Blu-Ray title suggestions?

[katiesue]

They're putting in my new TV and Blu-Ray today. Any suggestions for good movies to get for it?

[mousepod]

As a consumer of all sorts of video crap, here's my #1 suggestion:

Buy your favorite movies. Movies that you use to "show off" the system are going to get 5 minutes of play several times over, but will otherwise not be worth your time.

Assuming that they're mastered correctly, any movie can look "better" in HD, so it's really just down to what you enjoy watching.

...and just so I don't come off looking like I'm not giving you any real advice here... one word: PIXAR.

[blueerica]

Yes, PIXAR.

Incidentally, we used Ratatouille to calibrate our TV for the Blu Ray player. I think it was my first BluRay experience.

*sigh*

[innerSpaceman]

For some reason, animation always looks way better in whatever next video incarnation than any live action ever will.


So yes, Pixar. But I'll also whisper: Disney.

[BarTopDancer]

Movies you will actually watch.

And Transformers.

[Snowflake]

To hijack this thread a little, a Blu-Ray edition of the newly restored Red Shoes (http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=70872) is coming out in the UK. I've not been able to find out if this will be on a new Criterion edition or another label. Dammit, how many times have I bought this film and how many more times???

Mousepod, have you heard anything about this?

[innerSpaceman]

Now, on the contrary ... i need a blu-ray player recommendation.

Heheh, I have 3 blu-ray discs and no way to play them. The Pinocchio and Sleeping Beauty DVDs came with Blu-Rays, so I look forward to testing out my animation hypothesis.

I also have CE3K, because it's my favorite messed-with movie. Now I need a blu-ray player. Oh, and a functioning HDTV. The one I inherited has gone on the blink. Bah.

[mousepod]

To hijack this thread a little, a Blu-Ray edition of the newly restored Red Shoes (http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=70872) is coming out in the UK. I've not been able to find out if this will be on a new Criterion edition or another label. Dammit, how many times have I bought this film and how many more times???

Mousepod, have you heard anything about this?

I heard about it on www.dvdbeaver.com (http://www.dvdbeaver.com/), but so far not too much info elsewhere. Since there are now a few choice BDs coming out that are region-locked (or have SD PAL extras), I'm seriously considering picking up one of these (http://www.hkflix.com/hardware/xq/asp/pid.176/qx/details.htm).

[Moonliner]

Now, on the contrary ... i need a blu-ray player recommendation.

Heheh, I have 3 blu-ray discs and no way to play them. The Pinocchio and Sleeping Beauty DVDs came with Blu-Rays, so I look forward to testing out my animation hypothesis.

I also have CE3K, because it's my favorite messed-with movie. Now I need a blu-ray player. Oh, and a functioning HDTV. The one I inherited has gone on the blink. Bah.

If you got game (even a little bit), the PS3 is widely considered the way to go.
It's a better blu-ray player than most blu-ray players and it does all that other stuff as well.

[katiesue]

Thanks for the info everyone. Of course now I have a big ass tv and blu ray and I'll be sitting watching it on my camp chairs since the furniture hasn't moved yet. Klassy no?

[wolfy999]

Klassy...yes! I'm jealous. Got to have a HDTV at the Villa in La Quinta over the past weekend. Most TV I've watched in ages.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

If you got game (even a little bit), the PS3 is widely considered the way to go.

Even if you don't got game. We own a PS3 and we have never played it. Well, we have never played a game on it. We use it for Blu-Ray.

[innerSpaceman]

Nope, I am so ANTI-GAME, I will not let a PS3 into the house.


Thanks, tho. I should have prefaced my request with that info, since it's always the first thing suggested.

[Moonliner]

it's always the first thing suggested.

There is a reason for that, but the customer is always right.....

So what are you looking for:

A basic entry level "just play the damn movie" player

A middle of the road player that lets you access all the extras (ie blue ray live)

An over the top blu ray player that has every feature out there, holds your hand during sad scenes and gives you a bj during hot scenes?

[Alex]

Where do you get a blu-ray player that doesn't make movies look hyper-real and therefore fake? When I see the high end set ups at Best Buy I always think the picture looks awful. For sports, wonderful, for movie I don't know that I would grow to like it.

Saw them playing X3 and it looked like a bad SciFi channel original movie.

[Ghoulish Delight]

The nice thing is that at this point the difference between low end and high end is gee-wizz features, not picture quality. Crutchfield (http://www.crutchfield.com/g_279850/Blu-ray-Disc-Players.html?tp=171) has a few models on sale right now for $250. They all get good reviews for picture quality, what they lack are things like wifi, netflix integration, onboard memory to store digital media, and they tend to be a little slow in terms of processing speed (and all that means is it takes a few extra seconds to get to power up and get to the movie menu and it might be a little laggy when ffwd/rwwding). So if you're not a power media user who wants your blu-ray player to be a media hub, the low end options are perfectly fine. Just read some reviews to see if any particular model performs better or worse on the kinds of movies you tend to watch.

