Blu-Ray – Dramatic Movies

North by Northwest (50th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray Book)

Cary Grant teams with director Alfred Hitchcock for the fourth and final time in this superlative espionage caper judged one of the American Film Institute’s Top-100 American Films and spruced up with a new digital transfer and remixed Dolby Digital Stereo. Grant plays a Manhattan advertising executive plunged into a realm of spy (James Mason) and counterspy (Eva Marie Saint) and variously abducted, framed for murder, chased and in another signature set piece, crop-dusted. He also holds on for dear life from the facial features of the Presidents on Mount Rushmore (backlot sets were used). But don’t expect the Master of Suspense to leave star or audience hanging.

A superb film by Alfred Hitchcock! This has to be one of the most suspenseful films of the 20th Century. Even though it was made back in 1959, it still has high tension all over it even today. It’s an interesting premise: a man is wrongfully accused and is being pursued all around the country. It might be simple enough, but it’s much more complicated than it seems. Here, we get a romantic subplot, a government conspiracy, several chase sequences, clever dialogue, perfectly-timed humor, brilliant performances by Cary Grant & Eva Maria Saint, etc. Basically, you get a whole lot from this film, but it’s not overstuffed. Hitchcock, one of the finest directors in the 20th Century, has given us a marvel. It’s a definite classic among top thrillers. I wouldn’t necessarily say that it’s perfect, but it’s an excellent film nonetheless.

Grade: A

Beautiful Picture – Matt Belt – Saint Louis, MO
There aren’t words to describe how lovingly this film was transferred to high definition. The visual palette is stunning. Every detail is visible, though not to the detriment of the overall film. Looked like it was filmed in high definition to begin with. Magnificent.

North By Northwest – James Fischer – BRIDGMAN, MICHIGAN, US
I have no idea if the disk worked or not, because I’m from region 1 and the disk was from region 2

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Add comment July 15th, 2010

Out of Africa: 25th Anniversary (Blu-ray/DVD Combo)

Winner of 7 Academy Awards®, including Best Picture, Out of Africa is a cinematic masterpiece filled with breathtaking passion and majestic imagery. Robert Redford and Meryl Streep star in the fascinating true story of a woman who travels to Kenya to be with her cold husband and falls in love with a mysterious adventurer. Directed by Sydney Pollack, this epic tale of love, loss and self-discovery amid the stunning vistas of the African continent is an unparalleled filmmaking achievement.

The tape arrived promptly and in great condition. I’m so happy to finally have this movie in it’s full unedited version. Couldn’t be happier and of course this is absolutely one of my favorite movies.

Poor Clarity – Wade H. Howard –
This Blue-ray/DVD does not measure up to all the 25rh Anniversary hype. Film clarity is inconsistent: Some close-up scenes are blotchy and facial features are difficult to discern. And there are more than a few episodes in the film where the cinematography looks washed out.

I watched the DVD side of the double disc and wonder if the poor quality is due to the piggy-back recording of Blue-ray/DVD.

Sadly,I gave away my original version of “Out of Africa,” which, I think, is a better all-around video.

Great movie, great on Blu-ray – James Frick –
Very deserving of the Best Picture Oscar. Streep is outstanding. Africa looks gorgeous on Blu-ray.

Out of Africa – Keith V. Weigel –
The movie was interesting. Most interesting was the photography of the African wildlife and outback. The soundtrack was outstanding.

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Add comment July 4th, 2010

Spartacus (50th Anniversary Edition) [Blu-ray]

Spartacus, the genre-defining epic from director Stanley Kubrick, is the legendary tale of a bold gladiator (Kirk Douglas) who led a triumphant Roman slave revolt. Filmed in glorious Technicolor, the action-packed spectacle won four Academy Awards including Best Cinematography and Best Art Direction. Featuring a cast of screen legends such as Laurence Olivier, Charles Laughton, Peter Ustinov, Jean Simmons, John Gavin and Tony Curtis, this uncut and fully restored masterpiece is an inspirational true account of man’s eternal struggle for freedom.

