Blu-ray Releases for September 4, 2012

[Dukefrukem]

TV

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Regular Release/Re-Release
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Animated

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Criterion

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[baby doll]

I doubt we'll ever see a director's cut of A New Leaf (hence, one subplot is left dangling), but as it stands, it's still one of the funniest movies I've ever seen. Mikey and Nicky is equally good if not better, and Ishtar has its moments.

Also, I've never seen The Secret Beyond the Door, so I'll have to check that out.

[Morris Schæffer]

Nothing for me.:)

[Rowland]

Chronos is pretty cool. It's directed by Ron Fricke, just a few years after being the cinematographer for Koyaanisqatsi, and a few years before directing Baraka. Fans of those works should enjoy Chronos, I bet it's stunning on Blu-ray.

[Boner M]

Blind-buyin' A New Leaf & Pursued.

[Dukefrukem]

Nothing for me.:)

Same. 18th and 25th are going to be big hauls for me.

[number8]

Fuck yes Hocus Pocus.

[Morris Schæffer]

Same. 18th and 25th are going to be big hauls for me.

Not sure what's coming then, and I never order from American sites anyway, but I badly want the Jaws steelbook, the Avengers and Titanic 3d. The latter looks apparently flabbergastingly good in 3d. Also, Lawrence of Arabia is coming in September.

From blu-ray.com:


Titanic is undoubtedly one of the most visually astounding pictures ever made in its natural 2D form. It's astonishing to behold, and the Blu-ray is one of the finest ever released in terms of raw picture quality and ability to convey the film's visual wonders and emotional depth. To take the film and alter it might be anathema to purists, akin to George Lucas tinkering with Star Wars. Director James Cameron, however, isn't one to do something halfheartedly or merely "cash in" on a craze by lazily releasing a rushed conversion job to pull in a few suckers with 3D glasses and a handful of dollars to blow. He recognized his film's potential for a painstaking 3D conversion, for a bigger, perhaps even better, Titanic, a conversion meant to be a means of truly conveying the film's scope and the ship's size in a way that a flat, two-dimensional image simply cannot. The visionary director was dead-on in his assessment, and conversion house Stereo D has done what many might before now have deemed the impossible: crafting a 3D Titanic that looks like it was originally filmed in 3D. This is a truly remarkable, breathtaking visual experience. It's a pure 3D image that rivals the finest around; even Cameron's own Avatar isn't significantly better than Titanic in terms of the quality of the Blu-ray 3D imagery. For the 3D presentation, Cameron has opened up the Super 35 film, which allows more information on the top and bottom of the screen without losing all that much on the sides, controversial perhaps but in Cameron's estimation the proper move for the 3D image and the best solution to showcase the biggest, most immersive viewing experience possible. Paramount's 3D Blu-ray release of Titanic presents the film at a 1.78:1 aspect ratio and smartly splits the lengthy film over two discs to ensure the highest possible picture quality.

To get to the good stuff first: Titanic's Blu-ray 3D presentation is nothing short of spectacular. The film truly looks as if it were photographed in 3D, and it fares better -- significantly, in some cases -- than many native 3D images and certainly bests any conversion to date, with maybe Alice in Wonderland a distant second. The image is defined entirely by its true, constant, and focused sense of natural depth, length, width, and size. There are no deliberate "gimmick" or "trick" shots -- nor would one expect there to be -- but only a beautiful, sprawling, all-too-convincing third dimension that really does, in many ways, enhance the movie at least in terms of further emphasizing the ship's size, the complexity of the sinking, and the picture's own general technical attributes and marvels. The picture begins with a breathtaking 3D Paramount logo; stars swoop about the screen from back to front, slide on water's surface towards the Paramount mountain, and encircle the famous peak. The text hovers over the screen and the purple colors behind are so deep and true that just that moment could sell plenty of 3D units. But the real test is yet to come, and Cameron's 3D Titanic passes with flying colors even in the murky Atlantic bottom as the submersibles maneuver towards the Titanic with a genuine sense of space and depth, where bubbles pass in front and, even for their small size, make a big visual impact in defining the scope and distance of the shots. Inside the vessel, the cramped space is amazingly framed in 3D, giving off a true sense of confinement that's simply not evident in the 2D version. Rose's helicopter arrival yields a wondrous sense of space between the aircraft, the surface below, and the ship in the distance. All the unearthed materials are beautifully shapely, from the mud on the drawing to the most subtle little touches on her 84-years-buried hairpiece and mirror.

