I must agree, that throughout most of this it appears they didn't even attempt to remove the dirt and debris from the transfer. There are color issues, noticeable dirt/hairs etc, and a really soft look in general.
There are moments where the Blu-ray stands out from the DVD, and throughout it certainly does have some improvement over the DVD but this was based on my back-to-back comparison on a 135" screen.... However, sitting at 7 or 8 feet from my 37" screen I would say there wasn't enough noticeable improvement to make a strong case for this one.
With all of that said, the audio is RIDICULOUSLY improved over the DVD, which is really the main attraction of this disc anyways in my opinion.
Upon getting the Blu-ray in the mail, I ripped it open immediately and tossed it in my BD player in the living room (without any sort of audio components attached) and noticed an increased range in the audio that I hadn't heard through the same T.V. speakers that I just watched the DVD version on the day before (in anticipation of the BD arrival, and partly because it was delivered a day late and I was bummed out!)
I didn't make it through much on the T.V., noted the PQ, and popped it out and eagerly ran to throw it on the player in the HT. I played around with the 5.1 mixes, but for bulk, I just stuck with the 2.0 PCM (which is my preferred track)
Holy cow.... to say that the audio difference on the T.V. speakers was "noticeable" would lead me to use terms like "revelation" and "epiphany" in describing the audio on a modest HT setup.
I compared the previous DVD 2.0 PCM to the Blu-ray 2.0 PCM numerous times, back and forth, and the difference is night and day.
The cost of the title was a little steep, and I thought due to the numerous reports of PQ issues I had read, that the price would come down, but ultimately given the amount of play my DVD has gotten, I couldn't wait any longer.....
If you don't own the DVD you shouldn't even hesitate to pick this up.... if you have the DVD and AQ is your main concern, again, buy with confidence.... if you're mostly concerned with PQ, then the DVD might suit your needs, but again, if you don't already own this, it's not really "cheap" on DVD right now either.
Browsing reviews I came across jwoodwar's sole user review from this gem that has been available for a LONG time, and was leary by the complete lack of "buzz" around this title from this site, but his review reminded me that it was time to give this one a rent.
Very glad I did.
The film is beautiful in every way, a truly artistic piece with a compelling story to match. The film is everything that reminds me of the beauty of Beunos Aires.
The story itself slowly unfolds and isn't forced, allowing the viewer to self-discover the intimate details that bring the characters together (or force them apart).
Go into this one blindly, having not read any of the detailed reviews of the film as I did, and you'll be very thankful for the opportunity to discover it yourself.
Starz / Anchor Bay | 2009 | 98 min | Not rated | Region A (C untested) | Apr 13, 2010
When a boxer turned restaurateur (Michael Clarke Duncan) announces a contest to his waitstaff, the good news
is that the winner will get a $10,000 bonus. The bad news? The loser will be on the receiving end of a heavy-
duty...
I went into this film with very low expectations, but having enjoyed Beerfest to a certain degree, really enjoying Super Troopers, and not really caring for Club Dredd, I figured this one was worth a viewing despite how ridiculous it looked (even more so than their other offerings that is)
This film offered up a lot of comedic value that didn't get side tracked by any uncomfortable love interest story that seem to plague most modern comedies these days. For fans of the Broken Lizard group, this one is a fairly safe blind buy that I would recommend.
The Criterion Collection
Criterion | 1956 | 95 min | Not rated | Region A (locked) | Mar 23, 2010
When a friendly, successful suburban teacher and father is prescribed cortisone for a painful, possibly fatal
affliction, he grows dangerously addicted to the experimental drug, resulting in his transformation into a...
The acting in this film is always something that struck me as "exceptional" and a great alternative to many campy performances of it's time.
The story and acting is top notch, but more-so, I would say the powerful imagery used is what made this film great. The entire scene where James Mason 'quizzed' his son (which ultimately made it's way to the cover-art) is very powerful. I typically don't like the themes of films to be force fed to me, but the entire "Big-Shot" persona he underwent was brought to the screen in a great fashion.
I think this is a good classic for those who don't typically care for 'classic cinema' or haven't been exposed to it, to get their feet wet with, as it's a story that can easily relate to this day and age, and the story is pretty straight-forward, so despite being done very artistically, it's not going to leave you scratching your head saying "what does this all mean" ?
