Seems that Spielberg AND Coppola are embracing Blu-ray

[nhaase]

From the Bits:

But if the Trek HD-DVD news was something of a letdown, there was a MAJOR Blu-ray Disc announcement from Sony that came as a bit of a surprise. Sony had a strong presence on the Comic-Con show floor, which included a booth dedicated to promoting its forthcoming releases. Without question, the biggest of these, due to hit stores on 10/2, is the very first Steven Spielberg film to debut on ANY high-definition format... the Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniversary Ultimate Edition. The Blu-ray Disc version will be a 2-disc set (SRP $49.95). Disc One will include all three versions of the film on the same disc in full 1080p video via seamless branching: The 1977 theatrical version, the 1980 special edition and the director's cut (originally released on DVD in 2001). The new high-def transfer has been personally approved by Spielberg himself. Disc Two will include a new, never-before-seen interview with Spielberg, The Making of Close Encounters of the Third Kind retrospective documentary and (exclusive to the Blu-ray version) all-new storyboard-to-scene comparisons, the original 1977 Watch the Skies featurette and the original theatrical trailer. A 2-disc DVD version will also be available (SRP $39.95).

Some of you guys might remember that, earlier this year, there was talk that one or more Spielberg films would be released on HD-DVD format by Universal in 2007, but Universal was forced to issue a statement denying the news. It's hard to deny that the fact that Spielberg would chose (or at least allow) Blu-ray to be the format of his first high-definition release is not insignificant in this format war.

By the way, Sony also announced the first Francis Ford Coppola's film to hit high-definition on Blu-ray Disc... Bram Stoker's Dracula. The film will arrive on 2-disc Collector's Edition on both DVD and Blu-ray Disc on 10/2 (SLP $24.96 for the DVD and $28.95 for the Blu-ray). Coppola has provided both a video introduction and an audio commentary for this release. Other extras will include deleted scenes, 4 behind-the-scenes featurettes (The Blood is the Life: The Making of Dracula, The Costumes are the Sets: The Design of Eiko Ishioka, In-Camera: The Naïve Visual Effects of Dracula and Method and Madness: Visualizing Dracula) and a trailer for Coppola's new forthcoming Youth Without Youth.

The statements that are bolded, underlined, and italicized seem to point that these two (who are practically blood brothers w/ Lucas) have chosen blu-ray. Why else would they approve release on this format AND make new features for these releases?

[dialog_gvf]

So, Scorcese, Coppola, and Spielberg.

George, George, George. Dude, you don't have to win an Best Direction Oscar to release on Blu-ray. C'mon! I know ya waaaaaaana.

Gary

[blublublu]

Originally Posted by nhaase

From the Bits:



The statements that are bolded, underlined, and italicized seem to point that these two (who are practically blood brothers w/ Lucas) have chosen blu-ray. Why else would they approve release on this format AND make new features for these releases?

It's good to see these out, but I don't think you can interpret as an endorsement of Blu Ray over HD DVD by the directors.

It does raise the question about whether other studios are holding back on other Spielberg, and using excuses (or perception) about this being an issue with the director wanting to wait. Will be interesting to see if we now see some Universal Spielberg come out on HD DVD.

[Blu-dock Saint]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

So, Scorcese, Coppola, and Spielberg.

George, George, George. Dude, you don't have to win an Best Direction Oscar to release on Blu-ray. C'mon! I know ya waaaaaaana.

Gary

He'll get with the times soon enough.

[nhaase]

Originally Posted by blublublu

It's good to see these out, but I don't think you can interpret as an endorsement of Blu Ray over HD DVD by the directors.

It does raise the question about whether other studios are holding back on other Spielberg, and using excuses about this being an issue with the director wanting to wait.

That's why I titled the thread "seems," I didn't want people to think it was end-all. They could just be embracing hi-def in general, but I think it is something since Uni is Spielberg's home, and he chose not only a different studio, but a different format. I wanted to make sure the thread title displayed that I wasn't claiming anything out-right.

[JTK]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

So, Scorcese, Coppola, and Spielberg.

George, George, George. Dude, you don't have to win an Best Direction Oscar to release on Blu-ray. C'mon! I know ya waaaaaaana.

Gary

If these folks are really falling line like this then it's just a matter of time.

It's like we were talking about in some other thread: If Lucas is really annoyed about the format war and threatening to sit it out until downloads because he doesn't like the rate of progress...guess what, George? You can end it anytime you feel like it with even just one Star Wars movie. Even Phantom Menace at Christmas would probably be enough to finish it.

It's that simple.

[halon]

PS3............................................... ...$499
Entire Star Wars series on Blu-Ray......$180(?)
Death to HD-DUD...........................Priceless

[JTK]

Originally Posted by den4blu

PS3............................................... ...$499
Entire Star Wars series on Blu-Ray......$180(?)
Death to HD-DUD...........................Priceless

^^ That math don't lie, folks.

[Anthony P]

It's good to see these out, but I don't think you can interpret as an endorsement of Blu Ray over HD DVD by the directors.

It does raise the question about whether other studios are holding back on other Spielberg, and using excuses (or perception) about this being an issue with the director wanting to wait. Will be interesting to see if we now see some Universal Spielberg come out on HD DVD.

