HD DVD / Blu-ray Reviews and Recommendations

[Mr. Cinema]

This thread is for discussion on HD DVD releases only, similar to the recommendations thread for the dvd talk forum. Please use this to report your thoughts on releases or if you're looking for feedback on a certain title.

If someone wants to start a Blu-Ray thread separately, feel free.

EDIT: This is now a thread for HD DVD/Blu-ray Disc recommendations. Since I've now joined the BD crowd, I definitely want to hear from others about which BD discs are worth the purchase.

[MrChaos]

Just got finished watching this one.. Pretty entertaining film but the print seemed to be riddled with grain issues, particularly in a lot of the brighter scenery. I wonder if this is because of either two things:

A. I believe the master print is from the 2000 DVD release. Instead of highly touching up the photo, Universal may have just ported this over.
B. My 34" Sony is only capable of 1080i while this is a 1080p transfer.

Close-ups on faces (two chapters show this.. I believe chapter's 8 and 4) show a lot of washed out colors. My biggest disappointment in this one is the extreme total LACK of any features. Just a commentary and one trailer. A true shame that Universal couldn't do something with all the extra space. This, even though the film was entertaining, puts the title in the 'rental' category instead of a necessary purchase.

As for Spy Game, the transfer was quite nice. Not as good as say, IMO, 'Ray' or 'Training Day', but still quite nice. Probably ranked in the top 5 transfers. As far as the idea of a purchase, I would recommend a purchase only if you don't own the DVD release. Since I like thrillers like this and do highly enjoy Tony Scott's films', I'm glad I grabbed this one.

Keep in mind though, what I think is not the defining factor. If you want to grab these titles, do as you please. I only mean to put my two cents out there for consideration.

[Fettastic]

Think I'll just stick with Caddyshack tomorrow.

[Suprmallet]

MrChaos, the Toshiba player can only output at 1080i right now anyway.

[Mr. Cinema]

I had gotten The Bone Collector early last week and was less than impressed with it. My biggest complaint was the dialogue sounded much lower than the rest of the other channels. I cranked up the volume but it still sounded like everyone was mumbling. Very disappointed. Also, the picture didn't look that vibrant either. Kind of had that faded look to it. It just seemed "muddy" looking.

Not sure why, but it seems like several of the releases I've tried out, the center speaker volume is lower. It wasn't as bad as here, but I hate the fact that you have to crank the volume on some movies to hear the speaking, yet the fronts and surrounds are on full blast.

[Phil I]

Have nothing but praise for Video PQ and Audio Dynamics** for the following HD DVDs:

1) Sahara

2) Bourne Supremacy

3) Serenity

4) Phantom of the Opera

5) The Rundown

6) Sky Captain

**HD-A1 support equipment:

1) Video: 56" 1080p Toshiba 56HM195 using HDMI
2) Audio: Dolby Digital Plus - Analog 5.1 Outputs
.... a) Audio Calibrated using Toshiba's Internal Test Tones & Speaker Settings (SPKR Levels / Distance / Subwoofer Crossover) @ 75 dBc
.... b) Verified using Digital Video Essentials with minor SPL changes.

Not sure why, but it seems like several of the releases I've tried out, the center speaker volume is lower.

Not an issue with my Audio Calibrated HT Setup, ... I thought the DD+ dialog track was superior (audiblility & clarity - especially during the bombastic moments in Sahara & Sky Captain) vs. the basic DD/DTS-5.1/6.1 mixes. Actually the DD+ overall frequency resolution, dynamics, imaging, depth and 360-degree pin-point surround effects completely raises the sonic experience to complement the glorious HD images!!!

Can't wait to hear "The Phantom of the Opera" TrueHD 5.1 track after I update my Firmware to V2.0!!!

Meanwhile, ... next HD viewing, ... once it arrives, U-571!

Phil

[Suprmallet]

DolbyTruHD really adds a lot to Training Day. Just thought I would mention. Constantine sounds spectacular, as well.

[Suprmallet]

Took a look at Caddyshack. Where this film really shines is in the small details and the close-ups. You can see just about every blade of grass on the field, every tuft of hair on the gopher. The close-ups are clear as can be, you can even see the small dirt stains on Danny's hat. The caddys' red shirts are bright and vibrant, as are the golfers various bright tinted clothes.

The wider shots exhibit a lot of grain, but it's definitely grain, not artifacts.

