Re: AVATAR Blu-ray - 4/22/10
 

Sure. But your example (Super35) illustrates a situation where generally the director is trying to have his cake and eat it too -- protecting for an "OTAR" (original theatrical aspect ratio, to coin a phase) as well as for a video ratio (4:3 then or 16:9 now).

OAR purists whose goal is to recreate the theatrical experience are justified in wanting the theatrical ratio in those cases, because the film was legitimately composed for it.

Avatar wasn't. The 2.35 version was born of necessity, matted for CIH theaters because Cameron was willing to sacrifice framing in favor of size. That version of the film will probably disappear forever, a momentary aberration, because its future theatrical releases will probably (this is a guess) be limited to IMAX screens.

Re: AVATAR Blu-ray - 4/22/10
 

From my understanding, "OAR" really refers to the intended ratio, not necessarily the ratio of the camera negative. And, it doesn't really matter if the film is "protected" for different ratios or not. The LOTR movies, for example, are protected for 16x9, and they even did special effects for that ratio. However, that doesn't change the fact that the OAR is 2.40:1.

However, Avatar seems to be a rare case where there is no one true OAR, and either 1.78:1 or 2.40:1 are considered acceptable based on the venue. It may be like the IMAX films, which are 1.78:1 on BD but are considered correct because they use the maximum screen size.

Re: AVATAR Blu-ray - 4/22/10
 

Exactly.

Re: AVATAR Blu-ray - 4/22/10
 

ditto here. Sooooo seems like I'll just wait for the jam packed motherfucker BD.

Re: AVATAR Blu-ray - 4/22/10
 

Absolutely true. Otherwise one could argue that the OAR of any movie shot flat is the negative ratio, which would be blatantly incorrect. Directors and DPs do not always intend all of the image on the negative to be seen by the viewer.

Re: AVATAR Blu-ray - 4/22/10
 

why even get it now then? The best edition is in Nov!

Re: AVATAR Blu-ray - 4/22/10
 

Maybe people want to watch it now and not have to wait? Interesting concept, eh?

Re: AVATAR Blu-ray - 4/22/10
 

Re: AVATAR Blu-ray - 4/22/10
 

Some people don't want to wait until May 20th?

Re: AVATAR Blu-ray - 4/22/10
 

Oh yeah? Can I stream the same 45+ gb 1080p transfer as the Blu-Ray to my television?

Re: AVATAR Blu-ray - 4/22/10
 

no but you can rent the blu-ray

Re: AVATAR Blu-ray - 4/22/10
 

Or for another few bucks I can own it.

Re: AVATAR Blu-ray - 4/22/10
 

The only thing that may happen is the newer edition in NOV is a directors cut and this will be the only Theatrical version available. Im getting it now and again in Nov. If I have to give away this first copy thats fine with me. Just glad it will be under $20 in stores and not $25+ like the pre-orders.

Re: AVATAR Blu-ray - 4/22/10
 

I picked it up today and watched it. This is the first time I saw it in 2D. While it is brighter than the 3D version, I still think the movie looks better in 3D. I had a feeling that the whole point of the 3D element was to make the Navi more real and have depth. In 2D, the Navi looked more cartoonish. The video quality and DTS was pretty awesome though!
Here are photos of the blu ray/dvd combo (If anyone wants to buy the DVD, i'm selling it for 15 bucks):

http://i39.tinypic.com/11b4v35.jpg
http://i43.tinypic.com/kesxt1.jpg
http://i39.tinypic.com/2m7yq2b.jpg
http://i39.tinypic.com/154c7d5.jpg

Re: AVATAR Blu-ray - 4/22/10
 

I wish Neytiri should be on Blu-ray and Jake Sully on DVD, sigh

Re: AVATAR Blu-ray - 4/22/10
 

Finally a Blu-ray where the cover art and the blue case compliment each other!

Re: AVATAR Blu-ray - 4/22/10
 

Looks nice. How did you get it so early?


OAR means original aspect ratio. IAR (intended aspect ratio) is the correct term. Not that it really matters...

Re: AVATAR Blu-ray - 4/22/10
 

Smaller dvd chain stores in NYC. :)

Re: AVATAR Blu-ray - 4/22/10
 

Ha, I got "The Dark Knight" two weeks early from one of those store. Nice, nice.

Re: AVATAR Blu-ray - 4/22/10
 

This shall be mine. When the mega edition comes out in November, I'll just pawn this off on my brother as a Christmas stocking stuffer.

Re: AVATAR Blu-ray - 4/22/10
 

The "correct" term used at DVD Talk for more than a decade has been OAR, as in the aspect ratio originally shown in theaters. I've never seen anyone use IAR. Let's not muddy the waters with this shit now.

Re: AVATAR Blu-ray - 4/22/10
 

fyi, there will also be a discount coupon online for the Specal Edition for those who bought the first Blu-Rau

Re: AVATAR Blu-ray - 4/22/10
 

I like how the whole marketing campaign is using the tagline: "Return to Pandora," as if this were a sequel. I guess their assumption is that everyone and their mother has already seen this movie.

Re: AVATAR Blu-ray - 4/22/10
 

Even better.:)

Re: AVATAR Blu-ray - 4/22/10
 

Absolutely! This would not look right in the "HD DVD wins Alt-Reality."