PinoyDVD: The Pinoy Digital Video & Devices Community
DVD Forum => DVD Releases and Reviews => Pinoy DVDs => Topic started by: jekoy on Dec 01, 2007 at 10:39 PM
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From the Star Cinema flyers, Himala DVD will be coming out this January! This is a very nice treat for DVD aficionados like us!
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Sana maganda ang packaging, hindi nung slim digipack case.
Sana feature packed. ;D
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I hope they include the documentary which aired at Cinema One several years ago with insights from Ricky Lee, Charo Santos-Concio, Bibsy Carballo and some of the thespians who worked in the film from Pen Medina, Ama Quiambao, Vangie Labalan and Spanky Manikan.
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sana new print at remastered, ndi yung existing video na may nakababad na subtitles pag pinapalabas sa cinema one.
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In glorious 5.1 dts Dolby Digital and comes in a Slipcased holographic dvd case.
Seriously, I would be happy if it's remastered with removable subtitles. And hope i sells well enough to prompt other classic REMASTERED re-releases.
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sana new print at remastered, ndi yung existing video na may nakababad na subtitles pag pinapalabas sa cinema one.
That's the best print available. We should be happy enough since it's well preserved. The best thing that they can do is clean the existing mastercopy just like what Road Runner did for the 20th Anniversary screening of ORO PLATA MATA back in the early 2000.
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Star Records should read this thread.
At 600pesos this would probably be my first DVD from Star Records.
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At 600pesos this would probably be my first DVD from Star Records.
Not to worry. They priced it at a consumer-friendly Php 299! :)
Now, a technical review:
It's in a standard keep case. The summary printed on the jacket is rather stupid - they actually gave away the movie's ending.
The menus are non-animated. The only special feature is the theatrical trailer:
(http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/6148/himala01wl2.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
The film's transfer itself is faded, and is full of dust and debris. The white English and Japanese (?) subtitles are burned into the print, and can be unreadable at times:
(http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/1724/himala02bq4.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
You can see the master used was a videotape, since at points where the tape is crumpled, you see the defect moving from top to bottom of the screen:
(http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/6379/himala03at3.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
On the whole, not a fantastic release, but more or less at par with other local releases from the era. This release excites me more since "Experimental Cinema of the Philippines" is prominently featured on the back cover of the disc. Could that mean that Oro, Plata, Mata could possibly be released in the near future?
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wow! this is an early release. anyway, this is better than not having a copy at all. hehe. maybe in the years to come, we'll have a remastered version of the film. for now, this will do.
;)
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Yes, but if an exploitation film like Silip could get a good transfer, surely a classic like Himala deserves better. Too bad, that local studios like Viva and Star are opting for the easy way of just transfering the image from VHS to DVD instead of remastering them from original source materials. Not economically viable? Maybe the government should pay for the restoration, after all, it's part of our national heritage...
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Even at a price of P299 parang 'di worthy ang pagkaka-release sa ganitong klase ng pelikula. I have to see it once I get back. Para bang nasa isip ng distributors, "Sige na. Puwede na 'yan. Hayaan na nilang pagtiyagaan ang ire-release natin.". :( >:(
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Hit and miss for a classic film on dvd. Still its better than nothing.
Mr. Hankey what is the running time of the trailer?
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Mr. Hankey what is the running time of the trailer?
The trailer is 2:33. The feature film runs 2:03:50.
Oddly, the trailer is 1.85:1 non-anamorphic, while the feature is 1.33:1 full screen. ::)
Edited to Add: But comparing the trailer to the feature film, it was apparently filmed open matte, so nothing got chopped off from the sides of the screen, so... ok lang:
Trailer Vs. Film:
(http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/2435/himala04en4.jpg) (http://imageshack.us) (http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/1724/himala02bq4.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
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Thanks for the info. They didn't tuck in the docu REMINISCING HIMALA which was aired on Cinema One on the late 90's. And yes, ORO PLATA MATA might just be around the dvd corner soon..........
