Looking to purchase some Amazon UK titles -- any opinions about these?

TrevorS · 02-01-2009, 1:03 AM

Cheers,

I'm in the US and am interested in the following BD in the Amazon UK 3 for 2 sale. I'm hoping you chaps can tell me if there're any duds among them (and if any are region 2 exclusive.) By duds, I mean that I might as well go with the SD DVD given the BD being a marginal, if that, improvement

!

I really appreciate any assist you can give me! Thanks in advance

! (Double '+' indicates it looks a pretty safe purchase

, double '-' indicates it's probably a mistake

, the others I'm still wondering about

)

++ Earth vs The Flying Saucers [Blu-ray] [1956] - Hugh Marlowe; Blu-ray
-- Escape From New York [Blu-ray] [1981] - Isaac Hayes; Blu-ray
++ The Fog [Blu-ray] [1979] - John Houseman; Blu-ray
++ The Ipcress File [Blu-ray] [1965] - Michael Caine; Blu-ray
++ The Island [Blu-ray] [2005] - Ewan McGregor; Blu-ray
Predator 2 [Blu-ray] [1990] - Danny Glover; Blu-ray
-- Ronin [Blu-ray] [1998] - Robert De Niro; Blu-ray
++ Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street [Blu-ray] [2007] - Johnny Depp; Blu-ray
++ Zulu [Blu-ray] [1964] - Michael Caine; Blu-ray

Once again -- thanks

!

brian s · 02-01-2009, 1:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevorS

The Ipcress File [Blu-ray] [1965] - Michael Caine; Blu-ray
Ronin [Blu-ray] [1998] - Robert De Niro; Blu-ray
Once again -- thanks

!

I haven't seen it but the region B Ronin is a single layer disc. It's one I'd like as it has Jean Reno in it. A favorite actor and a decent BD of this would be brilliant. I'd love a good/great Blu-Ray of The Ipcress File but I have a doubt if this ITV release is it.

Cheers
Bri

TrevorS · 02-01-2009, 2:07 AM

Thanks Bri -- I'm also trying to ferret out info on the US forum and it looks like:

The Island -- very fine picture, DD sound but satisfactory
Sweeney Todd -- very fine picture, TrueHD sound

On the other hand I've been told:
'Escape From New York' is upscaled from 480p! Don't know for sure that's true, but it's certainly an unfortunate thought

!
'Zulu' supposedly has heavy DNR applied -- not encouraging at all

!

Yes, Jean Reno is really good, and I aso enjoy Michael Caine -- though I was never quite comfortable with 'Blame It On Rio'

! (Funny, just read he was born "Maurice Micklewhite" in London!)

TrevorS · 02-01-2009, 2:32 AM

By the way -- anybody happen to know whether the 'Omen Trilogy' is region 2 only (Vs preferably region free

?)

Rasczak · 02-01-2009, 6:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevorS

'Zulu' supposedly has heavy DNR applied -- not encouraging at all

Personally I thought Zulu looked superb - certainly the best this movie has ever looked.

Rasczak · 02-01-2009, 6:17 AM

A little OT but I'm not sure if you are aware or not (or whether you care for that matter) - UK Blu-rays come in slightly different cases to US ones. The height and width are the same, but the spines are DVD thickness rather than the slimline cases you use in the US.

Personally I have a mix of US/UK discs and they all look fine on the shelf together (especially as some special releases come in super thick cases, e.g. Blade Runner and the Die Hard set).

Just thought you should know before you imported and got a shock!

TrevorS · 02-01-2009, 6:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rasczak

Personally I thought Zulu looked superb - certainly the best this movie has ever looked.

You're saying the BD easily beats the SD DVD? If so, that's fascinating to me, since I think the upscaled SD DVD looks just fine

! It's kind of tough to sort through opinions since other's expectations can be much more aggressive than my own

.

TrevorS · 02-01-2009, 7:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rasczak

A little OT but I'm not sure if you are aware or not (or whether you care for that matter) - UK Blu-rays come in slightly different cases to US ones. The height and width are the same, but the spines are DVD thickness rather than the slimline cases you use in the US.

