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kal
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| Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 7:48 pm Post subject: |
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Another reference disc!
Minority Report [Blu-ray] (2002)
(Click on picture to order, hover over for price)
| Quote: | 'Minority Report' comes very close to being a great film, but just never quite gets there. It's a flawed but still worthwhile sci-fi thriller. The Blu-ray, freshly remastered with the director's approval, looks and sounds pretty great. It's also loaded with supplements, both old and new. This disc is certainly worthy of a recommendation, despite my quibbles with the movie.
The Video: Sizing Up the Picture
'Minority Report' is a highly stylized movie that was photographed to stand out from the usual sci-fi eye candy. This is not a bright or cartoonishly colorful movie like 'The Fifth Element'. Spielberg and his cinematographer Janusz Kaminski originally used a "bleach bypass" process to emphasize stark, blown-out contrasts, gritty film grain, and a deliberately skewed color balance. The look is effective in some portions of the movie and annoying in others.
The Blu-ray comes from an all-new film-to-video transfer supervised by Spielberg and Kaminski, in which they used the latest digital tools to fine-tune the picture to their liking. The result is true to the original intention, but helps to bring out more detail than previous video transfers. The stylization of the image prevents it from ever being the sharpest or clearest picture you'll see in high definition, but the 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 is still fairly sharp and nicely detailed. Some scenes are better than others.
The disc is presented in the movie's original 2.40:1 theatrical aspect ratio. Colors and flesh tones look sickly and bleached, as they're supposed to. Contrasts bloom and shadows fall off to absolute black quickly. Yet shadow detail is visible when it's dramatically important. The picture is often very grainy, and sometimes that grain has a noisy digital texture to it. Nevertheless, overall, this is exactly what 'Minority Report' is supposed to look like.
The Audio: Rating the Sound
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack has a great deal of power and breadth. Many stinger effects are truly jolting. The stun rifles slam into their targets with a bass impact you can feel in your gut. Regular gun shots have satisfying crack and thump. The surround channels are constantly engaged to create an immersive soundfield.
The John Williams score is also broad and expansive. Fidelity is excellent in all respects, if a little cold (which could be intentional for the tone of the movie). The dynamic range strikes a nice balance between thundering impact and more subtle ambient effects. The track is rarely loud just for the sake of being loud. Bass is crisp and refined, not boomy. This is every bit the slick and polished action spectacle soundtrack you'd expect from a craftsman with the skill and resources at Steven Spielberg's disposal. |
Kal
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kal
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Location: Ottawa, Canada
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| Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 3:26 pm Post subject: |
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Another reference disc!
Alice in Wonderland (Three-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy) (2010)
(Click on picture to order, hover over for price)
| Quote: | I really appreciated Tim Burton's 'Alice in Wonderland.' It's an uncompromised visual feat, and even without the third dimension, is totally enveloping. Tim Burton's directorial career may have boiled down to little more than a look, but when it's applied evenly (and imaginatively), it's still a cinematic gift of unparalleled power. The audio and video on this disc are virtually unequaled, but a smattering of less-than-thrilling special features bumps it down a peg or two. Still, highly recommended.
The Video: Sizing Up the Picture
The 1080p AVC MPEG-4 video (aspect ratio: 1.78:1) is perfect. Yep. That's about it.
The movie was shot digitally and is heavily augmented and manipulated with computer generated imagery, yet everything looks absolutely wonderful. Even without the added dimension seen in theaters, your eyes will pop out of your head like Jim Carey in 'The Mask.'
Everything is crisp and clear and plenty dimensional. Skin tones look exactly as they should, which isn't exactly realistic, but isn't wholly alien either. People either look muted or glow-y, depending on the character. Similarly, the computer-generated characters look even more lifelike, which often isn't the case in high definition. Blacks are deep and bottomless. Colors pop off the screen. It's all just marvelous.
There are no imperfections in the film because, well, it's not film, it's perfect video. And there aren't any glitchy technical issues, either. No halos or aliases or artifacts. I don't know how many times I can say peerless, but that's really how good this transfer is. It's reference quality stuff. Look for it to be playing the next time you take a spin around Best Buy.
The Audio: Rating the Sound
Similarly, the lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 audio track is as close to perfection as you're going to get.
The more intense sequences, say, a giant monster roaring at the camera, will make your home theater system rumble appreciatively. Elsewhere, quieter scenes of dialogue between the ethereal White Queen and Alice have a somber, affecting quality. Dialogue is crisp, clean, and well prioritized; sound effects pop marvelously without ever overwhelming; and the surround channels are utilized wonderfully.
It's definitely a more active mix than what I hear most of the time, which isn't a knock. It's just that recent releases rarely utilize the capabilities of surround sound as well as 'Alice in Wonderland' does. It's never overwhelming, but always present, a bang up mix for sure.
Also included on the disc is a French Dolby Digital 5.1 mix, a Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 mix as well as subtitles in English SDH, French, and Spanish. |
Kal
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kal
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| Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 6:16 pm Post subject: |
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Another reference disc!
War of the Worlds [Blu-ray] (2005)
(Click on picture to order, hover over for price)
| Quote: | Steven Spielberg's 'War of the Worlds' is an exciting and thrilling sci-fi actioner, showing how a smart and gripping disaster feature should look like. This modernized adaptation of the classic H.G. Wells novel is a dark and somber revision not usually expected of the legendary director. As a result and with the use of some suggestive imagery, the Tom Cruise-starrer reveals a brain behind the pandemonium. This Blu-ray edition of the film arrives with a highly-stylized picture that works as a complement to the narrative, rather than eye-candy; however, the audio presentation is pure reference quality, with one of the most impressive low-frequency effects we've seen on the high-def format. The supplemental package is the same seen on the two-disc DVD edition, and it's a good one. All things considered, 'War of the Worlds' is highly recommended and a worthy purchase for fans of the movie.
The Video: Sizing Up the Picture
Spielberg's 'War of the Worlds' comes to Blu-ray with a heavily stylized and specific look that doesn't exactly serve as eye-candy, nor will it ever be used for demo purposes. The 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode (1.85:1) shows Kaminski's cinematography as it should appear. The heavy grain structure is intact to produce a gritty, cheerless film. while the use of diffusers and filters create an oversaturated picture with a weak contrast balance. As a result, depth of field is significantly affected, and the image is much softer than would be expected. In fact, it won't stack up to some of the best we've seen on the format, past and present. Whites are often overblown, which takes its toll on the finer details, and colors tend to bleed in almost every scene. Still, the video is fairly clean and crisp, all things considered. Although the palette is greatly restrained, primaries seems bright and accurate to the intentional look.
On a more positive note, blacks levels are richly rendered and inky, giving shadows a deep and profound appearance. While it's a mostly two-dimensional presentation, the transfer displays a strong improvement in resolution and clarity as opposed to its standard def counterpart. I'm sure some will likely moan a bit about the video not being the sharpest, but it's an excellent image with good visibility of background details as long as one gives some thought to the cinematography. It may not compare to the best we've seen in recent Spielberg catalogs, but the picture quality of this Blu-ray appears to be faithful to what the filmmakers intended.
The Audio: Rating the Sound
For the last few years, many home-theater enthusiasts have been using the DVD of 'War of the Worlds' to show off their system, especially for the bass. Now that it arrives on Blu-ray, both fans and hobbyists alike can push their equipment to the limits with this highly aggressive, reference-quality DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack. I imagine many will hear neighbors complaining when watching this.
There is much going on in the sound design at any given time, mostly subtle atmospherics to generate an immersive soundscape. When things turn for the worst, the action maintains excellent clarity with superb, far-reaching dynamics that never overwhelm the well-prioritized, always intelligible vocals. The whole front soundstage is sprawling with random noise to give the lossless mix a demanding but very engaging presence. The rear speakers deliver distant ambient effects with awesome lucid movement that sometimes feels as though certain objects are right in the room. Directionality and pans are some of the best I've ever heard, with exhilarating, life-like transparency.