[Gemini Cricket]

One of the reasons I'm not on board with the Blu-Ray thing yet is that all the movies I like to watch over and over are black and white classics. I'm thinking they're still going to look all scratchy and grainy on a Blu-Ray disc also.
But I would love to see all the Pixar films again on Blu-Ray on a nice HD tv...
I'd get all of the Lord of the Rings movies on Blu-Ray.
:)

[Chernabog]

Lord of the Rings and Disney/Pixar films are the only thing I buy (or will buy) even though I own the DVD.

FYI GC, old movies on Bluray can be cleaned up super nice. Since the originals are on film, the detail is still there if there is a good copy of the negative, and scratch and grain can be digitally removed. (Some suggestions from the AV Forums: Great Expectations, The Seventh Seal, Night of the Living Dead, The Longest Day are on Bluray. Casablanca was on HD-DVD and not sure if it is on bluray yet). And think of old movies like Sleeping Beauty, which cleaned up amazingly well.

Though I do want to see All About Eve on Bluray. It will make the DVD look like an old kazoo with sparklers.

Too bad iSm about the Ps3. You realize you can watch Netflix, Hulu, stream videos from your computer onto your TV, etc. through it? And that it auto-updates to the latest version of Bluray, including Bluray Live? You never even need to play a game.

[Alex]

One of the reasons I'm not on board with the Blu-Ray thing yet is that all the movies I like to watch over and over are black and white classics. I'm thinking they're still going to look all scratchy and grainy on a Blu-Ray disc also.

There've been some prominent B&W (and old color) restorations done that apparently make the movies look better than they did on the screen back in the day.

That said, one of the big debates I keep seeing is just how much the restoration process should remove grain. Some remove all of it saying that if the filmmaker could have worked in a grainless medium they would have. Others maintain all of it saying that it is part of the artifact. Then there's plenty of in between.

[innerSpaceman]

I'm with Alex in that I'm concerned about the picture looking so pristine, it looks fake.

I'm fine with a middle-of-the-road unit, but I sure would like that BJ during pristinely-looking fake porn titles. Price doesn't concern me so much, since having to buy a fairly large size HDTV is part of the overall expense.

[katiesue]

It's up on the wall and WOW. Firstly a 52inch TV is huge. Secondly the picture is amazing. We may never leave home.

[innerSpaceman]

Sigh. I think I'm going to take a hint from the Gods and hold off indefinitely on upgrading the home theater system.


I recently purchased a widescreen computer monitor when I had a perfect fine flatscreen in "standard" aspect ratio that has worked well for 9 years. Long story short, my computer hasn't worked since. Neither the old nor new monitor will function, and I've done all that a civilian can do to the innards of my computer and its video card. Now I have to spend money on a technician and possibly a new video card and so much for the thrift of the very affordable new monitor I purchased.


So ... since my TV and my DVD players work just fine ... I think I'm going to stick with those until they don't any longer. Lust for "better" is not working out well for me.


But congrats, Katie-Sue. Once the comfy furniture arrives, you'll be a shut-in for sure. Enjoy your glorious entertainment vacation from the world!

[Chernabog]

Just FYI when you DO purchase a HDTV, if the price is right try and get one 50" or larger. You really see the detail in HDTV much better on a larger set than you would on, say, a 37" TV.

And if God had not intended for you to own an HDTV, he wouldn't have invented rich young bachelors. ;)

[Ghoulish Delight]

Remember, that's a function of room size too. If you're set isn't going to be more than 6 feet away, a 50" screen is going to actually look worse than a 46".

[innerSpaceman]

Good point. My viewing position is just about 6-7 feet away from the screen.



Maybe the recession will deepen and prices will nosedive enough to re-tempt me.



Oh, but I'm very tempted by rich, young bachelors. Where can I get me some, and will they buy me a new TV?

[Chernabog]

Oh, but I'm very tempted by rich, young bachelors. Where can I get me some, and will they buy me a new TV?

Just do what I always do... get 'em goooood and drunk. :D

[Moonliner]

Good point. My viewing position is just about 6-7 feet away from the screen.



Maybe the recession will deepen and prices will nosedive enough to re-tempt me.



Oh, but I'm very tempted by rich, young bachelors. Where can I get me some, and will they buy me a new TV?

