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[burnfout]

Why can't I find a Euro version of Crank, is that version not out yet?

 

[Klotera]

just watched infernal affairs. the encode seems to be good -- high bitrate avc -- but it's soft in places. i suspect the master is that way. subtitles are a little stilted, but i've seen much worse.

first time i've seen the movie. and it's amazing. i think i might like it better than the departed -- it's just so lean and tense and suggestive in comparison. lau and leung are both amazing -- the few scenes where they get to play off each other are great. they're so much more restrained and opaque than damon and dicaprio. who were actually great too. and i love how placid shots of hong kong skylines start to seem literally hellish by the end of the movie. i'm seriously kind of jazzed here. i have to watch the departed again -- i'm glad there are two movies -- they sort of illuminate each other

are the infernal affairs sequels worth watching at all?

Infernal Affairs 2 is a must. I personally think it's even better than the first. Though, it's quite a different style, so it's not like they have to compete, really. The first is the cat-and-mouse thriller. The second is more of a gang drama, a lot more family/gang politics and such. I think it really brings a lot more of who the characters are to the table. It actually makes IA1 more interesting understanding some of the motivations.

3 is a bit wierd and not nearly as good as the first two. The tried to force all the actors into it through flashbacks and doesn't flow very well. Can be hard to follow the first time. However, the end does punch in the theme of "continuous hell" so it's worth watching for at least that.

 

[yacobod]

bluray collection

 

[yacobod]

hd dvd collection

still waiting on my 5 free offer, and bourne ultimatum, other then that i am done buying hd dvds for the foreseeable future

 

[123rl]

Why can't I find a Euro version of Crank, is that version not out yet?

Nope - different publisher in Europe. I think it's Universal so it will be HD-DVD exclusive. Really disappointing as it's one of the best Bluray releases and it's region-locked!

 

[VanMardigan]

At least not on Blu-ray.

Yeah, especially not on Blu Ray. My friend has the IA dvd.

As far as 4th quarter, I'm not convinced there are any megatons in store. The biggest news it seems will be when the big BR releases get here (Spiderman 3, PoTC 3), and when Toshiba announces their next round of hardware price drops ($199 HD A20 or bust).

As far as wild cards, I'd say:

-Walmart HD DVD players
-Surprise movie announcement (LOTR, Jurassic Park)
-New line of hardware from a CE manufacturer
-Endcap or exclusivity agreement with a major retailer

 

[Crayon Shinchan]

Yeah, especially not on Blu Ray. My friend has the IA dvd.

I get the feeling you support HD-DVD to the extent that when it fails, you're not going to pick up another HD movie on a disc.

 

[Days like these...]

I can think of at least 2 people on the blu ray side who would rather go with downloadable HD content than HD DVD should blu ray lose

 

[Crayon Shinchan]

I can think of at least 2 people on the blu ray side who would rather go with downloadable HD content than HD DVD should blu ray lose

What? Me and Pet?

Or someone else?

Because I'd just pick up a HD-DVD drive for my X360 and lament about the irony of having picked up Blu-ray expecting it to win.

Of course I'm not expecting otherwise at this point or at any other point.

 

[VanMardigan]

I get the feeling you support HD-DVD to the extent that when it fails, you're not going to pick up another HD movie on a disc.

Then you haven't been paying attention to my posts.

 

[Days like these...]

What? Me and Pet?

Or someone else?

Because I'd just pick up a HD-DVD drive for my X360 and lament about the irony of having picked up Blu-ray expecting it to win.

Of course I'm not expecting otherwise at this point or at any other point.

lol ok maybe 1 person. I really hope the combo players come down in price soon maybe 600 or 700 even though the only movies I can think of off the top of my head that I really want for blu ray are Volver, Hostel, and Sunshine. Never cared much for cartoons (disney).

 

[Crayon Shinchan]

Then you haven't been paying attention to my posts.

I tend not to pay too much attention to Infernal Affairs hataz.

 

[MaX_PL]

cant wait to get back home so i can pick up some HD DVDs. will probably order from amazon though unless cc or bb have some sales.

 

[VanMardigan]

I just don't see a scenario where HD DVD fails and my movies are worthless. At the absolute worst, I'll be buying combo players in a few years. At best, I won't even need to invest in a Blu Ray player. The movies I already have work great, U control is fantastic, and there isn't any need for me to rebuy any of them. Three generations of Toshiba players, a Samsung player, an Onkyo player, all within a year and a half.

I'm extremely confident in all my HD DVD purchases, knowing full well that I'll have hardware to play it on regardless what happens from here on out. Short term there is a already plenty of hardware, and long term combo players will drop in price. The FUD in this thread is ridiculous.

