The Dark Knight (2008)

[PS3-Playb3yond]

Originally Posted by DigitalfreakNYC

Wait a second. So we'll be getting a cropped 16x9 version on Blu-ray instead of what we're going to be seeing in normal theaters?

What a crappy decision.

Did you read this: -

The resolution on the Blu-ray is clear enough that you can actually see difference in grain structure and sharpness.

What more do you want?

[neo_reloaded]

Originally Posted by DigitalfreakNYC

Wait a second. So we'll be getting a cropped 16x9 version on Blu-ray instead of what we're going to be seeing in normal theaters?

What a crappy decision.

Um, what? I can't see how you got that out of the quote.

The Dark Knight was filmed in two different aspect ratios - one being normal cinema widescreen, and the other being IMAX format which has more vertical information. In normal theaters, the IMAX format segments will be cropped so the aspect ratio is consistent. In IMAX theaters, the aspect ratio will change throughout so you are always seeing the full image that was captured.

From this quote from Nolan, it seems the Blu-ray will at least include the option to duplicate the IMAX experience. Nothing is cropped in this version - it is the normal cinema version that is actually the cropped one.

[DigitalfreakNYC]

Originally Posted by neo_reloaded

Um, what? I can't see how you got that out of the quote.

The Dark Knight was filmed in two different aspect ratios - one being normal cinema widescreen, and the other being IMAX format which has more vertical information. In normal theaters, the IMAX format segments will be cropped so the aspect ratio is consistent. In IMAX theaters, the aspect ratio will change throughout so you are always seeing the full image that was captured.

From this quote from Nolan, it seems the Blu-ray will at least include the option to duplicate the IMAX experience. Nothing is cropped in this version - it is the normal cinema version that is actually the cropped one.

So the question is....will the Blu-Ray switch between aspect ratio's like the IMAX version or will it be all one aspect ratio like 99% of the theaters out there? That's what I'm asking. If it switches between aspect ratios without choice of how to watch it, that's pretty ****ed up.

[neo_reloaded]

Originally Posted by DigitalfreakNYC

So the question is....will the Blu-Ray switch between aspect ratio's like the IMAX version or will it be all one aspect ratio like 99% of the theaters out there? That's what I'm asking. If it switches between aspect ratios without choice of how to watch it, that's pretty ****ed up.

The quote from Nolan indicates that the Blu-ray will be able to switch aspect ratios. My gut says that a consistent aspect ratio mode will also be an option. But, at the present moment, we have no way of knowing exact details.

[DigitalfreakNYC]

Originally Posted by neo_reloaded

The quote from Nolan indicates that the Blu-ray will be able to switch aspect ratios. My gut says that a consistent aspect ratio mode will also be an option. But, at the present moment, we have no way of knowing exact details.

That's what I'm asking.

His quote, itself, is completely unclear. It just says that the IMAX will look great on Blu-ray.

Well, it should.

Regardless, I want 1 aspect ratio throughout. To switch is, IMHO, really jarring. And I'm not a fan of "opening up" aspect ratios (such as Super 35).

Movies should be filmed in 1 aspect ratio unless there are certain segments that are done for artistic intent which I doubt is the case here.

To me, this is similar to seeing Superman Returns in IMAX where you had to put on and take off your glasses for the 3D. Just seems like a gimmick.

Either way, I'll be there opening day. It just won't be for an IMAX print.

[neo_reloaded]

Originally Posted by DigitalfreakNYC

That's what I'm asking.

His quote, itself, is completely unclear. It just says that the IMAX will look great on Blu-ray.

Well, it should.

Regardless, I want 1 aspect ratio throughout. To switch is, IMHO, really jarring. And I'm not a fan of "opening up" aspect ratios (such as Super 35).

Movies should be filmed in 1 aspect ratio unless there are certain segments that are done for artistic intent which I doubt is the case here.

To me, this is similar to seeing Superman Returns in IMAX where you had to put on and take off your glasses for the 3D. Just seems like a gimmick.

Either way, I'll be there opening day. It just won't be for an IMAX print.

You seem to be a little confused here, if my understanding of the matter is correct.

Nolan wanted to film the entire movie in IMAX format. He was not allowed to, but some kind of compromise led to him filming about 40 minutes in IMAX format, and the rest standard. These IMAX segments were done for artistic reasons - Nolan wanted to use their amazing resolution / vertical information.

These aren't "blown up for IMAX" or anything - this is true blue IMAX. Nothing will be opened up either. The normal widescreen mode segments were shot anamorphic, so there isn't even the possibility of opening up the shot. Both regular and IMAX segments were fully composed for the camera type they were filmed with. So technically, the "truest" version of the film will be the one with shifting aspect ratios.