The real showstopper is, of course, the low-frequency output, and unless something went terribly wrong, there was never any concern that 'War of the Worlds' on high-res audio would disappoint in that regard. The movie has a breathtaking, chest-pounding bass line that is second to none, reaching the sort of lower depths that will really test the capabilities of any subwoofer. The incredibly powerful and spectacularly responsive bass is phenomenal, with convincing authority adding a heightened level of intensity to the film. The pods emerging in Ch. 5 will surely be a highlight and the go-to scene for demo purposes. In this respect, I recommend warning neighbors before watching this BD or at least, inviting them over to join you, because this is one wall-rattling mix that's more fun when played loud. |
Kal
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kal
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| Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 8:15 pm Post subject: |
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Another reference disc! This one from director Martin Scorsese:
Shutter Island [Blu-ray] (2009)
(Click on picture to order, hover over for price)
| Quote: | 'Shutter Island' is sure to delight, fascinate, frustrate, and rankle audiences (sometimes all at once), but there's much more to this gothic thriller than its controversial narrative structure. Director Martin Scorsese fires on all cylinders, crafting a stunning, immersive production that's deliberately paced, but keeps us engaged and stimulated throughout, while stellar performances from Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, and a distinguished cast inject warmth and passion into the eerie atmosphere. Paramount milks every ounce of detail from the film with superb video and audio transfers that bring all the macabre doings to brilliant life. Extras are a bit slim, but home theater enthusiasts will be too captivated by the first-class picture and sound to care. 'Shutter Island' doesn't possess universal appeal, but if you're anything like me, you'll appreciate the considerable artistry on display and just might find yourself booking passage back to this creepy environment more often than originally planned. Recommended.
The Video: Sizing Up the Picture
Paramount has done 'Shutter Island' proud with an exceptionally well rendered transfer that makes this eerie thriller even more absorbing and immediate than it was in the theater. The spotless source print exhibits no noise, even in dimly lit scenes, yet still maintains a lush, film-like texture, thanks to a faint coating of grain. Contrast and clarity are superb, allowing the image to take on a marvelous dimensionality that heightens impact and suspense. Lines are sharp, but never look enhanced, and background details are among the crispest I've seen, lending the picture spectacular depth. The rocky beachhead is beautifully defined, allowing us to see the nooks and crannies of all the jagged structures, no matter how diminutive or distanced. Delicate beads of rain are also easy to discern, and we can almost feel the coarseness of DiCaprio's omnipresent facial stubble. Close-ups are often breathtaking, sporting plenty of fine detail without appearing overly harsh, and wide shots keep every element in crystalline focus.
Scorsese employs a warm color palette for this period drama, and the hues burst forth with lovely vibrancy. The verdant greens of the hospital estate, yellow floral pattern of Michelle Williams' dress, and dark red blood add splashes of intensity to the stark surroundings, which occasionally flaunt a cool bluish cast that perfectly suits the macabre mood. Black levels are deliciously rich and inky, but never overpower shadow details, and the stunning white shafts of light that intermittently flood the screen during the elongated storm sequence dazzle the senses, blooming just enough to make a visual statement, but never so much that the actors become obscured. Fleshtones are true and natural, too, and remain stable throughout the film.
Best of all, digital doctoring and imperfections are altogether absent in this superior 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 effort. Paramount deserves kudos for another great transfer, one that Scorsese fans will want to eat with a spoon. Yes, it's that delicious.
The Audio: Rating the Sound
At first, I was worried the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track might not be immersive enough for my taste, but such fears were quickly allayed once the action began to shift into high gear. Though the audio may be a little short on multi-channel ambience (except during the stirring thunderstorm/hurricane sequence), it makes up for it in spades with incredible detail and nuance. Just like the video, a terrific crispness pervades the sound scheme, stimulating our senses and plunging us into the on-screen action. From dissonant buzzers and the ignition of light bulbs to branches snapping off trees, gunfire that's visceral in its intensity, bellowing thunder, pelting rain, whistling wind, and the squealing of dozens of rats, the audio pumps forth a range of subtle and bombastic effects that possess astounding purity.
Dynamic range is superior, with even screechy highs resisting distortion. Bass frequencies blend into the track well, providing weighty low end tones that fuel the sinister atmosphere. A few heavy rumbles shake things up, but remain connected to the rest of the audio. Dialogue is always well prioritized and easy to understand, and the various music selections benefit from solid fidelity and pleasing tonal depth. Though directional activity is slim, all the distinct elements combine for a broad, enveloping aural experience that adds immeasurably to the unnerving narrative. Once again, Paramount gets it right. |
Kal
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paw
Joined: 08 Mar 2006
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Location: Arvada, CO
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| Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2010 6:15 pm Post subject: |
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| kal wrote: | Another reference disc!
War of the Worlds [Blu-ray] (2005)
(Click on picture to order, hover over for price)
| Quote: | Steven Spielberg's 'War of the Worlds' is an exciting and thrilling sci-fi actioner, showing how a smart and gripping disaster feature should look like. This modernized adaptation of the classic H.G. Wells novel is a dark and somber revision not usually expected of the legendary director. As a result and with the use of some suggestive imagery, the Tom Cruise-starrer reveals a brain behind the pandemonium. This Blu-ray edition of the film arrives with a highly-stylized picture that works as a complement to the narrative, rather than eye-candy; however, the audio presentation is pure reference quality, with one of the most impressive low-frequency effects we've seen on the high-def format. The supplemental package is the same seen on the two-disc DVD edition, and it's a good one. All things considered, 'War of the Worlds' is highly recommended and a worthy purchase for fans of the movie.
The Video: Sizing Up the Picture
Spielberg's 'War of the Worlds' comes to Blu-ray with a heavily stylized and specific look that doesn't exactly serve as eye-candy, nor will it ever be used for demo purposes. The 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode (1.85:1) shows Kaminski's cinematography as it should appear. The heavy grain structure is intact to produce a gritty, cheerless film. while the use of diffusers and filters create an oversaturated picture with a weak contrast balance. As a result, depth of field is significantly affected, and the image is much softer than would be expected. In fact, it won't stack up to some of the best we've seen on the format, past and present. Whites are often overblown, which takes its toll on the finer details, and colors tend to bleed in almost every scene. Still, the video is fairly clean and crisp, all things considered. Although the palette is greatly restrained, primaries seems bright and accurate to the intentional look.
On a more positive note, blacks levels are richly rendered and inky, giving shadows a deep and profound appearance. While it's a mostly two-dimensional presentation, the transfer displays a strong improvement in resolution and clarity as opposed to its standard def counterpart. I'm sure some will likely moan a bit about the video not being the sharpest, but it's an excellent image with good visibility of background details as long as one gives some thought to the cinematography. It may not compare to the best we've seen in recent Spielberg catalogs, but the picture quality of this Blu-ray appears to be faithful to what the filmmakers intended.
The Audio: Rating the Sound
For the last few years, many home-theater enthusiasts have been using the DVD of 'War of the Worlds' to show off their system, especially for the bass. Now that it arrives on Blu-ray, both fans and hobbyists alike can push their equipment to the limits with this highly aggressive, reference-quality DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack. I imagine many will hear neighbors complaining when watching this.
There is much going on in the sound design at any given time, mostly subtle atmospherics to generate an immersive soundscape. When things turn for the worst, the action maintains excellent clarity with superb, far-reaching dynamics that never overwhelm the well-prioritized, always intelligible vocals. The whole front soundstage is sprawling with random noise to give the lossless mix a demanding but very engaging presence. The rear speakers deliver distant ambient effects with awesome lucid movement that sometimes feels as though certain objects are right in the room. Directionality and pans are some of the best I've ever heard, with exhilarating, life-like transparency.
The real showstopper is, of course, the low-frequency output, and unless something went terribly wrong, there was never any concern that 'War of the Worlds' on high-res audio would disappoint in that regard. The movie has a breathtaking, chest-pounding bass line that is second to none, reaching the sort of lower depths that will really test the capabilities of any subwoofer. The incredibly powerful and spectacularly responsive bass is phenomenal, with convincing authority adding a heightened level of intensity to the film. The pods emerging in Ch. 5 will surely be a highlight and the go-to scene for demo purposes. In this respect, I recommend warning neighbors before watching this BD or at least, inviting them over to join you, because this is one wall-rattling mix that's more fun when played loud. |
Kal |
Looking at the video section, why would this be rated a reference disc? OK, "the picture quality of this Blu-ray appears to be faithful to what the filmmakers intended." but from the other comments, it just doesn't add up. IMHO, both the audio and video have to be at least be good to be a reference disc.
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kal
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| Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 12:33 am Post subject: |
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Another reference disc:
Green Zone [Blu-ray] (2010)
(Click on picture to order, hover over for price)
| Quote: | Paul Greengrass' 'Green Zone' is a breathless thriller in the tradition of Carol Reed's immortal 'The Third Man.' It's the story of one man, sent on a mission and uncovering a lie. The setting of post-invasion Iraq adds a lot of atmosphere and danger, and Greengrass' shooting and editorial style adds much to the story. With truly outstanding audio and video, and a hearty collection of special features, this disc is highly recommended.