After reading Glenn Erickson’s excellent review of the film itself on DVDtalk, I was inclined not to say anything at all. However, I feel I have to agree with him in contradicting Robert A Harris’s condemnation of Universal’s Blu-ray edition. (I watch with a Sony BDP-S550 feeding a Pioneer 60″ Kuro.)

Universal has come under more than a little criticism for excessive use of edge enhancement, particularly with “Gladiator”. In my review of that film I commented that enhancement was occasionally visible, but not /too/ disturbing. Edge enhancement (which often appears as bright or dark lines around the edges of objects) is, of course, completely unnecessary — there are many outstanding HD transfers that /don’t/ have it. (In a properly engineered transfer it isn’t needed — and if it is, it can be done invisibly.) So I was paying close attention to “Spartacus”. Simply put, there is almost no visible edge enhancement, and you have to look to see it. There are moments when it’s visible around dark objects against light backgrounds, and there is a moment when it’s plainly visible around Spartacus standing at the front of his tent. I can understand (and even sympathize with) Robert A. Harris feeling that /any/ visible edge enhancement is “too much”. But he’s going way overboard here.

There are other points about the transfer that /are/ worth griping about. The “Technicolor” of that era suffered from a persistently ruddy cast, with muddy greens and blues. It looks particularly bad in daylight shots. Not surprisingly, the best color and lighting are in studio scenes. I’m surprised those doing the transfer didn’t make an aggressive attempt to bring the color balance something closer to “natural”. This would have greatly helped the image quality.

The color balance of the night scenes in Spartacus’s camp looks Really Odd, but I can’t explain exactly what’s wrong. And towards the end of the film, particularly in the scene between Crassus and Lavinia, there’s a virtual cascade of small scratches and specks, that should have and could have been cleaned up. Throughout most of the film, the extreme left and right edges of the framed looked smeared or out of focus.

The sound is so-so. Though there’s a wide and involving stereo image, the basic sound is inferior to the best possible in 1960. It’s not up to RCA Living Stereo — or even “North By Northwest”, which has superb sound.

As for the film itself (I have to say /something/!), it’s a bit dated. The script is alternately brilliant and hokey, and the film only really comes alive when the non-American actors are on the screen. Ustinov and Laughton show why they were such masters of over-acting. Sir Larry is thoroughly convincing, both when dominating everyone around him and when trying to woo the resistant Lavinia. The Americans don’t fare so well. Gavin is an insipid Caesar, Douglas has little to do of any real dramatic interest (there’s nothing wrong with his performance, it’s just that it’s difficult to write great dialog for an ignorant, uneducated character), and Tony Curtis has the sense to (largely) suppress his miserable New York accent and underplay Antoninus. The fight choreography is not particularly spectacular by today’s standards, nor is the Big Battle especially thrilling. (Even in 1960, M went only so far.)

There is no running commentary, and little supplemental material, hardly any of it interesting (except perhaps the few moments with Peter Ustinov). I haven’t seen the Criterion version (I used to buy Criterion editions when their prices were more in line with non-fancy LVs), so I cannot comment on the quality of their transfer or supplements. Nevertheless, the Universal edition is “good enough” and “cheap enough” to be worth considering. Universal could and should do better, but I’m not holding my breath.

Not so great transfer. – Sanford Lustig – Bayonne, NJ USA
I read all the reviews about the transfer quality, but as a Spartacus fan, I ordered it anyway.I should really listen to the reviews. I think that this version is worse than the Criterion edition.That at least it didn’t pretend to be anything other than an excellent restoration of the film.

I have been dissapointed in a lot of Blu Ray discs lately.The most recent was “The War The Worlds” That didn’t laook any different than the regular copy.
Too many films of late are rushed out to make that extra buck.But that being said, Avatar was georgous, and better than seeing it in the theatre.

