momaw, on Jul 28 2008, 10:31 PM, said:
Interesting given I thought the picture was a direct port of the HD DVD. 
0
Blu-Ray Disc Reviews A To L
Started by
yorac
, Jun 03 2008 10:11 PM
2100 replies to this topic
#101
yorac
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Posted 29 July 2008 - 07:20 AM
ditto
#102
darockk
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Posted 29 July 2008 - 04:36 PM
I just watched Batman Begins on blu ray, PQ is great but I wouldnt call it reference material.
If you guys want reference material go check out:
"The Game Plan"
yes that's the Disney kiddy movie staring Dwayne Johnson. I could not believe how clear the picture was in this movie.
Well the movie may not be the greatest but the picture quality is IMO. And for once all the extras are in HD.
If you guys want reference material go check out:
"The Game Plan"
yes that's the Disney kiddy movie staring Dwayne Johnson. I could not believe how clear the picture was in this movie.
Well the movie may not be the greatest but the picture quality is IMO. And for once all the extras are in HD.
#103
suparockin
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Posted 29 July 2008 - 04:51 PM
Chesty, on Jul 20 2008, 08:52 PM, said:
The Last Samurai
Region Free
PQ 4/5
Ok so this is an oldie but in my opinion still a goodie. Released to the format back in 2006, it was considered a great transfer back then and still stacks up pretty well. Its a pretty consistent performer with stable colors and good detail. Its not reference but a great transfer none the less.
AQ 3/5
With only Dolby Digital on offer, the film really suffers as a result. I did not think the audio was that crash hot on this one. When you get used to HD audio, it really makes sub par audio tracks stand out and this was one of them.
The dialogue though did offer good clarity and the LFE did get a little workout. Overall though I was left wanting with this one.
The Last Samurai is really one of Tom Cruise's better efforts of late. A great cast with a great story to be told. For all its short falls this is still worthy of a purchase.
Region Free
PQ 4/5
Ok so this is an oldie but in my opinion still a goodie. Released to the format back in 2006, it was considered a great transfer back then and still stacks up pretty well. Its a pretty consistent performer with stable colors and good detail. Its not reference but a great transfer none the less.
AQ 3/5
With only Dolby Digital on offer, the film really suffers as a result. I did not think the audio was that crash hot on this one. When you get used to HD audio, it really makes sub par audio tracks stand out and this was one of them.
The dialogue though did offer good clarity and the LFE did get a little workout. Overall though I was left wanting with this one.
The Last Samurai is really one of Tom Cruise's better efforts of late. A great cast with a great story to be told. For all its short falls this is still worthy of a purchase.
I love this movie and it was the first I watched on BD, very nice picture and sound (considering the age).
#104 Guest_TheBlackFlash_*
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Posted 29 July 2008 - 05:37 PM
Memoirs of a Geisha: I watched this last night together with my wife. She likes this movie a lot. Personally, I found it completely uninvolving and ultimately boring since I was unable to muster any empathy at all for the two-dimensional characters. I imagine that this is a bad adaptation of a good book. We watched a US copy but the disc itself is region ABC. I cannot say picture quality was bad...but it was lacking (mostly) in that detail that I've come to expect from HD. It looked...well...scrubbed and polished...as featureless as the ghostly white made-up faces of the geishas in the movie itself. In only one or two scenes did I notice striking levels of detail...in a panoramic look over the rooftops of the city, for example...or a sideways look at a carriage as it crossed an arched bridge. Overall, it had a kind of faded and "misty" look to it....I do not know if this was deliberate or not but I suspect it was. Colours and skin tones were extremely well-rendered though, so this is no upscaled dvd masquerading as a Blu-ray disc. I'd give it 7.5 perhaps 8 out of ten for picture quality. Audio was an English language Dolby TrueHD soundtrack but since the film is dialogue driven don't expect much food for your AVR. Dialogue was however crystal clear.
In conclusion, I would not recommend that you purchase this film.
In conclusion, I would not recommend that you purchase this film.
#106
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Posted 29 July 2008 - 07:56 PM
,
Edited by momaw, 01 August 2008 - 06:27 PM.