If you want to be anal
about it: HDTV Viewing Distance Chart. (http://www.engadgethd.com/2006/12/09/1080p-charted-viewing-distance-to-screen-size/)

[lashbear]

If you want to be anal
Must... not.... quote........

[Kevy Baby]

So that we sit about seven feet from our 65" is too close?

[Snowflake]

A review here (http://www.highdefdiscnews.com/?p=26649)

The screen caps look great, fabulous.

I'm still a blu-ray holdout, but this makes me want one!

1190

1191

1192

1193

[innerSpaceman]

I went on a blu-ray binge yesterday. Amazon had a sale. And though I've pledged only to buy those titles I love which somehow never made the upgrade from laserdisc to DVD, I purchased a handful I've already got on DVD.

Alas, of the list of 12 or so I want upgraded to Blu-ray from laserdisc, Amazon had only 3 of them. Bah.


Oh, and I'm very tempted by the Wizard of Oz. Don't know why. If the Kansas scenes are in Sepia instead of Black&White, I think I'm going for it. I'll read that review now. Heaven help me.



Oh, and The Wizard of Oz is playing this evening at the theater 2 blocks from my office. If I go see it, can I resist buying it for the 4th time???

[Snowflake]

Oh, and I'm very tempted by the Wizard of Oz. Don't know why. If the Kansas scenes are in Sepia instead of Black&White, I think I'm going for it. I'll read that review now. Heaven help me.



Oh, and The Wizard of Oz is playing this evening at the theater 2 blocks from my office. If I go see it, can I resist buying it for the 4th time???


Yes, reel 1 is in sepia, as it should be. And, YES, you should go see it on the big screen. No, you can't resist buyig it again!

[mousepod]

For some reason, Target is going to be selling a version of Wizard of Oz for $36.99. There are no details yet, but since the only other version anyone is selling is the "Ultimate Collector's Edition" filled with all sorts of useless garbage, there's the hope that this will be all of the audio/video of the UCE without the baubles. If so, that's a really good price. If it turns out to be just the movie with no extras, the price sucks. Stay tuned for details...

[innerSpaceman]

Yeah, I really want the blu-ray movie without the extra discs. It's stuff I've mostly seen before. I really don't need 4 discs of extras I might watch again only once.

As it is, the movie is one I'll watch 2 or 3 more times in my life. But I would love to enjoy those times seeing it in gloriousness. I've loved this movie since I was a little kid (and watched it completely in b&w on a black@white TV!)


The one extra that appeals to me is the music and sound-effects only track. I dig that sort of thing, and would love to watch The Wizard of Oz that way ... once!


Too bad it doesn't come with a Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon audio track!

[Moonliner]

For some reason, Target is going to be selling a version of Wizard of Oz for $36.99. There are no details yet, but since the only other version anyone is selling is the "Ultimate Collector's Edition" filled with all sorts of useless garbage, there's the hope that this will be all of the audio/video of the UCE without the baubles. If so, that's a really good price. If it turns out to be just the movie with no extras, the price sucks. Stay tuned for details...

Humm... Perhaps it's in preparation for tonight's (http://www.ncm.com/Fathom/Premiere/WizardofOz.aspx)theatrical release?

[innerSpaceman]

Tempted, tempted, tempted. I will be 4 feet from the theater box office at lunchtime. I'm running quite the gauntlet today, with free ice cream being served in my office building's lobby just as I return from lunch.


This is going to be the most guilty-pleasure-tempting lunch hour in memory!

[The Lovely Mrs. tod]

For some reason, Target is going to be selling a version of Wizard of Oz for $36.99. There are no details yet, but since the only other version anyone is selling is the "Ultimate Collector's Edition" filled with all sorts of useless garbage, there's the hope that this will be all of the audio/video of the UCE without the baubles. If so, that's a really good price. If it turns out to be just the movie with no extras, the price sucks. Stay tuned for details...
The Blu-Ray release date is Sept. 29th. I can get it for you wholesale.

[innerSpaceman]

Is that offer open to me, as well? All comers???




I'm shameless, but you already knew that.

[The Lovely Mrs. tod]

I am shameless when it comes to abusing the employee discount. Bring it on.:D

[innerSpaceman]

Yay, Me Wants. Please procure for me as well, if possible.

Oh, my roommates going to HATE me so much. First, 12 hours of restored Beatles. Then the Wizard of Oz. (He declined to join me for tonight's theatrical screening. Pfft, thinks it's too gay. Um, look who's talking!)

[CoasterMatt]

I love the Wizard of Oz - especially the Dark Side of Oz. :)

I've got the "Ultimate Oz" laserdisc set, which had some fun extras, to say the least.

