Close Encounters of the Third Kind 4K UHD (1977) (40th Anniversary Edition)

[JacobTyler1994]

This is one of my favorite movies of all time. Went to see it with my mother and girlfriend. At the beginning they showed the little 10 minute thing about the film and that pissed me off. My girlfriend has never seen the movie and I wanted it to be enjoyable for her as it was for me when I first saw it. Other than that, it was incredible. I would love to see it again before it leaves, but I doubt I will. Anyone else tear up at the end? The score by john Williams is amazing.

[s2mikey]

Originally Posted by JacobTyler1994

This is one of my favorite movies of all time. Went to see it with my mother and girlfriend. At the beginning they showed the little 10 minute thing about the film and that pissed me off. My girlfriend has never seen the movie and I wanted it to be enjoyable for her as it was for me when I first saw it. Other than that, it was incredible. I would love to see it again before it leaves, but I doubt I will. Anyone else tear up at the end? The score by john Williams is amazing.

I didnt tear up but I always feel invigorated & my sense of awe is in full swing. Its just a great flick. So many memorable scenes and characters. I understand that some people didnt like how Roy essentially ditched his family but he tried hard to reconcile. Hey - anyone married with kids has"been there"(me included) regarding wanting to get away from it all. Its human to feel such a way. Not criminal.

As for the 4K version? I dont think Im going to buy it. The current standard blu-ray set I own is comprehensive and has a very solid presentation as is. I just dont think the "upgrade" will be enough.

[Lensman]

Originally Posted by s2mikey

As for the 4K version? I dont think Im going to buy it.

Are you sure that you're in the right forum?

[blackjackmark]

Originally Posted by JacobTyler1994

This is one of my favorite movies of all time. Went to see it with my mother and girlfriend. At the beginning they showed the little 10 minute thing about the film and that pissed me off. My girlfriend has never seen the movie and I wanted it to be enjoyable for her as it was for me when I first saw it. Other than that, it was incredible. I would love to see it again before it leaves, but I doubt I will. Anyone else tear up at the end? The score by john Williams is amazing.

Definitely agree! I was with someone that hadn't seen it either. So aggravating! Why didn't they leave that to the end!

[blackjackmark]

Saw this in a larger format theater and was not impressed. Much of the top of the screen was blurry off and on. I sure hope the theater was screwed up in some way and it's not indicative of the new transfer.

[s2mikey]

Originally Posted by Lensman

Are you sure that you're in the right forum?

Pretty sure. Hey - its not the end of the world if some of us decide that 4K versions of older catalog titles arent worth the rebuy. No crime, no deaths resulted.

All threads are open to all registered users.

[Dave Mack]

Originally Posted by blackjackmark

Saw this in a larger format theater and was not impressed. Much of the top of the screen was blurry off and on. I sure hope the theater was screwed up in some way and it's not indicative of the new transfer.

I believe that's due to the anamorphic shooting process. Other films shot that way from that time period show similar issues

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by Dave Mack

I believe that's due to the anamorphic shooting process. Other films shot that way from that time period show similar issues

Vilmos Zsigmond is rolling over in his grave

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by blackjackmark

Definitely agree! I was with someone that hadn't seen it either. So aggravating! Why didn't they leave that to the end!

My guess is Sony figured everyone who was going to see this already saw the movie and figured people would have missed the doc feature or not stayed for it at the end of the movie. However, I do think it was still a bad decision because even though I have seen the movie probably close to a couple of dozen or more times in my life, it still felt disappointing to see excerpts just before the movie started and obviously some people would be taking friends or family who had never seen it before. Sony would have been better stating just before the movie started that the feature would be at the end. A message of something like, "Be sure to stay through the end credits to see a special interview, blah blah".

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by JacobTyler1994

This is one of my favorite movies of all time. Went to see it with my mother and girlfriend. At the beginning they showed the little 10 minute thing about the film and that pissed me off. My girlfriend has never seen the movie and I wanted it to be enjoyable for her as it was for me when I first saw it. Other than that, it was incredible. I would love to see it again before it leaves, but I doubt I will. Anyone else tear up at the end? The score by john Williams is amazing.

Absolutely amazing score especially at the end.
I've been debating about going for a second viewing this week as it plays for a few more days. I don't know if it will ever be presented on such a mammoth screen again by me.

[reanimator]

Originally Posted by HiDefBer

Such a marvelous piece, the perfect way to end a film. Was this "just" a regular appearance or was this a special event (you know, besides being John Williams special)?

Williams has been part of the Hollywood Bowl summer series for several years -- but last year I think he was absent, and most of us thought he was done. So it was great to see him come back this year. He's 85 years old and still going strong -- but realistically he could retire any time. So in that sense, yes, very special!

This man will be remembered in the same breath as Mozart and Beethoven, so if you ever have the chance to see him perform in-person -- and there will only be so many more opportunities -- I absolutely recommend it!

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by s2mikey

Pretty sure. Hey - its not the end of the world if some of us decide that 4K versions of older catalog titles arent worth the rebuy. No crime, no deaths resulted.

All threads are open to all registered users.

Well, when it comes to getting more classic films in 4K format:

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by s2mikey

I didnt tear up but I always feel invigorated & my sense of awe is in full swing. Its just a great flick. So many memorable scenes and characters. I understand that some people didnt like how Roy essentially ditched his family but he tried hard to reconcile. Hey - anyone married with kids has"been there"(me included) regarding wanting to get away from it all. Its human to feel such a way. Not criminal.

