Reviews Glad You Didn't Listen To

[Travis]

After getting Gladiator, Pale Rider and reading the reviews on Butch Cassidy here, which were 2.5 for PQ, and here, Robert Harris on Butch Cassidy, which is a positive review I wonder what movies you almost didn't buy because of reviews and forum chatter.

I almost didn't buy Pale Rider or Gladiator because of what "they" said. Glad I didn't listen to "them." Gladiator and Pale Rider are way better than the DVDs, definitely worth buying. Maybe I'm not that picky, or I'm too easily impressed. I don't know.

I am mostly concerned with a Blu-ray's PQ and AQ ratings, and in the past they have kept me from buying some films.

I haven't bought Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid because of reviews. Now I'm thinking I will.

What movies are you glad you bought, despite bad reviews?

[aramis109]

I don't really see anything inherently negative in RAH's perspective on Butch Cassidy. He notes the duped elements due to unavoidable print damage and praises the grain structure that the film stock has. If I had a particular love for this movie (I like it a lot but don't know that I'd re-watch it all that often) I'd not hesitate to buy it based on his recommendations, but I'd be aware of the limitations of the disc.

[OhDamaso]

Gladiator
Ronin
Miami Vice
Army of Darkness

Honestly, pretty much anything. People on these forums can be such blu-ray snobs, and the fact of the matter is aside from maybe a handful of discs, they're all a nice step up over the DVDs.

[Travis]

Originally Posted by aramis109

I don't really see anything inherently negative in RAH's perspective on Butch Cassidy. He notes the duped elements due to unavoidable print damage and praises the grain structure that the film stock has. If I had a particular love for this movie (I like it a lot but don't know that I'd re-watch it all that often) I'd not hesitate to buy it based on his recommendations, but I'd be aware of the limitations of the disc.

RAH's review is positive for the most part. The review here is not. Just after reading both and getting my movies, I've started reading reviews with 2 grains of salt instead of one.

I edited OP to make it less confusing.

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by Travis

RAH's review is positive for the most part. The review here is not. Just after reading both and getting my movies, I've started reading reviews with 2 grains of salt instead of one.

I edited OP to make it less confusing.

You're right- it is pretty negative. I can't comment as I've not seen the disc, but it IS one of the site's older reviews. I tend to be very careful with them as they didn't have as many titles to base comparisons on. It's one of Gremal's reviews though, and I usually agree with him on technical merits. Tough call on that one. Sounds like you got it and enjoy it, so I guess that's all that matters.

For me, while the reviews have mostly been something I agree with (technically speaking- I don't worry about what they say on the plot) I know that there are a couple titles that folks here have just shredded: Gremlins and Ghostbusters. I have both those titles and am really glad I purchased them both. Gremlins doesn't look sharp and is very grainy, but the audio and the overall presentation is vastly superior than even the bad theaters I saw it in back in the day. Ghostbusters to me looks fabulous and I'm very glad it didn't get hit with the DNR-stick.

Basic rule of thumb for me is the movie itself. If it's one I already love, I'm probably going to buy it anyway and enjoy it despite the flaws. That's a moving yardstick for everyone, so I'm sure that's what most of the variation is about.

[Gremal]

Originally Posted by aramis109

You're right- it is pretty negative. I can't comment as I've not seen the disc, but it IS one of the site's older reviews. I tend to be very careful with them as they didn't have as many titles to base comparisons on. It's one of Gremal's reviews though, and I usually agree with him on technical merits. Tough call on that one. Sounds like you got it and enjoy it, so I guess that's all that matters.

Basic rule of thumb for me is the movie itself. If it's one I already love, I'm probably going to buy it anyway and enjoy it despite the flaws. That's a moving yardstick for everyone, so I'm sure that's what most of the variation is about.

That's exactly right, Aramis. It's the reviewer's job to focus on PQ and AQ problems so readers don't make a purchase they might regret. A positive review of BC's picture would have been more misleading than the negative one, especially if you compare How the West Was Won to BCatSK. But the overriding factor is one's appreciation of the movie itself.

On a related note, I just watched Heat and believe Ken's assessment of the picture and sound was too generous. The technical merits of the BD were average at best. I enjoy the movie so much that I don't regret the purchase and don't think anyone will fault the review. Bottom line--it's always a judgment call.

[Elvis]

Glad I bought Gladiator. Not the best Blu for sure but well worth the money for an upgrade. And contrary to what a few are saying about the quality being no better than an upconvert they are flat out wrong.

[Fightertown]

The reviews done on this site is helpful to a point. Some are on point. Some have reservations of the people involved in front or behind the camera.

Use the reviews to guide you into making decisions and should be taken with a grain of salt.

[Chaotic]

Kiss of the Dragon got a 1/5 for video from hidefdigest. i thought the video deserved atleast a 3.

[assydingo]

The reviewers here have to be critical on the video and audio for users with high end set ups. Some movies they give an average score might look fine to me on my 42" but for someone with a bigger TV any flaws will be much more noticeable.

[MCT]

Originally Posted by Elvis

Glad I bought Gladiator. Not the best Blu for sure but well worth the money for an upgrade. And contrary to what a few are saying about the quality being no better than an upconvert they are flat out wrong.

agreed. I bought it from Gohastings.com for about $11, and I was expecting the absolute worst. All the complaining turned out to be much ado about nothing, in all honesty. Could it have been better? Sure, but I don't know how much. Some scenes were soft, but I found myself enjoying the majority of the transfer. Maybe I just don't have that eagle eye for detail like some of these other pros. Ignorance is bliss.

[Meathead]

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-G...y-Review/1046/
the movie is way better than the reviewer says and the Blu ray blows away the DVD

[Deadset]

Originally Posted by Travis

What movies are you glad you bought, despite bad reviews?

Robocop. I love that movie, no matter the transfer.