Last HD Movie Watched

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by Derb

Them dirty spots were also shown theatrically.

Maybe your print was dirty, but they weren't ALL dirty. I saw it a few times in the cinema and I can't say that I remember much dirt. I have a hard time believing that there isn't a cleaner print of this film somewhere. I think Sony did a rush job to get a big name film out on the format.

And I still don't get people taking off points for grain. If it was grainy theatrically, why would it be any different in HD? I agree that Sleepy Hollow has its problems, but accurately reproducing its intended look isn't one of them.

[dkny75]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

dkny75, have you watched Perfume yet?

Ummmmm.........

Underworld Evolution (HD DVD)

Video 9/10
Audio 9/10

I don't have a BD player so I can't compare but it looks amazing and gave my speakers a workout. I am curious to listen to the PCM track on the BD though.

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by dkny75

Ummmmm.........

Is that an "Ummmm...yes I did and I already told you about it" or an "Ummmm...not yet"?

[dugpa]

Originally Posted by Derb

Them dirty spots were also shown theatrically.

Only if you went to a crappy theater that couldn't keep their print clean. I'm all for duplicating the theatrical experience as much as possible, but that doesn't mean dirt and scratches on the transfer!

[ganthc]

I guess I am going to have to go track down a Superbit copy of The Fifth Element and play it on my upconvert dvd player. I will analyze that one and the bd one. Most people listed the Superbit Fifth Element as a reference dvd, so I find it hard to believe that the disc had dirt spots all over it. Who would demo a dirt spot movie? I know I wouldn't. If the Superbit doesn't have spots on it, then my rating will stay the same. If the Superbit does have spots on it, then I may raise the rating based on the difference between bd and the Superbit. A comparison of the same frame in multiple locations should be a good hint.

[Pirate]

Why raise or lower the rating based on the Superbit? Sony has never been very good at mastering their films. And as Dugpa and myself noted above, the theatrical prints were not inherently dirty, so the film should look MUCH better than it does. If the Superbit and BD were minted from the same source, they both should get a poor score.

[ganthc]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

Why raise or lower the rating based on the Superbit? Sony has never been very good at mastering their films. And as Dugpa and myself noted above, the theatrical prints were not inherently dirty, so the film should look MUCH better than it does. If the Superbit and BD were minted from the same source, they both should get a poor score.

Yes, but the difference is in the presentation. It's hard for me to remember way back to when the movie was released in theaters. If all of you are able to say with absolute certainty that FE was pristine when shown, well, then you have impressive memories. Currently, all we have to go on is what has been released since that theatrical presentation. The original, superbit, and bd releases. I've seen the original, which was nice, but I haven't seen the superbit version.

If the superbit version doesn't have spots on it, then I know that Sony was incredibly lazy with this bd release and will maybe lower the rating. If the superbit print does have spots, first I will question why everyone clamored to say it was a reference disc, and secondly, I might raise the score if the improvement in detail, color, etc. is noticeable from the superbit to the bd version. If the source is so shoddy that spots were inevitable, then it's not the format itself or the transfer that is the problem. It will depend on what the superbit transfer looks like.

[dugpa]

Originally Posted by ganthc

If the superbit version doesn't have spots on it, then I know that Sony was incredibly lazy with this bd release and will maybe lower the rating.

The superbit does not have dirt or scratches on the print used for the master as the blu-ray does. That's part of the reason why everyone was so pissed when the blu-ray disc came out. I haven't bothered watching my blu-ray of it since I hate the film, but I did watch the superbit just a few weeks ago (to listen to the rifftrax along with it) and it was nice and clean. No dirt or holes in the print.

[ganthc]

Originally Posted by dugpa

The superbit does not have dirt or scratches on the print used for the master as the blu-ray does. That's part of the reason why everyone was so pissed when the blu-ray disc came out. I haven't bothered watching my blu-ray of it since I hate the film, but I did watch the superbit just a few weeks ago (to listen to the rifftrax along with it) and it was nice and clean. No dirt or holes in the print.

See, that's just terrible. I'm guessing there will be a double dip later on. Oh well.

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by ganthc

Yes, but the difference is in the presentation.