 

[distantmantra]

No picture right now, but my Blu Ray collection consists of:

300
Babel
Casino Royale
Chicago
Curse of the Golden Flower
The Departed
Dreamgirls
Infernal Affairs (Hong Kong)
Final Fantasy: Spirits Within
Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (Japan)
Good Night and Good Luck
The Host
House of Flying Daggers
The Lives of Others
Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
Planet Earth
The Prestige
A Scanner Darkly
Volver
Weeds season one
Weeds season two
X-men: The Last Stand

 

[Zen]

I just picked up Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, I can't rememebr but I think I enjoyed it more then your typical moviegoer.

 

[rubso]

I just don't see a scenario where HD DVD fails and my movies are worthless. At the absolute worst, I'll be buying combo players in a few years. At best, I won't even need to invest in a Blu Ray player. The movies I already have work great, U control is fantastic, and there isn't any need for me to rebuy any of them. Three generations of Toshiba players, a Samsung player, an Onkyo player, all within a year and a half.

I'm extremely confident in all my HD DVD purchases, knowing full well that I'll have hardware to play it on regardless what happens from here on out. Short term there is a already plenty of hardware, and long term combo players will drop in price. The FUD in this thread is ridiculous.

Agreed.

 

[Gary Whitta]

Does anyone know if COMMANDO is ever coming out on Blu-ray? I want it.

 

[Mifune]

Wow, you guys have amazing HD collections. I only own the following Blurays: The Departed, Casino Royale, Planet Earth.

 

[distantmantra]

Does anyone know if COMMANDO is ever coming out on Blu-ray? I want it.

There was a list of Fox/MGM films coming out on Blu Ray in France this Fall, and Commando was on it. I have a feeling it will be in the next wave of their back catalog releases here in North America.

edit: I found The Lives of Others at Best Buy today, they put it out early.

 

[calder]

edit: I found The Lives of Others at Best Buy today, they put it out early.

Damn, I was at a BB here yesterday and they didn't have it. I knew nothing of the movie until I saw the trailer on PSN, definitely looking to pick it up.

 

[distantmantra]

Damn, I was at a BB here yesterday and they didn't have it. I knew nothing of the movie until I saw the trailer on PSN, definitely looking to pick it up.

It's a fantastic film, I caught it during it's theatrical release. As everyone else was having their Pan's Labyrinth (a good movie in it's own right) love fest, I kept going on and on about how The Lives of Others was a much better film, and would easily walk away with the Oscar for Best Foreign Film.

Sony Pictures Classics is doing a great job with their new releases on Blu Ray. I'm really impressed.

 

[JB1981]

Man that is a nice HD-DVD collection. Better movies available overall on the HD-DVD side imo.

 

[Witchfinder General]

Is there any news concerning The Illusionist and Man of the Year on Blu-Ray/HD-DVD?

I really love those movies but I'm loathe to get them on DVD.

 

[rubso]

Just finished watching Bourne Supremacy, the musical score is OUTSTANDING.

Is there any news concerning The Illusionist and Man of the Year on Blu-Ray/HD-DVD?

I really love those movies but I'm loathe to get them on DVD.

they're yet to be announced, but you should know that The Illusionist is coming exclusively for Blu-ray, and Man of the Year exclusively on HD-DVD.

 

[VanMardigan]

After this weekend in Chicago, I'm pretty torn about whether I should get a projector or a 1080p tv.

If I go with a tv, I have this one in mind:

Toshiba Regza 47in 1080p tv.

As far as projectors, are there any in that price range that would deliver a very good picture? I'm not a videophile by any means, but I'd like some suggestions. I know DJK has a projector, but I don't remember the model he uses or the price, and aren't 1080p projectors really expensive?

 

[Captain N]

So what does everyone here think will be the big releases for this year on each format? I'll list mine when I get back from the store.

 

[XMonkey]

As far as projectors, are there any in that price range that would deliver a very good picture? I'm not a videophile by any means, but I'd like some suggestions. I know DJK has a projector, but I don't remember the model he uses or the price, and aren't 1080p projectors really expensive?

1080p projectors really aren't too affordable right now. There has been a model or two that has broken the $3,000 barrier, but your best bet is a 720p unit. A very good 720p DLP model goes for around $900 (Optoma HD70 or Mitsubishi HD1000U). 720p LCD projectors are around the same price. Bulbs are expensive to replace, but I know a lot of people just end up buying a whole new projector when their first bulb dies because by the time it goes, the models that cost $3,000 then are now down to $1,000.