[The Lovely Mrs. tod]

Yay, Me Wants. Please procure for me as well, if possible.

Oh, my roommates going to HATE me so much. First, 12 hours of restored Beatles. Then the Wizard of Oz. (He declined to join me for tonight's theatrical screening. Pfft, thinks it's too gay. Um, look who's talking!)
I shall return in a few days with essential information.

[RStar]

As it is, the movie is one I'll watch 2 or 3 more times in my life. But I would love to enjoy those times seeing it in gloriousness. I've loved this movie since I was a little kid (and watched it completely in b&w on a black@white TV!)Yeah, when I was growing up, that was a big family event. Oz would come on about once a year, with lots of ads announcing the date so we wouldn't miss it. Then the whole fam damily would sit there and watch it with pop corn and the whole nine yards. It's sad that now there is no longer these must-see family events any more.

[wolfy999]

My family did the exact same thing....nothing like that at all anymore. So sad!

[innerSpaceman]

Yeah, it's definitely one of the :( er cultural losses, those all the fam damily TV viewings. We had several of them, but none as iconic and dig bealerific as The Wizard of Oz.


Heheh, I can still remember the first time we saw the OZ parts in color on our brand new CoLoR TeeVee!!!

[Snowflake]

Yeah, it's definitely one of the :( er cultural losses, those all the fam damily TV viewings. We had several of them, but none as iconic and dig bealerific as The Wizard of Oz.


Heheh, I can still remember the first time we saw the OZ parts in color on our brand new CoLoR TeeVee!!!

Same with the Wonderful World of Disney!

[mousepod]

Not only does Target have an exclusive version of Wizard of Oz available next week, but they'll also be the first store to sell Gremlins (next week) and... on November 17... Gone With The Wind and The Goonies!

[innerSpaceman]

All this talk of The Goonies around here has me almost wanting to see it.



So this Target version IS the restored blu-ray all hooplaed about, but without the other 16 discs of trivial stuff???

[mousepod]

All this talk of The Goonies around here has me almost wanting to see it.



So this Target version IS the restored blu-ray all hooplaed about, but without the other 16 discs of trivial stuff???

Still not 100% sure. Conjecture around the video geek forums is that it'll probably be all of the discs... just not all of the other ephemera - particularly the watch.

[innerSpaceman]

I certainly don't care about the watch and the printed materials, but I hate to have sent The Lovely Mrs. tod on a wild goose chase.

[flippyshark]

I remember going to a theatrical screening of The Wizard of Oz in college, and I was most struck by how short the movie seemed without all the commercials. (The whole sequence of meeting the scarecrow, tin man and lion used to take the better part of an hour with all the added ads.)

[innerSpaceman]

OMG, memory is so weird the way it's stored and retrieved.

That post released a flood of weird memory about how advertisers used to taylor their commercials to such high profile events like the annual Wizard of Oz screening. Specifically coming to the forefront of my mind after an absence of 40 years or so is the Downey laundry soap commercials where you could send away for hand-puppets of the Oz characters.


Granted, I remember these particular commercials because of the toys I ended up getting. But still ... so odd to have this bubble to the surface because someone mentioned ads run during Wizard of Oz annual tv.


:confused:

[RStar]

It is strange. I can remember the address of the house I lived in when I was 10 (that's 40 years ago), but I have a hard time remebering my current phone number......:eek:

[mousepod]

More Wizard of Oz blu-ray news:

OK. Up to a few minutes ago, it looked like the two versions of the movie would be the $50+ box set with all the swag, the $30+ Target "Exclusive" version that contains... less than the more expensive box. Now, it appears that there's going to be a $19.99 BD "exclusive" at Wal-Mart. I guess that'll have less than the Target version.

I think I'll wait until there's more info before I decide where I'm going to grab the flick.

[flippyshark]

I've actually never gone through the extras on my Ultimate Oz laserdisc set. (And it's unlikely now, as my ld player has acted up the last few times I tried to use it. Guess I need to make a call on whether to keep the lasers or not.)

[mousepod]

I had the old Criterion LD set - and then bought the regular DVD (with a bunch of extras). I'll certainly be triple-dipping on this release.

[The Lovely Mrs. tod]

More Wizard of Oz blu-ray news:

OK. Up to a few minutes ago, it looked like the two versions of the movie would be the $50+ box set with all the swag, the $30+ Target "Exclusive" version that contains... less than the more expensive box. Now, it appears that there's going to be a $19.99 BD "exclusive" at Wal-Mart. I guess that'll have less than the Target version.