Just the ending alone is already a treat in this film where the late master filmmaker Ishmael Bernal set-up 7 cameras for the climactic finale.
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This film should be clean by cine filipino or unitel to get a good copy, like brocka films that they release.
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Himala DVD is now available online thru Kabayan Central website. Here's the url:
http://www.kabayancentral.com/video/star/cpsthimala.html
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Yes, but if an exploitation film like Silip could get a good transfer, surely a classic like Himala deserves better. Too bad, that local studios like Viva and Star are opting for the easy way of just transfering the image from VHS to DVD instead of remastering them from original source materials. Not economically viable? Maybe the government should pay for the restoration, after all, it's part of our national heritage...
even star cinema itself do not remaster/digitize their own movies. from the theatrical print, it's straight to video already, thus the loss of quality. so it just goes to show that they wouldn't remaster films like these even if they are considered as classics.
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even star cinema itself do not remaster/digitize their own movies. from the theatrical print, it's straight to video already, thus the loss of qulaity. so it just goes to show that they wouldn't remaster films like this even if they are considered as classics.
That's what you call "WALANG HIMALA!!!!!!" waaahhhh!!! :'(
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(http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m132/keating_01/HIMALADVD.jpg)
Himala Revisited
by Arnel Resma Ramos
Watching Ishmael Bernal's landmark film Himala on a lethargic afternoon is like revisiting an old familiar haunt. It brings back memories of a cherished time when locally manufactured movies made one ponder and contemplate, think and analyze.
We were but a boy in knee pants, starry-eyed and unsophisticated, when we first saw this meditative piece on faith and the evils that it brings forth when used for the wrong reasons. The year was 1982, exactly two decades ago, and we well remember being enthralled by the sheer force of its powerful images and quietly devastating performances. We are one of the blessed few who own a video tape copy of the film that has remained, through the years, Nora Aunor's signature film. The pint-sized superstar delivered a miracle of a performance as Elsa, the false visionary. Perhaps, the finest performance by a Filipino actor ever recorded on celluloid. If the diminutive multimedia luminary ever decides to leave the movies for good, Himala is enough reason to guarantee her of immortality.
Set in a far-flung barrio, a lowly, plain looking lass claims that the Virgin Mary appeared before her during an eclipse. She becomes a faith healer and almost overnight the sleepy town transforms into a bustling community. Pilgrims and tourists troop to Barrio Cupang out of curiosity while the sick flock to the once-cursed place with the hope that the miracle will heal them. Among the people who gravitate around Elsa are her two fanatic followers: a childhood friend named Chayong, almost saintly in countenance, and a poor woman (played with serene intensity by theater stalwart Amable Quiambao) who places her devotion to Elsa on top of her priority list. Two other important characters come within Elsa's orbit: a struggling documentary film director who treats his camera as his God and a downtrodden prostitute (performed to perfection by Gigi Duenas).
Eventually, the miracle brings out the worst in the townsfolk. The greedy use it for their selfish motives. They peddle Elsa's miracle like a commodity, to the extent of selling bottles of supposedly miraculous water. The politicians take advantage of the media mileage to further their hidden agenda. The dire poverty drives the women to prostitution and the men to committing crime to escape their miserable plight.
Then one day, Elsa loses her power to cure. The faithful Chayong takes her own life and once more Barrio Cupang goes back to being barren and seemingly God-forsaken. There is an interesting twist as to why this happens. I choose not to reveal it so as not to spoil your viewing pleasure, if and when you come across a copy of this film and like me, be held captive by its hypnotic quality. I dare say that Himala is far more spiritual than the countless movies inspired by the lives of saints.
The film concludes in a scene where Elsa, following the rain that has come to Barrio Cupang after a long drought, gathers her believers in the sand dunes and announces, to everyone's shock, that indeed the miracle is nothing but a hoax. It is in this scene where Nora delivers the iconic lines "Walang himala, ang himala ay nasa ating puso (There is no miracle, the miracle is in our hearts)." Right after the startling revelation, Elsa is gunned down and pandemonium breaks out.