The Video: Sizing Up the Picture
The 1080p AVC MPEG-4 transfer (aspect ratio: 2.39:1) faithfully represents 'Green Zone's' original theatrical exhibition, which is the highest compliment of all. If you're looking for a crystal clear image, then look elsewhere. That's not what Greengrass was going for.
The film opens with a nighttime shot (with a great corker of a reveal at the end) and immediately you get the impression of what most of the film, or at least the nighttime shots, will look like: grainy and alive with digital noise. Even though the movie wasn't shot on video, it was undoubtedly toyed with in the digital intermediate stage, and Greengrass both shot and processed it to look like fly-on-the-wall documentary footage.
When the movie takes place during daylight hours (or the camera stabilizes itself to some approximation of film-like smoothness), then the grain seems to get toned down. Sometimes the image is strikingly beautiful, sometimes it is uneasily muddy, but this is all part of Greengrass' M.O. You can say a lot of things about this presentation, but not being true to its source isn't one of them.
I found this transfer to be dynamite. In more quantifiable terms, it's still quite strong. Skin tones look good, there's a nice amount of detail (particularly on the various textures of the soldiers' uniforms and Jason Isaacs' amazing handlebar moustache looks even more amazing), and black levels are impressive, with the overall image looking three-dimensional.
With this presentation, vivid and true-to-form, you are there. It's just as good as the exemplary transfer on the 'Hurt Locker' Blu-ray, if somewhat more stylized and refined (again: the two films shared a cinematographer). I was dazzled by the presentation on this disc, but I can see some bemoaning the fact that it's not "perfect," to which I say: Some films are perfect based on their imperfections, and in terms of capturing those imperfections, this disc is second to none.
The Audio: Rating the Sound
Even more impressive is the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix. This thing never stops working.
'Green Zone' is an active movie. The calmest moment is probably one shared at a poolside table in the titular zone, and that's over pretty quick. But even that scene is active, with people moving through the frame and sound field. Few films I have seen in high definition have a mix as great as this one.
Just as the video transfer does much to put you in the hyper-kinetic word of 'Green Zone,' the audio does the job, even more so. There is always something going on, with expert use of the surround sound channels. The best part of the mix is how perfectly calibrated everything is; even though there's tons of action, nothing ever becomes too overbearing or overwhelming. Nothing gets lost.
And if you're worried about dialogue (which, again, is mostly spoken while walking quickly or running), it's always crisp and clear and well prioritized. It doesn't get toned down or given less attention because of all the high-stakes thriller business going on.
This is just an exemplary audio track. One of the best I've heard on the format yet. This audio mix is the closest thing you'll get to re-capturing the theatrical presentation, and coupled with the wonderful video, will take any living room into war torn Iraq.
Also included on the disc are French DTS 5.1 and Spanish DTS 5.1 tracks and subtitles in English SDH, French, and Spanish. |
Kal
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kal
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| Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2010 3:37 pm Post subject: |
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Another reference disc:
Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief [Blu-ray] (2010)
(Click on picture to order, hover over for price)
| Quote: | 'Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief' doesn't come close to the subtle cleverness that was found in Riordan's books. Yes, I know that the book and movie are completely different entities, but why not incorporate more of Riordan's clever material into the movie? For example, it was hilarious that the gate to hell was located in a music studio in the book, why is it given such a generic twist in the movie? Oh well. As for the video presentation, if it weren't for some very cheap looking special effects this would be a top-notch, demo-quality disc. The audio on the other hand is demo-worthy. Special features are extremely slim and full of EPK fluff. If you just want to see the movie, I would say rent it, but if you want a disc with some demo quality sound then it comes recommended.
The Video: Sizing Up the Picture
'Percy Jackson and the Olympians' is filled to the brim with hokey looking CG, but that's the one taint on an otherwise pristine looking 1080p transfer.
I know that the look of the CG sequences don't have anything to do with the transfer itself, but there are some that look so cheaply done, like the Fury in the beginning of the film, that you'd never throw this disc in to show off how good computer animation looks on your TV. In other words, when there isn't any CG on screen this transfer is demo quality, when there is CG, the quality of the transfer demos the illusion (in the sledgehammer sense of the word)!
As for the transfer's stengths: Colors –- especially the bright eyes of Percy and Annabeth -- pop off the screen. Delineation is fantastic. While much of the movie takes place at night or in darkened areas, shadow detail is spot on, and crushing is never a problem. Blacks are deep and whites are never overblown. Contrast is perfectly pitched. Skintones seem natural, and never take on unnatural hues. Fine details, including the texture of the armor worn by camp residents, are revealing. I was impressed by some of the sweeping landscape shots while Percy is at the camp. Lush forests surround the camp, pine trees blanket the mountains. The detail involved in some of these shots is astounding.
The Audio: Rating the Sound
If the video presentation was just short of perfect, the audio is five stars. That's right, this is demo quality audio for sure.
DTS-HD Master 5.1 opens with thunder cracking, causing LFE to rumble the entire room. Low frequency bass is constant throughout the film as cars are tossed and things explode. Surround sound is very lively and has an enveloping effect. Take for example the moment where Hades appears out of the flames at the camp and starts tossing fireballs which explode with thunderous bass. The fireball woosh travels from the front to rear speakers with some fine panning effects. Demigods scream and scatter as the fireballs explode, like you're in the center of the action. Dialogue is very clean, and understandable, never being drowned out by the thumping LFE or the heroic soundtrack.
Everything about this audio presentation is perfect. Enjoy. |
Kal
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kal
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| Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 7:41 pm Post subject: |
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Another reference disc:
The Leopard (Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray] (1963)
(Click on picture to order, hover over for price)
| Quote: | This is a great film. This Blu-ray comes with picture so exquisite that 'The Leopard' is sure to be on a number of "Best Blu-rays of 2010" lists for that aspect alone. Audio offers a faithful presentation of the original source. Extras, including an entire second cut of the film, are ample and informative. This is a job well done in presenting an exceptional film in the best manner possible. Highly recommended.
The Video: Sizing Up the Picture
The video is presented with a 1080p/MPEG-4 AVC encoded transfer in the original Super Technirama aspect ratio of 2.21:1. According to Criterion "was created on a Spirit Datacine from the original 35mm camera negative. Thousands of instances of dirt, debris, scratches, splices, warps, jitter, and flicker were manually removed using MTI's DRS system and Pixel Farm's PFClean system, while Digital Vision's DVNR system was used for small dirt, grain, and noise reduction," so it's no wonder the source looks pristine.
Along with the bright yellow credits that pop off the screen, viewers will be wowed by the bright and gloriously vivid greens and browns of the Italian countryside. Once inside the Prince's villa, the rest of the color spectrum joins the palette. There's a fantastic scene in the Prince's study when he talks with Chevally where the colors appear to fluctuate and brightness and shadow alternates due to the fireplace flames. Blacks are deep and inky. Contrast appears strong and consistent throughout.
The objects are very sharp and reveal ample detail, from the rough texture of the worn concrete walls and wooden doors to the folds and wrinkles in a sheet laid out for a picnic and Tancredi's courdoroy jacket. Depth is clearly evident in part because of the way Visconti fills the frame. There is slight grain that expectedly increases in darker scenes.
As great as it looks, there are some flaws. A young girl's dress has a pattern that causes brief aliasing during the first sequence in the villa. An isolated flicker occurs twice during pans outdoors across an area with small, fine objects and high contrast. Once as the sky and sunlight filter through the trees and foliage. Another at 1:18:45 when the Prince is out hunting rabbit on a hillside. A very odd occurrence at 1:42:31, almost as if an element got loose during a printing stage, finds a ripple pass across frame as a servant runs towards a reading room where the family is. It's most noticeable on the left edge of doorframe, which pops to the left.
There's also a source issue in Chapter 7 at 33:30 when the Prince's carriages approaches the rebels. During an establishing shot pan, the shadow of an insect can be seen moving across the lens.
The Audio: Rating the Sound
For the uncompressed monaural soundtrack, Criterion "remastered at 24-bit from the 35mm optical soundtrack print master. Clicks, thumps, hiss, and hum were manually removed using ProTools HD. Crackle was attenuated using AudioCube's integrated audio workstation."
