Scream Factory Blu-ray Discussion Thread

[Member-167298]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

You're right about my evaluations of the actual Blu-ray discs. I don't delve into Blu-ray technical discussions often, unless I see something that is glaringly bad. I've got a 49" 4K television that I watch from about seven feet away, and I used a sound bar instead of a surround system because of the logistics of my living room setup. For this reason, I'm probably more like the average "Joe Six-Pack" who watches these Blu-rays and enjoys them at face value, as opposed to being a sternly discerning consumer who has a Ph.D in the proper color tint history of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly or The Thing.

This is probably why my reviews are probably better suited for venue like the Letterboxd site, or the Movies sub-forum on this here site.

Still, I think that most everyday Blu-ray customers who probably lurk around here have an idea of what they are getting themselves into when they read one of my brief comments on actual disc quality.

I appreciate your contributions here, Owl! I can honestly say you are one of a very few members that I am always excited to read. I may not always agree with your assessments, but I respect your perspective and attempts to put thought and reason into your contributions. I will take your "everyman" style reviews over the crashing bores that are in love with their own musings, attempt to be above it all, and are so obsessed with A/V minutiae that they analyze the fun right out of why we are all really here - watching and enjoying the movies we love.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by SeanJoyce

I always get the feeling he's attempting to justify his slew of blind purchases.

In all honesty, the process of importing so many of my old reviews to the new Letterboxd account has compelled me to pause and consider the enormity of my Blu-ray collection and the sheer amount of still-unwatched titles that are in my collection.

In fact, this morning, I cancelled out on my Vinegar Syndrome pre-order of all five Blu-rays in the October 2017 Blu-ray Package, and narrowed my choices down to two of those titles (Demon Wind and Blood Beat).

That's not to say that I feel a need to justify blind buys, because my gut feelings are usually pretty good when it comes to choosing them (as I've been reminded while I've been importing and re-reading my old reviews). Blind buys are part of what make this Blu-ray hobby so much fun. I just need to spend 2018 playing catch-up with my existing titles more so than accruing a ton of additional blind buys.

[javy]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

In all honesty, the process of importing so many of my old reviews to the new Letterboxd account has compelled me to pause and consider the enormity of my Blu-ray collection and the sheer amount of still-unwatched titles that are in my collection.

In fact, this morning, I cancelled out on my Vinegar Syndrome pre-order of all five Blu-rays in the October 2017 Blu-ray Package, and narrowed my choices down to two of those titles (Demon Wind and Blood Beat).

That's not to say that I feel a need to justify blind buys, because my gut feelings are usually pretty good when it comes to choosing them (as I've been reminded while I've been importing and re-reading my old reviews). Blind buys are part of what make this Blu-ray hobby so much fun. I just need to spend 2018 playing catch-up with my existing titles more so than accruing a ton of additional blind buys.

How many unmatched movies do you have?

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by javy

How many unmatched movies do you have?

I've probably got enough still-unwatched Blu-rays in my collection to keep me busy for a year.

I take it in stride. This is a hobby and not a race, so I'm not particularly compelled to put everything on hold in order to plow through the unwatched stuff all at once.

I'd just like to be sure that my Blu-ray collection never outgrows the walk-in closet where I currently store it!

[Boggle]

I like Owl's reviews. I find them comforting and undemanding. Like reading old Garfield comics.

[ROSS.T.G.]

There is definitely a lot of cynicism and lack of respect in some of these threads so I for one find owls optimistic reviews refreshing. He's also nothing but respectful and open minded. Keep truckin' baby.

[LeeFanatic007]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I've probably got enough still-unwatched Blu-rays in my collection to keep me busy for a year.

I take it in stride. This is a hobby and not a race, so I'm not particularly compelled to put everything on hold in order to plow through the unwatched stuff all at once.

I'd just like to be sure that my Blu-ray collection never outgrows the walk-in closet where I currently store it!

I've easily got a couple hundred unwatched Blu-rays. Some are films I've never seen and others are ones I haven't seen on Blu-ray yet, but have seen in theaters or other formats.

