Must Own Blu ray's

[Suntory_Times]

I thought it may be interesting to compile a list of must own blu rays that Australians have access to. Meaning that it doesn't have to be available in Australia but must be able to play in our standard region b blu ray players. Each person votes for ten must own blu's and we will compile the points by the number 1 choise gets 10 points and each place down gets one less point.

The list is your must own titles, however you deem that to be. Whethere it be PQ, AQ, the movie, special features or a mix is up to you.

[Suntory_Times]

A lot of variation so far, i'm suprised how little some of the films have (UP), and how many others have (Star trek 09). Anyway, here is the list from most points to least points.

Star Trek 2009 (45 points)
Casino Royale (31 points)
The Dark Knight (30 points)
Avatar (27 points)
Transformers (26 points)
Blade Runner (24 points)
Bourne Trillogy (24 points)
Fight Club (13 points)
The Incredible Hulk (11 points)
Die Hard 4.0 (11 points)
TCCOBB (9 points)
Hellboy 2 (9 points)
Big Trouble in Little China (9 points)
Watchmen (9 points)
The Shining (9 points)
Hot Fuzz (9 points)
2001: A space oddesey (8 points)
Sunshine (8 points)
and of Brothers (8 points)
Iron Man (8 points)
The Chronicles of Riddick (8 points)
Let The Right One In (8 points)
POTC1 (7 points)
Terminator Salvation (7 points)
The Hills Have Eyes (6 points)
Cars (6 points)
Dawn of the Dead (6 points)
Up (6 points)
BSG (6 points)
Ratatouille (5 points)
Braveheart (5 points)
Godfather (5 points)
Transformers 2 (5 points)
9 (4 points)
The Thing (4 points)
Monsters Inc (4 points)
Sweeney Todd (3 points)
pinocchio (3 points)
Amelie (3 points)
Knowing (3 points)
Jumper ( 2 points)
Serenity (2 points)
LOTR trillogy (2 points)
Black Hawk Down (2 points)
Inglourious Basterds (2 points)
American Psycho AU release (1 point)
Serenity (1 point)
Matrix Trillogy (1 point)
No Country for Old Men (1 point)
2012 (1 point)

[LordCrumb]

If we are talking about PQ and AQ, rather than the actual film, here is my list;

1. Bladerunner
- PQ
2. Hellboy II: The Golden Army
- AQ
3. Star Trek (2009)
- PQ and AQ
4. Transformers
- PQ and AQ
5. The Hills Have Eyes
- AQ
6. The Dark Knight
- PQ and AQ
7. Big Trouble in Little China
- AQ
8. Amelie
- PQ
9. Serenity
- PQ and AQ
10. American Psycho
- AQ

[Suntory_Times]

1) Blade Runner 5 disc set - reference AQ and VQ several cuts of the film = a must own
2) The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - a marvelous film with reference pq and aq and a terrific selection of special features
3) Let The Right One In - a beautifully haunting film with near reference pq and aq, and whilst there are not many special features the special features that are on the disc are some of the best I have seen.
4) Avatar - marvelous film with the best pq and among the best aq I have heard on a film.
5) UP - possibly pixars best film with reference audio and video.
6) Ratatouille - Reference PQ and AQ and an endering story and a nice collection of special features
7) Casino Royale Deluxe edition - reference AQ and near reference VQ and by far the best bond film with excellent special features
8) Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street - a unique violent musical with near reference video and audio and many good special features (especially with those with the person who wrote the musical)
9) The Lord of The Rings Trillogy - the destined to be classic series has made it's way to blu, and despite the mixed pq, the aq and quality of movies makes up for the dissapointment of the low level of special features and the at times problematic pq.
10) Serenity - Reference PQ and AQ and an endering characters and a nice collection of special features.

[dannycj]

1. Star Trek 2009 - Absolute Reference AQ & Great PQ
2. Watchmen - Reference AQ & Top Notch PQ with a great spin on super heroes.
3. The Chronicles of Riddick - Reference AQ & great PQ this film is a guilty pleasure of mine.
4. Fight Club - Reference AQ, Wonderful PQ for a catalogue release.
5. The Bourne Trilogy - AQ & PQ get better with each film, Ultimatum's AQ is perfect.
6. Sunshine - Awesome AQ & PQ, love this film
7. 9 - AQ & PQ are both reference and its a gem of a kids film.
8. The Incredible Hulk - AQ is loud and powerful & PQ is excellent.
9. Black Hawk Down - With top notch AQ & PQ this flick almost made my ears bleed for a full hour.
10. Band Of Brothers - Compelling TV series, with great PQ and stunning AQ.

