Due to Amazon's 10 free HD DVDs + HD Player, I have jumped into Hi-Def.

Please recommend some titles that you believe must be owned on HD DVD.
Before the 25th (DD.com sale end date) if possible!

Thanks.

I just buy what I love so for me:

- Hot Fuzz
- Shaun of the Dead
- The Host

Picture Quality Wise or Great movies?

I'll give you a list of some PQ ones...

PQ:
King Kong
Hot Fuzz
Planet Earth
Transformers

King Kong, Transformers and Batman Begins

Batman Begins
Transformers
Corpse Bride
Casablanca
Adventures of Robin Hood
2001, A Space Odyssey
Hot-Fuzz
Heroes Season 1
Hulk
Matrix Trilogy
Shaun of the Dead
Planet Earth

Those are just the must own titles that I can think of off the top of my head. Enjoy your new toy!

I would strongly recommend you buy the movies you actually like rather than buy a bunch of random HD-DVDs that are supposed to have good picture quality. I could see buying one "tech demo" disc like Batman or 2001. Beyond that, buy the movies that you actually like.


I know, it's an odd idea around here.

Seriously though, I totally agree. And the same holds true for Blu-ray. You might want to get 1 or 2 discs as reference discs, but the rest should be movies you like. I actually take it one step further and think about rewatchability: I only buy movies that I think I will watch more than twice.

Just about any HDM you buy (with a couple rare exceptions) is going to be the very best aural/visual incarnation of that film on home video ...EVER.
Buy what you like/love. That has a much longer shelf life than the stuff you buy for 'demo' purposes.

Yep, I guess it depends on what kind of movies you like.

For newer titles, I liked...

Bourne Identity/Supremecy
King Kong
Hot Fuzz
Transformers
Matrix collection
300

For Docs....

Planet Earth
Galapagos
Antarctica Dreaming

For older movies

Grand Prix
Mutiny on the Bounty
Battle of the Bulge

I'm going to say The Thing since no one else has, plus it's my favorite movie. Looks pretty damn good for a 25 year old film.

Planet Earth

The only other title that even compares to it is 28 Days Later, sadly its Blu Ray only.

IMO:

300
Transformers
V For Vendetta

Planet Earth is jaw-dropping. You'll want to reach out and touch the animals and plants.

But yeah, buy only the titles you like. I'm positive there's a movie you like that also has amazing PQ and AQ, saving you from buying a crap movie with great PQ/AQ.

I take it a step further. I only buy HD-DVD when the movie itself has impressive production values. Transformers? The Bourne Ultimatum? Definitely. Knocked Up? Not so much, especially since the SD-DVD has better special features.

I love Shaun of the Dead, but picked up the SD for $4.99 earlier this year at BB. Is the PQ/AQ worth the upgrade? I just don't want to replace SDs if it's not a giant leap becase the A2 does a remarkable job at upconverting -- plus I could go bankrupt.

As for the original post, here's one that no one has mentioned: Brokeback Mountain. Astonishing.

"Purple Rain"

Prince & The Revolution Rock in HD!!

"Are we gonna let the elevator bring us down..oh no...let's go!!

PS. "Transformers" was really lame but the disc is excellent

Another vote for Planet Earth.

Casablanca because it's easily the best movie available on HD-DVD. And La Haine because the PQ is amazing and it's also a great movie.

You mean to tell me Chuck and Larry don't take the honors?

Planet Earth (Relentless Enemies is another nice nature doc)
Searchers
Hot Fuzz
Corpse Bride
Casablanca

La Haine (import from France or UK)

My 2c worth:

Casablanca
2001: A Space Odyssey
Planet Earth
Transformers
Adventures of Robin Hood

Three great films period, one stunning documentary and a visually amazing popcorn film.

Thanks for all the suggestions, I'll be picking up a lot of those.

Planet Earth, I wasn't going to, b/c it's $50, but I've been convinced.

I only own 5 movies currently on HD-DVD although I have two five free HD-DVD rebates in process and a couple more coming in for christmas probably (Planet Earth) but so far I'm really loving Children of Men, Batman Begins and Transformers. Not because they have good PQ (which they do) but they are fantastic movies. I just ordered Hot Fuzz and Bourne Supremacy as well so I'm excited about those.

Good choices (Hot Fuzz and Bourne)

I've only seen four movies in HD (all from demoing them in my store on a Sunday):

Transformers (THE reference disc. Picture quality is out of this world, audio owns all sorts of ass and that was in 640 kbps. I bought it not just because of this but because I was actually very entertained by the movie)

Batman Begins and The Bourne Identity (Amazing picture quality for both)

Streets of Fire (an obscure movie that was about the last movie I expected on HD within a year of launch, but for a 1984 movie with such a rich color palate, it's worth recommending just to see how great even a film from the grittier and grainier-looking 70's and 80's can hold up in HD. It's also a great movie.)