1146 replies to this topic

[Turn]

zencat, would you recommend the upgrade from DVD to Blu-ray considering the picture and audio quality?

Oddly, I didn't really notice a huge difference/improvement. Maybe I'm just getting used to Blu-Ray, or maybe I don't know TWINE well enough to see the difference. Being a newer movie, the transfer has always looked great to me. I did notice the sound on the menu is very bad. Tiny. Could be a flaw. But the movie itself sounded fine.

I was thinking the same thing as I was watching my copy of TWINE. It didn't seem like much or any improvement at all. I kind of felt the same thing with DAD.

I watched a few scenes and have to say I still find the film itself as bad as I've always found it. I used to find the precredit boat chase the highlight of the film, but now I think it's just excessive and rather silly for the most part.

[scaramunga]

Thanks for the tip about the sale prices at Target this week. I picked up Goldfinger and Moonraker for $15 each. TWINE was sold out, but I picked up a rain check on that one. Never Say never Again and also the other previous non Craig Bonds are $15 as well.

I'll probably check out 1 of the 2 here in a bit.

[Lee007]

I watched GF on BD last night. Excellent. I only bought a PS3 for a BD player and media center - and held off until QOS was out.

[zencat]

Watched Moonraker last night. The BD combined wit the Lowery restoration is just amazing! In fact, it almost looks too good. It doesn't look like Moonraker -- a movie shot with film stock, cameras, and lenses from the 70s. The photography looks every bit as good as QOS. Not that I'm complaining (or maybe I am), but I am noticing every Bond film now looks identical i.e., perfect. Moonraker (and Spy) always looked like films that were made in the 70s. They just had that dialed down look. They did not look as sharp and color-popping as the 80s Bonds. Now I now see no difference between Moonraker and FYEO when I remember there being of BIG shift in the film look (which, at the time, I thought contributed to FYEO feeling less epic). Again, not a huge deal as Bonds films have always tried to look as good as possible, but it's just something I'm noticing.

Glad I held onto my SE DVDs so I have copies of what the films actually looked like back in the day. But this gets to the ongoing debate about the purpose of restoration -- is it to maintain what the original looked like, or upgrade the original to modern standards. The Star Wars conundrum.

BTW, Moonraker just keeps getting better and better in my estimation. It is a dynamite Bond film in the great Cubby tradition. Witty. Wonderful Ken Adam sets. Great score. Great cast. Terrific (and simple) glob-trotting plot. A really good mix of tones. Amazing special effects for the day. I freakin' LOVE Moonraker.


[EDIT: I spun a discussion about whether the films look TOO good HERE.]

[Safari Suit]

Funny, I've always thought FYEO looked nowhere near as good as Moonraker, or Spy for that matter.

[Loomis]

Yeah, I find a lot of the Blu-ray discs I own look ridiculously good (and this is on a pretty tiny screen, although I'm planning to get a new and much larger TV soon). I was watching BOURNE ULTIMATUM yesterday (and, yes, I know it's a very recent flick and not something from the MOONRAKER era), and the image quality was so incredible it was just stupid. Unfortunately, none of my Bond Blu-rays work on my player (yet - I probably just need a firmware update), apart from CASINO ROYALE, so unfortunately I can't watch the very films I adopted Blu-ray for in the first place!

One thing I find about Blu-ray is that the picture is (usually, anyway) so astonishingly clear and sharp and detailed that it actually hurts the eyes after a while. Anyone else with me here?

[Goldfinger007]

One thing I find about Blu-ray is that the picture is (usually, anyway) so astonishingly clear and sharp and detailed that it actually hurts the eyes after a while. Anyone else with me here?

Oh no! Really? Because every time I watch a Blu-ray I'm still in constant awe of how good they look. Blu-ray is just a feast for the eyes and ears and I absolutely love seeing every single detail in the frame, and that makes me appreciate films even more.

What happens to me is the other way around. After watching several Blu-rays I try to watch a DVD and most of the time I just think that the standard DVD's look horrible and are sometimes unwatchable.

Blu-ray is truly a cinephile's dream come true. IMO of course.

Edited by Goldfinger007, 31 March 2009 - 07:50 PM.

[Frimmel]

One thing I find about Blu-ray is that the picture is (usually, anyway) so astonishingly clear and sharp and detailed that it actually hurts the eyes after a while. Anyone else with me here?

