Universal's HD-DVD slate for the year

[ProvenFlipper]

It looks like even the MS-DVD super supporters aren't even that excited about Universals announcements. Most of them seem like they are going to pick up only 10 of the 50+ titles that are announced for the next six months. They are complaining that Universal isn't releasing enough modern/blockbuster type films.

[Jack Torrance]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

OK, some of those titles look interesting:

The Big Lebowski
The Bourne Identity
Battlestar Galatica - Season One
Darkman

But, all in all, rather underwhelming. Would those titles get you excited about buying an HD DVD player if there was no Blu-ray?

Gary

as long as there is always an SD alternative... in one word: "no".

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by ProvenFlipper

It looks like even the MS-DVD super supporters aren't even that excited about Universals announcements. Most of them seem like they are going to pick up only 10 of the 50+ titles that are announced for the next six months. They are complaining that Universal isn't releasing enough modern/blockbuster type films.

I guess Amir could buy quantity or quality, and he went for quantity.

Gary

[jorg]

well i gusse if you realy wanted one of these titles(i hate to say it but..) pirate the hd dvd ones

[Jack Torrance]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

I guess Amir could buy quantity or quality, and he went for quantity.

Gary

That's the other thing - are the majority of these titles going to be the best representative of the HD-DUD format?

Even the stronger catalogue titles, like Bourne or Bruce Almighty, jjust how much effort is truly going into those? Not as much as newer fare like "Breach" or "Hot Fuzz" I'm sure. And I'm sure transfers on stuff like Knocked Up and Bulletproof will be 3rd rate at best.

Does this stink of "contractual obligation" or what?

[vsbdtv]

Originally Posted by Jack Torrance

Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead, Bourne, Meaning of Life and The Jerk would be my immeadiate purchases if they were on BD - if not on BD any time soon, then SD will just have to suffice.

Hard to get that excited about anything else

If it's any consolation, Bourne Supremacy will be broadcast on TNTHD on March 2nd. It's not as good as a BD, but I often "archive" some of my favorite Universal HD titles on my Tivo.

[Jack Torrance]

Originally Posted by vsbdtv

If it's any consolation, Bourne Supremacy will be broadcast on TNTHD on March 2nd. It's not as good as a BD, but I often "archive" some of my favorite Universal HD titles on my Tivo.

Thanks for the tip! I wonder if they'll show it on the Universal HD channel too?

I have been saving my HD version of The Shining from HD Net for months now on my hd tivo. I hope WB don't ruin that one with vc-1 when they eventually release it to bd...

[DTMoney84]

As much as we dont want to admit it that is a pretty decent list of releases. Certainly not enough to even budge the landslide.

The Good Shepherd (Very Good Movie)
Smokin' Aces
Eternal Sunshine
Alpha Dog
40 Year Old Virgin
Big Lebowski (One of the all time greats)
Breach (Great Movie)
Scent of A Woman
Meet Joe Black
The Bourne Identity

These are some very very good releases and I do wish they were all on Blu-ray. So saying their list isnt that good is obvious bias opinion which as long as its Blu-ray bias I have no problem with. It is a good list of releases, however thats over the span of the next 7 months. If you look back to the original posted releases for March 13th on Blu-ray there were like 5-6 great titles on that day alone. Valiant effort HD-DVD (sort of) but too little, too late, too dumb, too alone. I would be suprised if this thing isnt over before Christmas.

[Jack Torrance]

Originally Posted by DTMoney84

As much as we dont want to admit it that is a pretty decent list of releases. Certainly not enough to even budge the landslide.

The Good Shepherd (Very Good Movie)
Smokin' Aces
Eternal Sunshine
Alpha Dog
40 Year Old Virgin
Big Lebowski (One of the all time greats)
Breach (Great Movie)
Scent of A Woman
Meet Joe Black
The Bourne Identity

These are some very very good releases and I do wish they were all on Blu-ray. So saying their list isnt that good is obvious bias opinion which as long as its Blu-ray bias I have no problem with. It is a good list of releases, however thats over the span of the next 7 months. If you look back to the original posted releases for March 13th on Blu-ray there were like 5-6 great titles on that day alone. Valiant effort HD-DVD (sort of) but too little, too late, too dumb, too alone. I would be suprised if this thing isnt over before Christmas.

