video, the audio I can hear, and the extras then so be it. I advise you to find somewhere else to get your DVD information. Your hyperbole (it's not equal to viewing hi-def on a 32 inch analog set with Pro-Logic, that's ridiculous) isn't constructive or witty. It helps hiding behind an anonymous name on the faceless internet when putting absolutely none of yourself on the line, though, doesn't it?
Gabe Powers wrote: Scott Brooks wrote: You're reviewing Blu-ray movies and you don't have the ability to listen to PCM audio? Wow...
Are you offering to buy me a new set-up? It's not like I get paid for this.
I fully on agree with Scott Brooks, why are you reviewing Blu-ray movies if you don't have the ability to listen to PCM audio? That's like reviewing a Blu-Ray flick on a 32 inch analog Sanyo television set with a Pro-Logic Receiever. If your gonna review movies, I would think that you would have the required equipment to become a reviewer. I even have all the requirements to review flicks on this website but why would I? I would think I can trust that you guys to know what you're talking about, let alone have the equipment for audio and video to the FULLEST. I guess not.
Are you offering to buy me a new set-up? It's not like I get paid for this.
I fully on agree with Scott Brooks, why are you reviewing Blu-ray movies if you don't have the ability to listen to PCM audio? That's like reviewing a Blu-Ray flick on a 32 inch analog Sanyo television set with a Pro-Logic Receiever. If your gonna review movies, I would think that you would have the required equipment to become a reviewer. I even have all the requirements to review flicks on this website but why would I? I would think I can trust that you guys to know what you're talking about, let alone have the equipment for audio and video to the FULLEST. I guess not.
Mike K. wrote: If you have Netflix, you can watch Rolling Thunder using the streaming video function. I think it's a transfer of the Goodtimes VHS release, but it's still worth checking out.
Hey, thanks, I'll do that.
Hey, thanks, I'll do that.
ive been thinkin about geting these but im still waiting on that whole bloddy affair that was supose to be in the works...
This is my baby! Big appraises for both, which infact are my Top Films of all time
Scott Brooks wrote: You're reviewing Blu-ray movies and you don't have the ability to listen to PCM audio? Wow...
Are you offering to buy me a new set-up? It's not like I get paid for this.
Are you offering to buy me a new set-up? It's not like I get paid for this.
I actually liked both Kill Bill movies. Gosh how I wish I had Blu-ray. Oh well I guess it's the same old DVD.
Scott Brooks wrote: You're reviewing Blu-ray movies and you don't have the ability to listen to PCM audio? Wow...hahaha
At first, I said I wasn't gonna re-buy these on Blu-Ray, but after watching Transformers Blu-Ray tonight, I might have to reconsider, LOL......
If you have Netflix, you can watch Rolling Thunder using the streaming video function. I think it's a transfer of the Goodtimes VHS release, but it's still worth checking out.
As for the Kill Bill blu-rays, I'm gonna hold out until The Whole Bloody Affair. Between the theater tickets, two Region 1 DVDs, uncut Japanese imports, and the replica sword I got on eBay, I figure I've spent enough on Kill Bill for the time being.
As for the Kill Bill blu-rays, I'm gonna hold out until The Whole Bloody Affair. Between the theater tickets, two Region 1 DVDs, uncut Japanese imports, and the replica sword I got on eBay, I figure I've spent enough on Kill Bill for the time being.
Hey give him a break he posted a great review! I for one will be getting this tomorrow!
You're reviewing Blu-ray movies and you don't have the ability to listen to PCM audio? Wow...


Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian
Disc Details
Release Date:
9th September 2008
Discs:
2
Disc Type:
Blu-ray Disc
RCE:
No
Video:
1080p
Aspect:
2.40:1
Anamorphic:
No
Colour:
Yes
Audio:
PCM 5.1 English, Dolby Digital 5.1 English, Dolby Digital 5.1 French
Subtitles:
English, Spanish, French
Extras:
Behind the Scenes, Trailers, Musical Performances, Deleted Scene
Easter Egg:
No
Feature Details
Director:
Quentin Tarantino
Cast:
Uma Thurman, David Carradine, Daryl Hannah, Michael Madsen, Lucy Lui, Gordon Lui, Sonny Chiba
Genre:
Action, Comedy, Drama and Thriller
Length:
248 minutes
Ratings
Awards


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