Predator (1987) (Ultimate Hunter Edition)

[raygendreau]

Originally Posted by ArmyOfDarknessAW

Um i don't want to argue but that is not what a B grade movie is. Think of each letter standing for a number so it would be the same as a 4/5. A B grade movie has a whole different meaning.
B Movie Definition

O.K. In that case this is the Grade B definition that sits well with me:

most B movies represent a particular genre—the Western was a Golden Age B movie staple, while low-budget science-fiction and horror films became more popular in the 1950s. Early B movies were often part of series in which the star repeatedly played the same character. Almost always shorter than the top-billed films they were paired with, many had running times of 70 minutes or less. The term connoted a general perception that B movies were inferior to the more handsomely budgeted headliners; individual B films were often ignored by critics. Latter-day B movies still sometimes inspire multiple sequels, but series are less common. As the average running time of top-of-the-line films increased, so did that of B pictures. In its current usage, the term has two primary and somewhat contradictory connotations: it may signal an opinion that a certain movie is (a) a genre film with minimal artistic ambitions or (b) a lively, energetic film uninhibited by the constraints imposed on more expensive projects and unburdened by the conventions of putatively "serious" independent film. The term is also now used loosely to refer to some higher budgeted, mainstream films with exploitation-style content, usually in genres traditionally associated with the B movie.

[persuazion]

Originally Posted by SpotOn

I don't care about insecure d-bags who want to "show off". They can find a different way for others to see them as 'cool'. There are hundreds of other titles that were not filmed as grainy as Predator. Use one of those.

p.s. How many more new arguments are you going to start before this thread dies? Instead of constantly changing the subject, maybe you could sit down and enjoy your new Predator disc again and leave the people who understand and accept the nuts and bolts of filmmaking alone.

How is this a new argument? Its the same thing we have been talking about since page 1.....same subject....its not my fault that so many people voted that they liked the disc and its gotten you into a violent grain loving uproar. Why dont you leave the people alone that actually have watched the disc and like the picture instead of trying to convince them how little they know about film making and how evil they are for buying it in the first place? If you hate the disc so much why do you continue to hang out in a thread dedicated to it? Let me guess ....its to enlighten and educate right?

[Rob71]

Originally Posted by persuazion

how is this a new argument? Its the same thing we have been talking about since page 1.....same subject....its not my fault that so many people voted that they liked the disc and its gotten you into a violent grain loving uproar. Why dont you leave the people alone that actually have watched the disc and like the picture instead of trying to convince them how little they know about film making and how evil they are for buying it in the first place? If you hate the disc so much why do you continue to hang out in a thread dedicated to it? Let me guess ....its to enlighten and educate right?

30%?

[persuazion]

Originally Posted by Rob71

30%?

161 people is more then I expected to vote for it considering all the trash talk......only 20 percent more voted for the original,guess theres more Joe 6 packs here then I originally thought.

[Robert George]

Originally Posted by persuazion

161 people is more then I expected to vote for it considering all the trash talk......only 20 percent more voted for the original,guess theres more Joe 6 packs here then I originally thought.

And of those 263 votes for the original release, how many do you think have actually seen the new version on disc rather than the same tired screen caps posted around, much less have physically compared the actual discs rather than the same tired screen caps posted around?

Fewer than half, I'd say. Far fewer.

Ideology trumps reality for too many people today...

[Rob71]

Originally Posted by Robert George

And of those 263 votes for the original release, how many do you think have actually seen the new version on disc rather than the same tired screen caps posted around, much less have physically compared the actual discs rather than the same tired screen caps posted around?

Fewer than half, I'd say. Far fewer.

Ideology trumps reality for too many people today...

Well I have seen both and I prefer the first one, by a long shot. I don't judge based on screencaps, that "science" is just about worthless for judging motion pictures. But if someone here learns over time to trust certain reviewers, and some posters, judgment a screencap can be a decent tool.

[Robert George]

Originally Posted by Rob71

Well I have seen both and I prefer the first one...

I didn't say "none".

But if someone here learns over time to trust certain reviewers, and some posters, judgment a screencap can be a decent tool.

But basing a response to a poll that isn't asking about screen caps by using screen caps is, well, a tool.

[Rob71]

Originally Posted by Robert George

But basing a response to a poll that isn't asking about screen caps by using screen caps is, well, a tool.

You are assuming most haven't seen the new release, and basing your opinion of them on that. Is that much different?

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by persuazion

161 people is more then I expected to vote for it considering all the trash talk......only 20 percent more voted for the original,guess theres more Joe 6 packs here then I originally thought.

I'd love to see the age of each of those 161 members.

[Robert George]

Originally Posted by Rob71

You are assuming most haven't seen the new release, and basing your opinion of them on that. Is that much different?

Yeah? Well, over a hundred of the votes for the original edition were posted before the UHE version was even released, and I kinda doubt that many people are getting discs that early. And why would someone that had already seen screen caps that look like they look go to the trouble and expense to get something ahead of street date that they already think looks bad?

I think my assumption is rather more than an assumption.

But you think what you want.

[Robert George]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

I'd love to see the age of each of those 161 members.

Here's one...

53.