Isolated to the front center channel with minor support from the subwoofer, the audio elements are as balanced as can be expected. Although Italian, the dialogue appears clear and not muddled, and Nino Rota's score never interferes. However, the dubbing sounds a bit flat. The only consistent loud portions of the soundtrack is the gunfire during The Battle of Palermo, but it is restrained. This is a faithful presentation of the original source. |
Kal
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kal
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| Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2010 7:38 pm Post subject: |
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Another reference disc - currently priced less than $10 !
Rambo (Extended Cut) [Blu-ray]
(Click on picture to order, hover over for price)
| Quote: | It’s a real bummer this 'Extended Cut' and the new documentary aren't available on the improperly titled 'Complete Collector’s Set.' This certainly seems like a slap in the face (a quintuple dip?) for fans and collectors alike, making the decision very hard as to what to do and what to buy. Apparently it wasn't some Lionsgate F-U/grab for money, but rather, Stallone initially didn't want to re-cut the movie, then changed his mind too late for the Extended Cut to be included in the incomplete "complete set."
It's a shame, because the true (perhaps coming in a few years) Complete Collector's Set should include both versions of the final film. That being said, here's the key difference between 'Rambo' and 'John Rambo': the extended footage can all be seen as Deleted Scenes on the theatrical cut, here they are integrated into the film. They are mainly comprised of character moments. The Extended Cut isn’t necessarily that different as a film. For my money, it wasn’t leagues better, nor did the extra slow scenes in the first act kill the pacing.
I initially wanted to suggest that fans and collectors purchase the Trilogy Boxed Set and the Extended Cut, though as it turns out, the Extended Cut drops most of the special features from the stand alone Rambo / the disc featured in the Complete Collection. As such, here are a few options:
Fans / serious collectors who already own the trilogy boxed set and possibly the original 'Rambo' release: you will want 'Rambo – The Extended Cut' for the director's video diary. If you don’t own any 'Rambo' films, I would personally purchase the 'Complete Collector's Set' and RENT 'Rambo – The Extended Cut' as I prefer Rambo’s theatrical cut to the extended one, and while the brand new documentary on 'Rambo – The Extended Cut' is great, I don’t really see anyone but die hard fans watching it over and over again.
Bottom line, this is a head-scratcher of a double dip. The new cut isn't a wholly different film experience, but the director’s video diary will put you on that set in a detailed way. Of course, as of now this edition is going for less than $10 on Amazon, so it may be worth a purchase, especially for fans. Plenty to think about, Rambo fans!
The Video: Sizing Up the Picture
Lionsgate offers 'Rambo' in 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video (at 2.35:1), and this presentation is quite excellent. It's detailed, lush, and often demo-worthy material.
The source is predictably pristine for a new release, with rich blacks and robust contrast. Some scenes go a tad overboard on the stylization with bright whites, but it certainly gives the image pop. Colors are somewhat muted to give an intentionally gritty look, but the palette is consistent and stable. There is a bit of grain, but otherwise the image is very detailed and quite three-dimensional. Drawbacks include night scenes that can be a tad dark (lessening shadow delineation a notch below the ideal). There are a also few moments of apparent posterization and noise (usually on long wide shots and slow dissolves), but all in all, 'Rambo' looks great.
The Audio: Rating the Sound
'Rambo' gets a full-blown DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio 7.1 Surround track (48kHz/24-bit), and it's fantastic. [Peter] may have found most of the violence in 'Rambo' extremely off-putting, but it sure sounds great.
The power of the track's dynamics are immediately apparent. Low bass is often a stunner, with the subwoofer actively engaged throughout. Gunfire, explosions and the score pound consistently and aggressively, with clear differentiation between highs and lows. Dialogue (if you can call it that) is not overwhelmed by all of the din and is well-rooted in the center channel.
Surround implementation is also a pleasure, with the 7.1 spread offering a wonderfully immersive experience. The rear soundfield is so seamless I could rarely locate specific sounds -- it simply feels as if sound is all around you. Front to back pans are also transparent. Score bleed is similarly impressive. 'Rambo' is certainly a demo-worthy soundtrack. |
Kal
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| Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2010 7:40 pm Post subject: |
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Another reference disc:
A Star Is Born (Blu-ray Book)
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| Quote: | The finest version of one of the all-time great Hollywood tales, the 1954 'A Star Is Born' features one of the all-time great performances by one of the all-time great talents, Judy Garland. George Cukor's film combines a compelling dramatic story with an excellent score to create an emotionally powerful, thoroughly entertaining experience. Warner's Blu-ray presentation is top-notch, featuring a stunning 1080p transfer, dynamic lossless audio, hours of absorbing extras, and beautiful digibook packaging. Highly recommended on all counts.
The Video: Sizing Up the Picture
'A Star Is Born' is a dark film, both thematically and visually, so it's especially gratifying to see such a gorgeous 1080p rendering that maximizes the movie's color palette without pushing it too far, and pumps up clarity and contrast to, at times, breathtaking degrees. Meticulously restored at high resolution, 'A Star Is Born' underwent a painstaking process to remove chemical staining and correct color. The result is a superior transfer that nicely juggles the various film stocks and still sequences to produce as seamless a viewing experience as possible given the picture's unique circumstances and mixture of elements. Of course the brief carhop sequence looks grainy and a bit battered, but we're lucky it exists at all. On the whole, however, the image is clean, crisp, and sports a pleasing grain structure that lends the story vital warmth and texture.
Reds especially pop, and from the opening Shrine Auditorium sequence forward, their lushness remains on constant display. Whether bathing the background (the cavalcade of roses in the 'Born in a Trunk' number) or merely providing a catchy accent (the carnations pinned on Garland and her dancing duo in 'Gotta Have Me Go With You'), the bold hue contrasts well against the deep, inky blacks with which it is often paired. With so much black often framing the picture, one might guess crush would be an issue, but not so. Shadow delineation is quite good, with background details almost always easy to discern no matter the degree of light. Whites are also vibrant, with Lola Lavery's feathery fur stole exceptionally well rendered.
Contrast is solid and clarity is surprisingly good, especially when one factors in the primitive nature of CinemaScope at that time. Sure, there are some soft moments, but on the whole, the picture remains vivid and sharp. Close-ups look beautiful – you can see the perspiration glistening on Garland's face during the 'Born in a Trunk' number – and fleshtones remain stable and true throughout, from Garland's alabaster skin to Mason's olive complexion.
Fans have waited years for a high-def upgrade of this classic film, and Warner delivers a beautiful product that will satisfy even the most critical eyes. Here's hoping more of the studio's catalog musicals come our way…and soon.
The Audio: Rating the Sound
When it comes to classics, many of us tend to care more about picture quality than sound, but in the case of 'A Star Is Born,' audio plays a vital role. And hearing 'A Star Is Born' in lossless DTS-HD Master Audio is a thrilling experience. Without question, Judy Garland possessed one of the greatest singing voices in history, and here she is at her absolute peak. This superior track perfectly showcases her peerless instrument. Pure, controlled, and bursting with unbridled power, Garland's vocals are crystal clear, with every warm tone, delicate nuance, and euphoric climax perfectly balanced to achieve maximum impact. The musical numbers possess a marvelous fullness, flooding the room with well-mixed, dynamic sound.
Most of the audio is front-based, with some mild stereo separation widening the field somewhat. Surround activity is slight, but some crowd scenes possess a bit of wrap-around. Dialogue is always clear and comprehendible, and isolated accents, such as a trolley bell and the ignition of klieg lights, are marvelously distinct. There's not much low-end action to involve the subwoofer, but bass tones during the songs supply some nice weight. Best of all, the track is clean, with no pops, crackles, or hiss mucking up the works. Faint bits of distortion occasionally crop up during Garland's vocals, but you really have to listen closely to catch them. (Note:The initial screener I was sent was riddled with horrific distortion during almost all the musical numbers, making them unlistenable, but thankfully a replacement copy I purchased locally had no such issues, leading me to believe my screener disc was defective.)
By far, this is the best 'A Star Is Born' has ever sounded, and fans of this classic film will be more than satisfied with this vibrant, immersive track. |
Kal
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| Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 1:35 pm Post subject: |
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Another reference disc:
Road to Perdition [Blu-ray] (2002)
(Click on picture to order, hover over for price)
| Quote: | This is a must own. I've never said that before in a review, but it's the truth. The film may not be for everyone -- it is tremendously moody, violent, and tragic, but this release represents everything Blu-ray is about, and perhaps the most filmic experience to hit the format yet. The video is damn near perfect, and the audio is one of the finest I've thus played on my home theater system. So for fans and collectors, this is a must. 'Road to Perdition' has never looked this good at home. For casual viewers, this is a Blu-ray that will be on our top ten lists as the calendar year closes out. Don't want to take my word for it, no problem, at least give it a rent. It's worth one viewing to see if the material works for you; visually and sound-wise, you won't be disappointed. Now my warning is this, I just enjoyed the hell out of it; hopefully I haven't overhyped it for you.
