Gladiator (2000)

[Big Z]

ok, my b for using poop in my analogy

You've been a fan of this girl (the gladiator film in general) for a long long time. You have a choice between a cubic zirconia (dvd) and a diamond with a handful of imperfections (gladiator blu). Unfortunately the diamond you really really really wanted is not an option, but the slightly imperfect diamond still looks pretty dang good. Do you want the girl now or do you want the girl with the perfect diamond in a couple of years. I mean, she's still the girl you want right...or no?

there, i used two similar nouns that aren't human waste or spoiled milk

You could cut the tension in this thread with a knife.

[Sussudio]

Originally Posted by Big Z

ok, my b for using poop in my analogy

You've been a fan of this girl (the gladiator film in general) for a long long time. You have a choice between a cubic zirconia (dvd) and a diamond with a handful of imperfections (gladiator blu). Unfortunately the diamond you really really really wanted is not an option, but the slightly imperfect diamond still looks pretty dang good. Do you want the girl now or do you want the girl with the perfect diamond in a couple of years. I mean, she's still the girl you want right...or no?

and who says that girl is going to come around again in a couple of years

[Big Z]

+ 1

Instead of having a lasting relationship with the girl, you turn into Will Ferrell on Wedding Crashers....40, living with your mom, crashing funerals. I mean, if that's your thing....to each his own

[Philnerd]

Originally Posted by Grubert

It's like being served a latte with spoiled milk and meekly drinking it, paying for it and muttering to yourself on the way out, "oh, maybe Starbucks had a power outage last night, who knows - but it's better than no coffee at all."

A key difference of course is that one has the option to go to another location and purchase a proper latte. We don't really have the option with this film, its a take it or leave it deal.

[syncguy]

Originally Posted by ack_bak

Paramount.... Please, please, please do not use excessive DNR and EE on Forest Gump... Please!!!!

Is it too much to request industry to establish some understanding (de facto guidelines perhaps) on quality expectations of blu-ray transfers.

[Philnerd]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

while in the case of these movies you have plenty of reviews to help you decide if you wish to buy it or not.

Honestly, we are talking about a film that won 5 Oscars including Best Visual Effects and Best Picture. Oscar nominations included Best Art Direction and Best Cinematography. Directed by the legendary Ridley Scott. Made 187+ Million Dollars at the domestic box office. Nearly 270 Million Dollars in Foreign markets. Was given an IMax release. Its DVD release broke sales records. An undeniable modern classic in every respect and by all accounts should be a feather in Blu-Ray's cap with majestic, oscar worthy high definition images.

Having reviews to read in helping to possibly save $26 is not the issue. The real issue is the missed opportunity that this release could have been. The fact that we cannot get a stunning Gladiator Blu-Ray *at any price* is the problem. Personally I am not buying Gladiator. Does this mean I sit at home with my Gladiator DVD going "Yeah! Ha, I just saved twenty bucks!". Nope. Instead I'm extremely dissapointed that I can't buy and enjoy this epic film with the same level of quality that a host of other more affordable catalog titles offer. Ghandi, Ghostbusters and Princess Bride spring to mind immediately. In fact, if Sony or Fox owned this property we'd probably all be heaping praise upon this release because those studios are delivering outstanding catalog. Obviously Paramount is capable, as we see from Braveheart, they just didn't want to in this instance.

[P@t_Mtl]

We can argue about this until the next format come's around. Look in the end it come's down to this, not everything in life can go the way you want it to. I got quite a lot of movies I was very disapointed in the BD transfert and I just decided to skip them for another time. Some of my favorites are still years away from being release. Does this mean I should go around every forum I see and complaint about it?

The only option you have is not buying the movie. Will this hurt Paramount? It might or it might not? But if you spend your life expecting movie studios to show some loyalty to you because you are a fan of the movie, there is a good chance you will have a long disapointing life. Paramount will continue to do what they want with their movies, just like Disney seem to be doing a lot of work and showing a incredible amount of respect to their catalogue movies. Studios are like people, each one is different in their choices.

[ack_bak]

You do have an option. Rent the movie instead of buying it. If you are on the fence, I recommend renting it first and then determine if the PQ disappoints you enough to not buy it. Rent it now and then you can always buy it later on when it shows up on a bargain sale.

Paying $23+ for this title, IMHO, really sends the wrong message to the studios. But everyone is entitled to spend their money how they see fit.

[Philnerd]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

Does this mean I should go around every forum I see and complaint about it?

Well then honestly what are all these forums for? Yes, I think people should complain when releases are sub par. And I think we should also discuss outstanding efforts by studios as well. If we don't discuss these films - from the winners to the turkeys - then really what is the point of visiting or posting on film or format based forums? If this was "Cardivascular Health Forum" then complaining about Gladiator Blu-Rays would be silly. But this is precisely the place to discuss the Gladiator Blu-Ray.

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

But if you spend your life expecting movie studios to show some loyalty to you because you are a fan of the movie,

We all know that customer loyalty doesn't factor into studio decisions. However like every other business I'd at least expect them to try and earn my money

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

there is a good chance you will have a long disapointing life.

Well frankly, that's correct. Do botched film releases alter my will to live? Of course not, but yes absolutely there's disappointment. When fans (of whatever) are given sub par product and missed opportunities they are disappointed. That's sort of part of being a "fan". Its more than a passing interest.