AVS has great projection forums: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=68

Keep in mind, though... once you go to a 90"+ screen you don't really want to watch movies on anything else

 

[Christoff Yurievich]

1080p projectors really aren't too affordable right now. There has been a model or two that has broken the $3,000 barrier, but your best bet is a 720p unit. A very good 720p DLP model goes for around $900 (Optoma HD70 or Mitsubishi HC1000U). 720p LCD projectors are around the same price. Bulbs are expensive to replace, but I know a lot of people just end up buying a whole new projector when their first bulb dies because by the time it goes, the models that cost $3,0000 then are now down to $1,000.

AVS has great projection forums: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=68

Keep in mind, though... once you go to a 90"+ screen you don't really want to watch movies on anything else

now that's depreciation.

and that Toshiba Regza 47in 1080p tv that VanMardigan posted looks very nice. There's a best buy that has one of those near me (I just looked on their website) so I think I'm going over there tomorrow to look at it.

 

[Witchfinder General]

Just finished watching Bourne Supremacy, the musical score is OUTSTANDING.


they're yet to be announced, but you should know that The Illusionist is coming exclusively for Blu-ray, and Man of the Year exclusively on HD-DVD.

Ah, thanks. I currently only have a Blu-Ray player (Sony BDP-S1E) but I'll be getting a HD-DVD player in the next few weeks or so.

 

[Bebpo]

just watched infernal affairs. the encode seems to be good -- high bitrate avc -- but it's soft in places. i suspect the master is that way. subtitles are a little stilted, but i've seen much worse.

first time i've seen the movie. and it's amazing. i think i might like it better than the departed -- it's just so lean and tense and suggestive in comparison. lau and leung are both amazing -- the few scenes where they get to play off each other are great. they're so much more restrained and opaque than damon and dicaprio. who were actually great too. and i love how placid shots of hong kong skylines start to seem literally hellish by the end of the movie. i'm seriously kind of jazzed here. i have to watch the departed again -- i'm glad there are two movies -- they sort of illuminate each other

are the infernal affairs sequels worth watching at all?

Hmm, how cheap can you import the disc for?

 

[distantmantra]

Hmm, how cheap can you import the disc for?

I got it for about $29 shipped through www.dddhouse.com. That was the cheapest I could find it.

www.renchi.com and www.sensasian.com also have it for sale.

 

[Cosmic Bus]

Since there hasn't been much on the news front anyone care to speculate about the 4th quarter? You guys think either camp has some tricks up their sleeves? Megatons? LOTR maybe?

I don't think there'll be any big surprises, honestly. Blu-Ray's going to continue to dominate, HD will keep chugging along; it's too late in the year for any genuniely big titles to come out of nowhere in time for the Christmas season.

Unfortunately, after Elizabeth in September and a few of the Kubricks in October, there aren't any announced or potential HD titles I'm really interested in.

 

[xS1TH L0RDx]

Man that is a nice HD-DVD collection. Better movies available overall on the HD-DVD side imo.

this format war really makes you realize how many fantastic movies universal puts out and how many shitty ones companies like fox put out.

that's not to say fox doesn't put out good movies and universal doesn't put out shitty ones, i'm just saying...

 

[distantmantra]

I can't think of any "megatons," but more foreign and independent films in high-def this Fall, like Oldboy and Black Book, make me a happy happy boy.

I'd love to see Fox get their act together and announce Once for release on Blu Ray.

 

[Ignatz Mouse]

Van, I have the Panasonic PT-AE900U, which I got for less than $1500. 720p/1080i, really great projector. I believe a newer model has superceded it.

The place for good info/user reviews is ProjectorCentral.com.

 

[Cosmic Bus]

I'd love to see Fox get their act together and announce Once for release on Blu Ray.

Karaoke mode?

 

[Laurent]

Yeah, I just bought The Fifth Element before knowing that there is already a corrected remastered version. Guess what version I got? ;_;

 

[Ash Sparrow]

No Bourne no deal

 

[CSSer]

Yeah, I just bought The Fifth Element before knowing that there is already a corrected remastered version. Guess what version I got? ;_;

Fear not, there's an exchange program for that.

http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=252

When Blu-ray first launched, there were great expectations for the titles released. That was especially true for 'The Fifth Element', which had been a home theater enthusiast favorite on DVD. Unfortunately, the results were less than stellar, but Sony is here to atone! Those who purchased 'The Fifth Element' in its current form can exchange the disc for the new, cleaned up version of the film, due out July 17th.

The disc will come as a BD-50, encoded with AVC, and have two lossless/uncompressed audio tracks: the same PCM track from the original release (which was quite excellent) and a 20-bit Dolby TrueHD track. The extras remain the same, but the film has been remastered for a cleaner/crisper video experience.