The Video: Sizing Up the Picture
'Road to Perdition' debuts on Blu-ray with an almost perfect 1080p/AVC-MPEG4 (aspect ratio 2.35:1) transfer. Okay, first the bad stuff, so I can get back to gushing. As one might expect, for an eight-year-old film, this negative appears ever so slightly dirty -– some dust, some teeny-tiny scratches. Further, on the opening Fox logo fanfare, there is some aliasing on the logo's diagonal lines. There is also some minor banding, mostly in grey or white areas. But we're talking serious nitpicking here.
When 'Road to Perdition' is working, it's a stunner, pure and simple. Kudos to Sam Mendes and his collaboration with Conrad Hall. This won Hall an Academy Award for cinematography, which was accepted posthumously by his son. This is a glorious use of the Blu-ray format, drenched in filmic grain; it's like having a 35mm projector in your house. This isn't a complaint, mind you, but rather this is filmmaker's intent. This is what Martin Scorsese spoke about at Blu-con 2.0. This digital home media disc feels like film. Detail and clarity seems endless, despite a very tight depth of field -- rainy night exteriors are amazing. Skin tones are natural to their environments. Colors range from vibrant and bold, to an almost monochromatic sepia or black & white. There really isn't a way to describe how good this film looks in words; just watch it.
The Audio: Rating the Sound
Perfect. Reference. That's all I wanted to write in this technical portion of the 'Road to Perdition' review. You're probably tired of my enthusiasm, but this English 5.1 DTS-MA soundtrack is a stunner. A top ten title of the year, maybe just maybe the format (definitely top twenty here). I don't actually have any complaints, which is weird, but let's get on with why this is so great. Thomas Newman's score is magical, among his best, permeating the environment, and emotionally propelling the audience through the world. In lossless surround sound, it's like being in a concert all. Dialogue is crisp, and always clear. The whole mix is even, and can be enjoyed quietly or loudly (I vote loud). It is dynamic in the subtle moments, environments softly enveloping us; it is dynamic when it roars, thundering machine guns, or pouring and pounding and dripping rain. Sound is both focused, and always surprising the audience with fidelity and clarity and dimensionality. This is fully immersive, and I loved every minute of it.
Paramount Home Entertainment provides also provides French and Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 mixes, as well as English, English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles. |
Kal
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| Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2010 3:07 pm Post subject: |
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Another reference disc:
Sons of Anarchy: Season Two [Blu-ray] (2009)
(Click on picture to order, hover over for price)
| Quote: | It's epic, Shakespearean, smart, and above all, entertaining. The Blu-ray boxed set features excellent, sharply detailed video, and an immersive, active DTS-MA surround sound track. Fans who want to own the season shouldn't hesitate to purchase once you find it for a comfortable price. For folks who haven't seen the show at all, check out Season One before jumping into Season Two; to be fair, it's not a show for everyone given the language and violence. Season Three premiered September 7 on FX.
The Video: Sizing Up the Picture
'Sons of Anarchy: Season Two' arrives on Blu-ray with a slick AVC-MPEG4 1080p (aspect ratio 1.78:1) transfer.
Shot in high definition, this show looks fantastic nearly all of the time. Flesh tones are accurate. Colors are bright and bold. Picture is sharp and clear with seemingly infinite detail: from skin to leather vests to the locations to bullets bouncing off the ground. There is some minor edge enhancement and occasional noise in darker scenes, but overall the night interiors and exteriors have a wonderful contrast. Fine detail is still visible in shadow, and the image is grain-free. The only real problem area for the video I saw was in one steadicam shot at the end of the episode entitled 'Fa Guan': as the camera swirls around Jax and the other characters, focus and resolution disappear in what I can only assume is some sort of lens/production issue. That momentary flaw aside, this is a great looking show, and a fine testament to how good an HD production can look.
The Audio: Rating the Sound
Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment continues the 'Sons of Anarchy' Blu-ray heritage with another juicy English 5.1 DTS-MA soundtrack.
It may not always be overly aggressive in the way some $100 million dollar blockbusters or animated films can be, but it's pretty damn close, which on a television timetable is astounding. Dialogue is crisp and always clear. Sound effects make nice use of front stereo and rear panning in the surround channels. LFE gets to muscle its weight thanks to gunfire and roaring Harleys. But my favorite part about SOA on Blu-ray is the music; the show's creators seem particularly fond of thematic music to open and/or close many episodes. For audiences, the music seems not to come from any particular channel, but from the middle of the room. It sounds -- or feels -- like we're in the world thanks to the music just as much as any ambient noise could place us there. The music is always crisp, clear, and envelops the entire room. Combine this with the previously highlighted solid craftsmanship servicing the action on screen, and you have one of the best TV soundtracks I've ever heard, save for some of the work done in 'Lost.'
There are no other Audio selections, but Subtitles are available in English SDH, Espanol, Francais (Quebecois), Francais (Parisien), Portugues, Cantonese, and Korean. |
Kal
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| Posted: Sat Sep 18, 2010 7:45 pm Post subject: |
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Another reference disc:
Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue (Two-Disc Blu-ray/ DVD Combo) (2010)
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| Quote: | Sit down with your family and watch this movie. Your young kids will love it, and your young girls will love it the most. The best thing is, the movie isn't dumbed down for kids and doesn't contain ridiculous humor like fart jokes. These are cute films that aim to make little girls and most everyone else happy. The visuals here are simply stunning and will make great demo material. The sound does a fantastic job a capturing the life and times of Tinker Bell and her friends. The extras are a little slim, but at least there's a music video, right?
'Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue' is an enjoyable addition to the growing collection of Tinker Bell on home video. You won't be disappointed if you purchase this, and neither will your kids. This Blu-ray comes recommended.
The Video: Sizing Up the Picture
'Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure' was demo material, plain and simple. 'Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue' doesn't waver a bit from the high bar set at the beginning of this franchise. It would be easy for Disney to take shortcuts for films that weren't even going to hit theaters and make movies with less than stellar visuals, but they haven't. The look of this movie is simply stunning. I'm blown away by all the bright, vibrant colors and the amazing detail. Everything is just perfect.
What caught my eye first were the hand drawn fairies show during the opening credits. They look like real drawings where you can see, perfectly, imperfect pencil marks or white specks where a crayon wasn't able to get full color onto the paper. From the opening credits to the closing ones, this is a non-stop ride in demo-land.
I love that you can see each and every tiny molecule of pixie dust as it floats through the sky. Comparing it to the DVD the pixie dust becomes muddled and a lot less defined. Here though each speck is visible, shining, and bright. Colors burst from the screen with green being the most featured color as the fairies have to find their way through tall grass. Raindrops from the storm in the movie come alive as each one is visible as it falls from the sky and plops on the ground.
One of my very favorite details about this (and the other) movies is how delicate the translucent fairy wings appear. Each wing is see-thru, but with the detail of 1080p you're able to pick out the very fine details of tiny swoops and swirls that decorate the wings. While the animation itself may not look as well-refined or as realistic as the top-notch animation that Pixar puts out, nonetheless this is a perfect visual presentation all around and a great piece of eye candy to boot.
The Audio: Rating the Sound
The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio accompanying this release is a great complement to the stunning visuals. Like the visuals, the audio presentation relies on its attention to detail to get the job done. Directionality is spot on with sounds happening all around the listening environment as characters perform actions off screen. Surrounds come alive during the rainstorm as raindrops permeate the soundfield. Panning effects are smooth and inviting as fairies zoom across the screen with a tiny tinkling sound following them, or as an old-time car rumbles along a dirt road that stretches across the screen.