The film is not the typical fare that the average Filipino moviegoer laps up with glee. There are no violent confrontation scenes. Missing too is the element of sex. But the film is unerring in its depiction of the grim consequences when people use faith to advance themselves. From the first scene to the last, Bernal never loses grip on his material, imbuing it with directorial touches that may go unnoticed by undiscerning viewers. They may find the film too passive and gloomy. Bernal executes the film according to his grand design. The cinematography and the editing are laudable.
Ricky Lee's script is deft and soulful. Some quarters complain that the main problem with the script is the underwritten part of the central character Elsa. We feel that the role was decidedly underwritten to make the part properly enigmatic and mystical, in keeping with the elusive quality of the film. After all, faith is a very personal matter. It is not something that one slaps right in the face of others.
Then until now, we believe that Nora Aunor should have swept all the best actress awards for that particular year. She was pitted against Vilma Santos' heartfelt portrayal of the mistress in Relasyon and the latter scored a grandslam. This is not to belittle Santos' portrayal but if one were to be objective, it would be easy to see that Aunor had the more complex role and only an actress of her caliber can pull off the part with much persuasion. It calls for a restrained, self-effacing acting style. And Aunor, the consummate actress that she was (take note that we used the past tense because the more recent film outings of the actress are far from her best. She has become very florid, like a bad version of a hysterical Charito Solis), strikes not a false note in her performance. It is, in one word, mesmerizing. And Himala is without a scintilla of a doubt the pinnacle of her cinematic achievements.
Films like Himala reaffirm our faith in Philippine movies. We hope that despite the fact that two of our most revered directors, Bernal and Lino Brocka, have long since gone to the great beyond, people in this well-loved industry will join hands and strive to come up with films that will herald a renaissance in Philippine cinema. We hope to see the day when the Philippines will finally be able to make it as a nominee in the Oscar Best Foreign Language Film category. Some cynics may say that it is wishful thinking but call us what you wish, we remain undaunted in our belief that Philippine Cinema is at par with the best of the world. see link
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Hi, is anyone in here selling this baby? I'm having a hard time looking for this outside.
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Hi, is anyone in here selling this baby? I'm having a hard time looking for this outside.
Hi! Are you in the Philippines? I saw plenty of copies of this masterpiece in every record bar I'm visiting.
Go check Astroplus - SM Mall of Asia, Astroplus - Megamall, Astroplus - Podium, Astroplus - ShangriLa Plaza, Odyssey - Megamall, Astroplus - Robinson Galleria Ortigas
you may also ask the salesladies if there are stocks available if you can't see the dvd in their shelves...
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Hi! Are you in the Philippines? I saw plenty of copies of this masterpiece in every record bar I'm visiting.
Go check Astroplus - SM Mall of Asia, Astroplus - Megamall, Astroplus - Podium, Astroplus - ShangriLa Plaza, Odyssey - Megamall, Astroplus - Robinson Galleria Ortigas
you may also ask the salesladies if there are stocks available if you can't see the dvd in their shelves...
yes, i am, but i'm finding it hard to look for them.
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If you can't find any copy anymore, you're last resort will be the store at Abs-Cbn compound.
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The restored version of Himala is available now for Php 399.
My notes:
1. A 2-disc set with audio commentary (by scriptwriter Ricky Lee, 1st unit director, some stars, the head of the restoration process) on the first disc, and an excellent second disc of bonus materials including a new two hour documentary "Himala Ngayon," a documentary on the restoration process, a conversation with Nora Aunor and Ricky Lee, the theatrical trailer, and one really stupid feature: a montage of Piolo Pascual, Boy Abunda, Angel Aquino etc. just basically repeatedly praising ABS-CBN for restoring the movie. They say the same thing over and over, about how great the company is for restoring old films. Jeez.
2. The movie disc is anamorphic widescreen (previous version was full screen), stereo 2.0 with a very clean if not exceptionally sharp picture. I'm guessing this is due to the limitations of the DVD format, since having seen the theatrical trailer on the big screen, it looked so much better. I wonder if there's even a chance for a Blu-ray release for this title to really show the beauty of the restoration. Subtitles are still burned into the picture, though. Just English this time, no Japanese on the side.