I guess you missed this http://www.hddvdprg.com/eng/list.html

Back in Jan the HD DVD prg touted Spielberg movies, (ET, Jurassic and Jaws from Universal) He called and told them no way it would happen. The excuse of waiting was Universal making excuses for what happened in Jan. The fact that they brought up that excuse a few days ago means Spielberg is still not ready to let them do it, on the other hand he was willing to let Sony make CE3K and even make some HD extras is a big show of support for BD.


Now there could be several reasons
1) is it because Sony offered a better deal (I am sure that is what brain dead HD DVD supporters will try and spin)

2) is it because HD DVD sales suck, while BD sales are better?

3) is it because he personally likes BD but hates HD DVD?

but on the other hand he did show a preference.

[radagast]

Originally Posted by Anthony P

I guess you missed this http://www.hddvdprg.com/eng/list.html

Back in Jan the HD DVD prg touted Spielberg movies, (ET, Jurassic and Jaws from Universal) He called and told them no way it would happen. The excuse of waiting was Universal making excuses for what happened in Jan. The fact that they brought up that excuse a few days ago means Spielberg is still not ready to let them do it, on the other hand he was willing to let Sony make CE3K and even make some HD extras is a big show of support for BD.


Now there could be several reasons
1) is it because Sony offered a better deal (I am sure that is what brain dead HD DVD supporters will try and spin)

2) is it because HD DVD sales suck, while BD sales are better?

3) is it because he personally likes BD but hates HD DVD?

but on the other hand he did show a preference.

As rich as Spielberg is, I can't imagine he would have selected Blu-ray in this case because of a "deal" with Sony. If he thought hd-dvd was as good, he would have allowed the releases of the Universal movies. Spielberg does prefer Blu-ray. That's obvious.

[whippersnapper]

Originally Posted by radagast

As rich as Spielberg is, I can't imagine he would have selected Blu-ray in this case because of a "deal" with Sony. If he thought hd-dvd was as good, he would have allowed the releases of the Universal movies. Spielberg does prefer Blu-ray. That's obvious.

Agreed. Spielberg's motivation for this is most likely the quality and potential of the BD format. He's thinking ahead folks like he always does.

[KenThompson]

Maybe he is just like Fox and wants some protection from pirates . BD + offers alot more peace of mind than what the Dead fornat has.

[Manco]

Lest we forgot that Mr. Spielberg runs another studio...called DreamWorks.

Although we do not list it as a "studio" for HiDef backing purposes, I think it is fair enough to say that Mr. Spielberg's decision with CE3K to go BD says that DreamWorks is pro Blu-ray. And the "trio" over there have a lot of clout in this industry.

PS: I've heard rumors that Shrek 3 will be Blu and may include a game on the same disk for PS3 owners. What does that say?

[Scorxpion]

all in one statement for this reason Disney says

BD better than Perfect

[JTK]

Originally Posted by Manco

Lest we forgot that Mr. Spielberg runs another studio...called DreamWorks.

Although we do not list it as a "studio" for HiDef backing purposes, I think it is fair enough to say that Mr. Spielberg's decision with CE3K to go BD says that DreamWorks is pro Blu-ray. And the "trio" over there have a lot of clout in this industry.

PS: I've heard rumors that Shrek 3 will be Blu and may include a game on the same disk for PS3 owners. What does that say?

All I say is: Get it done!

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by Manco

PS: I've heard rumors that Shrek 3 will be Blu and may include a game on the same disk for PS3 owners. What does that say?

There ya go. That's exactly the cross promotion that will drive adoption.

Stranglehold (game + movie)
Shrek 3 (movie + game)

That would be very cool.

[Blu_J]

The big three (SKG) behind Dreamworks sold the studio in 2006 to Viacom, parent company to Paramount who retains distribution rights for the live-action movies. Dreamworks Animation is independent of Viacom/Paramount however Paramount acts as distributer for those movies.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by JTK

All I say is: Get it done!

Too true

[Manco]

Originally Posted by Manco

Lest we forgot that Mr. Spielberg runs another studio...called DreamWorks.

Although we do not list it as a "studio" for HiDef backing purposes, I think it is fair enough to say that Mr. Spielberg's decision with CE3K to go BD says that DreamWorks is pro Blu-ray. And the "trio" over there have a lot of clout in this industry.

PS: I've heard rumors that Shrek 3 will be Blu and may include a game on the same disk for PS3 owners. What does that say?

Also, let us remind ourselves of the unique relationship between Mr. Spielberg and a another gentleman named Mr. Zemeckis. Remember a little movie called "Back to the Future"?

Gosh...it's awfully strange that most of the prized posessions in Universal's vaults (BTTF, Jaws, Jurassic Park, CE3K, ET) seem to be controlled by a group of heavy weights that appear to dabble in Blu-ray and may have something to say about the format these films get release on.

Hmmm....I feel a rope getting very tight around somebody's neck.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by Manco

Gosh...it's awfully strange that most of the prized posessions in Universal's vaults (BTTF, Jaws, Jurassic Park, CE3K, ET)

Strike CE3K from that list.