[gettodamoofies]

All of my selections are on the list because they meet all three criteria for me: an enjoyable film, good PQ and solid AQ. Putting them in order was a tough assignment and truthfully a number would vary on any given day but here are my top ten for now:


1. Casino Royale - Collector's Edition
In my opinion it's the best Bond film. Martin Campbell crafted a great film and Daniel Craig turns in a fantastic performance. Craig combines the suave and smarmy side of Bond with a ferocity and menace that just wasn't apparent in other Bonds. The PQ is great - the outdoor scenes are some of the best on the format and the photography is represented well. The AQ is an experience with some very solid LFE content and one of the best mixes around perfectly representing dialogue, score and effects without one ever drowning another aspect out. The supplemental package on this edition is comprehensive and rounds out a great package all round.

2. Star Trek - 3-Disc Digital Copy Special Edition
Having been a Star Trek fan all my life, it was good to see this film get the critical and technical praise it deserved. A solid film which has enough for estblished fans and mixes it up a bit to draw new ones in, this film seemed to cater for everyone. The specs of the disc are spot on. A visual presentation which is completely accurate to the original presentation adorns the disc. I had the fortune to attend the world premiere and meet JJ, Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, John Cho and Eric Bana. The disc accurately represents what I saw and heard at the premiere. The audio is big and bold, with plenty going on and yet it never overwhelms. Add to this a package of features which is so extensive one could barely think of anything else that need be added, this film should be in everyone's library.

3. Iron Man - Ultimate 2-Disc Edition
One of the first very big "event" releases for Blu-ray after the format began to make inroads into the viewing public, the Iron Man release has everything. The film takes itself seriously when needed and then lightens the mood with plenty of humour. Robert Downey Jr. is Tony Stark. The visuals are great, the transfer is very good, the audio kicks in all the right places and the 2-disc set covers everything from the history of Iron Man to the production of the film. Along with Transformers, this was one of the releases that showed Paramount could put together a great blockbuster release package.

4. Band of Brothers
Anyone going in with the view that this is "made for TV" will be quickly put in their place as the bombs start falling. A brilliantly written, acted and realised mini-series which actually evokes the feel of something much bigger than a 10 episode series. Striking visuals lend a film-like dynamic. The money put into this production shows in the realistic visuals, encompassing sound and quality of actors on show. An incredible story from start to finish which is without a doubt the finest production HBO has ever been involved with. The Blu-ray release is suitably their best so far.

5. Battlestar Galactica - The Complete Series
In terms of value for money this is probably Blu-ray's best deal so far. Four quality seasons of television with great acting, stories, effects and sound. The visual style is unique and Blu-ray represents it well with some fantastically crisp and clean visuals followed by deliberately "dirty" or "rough" footage. It's all here and the transfer is spot on. The quality of the DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack rivals many films. To produce this much quality viewing time and then package it in the UK for the equivalent price of 5 new release films here in Australia is an absolute bargain. TV has rarely, if ever, been better and the sheer quantity and quality on offer here hasn't yet been rivalled on Blu-ray.

6. Big Trouble in Little China
A personal favourite for many reasons, this release of the cult classic features a fantastic transfer that is completely true to the source. No detectable EE or DNR and great detail is present in the very filmic and natural image. The audio quality is fantastic too with a solid mix and plenty of clarity. For a smaller budgeted film from the 80's this is as good as it gets with Jack Burton never looking better. The package of supplemental features is also quite in depth.

7. The Ultimate Bourne Collection (The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy, The Bourne Ultimatum)
I'm cheating here lumping three films together but this release has plenty going for it. Well respected films, solid transfers for films with difficult video (plenty of hand-held camera work) and soundtracks that will keep the neighbours up. Each film is good for it's own reasons, whether it be more thriller, intrigue or action. There are plenty of features to make up a great collection over the three discs. Combine this with a price from the UK that's barely more than one of the titles cost here in Australia and you've got great value for money. (Note: The UK discs are the same as the AU discs right down to them featuring both UK and AU ratings logos)

8. Sunshine
A little different to some of the other titles that are on this list, this film is incredibly well made. Apart from the crafting of a good story and script, the film has a great visual style with some really stellar photography and special effects. The audio is extremely atmospheric and has plenty of presence in the required scenes. The features are a little more light on, but still have plenty of things to generate interest there.

9. Blade Runner - 5-Disc Complete Collector's Edition
A stunning release of this classic, it truthfully should be the last copy of Blade Runner anyone should have to buy. The final cut version is IMHO the best, although the inclusion of all the other cuts is fantastic. The restoration work completed has brought the film to life with visuals that often rival some of today's releases. Naturally the film still has some elements which will always root it in the 80's, but the transfer is accurate and the sound is spectacular, particularly the score. The supplemental features are exhaustive.