I understand the limitations of an older film, but when a new film comes out in Blue Ray it should be spectacular.

Spartacus needs the full treatment, this version is sloppy. I thought the color was inconsistant, and most times over saturated.
Skin tones and textures are muddy

The sharpness was an issue. Someone mentioned “The Music Man” as a good example of Blu Ray restoration. I totally agree. That film is now pristine in every way.

I hope Criterion or someone does a beter job.

One of the best sword-and-sandal epics – John J. Fowler – Rockville, Md United States
This is a fantastic sword-and-sandal epic, but if you’re looking for the Kubrick of 2001 or The Shining, look elsewhere, this is Kubrick doing the studio epic and he does it magnificently. Well worth the purchase.

great movie, TERRIBLE blu-ray – Connor Kilpatrick – New York, NY
Great movie. Horrible, horrible blu-ray. Maybe the worst blu-ray disc I’ve seen. Do not buy, wait for a recall. It’s so blatantly awful even non-cinephiles will notice.

Here’s the main problem: most all the film grain and fine detail have been completely wiped out in a clumsy attempt to remove video noise. Which begs the question: so what’s the point of owning it on blu-ray?

What’s worse is that it didn’t have to be this way. But I guess this is what happens when an indifferent media conglomerate has complete control over a masterpiece. Check out Robert Harris’s (the man who restored the film years ago) extremely negative review of this blu-ray on the web. I thought maybe he was overdoing it a bit, but no. It’s even worse than he says. If you have the Criterion DVDSpartacus – Criterion Collection, just hang on to it for now.

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Add comment June 17th, 2010

Gone with the Wind (70th Anniversary Ultimate Collector’s Edition) [Blu-ray]

Period romance. War epic. Family saga. Popular fiction adapted with crowd-pleasing brilliance. Star acting aglow with charisma and passion. Moviemaking craft at its height. These are sublimely joined in the words Gone with the Wind.

This dynamic and durable screen entertainment of the Civil War-era South comes home with the renewed splendor of a New 70th-Anniversary Digital Transfer capturing a higher-resolution image from Restored Picture Elements than ever before possible. David O. Selznick’s monumental production of Margaret Mitchell’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book can now enthrall new generations of home viewers with a majestic vibrance that befits one of Hollywood’s greatest achievements.

This is a very impressive special box set indeed.The box is velvet lined,comes with a 52 page hardbound book,studio inter-office memo letter reprints,a reproduction of the 1939 theatre souvenir booklet,art prints,a CD Sampler[8 tracks]of the Max Steiner Music Score,and 8 hours,or more,of bonus features,plus the Movie[3 Blu-Ray Discs in total].The movie itself is 100% perfect,it’s visual detail,colors,clarity,sharpness,is like nothing I have ever seen in previous versions[either at the movie theatre,or at home],and the sound is in HD MASTER AUDIO 5.1,also in it’s Original Mono Format.The movie has a very informative commentary track you can listen to during the movie if you like.Among the bonus features on Disc#2,and Disc#3,is the 6 hour “MGM:WHEN THE LION ROARS” series,featurettes,documentaries,”The Scarlette O’Hara Wars”[Emmy-Winning Made-For-T.V.-Movie],and numerous other extras.All in all,a beautifully presented,extremely well put together Deluxe Box Set for the Serious Movie Lover and the Serious Collector,highly recommended,Five/5 Stars*****All The Way!Buy it!A Winner!

If only my husband would watch this with me… – Ashley Valadez – New Mexico
I probably watched this movie for the first time when I was a newborn. I was named for Ashley, not the best character but a good name, and my brother’s namesake is Rhett. I have seen this movie probably a good 100 times and love it more each time. It isn’t as good as the book but they never are. I love this movie, it is timeless. All the bonus features are a must if you are like me and have seen the movie enough times and are hungry for more. I love Olivia d’Havilland. She is an amazing Melanie and does great in the bonus footage. If you love the movie I recommend the book. In both you are swept to a time of hoop skirts and real values. I love it.

