The Dark Knight Mega Thread

[Brightstar]

Originally Posted by 42041

Really depends on the theater/projection quality/film print, and whatever blu-ray you're comparing it to. Some blu-rays are top-notch, others are goddamn hideous.

Digital cinema is higher resolution, less compressed, and higher bit depth. The projectors are probably better than what you have at home. So, properly done, digital cinema is technically superior to blu-ray in every respect.

If we're talking film... For new movies that are mastered digitally (Nolan's films are the notable exception, mind you; TDKR's 35mm prints are analog) the average 35mm print, printed on cheap print stock and many generations removed from the negative/data, is inferior to a high quality blu-ray. But a high quality 35mm print, printed on fancy stock and well projected, has superior colors/contrast to what modern HDTVs can do IMO. That's a best-case scenario though, you're unlikely to see a print like that in wide release.

For films that are not digitally mastered (like Nolan's films or anything predating the '00s) blu-rays usually introduce too many electronic/digital issues and I'd rather see them on film, as they were meant to be seen. Though again, some prints, and some blurays, are much better than others.

So you are saying watching a good movie on atleast a 50inch HD tv is better then going to the cinema ??

[Ryan0503]

Originally Posted by joliefan

So you are saying watching a good movie on atleast a 50inch HD tv is better then going to the cinema ??

In some cases yes ... my TV has way better quality then my local theater ... but the IMAX an hour away takes the prize!!

[KubrickFan]

Originally Posted by Bad Sandwich

What about material shot digitally? What about material shot on film but moderately filtered/degrained at the DI stage prior to video encodes/film prints, as is so common with modern film? Is a pristine 35mm print of that inherently going to spank a top notch BD presentation? I stand by assertion of best case scenario, thanks.

Since most DIs are done in 4K these days, yes, a proper print of that would still look better than Blu-ray. Even with a DI in 2K, the print should look better. The best case scenario would not include a Blu-ray that has a lower resolution, and adds compression to the image. Otherwise, every new movie would have been screened from a Blu-ray, and that's obviously not the case.

[Bad Sandwich]

Originally Posted by KubrickFan

Since most DIs are done in 4K these days, yes, a proper print of that would still look better than Blu-ray. Even with a DI in 2K, the print should look better. The best case scenario would not include a Blu-ray that has a lower resolution, and adds compression to the image. Otherwise, every new movie would have been screened from a Blu-ray, and that's obviously not the case.

I predicted some of this response, but I still don't entirely agree. Yes most DIs are now 4k; most digital projection is still 2k (I think? I know a lot of venues still are at least). 4k - no argument; but with 2k the difference in res alone w/ BD is practically academic. And then yes there's the far less/no compression + increased bit depth with DP, but depending on the material/encode artifacts can be virtually imperceptible with BD. With a print from a DI ("organic"; adding grain not present in the original image) vs a good BD representing that DI to the best of its ability - it's a bit apples/oranges but I do think things can turn out more or less equal in some cases. I'm speaking strictly of perceivable resolution/advantage here, not necessarily technical superiority. Yes, I do firmly believe a top tier BD can sometimes rival a top notch theatrical screening, despite inherent technical "inferiority". So, this: I stand by "can rival", but minus "can go either way", because that was poor phrasing and I don't realistically see BD ever having an outright advantage over an optimal theatrical screening.

[Neomic]

I think the trailer itself was color-timed seperately from the final film so that the color changes weren't as erratic with all the random clips.

As for the quality, even the compressed trailer from the screenshot looks a little cleaner than the BD, like small details on the police's clothing, which is a shame. I hope one day these movies get a transfer without the sharpening and noise reduction. I understand it was done for the IMAX, but I'm pretty sure that's not really the way the film was intended to look.

[Ben_UK]

I paid particular attention to the colour timing and look of TDK when I re-watched it last week. It does not exhibit the same horrid orange tint that some of the Blu Ray suffers from. A full remaster of TDK is what I would hope for, Batman Begins isn't too bad, its a touch soft, but I put that down to the photography (maybe).

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by Ben_UK

I paid particular attention to the colour timing and look of TDK when I re-watched it last week. It does not exhibit the same horrid orange tint that some of the Blu Ray suffers from. A full remaster of TDK is what I would hope for, Batman Begins isn't too bad, its a touch soft, but I put that down to the photography (maybe).

Was it:

A newly struck 35MM print?
Digitally projected?
IMAX?

Which version are you comparing to the BD? There will be variances between all the versions listed here.

[Ben_UK]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

Was it:

A newly struck 35MM print?
Digitally projected?
IMAX?

Which version are you comparing to the BD? There will be variances between all the versions listed here.

I have no idea Pete. I know the theatre was digitally fitted. Odeon chain.

[Rinzler]

Originally Posted by K i r a

That slipcover image would be nice, but definitely put a quote or two in the top as it looks naked.