10. Terminator Salvation - Director's Cut
Some may disagree, but I found this a worthy entry in the series. I truly do see it as the start of a new series in a sense in that it moves away from the "chase" scenario employed in all the other films and serves as a setup and to establish a future backstory. The production values are high, the transfer is gritty and very detailed and the audio is one of the best the format has. Any action scene will give your subs plenty of work to do. If you don't like the film the disc's technical specs still merit a viewing, but for me this one has the complete package and is rounded out with informative features.


Honourable mentions:
Serenity, Fight Club, The Shawshank Redemption, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Inglourious Basterds, The Dark Knight, Knowing, Moon, Kill Bill Vols 1 & 2, Nine Inch Nails: Beside You in Time, Pirates of the Caribbean films, Ultimate Matrix Collection, Shoot 'Em Up, Sin City and Zodiac

[Harry88]

1. Dark Knight. IMAX scenes really shows off how good blu-ray can look. My go to refrence disc.

2. Transformers

3. Casino Royale

4. Bourne Films

5. Fight Club

6. Godfather

7. Monsters Inc

8. Knowing

9. Blade Runner Final Cut

10. The Matrix

[Suntory_Times]

^ is the matrix the single disc release, or the trillogy super collection?

[troyus]

Gone with the wind just blew me away when I watched it.
Its from 1939!!!

[Harry88]

Originally Posted by Suntory_Times

^ is the matrix the single disc release, or the trillogy super collection?

Single disc. The last 2 movies just don't quite stand up to the first.

[Blu-RayNut]

I am aware of the fact that many of the movies listed already are great on Blu-Ray, and are worthy ambassadors of the format.

But I believe there is one movie that out does them all very easily.

Peter Jackson's version of KING KONG is simply stunning the depth clarity and feeling of 3 dimensional viewing is pure awesomeness.

I really can't wait for the lord of the rings on BD format, but i will wait until the extended editions make their way on there, as i feel they are the whole story of Middle Earth.

[Suntory_Times]

Originally Posted by Blu-RayNut

I am aware of the fact that many of the movies listed already are great on Blu-Ray, and are worthy ambassadors of the format.

But I believe there is one movie that out does them all very easily.

Peter Jackson's version of KING KONG is simply stunning the depth clarity and feeling of 3 dimensional viewing is pure awesomeness.

I really can't wait for the lord of the rings on BD format, but i will wait until the extended editions make their way on there, as i feel they are the whole story of Middle Earth.

aaagghhh, I can't believe I forgot about this film shall be editing my list.

Shall tally the score at the end of the week, and shall keep it updated

[Blu-RayNut]

Originally Posted by Suntory_Times

aaagghhh, I can't believe I forgot about this film shall be editing my list.

Shall tally the score at the end of the week, and shall keep it updated

LOL. Neither can I. :P

[LordCrumb]

I'm surprised no one else has mentioned 'The Hills Have Eyes'. The Soundtrack/AQ is so powerful. If you guys haven't rented it/seen it, check it out.

[Suntory_Times]

Originally Posted by KaiGusto

I'm surprised no one else has mentioned 'The Hills Have Eyes'. The Soundtrack/AQ is so powerful. If you guys haven't rented it/seen it, check it out.

I didn't like the film so it for me is not a must buy, no matter how good the pq or aq.

[TheDevilsGuard]

I think if you are looking for a disc that shows the improvements that Bluray can make, then The Thing is the most effective at this. I compared the original DVD version to the Bluray and the difference in PQ is amazing. For an old movie, its stunning.

[Suntory_Times]

Originally Posted by TheDevilsGuard

I think if you are looking for a disc that shows the improvements that Bluray can make, then The Thing is the most effective at this. I compared the original DVD version to the Bluray and the difference in PQ is amazing. For an old movie, its stunning.

Blade Runner is the best imho.

[gettodamoofies]

Originally Posted by Suntory_Times

Blade Runner is the best imho.

I agree. The Thing is a great film, the presentation is of high quality and it's another of my favourite films (anything Carpenter/Russell is gold) but it's just a little down on the score for PQ. This is only because of a little DNR, whereas Blade Runner is just incredible for an old film. Still, in terms of 80's films Blade Runner, The Thing and Big Trouble in Little China are some of my favourites in general and also on Blu-ray.

[Harry88]

Originally Posted by Suntory_Times

Blade Runner is the best imho.

My pick for old movie to blu-ray would be dr. no. That looks damn fine for its age.

[Suntory_Times]

Originally Posted by Harry88

My pick for old movie to blu-ray would be dr. no. That looks damn fine for its age.

You have good tastes.