I can tell you with some certainty that the film looked great in the theatre. If there was an excessive amount of dirt, I would have complained to management.

[dugpa]

Originally Posted by ganthc

See, that's just terrible. I'm guessing there will be a double dip later on.

Sooner rather than later actually. The new Blu-ray disc of Fifth Element comes out July 17 if you believe some of the insiders on avsforum.

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by dugpa

Sooner rather than later actually. The new Blu-ray disc of Fifth Element comes out July 17 if you believe some of the insiders on avsforum.

Will a refund be offered?

[ganthc]

Originally Posted by dugpa

Sooner rather than later actually. The new Blu-ray disc of Fifth Element comes out July 17 if you believe some of the insiders on avsforum.

Heh, well, I guess I can use my old case to replace the damaged one I got with Talladega Nights. But I'm glad they are redoing it to make it look better.

[dugpa]

There seems to be some confusion as to if there will be a replacement program or not. Some days it's yes, some days no. Guess we'll find out in a couple of months or so. I got my copy free with my player, so I'd like the refund option personally.

[Pirate]

The Fountain (HD-DVD)


Video (VC-1): 7.5/10
Audio (DD+): 9/10

I am pissed! The Fountain is such a beautiful film and deserves better than this transfer. This is when HD gets really frustrating. Black levels, shadow and contrast are all poor, leaving the image flat and lifeless throughout most of the film. I saw this in the cinema and this is not correct. Ugh!

[sambow87]

I agree 100%. Actually my rating as well for both picture and sound!

[Derb]

Originally Posted by ganthc

See, that's just terrible. I'm guessing there will be a double dip later on. Oh well.

I got the canadian version if that makes any difference.

Yep, I remember the film looked pretty crappy in the theater I went to. I believe I saw it before the multi-plexes came out in my area.

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by sambow87

I agree 100%. Actually my rating as well for both picture and sound!

Yeah, you were right about the audio. Mansell’s score sounded great!

P.S. The "Interview" feature on the HD side is worth watching if you haven't already.

[dkny75]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

Is that an "Ummmm...yes I did and I already told you about it" or an "Ummmm...not yet"?

Not yet.

[Derb]

The Departed (2006) (Blu-Ray)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital - 9/10
HD Audio LPCM - 10/10

Huh.. Well the LFE on the LPCM track is identical to the TrueHD track on the HD DVD.

[Vonner]

Mission: Impossible III (HD-DVD)

Holy smokes did that one look good!

[Wirehed]

HD-DVD

Mission: Impossible III
Crappiest movie I currently own, but it sure looked good.
Video 10/10
Audio 10/10


The Fountain
Fantastic movie
BAD disc
Video 6/10
Audio 8/10

Black levels are bad, shadow detial is terrible, the entire film looks washed out and flat, which is just a shame for an otherwise very pretty movie.

[dugpa]

The Fountain (HD-DVD)

HD Video - 7/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital+ - 8/10

Outstanding film. As others have pointed out, the transfer leaves some room for improvement. Now I wish I'd caught this one in the theater.

[ganthc]

Casanova (Blu-ray)

HD Video: 9/10
HD LPCM: 9/10

Bubble (Blu-ray)

HD Video: 8/10
HD DTS 3.0: 6.5/10

Stealth

HD Video: 9/10
HD LPCM: 10/10

World Trade Center

HD Video: 9/10
HD DD5.1: 8.5/10

[BADBRAD]

SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT (HD DVD)
Video: 9/10

THE 40-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN (HD DVD)
Video: 10/10

SPARTACUS (HD DVD)
Video: 7/10

[bembol]

The Matrix HD DVD



The Matrix Reloaded



VC-1: 10/10
DOLBY TrueHD: 10/10


Not going to bother with Revolutions

[ganthc]

Closer (Blu-ray)

HD Video: 9/10
HD LPCM: 9/10

Very nice transfer. Slight film grain, which won't bother anyone. There were two black specks that I saw, and there was some of that edginess that Bracke mentioned. But it is a very nice transfer. Sound design is mostly conversation, but I still think that they did a great job with the quality of the sound, especially the intro/ending. Man, I love that song!