#107 Guest_TheBlackFlash_*
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Posted 29 July 2008 - 08:01 PM
momaw, on Jul 29 2008, 07:56 PM, said:
Not sure if that is a fair recommendation. What I take from your review is that you found the disc technically competent, however you didn't like the movie.
You are correct...I found it technically competent (the disc). But I cannot really say I didn't like the movie. It left me...unmoved. I wish it had moved me because I could see that it had all the elements to do so....but it somehow failed in my case. My recommendation is based purely on my own experience. I bought the disc as a present for my wife who likes the movie a lot and disagrees with me. But...I did sit and watch through all 145 minutes. Cheers.
#108
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Posted 29 July 2008 - 08:34 PM
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Edited by momaw, 01 August 2008 - 06:26 PM.
#109 Guest_TheBlackFlash_*
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Posted 29 July 2008 - 08:40 PM
momaw, on Jul 29 2008, 09:34 PM, said:
I guess what I'm saying is, is the review thread here for the movies, the discs or both?
More the disc, according to Yorac's first post. But he does say some thoughts about the film are not excluded. So, both, I suppose.
#110
momaw
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Posted 29 July 2008 - 08:40 PM
,
Edited by momaw, 01 August 2008 - 06:32 PM.
#111
yorac
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Posted 29 July 2008 - 08:45 PM
momaw, on Jul 29 2008, 08:34 PM, said:
I guess what I'm saying is, is the review thread here for the movies, the discs or both?
This being the example template if you like of what I am/was trying to achieve Crimson Tide that said I do appreciate the efforts put in by contributors to provide people with some insight into prospective rentals/purchases
Edited by yorac, 29 July 2008 - 08:46 PM.
#112
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Posted 29 July 2008 - 08:49 PM
,
Edited by momaw, 01 August 2008 - 06:26 PM.
#113 Guest_TheBlackFlash_*
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Posted 30 July 2008 - 06:09 AM
Update re Die Hard: I've just had a quick look at this on my new Panasonic BD50. My god, what a difference. 
The picture is sharper and the colours richer and more vibrant. It's still no reference disc but obviously not as bad as my initial review stated. This also confirms a suspicion I had in that not all Blu-ray players are equal when it comes to picture quality! More later. Cheers.
Sorry Yorac...I know this is not a review but I think it's relevant information.
The new Panasonic brings out an extra layer of detail...the image is still overly soft in some scenes but these scenes are now in the minority. The "dust" or "smoke" is now gone and the image is clear. The edges of objects and people are handled better. However, to my ears the audio still sounds oddly processed. It's now more apparent than ever that a lot of dialogue and effects were added in the studio afterwards because I can quite clearly hear the studios acoustics now and then! So...I am increasing the score with regard to picture quality to 6 out of 10. It's still disappointing when I compare it with the likes of Life of Brian, an older film much better restored. But, picture quality is now acceptable. Cheers.
Reason for edit: Additional impressions
The picture is sharper and the colours richer and more vibrant. It's still no reference disc but obviously not as bad as my initial review stated. This also confirms a suspicion I had in that not all Blu-ray players are equal when it comes to picture quality! More later. Cheers.Sorry Yorac...I know this is not a review but I think it's relevant information.
The new Panasonic brings out an extra layer of detail...the image is still overly soft in some scenes but these scenes are now in the minority. The "dust" or "smoke" is now gone and the image is clear. The edges of objects and people are handled better. However, to my ears the audio still sounds oddly processed. It's now more apparent than ever that a lot of dialogue and effects were added in the studio afterwards because I can quite clearly hear the studios acoustics now and then! So...I am increasing the score with regard to picture quality to 6 out of 10. It's still disappointing when I compare it with the likes of Life of Brian, an older film much better restored. But, picture quality is now acceptable. Cheers.
Reason for edit: Additional impressions
Edited by TheBlackFlash, 30 July 2008 - 05:37 PM.
#114
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Posted 30 July 2008 - 08:14 AM
TheBlackFlash, on Jul 30 2008, 06:09 AM, said:
Sorry Yorac...I know this is not a review but I think it's relevant information.