Easily the worst part of the disc is the 5.1 mix. It's even quieter than other DD+ mixes, and it just sounds soft. The mono works a lot better, in my opinion.

Overall, a decent presentation of a truly hilarious film.

[ShagMan]

I don't know if this is the right place for a non-PQ post, but here goes...

I read Joshua Zyber's DVD review of Serenity at http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=21292 and...

I thought it was friggin' hilarious that JoshZ (or somebody else) had to note that this disc still, in fact, did still use easter eggs. I'm actually a proponent of "simple" easter eggs, such is the one in question, so I got a chuckle on the comment and correction.

A serious question to JoshZ: Did you do all/most of your earlier reviews with analog connections or using the DTS re-encode? Which would you recommend at this stage (assuming we're talking about a DD+ soundtrack such as on this disc).

[Josh Z]

Originally Posted by ShagMan

A serious question to JoshZ: Did you do all/most of your earlier reviews with analog connections or using the DTS re-encode? Which would you recommend at this stage (assuming we're talking about a DD+ soundtrack such as on this disc).

I use the analog connections and that's what I'd recommend (unless your receiver has an HDMI input).

I hate easter eggs and always have. It's a stupid fad.

[Suprmallet]

Popped Ray into the player last night. Steller picture. This is the kind of film that requires a DolbyTrueHD track, though, and that pisses me off that it's only DD+.

[dtcarson]

Serenity, Bourne Supremacy, or something else as the first HDDVD, in terms of both content and 'wow/waf' factor?
We have Bourne Supremacy on SDVD, and saw it in the theater; haven't opened it yet; I have watched Firefly, but wouldn't mind watching it again before seeing the movie [which I haven't yet]. Bourne seems to be one of the first titles using some HDDVD interactivity, which would be nice.

[Suprmallet]

Bourne looked good, but it's a very stylized, grainy film and may not give you the "wow" factor you're looking for.

Serenity is a good starting place. That one kept me enraptured from beginning to end. I would also recommend Blazing Saddles, The Searchers, Constantine (which also has IME), Training Day, Aeon Flux, Chronicles of Riddick, or Sahara.

[ShagMan]

Funny enough, Serenity I would NOT recomment as a PQ demo... just because it's not shot in a "grand style" that shows it off very well... I suspect it's mostly the creative choice of Joss, who's background is pretty strongly rooted in shows with small sets/etc. I'd recomment Chronicles or Riddick or Aeon Flux for PQ, out of the 9 titles I've seen so far.

[dtcarson]

If someone hasn't seen the TV show Firefly, though they can watch the movie without having seen the show, would watching Serenity ruin watching the show after the fact?

[Suprmallet]

Guess we'll have to agree to disagree, then, as Serenity is easily one of the most stunning HD DVDs, imo.

[ShagMan]

Originally Posted by Suprmallet

Guess we'll have to agree to disagree, then, as Serenity is easily one of the most stunning HD DVDs, imo.

Don't get me wrong, the facial closeups of Nathon Fillion, for example, are WOW, but overall, the scenes, especially the darker on-ship sets are just not good demo material to me, and the mid-range shots just don't have the detail. My brother-inlaw/wife watched with me on most of the titles we've tried, and we were all in agreement on Serenity.

I guess it shows, opinions are like....

[Suprmallet]

I think the entire robbery/chase/escape scene on that little outpost planet looked extraordinary.

[Mr. Cinema]

I said WOW when I watched Training Day in HD....

[chente]

Originally Posted by Suprmallet

Bourne looked good, but it's a very stylized, grainy film and may not give you the "wow" factor you're looking for.

The car chase scene in the taxi cab was all kinds of bad ass. It even impressed my too cool for school 12 year old nephew who thumbs his nose at everything.

[PornoStar]

My big first wow moment was in Pitch Black when they showed a close up of Radha Mitchell when the blue sun rises in the sky. Absolutly breathtaking. I never realezed TV could look so good. Me and my Girlfriend replayed it like 5 times cause we couldnt belive the clarity. Every single pore and every single bead of sweat is visible. Stunning.

As for my picks so far they would have to be Serenity, Sahara, Bourne Supremacy, Sleepy Hollow, Pitch Black, Chronicals of Riddick, The RUndown and Aeon Flux.

PS....

[dkny75]

That's pretty funny because the blue sun moment in Pitch Black was my first wow moment also.