I completely understand your concern about how jarring shifting aspect ratios could be, however, and hope a separate consistent AR mode is included as well. Hopefully more detail will be released soon.

[DigitalfreakNYC]

Originally Posted by neo_reloaded

You seem to be a little confused here, if my understanding of the matter is correct.

Nolan wanted to film the entire movie in IMAX format. He was not allowed to, but some kind of compromise led to him filming about 40 minutes in IMAX format, and the rest standard. These IMAX segments were done for artistic reasons - Nolan wanted to use their amazing resolution / vertical information. These aren't "blown up for IMAX" or anything - this is true blue IMAX.

So technically, the "truest" version of the film will be the one with shifting aspect ratios. But I completely understand your concern about how jarring that will be, and hope a separate consistent AR mode is included as well. Hopefully more detail will be released soon.

I'm not confused. I think my wording is just a bit off at this point.

Most people won't be seeing this in IMAX and I don't understand how any director (and ESPECIALLY cinematographer) would be ok with shooting 1/3 of a movie with one look and the other 2/3's something completely different.

[neo_reloaded]

Originally Posted by DigitalfreakNYC

I'm not confused. I think my wording is just a bit off at this point.

Most people won't be seeing this in IMAX and I don't understand how any director (and ESPECIALLY cinematographer) would be ok with shooting 1/3 of a movie with one look and the other 2/3's something completely different.

Alright.

It did happen though, so I guess now we just see how they deal with it for home video releases. I'd personally rather see the version without cropping since the IMAX segments should be stunning, and I think that quality would outweigh any sensation of inconsistency - but I can completely see where you are coming from as well. Hopefully the Blu-ray will include both versions, so everyone can be happy.

[DigitalfreakNYC]

Originally Posted by neo_reloaded

Alright.

It did happen though, so I guess now we just see how they deal with it for home video releases. I'd personally rather see the version without cropping since the IMAX segments should be stunning, and I think that quality would outweigh any sensation of inconsistency - but I can completely see where you are coming from as well. Hopefully the Blu-ray will include both versions, so everyone can be happy.

What will happen with "regular" film prints? Will there be a shift in style or composition with those as well? grain? etc?

I guess this is a bigger problem that I wasn't really aware of. It doesn't just concern home video. People are going to wonder why "those black bars" keep appearing and disappearing if they decide to include it on DVD and blu-ray.

[neo_reloaded]

Originally Posted by DigitalfreakNYC

What will happen with "regular" film prints? Will there be a shift in style or composition with those as well? grain? etc?

I guess this is a bigger problem that I wasn't really aware of. It doesn't just concern home video. People are going to wonder why "those black bars" keep appearing and disappearing if they decide to include it on DVD and blu-ray.

If I had to make a guess, the version with the IMAX segments in their full resolution will require some setup. Just hitting play will most likely start the normal theater consistent aspect ratio version. That seems the most user friendly - leave the "odder" option for people to actively look for, so hopefully them turning it on will mean they understand what it is.

Regular film prints will have crops of the IMAX segments. I have to assume Nolan's composition allowed for both versions of the scenes to look good - this isn't simply handing them over to the studio for pan & scan, so both versions should be of high quality in regards to style and composition. Grain shouldn't be a concern either - many films are shot with multiple types of cameras (just cropped to the same size at the end), and there are many ways to make grain look consistent across segments.

[Moviemaniack1993]

I am kind of iffy on this one. I would like it if they had just the plain theatrical version as well. I am so picky and I KNOW this conversion, when watching the movie at home, will irritate the hell out of me.

[erowe83]

Originally Posted by Mark07

hopefully there will be another sweet special edition packaging for it like Batman Begins

word

[Downhere]

Originally Posted by Moviemaniack1993

I am kind of iffy on this one. I would like it if they had just the plain theatrical version as well. I am so picky and I KNOW this conversion, when watching the movie at home, will irritate the hell out of me.

Same here. I would rather it be scope on the Blu-ray release, or at least the option to view the film in scope throughout. Plus, it would be consistent with the first film.

[flyers1718]

I would like it to switch ratios, to get the full experience. No matter what it will be epic.

[Jimmy Smith]

Originally Posted by DigitalfreakNYC

Wait a second. So we'll be getting a cropped 16x9 version on Blu-ray instead of what we're going to be seeing in normal theaters?

What a crappy decision.