In a squalid South American oil town, four desperate men sign on for a suicide mission to drive
trucks loaded with nitroglycerin over a treacherous mountain route. As they ferry their
explosive cargo to a faraway oil fire,...
To date, this one of my favorite titles I own on Blu-ray. Gripping suspense makes this film, and the political and socio-economic underlayment provides plenty of head-room for interpretation on the meaning. The video and audio aspects are razor sharp with a slew of extras making this Blu-ray a solid package all around.
The film is a great ride. Michael Caine's performance in particular is outstanding. Witty dialogue, great acting, and a strong plot drive this one home. If your only exposure to this title is the poorly made re-make, then you owe it to yourself to grab this one up. The video is great throughout, and the audio is quite detailed but not necessarily the catalyst on this one. A strong recommendation if you already own the film on DVD, as I have never seen this film look or sound as good as this.
The adventures of a young boy named Max who, after being sent to bed for misbehaving, imagines that he sails
away to where the wild things are. Max is loved by the wild creatures who make him their King, though he soon
longs...
I watched it, but still don't know where they are........
To preface, I must say that I knew pretty much nothing of the story. My 2 1/2 year old son has the book in his room (per my wife ) but I haven't seen it, and certainly haven't read it to him.
I liked the premise of the troubled youth angle, and the imaginative kid etc.... and although I enjoyed it, it was a little scary for my son at times, so I guess I would recommend it for small children with reservations. James Gandolfini voicing one of the characters was a little of a put-off for me, although I understand many enjoyed his performance in this. I had no issues with the pacing of the film, but thought Max's 'world' would have more correlation to the issues he was having in real life.
The video was solid and quite natural looking, and the audio was quite detailed with active surround presence.
IMAX
Koch Entertainment | 1985 | 45 min | Not rated | Region free
| Feb 13, 2007
An epic voyage from the birthplace of Western civilization to contemporary France.
Using evocative music and an uncommonly large aspect ratio, "Chronos" attempts
nothing less than a high-scale history of a region of the...
I had both this, and Baraka on DVD prior to getting them on Blu-ray. I respectfully disagree with the reviewer regarding which is a better film, but agree that Baraka is the stronger transfer.
This is a visually powerful film, and despite not having "baraka" PQ..... it looks fantastic.
Wes Anderson first illustrated his lovingly detailed, slightly surreal cinematic vision in this
witty and warm portrait of three young middle-class misfits. Fresh out of a mental hospital,
gentle Anthony (Luke Wilson) finds...
Acclaimed Hong Kong New Wave director Wong Kar-Wai presents a kinetic, offbeat look at his city in these two stories. The first concerns a young woman who has been double-crossed in a heroin deal and her budding romance with a...
"When will we find a home?" Rosa asks her brother Enrique at the end of their long journey. Alone in a strange land, they have only each other. The search for roots and the importance of family inform Gregory Nava's and Anna...
I keep finding myself in full agreement with Blu-Beast regarding the g
As far as the movie itself is concerned..... it's a great look into events that are still relevant today..... Sacrifices are made, costs for opportunity are often high, and many obstacles must be overcome....
Looked great, sounded great, and Criterion delivers as usual on the extras.
I recommend this for anyone looking for an entertaining, and somber film experience.
Bernardo Bertolucci's The Last Emperor won nine Academy Awards, unexpectedly sweeping
every category in which it was nominated. The power and scope of the film was, and remains,
undeniable—the life of Emperor Pu Yi, who took...
A graphic portrayal of insatiable sexual desire, this film, set in 1936 and based on a true incident, depicts a man and a woman consumed by a transcendent, destructive love while living in an era of ever escalating imperialism...
The movie itself is widely debated.... but I find it to be a compelling story.
The Video is TOP NOTCH.... I have an older DVD release that is horrendous... this is a vivid, detail filled presentation.
The Audio is remarkably clear as well..... some mix issues with dialog at points, but I'm reading the subtitles anyways
I haven't had a chance to get through all of the extras yet..... but they certainly are quite encompassing.
This would be highly recommended for technical reasons.... but in terms of subject, I suggest those who are unaware of the subject matter to give it a rent......