I'd have to say Aeon Flux, Training Day, Chronicles of Riddick, Pitch Black, Sahara, Serenity, Unforgiven, Four Brothers and definitely the Searchers.

It's amazing how great a 50 year old movie can look on HD DVD.

[MrChaos]

Here's my thoughts on Troy:

Video - Troy makes its HD-DVD debut in a glorious, almost conquering 1080p2:40:1 Widescreen Anamorphic Aspect Ratio. Considering I own Troy on SD-DVD, I figured I would glare at the film and then see the HD-DVD version.

The SD-DVD version boasted a very impressive and clear transfer. Colors were clear, bright, rich, and full creating the world of Greece in a splendid manner. One area of question here was there was a bit of grain and pixelation in some scenes (particular where Agamemnon was speaking to his brother King Menealus). Other from this little error, the transfer was nearly first rate.

Now onto the HD-DVD transfer. As I commented above, the 1080p transfer is conquering. Warner has impressed us before with Good Night and Good Luck, a newer film, and The Searchers, an older film. Again, due to Troy being a newer film, the print is pristine. Colors are ever so bright, crisp, clear, full, rich, powerful, and ruling creating a type of new world for our eyes. One of the film’s most impressive scenes comes via the initial invasion where numerous ships are traveling across the sea. Granted this sea was obviously created using CGI effects, I wondered if Petersen actually used real ships after watching this sea. The level of detail was immaculate and intense. Little things like flags, ripples in the water, pores on Pitt’s face, little hairs on Bana’s face, Bloom’s almost girlish looking face, and Kruger’s always beautiful face were brought to a new level here. I especially enjoyed that Warner ridded this print of nearly all grain and pixelation that somewhat plagued the SD-DVD release. Even though a film like Troy will probably end up Blu-Ray eventually due to WB releasing on both formats, Warner continues to impress me on the HD-DVD front (I have yet to see the WB Blu-Ray comparisons). Troy continues down the seemingly never-ending road of success that WB is creating for itself and, more importantly, for the HD-DVD format.

Audio - Finally, another film gets the Dolby TrueHD Audio Track. Also included are the standard Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 and English 5.1 (also French) Audio Tracks. I decided to compare a few scenes first with the Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 and then with the included Dolby TrueHD audio tracks. The particular scenes in questions where were Hector fights Patroclus (chapter 22 or 23) and the scene where Hector fights Achilles (chapter 33). The first scene was very impressive with the Plus 5.1 creating an enveloping type experience in my living room. Swords clashed, rulers yelled all while creating an scene of true emotion as two people fought to the death. The same scene with Dolby TrueHD sounded incredible. Dynamics were presented in a more respectful manner as I could hear soldiers cheering and jeering in the background as they hoped a particular person would win. Surrounds, in particular, were full and rich as shields hit and swords banged creating a pleasant ringing in my ear.

The next scene in question, a scene of particular demo material, was chapter 33 where Achilles and Hector fight. The first run through with Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 was very similar to the first example. Surrounds were present, but not as clear and impressive as they could have been. One note of error I heard was a type of buzzing effect after Achilles launched himself and his weapon at Hector’s shield. Maybe this was my speaker failing (I’m inclined to think not as the Dolby TrueHD did not create this). Speaking of the Dolby TrueHD comparison, I was quite impressed once again. Warner was very smart to include this on this release of Troy Similar to the above experience, everything was richer and had a more powerful realistic type feeling to it. As Achilles and Hector fought, I imagined myself there as the surrounds created such an experience that my brother wondering what I was watching (and his room is on the other side of the house). And this was only with my receiver at 40%.

I personally do hope that Warner reads this review and many other reviews on this Troy HD-DVD release in time for the T3 release. The included Dolby TrueHD literally gives the film a new feeling and does create a new experience. It would be a true shame if the rumors flying around about T3’s lack of a Dolby TrueHD track are finalized. Warner continues to knock films out of the park and Troy is no different in the audio department.

[Suprmallet]

Nice review. It's a shame I don't like the movie. So you were saying the DD+ error you heard was not replicated in the TrueHD track?

[MrChaos]

Originally Posted by Suprmallet

Nice review. It's a shame I don't like the movie. So you were saying the DD+ error you heard was not replicated in the TrueHD track?

Yep.. Like I mentioned, it may be my speakers because they are 6-7 yrs old.. I doubt it though because I would have heard the same thing during the TrueHD listen..