If you are getting eye strain you might want to back the brightness and/or backlight down on your (if you have one) Hi-def display.

[bnz]

Did anyone here happen to notice a glitch in the Goldfinger Blu-Ray? In the very beginning when Bond drops off that strange bird camouflage hat, it seems to me as if for one second or so the movie fast forwards. I don't think it was like that with my DVDs although i'm not entirely sure. I have the German version of Goldfinger and play on the PS3.

[zencat]

Did anyone here happen to notice a glitch in the Goldfinger Blu-Ray? In the very beginning when Bond drops off that strange bird camouflage hat, it seems to me as if for one second or so the movie fast forwards. I don't think it was like that with my DVDs although i'm not entirely sure. I have the German version of Goldfinger and play on the PS3.

I believe that's a jump cut built into the movie. I've always seen that.

[Frimmel]

Did anyone here happen to notice a glitch in the Goldfinger Blu-Ray? In the very beginning when Bond drops off that strange bird camouflage hat, it seems to me as if for one second or so the movie fast forwards. I don't think it was like that with my DVDs although i'm not entirely sure. I have the German version of Goldfinger and play on the PS3.

I believe that's a jump cut built into the movie. I've always seen that.

I have always seen that as well.

[Qwerty]

James Bond Blu-ray Deal At Amazon.com

$14.99 limited time deal for 'Goldfinger', 'Moonraker', 'The World is not Enough' and 'Never Say Never Again'

[scaramunga]

Too late Amazon! I already picked them up from Target for $14.99 each!! The price is valid until this Saturday..

Glad to see they are matching the price though.

Edited by scaramunga, 02 April 2009 - 03:13 AM.

[trs007]

I did the original pre-order and have now just sent Amazon an email requesting a price adjustment. This totally takes the wind of the pre-order sails.

[zencat]

I did the original pre-order and have now just sent Amazon an email requesting a price adjustment. This totally takes the wind of the pre-order sails.

Can you do this? Will they adjust it?

I hear you about pre-ordering. I just canceled my LTK/TMWTGG pre-order. I don't need those movies in hand the day of release. I'm going watch and see what happens with the price.

[trs007]

I did the original pre-order and have now just sent Amazon an email requesting a price adjustment. This totally takes the wind of the pre-order sails.

Can you do this? Will they adjust it?

I hear you about pre-ordering. I just canceled my LTK/TMWTGG pre-order. I don't need those movies in hand the day of release. I'm going watch and see what happens with the price.

I did it--sent them an email via their customer service page. Will they do it? remains to be seen, as they promise replies within 12 hours or so. So, perhaps tonight or tomorrow I shall find out, if, in the interest of customer service, a credit has been made to my account for roughly $20.00.

[Professor Dent]

I did the original pre-order and have now just sent Amazon an email requesting a price adjustment. This totally takes the wind of the pre-order sails.

Can you do this? Will they adjust it?

I hear you about pre-ordering. I just canceled my LTK/TMWTGG pre-order. I don't need those movies in hand the day of release. I'm going watch and see what happens with the price.

This is a dangerous precedent. I've always bought movies the day of release assuming you get the best price (at least for a few months anyway). I'm taking the wait & see approach now too.

[trs007]

I did the original pre-order and have now just sent Amazon an email requesting a price adjustment. This totally takes the wind of the pre-order sails.

Can you do this? Will they adjust it?

I hear you about pre-ordering. I just canceled my LTK/TMWTGG pre-order. I don't need those movies in hand the day of release. I'm going watch and see what happens with the price.

I did it--sent them an email via their customer service page. Will they do it? remains to be seen, as they promise replies within 12 hours or so. So, perhaps tonight or tomorrow I shall find out, if, in the interest of customer service, a credit has been made to my account for roughly $20.00.

And the answer is. . . NO!!! Per the reply: as of 9/1/08, Amazon no longer does retroactive price adjustments, as certain items fall on special from time to time. My only other option would be to return the first order and order anew. MY problem there: I have already opened the BD's and watched them, so opened media is not returnable, only replacable. But if replaced, it's replaced against the original order (and pricing) rather than the new order.

SO: Bottom Line: This time around, the pre-ordering bit me on the .
I am not going to lose sleep over $20, but I do think this speaks poorly for Amazon's customer service attitude.