Pulp novelist Holly Martins travels to shadowy, postwar Vienna, only to find himself
investigating the mysterious death of an old friend, black-market opportunist Harry Lime--and
thus begins this legendary tale of love,...
The reviewer is spot on..... There aren't any flaws with this film that I can find.....
"The 400 Blows" is highly recommended by me....... but "The Third Man" is a MUST OWN......
Quite possibly my favorite Blu-ray in my collection to date, and that is skewing my judgment regarding PQ/AQ...... this is a gorgeous transfer and really showcases the unusual camera angles used.
François Truffaut’s first feature, The 400 Blows (Les quatre cents coups), is also his most personal. Told through the eyes of Truffaut’s life-long cinematic counterpart, Antoine Doinel (Jean-Pierre Léaud), The 400 Blows...
It's a great inside look at the director's humble beginnings. Without giving away too much of the film, it's basically the story of a troubled, misguided, and often misunderstood child.
The Video:
The detail brought out in the Blu-ray release is astonishing in side-by-side comparisons to the DVD counterpart. Lighting is a key element when filming in Black and White, and the depth and detail Truffaut used truly deserves this pristine transfer.
The Audio:
Still an occasional pop/hiss, but overall very clear Monaural presentation of this largely dialog driven piece.
Extras:
It's Criterion.... they rarely miss a beat and this is no exception.
Universal Studios | 2008 | 129 min | Rated R | Region free
| Mar 10, 2009
His life changed history. His courage changed lives. In 1977, Harvey Milk was
elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, becoming the first openly gay
man to be voted into public office in America. His victory was not...
I looked forward to this release, and waited for the Blu-ray for the review.... and now having seen the Blu-ray, I can comment on the PQ/AQ in addition to my thoughts on the film itself....
PQ was solid.... and the crisp picture accented the "stock footage" they used or faked perfectly.... really gives the film a good "dated" feel quite well.
AQ was also solid, and for a documentary styled film it was great. The soundtrack worked well, but obviously this was heavily dialog driven.... very few defects in the track.
THE FILM...... why did they focus so heavily on Harvey Milk's personal affairs rather than that of the ground-breaking political movement for which he was famous for..... it's a mystery to me. I don't recall "The Times of Harvey Milk" being a Homosexual love story, but "MILK" seemed to drag on this secondary plot too much.
Aside from my preconceived disdain for Sean Penn, who irks me on several levels, I must say he did a fantastic job of portraying the flair and zest of Milk's personality.
My largest complaint with the film was the director's intent on pushing one of Harvey Milk's theory of Dan White as a closet homosexual. The fact that Harvey Milk (the character as well as the person) believed Dan White to be a homosexual, or at least the fact that he stated as much, is one thing... but the film made attempts to add credibility to such through cinematic license so much to the point that it was portrayed as the reason for the assassinations, without single mention of Dan White's failure as a business man.
I feel had the film stayed truer to historical events, and the activist's plight, rather than straying off it would have provided with a more enjoyable and educational experience. The film could have delved into the events following the assassination and subsequent crumbling of Dan White's marriage and ultimately his suicide.
The film is entertaining, but "The Times Of Harvey Milk" is far better as far as documentaries go.
25th Anniversary Edition
Paramount Pictures | 1981 | 195 min | Rated PG | Region free
| Nov 07, 2006
Warren Beatty's award winning epic mixes drama and interviews with major social radicals of the period. "Reds" tells the story of the love affair between activists Louise Bryant and John Reed. Set against the backdrop of the...
Great movie.... Not much of a "showcase" film for AQ, and the PQ was soft in many scenes, and a lot of it was "dark" which masks a lot of the detail (not the fault of the movie, it is what it is)
It's a great movie though, and is a marked improvement over the DVD !
Image Entertainment | 1980 | 107 min | Rated PG | Region A (locked) | Feb 05, 2008
Based on a true story, Breaker Morant is the tale of three soldiers who are court-martialed at the end of the Boer War. When one of their comrades is ambushed and killed, three soldiers seek revenge and kill a Boer Solider. The...
The Video was good, but yes, inconsistent..... The Audio gets a 2.0 for being 2.0 I don't watch extras, so I can't comment. As far as story, this one is a classic, and a must see.
Top reviewer
I don't watch extras, so I can't comment. As far as story, this one is a classic, and a must see. 