Former laserdisc and DVD reviewer.

Collector of movies on video since mid eighties. VHS, laserdisc, DVD, HDDVD, Blu-ray.

Display system more than capable of getting everything out of the source material there is.

Yes, I understand what was done to the video master of Predator.

Yes, I still prefer to watch the new version.

[raygendreau]

For those of you who know they will never be satisfied with either release and insist on yet a third and feel that the likelihood of that happening is slim or none as I do: I feel your pain even though I don't agree with you. This is what I suggest you do. Its painless and requires nothing more than an email:

Contact Criterion. They have worked with Fox in the past on licensing. And, if Robocop can make it into the Criterion Collection so can Predator.

http://www.criterion.com/contact_us

For those who are lurking or are current participants and want to know more about what the fuss is all about (To DNR or Not to DNR, Too Much DNR or not Enough, etc. etc.) Check out this short tutorial/primer. Don't be put off by the word DVD in the title, it applies to Blu-ray as well.

http://www.cinedrome.ch/hometheater/dvd/dnr/text.html

There are some examples which include stills as well as short clips illustrating problems caused by improper use of DNR. Some will check it out and say "well, I still don't see the problem" If so, go buy the UHE. Others will say "See, See. Thats what I'm talking about. They've ruined it." If so, click on the link above and make your suggestion to Criterion that Predator be added to the Collection.

For those of you that insist that Fox correct their grevious error, I got nothin' for ya.

[raygendreau]

Originally Posted by mars396

I still think those screen caps were manipulated in some way - either with the settings on the TV or after they were taken. I've watched and re-watched my Predator UHE, and what I saw simply does not look like those screenshots. And, I am not sitting too far away - I specifically got off the couch and moved within inches during the most celebrated (by the anti-UHE crowd) scenes (General Waxy, Mr Potato Head Shirt, Melting Carl, etc).

I just don't see it.

If it is because I am watching on a 37" LCD, then that is what this Blu-ray was made for; it looks terrific !

You need to listen to the Director's commentary regarding the excessive amount of makeup they had to use on the General for that scene if you haven't already done so.

[raygendreau]

Originally Posted by Rob71

Well I have seen both and I prefer the first one, by a long shot. I don't judge based on screencaps, that "science" is just about worthless for judging motion pictures. But if someone here learns over time to trust certain reviewers, and some posters, judgment a screencap can be a decent tool.

Another voice of reason.

[raygendreau]

Originally Posted by Robert George

Here's one...

53.

Former laserdisc and DVD reviewer.

Collector of movies on video since mid eighties. VHS, laserdisc, DVD, HDDVD, Blu-ray.

Display system more than capable of getting everything out of the source material there is.

Yes, I understand what was done to the video master of Predator.

Yes, I still prefer to watch the new version.

Here's another. 69.

I think you would find that the average age of the 161 is much higher than you imagine. The younger crowd isn't well represented in this thread.

[raygendreau]

Originally Posted by persuazion

161 people is more then I expected to vote for it considering all the trash talk......only 20 percent more voted for the original,guess theres more Joe 6 packs here then I originally thought.

Another conclusion you can infer from the poll is that only 18% want a 3rd release. Fox is unlikely to be impressed.

[mars396]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

I'd love to see the age of each of those 161 members.

your profile says that you are 28 !



I am 43, and have had films on the following films-at-home formats:

CED
VHS
DVD
Blu-ray

>>>I've seen quite a few presentations of films at home

some before you were even born

[BillieCassin]

Originally Posted by Rob71

You are assuming most haven't seen the new release, and basing your opinion of them on that. Is that much different?

1) Many people have admitted, "Hey I just looked at the screenshots, and I think..."

2) If as many people I've seen yelling about this across all kinds of sites actually bought this disc, it would have been the bestselling Blu-ray title of all time.

[raygendreau]

Originally Posted by mars396

your profile says that you are 28 !



I am 43, and have had films on the following films-at-home formats:

CED
VHS
DVD
Blu-ray

>>>I've seen quite a few presentations of films at home

some before you were even born

As noted before, I'm 69. In the past month I have watched 14 BD netflix rentals and 16 HD streaming. I think I can be classified as an enthusiast.

[tama_drummer91]

I'm still on the fence about which version I prefer. I have read most of this thread, and I have both versions on hand to compare. I have watched both fully. I bought the UHE and watched it first, then the 08 version. I had the special edition 2 disc DVD, but haven't seen the film in quite some time. I must admit when I watched the UHE it felt like the first time I had seen the film. I understand the use of DNR and that the 08 version is closest to what those saw in the theaters. That does mean a lot, but UHE still looks so fresh and crisp. I know that doesn't make it better, but it makes it easier to look at.
I lean slightly towards liking the 08 version better, but only due to keeping it close to the original source. I don't mind the grain at all on the 08 version, but the colors and overall effect of the UHE are more effective. I wish they hadn't overused the DNR on some of the scenes, such as the beginning that everyone has overused to compare how the UHE looks. I don't quite understand how we can use just one screen cap to compare how a whole film will look. Even after watching both versions fully, studying a 200 page thread, and reading all kinds of reviews on other sites I am still not fully sure.