Personally I have a mix of US/UK discs and they all look fine on the shelf together (especially as some special releases come in super thick cases, e.g. Blade Runner and the Die Hard set).

Just thought you should know before you imported and got a shock!

Thanks, I appreciate that! I've heard of the wide Vs narrow case controversy and indeed, I prefer the narrow, but it had certainly slipped my mind. I guess I always have the option of swapping the case for a US one (have a few on hand), but to be honest, I actually don't have shelf space for ANY HD discs, either HD DVD or Blu-Ray

! Hence, the biggest issue to me is that any HD disc I purchase is worth the cost!

I can engage in all of the above titles, I just need to be reasonably certain the BD is a worthwhile upgrade over the SD DVD. If not, I can always stay put (which means LD in some cases!) Again, thanks

!

TrevorS · 02-01-2009, 7:25 AM

I've two people telling me the Zulu BD is a definite upgrade over the SD DVD. I recognize it may be flawed relative to the best or perhaps even average BD available, but if it clearly steps beyond the SD DVD release, then it can make sense to me. Thanks

!

IPaintSara · 02-01-2009, 10:52 AM

Ronin's a ripoff, no extra features. Zulu is absolutely great considering its age Zulu Blu-ray Michael Caine , Ipcress is disappointing and murky. Sweeney Todd is excellent

brian s · 02-01-2009, 2:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IPaintSara

Ronin's a ripoff, no extra features.

Have you seen it though? If so is it any good?

All the best
Bri

TrevorS · 02-01-2009, 5:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IPaintSara

Ronin's a ripoff, no extra features. Zulu is absolutely great considering its age Zulu Blu-ray Michael Caine , Ipcress is disappointing and murky. Sweeney Todd is excellent

Well, as a single layer release, it's probably as well Ronin is film only! I've several BD that lack extra content, so although it's a bit crummy, it's not so very unusual

! However, if the picture and sound are a clear upgrade, it can still be a reasonable purchase (given the right price.)

So, I echo Bri's questions above: Have you seen it? Is It good?

On Ipcress, I rather enjoy the SD version -- would you say the BD is basically on par with that, or better, or worse?

dannydj · 02-01-2009, 6:14 PM

stay well clear of escape from NY - blatant up conversion. I have the fog on hd dvd, and is the same transfer as the blu ray......nice upgrade over the dvd PQ wise, but is very dark. no special features tho

so i kept my dvd version for them alone.

TrevorS · 02-01-2009, 6:23 PM

You're refering to 'The Fog' remake right? What I'm actually looking at is the original version filmed by John Houseman in 1979.

brian s · 02-01-2009, 6:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevorS

You're refering to 'The Fog' remake right? What I'm actually looking at is the original version filmed by John Houseman in 1979.

I think he means the original as I don't think the remake made it to HD DVD. I'm not sure that the remake's on BD over here either.

Best wishes
Bri

TrevorS · 02-01-2009, 6:47 PM

Aha! I forgot this is the UK! I just read there was a French release of the original on HD DVD. Only the new version was released in the US (I would definitely have checked out a release of the original.) So it sounds like the BD release should be a safe bet -- great

!

Oh, yes -- I should also ask if you felt it to be a decent upgrade over the SD DVD

! What do you think?

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannydj

is the same transfer as the blu ray......nice upgrade over the dvd PQ wise, but is very dark. no special features tho

so i kept my dvd version for them alone.

Oops -- you already did :o! Sorry about that

!

brian s · 02-01-2009, 7:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevorS

Only the new version was released in the US -- I would definitely have checked out a release of the original.

What a disgrace. I have to admit I haven't seen the new one but The Assualt on Preceint 13 remake was enough for me.

Regards
Bri

TrevorS · 02-01-2009, 7:21 PM

I haven't seen it, but as a fan of the original, I checked into it and chose to skip it! Ditto "Assault On Precinct 13"

!

brian s · 02-01-2009, 7:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevorS

I checked into it and chose to skip it! Ditto "Assault On Precinct 13"

!

Avoid it at all costs. They ruined it.