3. The jacket is one of the worst I've seen. It's literally one piece of folded-over cardboard, with two foam hubs to hold the discs in place on either side. Although the cover art is nice, the front and back covers both look like front covers - no film data or technical specs. It would've been be nice if we could have seen what special features are included on the second disc before buying it. Some of the technical specs are printed on the inside front cover, while the back cover has acknowledgments for the restoration, for the "Himala Ngayon" documentary, and a list of who's participating in the commentary. Note that it's just a list - it doesn't tell you how they're involved in the film, unlike in foreign releases which usually will clearly indicate "commentary by director ________, screenwriter _________, director of photography _______, and actors _______"
4. The menus, though sharp, lack details. For example, again, the commentary. It just says commentary on or off. Most foreign releases let you know who is giving commentaries and how they're involved in the film on the menus. It's as if the designer of the menus of the disc has never seen a professional DVD menu before - it looks like the menu of a pirated disc.
On the whole, I'm glad they restored it and it's a good release, but really, if you've spent so much time and effort on restoring a Filipino classic, to end up with shoddy packaging and bare menus does a huge disservice to the entire effort.
Definitely buy it, though. It would be a waste if crappy packaging and poorly designed menus make you decide to skip this Filipino masterpiece.
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i was also hoping for a blu-ray disc that will make it the first locally released pinoy film on bd.
i guess, with such price, they didn't give much effort into making the dvd case. but then again, except for a booklet, the mistress has same cardboard casing and that irritating foam hub which costs p699 and said to be digitally remastered.
still, it's the movie we're really after, right? :)
let's just hope for a better international release if there's one (not the one released by star video as well abroad).
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The restored version of Himala is available now for Php 399.
My notes:
1. A 2-disc set with audio commentary (by scriptwriter Ricky Lee, 1st unit director, some stars, the head of the restoration process) on the first disc, and an excellent second disc of bonus materials including a new two hour documentary "Himala Ngayon," a documentary on the restoration process, a conversation with Nora Aunor and Ricky Lee, the theatrical trailer, and one really stupid feature: a montage of Piolo Pascual, Boy Abunda, Angel Aquino etc. just basically repeatedly praising ABS-CBN for restoring the movie. They say the same thing over and over, about how great the company is for restoring old films. Jeez.
2. The movie disc is anamorphic widescreen (previous version was full screen), stereo 2.0 with a very clean if not exceptionally sharp picture. I'm guessing this is due to the limitations of the DVD format, since having seen the theatrical trailer on the big screen, it looked so much better. I wonder if there's even a chance for a Blu-ray release for this title to really show the beauty of the restoration. Subtitles are still burned into the picture, though. Just English this time, no Japanese on the side.
3. The jacket is one of the worst I've seen. It's literally one piece of folded-over cardboard, with two foam hubs to hold the discs in place on either side. Although the cover art is nice, the front and back covers both look like front covers - no film data or technical specs. It would've been be nice if we could have seen what special features are included on the second disc before buying it. Some of the technical specs are printed on the inside front cover, while the back cover has acknowledgments for the restoration, for the "Himala Ngayon" documentary, and a list of who's participating in the commentary. Note that it's just a list - it doesn't tell you how they're involved in the film, unlike in foreign releases which usually will clearly indicate "commentary by director ________, screenwriter _________, director of photography _______, and actors _______"
4. The menus, though sharp, lack details. For example, again, the commentary. It just says commentary on or off. Most foreign releases let you know who is giving commentaries and how they're involved in the film on the menus. It's as if the designer of the menus of the disc has never seen a professional DVD menu before - it looks like the menu of a pirated disc.
On the whole, I'm glad they restored it and it's a good release, but really, if you've spent so much time and effort on restoring a Filipino classic, to end up with shoddy packaging and bare menus does a huge disservice to the entire effort.