[scaramunga]

Will the box set for May, be the same as the now exclusive Best Buy box set for Quantum? It contains Quantum, LTK and The Man With The Golden Gun.

I was hoping for a Connery or Brosnan film with LTK and Golden Gun in May.

I would think most would already have Quantum of Solace as well? So the box set may not pull as many people in to buy it, but then again there would be the single versions of LTK and Golden Gun as well.

I watched Goldfinger tonight. Looked and sounded great. I'm really enjoying watching the Bond films again in HD.

[Qwerty]

Will the box set for May, be the same as the now exclusive Best Buy box set for Quantum? It contains Quantum, LTK and The Man With The Golden Gun.

No official confirmation yet of which films will be featured in the next boxed set.

[singleentendre]

I'd be willing to bet a lot of money that Goldeneye will be in the next boxed set. After all, it was released in Australia and shown on MGM-HD. It's clearly set to go so I'd be very surprised if it doesn't get a release very soon.
I'm hoping for OHMSS and Octopussy as well.

[DamnCoffee]

I'm really hoping for OHMSS! I can't actually imagine how brilliant it will look! Hell, I've just fallen in love with Moonraker, it's never looked so good. Now, try to imagine how splendid OHMSS will look, how crisp and clear the snow will be! ARGGGHHH it's making me feel giddy!

[dinovelvet]

I'm really hoping for OHMSS! I can't actually imagine how brilliant it will look! Hell, I've just fallen in love with Moonraker, it's never looked so good.

Hmm, I watched it myself last night, and while most of the film looks good, any rear-projection scenes in Moonraker now look horrible! When Bond and Corinne are in the helicopter, and Jaws in the boat chase... We're talking DAD ice surfing level bad here.

[DamnCoffee]

Ha! The PTS looks absolutely amazing though. Especially the sky diving footage!

[Bucky]

I hope On Her Majesty's Secret Service is released soon.

[[dark]]

I'd be willing to bet a lot of money that Goldeneye will be in the next boxed set. After all, it was released in Australia and shown on MGM-HD. It's clearly set to go so I'd be very surprised if it doesn't get a release very soon.
I'm hoping for OHMSS and Octopussy as well.

Actually, GoldenEye is not out in Australia; nor is Diamonds Are Forever and The Spy Who Loved Me. That was an error on an Australia e-tailer website. It's possible, though, but not confirmed, that these will be the next titles announced.

[DLibrasnow]

I'd be willing to bet a lot of money that Goldeneye will be in the next boxed set. After all, it was released in Australia and shown on MGM-HD. It's clearly set to go so I'd be very surprised if it doesn't get a release very soon.
I'm hoping for OHMSS and Octopussy as well.

MGM-HD does seem to be a good indicator of when a movie is ready for Blu-ray release.

A couple of months back MGM-HD was playing the movie "Force 10 From Navarone" in high definition and it is now scheduled for a May Blu-ray release. As you noted GoldenEye was broadcast in high defintion on MGM-HD this past month so a Blu-ray release is probably in the works.

[trs007]

Ha! The PTS looks absolutely amazing though. Especially the sky diving footage!

Yes, but the detail is so crisp you can see the goggles on the stuntman's face during the freefall.

[Shaun Forever]

So what are your predictions for what will be the best looking Bond Blu Ray? minus the newer ones, because obviously they will shine no matter what, due to the younger age.

As mentioned above, I think OHMSS will look very impressive, looking forward to that, and I reckon it could outshine the rest in terms of quality.


(Yes, I'm being biased because it's my favourite in the series)



Anyway, glad you lot are enjoying Blu Ray, it's a bit of a pricey luxury in this day and age, but I think us Bond fans deserve nothing less.

Edited by Shaun Forever, 08 April 2009 - 07:41 PM.

[Loomis]

So what are your predictions for what will be the best looking Bond Blu Ray?

YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE. One of the very best-photographed entries in the series, with wonderful Ken Adam sets and Japanese locations to match, and bright colours throughout, YOLT has a very strong chance of being the best-looking of the "older" Bonds on Blu-ray, and, as a big fan of the film, I hope it is. Certainly, it deserves nothing less than a truly terrific Blu-ray transfer.

OHMSS should also look fantastic, and, judging by the UE, DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER will also be a visual winner.