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Originally Posted by J_UNTITLED
High Def Digest has just posted a review for the new Blu-ray edition of the 1999 film "Cruel Intentions" that will hit store shelves on June 12. As a fan of the movie, I am disappointed that the disc apparently offers no real improvement in the picture or sound categories as that would have been nifty. The disc also doesn't even include all of the special features that are present on the DVD version which is disappointing as well.
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The last sentence in his review appears to contradict the rest of the review. He says the video is good but not reference and the sound is good, but suffers from a dated mix. Then he sums it up by saying it doesn't offer much performance increase over the DVD? Even most bad high def offers some performance improvement over DVD. By that, it sounds as if only absolute reference titles are worth it on his display. Like I've said before, Bracke isn't reviewing Blu-ray or HD DVD. He's reviewing the inadequacies of his setup and apparently his knowledge of his trade. Arrogance is unfortunately something of a necessary prerogative for the reviewer. But with Bracke it seems more than arrogance, whether it's ignorance or something less ethical only he knows.
The movie isn't my cup either, but trust me, Sony did an exceptional job with Cruel Intentions. The very opening pan into the city was the only part that didn't show a substantial if not a dramatic improvement over DVD. Fans couldn't have asked for much better, particularly considering the likely age of the master - assuming it wasn't updated just for the BD, which Sony has been known to do. If Bracke sincerely isn't seeing that, I feel sorry for the guy, as there's obviously a LOT he's not seeing.
BTW, the only extras the disc lacks are the production notes, filmographies, and trailer. Nothing of real consequence. I don't know why those were omitted. But, everything else is still there.