I think I'll wait until there's more info before I decide where I'm going to grab the flick.
It may also show up at the WB Company Store. ;) Which still makes me sit up and go "um, Warner Bros?" And "Gone With The Wind" should be out on Blu-Ray by the end of the year.

[innerSpaceman]

w00t, my Blu-ray Star Trek movie trilogy arrived today, brand new from a third party vendor thru Amazon.

Meanwhile, that same day, Sept. 22, I placed two other, separate Blu-ray orders direct from Amazon .... and one's not shipping till 9/28, the other not till 10.01. WTF?

Oh, and Beatles box set I ordered from Amazon on 9/11 won't ship till 10/09. Amazon is really pissing me off lately.

[RStar]

Soooo....

How good will an old analog movie like Oz and GWTW look on Blueray Disc (BD), anyway? If it is digitized rather than recorded in HD, can BD look much better in BD than regular DVD?

I know many things may be a part of the answer to that question, like how well they did the cleanup work, the state of the original, the type of movie, etc......

[mousepod]

So here's how the Wizard of Oz blu-ray options break down for those who care (Steve):

- The super-duper box with 2 Blu-ray discs plus a DVD of the 6-hour documentary about MGM plus another DVD with a copy of WoOz that you can put on your computer, iPod (or whatever) plus a bunch of ephemera, like postcards and a watch. Available pretty much everywhere for around $50.

- The "Target Exclusive" edition, that contains both Blu-rays and the MGM DVD. Around $35.

- THe "Walmart Exclusive" edition, that contains only the first Blu-Ray. It certainly isn't movie-only, as you still get a ton of extra bonus material - just not as much as the other versions. This one goes for under $20.

I'm going for the Target version...

[innerSpaceman]

Yep, Target version for me, too. It seems the obvious.




And thanks for all the research, mousepod.





And then I will stop buying blu-rays, I will stop buying blu-rays, I do believe in spooks, I do, I do, I do, I do, I do believe in spooks.

[katiesue]

Highlander in Blu Ray was awesome. Mel made good movies before he went nuts.

[The Lovely Mrs. tod]

This is a serious offer...anyone who's interested in Blu-Ray "Wizard Of Oz" and doesn't mind waiting a day or two send me a PM. Bugs Bunny signs my paycheck and there's a company store with obscenely good prices. I'm more than willing to share the wealth.

[innerSpaceman]

ok, well, I'm not in any sort of hurry, but I have no use for the watch and the other ephemera ... so is "obscenely good prices" less or similar to the retail Target set price?

I mean, if so, I might as well get the Deluxe Geek Set for that similar price ... but if not, I'm completely satisfied with the Target set at that price.

[mousepod]

I hit Target on the way home and got the last copy of the "Emerald Edition". If you want the Target version and want to pay $34.98 plus tax ($5 off their regular price), pick it up this week. If they're sold out, get a raincheck.

[innerSpaceman]

Wow, I was going to go on the way home tonite. Don't know if I'll bother, as it looks like they will be out by then. Bah.

[flippyshark]

My local Target is sold out of them already - I was all set to make this my first "pre-player" purchase. (I had at least six DVDs before I bought my first DVD player)

[innerSpaceman]

Well, I'm not going to bother if there's been a run on them. Sheesh. I don't even want ANY of the extras. I just want the movie. Is that gonna be available anywhere?

[mousepod]

Well, I'm not going to bother if there's been a run on them. Sheesh. I don't even want ANY of the extras. I just want the movie. Is that gonna be available anywhere?

Hey Mr. Curmudgeon,

They undershipped the Target exclusive. Most stores will certainly have more copies in by Friday, and if they don't, they'll give you a raincheck, entitling you to the $5 discount when they do come in.

If you want just the movie with minimal extras, you can get it at Walmart for $20, like I posted earlier in this thread.

Once again, here's the breakdown:

BD 1 - Walmart "exclusive"

BD 1 & 2 + Warner Bros DVD Doc - Target "exclusive"

BD 1 & 2 + Warner Bros DVD Doc + "digital copy" + a book + a watch + more ephemera - everywhere.

I grabbed the Target one, and I'm glad. The extras on BD two include several cool adaptations of The Wizard of Oz made before the MGM flick, in addition to some other neat material.

[SzczerbiakManiac]

BD 1 - Walmart "exclusive"

BD 1 & 2 + Warner Bros DVD Doc - Target "exclusive"

BD 1 & 2 + Warner Bros DVD Doc + "digital copy" + a book + a watch + more ephemera - everywhere.I'm a moron. I can't figure out what "BD" means....

