Archived: Insiders Thread

[Penton-Man]

Richard, read this....specifically the linked review by Chad concerning the video on this title.
We always think about you.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...ard#post357541

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

Well, it's the best way to get his attention for something, otherwise it takes him a week to slog through all the PMs you guys send him

You're too kind (with the one week estimate) .
There be some PM's in there over a month old that I haven't returned.

Nothing personal guys, that's just me.
Wicky, I read it and I'll see what can be done.

[OokieSpookie]

To one of the insiders who may be in the know..
Does the rumor that Warner's contract with HD ends on January 30th hold any truth?
I keep seeing it pop up now and then.

[blu2]

Originally Posted by bajor27

I think this Blade Runner talk should be moved to a different post, but I'd always assumed that it was 5 blu rays and was amazed at the price. It would make more sense for it to be 1 Blu and 4 DVDs. If that is the case I'm not buying it.

Here's a good place to talk about it:

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...353#post382353

[sj001]

Originally Posted by RBFilms

Dropping in to say hello...have not been here in a while. It is nice to see so many nice comments...I am getting burnt out on the AVS Forum. It is not a nice place to be ... or visit for that matter.

Richard, thanks for dropping in, I justed wanted to say that I really appreciate your work, and thanks very much for maximizing the potential of both formats! I've never seen a picture as clear as some of the scenes from Nature's Journey, absolutely amazing!

[Bombthroat]

Originally Posted by RBFilms

Dropping in to say hello...have not been here in a while. It is nice to see so many nice comments...I am getting burnt out on the AVS Forum. It is not a nice place to be ... or visit for that matter.

Welcome, hope to see you here more often to add industry insight.

[JAGUAR1977]

Originally Posted by OokieSpookie

To one of the insiders who may be in the know..
Does the rumor that Warner's contract with HD ends on January 30th hold any truth?
I keep seeing it pop up now and then.

Saw that, and the poster makes out he knows what he's talking about, so who knows.

Would certainly tally with the watching Q4 statements.

[MerrickG]

Originally Posted by JAGUAR1977

Saw that, and the poster makes out he knows what he's talking about, so who knows.

Would certainly tally with the watching Q4 statements.

Damn, I was hoping that on Jan 1st Warner would announce they are dropping HD-DVD.

Go Harry Potter!! Go Blade Runner.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by zed0118

Having read the AV$ forum over the past day or so, I really have to say that I feel sorry for Talkstr8t. That poor boy takes more abuse than anyone I know. He must love pain. Do you notice how the opposition attacks almost every word he types? It's almost as bad as Bill Clinton's "it depends on what your definition of the word "is" is. I mean really, if he has even one typo, they're all over him.

And Amir attacking Richard Casey after he signed off was just a real low blow.

Thank God for this forum, where most postings are of a positive nature and people treat each other fairly well.

I heard its been worse than that. I got a PM from someone notifying me that when Talk took a day off or two from the Insider’s Thread on AVS, a member posted this quip to him…….” Bueller…..Bueller…….Bueller ?”
In an attempt to try to get Talk back in the red dungeon to answer the guy’s question without anymore delay.

Actually, the *AVS response* to saleen001 and RBFilms (not just on his latest thread but on all the threads he’s participated in over there) is why many insiders refuse to post or even read consumer forums, and if they do spend time exchanging views……. it is on one of the professional online venues. A good thing about our forum (and recently the HTF forum with the institution of their Insider’s Thread) is that even if members disagree with what insiders’ say, they appreciate their contribution and don’t go on some personal witch hunt under the guise of *debating the science*.

It was quite unusual that Kim Aubrey decided to interject himself into the chastisement of Bram Stoker’s Dracula as he doesn’t even read the forums but, when notified of what was happening online, he decided to step in and set the record straight because so much B.S. had been throw out and about which was without merit.

That reminds me, I owe Esox a response to his post from awhile back. Give me a moment to search for it.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Esox50

BTW, did you...and paidgeek...and Kim Aubrey...and Robert Harris all know that Mr. Mack is STILL "at it" with regards to the Dracula BD release? I mean, seriously, W...T...F!!! It's really beyond anything rational and reasonable at this point when so many people in the know, in the business, and with technical knowledge have spoken on this subject at length.