Man you need to read the article before posting. Where does this notion come from that the wider version is always the better one. Most of the time it is but quite often its not. In about 30 or so minutes of The Dark Knight were filmed for IMAX screens. These scenes in a 2.35 theater are missing almost 40% of the picture. On Blu-Ray why on Earth would anyone want to cover these scenes with black bars. Switching aspect ratios is simply the only proper way to present The Dark Knight. Most of the movie was shot in 2.35 and presenting these scenes any other way would be hacking the directers intended vision of the movie. However for the IMAX filmed scenes even though they were made to look alright in 2.35 as thats how they will be presented in non-IMAX theatres were also artisitically composed for the much narrower IMAX screens. To present scenes artisitically composed for an IMAX screen in 2.35 widescreen makes absolutly no sense. It would be an absolute waste of both space on our HDTVs and it would make Nolans work on to shoot the scenes for IMAX go to waste. Presenting The Dark Knight from beginning to end in 2.35 would be flat out ridiculous and I am glad that won't happen.

[Downhere]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Smith

Presenting The Dark Knight from beginning to end in 2.35 would be flat out ridiculous and I am glad that won't happen.

I don't think it would be "flat out ridiculous" to have the film in scope format throughout. I'm all for the director's intended vision, but having the ratio go back and forth will be very distracting. The previous film was in scope and more than 50% of The Dark Knight is in scope as well, it would be consistent to have the film in scope throughout. Now, if they want to add the option to view the film with alternating aspect ratio's on the same disc or a separate disc that would be fine, but I'd prefer the choice to choose how to watch the film.

[Moviemaniack1993]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Smith

Man you need to read the article before posting. Where does this notion come from that the wider version is always the better one. Most of the time it is but quite often its not. In about 30 or so minutes of The Dark Knight were filmed for IMAX screens. These scenes in a 2.35 theater are missing almost 40% of the picture. On Blu-Ray why on Earth would anyone want to cover these scenes with black bars. Switching aspect ratios is simply the only proper way to present The Dark Knight. Most of the movie was shot in 2.35 and presenting these scenes any other way would be hacking the directers intended vision of the movie. However for the IMAX filmed scenes even though they were made to look alright in 2.35 as thats how they will be presented in non-IMAX theatres were also artisitically composed for the much narrower IMAX screens. To present scenes artisitically composed for an IMAX screen in 2.35 widescreen makes absolutly no sense. It would be an absolute waste of both space on our HDTVs and it would make Nolans work on to shoot the scenes for IMAX go to waste. Presenting The Dark Knight from beginning to end in 2.35 would be flat out ridiculous and I am glad that won't happen.

Idc. I want both versions if they are going to do this. Swapping the aspect ratios while watching the film at home will be completely disrupting to me. I can tolerate it for the IMAX theater, but not on my television screen. I feel that there will be more negative attention attributed to this idea than praise. Warner can at least offer a seamless branching and let the viewer decide which version to watch.

[Jimmy Smith]

Originally Posted by Moviemaniack1993

Idc. I want both versions if they are going to do this. Swapping the aspect ratios while watching the film at home will be completely disrupting to me. I can tolerate it for the IMAX theater, but not on my television screen. I feel that there will be more negative attention attributed to this idea than praise. Warner can at least offer a seamless branching and let the viewer decide which version to watch.

Seemlessly branching 2.35 cropped versions of the IMAX scenes would be waste of disc space. That space should go to higher video and audio bit rate and more extras. If you want 2.35 then cut a couple of big black boards and cover your TV with them. It makes about as much sense as a 2.35 throughout version of the movie would be.

[Downhere]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Smith

Seemlessly branching 2.35 cropped versions of the IMAX scenes would be waste of disc space. That space should go to higher video and audio bit rate and more extras. If you want 2.35 that big black boards and cover your TV. It makes about as much sense as a 2.35 throughout version of the movie would be.

In your opinion of course. There are those who will find the alternating aspect ratio distracting, myself included. I am pretty sure the DVD will not have this feature so it would make sense to include a straight scope version of the film on another disc or on the same disc despite the fact that it "would be a wast of disc space."

[Moviemaniack1993]

Originally Posted by Downhere

In your opinion of course. There are those who will find the alternating aspect ratio distracting, myself included. I am pretty sure the DVD will not have this feature so it would make sense to include a straight scope version of the film on another disc or on the same disc despite the fact that it "would be a wast of disc space."

Very well put. They could do this on one disc and have a second disc with nothing but special features. My guess is it will be a 2 disc anyways since they are probably going to want to include as many special features as possible for this film. And they would only need to seamlessly branch about 40 minutes extra since that was all was filmed for IMAX. Unless of course they have a director's cut version that is longer than the cut stands now.