It's when the action shifts to 1912, however, that the image really puts on a show. The bustling docks spring to life like never before as the crowds of people take on a very real, evident shape even as they're packed together and hurriedly moving about. Rose's reveal is defined by the shape of her hat, which transforms from flat 2D to a beautifully voluminous object in 3D. Of course, the splendor of the ship is striking. Its length and width and promise of power are conveyed perfectly in 3D. Whether at the docks, out at sea, or while meeting its tragic fate, the scope of the entire thing will amaze audiences no matter its place or condition in the movie. The interiors prove just as impressive, if not more so. The size of the engine room and the heavy-duty machinery churning up and down is captured in 3D with a sense of size and rhythm that simply cannot be experienced in two dimensions. The ship's signature staircase appears so lifelike as it sprawls before the audience that it's almost impossible not to feel a slight dizziness at the realism but also to feel immediately transported into the movie and to a point where it's hard to resist the urge to reach out and run one's hand over the slick wood and feel the carpet underfoot. Hallways are remarkably expansive and deep, and in later scenes as water rushes through them, the sense of terror and impending doom are significantly enhanced. Outside, in several shots where the camera looks down at the water from the upper decks, the sense of distance is evident, and no longer does Titanic's deck just look like wooden planks floating on water but truly a surface quite a ways above water level. There are some minor but nonetheless impressive visuals to behold, such as splashes of water jumping up towards the camera after Cal fires a bullet into accumulating liquid. The image is otherwise almost entirely one of scope and scale and depth. The 3D review equipment (Panasonic Plasma/Sony 3D player) yielded only insignificant and very infrequent crosstalk. It's a masterwork conversion and, daresay, reason enough to make the plunge into 3D.

Fortunately, Titanic doesn't lose much of its 2D splendor on the way to an added dimension. As noted, the 2D Blu-ray is an astonishing presentation, and the 3D version is as well, though it's perhaps not quite as brilliant and consistent. There's still some insignificant light banding in some of the underwater shots and blacks remain a touch bright out on the lifeboats in the final act. The image loses a hint of its vibrancy in 3D, the colors lack that last little bit of pop, and some details can't push across to the finish line with the same complexity and seamlessness as the 2D version. But that's not to say this looks in any way bad. It's only that the 2D image sets the bar so high that anything less is, well, just a little less, which is the case here. Rose's purple hat isn't quite as eye-popping. The ship's warm woods aren't quite so intricately textured. Facial details in bright sunlight aren't quite as fine and infinitely complex. Still, it's an amazing image, from the orange sparks shooting across the screen as the safe is cut open early in the movie to the beautifully bright blue Atlantic waters, from the finer details on the captain's hat to the splendor of the necklace, this remains a knockout of a transfer. Combine it with the awe-inspiring 3D elements and it's easily one of the absolute best all-around images on Blu-ray. Fortunately, the movie is so good and both Blu-ray presentations so marvelous it's easy to watch the movie twice in close proximity; just allow the eyes time to recover from the flow of tears that will come with each viewing.

[baby doll]

[Titanic 3D] looks apparently flabbergastingly good in 3d.It didn't look that way in the theatres.

[Morris Schæffer]

It didn't look that way in the theatres.

I know, I've read it and I admit to finding this review puzzling for that reason. That being said, the dude sounds convincing and he's not written a half-assed appraisal either. I'll probably wait for some more reviews to be sure. :)

[Dukefrukem]

It didn't look that way in the theatres.

Pass/Active 3D. My buddy at work just bought a 60 Inch 3D set and I was blown away at the 3D and I hate 3D.

[Dukefrukem]

Not sure what's coming then, and I never order from American sites anyway, but I badly want the Jaws steelbook, the Avengers and Titanic 3d. The latter looks apparently flabbergastingly good in 3d. Also, Lawrence of Arabia is coming in September.

From blu-ray.com:

Shit, that Jaws Blu-ray has an article in the latest Rue Morgue and they talk about the extra features such as "The Shark is Still Working:" feature and it sounds like a MUST HAVE.

[Morris Schæffer]

Pass/Active 3D. My buddy at work just bought a 60 Inch 3D set and I was blown away at the 3D and I hate 3D.

AHA!!!! So it's all good then. Smooth sailing all the way! Of course, I still need to get a 3D TV, and to be able to do that with any kind of responsibility, I'll need to find a job. But I should get the TV hopefully this year. Thinking of the 50inch Panasonic Plasma P50GT50:

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[Dukefrukem]

For 3D don't go smaller than 55.

[Dukefrukem]

Also, I will not consider a 3D TV until the movies drop below $25.

[Morris Schæffer]

For 3D don't go smaller than 55.