The ONLY thing I can think of is that Mr. Mack must have some special memory (like he lost his virginity or something) while he saw this movie, and this BD version is somehow tainting that memory. I don't get it.

Hey, at least you guys tried...

I did not know that, as I had thought the matter closed long ago. Well, maybe the following will put it to rest for first time readers with remaining questions contemplating purchasing this disc for the holidays.

As I like Dave M., I would hope that you are incorrect as to him being the main protagonist carrying the Dracula DVD torch and that it has been passed onto other minions. If you are correct as to his continuous fixation with this matter then I think wikipedia should have an entry for “When title fandom becomes title obsession” and link Dave and that Xylon character (if he too is still posting pics) as examples of such.

I just don’t understand the continued misguided castigation for this title on AVS, if that is where Dave is keeping the “debate” alive, as wasn’t he jumping on multiple forums with that same song and dance? Is this topic still being actively promoted on HTF ?

Anyway, Francis Ford Coppola decided that he wanted to use the answer print –in SPE’s vault- (that he signed off on back in the day-which is in excellent condition, and should be, given the film stock) as a source for his vision of the film for the current Blu-ray disc. As to why he did that, I believe Kim Aubrey has addressed that query on some movie review site. So, comparison to previous home video versions (which arose from different source[s]) are ludicrous in regards to technical appearance (esp. color grading, shadows or highlights). It’s a waste of time and energy.

I can assure viewers that the Blu-ray encode from the most current video master is as transparent, or more so, as some of the best tiered films rated and raved about on many forums. Hell, it was done by the same individuals. There is no *technological transfer* problem here. No amount of obsessive internet campaigning is going to change SPE’s stance on this production, as F.F.C. is the client of SPE on this title, not Dave Mack, nor anybody else.

Now, if anyone chooses to criticize F.F.C.’s artistic choice for using that particular answer print as a source for the Blu-ray disc, I guess everyone is entitled to their opinion…..within moderation. But if they are still making the same overt and snide insults toward Mr. Coppola (and Kim for that matter) now as I read weeks ago, all I can say is that it is indeed fortunate that he and Kim don’t read the forums because if they did, they would undoubtedly find all the clamor to be disrespectful and only hinder further releases on Blu-ray that they hold rights to.

B.T.W.
The first movie that Mr. Coppola has directed in about 10 years, Youth Without Youth (staring Tim Roth) opens in U.S. theaters on Dec. 14.

[whippersnapper]

Originally Posted by savage1984

I would say he's more of a boy, the type of boy who got picked last always. Then when he got older and learned the ways of the darkside, he became the "picker". Now if someone doesn't pick his side, he sends his minions after them. Sad, really.

Now if someone doesn't pick his side, he sends his minions after them.

Amir's minions of mediocrity.

[Esox50]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

That reminds me, I owe Esox a response to his post from awhile back. Give me a moment to search for it.

You owe me nothing. I was just posting it, as in, do you believe these tools are still on this subject 2 months later?!?!?!?!

As far as it being actively promoted...yep still is. 11-23-07 on HTF, a post claiming FFC has nothing to do with this BD, etc. One person on AVS posting "crapola", as in "Francis Ford Crapola".

Then of course the obligatory, "we got The Fifth Element re-done, and Disney is going to provide replacements for Pirates of the Carribean 1...so if we keep complaining, Sony will re-do Dracula."

Immature, as usual. Failure to listen to the people who would know; burying head in the sand like usual. Ill will towards this Forum because they cannot hijack everything like they can elsewhere. List goes on and on...

No worries, I expect 2008 is going to be a "sit back, relax, and laugh" as we watch all of these neutral places self-destruct and with the usual vocal folks kicking and screaming all the way.

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

I just don’t understand the continued misguided castigation for this title on AVS, if that is where Dave is keeping the “debate” alive, as wasn’t he jumping on multiple forums with that same song and dance? Is this topic still being actively promoted on HTF ?

Yes, he was. I personally addressed his negative comments at DVDTALK, where I also happen to be on the review panel, yet as it appears there is a much different agenda behind all of the criticism the BR release has received. Personally instigated by Mr. Mack!

