[f_minor] Thirty Two Short Films About Glenn Gould

[Ed Price]

I wouldn't argue against that principle (that it's best to watch a film "as the
director intended") but it's not always so simple to know...  Some things
are filmed so that they will "work" in both widescreen and "fullscreen"
aspect ratio.  Who knows whether the director really intends the framing
to be 4:3 and you're "missing out" on what the black bars hide, vs. the
director intends it to be widescreen but the extra stuff on the top and
bottom is not going to ruin it.

I don't know 100% for a fact but I would think the director intended 32
Short Films to be viewed widescreen in the theater on its original
release!  Hopefully that's the widescreen version on the 2011 DVD,
and I would hope that the new release also has that version, in
addition to the 4:3 version, whatever it may be (unmatted or pan
& scan).

Finally: I often watch movies with my brother.  I use a projector and a
screen and there's always a bit of adjustment to be made at first.  He
is always insistent that absolutely none of the image is off the screen.
He doesn't want to miss anything.  But he doesn't care if there's a bit
of black blank space around the image.  However, I like the image to
fill the screen!  I like the immersiveness of it.  So it takes a bit of time
to get it *just right* so we're both satisified :)

-Ed

On Sat, Mar 31, 2012 at 2:43 PM, Lancaster, Mark T <Mark-L at vips.com> wrote:
> I’ll take the black bars and the full picture as intended by the director
> over a chopped off picture that fills my TV every time. I’ve never
> understood what bothers people about the black bars. Why zoom in on the full
> picture and leave things unseen at top and bottom, or on the sides? (that’s
> meant to be a rhetorical  question, unless someone does care to speak to why
> arbitrarily filling a given televisions screen is more important than seeing
> the picture the creator intended).
>
>
>
> Mark
>
>
>
> From: f_minor-bounces at glenngould.org [mailto:f_minor-bounces at glenngould.org]
> On Behalf Of Carl D. Patterson
> Sent: Friday, March 30, 2012 4:47 AM
>
>
> To: Discussion of the Canadian pianist Glenn Gould.
> Subject: Re: [f_minor] Thirty Two Short Films About Glenn Gould
>
>
>
> Hi,
>
>
>
> I own a copy of the Columbia Tristar version of 32 that I bought from
> Amazon.com in 1995. The disc is a little strange in that it is double sided.
> Side A has the 1.85:1 version and Side B is the 4:3 version.
>
>
>
> I've just looked at a section of the film and have taken a few photos:
>
>
>
> http://flic.kr/s/aHsjyLbvpN
>
>
>
> It looks as if the film was made in 4:3 ratio and that the 16:9 ratio
> version is just the 4:3 zoomed in. If you watch the full 'widescreen'
> version you'll be missing parts of the top and bottom of the frame. If you
> watch the square 4:3 version you'll be seeing the full frame, as the
> director intended, but you'll have black bars.
>
>
>
> At least with the copy that I have you have a choice. We'll just have to see
> what the re-issue is like.
>
>
>
> Carl
>
>
>
>
>
> On 29 Mar 2012, at 12:51, Pat wrote:
>
>
>
> Hi all
>
>
>
> I can confirm that 32 will see a european release, the movie is now
> available for preorder at Amazon Germany:
>
>
>
> http://www.amazon.de/Thirty-Short-Films-about-Glenn/dp/B0077KUE70/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333020803&sr=8-1
>
>
>
> Release date is April 13th, price is 16 Euros.
>
>
>
> One aspect that irritates me is the aspect ratio. Let us hope these specs
> are incorrect. 4:3 or 1.33:1 are outdated really and might look quite ugly
> on newer TV sets and it would be a crying shame if a “critically acclaimed
> cult movie” would be released without visual and sonic updates adjusted to
> the 21st Century.
>
>
>
> Pat
>
> From: Pat
>
> Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2012 8:15 PM
>
> To: Discussion of the Canadian pianist Glenn Gould.
>
> Subject: Re: [f_minor] Thirty Two Short Films About Glenn Gould
>
>
>
> Hi all
>
> I was able to track down the press blurb on the swiss site of Sony Music:
>
> http://www.sonymusic.ch/Glenn-Gould/Thirty-Two-Short-Films-About-Glenn-Gould/P/2326387/B/88691912129
>
>
>
> Unfortunetly GoogleBing does not allow me to find this DVD in the context of
> sonymusic.com but you will get the idea.
>
>
>
> This means 2 things: If it is on the swiss site, then there must be a
> european release as well (Code 2) which gives me the opportunity to say YAY
> ! European DVD premiere after whatsmany years !
>
> (But if this should end up as another import without extras then I think I
> will be very cross and dissapointed)
>
>
>
> The scan on the site of Amazon is incorrect, the new cover looks closer to
> the CBC box set. I wonder what is on that re-release and hope they added a
> few extras and improved image quality. That low US price makes one
> susupcious however and Sony CH doesn’t cough up a local price for a
> comparison yet.
>
>
>
> Since 32 was rarely shown on TV and the subsequent DVD release was sold for
> prices close to a bank bailout, I urge those of you who never had a chance
> to see 32 to get a copy now.
>
>
>
> Despite its age it is still worth watching and while it may have its flaws
> 32 is much more enjoyable than some of the recent releases about GG if I may
> add my grain of salt here.
>
>
>
> Pat
>
>
>
> From: DJ Were-Panda
>
> Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2012 7:19 PM
>
> To: Discussion of the Canadian pianist Glenn Gould.
>
> Subject: Re: [f_minor] Thirty Two Short Films About Glenn Gould
>
>
>
> Mark, I think the subject floated by a few weeks ago, but it's always good
> to have reminders. :) Thanks for the heads up!
>
>
>
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