[ack_bak]

Originally Posted by Philnerd

Honestly, we are talking about a film that won 5 Oscars including Best Visual Effects and Best Picture. Oscar nominations included Best Art Direction and Best Cinematography. Directed by the legendary Ridley Scott. Made 187+ Million Dollars at the domestic box office. Nearly 270 Million Dollars in Foreign markets. Was given an IMax release. Its DVD release broke sales records. An undeniable modern classic in every respect and by all accounts should be a feather in Blu-Ray's cap with majestic, oscar worthy high definition images.

Having reviews to read in helping to possibly save $26 is not the issue. The real issue is the missed opportunity that this release could have been. The fact that we cannot get a stunning Gladiator Blu-Ray *at any price* is the problem. Personally I am not buying Gladiator. Does this mean I sit at home with my Gladiator DVD going "Yeah! Ha, I just saved twenty bucks!". Nope. Instead I'm extremely dissapointed that I can't buy and enjoy this epic film with the same level of quality that a host of other more affordable catalog titles offer. Ghandi, Ghostbusters and Princess Bride spring to mind immediately. In fact, if Sony or Fox owned this property we'd probably all be heaping praise upon this release because those studios are delivering outstanding catalog. Obviously Paramount is capable, as we see from Braveheart, they just didn't want to in this instance.

There are certain movies that just deserve a proper remastering and a proper transfer. Gladiator was one of them. If this was some obscure catalog release, I could almost give Paramount a pass in some regards if they were trying to clean up a defective master and got a little heavy handed with their digital filtering/scratch removal tools. But this is clearly not some obscure catalog title and when they slapped the "Sapphire" tag on it is even more insulting to customers like ourselves who were really looking forward to this release.

[Grubert]

Originally Posted by ack_bak

You do have an option. Rent the movie instead of buying it. If you are on the fence, I recommend renting it first and then determine if the PQ disappoints you enough to not buy it. Rent it now and then you can always buy it later on when it shows up on a bargain sale.

Unfortunately, that is not an option for me. The BD offer at local videoclubs consists almost exclusively of day-and-date releases. So if I want to watch a catalog title, it's buy or nothing. And if I don't want to keep it, I have to go through the hassle of reselling.

[ack_bak]

Originally Posted by Grubert

Unfortunately, that is not an option for me. The BD offer at local videoclubs consists almost exclusively of day-and-date releases. So if I want to watch a catalog title, it's buy or nothing. And if I don't want to keep it, I have to go through the hassle of reselling.

Well, based on your situation, I feel for you. I guess wait for a good sale. I do think the Blu-Ray will look superior to the DVD release, but this is still a tough pill to swallow.

[OARmaster]

Originally Posted by Grubert

Unfortunately, that is not an option for me. The BD offer at local videoclubs consists almost exclusively of day-and-date releases. So if I want to watch a catalog title, it's buy or nothing. And if I don't want to keep it, I have to go through the hassle of reselling.

Netflix or Blockbuster

[Grubert]

Originally Posted by OARmaster

Netflix or Blockbuster

Pity they don't rent to Europe.

[OARmaster]

Originally Posted by Grubert

Pity they don't rent to Europe.

That explains a lot.

[ONE_DAY_AS_A_LION]

i have a question

i didn't follow this thread for 37 pages but how do you guys know
that the PQ is not going to look good?

i've seen that review from another site that someone posted

blu-ray.com hasn't done a review

so why is everyone up in arms?

how do we know that the PQ is not a 4.5 or 5 rating?

[Philnerd]

Originally Posted by ONE_DAY_AS_A_LION

i have a question
how do we know that the PQ is not a 4.5 or 5 rating?

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...&postcount=701

[OARmaster]

Originally Posted by ONE_DAY_AS_A_LION

i have a question

i didn't follow this thread for 37 pages but how do you guys know
that the PQ is not going to look good?

i've seen that review from another site that someone posted

blu-ray.com hasn't done a review

so why is everyone up in arms?

how do we know that the PQ is not a 4.5 or 5 rating?

Because the screenshot scientists from the AVS horde told us so. Rent it and watch it in motion for yourself before making a decision. If you ever have a technical question...skip the amateurs. Go to Penton-Man.

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

It all come's down to each person choice, buy on don't buy if you do not like the picture quality.

and how do you know what the PQ is UNTIL you've bought it?!?!? you don't!

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

I face the same trouble a few months back with Robin Hood Prince Of Thieves. Everyone was complaining that it was a very bad BD release. For me it came down to the fact that while it wasn't a reference BD, it was way superior in picture quality then the horrible DVD transfert I had and it's a movie I truly enjoy and had not been watching for sometime because of the horrible quality of the DVD. So I bought it and I am quite happy with it.

and how did you figure out that the PQ was better than DVD prior to buying it? from renting it?

my point is simply: we don't have much to go on, the reviews do help but we still take a risk in purchasing. even renting costs money prior to buying. thus the notion "if you don't like it, don't buy it" is really not true with BD's as it is with other products we can touch and feel on the shelf.

[OARmaster]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

and how do you know what the PQ is UNTIL you've bought it?!?!? you don't!


and how did you figure out that the PQ was better than DVD prior to buying it? from renting it?

my point is simply: we don't have much to go on, the reviews do help but we still take a risk in purchasing. even renting costs money prior to buying.

How is that different than anything else? There is risk as a consumer in purchasing anything. Rent before you buy if you wish. The cost is rather low if you subscribe to a service like Netflix or Blockbuster.