Definitely buy it, though. It would be a waste if crappy packaging and poorly designed menus make you decide to skip this Filipino masterpiece.
Where did you find this sir? I visited 2 shops but couldn't find this.
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i was also hoping for a blu-ray disc that will make it the first locally released pinoy film on bd.
I think the honor goes to The Road by Yam Laranas.
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Where did you find this sir? I visited 2 shops but couldn't find this.
I found it in Astrovision at Robinsons Magnolia.
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Just got a copy this morning from Astro SM Marikina. :)
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I think the honor goes to The Road by Yam Laranas.
yes, but it isn't locally made or released.
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I found it in Astrovision at Robinsons Magnolia.
Thanks! Got mine from Astrovision Trinoma.
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You can also order this through Astroplus Online. :)
Local orders (free shipping): http://bit.ly/UpsIoJ
International orders: http://bit.ly/UEVd2L
Thank you!
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Is there any word out for an HD version?
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Got my copy today. Packaging aside, this has got to be the best released Pinoy DVD to date. The video is not perfect but it's a huge improvement over the original release. It's anamorphic widescreen in a dual-layered DVD. It's matted widescreen though (i.e., the original DVD seems to have more video information at the top and bottom of the screen). I guess that this is the original theatrical projection of the film. What shines though is the wealth of special features. The newly-produced documentary is great. The technical restoration feature is also very informative and I'm a sucker for this kind of special feature. There's also a very good interview with Nora and Ricky Lee. The teasers and promotions are OK but are nice additions. I am currently listening to the audio commentary. A treasure.
BTW it's definite that the print used for restoration has the burnt-in English subtitles. It's the exact subtitles as the original DVD release.
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THE BEST PINOY DVD TO DATE! I enjoyed the documentary even more! Cant wait for ORO PLATA MATA!
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Taga PinoyDVD kaya to? hhehee saw this from FB
"TO THE POWERS THAT BE AT STAR RECORDS: I own over 600 dvd's from 8 countries, so I can say without hesitation that the packaging for this DVD release of "Himala" is literally the worst I have ever had the misfortune of purchasing. Not even a standard plastic case, it's literally two discs stuck to a cardboard folder without so much as a plastic tray on the inside, or even a synopsis on the back to tell you what's inside. Of course, someone in marketing will probably say it's because everyone who wants a copy already knows what it is, but if that were the case, then what was the purpose of the restoration, if not to preserve the legacy of "Himala" for new viewers and/or future generations? One would never know it was a landmark in Philippine - much less, world - cinema. Disc One contains the restored film, along with a newly-recorded audio commentary featuring Ricky Leee and key members of the cast and crew. Disc Two has the excellent feature-length "Himala Ngayon" documentary, as well as the anniversary vignettes shot for Cinema One's brilliant anniversary awareness campaign. Please, whoever's in charge, please do this one over. "Baler" comes in a BOX, for crying out loud! I am not a Noranian by any stretch of the imagination, but I can say without a doubt, "Himala" is a far superior film, and it certainly deserves better."
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Taga PinoyDVD kaya to? hhehee saw this from FB
"TO THE POWERS THAT BE AT STAR RECORDS: I own over 600 dvd's from 8 countries, so I can say without hesitation that the packaging for this DVD release of "Himala" is literally the worst I have ever had the misfortune of purchasing. Not even a standard plastic case, it's literally two discs stuck to a cardboard folder without so much as a plastic tray on the inside, or even a synopsis on the back to tell you what's inside. Of course, someone in marketing will probably say it's because everyone who wants a copy already knows what it is, but if that were the case, then what was the purpose of the restoration, if not to preserve the legacy of "Himala" for new viewers and/or future generations? One would never know it was a landmark in Philippine - much less, world - cinema. Disc One contains the restored film, along with a newly-recorded audio commentary featuring Ricky Leee and key members of the cast and crew. Disc Two has the excellent feature-length "Himala Ngayon" documentary, as well as the anniversary vignettes shot for Cinema One's brilliant anniversary awareness campaign. Please, whoever's in charge, please do this one over. "Baler" comes in a BOX, for crying out loud! I am not a Noranian by any stretch of the imagination, but I can say without a doubt, "Himala" is a far superior film, and it certainly deserves better."