Furthermore, it is evident that even the involvement of such respected in the industry professional as Mr. Harris has done little to soothe the unprecedented fanboysm the above person has revealed. In any event, the fact that the title was used as a convenient platform to unleash criticism which is nothing more than the old familiar format bashing, witnessed on other ill-fated forums, is very telling. So much, in fact that eventually it turned out to be one of the major motivators, along side other events, behind my decision to stop posting in the HD section at DVDTALK.

Dr.A

[Ben]

Originally Posted by RBFilms

Dropping in to say hello...have not been here in a while. It is nice to see so many nice comments...I am getting burnt out on the AVS Forum. It is not a nice place to be ... or visit for that matter.

Great to see you, Sir! You are always most welcome here!

[shamus]

Originally Posted by RBFilms

Dropping in to say hello...have not been here in a while. It is nice to see so many nice comments...I am getting burnt out on the AVS Forum. It is not a nice place to be ... or visit for that matter.

With consumers now choosing BD by almost 3 to 1, has your company reconsidered its dual format stance?

[Anthony P]

Dropping in to say hello...have not been here in a while. It is nice to see so many nice comments...I am getting burnt out on the AVS Forum. It is not a nice place to be ... or visit for that matter.

glad to see you back, you are always welcomed here. As for getting burnt out at AVS, many of us have and that is why we left. We all went there looking for knowledge and had it for several years but now it is just used by some individuals for propaganda reasons.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Esox50

You owe me nothing. I was just posting it, as in, do you believe these tools are still on this subject 2 months later?!?!?!?!

As far as it being actively promoted...yep still is. 11-23-07 on HTF, a post claiming FFC has nothing to do with this BD, etc. One person on AVS posting "crapola", as in "Francis Ford Crapola".

Then of course the obligatory, "we got The Fifth Element re-done, and Disney is going to provide replacements for Pirates of the Carribean 1...so if we keep complaining, Sony will re-do Dracula."

Immature, as usual. Failure to listen to the people who would know; burying head in the sand like usual. Ill will towards this Forum because they cannot hijack everything like they can elsewhere. List goes on and on...

Well that just boggles the mind. Hell, if they want to ***** about some titles that indeed deserve some scrutiny then they can concentrate their online frustrations on the only half-ass decent thread left on AVS in regards to picture quality, namely the thread started by mhafner. Geez, that’s a target rich environment for high-def movie incessant whining.

But then, the complainers would have to have some rudimentary knowledge with things like aperture correction or high frequency boosting in order to know whom exactly to blame in the production chain for their suboptimal viewing experience with some of those titles.

I would venture a guess that they don’t have that technical knowledge as people tell me that neither does Amir, who apparently is clueless as to how/where/why Universal has so much Edge Enhancement applied to its titles. So, it’s easier to complain that *the Dracula BD looks darker than the superbit version*, when the damn discs come from different film elements.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

Yes, he was. I personally addressed his negative comments at DVDTALK, where I also happen to be on the review panel, yet as it appears there is a much different agenda behind all of the criticism the BR release has received. Personally instigated by Mr. Mack!

Furthermore, it is evident that even the involvement of such respected in the industry professional as Mr. Harris has done little to soothe the unprecedented fanboysm the above person has revealed. In any event, the fact that the title was used as a convenient platform to unleash criticism which is nothing more than the old familiar format bashing, witnessed on other ill-fated forums, is very telling. So much, in fact that eventually it turned out to be one of the major motivators, along side other events, behind my decision to stop posting in the HD section at DVDTALK.

Dr.A

Thanks for the info (and unbiased support), I did not know that Dr. A.

[richteer]

Originally Posted by RBFilms

Dropping in to say hello...have not been here in a while. It is nice to see so many nice comments...I am getting burnt out on the AVS Forum. It is not a nice place to be ... or visit for that matter.

Welcome back! As others have posted, you and your views are always welcome here.

BTW, I watched a bit of Nature's Journey (on Blu, natch!) the other day (I bought it a few weeks ago but haven't got round to watching it all yet), and I have to say: it is stunning!

I know your company has an official position of neutrality, but given the reception you and your products get from the red ants, may I humbly suggest that going Blu-exclusive would be a good thing to do?

[MerrickG]

Anyone know where Paidgeek is?