#115
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Posted 01 August 2008 - 09:22 AM
Review: Batman-Begins Collectors
I finally received my copy after waiting 2 weeks sent locally (something about the post office holding it for a week). Well the wait was worth it just to see the first 10mins of the Bank Robbery scene from the Batman-The Dark Knight. The audio is simply stunning and will certainly surprise you especially when the guy blows out the window at the very start before they proceed via the flying fox bass is incredible here. As is when the bank manager fires the last shot from his shot gun...wow. Picture is cyrstal clear and in Imax format.
Now onto the actual movie.PQ: The picture is very clean and an upgrade to the dvd which has been one of my demo discs since it's release (mostly for the audio).
AQ: I found the True-HD track to be on the low side as opposed to the dvds DD track but a small increase on the volume control fixes this. Nice controlled soundstage and some very low bass especially when the tumbler is on screen (love that car).
A must have for any Batman fan. Still can't get the smaile off my face after watching the Dark Knight clip very impressive and an indication of what we can expect when it arrives on BD.
I finally received my copy after waiting 2 weeks sent locally (something about the post office holding it for a week). Well the wait was worth it just to see the first 10mins of the Bank Robbery scene from the Batman-The Dark Knight. The audio is simply stunning and will certainly surprise you especially when the guy blows out the window at the very start before they proceed via the flying fox bass is incredible here. As is when the bank manager fires the last shot from his shot gun...wow. Picture is cyrstal clear and in Imax format.
Now onto the actual movie.PQ: The picture is very clean and an upgrade to the dvd which has been one of my demo discs since it's release (mostly for the audio).
AQ: I found the True-HD track to be on the low side as opposed to the dvds DD track but a small increase on the volume control fixes this. Nice controlled soundstage and some very low bass especially when the tumbler is on screen (love that car).
A must have for any Batman fan. Still can't get the smaile off my face after watching the Dark Knight clip very impressive and an indication of what we can expect when it arrives on BD.
Edited by SimonNo10, 01 August 2008 - 09:24 AM.
#116
yorac
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Posted 01 August 2008 - 10:29 AM
Updated, thanks Simon
#117
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Posted 03 August 2008 - 11:13 AM
The Hunt for Red October
Region A but is region free
PQ: 3.75/5 - This is a good transfer and has some excellent moments but one feels could have been better
AQ: 4/5 - A nice improvement over it's predecessors but again feel it could have been better
The movie - I'm a fan so these were a must buy for me, definitely worth it if you're into them
Region A but is region free
PQ: 3.75/5 - This is a good transfer and has some excellent moments but one feels could have been better
AQ: 4/5 - A nice improvement over it's predecessors but again feel it could have been better
The movie - I'm a fan so these were a must buy for me, definitely worth it if you're into them
#118
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Posted 03 August 2008 - 11:20 AM
Patriot Games
Region A but is region free
PQ: 3.5/5 - This is an average transfer and very rarely does it give you anything to get excited about the PQ
AQ: 3.75/5 - An improvement over it's predecessors but again feel it could have been way better
The movie - Patriot Games suffers from it's own story IMO and the film itself seems poorly shot, the definite weak link PQ wise of the early three movies
Region A but is region free
PQ: 3.5/5 - This is an average transfer and very rarely does it give you anything to get excited about the PQ
AQ: 3.75/5 - An improvement over it's predecessors but again feel it could have been way better
The movie - Patriot Games suffers from it's own story IMO and the film itself seems poorly shot, the definite weak link PQ wise of the early three movies
#119
yorac
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Posted 03 August 2008 - 11:24 AM
Clear and Present Danger
Region A but is region free
PQ: 4.25/5 - This is a very good transfer and the PQ is vivid in many scenes for mine best of the first three PQ transfer wise
AQ: 4/5 - A solid soundtrack if not spectacular
The movie - Been quite a while since I seen it and thoroughly enjoyed seeing it again, if you're a fan worth the upgrade
Region A but is region free
PQ: 4.25/5 - This is a very good transfer and the PQ is vivid in many scenes for mine best of the first three PQ transfer wise
AQ: 4/5 - A solid soundtrack if not spectacular
The movie - Been quite a while since I seen it and thoroughly enjoyed seeing it again, if you're a fan worth the upgrade
Edited by yorac, 03 August 2008 - 11:24 AM.