Uhm, in my current game room - we're not exactly living big - I'm sitting about 8 to 8.5 feet away. And that was my impression, that 50 inch can be perfect depending on seating position.

[Dukefrukem]

Well if you do go 3D, apparently this is one of the best movies for 3D. Sanctum (http://www.amazon.com/Sanctum-Two-Disc-Blu-ray-3D-Combo/dp/B004UA8D1O/ref=sr_1_119?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1346759177&sr=1-119)

Also, Jackass 3D and Shark Night 3D are not available on Blu-ray 3D. And up until 2 weeks ago, the "best 3D movie ever" wasn't on 3D. (Avatar) which if you're trying to push 3D technology, releasing it on 3D 3 years after it came out in theaters is the wrong approach.

[Morris Schæffer]

The ones I'll probably get for sure are: Avatar (soon), Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Transformers: Dark of the Moon and Titanic. I've seen Sanctum, and a rewatch in 3D isn't necessary at all. Cars 2 is probably average, but the 3D is supposed to be reference material.

That said, do you agree on my previous post regarding seating distances? As I'm certainly no expert on the matter. 55 inch for 8.5 feet seems extreme and nausea-inducing. :lol:

[Dukefrukem]

No I don't. I have a ton of furniture in my living room so I sit close to my set (about the same as you) and prefer it that way. I had the same worries as you, thinking that 55 inches would be too big, but after setting it up I wish I had got 10 inches bigger. When I move in with GF that might change but for now I'll sit 8 feet away. Keep in mind, I also have a 42 inch PC monitor that I sit 12 inches away from/game on.

[baby doll]

Pass/Active 3D. My buddy at work just bought a 60 Inch 3D set and I was blown away at the 3D and I hate 3D.Maybe this is a terribly trite thing to ask, but even assuming they fix the brightness problem with 3D, how much does this really add to the art of cinema? It's not like sound or widescreen or more sensitive film stocks, which gave filmmakers more creative options. I saw Hugo in 2D and didn't feel like I was missing anything (as opposed to watching the same movie on mute on a black-and-white TV).

[Dukefrukem]

Maybe this is a terribly trite thing to ask, but even assuming they fix the brightness problem with 3D, how much does this really add to the art of cinema? It's not like sound or widescreen or more sensitive film stocks, which gave filmmakers more creative options. I saw Hugo in 2D and didn't feel like I was missing anything (as opposed to watching the same movie on mute on a black-and-white TV).

You know what, our questions maybe answered soon; We know Cameron is an outspoken advocate of it (mainly because he's invested in technology supporting it)... but who else?

POLylqWL-j8

[Morris Schæffer]

No I don't. I have a ton of furniture in my living room so I sit close to my set (about the same as you) and prefer it that way. I had the same worries as you, thinking that 55 inches would be too big, but after setting it up I wish I had got 10 inches bigger. When I move in with GF that might change but for now I'll sit 8 feet away. Keep in mind, I also have a 42 inch PC monitor that I sit 12 inches away from/game on.

All right, why don't we cut a deal. You wire me the price differential between a 50 inch TV and a 55 inch one and I'll rep you for 7 consecutive days. Sound good? :) All joking aside, I'll think about it. Btw, have you got Plasma or another tech?

[Dukefrukem]

All right, why don't we cut a deal. You wire me the price differential between a 50 inch TV and a 55 inch one and I'll rep you for 7 consecutive days. Sound good? :) All joking aside, I'll think about it. Btw, have you got Plasma or another tech?

Haha. Here is my set (this pic is from 2010, I'll take another when I get home today). It's a 55 inch LED. Plasma still generates way too much heat for my liking, however if I had to go back (to late 2010) and do it again, I'd consider getting the equivalent plasma set.

LOVE

weight; I can literally pick it up and hold it under 1 arm- was a breeze to put together
brightness;
colors; two of the most important elements when watching movies at night- Pixar movies like Up look fucking fantastic
profile; it's a quarter of an inch think, which is what I wanted when going LED
energy use;
heat; these two go hand in hand- the same friend who got the 3D Plasma, literally needs to turn his ceiling fan on every time he turns on the TV. Small rooms heat up fast which is what I absolutely did not want.


HATE

blacks- blacks are not true black- which is a problem being an avid horror movie watcher
light bleed; playing games like Dead Space has light bleeding out of the four corners of the set which disappointing me. you don't get this was plasma
cost; Spent over $2200 for it when the Plasma equivalent was going for half that price



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[Morris Schæffer]

Comfy! I'll try to post one of my room later.