I started collecting blu-rays about two years ago

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and I am dangerously close to selling them off in a lot. I just purchased the Seventh Seal on Blu yesterday after reading the rave reviews this movie got on PQ quality. I've seen this movie six or seven times and already owned the Criterion DVD release, but I thought I would double dip on this one based on the fact that this a movie I will probably watch at least once a year for the rest of my life. I do like the new Criterion Blu cases that were also used for In the Realm of the Senses and Wages of Fear even though some people find them much less appealing. But the cardboard junk that was released for almost all the others, like the wonderful 400 blows and the Last Emperor, is unforgiveable to me. Those movies stick out in my 300+ blu-ray collection like sore thumbs.

But back to my point. I popped in the Seventh Seal after I got home from work today and sat there unimpressed for the umpteenth time and figured maybe Blu-Ray is not quite up to my standards and should perhaps wait out another ten years for the next thing to come along. To those interested I am watching all my Blu's on a Samsung 32A550 and using a PS3. I understand that watching Blu's on a 32 inch screen such as mine is not ideal, but it is ideal for me as I sit only four feet away from my screen. I am also a gamer, so this is natural to me. My TV is one of the few 1080P screens in a 32 inch and I have calibrated the TV using an HD calibration disc.

I think my main complaint is film grain. I know all the purists out there love the stuff, but I am only 30 years old and film grain to me is not desireable. Nor do I think it was desireable for the director and cinematographer when they shot their movies. Film grain was just something that they had to deal with as an imperfection in the nature of film. When I watch a Blu-Ray I want to see a clear and perfect picture. I mean, look at all the Bond films, they all look terrific. Even the Third Man looked way way better then the Seventh Seal and that was one of the first Blu's released by Criterion...and was made like eight years before the Seventh Seal.

I also understand that it depends on the condition of the original print. This is understandable, but I also know these prints can be restored using tools that purists abhor. I say use them and give us both versions on your 50 MB discs because I know there is plenty of room to breathe.

Part of me wants to hold back and wait and see and what Blu-Ray's are capable of. I would like to think that I am not part of the minority when I say that I want a crystal clear picture, as opposed to seeing the film exactly as it was shown with film imperfections and all. I watched all of Madmen with my jaw dropped. It was not only a wonderful show, but the way that movie looked in 1080P was astonishing and kept me fully impressed the entire first season. The same goes for Lost. I know the technology is out there, I just wish it would be utilized more fully in this early rendition of Blu-Ray.