Open Matte/Alternate aspect ratio releases - Blu-ray Forum

frodawgg · 10-28-2016, 09:22 PM

So, lately I've been doing research on how many movies have been presented open matte, and in my honest opinion, much of the time, the picture looks better that way, even if widescreen is the intended presentation. I've found quite a few boards online with people who agree that, even if "full-screen" isn't better per se, it still gives an alternate way to watch a movie and should be offered on home releases.

What I'm getting to is: what are your thoughts on how big that market actually is? Do you think there's actually enough people out there to warrant distributors including different ARs on releases, even if just for special editions or limited releases?

My proposal is this: a release should include every ratio a movie has been presented in other than home media. Let's use the oft-discussed and -disputed "The Shining", for example. It was shot in 1.37, exhibited in theaters at both 1.66 and 1.85, and on TV in 1.33. Even though Kubrick's "intended" version was 1.85, I actually prefer the 4×3 one (well, actually it would be nice to have the negative ratio, but it was only filmed--not presented--that way, so let's disregard it), as it opens up the image more.

Let's be honest, a lot of matted movies, such as the aforementioned in my opinion, look cramped. In the case of "The Shining", which I know has been released a million times before, even in open matte on DVD, I would like an HD release with the all of the following: 1.33, 1.66, 1.85.

I'm aware that some movies have intermittent or even frequent irregularities, like boom mics and what not, but I think if it's already out there, why not let the consumer choose what they want to watch and ignore these if they choose? Side note: honestly, a shadow of helicopter could be explained away as, well, a shadow of a helicopter. Helicopters fly in the real world--not just to shoot movies. (And I don't think the blades kill the movie.)

Back to my idea. Wouldn't it be possible to start a petition or something to request the studios to do this? That is, if enough people want it?

Oh, and obviously not P&S, as that's just a bastardized version of whatever ratio. F that noise.

10-28-2016, 09:22 PM	#1
frodawgg Active Member Member since:Nov 2009	Open Matte/Alternate aspect ratio releases So, lately I've been doing research on how many movies have been presented open matte, and in my honest opinion, much of the time, the picture looks better that way, even if widescreen is the intended presentation. I've found quite a few boards online with people who agree that, even if "full-screen" isn't better per se, it still gives an alternate way to watch a movie and should be offered on home releases. What I'm getting to is: what are your thoughts on how big that market actually is? Do you think there's actually enough people out there to warrant distributors including different ARs on releases, even if just for special editions or limited releases? My proposal is this: a release should include every ratio a movie has been presented in other than home media. Let's use the oft-discussed and -disputed "The Shining", for example. It was shot in 1.37, exhibited in theaters at both 1.66 and 1.85, and on TV in 1.33. Even though Kubrick's "intended" version was 1.85, I actually prefer the 4×3 one (well, actually it would be nice to have the negative ratio, but it was only filmed--not presented--that way, so let's disregard it), as it opens up the image more. Let's be honest, a lot of matted movies, such as the aforementioned in my opinion, look cramped. In the case of "The Shining", which I know has been released a million times before, even in open matte on DVD, I would like an HD release with the all of the following: 1.33, 1.66, 1.85. I'm aware that some movies have intermittent or even frequent irregularities, like boom mics and what not, but I think if it's already out there, why not let the consumer choose what they want to watch and ignore these if they choose? Side note: honestly, a shadow of helicopter could be explained away as, well, a shadow of a helicopter. Helicopters fly in the real world--not just to shoot movies. (And I don't think the blades kill the movie.) Back to my idea. Wouldn't it be possible to start a petition or something to request the studios to do this? That is, if enough people want it? Oh, and obviously not P&S, as that's just a bastardized version of whatever ratio. F that noise.

Best Blu-ray Movie Deals