- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 18,424
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
While viewing Universal's new HD release of Van Helsing, I realized that Joe Kane needs to create a test disc for HiDef.
Somehow, some time before my viewing, certain settings in my system were "readjusted."
There's no getting around the fact that Van Helsing is a dark film, but I had lost shadow detail. Without a test disc, or a film that I knew intimately, I would have been quite on my own. Fortunately, I was able to get advice as to precisely what the film should look like from a gentleman who would know it better than anyone.
Several hours later, and back within visual control, I was able to finally view Van Helsing properly.
Universal's Stardard Def disc was beautifully produced, but comparing the two from viewpoints of overall resolution, color, contrast and black levels, the new HD version is a stunner.
The added depth and clarity gained by virtue of the HD system is not only remarkable, but awe inspiring.
Universal has done a beautiful job bringing Van Helsing to HD.
There are some who don't find the film up to "high cinema" standards, but taken for what it is -- a roller-coaster ride through the history of Universal's horror genre -- the film is not only remarkable, but can easily become a guilty pleasure.
High on the list of its many pleasures is Mr. Daviau's brilliant recreation of 1930s style Universal cinematography -- to absolute perfection. From the opening shot of the Universal globe through to the end of the prologue sequence, the film opens on a joyful note to anyone steeped in Universal horror lore.
For those with a bent not only for the history of the cinema, but for just having fun, I cannot recommend this film more highly.
And now in High Definition, the film simply shines.
RAH
Somehow, some time before my viewing, certain settings in my system were "readjusted."
There's no getting around the fact that Van Helsing is a dark film, but I had lost shadow detail. Without a test disc, or a film that I knew intimately, I would have been quite on my own. Fortunately, I was able to get advice as to precisely what the film should look like from a gentleman who would know it better than anyone.
Several hours later, and back within visual control, I was able to finally view Van Helsing properly.
Universal's Stardard Def disc was beautifully produced, but comparing the two from viewpoints of overall resolution, color, contrast and black levels, the new HD version is a stunner.
The added depth and clarity gained by virtue of the HD system is not only remarkable, but awe inspiring.
Universal has done a beautiful job bringing Van Helsing to HD.
There are some who don't find the film up to "high cinema" standards, but taken for what it is -- a roller-coaster ride through the history of Universal's horror genre -- the film is not only remarkable, but can easily become a guilty pleasure.
High on the list of its many pleasures is Mr. Daviau's brilliant recreation of 1930s style Universal cinematography -- to absolute perfection. From the opening shot of the Universal globe through to the end of the prologue sequence, the film opens on a joyful note to anyone steeped in Universal horror lore.
For those with a bent not only for the history of the cinema, but for just having fun, I cannot recommend this film more highly.
And now in High Definition, the film simply shines.
RAH