Blu-ray Review HTF BLU-RAY REVIEW: Funny Farm/Spies Like Us (Double Feature) (1 Viewer)

[Mike_Richardson]

Strangely, Funny Farm has Warner Bros. newer moving opening logo that is seen on new releases, whereas Spies Like Us has the old 'static' one.

Probably because FUNNY FARM was very recently mastered -- HDNet Movies has showed it throughout the last year with the newer WB opening logo and the transfer is gorgeous (has to be the same master). SPIES LIKE US in comparison still looks very good but seems to have been done a bit longer ago.

Either way, thanks for the review. I was trying to figure out why only Amazon.ca had it listed!

There are some other good discs available up there at the moment so while I would never pay their s/h for just one title, ordering a group will make me go for it

 

[Scott D S]

To quote Marty's brother Dave at the end of Back to the Future: "When the hell did this happen?!" I don't mind heading to Best Buy but I will believe this when I see it. It'll be nice to finally own Spies Like Us - I skipped the full-screen DVD. Too bad they didn't bother with any extras but at this point, I'm just happy to get it in widescreen. That it's on Blu-Ray paired with Funny Farm is just a bonus.

 

[Michael Allred]

Wow, had NO IDEA this was coming. WB promised OAR versions for these titles a few YEARS ago and now we get them, in HD no less. It doesn't bother me if they're BB exclusives, I have 2 stores within a half hour from me so I'm good. Thanks WB!

 

[Michael Allred]

Best Buy here is the US still does not list this double feature on their web site

 

[Michael Allred]

So has anyone found the "Spies Like Us" / "Funny Farm" BD double feature at a Best Buy in America yet?

 

[Scott D S]

I went to two Best Buys here in South Florida... and nothing. Considering it's not even listed on their website, I didn't even bother asking.

 

[Michael Allred]

Damn, was looking forward to this. Guess I'll have to wait

 

[Worth]

I picked this up yesterday, as well as the Frantic/Presumed Innocent double bill and had a quick look at the discs last night.

I'm just waiting for the inevitable howls about how bad they look, but to anyone who actually went to the theatre frequently in the 80s, they look about right. The transfers are fairly clean and there doesn't appear to be any digital manipulation of the image.

Spies Like Us and Frantic in particular can get very grainy, and there's a softness that's typical of 80s cinematography. They all look very film-like, which is the main thing for me, but anyone looking for HD "pop" in the image had better look elsewhere.

 

[TonyD]

Originally Posted by Worth

I picked this up yesterday, as well as the Frantic/Presumed Innocent double bill and had a quick look at the discs last night.

I'm just waiting for the inevitable howls about how bad they look, but to anyone who actually went to the theatre frequently in the 80s, they look about right. The transfers are fairly clean and there doesn't appear to be any digital manipulation of the image.

Spies Like Us and Frantic in particular can get very grainy, and there's a softness that's typical of 80s cinematography. They all look very film-like, which is the main thing for me, but anyone looking for HD "pop" in the image had better look elsewhere.

were did you pick it up?

 

[Adam Gregorich]

were did you pick it up?

Ditto!

 

[Worth]

I bought them at Best Buy in Toronto. They seem to be everywhere around here, but I guess they haven't been released Stateside yet.

 

[Adam Gregorich]

I guess its a good thing I'm going up to Canada next month!

 

[Xenia Stathakopoulou]

Like most other exlusives , this will probably be available on amazon USA, and everywhere else by April at the latest.Id even bet on it.

 

[Michael Osadciw]

I watched Presumed Innocent last night. Looked great. Will get to Frantic this week. Will post review shortly

BTW I updated the audio stats at the beginning of this review. It's DTS 2.0 Surround. Ooops!

 

[Robin_B]

I got the Presumed Innocent/Frantic disc a couple of days ago. I am more than happy with both presentations. Both prints are very clean and grain is intact on both and a good level of detail. Huge step up from the DVD versions. I hope when I get Funny Farm/Spies Like Us (as soon as Amazon has them available) they will be as pleasing.

 

[Michael Allred]

HOPEFULLY Warner Brothers will announce a US release for Funny Farm / Spies Like Us VERY soon

 

[Adam_S]

picked this up at the local best buy today on my lunch break (and ponyo with the 10$ off coupon) it was listed at 24.99 but rang up 14.99, there were no signs saying it was on sale but it was in the new release bluray section (a couple shelves above grumpy old men two-fer)

Not a bad release day, 3 bluray films for 30, and I might pick up the grumpy old men on my way home and make it 5/45.

 

[TonyD]

Someone over at dvdtalk in Cali (unless that was you) picked this up today too.
Guess I'll head out tomorrow to check my local.

 

[John Stockton]

What is the AR of "Spies Like Us" BD?? It was shown theatrically in 2.35:1.

Also the film had several 70 MM blow up prints across the nation with a six track discreet sound. I wonder why the BD does not utilize that.

 

[Worth]

Spies Like Us was never 2.35:1. John Landis has never made a film in 'scope.