Reference titles (sorry, I'm a newbie)

[Null]

Greetings all--

I'd like to know what you consider to be "reference disks" for Blu-Ray.

And while I ask that, it's only fair that I outline my own situation.

42" 720P Plasma TV, with the XBox 360 external drive thing as an HD-DVD player, and a Sony PS3 as the Blu-Ray personage. Both through HDMI ports.

I am not a format champ of any stripe. Whatever wins, wins, and I'll follow along behind you guys at some point. (I still have many laserdiscs and VHS tapes. Prying them from my cold dead hands...well, you know the drill).

In HD-DVD, I've seen Corpse Bride, Dune, Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, and The Thing. All have been very impressive, at times astonishing. Bit of grain where I expected it, but, what's grain between friends?

In Blu-Ray, I've seen The Fifth Element and Total Recall. Fifth Element looked wonderful, but...midway through, I took a break and saw some reviews which said the original release of this title was...rather lacking. So Columbia re-released it, kudos to them, but what do I have?

I'm sure I have the newest, bestest ever release...only I'm paranoid, so when I'm thinking "I can see how the plastic sticks to Gary Oldman's scalp" I'm also thinking, "Is this the bad version? Should I judge Blu-Ray based on this? And look, on this forum, it says the old version seemed perfectly fine! Argh! What's the catalog number so I can compare!"

Problem: my brain doesn't work as well as it ought. I'll say this, though: Total Recall. Detail and color looked great, but man, was that a grainy film. It looked like it was shot on sandpaper. I know that sometimes (rolls eyes) directors want grain to emphasize the "dream-like" presentation, but that doesn't make for a compelling experience.

So: given the garbage level of films I like, what can you folks recommend as a reference title for Blu-Ray? Here are some things I'm considering: "Resident Evil: Apocalypse" (so moronic it makes "stupid" into a compliment; visuals good though,) "Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within" (great visuals, bad storytelling), "Superman: The Movie" (great all around, but how's the grain?)

What I'm looking at is stuff to buy. I don't mind spending more on, cough, say "Fantastic Four" if the visuals are awesome. (I know the story will still be just as idiotic as the regular DVD...say, they don't upgrade the smart-ness with Blu-Ray, do they? Well, didn't think so.)

I know I ask a lot. I'm asking you to make my menu with only a vague idea of my tastes, and I apologize. So when you say, "Here's my awesome clams marcello" and I say, "Um, thanks, I'm not crazy about shellfish" I hope you won't dislike me too much. So, yah, while I might like "Ghost Rider," I'd really rather have...um, "Alien"?

Best wishes to you all.

[dakota81]

Originally Posted by Null

In Blu-Ray, I've seen The Fifth Element and Total Recall. Fifth Element looked wonderful, but...midway through, I took a break and saw some reviews which said the original release of this title was...rather lacking. So Columbia re-released it, kudos to them, but what do I have?

If your copy has a Dolby TrueHD audio track, it's the remastered version. Else it's the original.

Reference material? Pirates of the Caribbean, Corpse Bride, Chicken Little, Crank, Apocalypto, Black Hawk Down. Many other threads on this subject around here.

[DR-SA10]

Apocalypto & POTC.

[Gamma_Winstead]

all of my favorite titles in my sig are very good. Have fun in the world of Blu!

[Petra_Kalbrain]

My honest opinion is that you start with one title. THE PRESTIGE! Not only is it beyond amazing in Picture & Audio Quality, but it also is one hell of a great ride as a story.

THE PRESTIGE is the best way to get reference quality!

P.S. Casino Royale, Apocalypto, Flags Of Our Fathers, Pirates of the Caribbean, Shooter, Training Day, and Stealth (although it is horrible as a movie) wouldn't be bad choices either.

[Gamma_Winstead]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

My honest opinion is that you start with one title. THE PRESTIGE! Not only is it beyond amazing in Picture & Audio Quality, but it also is one hell of a great ride as a story.

THE PRESTIGE is the best way to get reference quality!

P.S. Casino Royale, Apocalypto, Flags Of Our Fathers, Pirates of the Caribbean, Shooter, Training Day, and Stealth (although it is horrible as a movie) wouldn't be bad choices either.

yes the Prestige was AWESOME! hey I don't see it listed as one of my favorite Blu's. better go fix that!

P.S. If you don't like grain do NOT pick up 300 and TMNT is also very good.

[vmarie]

Pirates was awesome, invincible, devil wears prada, patriot was really good as well.

[ground chuck]

the prestige is the sh*t. layer cake is pretty good too.

[statikcat]

I have not seen Pirates or Prestige yet in BD. However, Apocolypto is a great movie for testing out BD. It has no grain and has good colors being in the jungle. It has a lot of fast motion and next to no cgi. I can only imagine Pirates and Prestige look amazing as well.

[Null]

Wow, thanks for all the info! I'll try and find "The Prestige," since that seems most highly recommended. Is that the one by Christopher Nolan?

As for the "Pirates" movies, well...I know lots of folks like them, but the first one didn't really do anything for me, and I've never seen the second or third.

Since writing my first post, I've seen "Allien Vs. Predator" on Blu-Ray, and was impressed for the most part. Still some grain, but grain only bothers me when it's distracting (like "Total Recall"). The HD-DVD version of "The Thing" had some grain in...(trying not to spoil it if you haven't seen it)...the scene where Norris does an about-face.

I hate to be a fence-sitter but I've seen good stuff from both formats. I want to give both the fair chance they both deserve, and I really appreciate the suggestions from you guys.

Many, many thanks!