[mousepod]

BD="Blu-ray Disc"

[SzczerbiakManiac]

ah, merci
I thought it was a movie whose initials were BD and I couldn't find a reference to that in this thread. <palms forehead>

[innerSpaceman]

I don't really care about the $5 off. Seriously, it's not worth nearly $5 of my time to park, walk into Target, spend 20 minutes FINDING a sales associate, and other godknowshowlong getting the pesky raincheck.

If more stock arrives Friday, I'll gladly just go then.


It just so happens, the "Target" version is my preferred version. I'd be happy with the "Wal*Mart" version ... but there's no Wal*Mart within 30 miles of me, and I'm sure they also underestimated the demand (as did I ... with the one-day movie release as well).

[katiesue]

FYI - Target puts their rain checks out on the shelf were the "missing" product would be. You just rip one off and have it scanned at checkout - they'll hand you the raincheck. Easy breezy.

[RStar]

FYI - Target puts their rain checks out on the shelf were the "missing" product would be. You just rip one off and have it scanned at checkout - they'll hand you the raincheck. Easy breezy.

You have to stand in line? If you have nothing else to buy can you go to the service desk if there is no line there? I've never bothered with the raincheck there....

[innerSpaceman]

Hmmmm, oh that's a good idea for raincheck service. Still don't know if the trip is really worth five bucks, but it's back on the radar ... thanks.

[innerSpaceman]

At Target now. The unbelievable hassle of getting a rain check not worth $50 of my time. Major fail

[innerSpaceman]

The end result being they will not give me a rain check, because they have had no version of Wizard of Oz on sale, for $36.98 or any other price. The Target version is regularly priced at $49.99. End of their story.

End of my dealing with Target on this product.


Is there any online retailer that has a bare-bones version? I just want the frelling movie.

[mousepod]

So weird. I called my local Target yesterday, and they just held a copy for me. The one on Santa Monica in West Hollywood will have a bunch more on Friday. Assuming they come in and are still on sale, I'll pick one up for you.

[innerSpaceman]

Thanks a bunch. I don't even care about the sale price, if it's just $5. That would make their regular price approx. $40, whereas my Target had the big box at $70 and the one they were out of at $50. I dun get it.

[CoasterMatt]

I definitely recommend "Queen Rock Montreal & Live Aid" as an excellent title to rock out to :D

Originally released in theaters as "We Will Rock You" - for the bluray, the original 35mm negative was scanned and the soundtrack was remastered in DTS HD 96/24 from the original multichannel tapes. It looks AMAZING for something filmed in 1981.

The Live Aid footage isn't quite as amazing technically, but it looks and sounds better than you've ever seen it.

[mousepod]

Steve,

I hit Target on the way home. Got you a copy.

Yay me.

[innerSpaceman]

Yay, you indeed. Awesome. Sorry I missed your call. Would have liked to have fawned over you.

Thanks, thanks, oh and thanks.

[mousepod]

I think that Morrigoon posted the coupon before, but it's worth noting that Amazon.com has lowered the price of the Snow White BD (actually, 2 BDs and a DVD) to $19.99, and if you enter the coupon "snowhite" when you check out, you'll get $10 off, bringing the [total price to $9.99. Not bad for a $39.99 list price movie.

The street date is tomorrow, so I'm not sure how long the deal will last.

I combined my order with a copy of the new book "Art of the Disney Princess" (which is currently at $26, from a $40 list price), so I paid no shipping.

[innerSpaceman]

Wow. Thanks again mousepod. Keep those cards and letters coming!

[katiesue]

I got an "Aquarium" one at Costco. It's very cool, looks like your TV is really a fish tank. Maddie made fun of me but then she wanted the Fireplace one.

So now we're watching fake fire. There's also a Hawaii one and a National Parks one. They're $9.99 each. Kinda fun for background noise while you're doing something else.

[Moonliner]

I got an "Aquarium" one at Costco. It's very cool, looks like your TV is really a fish tank. Maddie made fun of me but then she wanted the Fireplace one.

So now we're watching fake fire. There's also a Hawaii one and a National Parks one. They're $9.99 each. Kinda fun for background noise while you're doing something else.

I made my own one of those. On a driving trip from South Carolina to Houston I pointed my camcorder out the front window and video taped the entire trip.

When I need some background video I just queue it up with whatever soundtrack fits the moment and it's good for up to 14 hours....

[mousepod]

Pinocchio BD is on sale right now at Best Buy online for $9.99. You can order it online and pick it up at your local store. With tax, it was $10.96.

Link here (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9143367&productCategoryId=cat02551&type=product&id=23869&PID=2779820).

[MouseWife]

Pinocchio BD is on sale right now at Best Buy online for $9.99. You can order it online and pick it up at your local store. With tax, it was $10.96.