Dialogue is perfectly established in the front channels. Even the tiny jingling that is produced when Tinker Bell talks to humans is clearly audible. The soundtrack is light when it comes to lower end frequencies, but that's no matter, because the way it is works just fine. The sub woofer kicks in every now and then during the intense action scenes like when Tinker Bell's friends are flying down a river in a homemade boat during a thunderous rainstorm. The original music produced for the movie is light-hearted and bleeds into the rear speakers for an all encompassing effect whenever another original song comes on. All in all, just another very solid audio performance for this great series of movies. |
Kal
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| Posted: Sat Sep 18, 2010 7:48 pm Post subject: |
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Another reference disc:
Seven [Blu-ray Book] (1995)
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| Quote: | 'SE7EN' is a perfect thriller, a modern masterpiece that exists within genre conventions and then blows them all up. I had the privilege -- many years later -- of getting to know some of the people involved with its creation, which only fueled my passion for this particular movie. For fans of the film and owners of the previous DVD, this is an easy recommendation. The video is just shy of perfection, and the audio is reference. Special features wise, you're getting everything from 2000, save for some DVD-ROM content. For anyone who has never seen this film, again, go buy it. It's great in home theatre, and something (unless the kids are around) one can watch it again and again. BUY! BUY! BUY!
The Video: Sizing Up the Picture
'SE7EN' arrives on Blu-ray with a near perfect VC-1 1080p (aspect ratio 2.40:1) transfer. Warner Bros. is building a strong name for itself in catalog titles, and 'SE7EN' is among its finest.
This is a transfer that exudes its original source. There is no evidence of edge enhancement or noise reduction.The film's grain structure is constant, remaining film-like and smooth here on video. Contrast is exemplary.The film has very few bright moments of course, but its muted color pallet of a cold, rainy world is drenched in oozing shadows. I've never seen this many versions of darkness before, except in a black and white film. From inky black to grey, there's detail everywhere: droplets of rain on Morgan Freeman's coat, fine wisps of hair on Gweneth Paltrow's neck as she sleeps in bed, doggie foot prints on apartment door windows, costumes, sets.
There's no banding, no noise, and very few flaws -- found with extreme nitpicking: specs of dirt here and there, a few softer shots, and an odd yellow-ish vertical band on the left side of the screen which appears next to Brad Pitt towards the end of the climax -- that the filmmakers didn't intend; clearly anytime there are titles on screen, the words themselves and sometimes the images underneath them have been made to look "damaged."
As I was too young to see 'SE7EN' theatrically, this is the best I've ever seen the movie, from VHS, to the two North American DVDs, and even on HD cable. There is simply no comparison. An amazing upgrade where the film's clarity and shades of darkness complement one another wonderfully.
The Audio: Rating the Sound
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment brings 'SE7EN' to Blu-ray with a jaw-dropping English 7.1 DTS-MA soundtrack. This is one of the most aggressive, consistently active surround mixes I've ever heard (especially compared to other tracks of the mid '90s).
The film's constant feeling of dread and trepidation is in some scenes wholly created by the sound effects and Howard Shore's haunting score. Every scene builds sonically until it climaxes, and each sequence builds on top of that, until the last act is nearly unbearable. Every channel gets a fully discrete and directional workout, panning forwards and backwards, left and right. Dialogue is mixed evenly and nicely, but sometimes the background sounds are so engaging you want to listen to them more. There's literally always something moving -- a ringing phone, a car driving by, a typewriter clacking. It's like being inside this world. LFE fans will enjoy not only the general low-end presence in the helicopters and music, but your living room will shake when the train shakes Mills' apartment during the dinner scene.
Additional audio selections include Deutsch, Castellano, Espanol, and Portugues, but non are lossless. For subtitles, one gets English SDH, Espanol, Deutsch, Castellano, Portugues, and a few others listed in those languages which I do not know, and are not written on the box. |
Kal
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| Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2010 3:23 am Post subject: |
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Another reference disc:
Robin Hood Blu/DVD + Digital Copy (2010)
(Click on picture to order, hover over for price)
| Quote: | Ridley Scott's 'Robin Hood' is a completely different retelling of the legendary hero who stole from the rich and gave to the poor. While the ambition of the filmmakers to create something new and original is admirable, the results as a whole are sadly unsatisfactory, barely succeeding as a mildly entertaining swashbuckling adventure epic. The Blu-ray edition of the film, however, arrives with an excellent picture quality and a reference level audio presentation, both of which give the movie an added boost. The high-def package also comes with a healthy collection of bonus features. In the end, folks are best advised to give this retelling of a legend a rent first before purchasing, but the overall package comes recommended for fans since the audio/video sections are terrific.
The Video: Sizing Up the Picture
Ridley Scott's 'Robin Hood' debuts on Blu-ray with a stunning, highly-detailed 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode (2.40:1) with several scenes that reach for the ranks of reference quality. From beginning to end, contrast is spot-on and sharp, exposing every minute aspect of the picture with splendid clarity. We can make out every pore and wrinkle in the faces of actors, along with the texture and stitching of costumes. Background foliage is clear and remarkable, and definition in random architecture is striking and revealing, as every defect and blemish of the wood and stone bricks is made plainly visible. The palette is composed mostly of earth tones, with richly saturated primaries and full-bodied secondary hues. The image also displays strong dimensionality with an appreciable cinematic feel and vividness.
The one minor nitpick is with black levels that appear noticeably weaker in some sections than others. For the most part, the darkest portions of the screen exhibit rich, inky blacks with strong gradations. At other times, they are rendered somewhat flat and slightly dulled, making shadow delineation suffer as a result. Funny thing, however, is that this happens primarily around sequences of natural firelight, which suggests the weakest in blacks can be attributed to the photography and not to the digital transfer. A good example of the difference in blacks and the effect being inherent to the film is the scene in Chapter 13 of the Director's Cut where William Hurt and Max von Sydow first share the screen (at around the 1:43 mark). Hurt's black hood is lush and accurate, while the surrounding shadows lack the same energy and opulence.
Nonetheless, this is a trivial objection that keeps the high-def presentation from perfection, but the overall quality of the transfer is beautiful and astounding.
The Audio: Rating the Sound
As if the picture quality weren't enough, Universal Studios also throws in an excellent, demo-worthy DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack. The sound design is intent on generating an enveloping experience with terrific, subtle atmospherics that beautifully immerse the listener into this medieval world.
Rear activity is nearly constant with the rich and discrete sounds of wildlife and nature. Directionality is seamless and convincing, creating a highly enjoyable 360° soundfield that pulls viewers into the film. The musical score also spreads brilliantly across the soundstage and into the background, providing the imaging with a welcoming and warm presence from beginning to end. Vocals are well-prioritized and pitch-perfect, even amidst the track's loudest moments. While the lower frequencies are accurate and powerfully responsive when called upon, dynamic range is extensive with admirable room penetration, exhibiting clear, precise distinctions between the mid and high ends during the many sequences of combat. For this retelling of the Robin Hood legend, the lossless mix delivers a first-rate and spectacular audio presentation that home theater enthusiasts can enjoy. |
Kal
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| Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2010 12:29 am Post subject: |
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Another reference disc:
Spartacus: Blood and Sand - The Complete First Season [Blu-ray] (2010)
(Click on picture to order, hover over for price)
| Quote: | If I told you that a TV show took the story of 'Gladiator' and the style of '300' and added in the softcore sex of an after-hours Cinemax movie, would you be excited or apprehensive? I must say I was apprehensive. Even after the first couple episodes, I wondered if this show really had much of its own merit to ride on. It seemed like it was borrowing far too much from other films and shows that had gone on before. Yet before I knew it, the show grew on me. Whitfield (who will be missed) is great as Spartacus, and about four or five episodes in, the show finds its own voice and continues on throughout the rest of the season with an energy-filled tenacity. The video is gorgeous, the sound is thumping. The special features, with the numerous audio commentaries and extended episodes, seem tailored for the show's fans.
It's hard to give this series an overall recommendation that everyone should go out and buy it, because we're still unsure whether or not it will continue, due to Whitfield's departure. This is definitely a must own for fans, but for everyone else out there who is curious to see this Roman drama, rent 'Spartacus: Blood and Sand' first, and make your choice from there.
The Video: Sizing Up the Picture
Even though 'Spartacus' features green screen effects in almost every scene, in order to get that '300' stylized look, the 1080p transfer surprisingly doesn't make it look fake or cheap. For a TV show that would never have the budget of a huge Hollywood blockbuster, this show looks stellar in HD.
The 1080p picture only adds to the stylized vision of Rome the series strives to portray. This transfer does just about everything right. Detail is rich and splendid, whether you're looking at the tired and battle-worn face of Spartacus, or the oiled shiny mass of pectoral muscles that is Crixus. Pores and facial stubble are always clearly visible. The blood is just about the only thing that looks sort of silly in high definition. In the first episode, when Spartacus hacks an arm from an opposing gladiator, it flies off end over end, spurting blood that looks very CG. While that's part of the show's point, I couldn't help but feel like looking at that blood in that way took me out of the scene. Everything else, though, looks tremendous. Even scenes where the arena crowd has been green screened in the background look real and genuine.