All-time favorite movie – Mary N. Campbell – Shippenville, PA, US
GWTW has always been my all-time favorite movie. Sound and visual qualities are awesome–I will never tire of watching it.

Well at least my mom does… – Shizon –
Plenty of Gone with the Wind for any fan although pretty sure they have an #? Anniversary addition out so might want to check that out first.

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Add comment March 13th, 2010

Pinocchio (Two-Disc 70th Anniversary Platinum Edition + Standard DVD+ BD Live) [Blu-ray]

Celebrate the 70th anniversary of Walt Disney’s Pinocchio! The legendary masterpiece that inspired millions to believe in their dreams has reawakened with an all-new, state-of-the-art digital restoration that shines brilliantly on 2-disc DVD. Now, for the first time ever, the richly detailed animation, unforgettable award-winning music When You Wish Upon A Star and heartwarming adventure-filled story comes to life like never before. Plus, all-new dazzling bonus features transport you into Pinocchio’s fantastic world! Join Geppetto’s beloved puppet with Jiminy Cricket as his guide on a thrilling quest that tests Pinocchio’s bravery, loyalty and honesty, virtues he must learn to become a real boy. The one and only Pinocchio will live on forever in the heart of anyone who has wished upon a star.

Bonus Features include the Pinocchio Knows Trivia Challenge, an all-new Making Of Pinocchio, the Sweat Box, Walt Disney’s Artistic Review Process, Disney View, Expand Your Viewing Experience Beyond The Original Aspect Ratio Of The Film, Cine-Explore, Disney BD-Live: Connect, Explore And Interact, all-new When You Wish Upon A Star; Music Video Performed By Meaghan Jette Martin, Pinocchio’s Puzzles Game, 18 Puzzles In A Multi-Tiered Game, Pinocchio’s Matter Of Facts Discover More About Pinocchio’s World With Pop-Up Trivia, Never-Before-Seen Deleted Scenes, Alternate Ending
DAVE KEHR, NEW YORK TIMES
“The new “Pinocchio” looks magnificent, with a richness of color and a tight definition that evoke the theatrical experience.”

CHRIS NASHAWATY, ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
“You won’t find a sweeter story or a tidier morality tale about the virtues of being ”brave, truthful, and unselfish.” Grown-ups will eat up the commentaries and featurettes about Disney’s band of merry-prankster animators, and kids can spend hours with the disc’s interactive puzzles and Pop-Up Video-style factoids. You really couldn’t ask for more.”

KENNETH BROWN, BLU-RAY.COM
“Simply put, the 3-disc Blu-ray edition of Pinocchio should already have a comfortable home on every true filmfan’s shelves. Buy it without any further delay.”

HARRY KNOWLES, AINTITCOOL.COM
“An absolute must for animation lovers!”

I recently bought Pinocchio on Blue Ray, and was blown away by the colors and the quality! I was skeptical that it could look much better than before, but the Blue Ray did make a huge difference. I’d recommend this to anyone who wants to add a high quality classic to their collection. It’s worth the extra money.

Cheap Way Out – James H. Fraghia – FLORIDA, USA
Disney took the cheap way out by releasing this movie in 4×3 full screen format instead of one of the widescreen formats that Blu Ray disks are normally released in. This is the only Blu Ray disc I have seen in 4 x 3 format. I returned the Blu Ray disc because I refuse to pay Disney’s premium price for a non widescreen Blu Ray of Pinoccio. I hope Disney re releases it in widescreen because it is an excellent movie.

Pinocchio (Two Disc 70th Anniversary Platinum Edition) – Karen L. Lettieri –
I bought this wonderful Pinocchio two disc 70th Anniversary Platinum Edition CD. I really enjoyed watched it and the price and shipping were really great. Thank you.

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Add comment March 7th, 2010