Link here (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9143367&productCategoryId=cat02551&type=product&id=23869&PID=2779820).

Cooll! Also, I need to check on Snow White.....

Thanks!

[Snowflake]

It's not an expensive machine, but, I figured why the heck not, at $99 (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Insignia%26%23174%3B+-+Blu-ray+Disc+Player+with+1080p+Output/9386112.p?id=1218096447923&skuId=9386112&st=Insignia®%20-%20Blu-ray%20Disc%20Player%20with%201080p%20Output%20NS-BRDVD3%20&cp=1&lp=1), how bad can it be?

Now, decisions.......what should the first blu-ray title be?????

As I mentioned to The Cheeseman last weekend, I figured the knowledge of Fantasia in blu-ray in 2010 would put me over the edge.... 'sho enuf, it did.

I should not have done it, my budget, but, I just did. :D

[innerSpaceman]

I HATE the Fantasia DVD set, so I hope the Blu-ray won't be modeled on it.


They used what was, purportedly, the original interstertial dialogue (not original recordings by Deems Taylor, but someone doing a bad lip-synch in a terrible voice for the home video release). These were retarded proto-spoilers of 1939 ... in that they go into detail about what you are about to see. It's as if news anchors hosting the Olympics Opening Ceremonies were introducing the Fantasia segments.


If indeed these spoiler-stertials were used in the original "roadshow" version of Fantasia, they were wisely dropped for the film's wide release. The more concise, non-spoiler introductions are so much better, and available in Deems Taylor's actual voice.

Ugh, now that my laserdisc player is out of commission, I may never see the "real" version of Fantasia again. Oh, and someone gave me a really high quality set (ya know, the kind with like 10 discs) that I've never even watched. Oi. Too late.

[Snowflake]

Hate it much, iSm? ;)

Well, Fantasia is my all time favorite, so I will not be able to resist it. I live and hope Disney will do the right thing and give it the beautiful treatment they gave Snow White in the original DVD Release.

[innerSpaceman]

If I want to watch a particular segment, it's always easier to throw in the DVD and skip the wretched intro.

Fantasia is a big favorite of mine, too ... so I trust you will appreciate how it burned me to make the viewing experience so unpleasant with this change in the form of a misguided restoration.

I suppose it's similar to the misguided restoration of the replacement orchestral score that was used for a time. A nice idea for when technology could not restore the original ... but ultimately NOT the Fantasia created by Walt Disney and his artists.


By that token, if if these abominable interstertials were ever used, the now-dubbed voice makes it Not-Fantasia.


Have you ever watched the DVD version?



Oh, and btw - I nearly squeed my pants when they restored the original soundtrack and put back in a few bits of the Pastoral Symphony segment that had been censored out over the years. I'm all for restoring Fantasia to its original state.

[Snowflake]

If I want to watch a particular segment, it's always easier to throw in the DVD and skip the wretched intro.

Fantasia is a big favorite of mine, too ... so I trust you will appreciate how it burned me to make the viewing experience so unpleasant with this change in the form of a misguided restoration.

I suppose it's similar to the misguided restoration of the replacement orchestral score that was used for a time. A nice idea for when technology could not restore the original ... but ultimately NOT the Fantasia created by Walt Disney and his artists.


By that token, if if these abominable interstertials were ever used, the now-dubbed voice makes it Not-Fantasia.


Have you ever watched the DVD version?



Oh, and btw - I nearly squeed my pants when they restored the original soundtrack and put back in a few bits of the Pastoral Symphony segment that had been censored out over the years. I'm all for restoring Fantasia to its original state.


I have it and have not viewed it in a long, long time. I hated the re-done soundtrack and grew up with the original Stowkowski versions.

As I said, I am hopeful that Disney will do right by Fantasia.

Now, how about the blu-ray on Sleeping Beauty??? I have the platinum edition on regular DVD. Ack, it is times like this I hate being a Libra, 100% unable to make a decision.

[mousepod]

My blu-ray library has almost hit 100 titles (how the heck did that happen?). I could post a link... I'd be happy to recommend (or not) any of the discs I have so far...

[Snowflake]

My blu-ray library has almost hit 100 titles (how the heck did that happen?). I could post a link... I'd be happy to recommend (or not) any of the discs I have so far...

I was hoping you'd pop on over here. Recommend away! Have at it!

Is The Third Man out of print already??? WTH is up with Criterion?

[mousepod]

I was hoping you'd pop on over here. Recommend away! Have at it!

Is The Third Man out yet???

The Third Man went out of print last week.

I just ordered my copy from Amazon, they're not sold out yet.