[Spooked]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

You're right about my evaluations of the actual Blu-ray discs. I don't delve into Blu-ray technical discussions often, unless I see something that is glaringly bad. I've got a 49" 4K television that I watch from about seven feet away, and I used a sound bar instead of a surround system because of the logistics of my living room setup. For this reason, I'm probably more like the average "Joe Six-Pack" who watches these Blu-rays and enjoys them at face value, as opposed to being a sternly discerning consumer who has a Ph.D in the proper color tint history of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly or The Thing.

This is probably why my reviews are probably better suited for venue like the Letterboxd site, or the Movies sub-forum on this here site.

Still, I think that most everyday Blu-ray customers who probably lurk around here have an idea of what they are getting themselves into when they read one of my brief comments on actual disc quality.

So now I'm curious; what model of Television do you own? I for one, really appreciate your reviews (and general sensibilities). They not only align with mine, but help me put some additional perspective on this hobby.

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

You're right about my evaluations of the actual Blu-ray discs. I don't delve into Blu-ray technical discussions often, unless I see something that is glaringly bad. I've got a 49" 4K television that I watch from about seven feet away, and I used a sound bar instead of a surround system because of the logistics of my living room setup. For this reason, I'm probably more like the average "Joe Six-Pack" who watches these Blu-rays and enjoys them at face value, as opposed to being a sternly discerning consumer who has a Ph.D in the proper color tint history of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly or The Thing.

This is probably why my reviews are probably better suited for venue like the Letterboxd site, or the Movies sub-forum on this here site.

Still, I think that most everyday Blu-ray customers who probably lurk around here have an idea of what they are getting themselves into when they read one of my brief comments on actual disc quality.

Reviews are most helpful when they match a particular viewpoint that you can weigh against your own. For those who want a more picky technical appraisal I think they know which posters to pay attention to (Geoff, JohnCarpenterFan, myself, etc.) and people who read and enjoy your reviews know the spirit to take them in, IMO. That includes me, btw.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Spooked

So now I'm curious; what model of Television do you own? I for one, really appreciate your reviews (and general sensibilities). They not only align with mine, but help me put some additional perspective on this hobby.

LG 49" 2160p 4K LED Smart TV (49UH6090)

I used a customized calibration setting that is sort of like the Cinema mode with a few minor tweaks.

I grabbed this one at a Target sale two years ago for $600.

I use a Sony 4K-upscale Blu-ray player as well. It was about $80.

Although I spend a lot of money on Blu-rays, I've never been one to go overboard on the equipment. When it comes to players and televisions, I've always liked the idea of having something "disposable", so that, when/if I have to replace it, it does not break the bank for me to do so, and I can replace something at the drop of a hat.

[ROSS.T.G.]

I think reviewing the technical merits are harder than the film itself. I have read countless reviews on PQ & AQ that I flat out disagreed with. I personally dislike the look of many digitally shot films where others love them. Some like boosted contrast, edge enhancement, some hate grain etc. I'm always very weary when I read reviews from a technical perspective. I generally agree with Velvet and Geoff for the most part regarding PQ but have also disagreed a few times.

[TheRyno665]

Has anyone else ordered Knightriders in the last sale and still not have it ship yet?

[ROSS.T.G.]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

LG 49" 2160p 4K LED Smart TV (49UH6090)

I used a customized calibration setting that is sort of like the Cinema mode with a few minor tweaks.

I grabbed this one at a Target sale two years ago for $600.

I use a Sony 4K-upscale Blu-ray player as well. It was about $80.

Although I spend a lot of money on Blu-rays, I've never been one to go overboard on the equipment. When it comes to players and televisions, I've always liked the idea of having something "disposable", so that, when/if I have to replace it, it does not break the bank for me to do so, and I can replace something at the drop of a hat.

Good for you. You enjoy your gear and that's what matters. I had the same mindset for many years. Having gone through 3 LCD/LED, 2 Plasmas, 2 projectors, 5 AVR's and 4 BD players, and many speakers I decided to do A LOT of research for the gear that suited my needs and expectations and upgraded my theatre last year and haven't thought about upgrading since I am finally content. Although my family is happy since they received all my old gear

[Member-167298]

Originally Posted by ROSS.T.G.

