The Da Vinci Code (2006) (Extended Cut)

[Ken Brown]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Just one suggestion – In regards to being proactive, some would say that the onus would be on the reviewer to read every post regarding motion pictures coming to Blu-ray that I take the time to type up, as much of that information is either borderline confidential, cutting edge or just extremely difficult to otherwise obtain but, how you prioritize your research for your reviews is up you.
Additionally, I really have no gripe with your review, Ken, I actually never even read it….what prompted me to contribute to this thread was to address the disrespectful rant posted by tvine2000 quoted at the top of this page. Your defending of your review by asking a question to the general populace here regarding the daylight capture on Da Vinci, prompted me to technically set the record straight regarding the transfer as I was passing by……nothing more.

I really don’t care very much as to whether reviewers “trash any release” and I certainly don’t have the time nor the inclination to give a proactive heads-up to a reviewer via a PM or e-mail. Reading my thread or privately contacting me is the best you’re going to get, otherwise, let the Blu chips fall where they may as to the accuracy of any review on any forum, this or any other.

UPDATE: Case in point- Regarding The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. I posted months ago as to the specific cameras used to shoot that motion picture (which may have come in handy for any reviewers that lost “the insert” or otherwise inadvertently discarded it, and I also, mentioned the work done by Lowry Digital in regards to digital noise reduction and sharpening to have all the elements appear as seamless as possible in the final cut.

I don’t recall but, I may have even commented about how the post production pipeline for the Viper FilmStream had evolved in time from Zodiac to The Curious Case of Benjamin Button as I attended this SMPTE meeting last September……http://www.hsmpte.org/2008%20Meeting...%209-25-08.doc

Much can be found on this forum’s Insider’s Threads (all of them) that may be of value to all reviewers and it may be a good idea to search all my posts with certain specific search words like an upcoming title which could be of interest to you when it eventually streets on Blu-ray.

More importantly, I think you're a fine reviewer; otherwise, you wouldn't have been invited here in the first place.

Ah, sorry... I should have clarified who I was directing my last post towards. My response wasn't in regards to your message, but aimed at the readers who initially were discussing this issue and my observations in the first place. Your information simply verified that I had missed something crucial in the course of writing my review (information that I appreciate you providing, if for no other reason than to settle the debate raging in this thread).

We appreciate insider presence on the site and try not to demand anything more from you guys than you already give

My apologies for being unclear!

[DRS]

In regards to the movie itself, I had never seen it before, so this 3 hour version was my first exposure, and I quite liked it. Despite the length, the pacing was pretty good. I think the reason I enjoyed this though was that the cast was great, and great music too.

From what I read, people criticized the original movie for being rushed, so looks like this 3 hour version is an improvement as it felt very "complete," and I cant imagine it being 30 minutes shorter...

[Chaka]

Ken, knowing what you know now prior to writing your review, would you still give it low marks? If you stand by your low score, would you clarify on your review that the softness was intentional? If you would give it a higher score, I assume you cannot retract or change your initial review.

[KBZ]

I just got done watching it, and I don't see what all the fuss is about.

[Ken Brown]

Originally Posted by Chaka

Ken, knowing what you know now prior to writing your review, would you still give it low marks? If you stand by your low score, would you clarify on your review that the softness was intentional? If you would give it a higher score, I assume you cannot retract or change your initial review.

I actually plan on updating the review as soon as I have some free time this week. My comments and descriptions will be similar, but the explanation and tone driving those comments will be quite different. I'll also bump up the score as well. I'm far more interested in having a reliable review that accurately reflects every aspect of a disc than in winning a debate

Here's the only thing I'd like to ask of you guys: instead of arguing or getting upset about one of my reviews, please send me a PM with a link to any research that verifies something I've obviously overlooked. I don't expect you to do all of my research for me, but in the event that I miss something, shooting me a link to an article, information about the types of cameras involved, etc will facilitate an update, expedite the process, and serve the community far more than posting an inflammatory reader review or message board post. Even if you're just sending me a link someone else found and posted in a thread, that would be extremely helpful. Oftentimes, I'm so busy watching discs and writing a review, that I simply don't have time to dig through all of the posts on the board (unless I stop paying attention to my son or spending any waking moment with my wife )

Basically, I want all of you to understand that I appreciate all your input and rely on your help sometimes. The quickest way to get me (or most of the writers here) to adjust anything in their reviews is with a polite e-mail and a few verifiable facts! It's too easy to dry heave anger onto the message boards -- common courtesy will always drive suggestions and requests deeper into my ear. Essentially, I'm not a fan of arguments or online conflict. I just want to do my job, do it well, and give you guys everything you need to make a solid decision about the titles I review.

Thanks as always for posting!

[Kyo28]

Originally Posted by Ken Brown

I actually plan on updating the review as soon as I have some free time this week. My comments and descriptions will be similar, but the explanation and tone driving those comments will be quite different. I'll also bump up the score as well. I'm far more interested in having a reliable review that accurately reflects every aspect of a disc than in winning a debate

That's a very good and professional attitude right there! I've seen it happend many times that a reviewer (even professional ones) misunderstood certain aspects of a release and as such gave it notes that are too high or too low. After the facts are explained to them, they stubornly keep clining onto their original review. I wish more people would be like you, shove their ego aside and just adapt a review when need be.

[lgans316]

Kenneth Brown is amongst the few trustworthy reviewers. It's a shame to know the average video quality on the BD release.

[Ken Brown]

Originally Posted by Kyo28

That's a very good and professional attitude right there! I've seen it happend many times that a reviewer (even professional ones) misunderstood certain aspects of a release and as such gave it notes that are too high or too low. After the facts are explained to them, they stubornly keep clining onto their original review. I wish more people would be like you, shove their ego aside and just adapt a review when need be.

No problem. It's my pleasure

[t0nythebeat]

So I'm pretty sure my ticket code was in the wrapper?
And I seem to have thrown it away. So In my preparation of getting ready to watch "Angels & Deamons" at midnight tomorrow ... I'm pretty bummed out.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Ken Brown

Ah, sorry... I should have clarified who I was directing my last post towards. My response wasn't in regards to your message, but aimed at the readers who initially were discussing this issue and my observations in the first place. Your information simply verified that I had missed something crucial in the course of writing my review (information that I appreciate you providing, if for no other reason than to settle the debate raging in this thread).

We appreciate insider presence on the site and try not to demand anything more from you guys than you already give

My apologies for being unclear!

No problem.
No answers from anyone to my above query?
Turns out, some scenes in the hospital room were shot on an F23 due to the Viper FilmStream being too noisy.

[thecroshow]

after reading the original review i was TERRIFIED of opening my copy of da vinci code after my order arrived. i watched it and loved it, a faithtful translation from theater to BD

i'd give PQ a 4 and AQ 3.5-4