It just lacks any "oomph". A lot of the blame is with Universal and their lack of successful movies in the past year. Children of Men is good release coming soon, Good Shepard is good film too (haven't seen Breach) but none of these are "format war winners".

However, Casino Royale - well that title alone makes people sit up and pay attention.

[Guinness7]

The only one title i would really go for and that would be heros season one, but i can wait because there will be plenty for me in blu-ray.

[jubaiweaponx]

Speaking of shows being on BD ,and being that I`m new to the forum ,What do you guys think the next series of tv shows will be to be released on BD??
i`M i`ll be asking plenty of questions but this seems like the site to be on I have read your threads for months and the info is truely informative.
thanks
barry

[MFS3Kiryu]

Legend, Shaun of The Dead, Darkman, Being John Malkovisch, Lost In Translation, The Big Lebowski, The Frighteners, and Eternal Sunshince of the Spotless Mind.

The only releases that hurt, but none as much as Casino Royal would.

[Zvi]

I'd pick up BSG, Heroes, Darkman, Bourne, but overall, it ain't very impressive list.

[hyperdine]

Originally Posted by ProvenFlipper

They are complaining that Universal isn't releasing enough modern/blockbuster type films.

That's probably because they haven't really had any recent blockbusters Too bad, so sad...

[Chris Beveridge]

Originally Posted by sltmag

Do you really? Not being sarcastic..really?

It's *the* title my wife wants right now. Me too. I stopped buying TV series awhile ago, especially if they're already showing in HD. Buying DVD versions after watching it in HD, be it BSG, Heroes or Rome, just doesn't make sense.

[Chris Beveridge]

Originally Posted by ProvenFlipper

They are complaining that Universal isn't releasing enough modern/blockbuster type films.

You can't release what you don't have.

[ra1024]

Originally Posted by ProvenFlipper

And I know this is just me, but there are only 6-8 titles on that whole list of over 40 that I would want to purchase? Am I alone in this?

Same here. Bourne Identity, Mystery Men, The Frighteners, Streets of FIre Liar Liar, and 40 YOV are the ones I'd buy.

I was really surprised to see a lot of those titles since I didn't even recognize a number of them. If they're actively trying to push HD-DVD, why would they pick so many old and obscure titles. I really liked Streets of Fire but I doubt many people remember this one or even saw it.

If they are only realeasing 15 titles a month, I would think they would fill these limited slots with every big hit from the last 5 years instead of going back 20 years in some cases? They either have very poor planning or they really aren't serious about pushing HD-DVD.

I would love to hear any explanations as it seems completely idiotic from a non-insiders perspective.

[jubaiweaponx]

Originally Posted by ra1024

Same here. Bourne Identity, Mystery Men, The Frighteners, Streets of FIre Liar Liar, and 40 YOV are the ones I'd buy.

I was really surprised to see a lot of those titles since I didn't even recognize a number of them. If they're actively trying to push HD-DVD, why would they pick so many old and obscure titles. I really liked Streets of Fire but I doubt many people remember this one or even saw it.

If they are only realeasing 15 titles a month, I would think they would fill these limited slots with every big hit from the last 5 years instead of going back 20 years in some cases? They either have very poor planning or they really aren't serious about pushing HD-DVD.

I would love to hear any explanations as it seems completely idiotic from a non-insiders perspective.

I DON`T THINK EVEN UNIVERSALS STAFF RECOGNIZES HALF THE RELEASES

[dialog_gvf]

Seems like a safe list. Nothing on that, if stolen by the hackers, is a big loss.

I think they figure an entire season of a series (BSG and Heroes) would be too insane to try to download, so they are safe as discs.

Gary

[coolmilo]

Originally Posted by ProvenFlipper

And I know this is just me, but there are only 6-8 titles on that whole list of over 40 that I would want to purchase? Am I alone in this?

I agree. As much as I want Universal to support the Blu-ray format, there are only a few that I would buy. In particular they are:

The Good Shepard
Smokin' Aces (maybe)
40 Yeah Old Virgin
The Bourne Identity