Gladiator (2000)

[Q?]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

The source was pestered for months on these boards and eventually said something to the effect that the studio wasnt budging. The message was, surrender, the battle was fought and lost.

I didn't cave in

[Grubert]

Originally Posted by Q!

I didn't cave in

Nor did I. Too much great stuff around for me to bother with "better than DVD."

I'm not even buying Dark City at $7.99... ommmmm...

[Crimson King]

Glad I waited to buy Gladiator, but before I do I'll see how people like the new remaster. Plus I feel sorry for those who bought the old one, Paramount should do some sort of replacement program for those who did, but Disney/Miramax did'nt do it with the new GONY release.

[sfmarine]

Originally Posted by Grubert

Nor did I. Too much great stuff around for me to bother with "better than DVD."

I'm not even buying Dark City at $7.99... ommmmm...

Wow..you're really boycotting that release lol. I had to cave and buy The Perfect Storm, and A History of Violence. You can't beat $7.99.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Q!

I didn't cave in

Originally Posted by Grubert

Nor did I. Too much great stuff around for me to bother with "better than DVD."

I'm not even buying Dark City at $7.99... ommmmm...

Yea yea yea. I figured wrong.

Dark City isnt a mess. A bit soft, but not offensive.

[Q?]

I actually have Dark City, it was cheap and it's not a important movie for me anyways

Well whatever happens, I wish you good luck

[Xorp]

You couldn't pay me to take that wax museum disaster that is Dark City

[Sky_Captain]

Did someone actually defend Dark City? I heard it from across town. The pitiful cries awoke me from my slumber.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Xorp

You couldn't pay me to take that wax museum disaster that is Dark City

I need to watch it again. I consider myself a huge DNR/EE hater, and a grain lover. I remember it looking soft, but it looked more like a focus/lighting tchnique. I dont remember any smearing/waxy a la Patton/GONY/Amadeus. Maybe I'm wrong.

[Blu-Malibu2009]

Originally Posted by Sky_Captain

Did someone actually defend Dark City? I heard it from across town. The pitiful cries awoke me from my slumber.

Best transfer ever!!!!!!!!!!!

[gettodamoofies]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

I need to watch it again. I consider myself a huge DNR/EE hater, and a grain lover. I remember it looking soft, but it looked more like a focus/lighting tchnique. I dont remember any smearing/waxy a la Patton/GONY/Amadeus. Maybe I'm wrong.

It's definitely got some going on, but I personally wouldn't rate in anywhere near the realm of Gladiator or Patton. It does have some soft focus to get the noir-ish look, but there's definitely manipulation going on. Having said that, I didn't find it all too distracting whereas when I've checked out Gladiator and Patton it was painfully obvious. It's not perfect, but I don't think Dark City ever reaches the levels of DNR we've seen in some titles. Would it benefit from a different transfer/encode? Yes. I absolutely love Dark City and am a huge fan of a quality filmic look, but even though it's one of my favourite films it doesn't have me crying out for a new transfer quite like Gladiator does.

[mredman]

Originally Posted by Sky_Captain

Did someone actually defend Dark City? I heard it from across town. The pitiful cries awoke me from my slumber.

Yep Dark city is a masterpiece and the transfer is very good

[bandit29]

Originally Posted by mredman

Yep Dark city is a masterpiece and the transfer is very good

Wrong on both counts

[Sky_Captain]

There's a two second burst in the Dark City transfer, where the DNR completely disappears. It looks fantastic and then it's back to shit again. It's actually the scene where Murdoch goes to his uncle's apartment and is watched through the window. I think Mr. Hand watches him and then flies away. It's as he moves up through the frame, BLINK!!! Gone. Then BLINK!!! Back.

[pbz06]

Originally Posted by benricci

What about the vast majority of consumers who don't obsessively read blu-ray message boards, and bought it because they were simply excited that Gladiator was finally out?

I think if they're gonna re-release it so quickly to get the new transfer on store shelves, there should be an exchange program.

those people probably can't tell the difference between a good transfer and a poor one

[JBL4645]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I'm with this guy..... except I don't feel the excessive nit-picking is going to improve future releases...... We are the minority.... and when Blu-ray players become even more commonplace in homes, studios will actually have less incentive for leaving Grain in tact, or providing lossless audio etc..... The average Joe wants everything to look "Bright and Sharp" and they don't appreciate film.... heck, even here there are people who claim transfers were poor due to grain..... just silly really.

Let's face it...... IF this release is flawed, people will have more reasons to repurchase it in a year or so when they release some other special edition.

Patton is a perfect example by the way.....

1) It looks a lot better than my DVD of it.
2) It's DNR'd to hell and back.....
3) It's a perfect "older" movie to show someone who is interested in Blu-ray because it blows them away......

I would much prefer it to be re-released and leaving the grain in tact, and not DNRing the hell out of it...... But I bet there are TONS of people who would prefer the DNR'd version to a carefully restored "Truer" version of the film.

That's just the way the average consumer is unfortunately.

Agree, agree! I saw Gladiator twice once at the local Odeon Bournemouth, screen 1, on an old Cinerama screen that has been changed slightly. While sat at the very front I can see the grain moving around and it doesn’t distract me at all.

The sound was bit lacking impact due to 40 year old Volt speakers placed behind the screen. The surrounds where new JBL 8330 some x16 or so. The HF horns behind the screen where JBL with 15” bass mid JBL drivers loaded into the Volt enclosures, still impact was missing.

It was slightly better on my second viewing at the Empire Leicester Square, London screen 1. I was rather surprised after the film finished and the house lights came up, I noticed the surrounds where visible along the sidewalls?

Martin Audio I can just make out peering at the speakers. One of the projectionist there said we had the old THX taken out amps and fronts speakers except for the JBL subs x8 4645 that remained behind the screen.

I was rather disappointed in the impact because the previous original 13KW JBL THX was just at times in my chest and face, total impact.

As for the look it was grand with the grain. I first sat in the middle first row circle centre line of the cinema, then moved down towards the front centre line and the size of the screen just dwarfed the Odon Bournemouth.

There was slightly more impact at the front that jolted me back at times in the (rocker seat) as I’m a rather jumper person.

Since then Empire has gotten its THX back along with JBL the king of cinema sound presentation with enough 56KW to serve and give justice, to any film soundtrack!

Since I read poor reviews buy the average consumer on the forums, I’ve stayed away from, it. I have it on region 2 DVD and the (edge enhancement) no way it looks ghastly looking. Shame on Universal Studios!

[SellmeyourDVD]

I just sold my copy of Gladiator for $24 on ebay

Hopefully my $10 refund goes through, which would mean I profited around $18 on Gladiator.

I'll buy the new release once it goes to around $10, just like this one.

[Shanester]

I'm sure Ridley heard the complaints and took action to redo the transfer properly.

That's BLU power in Hollywood!!

[DetroitSportsFan]

Originally Posted by SellmeyourDVD

I just sold my copy of Gladiator for $24 on ebay

Wow, there truly is one born every minute.

[Chordata]

Originally Posted by SellmeyourDVD

I just sold my copy of Gladiator for $24 on ebay

Geez, maybe I'll try the same. I've had great luck with eBay and DVDs. BDs can't be any worse!