You know magic is being worked on fine detail when you can not only make out individual rocks, but also tiny grains of sand and small specks of mud and dirt on the faces of the gladiators. The colors are something else. From the deep burgundy of the Roman officer uniforms, to the greens, blacks and reds worn by the noble people, the hues here are very strong and effervescent. Black levels are sturdy, offering a detailed portrait even under the cover of nightfall. Stark shadows cast across the image help, rather than hurt, fine detail.
As far as technical anomalies go, the one and only thing I did notice was banding here and there, mostly in the stylized sky backgrounds. Other than that, the entire season is clear from any annoying source noise that might hamper your viewing experience. 'Spartacus: Season One' on Blu-ray is going to be a video presentation that anyone will be able to enjoy, but fans of the show will be ecstatic.
The Audio: Rating the Sound
For a show about ancient Rome, I never thought I'd be watching one of the most bass-laden soundtracks I've ever heard on Blu-ray. This is due in most part to the slow-mo battle scenes that feature bodies flying around the screen while grandiose "swooshes" and "thuds" pound through the subwoofer any time a sword finds its mark or a fist connects with a cheekbone. Just like the video, the sound for this series is just as stylized. Think about the whooshing bullets flying past Neo in 'The Matrix' and you know what to expect here.
The 5.1 Dolby TrueHD presentation is something to behold. It might even be mixed a bit too loud, because, even at default setting, this track booms. Dialogue is nicely placed in the front speakers, but directionality works perfectly as characters talk off screen or action is happening where we can't readily see it. Pans are smooth, as horses gallop from one end to the other or as the camera swoops over the cheering crowds of people watching the gladiator battles.
The surrounds are always alive, providing a deep, immersive atmosphere. Whether it be a quiet party affair in a senator's home with guests milling about, or the roar from the crowd as a gladiator is run through with a sword, the surrounds work perfectly to create an expansive listening environment.
Like I said, the mix may be pumped up just a tad too loud, but that's to be expected for a show that delights in violence and carnage as much as this one does. |
Kal
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| Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2010 2:08 am Post subject: |
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Another reference disc:
Beauty and the Beast (Three-Disc Diamond Edition Blu-ray/DVD Combo in Blu-ray Packaging) (1991)
(Click on picture to order, hover over for price)
| Quote: | Seeing the time and effort Disney spends on its Blu-ray releases makes it easy for me to have to wait so long between titles. Their catalog is slowly being released, and because they're taking their time, the films are coming out perfectly. 'Beauty and the Beast' is a stunning audio and visual feast in high-definition. Hand drawn animation was meant to be shown in HD. The colors jump off the screen and the all-new 7.1 remix of the sound engulfs you like never before. 'Beauty and the Beast' is one of my favorite Disney films and to see it treated with such care makes me excited for the rest of the Disney catalog that will be released in the years to come. This is one of the best catalog releases of the year, and comes as Must Own for any Blu-ray collection.
The Video: Sizing Up the Picture
Tremendous, fantastic, awe-inspiring, beautiful… I think I could just sit here with a thesaurus open for the rest of this video portion using ever synonym of "amazing" that I can find. Disney's 1080p transfer of their classic film looks absolutely magnificent in every conceivable way.
According to the pamphlet insert, when Disney went back and reexamined the film's master elements, they found that they were covered with "white dirt and water spots," but on previous standard definition releases these defects weren't visible. In order to create a pristine transfer, Disney had to go through "extensive spotting sessions with the film's creators" and restore the elements in order to make them high definition worthy.
All that care and meticulous pampering pays off in a big way. You can tell the folks at Disney took their time on this to get it just right, because this literally looks like it was drawn yesterday. In a word, it's majestic.
Throughout its entire runtime, not once did I notice a speck of white dirt, or a fleck of source noise. It's as clean as a high definition image can get. No banding, blocking, ghosting, or any other anomalies that might hinder your viewing experience. Colors are the definition of vibrant. They burst off the screen with life. The computer animation that was used for the ballroom has never looked better either. Although, by today's standards the animation does look a tad dated, it still looks amazing as the Beast and Belle dance slowly around the room. Detail is so fine that you can see hesitations in the lines that create the characters, and I even noticed on a couple of occasions a few instances where the coloring of objects crept ever-so-slightly over the bordering lines. The richness of Disney's hand drawn animation shines through in a magnificent way. Belle's famous golden gown is a sight to behold. It's never been seen in such clarity before. Just one of the many treats that lay in wait for you to discover during this amazing presentation.
Darker scenes fair just as well, the shadows are perfectly cast. Contrast works wonders during the scene in which the Beast bargains with Belle in the dungeon for her father's life.
It's hard to wait so long for our favorite Disney releases on Blu-ray, but it's worth it if they're all going to be treated with this much care and attention to detail. High definition catalog titles don't get much better looking than this.
The Audio: Rating the Sound
Referring again to the pamphlet, Disney also went back to the source with original sound mixer Terry Porter, who was nominated for Best Sound in 1999, and created an all new 7.1 mix. After creating a 7.1 mix for the originally mono-track 'Snow White' and making it sound superb, I had no reservations that Disney would be able to take 'Beauty and the Beast' and remix it to perfection. In short, they have.
I can't think of a movie in Disney's library that could benefit more from a 7.1 mix than 'Beauty and the Beast.' There's so much going on, and the musical numbers alone demand a mix that can support their sheer size and spectacle.
Dialogue is spread throughout the front part of the soundfield, even finding its way into the side speakers for some stellar directionality that caused me to turn my head more than once. The Beast's voice is full of LFE, and the sub gets a heavy workout during his numerous yells and roars. Frankly, it's so deep and resonant, it's what I imagine 'Jurassic Park's T-Rex sounding like in high-def (if it gets a Blu-ray release). The rear of the soundfield is almost just as busy as the front. There isn't a time where the rears aren't at the least engaged. The musical numbers bring the surround sound to life as the characters sing and dance, engulfing you in the movie.
Sound effects are pristine, pans sound perfect. This is one of the best high definition sound presentations of the year, if not the best. Everything from the crystal clear dialogue and song lyrics to the chaotic cacophony of sounds that accompany the great battle scene at the end are perfectly remixed to give us the most wondrous sound design 'Beauty and the Beast' has ever enjoyed on home video. |
Kal
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kal
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| Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2010 2:10 am Post subject: |
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Another reference disc:
The Thin Red Line (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray] (1998)
(Click on picture to order, hover over for price)
| Quote: | 'The Thin Red Line' is in the running for "Blu-ray release of the year." The movie itself is a marvelously beautiful meditation on the psychic toll of battle, a movie that challenges all of your preconceived notions of what a "war movie" is. Terrence Malick, after two decades of absence, created a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that is still being puzzled after more than ten years later. The video is an all-time high for the format, and the audio is just about as good. The special features are voluminous and wondrous – a peek behind-the-scenes on one of the most infamous and speculated-about productions in Hollywood history that still, amazingly, maintains the film's alluring mystique. I cannot recommend this release enough. It deserves a place on any film fanatic's shelf – one that will give your audio and video set-up a dexterous workout while also challenging your personal beliefs and notions. War may be hell, but 'The Thin Red Line' is heavenly.
The Video: Sizing Up the Picture
I'm feeling a little bold today, so I'm going to go ahead and say it: 'The Thin Red Line's' 1080p AVC MPEG-4 transfer (aspect ratio: 2.35:1) is the single greatest high definition transfer I have ever seen. I mean that. The bar has been raised. And now there's something to compare all other releases against.
In the booklet, the following note is made about the transfer: "Supervised and approved by director Terrence Malick and cinematographer John Toll, this new high-definition digital transfer was created on a Spirit 4K Datacine from the original 35mm camera negative in 4K resolution. Thousands of instances of dirt, debris, scratches, splices, warps, jitter, and flicker were manually removed using MTI's DRS system and Pixel Farm's PFClean system."
Basically, what all that means is that a whole lot of painstaking work went into restoring the movie. You really have to see this transfer for yourself.
From the opening shot, of an alligator sliding into water, you are impressed by the image clarity, the amount of depth, and the detail. But as the movie goes along, your jaw drops consistently: when they enter into the jungle and every emerald-green leaf is vividly rendered; the dirt on the actors' faces after a brutal siege; and the thousands of wild life photography instances – the birds, lizards, leaves, and the coconut with the leaf jutting out of it that ends the movie.