My list so far (http://homepage.mac.com/obstbaum/deliciouslibrary/index.html) (blu-ray list is complete, just started the DVD list).

[Snowflake]

Well, that settled that. My first blu-ray purchase, The Third Man, just now on Amazon. Thanks for the heads up Mousepod!

[innerSpaceman]

mousepod is like the evil twin movie-collecting brother who warns me of what I would have become had not the Ghosts of Christmas Thrift (somewhat) interceded.

[RStar]

The Third Man??

[innerSpaceman]

My list so far (http://homepage.mac.com/obstbaum/deliciouslibrary/index.html) (blu-ray list is complete, just started the DVD list).

Wow, someone else besides me likes Speed Racer :D

[Snowflake]

The Third Man??

Carol Reed film starring Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, Alida Valli, Trevor Howard and what was left of Vienna after WWII. It's a stunning film with a fabulous score by Anton Karas, for zither.

One of my top ten films, ever. A Desert Island film if ever there were one. IMO

MP's cool mac library makes me sad I'm a pc.

[Kevy Baby]

The Third Man??He came after the Second Man

[innerSpaceman]

But only by seconds. They had a lot of misfires, but they were finally able to come at just about the same time - making the film more satisfactory for both of them.

[CoasterMatt]

The Third Man, the sequel to 'Sloppy Seconds'

[flippyshark]

Carol Reed film starring Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, Alida Valli, Trevor Howard and what was left of Vienna after WWII. It's a stunning film with a fabulous score by Anton Karas, for zither.

One of my top ten films, ever. A Desert Island film if ever there were one. IMO


The Third Man announced for a remake with Leo DiCaprio in the Orson Welles role. I'm already finding other things to do.

But yes, what a great film!

[Snowflake]

Well, I fired up the blu-ray this weekend, yesterday. As I could not wait for The Third Man to show up in the mail, I went out and bought Ratatouille. Wow is all I can say. To paraphrase Roy Scheider in Jaws, I think I'm gonna need a bigger TV. :D

For a cheap piece of equipment, I can't compare to playstation and other such more expensive toys. The film looked pretty awesome on my 26 inch Aquos. I'm anxious to see a live action film. I've got some in the top of the Netflix queue to test out.

So far, the grand experiment is a total success!

[Snowflake]

;) So, CoasterMatt, can you give me any hints as to what is coming from Universal???

[innerSpaceman]

I was going to grab Ratatouille on Blu-ray, but I think I'll stick with the DVD.


To me, at least, Pixar animation on DVD looks like Blu-ray quality already (over live action). I'm not sure I need the improvement.


But I'll make my next new Pixar purchase (UP) in Blu-ray, just to make sure. ;)

[Snowflake]

I was going to grab Ratatouille on Blu-ray, but I think I'll stick with the DVD.


To me, at least, Pixar animation on DVD looks like Blu-ray quality already (over live action). I'm not sure I need the improvement.


But I'll make my next new Pixar purchase (UP) in Blu-ray, just to make sure. ;)


I feel the same, but I really loved Ratatouille and knew I'd be watching it again. So now I am debating, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty and Pinnochio. Also, Wizard of Oz....Ugh.

[innerSpaceman]

I haven't watched either Pinocchio or Wizard of Oz yet. Sleeping Beauty wasn't a fair comparison, as it's a beautifully restored version. They include a DVD with the blu-ray, but mine was defective.

I'll do a comparison with Snow White - - since, heheh, they include a DVD with the Blu-ray, and a Blu-ray with the DVD.

[Deebs]

I feel the same, but I really loved Ratatouille and knew I'd be watching it again. So now I am debating, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty and Pinnochio. Also, Wizard of Oz....Ugh.

I'm no help here, unless you want to be urged to splurge. I say get them all! I absolutely love each and every one of those.

[CoasterMatt]

One of my all time favorite movies is out today, in a beautiful bluray special edition - North By Northwest (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/ref=pe_20890_13487710_pe_t4/?ASIN=B0017HMF6W).

[Chernabog]

To me, at least, Pixar animation on DVD looks like Blu-ray quality already (over live action). I'm not sure I need the improvement.


Yeah that's what I said about Cars, until I noticed that you could see every glitter fleck in Lightning's "pimped up" paint job in the Blu-Ray version.

In Ratatouille, you can see practically every scratch on the tiled floor in the kitchen... the textures are that clear.

I think it's worth getting the blu-ray (especially if you can find it for under $20).

[Snowflake]

The Night of the Hunter is coming out on Criterion Blu-Ray in November 2010 (http://www.criterion.com/films/27525-the-night-of-the-hunter).

Some great extra material. Love love LOVE this movie. :D