As for the 4K version? I dont think Im going to buy it. The current standard blu-ray set I own is comprehensive and has a very solid presentation as is. I just dont think the "upgrade" will be enough.

I am expecting this disc to be one of the better upgrades. However, I have yet to see a UHD BD catalog title that was not worth it.

This new transfer and encoding will be a big step over the BD. The BD was very good for its day. However, last time I watched it (a year ago or so) I couldn't help but notice how it took on a bit more of a digital look compared to the better transfers. There was a bit of contrast pushing, slight EE, and grain not quite handled as well in terms of compression in some scenes.
Based on my theatrical viewing, all of this will be resolved on the UHD BD as well as getting the other benefits of the format.

[Geoff D]

Yep yep yep. People have gushed over the CE3K BD for 10 years but I've never thought it was one of Sony's finest, looking grainy as balls but not especially detailed and it looks kinda edgy and halo-ey at several points throughout. It's just a bit tired and dated and, personally speaking, I think the UHD is going to be a big step up. NOT in terms of 4K pop and smooth super clean "brand new 2017" perceived notions of what 4K should be, but in terms of detail and grain and overall film-like qualities. Can. Not. Wait.

[Laserdisk]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Yep yep yep. People have gushed over the CE3K BD for 10 years but I've never thought it was one of Sony's finest, looking grainy as balls but not especially detailed and it looks kinda edgy and halo-ey at several points throughout. It's just a bit tired and dated and, personally speaking, I think the UHD is going to be a big step up. NOT in terms of 4K pop and smooth super clean "brand new 2017" perceived notions of what 4K should be, but in terms of detail and grain and overall film-like qualities. Can. Not. Wait.

Twas sharper than sharp things.

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by NotASpeckOfCereal

Ancient debate I know, but the trick this time is that the theaters are empty -- BONUS, man!
.

Hahaha, I've never done the theater hanky-panky thing sadly. Missed out on that during my wilder days. Pretty sure the wife did before we met though.

[Wolfschmidt]

Originally Posted by JacobTyler1994

This is one of my favorite movies of all time. Went to see it with my mother and girlfriend. At the beginning they showed the little 10 minute thing about the film and that pissed me off. My girlfriend has never seen the movie and I wanted it to be enjoyable for her as it was for me when I first saw it. Other than that, it was incredible. I would love to see it again before it leaves, but I doubt I will. Anyone else tear up at the end? The score by john Williams is amazing.

I second everything you said. One of my favorites too. I had not seen it in the theater since the original release as a 6-year-old kid with my dad (now deceased), and it really took me back.

I tried to avoid all things Close Encounters since I knew it would be showing, and I invited some friends as well, so I was cringing when it started with that 10 minute documentary that not just spoiled the whole movie but every single "highlight" or "moment". Just a poor decision, and it reminds of that "I'll Cry Instead" video that now deflates the opening of "Hard Day's Night."

Yes, some shots looked a little blurry at the tops and bottoms (AMC), but most seemed razor sharp. The sound on the other hand - we were down front and the bass was so heavy during Roy's first encounter that I swear I couldn't swallow.

And yes, the final music cue just kills me every time.

[Dubstar]

^ being the first Dolby 'baby boom' 4.2 mix - yes the bass is rather gutteral - when the ufo descends behind the kitchen window and the Mother Ship rising up from behind Devils Tower (which while spectacular really makes no logical sense) but aurually are ultra bass heavy moments

[Brandon B]

Originally Posted by HeavyHitter

Sony would have been better stating just before the movie started that the feature would be at the end. A message of something like, "Be sure to stay through the end credits to see a special interview, blah blah".

Sounds as aggravating as my recent experience with the Sergeant Peppers audio Blu-ray. Like all Blu-rays, it has a menu. And some absolute idiot thought it was appropriate to have the title song playing over the menu in regular CD quality stereo right before you start playing that song in hi rez surround.

Really?

[s2mikey]

Originally Posted by HeavyHitter

I am expecting this disc to be one of the better upgrades. However, I have yet to see a UHD BD catalog title that was not worth it.

This new transfer and encoding will be a big step over the BD. The BD was very good for its day. However, last time I watched it (a year ago or so) I couldn't help but notice how it took on a bit more of a digital look compared to the better transfers. There was a bit of contrast pushing, slight EE, and grain not quite handled as well in terms of compression in some scenes.
Based on my theatrical viewing, all of this will be resolved on the UHD BD as well as getting the other benefits of the format.

I hear ya - I guess "worth" is a relative/subjctive term here though. Like many users hre, Ive bought, bought again and RE-bought quite a few titles(in various formats) and at some point the law of diminishing returns starts to take over. Sure, a HUGE screen or special circumstances probably help with the added resolution of 4K but in some cases its trivial at best, IMO. When 8K comes out....will anyone even care at that point?

Either way, 4K is the "new" format so any titles I dont own and decide to buy I will get in 4K, no question. But catalog titles for me will be very picky and selective as to which ones I buy.

Something else to consider - if the resolution gets too high, some of the old effects and scenes will be way too obvious and could take you "out of the moment".