This Week's Column: THE THING Strikes Again

[AndyDursin]

Full review of Shout's new THING, plus CARRIE, CHILD'S PLAY and plenty more in the first October column (technically speaking):

http://andyfilm.com/2016/09/29/10-4-16- ... kes-again/

[sprocket]

Reading your THE THING review, I'm reminded that I never know what audio format to choose when I watch my blu-rays.

I have a stereo system and usually choose the stereo 2.0 option when available, but I wonder if choosing the default (usually the 5.1 option) and letting my player down mix it would be better.

Any advice?

[Eric Paddon]

Your mentioning the trailer reminded me of the TV commercials I saw at the time and after being traumatized by the melting Nazis in Raiders, no way was I ever going to let my system handle this!

[mkaroly]

I am really looking forward to owning this.

[AndyDursin]

Reading your THE THING review, I'm reminded that I never know what audio format to choose when I watch my blu-rays.

I have a stereo system and usually choose the stereo 2.0 option when available, but I wonder if choosing the default (usually the 5.1 option) and letting my player down mix it would be better.

Any advice?

It really depends on the mix Sprocket, there's never an easy answer and I can relate, because our bedroom is a stereo set-up (my main viewing is 5.1) and I often have issues with dialogue mixed too low against sound effects working with 2 channels.

I do hear a lot of 5.1 remixes where the 2.0 track is usually stronger because it's been "untouched" but in the case of THE THING, the 2.0 track is very, very limp. Has little presence.

I would go with the 5.1 (or 4.1) and let your player downmix it in this instance.