All the basics are covered too – skin tones look amazing, blacks are deep and bottomless (exemplified by a brief sequence of a nighttime attack on an airbase that was probably longer in a more abstract version of the movie), and for all that after-the-fact fussing, the movie never seems scrubbed clean or mushy in that typically DNR way.
Elsewhere on the disc, the small troupe of editors said that Malick was always drawn to the footage where there was a lot of depth – with soldiers marching to and fro in the background, etc. – and this transfer totally dignifies those decisions. This transfer totally outdid every expectation I had for the release, and, as I said, has set the new high-water mark for the format.
The Audio: Rating the Sound
When you hit "play" on the menu, a small screen pops up that says, and I quote: "Director Terrence Howard recommends that 'The Thin Red Line' be played loud." Not wanting to disappoint Terry, I complied. And was just as blown away by the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 audio mix.
Again, from the booklet: "The surround soundtrack was remastered at 24-bit from the original 6-track magnetic audio. Clicks, thumps, hiss, and hum were manually removed using Pro Tools HD."
So, of course, a lot of work went into the mix, but again no undue amount of fussiness can be heard on the mix, just crystal clear surround goodness. And yes, while not quite reaching the atmospheric heights of the video transfer, the audio is really, really, really ridiculously good.
One of the complaints about the movie when it was in theaters was that you couldn't understand which actor was providing which bit of narration. Part of this was intentional (as I stated before there's a "neutral" narrator that pops in), but it was also probably due to muddy movie theater sound. Here, you will have no problem matching the actors to the narration. It's really that good.
Elsewhere, the action sequences have a hearty robustness; you will feel every mortal round, every spent shell, with a heavy bass and tons of surround activity. (This is especially true if you follow Terry's instructions and play it super loud!) There's a level of delicacy and nuance to this mix that I wasn't quite expecting, and it caught me off guard, with a droplet of water given the same care as a gunfight.
And Hans Zimmer's beautiful score? My god, it's never sounded so good! Accompanying the crispness of the visuals, well, this is an embarrassment of riches. Truly.
There is only one mix on the disc, but there are English SDH subtitles available. |
Kal
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| Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2010 2:12 am Post subject: |
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Another reference disc:
Iron Man 2 (Three-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy) (2010)
(Click on picture to order, hover over for price)
| Quote: | 'Iron Man 2' is wonky kind of sequel: at times slavishly indebted to his predecessor and yet devianting wildly in some very weird ways. Overall, it's fun and entertaining and diverting enough, but it doesn't build in the ways you'd expect it to, besides laying the groundwork for future Marvel films. This disc is everything you could want (besides that deleted scene where Mickey Rourke kills the bird, and a definitive explanation for Sam Rockwell's orange palms), with absolutely brilliant audio and video and a whole host of extras. This release comes highly recommended, even if the movie is something less than super.
The Video: Sizing Up the Picture
The MPEG-4 AVC 1080p transfer (aspect ratio: 2.35:1) is absolutely incredible. As far as new movies heading straight to high definition goes, this is cream of the crop stuff.
In fact, this transfer is so good you wonder why every new, big budget movie can't get this kind of treatment on Blu-ray. Colors are vivid and pop with all the gusto you'd expect from a superhero movie; detail is rich and strong, particularly the various costumes and in the sharpness of the Stark Expo; black levels are deep and inky; and the visual effects, of which there are many, look gorgeous and fully realized and, unlike some Blu-ray transfers, the high definition transfer doesn't make the effects look any more phony.
While there isn't a single speck of grain, the transfer has a wonderfully lush, film-like appearance, thanks largely to the sleek and layered cinematography by Matthew Libatique. Atmospheric effects like dust, sparks, holographic schematics and flying debris look wonderful and add a lot to the overall feeling of the transfer.
To tell you the truth, there isn't a lot in the "minus" column. There aren't any glitchy technical snafus, either, to speak of. This is just a really strong, really wonderful done transfer that I can't say enough good things about. When people buy their Blu-ray player and buy 'Iron Man 2' along with it to test out their new hardware, they won't be disappointed. Not in the slightest. Demo all the way.
The Audio: Rating the Sound
But before I give too much love to the video side of this disc, let me toss some adoration in the direction of the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 sound, the mightiness of which probably pissed off many of my neighbors with its sheer, bass-rattling awesomeness.
Action movie mixes don't get much better than this. I've watched the disc a couple of times since getting my review copy, and every time I watch it I'm taken aback by slightly different things: the little whoomp that the drones make when landing around our cornered heroes; the sonic blast that War Machine produces when he buzzes the Air Force tower a la 'Top Gun;' the way the cars collide into each other in the race track sequence; and the delicate way that the dialogue gymnastics between Robert Downey Jr. and anybody else he chooses to talk to.
And that's the beauty of this audio mix, and why I was so impressed with it: it's not just the big bang explosion stuff that will absolutely light up your surround sound unit, but the dialogue sequences as well. When Sam Rockwell rips into Mickey Rourke towards the end of the film, the dialogue is so well-prioritized and crisply rendered that it dazzled me just as much as Iron Man flying through a cloud of exploding fireworks.
Your surround channels will get a work out, the dialogue sounds wonderful, and everything is in its right place. Like the pristine transfer, there really isn't any reason that other big budget Hollywood movies can't sound this good when released on Blu-ray. It's just wonderful.
Additionally, there are French Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1, Portuguese Dolby Digital 5.1 audio options, as well as an "English Audio Description," which is basically someone verbally describing the action on screen, which is more than a little weird. The subtitles that are included on the disc are English, English SDH, Spanish, French, and Portuguese. |
Kal
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| Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 10:20 pm Post subject: |
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Another reference disc:
The Karate Kid (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy) (2010)
(Click on picture to order, hover over for price)
| Quote: | 'The Karate Kid' took me by surprise, in all the right ways. While in many aspects it's a fairly traditional, big budget sports movie, it's also a story of deceptively nuanced emotional content, anchored by a breakout lead performance by Jaden Smith and a great elder role by Jackie Chan. The cinematography is beautiful, the score is breathtaking, and everything looks and sounds absolutely great thanks to reference-quality audio and video, and anchored by a whole host of special features. You might not think it, but 'The Karate Kid' is one of the most pristine looking-and-sounding Blu-ray discs that I've had the pleasure to review lately – and one of the most entertaining!
The Video: Sizing Up the Picture
The 1080p, MPEG-4 AVC-encoded transfer (2.40:1 aspect ratio) for 'Karate Kid' is absolutely stunning. I was impressed with the cinematography on this thing, but doubly so in glittery high definition.
The movie has an amazingly naturalistic color pallet, owing much to the scale and variety of settings, and is peppered with bright colors. The transfer handles everything amazingly well. Detail is strong, to an almost mind-boggling degree; skin tones are absolutely pitch-perfect, and everything looks so realistic that I was shocked to learn on the special features that some key locations were actually sets.
Black levels are deep and inky, but never overwhelming (for instance, you can count the braids in Jaden's hair), and there are no technical issues to speak of, either technically (no artifacts or macro-blocking) or in terms of film quality (if there wasn't a cinematic layer of grain, it'd be downright perfect).
This is the best kind of "new movie" transfer – one that is more or less pristine but still maintains a deep, filmic dimensionality that really makes your jaw drop. Great!
The Audio: Rating the Sound
And as great as the video transfer is, the lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 audio mix is just as amazing.
The basics: dialogue sounds crisp and clear and is always well prioritized, even in the more frantic, action-packed sequences (like Jackie Chan and Jaden's chatty training sessions); James Horner's lustrous score booms across the sound field; sound effects sound crisp but never overwhelming; atmospheric nuance abounds; and the surround channels are always used very well, and not only in the boastful action sequences, but in the smaller sequences, like Dre and his mother on the plane to China.
It's been a while since I've heard a new movie's mix bring this much life to the movie, and while it may not rattle your posters off the wall, it totally brings you into the movie. Thanks to this superb sound mix, you feel every punch and kick in the final fight, you are enveloped by the grandeur of the locations, and, thanks to the delicate way that sound effects and the score are handled, bring you in more emotionally in the more tender scenes as well.
There's really nothing negative to say about this score - it hits all the right notes with a nice level of subtlety and grace. Sit back, turn up your surround sound system, and prepare to be dazzled. Rarely do I get to say stuff like that, but I'm happy to for this mix.
Additionally, there is a French DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix and subtitles in English, English SDH, and French. |
Kal
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