Having gone through 3 LCD/LED, 2 Plasmas, 2 projectors, 5 AVR's and 4 BD players, and many speakers

Do you throw them around and hit them with bats?

[ROSS.T.G.]

Originally Posted by PrestonXI

Do you throw them around and hit them with bats?

Lol it's how I get my kicks. I moved a lot and was always wanting a larger screen. At the time I didn't have much money so I was settling for entry level displays. I'm also picky to a fault.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by ROSS.T.G.

I think reviewing the technical merits are harder than the film itself. I have read countless reviews on PQ & AQ that I flat out disagreed with. I personally dislike the look of many digitally shot films where others love them. Some like boosted contrast, edge enhancement, some hate grain etc. I'm always very weary when I read reviews from a technical perspective. I generally agree with Velvet and Geoff for the most part regarding PQ but have also disagreed a few times.

I find that my expectations of specific films in general tend to cloud my evaluations of technical Blu-ray presentations, because I form a subjective bias based a film's era of release and such.

For instance, when I sat down to watch my Code Red Blu-ray of Cut-Throats Nine, I was expecting to see the cinematic equivalent of an old weatherbeaten baseball glove that comfortably fits in an effortless way. I did not mind the occasional print damage, source maladies, or even any possible encoding faults as such.

It's the same way with the Scream Factory release of The Final Terror, because I'm judging that film on the effort that Scream Factory put into assembling the surviving material into a remotely presentable end result.

When I sit down to watch my Blu-ray of the new 2017 version of The Mummy, however, I'll likely be evaluating the picture with a much greater degree of scrutiny.

I tend to dock points from my evaluation of a Blu-ray technical presentation when the end result does not "match" my expectations. I was heartbroken when the French Pathe Blu-ray of Le Samouraï turned out to be a watercolory noise reduction mess, because I knew from my Criterion DVD that the film could look better. I was also disappointed that Tommy Boy looked like a DVD transfer, whereas Black Sheep looked amazingly crystal clear with beautiful detail.

[Member-222782]

I was in the Caribbean when Irma struck and had no power for 5 days so I thought I'd missed out on the Hell Night preorder - thankfully it was still available. I thought this one would sell out within days. Can't wait to see what SF has come up with for the extras but it worries me that Linda Blair was apparently clueless that the film would be coming out on Blu. I hope she's participating in this release

[alull]

Originally Posted by Cinema74

I was in the Caribbean when Irma struck and had no power for 5 days (...)

Glad you're okay!

[Jaymole]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I find that my expectations of specific films in general tend to cloud my evaluations of technical Blu-ray presentations, because I form a subjective bias based a film's era of release and such.

For instance, when I sat down to watch my Code Red Blu-ray of Cut-Throats Nine, I was expecting to see the cinematic equivalent of an old weatherbeaten baseball glove that comfortably fits in an effortless way. I did not mind the occasional print damage, source maladies, or even any possible encoding faults as such.

It's the same way with the Scream Factory release of The Final Terror, because I'm judging that film on the effort that Scream Factory put into assembling the surviving material into a remotely presentable end result.

When I sit down to watch my Blu-ray of the new 2017 version of The Mummy, however, I'll likely be evaluating the picture with a much greater degree of scrutiny.

I tend to dock points from my evaluation of a Blu-ray technical presentation when the end result does not "match" my expectations. I was heartbroken when the French Pathe Blu-ray of Le Samouraï turned out to be a watercolory noise reduction mess, because I knew from my Criterion DVD that the film could look better. I was also disappointed that Tommy Boy looked like a DVD transfer, whereas Black Sheep looked amazingly crystal clear with beautiful detail.

That is exactly how I approach judgement on technical merits as well. I am also not someone who minds minor print damage on films which I know have a limited market...I guess i'm just happy the film is on Blu-ray at all.

[LeeFanatic007]

Originally Posted by Cinema74

I was in the Caribbean when Irma struck and had no power for 5 days so I thought I'd missed out on the Hell Night preorder - thankfully it was still available. I thought this one would sell out within days. Can't wait to see what SF has come up with for the extras but it worries me that Linda Blair was apparently clueless that the film would be coming out on Blu. I hope she's participating in this release

Why would this sell out? It's not a limited release.