Colouring Book Theatre: The Black Hole

[cjefferys]

In the early days of DVD, there was a 4:3 widescreen "flag" on some 4:3 (non anamorphic) letterbox DVD's. Just like the flag that tells a DVD player that the video is anamorphic, this 4:3 widescreen flag was there to auto zoom 4:3 widescreen material on 16:9 TV's or DVD players that can read it.

The Abyss is an example of a DVD that will auto zoom on a device that reads the flag. It's not anamorphic, but when played on my blu ray player it auto zooms, instead of putting black bars on the side (which is what the blu ray player would generate for 4:3 video and I would have to adjust)

So, I think The Black Hole might have the 4:3 widescreen flag that would auto zoom it instead of it being anamorphic. I have to check it out, I do have the old release buried somewhere.

Yup, it's amazing that there is still no anamorphic releases for The Abyss or True Lies (in region 1 anyway, there are anamorphic versions in other regions).

Very interesting, I wasn't aware of some older non-anamorphic DVDs having a flag like that, I don't believe I've ever come across such a disc. Learn something new everyday.

[mego73]

I stumbled onto it when I played The Abyss on my blu-ray player. This is the first release of the movie on DVD (later printings may be different) and while most 4:3 letterbox material has to be zoomed on that player, that one doesn't.

A little research on Home Theater Forum turned up talk of this "source letterboxed" option that few (even apparently DVD authors) know about. Of course, these days, with almost all wide screen releases being anamorphic, it's pretty obsolete anyway.

[Werewolf]

I did some research on imdb and found out Anchor Bay did indeed release two different DVD versions of The Black Hole. The 1999 full screen and widescreen edition and a anamorphic widescreen version in 2002.

I also want to point out and apologize for my "anaphormic" typo of anamorphic (which I have since corrected). Doh! When I have a migraine my spelling is even worse than usual.

[cjefferys]

I did some research on imdb and found out Anchor Bay did indeed release two different DVD versions of The Black Hole. The 1999 full screen and widescreen edition and a anamorphic widescreen version in 1992.

I also want to point out and apologize for my "anaphormic" typo of anamorphic (which I have since corrected). Doh! When I have a migraine my spelling is even worse than usual.

I think you may want to correct your typo on the year of release of the anamorphic version too.

[Werewolf]

I think you may want to correct your typo on the year of release of the anamorphic version too.

Yeah, that should be 2002. I'm on a role today.

[TrueDave]

I LOVE old coloring books!

I also Love Black Hole. I think the problem with it was the main three heroes. The lady was ugly and the two guys were two dimensional and dull. Even in teh novelization they couldnt explain the esp thing she had going on with Vincent.

IYears ago I scored the Cygnus model kit but it's an IMPOSSIBLE kit to build. Its molded solid in silver. I considered recasting the whole 2 feet in CLEAR plastic so I could paint the scaffaloding but it would be too much work. I kept losing pieces and the box got worse so I sold it. Shame probably one of my top three favorite SpaceShips.

[TrueDave]

Speaking of trippy Heaven and Hell ending did you pick up any of the comics? I read ONE it was suppossed to take place right after the film and it was a cop out time travel wheer they went back to the Palimino landing on the Cygnus. DId you read any more than that?

[mego73]

Her hairstyle made her ugly, she can look lots better.