At Php 399 for a two-disc set with a restored feature (authored in dual-layer DVD and anamorphic widescreen) & newly-produced special features, one can't really complain much.
Star Cinema DVDs usually sell for between Php 600 and Php 700 & most titles are authored in a single-layer DVD & non-anamorphic widescreen. You can really see the loss of image quality because of compression because of the limitation of the disc size (4.7 GB vs 8.5 GB).
In a perfect world, I would like both, but if I were to choose, I would rather have good authored DVD vs good packaging anyday.
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If Himala came in better packaging materials, I wouldn't hesitate to pay P700 to P800 for the standard DVD. P1,500 to P2,000 for the Blu ray with decent packaging. No Question.
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At Php 399 for a two-disc set with a restored feature (authored in dual-layer DVD and anamorphic widescreen) & newly-produced special features, one can't really complain much.
Star Cinema DVDs usually sell for between Php 600 and Php 700 & most titles are authored in a single-layer DVD & non-anamorphic widescreen. You can really see the loss of image quality because of compression because of the limitation of the disc size (4.7 GB vs 8.5 GB).
In a perfect world, I would like both, but if I were to choose, I would rather have good authored DVD vs good packaging anyday.
why can't we complain? just because it's priced as such? can't we get the true worth of our hard-earned money whether it's a small or large amount? nauuso na sa atin ang cheap cardboard cases maging sa mga cds. the mistress may have a good box pero same 'yung pinagkakaibitan ng discs. ano nga ba ang tawag du'n? overpricing na nga sila kung tutuusin, tinitipid pa nila ang packaging?
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why can't we complain? just because it's priced as such? can't we get the true worth of our hard-earned money whether it's a small or large amount? nauuso na sa atin ang cheap cardboard cases maging sa mga cds. the mistress may have a good box pero same 'yung pinagkakaibitan ng discs. ano nga ba ang tawag du'n? overpricing na nga sila kung tutuusin, tinitipid pa nila ang packaging?
For that price, we are actually getting a lot for our money compared to other Star cinema releases.
I agree with you, Star cinema DVDs are way overpriced & come in very cheap packaging. At least in Himala they didn't save on the actual content. They could have easily released it in a single layer disc, barebones for the same price.
Lastly, since I'm not based in Manila, believe me, I more than understand your frustrations. Online Pinoy DVD shops charge so much for local DVDs and their shipping cost is astronomical and then you get substandard releases.. Mas mahal pa sa mga international Blu-ray Discs na usually remastered in 4K.
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For that price, we are actually getting a lot for our money compared to other Star cinema releases.
I agree with you, Star cinema DVDs are way overpriced & come in very cheap packaging. At least in Himala they didn't save on the actual content. They could have easily released it in a single layer disc, barebones for the same price.
Lastly, since I'm not based in Manila, believe me, I more than understand your frustrations. Online Pinoy DVD shops charge so much for local DVDs and their shipping cost is astronomical and then you get substandard releases.. Mas mahal pa sa mga international Blu-ray Discs na usually remastered in 4K.
they should really put to mind the avid collectors more than anyone else because we are the ones who still buy the dvds. we don't buy dvds for the heck of just watching them, but owning them. kung babalewalain tayo, baka magsawa tayo at mas lalong mabawasan ang market nila. mabuti nga ang viva at regal ay naglalagay pa ang embosed slipcases kung minsan.
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Sa mga nakapanood na nito sa DVD, maganda po ba yung quality? Meron pa kaya? :D
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Sa mga nakapanood na nito sa DVD, maganda po ba yung quality?
Also check out this thread for related posts on the restored Himala:
http://www.pinoydvd.com/index.php/topic,172138.0.html
Basically, the only complaint on the DVD release is the sub-standard packaging.
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Wow.. thanks hehe :)