Right now, Sony is taking down your name, mailing address, and phone number and will contact you closer to the release of the remastered version on how to exchange your disc. When you call, have that information ready, or if you are emailing, make sure to place it in your message. Here is the contact information:

Phone: 800-860-2878
Email: consumer@sphecustomersupport.sony.com

 

[Laurent]

Fear not, there's an exchange program for that.

Oh I know, but that doesn't make me happy either way... The last time I participate in an exchange program, it was for Back to the Future Trilogy. I still haven't received my replacment DVDs... yeah, I should call Universal, it's been like two years, perhaps more...

 

[Christoff Yurievich]

this format war really makes you realize how many fantastic movies universal puts out and how many shitty ones companies like fox put out.

that's not to say fox doesn't put out good movies and universal doesn't put out shitty ones, i'm just saying...

indeed. I'm thinking of sticking w/the PS3 and getting a standalone HD-DVD player to replace my regular DVD player this Christmas. at that point, two things will happen. 1) what format war? 2) my wallet will weep like a little baby. fully half of this collection are gotta-haves for me:

 

[drohne]

bebpo: iirc you're in socal? i picked up infernal affairs from a place in san gabriel called five star laser. ~$30. http://www.fivestarlaser.com they do mail order as well.

my bd collection:

unforgiven
the searchers
the departed
goodfellas
casino royale
reservoir dogs
planet earth
infernal affairs
ghost in the shell 2: innocence
paprika
memento
black hawk down
kingdom of heaven
mission impossible set

after an initial phase of buying everything, i've mostly been renting

 

[XMonkey]

now that's depreciation.

Oops...

 

[VanMardigan]

hd dvd collection



still waiting on my 5 free offer, and bourne ultimatum, other then that i am done buying hd dvds for the foreseeable future

I know you hate me right now, but it's eerily uncanny how alike our movie tastes are (except for your lack of comedies).

Anyway, HD DVD's I'm looking forward to:

-Transformers
-Bourne Ultimatum
-Knocked up
-Evan Almighty
-Face Off
-Top Gun
-Blades of Glory

 

[AlteredBeast]

You can get Apocalypto here; Xploited is a great US-based shop that stocks a lot of other HD imports (including the Prestige). Aside from that, it's sometimes easiest (and cheaper) to go right to the source: Amazon UK + Amazon France.

Thanks Hota, looking into Amazon's stuff. Seems to be cheaper, especially since Apocalypto is listed at 32 Euros on that site.

 

[distantmantra]

The Blu Ray's that I'm looking forward to are:

Ratatouille
Blade Runner
Oldboy
Black Book
Harry Potter boxset
The Simpsons Movie*
Transformers*
Superbad
Royal Space Force: Wings of Honneamise
Tekkon Kinkreet
Paprika*
Cowboy Bebop: Knockin' on Heaven's Door%
Ghost in the Shell
Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex Solid State Society%

*Not yet announced for North America, but you know they're coming.
%Rumored

 

[Costanza]

my br collection:

disturbia
pirates 1 and 2
the prestige
300
kung fu hustle
casino royale
black hawk down
fifth element remaster
talladega nights
monster house
and the covenant (piece of shit was an impulse buy but it does look good)

and looking forward to a ton

 

[Andy787]

My Blu-Ray collection is slim right now, simply because the selection is so slim at the moment. I'm only really interested in replacing the DVDs I truly love in Blu-Ray, so that weeds down a number of them, and then on top of it I am being pretty picky when it comes to the transfers of the BD's I buy (I hear Goodfellas and Dog Day Afternoon aren't the best of transfers, but I couldn't help myself). So far my collection consists of:

The Corpse Bride
The Departed
Planet Earth (BBC Edition)

On order:

2001: A Space Odyssey
A Scanner Darkly
Dog Day Afternoon
Full Metal Jacket
Goodfellas
The Warriors

The only other movies of the current selection I'd probably like to purchase are The Prestige, Unforgiven, and Blood Diamond.

It's unfortunate that Universal has put out many of the HD movies I would like to own. Lost in Translation, Eternal Sunshine, Bourne series, Casino, etc would be quite nice. LiT in particular. Even more annoying are the Warner HD-DVD releases that they are just for whatever reason sitting on (ie Casablanca, Batman Begins). Never the less, things look to be picking up a good deal this fall. Looking forward to The Lives of Others this week.

 

[Witchfinder General]

So the Hi-Fi shop rang and told me this bad-boy is ready for me to pick up:

Looks like I'll have to wait 'till thursday to get it.


Mmmmmmm... should be a nice upgrade from my Denon AVR-3803