What did you all think of the movie? I saw it midnight in IMAX and loved it! So many emotional scenes, and some edge-of-your-seat action and scenes throughout.

Last, but most importantly, my thoughts and condolences go out to those victims and their families, and anyone else affected by the terrible shooting in Colorado. Crazy world, man.

I can tell you one situation where the Blu-ray of any movie would best its theatrical presentation... when the projector is not properly aligned. Only once have I seen a movie at my theater where it wasn't an issue, The Avengers in RealD, besides Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, where I was too impressed with digital to notice any flaws, plus that was a while ago, when I wasn't noticing these types of things as much anyways.

[kristoffer]

Originally Posted by Ben_UK

I paid particular attention to the colour timing and look of TDK when I re-watched it last week. It does not exhibit the same horrid orange tint that some of the Blu Ray suffers from. A full remaster of TDK is what I would hope for, Batman Begins isn't too bad, its a touch soft, but I put that down to the photography (maybe).

Some of the Blu Rays? They all have the sane transfer as far as I know.

[42041]

Originally Posted by Neomic

I think the trailer itself was color-timed seperately from the final film so that the color changes weren't as erratic with all the random clips.

Yes, what I read around the time the movie came out was that the trailer material was made from a 4K scan of the camera negative which was then digitally graded. The DCP/IMAX master is made from a color-timed interpositive done using the traditional analog method. So the trailer is not necessarily something to go by in terms of color.

[RakuMon]

Originally Posted by aimforsilence

I really hope we get an Ultimate trilogy set when TDKR comes out. I'd love to have all 3 films together with a bunch of bonus features! Fingers crossed!!!

What would you all like to see in any sort of "Ultimate" trilogy set? One thing that I would love to have is ALL of the theatrical trailers and TV spots from all three movies in HD. (The very first Batman Begins teaser is still my favorite trailer of all time).

Batman Begins Teaser Trailer HD - YouTube

[Critic87]

Originally Posted by K i r a

That slipcover image would be nice, but definitely put a quote or two in the top as it looks naked.

What did you all think of the movie? I saw it midnight in IMAX and loved it! So many emotional scenes, and some edge-of-your-seat action and scenes throughout.

Last, but most importantly, my thoughts and condolences go out to those victims and their families, and anyone else affected by the terrible shooting in Colorado. Crazy world, man.

Hey Kira. I saw it at midnight in IMAX as well. I thoroughly loved it. The action scenes were amazing, but it was all about the emotions in this one that really sold it. It was quite the emotional journey for Bruce. I'm sure I'll be seeing it a few more times in theaters before the blu ray comes out.

As for my cover arts. I know they are pretty plain... I just whipped them up in like 5 minutes. According to this website theres already a box art for this movie. which is my non slip cover image AS the slip cover image haha. I am personally not a fan of that poster but it is the mostly used one in marketing. The the poster on the slip cover one I made is my personal favorite.

But if you recall TDK bluray used 2 different images for their blurays. one for the slip and one in case cover. (batpod/slip and joker/in case).

[Morsoth]

Originally Posted by K i r a

That slipcover image would be nice, but definitely put a quote or two in the top as it looks naked.

Really? I hate quotes on covers! They are random choosen from a newspaper critic, and really don't mean anything to the viewer/buyer... "Fantastic!", "Two Thumbs Up!", "The Movie of the Year!" etc. I hate that! I prefer my covers naked!

[bluejays999]

I hope we get a track with Bane's orginal audio mix. I would love to see how Nolan really meant us to hear him. Even if it's difficult to understand I would just turn on subs.

[Badas]

Originally Posted by Morsoth

Really? I hate quotes on covers! They are random choosen from a newspaper critic, and really don't mean anything to the viewer/buyer... "Fantastic!", "Two Thumbs Up!", "The Movie of the Year!" etc. I hate that! I prefer my covers naked!

+1

Ta Dono

[aimforsilence]

I saw TDKR today. Have to be honest, wasn't really impressed.

[Batmon77]

Buggin'

[metal134]

Originally Posted by aimforsilence

I really hope we get an Ultimate trilogy set when TDKR comes out. I'd love to have all 3 films together with a bunch of bonus features! Fingers crossed!!!

Of course there will be a trilogy set, but probably not right away. The movie studios aren't dumb. They know there are enough people that will buy the standalone movie when it comes out and then re-buy it when an anthology set comes out.

[22soultaker]

Originally Posted by metal134

Of course there will be a trilogy set, but probably not right away. The movie studios aren't dumb. They know there are enough people that will buy the standalone movie when it comes out and then re-buy it when an anthology set comes out.

I will! lol ill buy the steelbook, stand alone, CE and the trilogy set. All 3 movies are amazing far better then any superhero movie ever made. Anyone who says otherwise is just stupid.