Bri

dannydj · 02-01-2009, 7:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brian s

Avoid it at all costs. They ruined it.

Bri

as they will with the remake of they live

but

that if you ignore the original then its your loss!!

brian s · 02-01-2009, 7:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannydj

as they will with the remake of they live

but

that if you ignore the original then its your loss!!

I'm sure they will.

What next Escape From New York or Prince Of Darkness?

Will they ever learn?
Bri

TrevorS · 02-01-2009, 10:42 PM

Just learned Ronin is region B specific, so that kills that one for me

!

So my remaining question marks are just these three:

Earth vs The Flying Saucers [Blu-ray] [1956] - Hugh Marlowe; Blu-ray
The Ipcress File [Blu-ray] [1965] - Michael Caine; Blu-ray
Predator 2 [Blu-ray] [1990] - Danny Glover; Blu-ray

I'd love to learn more about the "murky" evaluation of Ipcress, but I'm currently inclined to go with it. Any further experience with these three titles?

Thanks -- Trevor

!

brian s · 02-01-2009, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevorS

Earth vs The Flying Saucers [Blu-ray] [1956]

I've ordered this today so I'll let you know but I haven't seen the DVD. I was concerned about the original B&W version as it is in the extras and the cover states all the extras are SD. A few people here have assured me it's HD.

Bri

TrevorS · 03-01-2009, 3:18 AM

Sounds good Bri -- I'm expecting that to be a good one!

Does anybody have any opinions regarding the supposedly heavy DNR applied to "Predator 2"? I'm being told there were a lot of complaints about the film grain on the previous film, and so the second was attacked with an eraser to render it palatable

! I suppose if one subscribes to the theory that grain in a BD image is a transfer flaw and the more grain, the worse the transfer, then the first film is a serious black-eye for Blu-Ray. Is DNR really a problem on "Predator 2" -- did the baby get thrown out with the bath water?

HumanMedia · 03-01-2009, 4:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevorS

You're saying the BD easily beats the SD DVD? If so, that's fascinating to me, since I think the upscaled SD DVD looks just fine

! It's kind of tough to sort through opinions since other's expectations can be much more aggressive than my own

.

And the Zulu Blu-ray is not just a little better, but IMO a lot better:

Zulu Blu-ray Comparisons

TrevorS · 03-01-2009, 4:45 AM

Looking at those shots, It's really hard to ignore 'Zulu' -- looks like an incredible improvement over the earlier releases!

TrevorS · 04-01-2009, 7:27 PM

Just read the following from a US forum I follow:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Glover

...And we watched The Ipcress File Blu-ray this past week and the grain is intact and looked good. Some shots are grainier than others but it looked very natural and filmlike. Well done! Great film too.

It's looking like a good one to me. Also read a review of 'Earth Vs The Flying Saucer' and that appears worthwhile.

What I see on 'Predator 2' is not so encouraging, but it could be worse as well as better, and apparently it's the best overall appearance it's had so far. (The specific problems are DNR and EE -- resulting in the scrubbing out of most of the film grain visible in the SD DVD and attendant loss of normal detail that I suppose the EE is expected to resurrect

?)

TrevorS · 19-01-2009, 6:55 AM

Guess this thread is a little old hat at this point, but I wanted to menion I received my titles from Amazon UK and have thus far watched two -- Ipcress and Predator 2. I'm a long term fan of "The Ipcress File" and thoroughly enjoyed the BD, easily the best I've ever seen it. "Predator 2" was also an upgrade, though less striking to me than Ipcress. The comment that the UK cases are a little wider than those in the US is certainly on target. I've just finished switching the cases to the more narrow format -- fortunately, I have a few on hand. Thanks again for the help provided

!

richard_t · 19-01-2009, 7:09 AM

If you can find a way to watch the Region B Ronin then in my opinion it's well worth purchasing.

I watched it on Friday night. Nice picture and a great sound mix i thought.

rebel_scum · 19-01-2009, 10:42 AM

If you're really desperate, get the Japanese Ronin disc. It's coded for Region A and is English friendly. Could be a tad pricey though, like all Japanese discs.