#120
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Posted 03 August 2008 - 11:30 AM
Page 1 updated and first three Jack Ryan movies now reviewed
#121
709er
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Posted 03 August 2008 - 04:11 PM
yorac, on Aug 3 2008, 11:30 AM, said:
Page 1 updated and first three Jack Ryan movies now reviewed
This is great news. Thought that Patriot might be the weaker of the three, but as I have not updated since my laserdisc, I am sure I'll be pleased. On the way from Amazon as I write.
Did you view on a projector? If so, what size and type? I would be interested to know.
#122
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Posted 03 August 2008 - 04:32 PM
709er, on Aug 3 2008, 04:11 PM, said:
Hi yorac,
This is great news. Thought that Patriot might be the weaker of the three, but as I have not updated since my laserdisc, I am sure I'll be pleased. On the way from Amazon as I write.
Did you view on a projector? If so, what size and type? I would be interested to know.
This is great news. Thought that Patriot might be the weaker of the three, but as I have not updated since my laserdisc, I am sure I'll be pleased. On the way from Amazon as I write.
Did you view on a projector? If so, what size and type? I would be interested to know.
#123
momaw
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Posted 03 August 2008 - 04:39 PM
The Illusionist (Italian Release)
It's hard to recommend this disc even to fans of the movie. First of all, while the blu-ray picture quality is clearly superior to the DVD, it suffers from a lot of artifacting. This is most likely due to the nature of the film itself which lives in the shadows, has a lot of smoke and was designed to be reminiscent of those old black and white photos on your Grandma's mantle. Unfortunately a poor compressionist with this sort of source does not for a good match make with constant moire issues.
Audio is a simple Dolby Digital 5.1 track. No high definition audio here. That said the Dolby Digital 5.1 track on this disc is clearly superior to the Dolby Digital 5.1 track on the DVD (I pulled it out for a comparison).
In short, I would wait for a US release with hopefully a better compressionist and maybe with some High definition audio.
It's hard to recommend this disc even to fans of the movie. First of all, while the blu-ray picture quality is clearly superior to the DVD, it suffers from a lot of artifacting. This is most likely due to the nature of the film itself which lives in the shadows, has a lot of smoke and was designed to be reminiscent of those old black and white photos on your Grandma's mantle. Unfortunately a poor compressionist with this sort of source does not for a good match make with constant moire issues.
Audio is a simple Dolby Digital 5.1 track. No high definition audio here. That said the Dolby Digital 5.1 track on this disc is clearly superior to the Dolby Digital 5.1 track on the DVD (I pulled it out for a comparison).
In short, I would wait for a US release with hopefully a better compressionist and maybe with some High definition audio.
#124
yorac
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Posted 03 August 2008 - 05:12 PM
Updated, thanks Mo
#125
minbinpin
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Posted 03 August 2008 - 05:37 PM
Crank
Region A (locked)
PQ 4.5/5 - Good transfer with bright colours & high detail. Almost grain-free & noise-free if you're into this type of "clean" image.
AQ 4/5 - Clear dialogue with pumping soundtrack & good surround usage during action sequences.
Non-stop action throughout the film due to the very nature of the plot. It makes a great popcorn flick amongst a few mates on a Sunday afternoon. The disc provides another chance to show off your AV gear.
Should avoid if you're after an intellectual, thought-provoking movie. But we all need our adrenaline fix every now & then.
Region A (locked)
PQ 4.5/5 - Good transfer with bright colours & high detail. Almost grain-free & noise-free if you're into this type of "clean" image.
AQ 4/5 - Clear dialogue with pumping soundtrack & good surround usage during action sequences.
Non-stop action throughout the film due to the very nature of the plot. It makes a great popcorn flick amongst a few mates on a Sunday afternoon. The disc provides another chance to show off your AV gear.
Should avoid if you're after an intellectual, thought-provoking movie. But we all need our adrenaline fix every now & then.
