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A few words about...™ Nixon -- in Blu-ray

#1
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8/9/08 at 6:46am
  • Joined: February 1999
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Oliver Stone's Nixon (1995) is one of the more interesting presidential "bios" of recent years. Biographical filmmaking has come a long way since productions like The President's Lady (1953).

Based partially on fact, mixed with a doses of events as reported by others, it does a fine job of providing an illuminating take on an interesting, multi-dimensional and troubled man.

Arriving on Blu-ray as the Director's Cut, extended by 28 minutes, the film looks very good. Since digital noise and grain reduction is a current hot topic, I can report that while grain appears to have reduced selectively on a sequence by sequence basis. Viewing the film at 100" from a respectable distance provides a very pleasing experience.

There are no problems here. With the inclusion of lossless audio, the Hollywood Pictures (Disney) is a quality package.

This is an extremely high quality production and a high quality Blu-ray experience.

Recommended.

RAH

"All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible. This I did."  T.E. Lawrence

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#2
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8/9/08 at 11:27am
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Re: A few words about...™ Nixon -- in Blu-ray

Does high frequency detail appear to be reduced at all? Or, does it seem like it's just grain only?
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#3
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8/9/08 at 1:32pm
  • Joined: June 2006
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Re: A few words about...™ Nixon -- in Blu-ray

Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert Harris
Oliver Stone's Nixon (1995) is one of the more interesting presidential "bios" of recent years. Biographical filmmaking has come a long way since productions like The President's Lady (1953).

Based partially on fact, mixed with a doses of events as reported by others, it does a fine job of providing an illuminating take on an interesting, multi-dimensional and troubled man.

Arriving on Blu-ray as the Director's Cut, extended by 28 minutes, the film looks very good. Since digital noise and grain reduction is a current hot topic, I can report that while grain appears to have reduced, viewing the film from a respectable distance provides a very pleasing experience.

There are no problems here. With the inclusion of lossless audio, the Hollywood Pictures (Disney) is a quality package.

Recommended.

RAH


Question I'm dying to find out--- did they fix the EXTENDED SCENES so they blend seamlessly in with the rest of the film?? On standard dvd, they just reinserted them even though the extended scenes were of extremely poor quality (not to mention wider aspect ratio) and thus took you right out of the film. I couldn't believe Disney could release such a crummy product.

So Mr Harris, can you confirm basically if everything now looks uniform?
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#4
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8/9/08 at 1:52pm
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Re: A few words about...™ Nixon -- in Blu-ray

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave H
Does high frequency detail appear to be reduced at all? Or, does it seem like it's just grain only?

I'm curious to know this as well as the screen shots I saw on DVD Beaver seemed to indicated DNR has been applied. I'm still learning how to spot DNR, but from reading RAH's view it would seem that I've attained a modicum of success at it.

RAH would you say this title falls into your previous Tier 2, or would you rather not 'go there'. I completely understand if you are relucant to.
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#5
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8/9/08 at 2:44pm
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Re: A few words about...™ Nixon -- in Blu-ray

Hey Paul,

I just checked out those shots. It seems at least that film grain is still visible. Some shots look film like such as this one.

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film2/DVDRe...0809102027.jpg
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#6
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8/9/08 at 3:21pm
  • Joined: July 2002
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Re: A few words about...™ Nixon -- in Blu-ray

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave H
Hey Paul,

I just checked out those shots. It seems at least that film grain is still visible. Some shots look film like such as this one

I agree. It certainly isn't a complete loss, which is probably why RAH has at least 'Recommended' it.

The shot that worried me in particular was this one:

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film2/DVDRe...0809094747.jpg

That said, I haven't seen this yet, I want to very much, and it is at least 'Recommended', so I'll probably 'bite'.
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#7
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8/9/08 at 3:23pm
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Re: A few words about...™ Nixon -- in Blu-ray

My guess is that is a softer filmed shot with some very light DNR applied. I say that because grain is still visible. If no grain were visible, I would be concerned.

I can see where some DNR might have been used in the film to keep a little balance between the different shots and mixed/different sorts of footage used, but that's just my guess.
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#8
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8/9/08 at 3:36pm
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Re: A few words about...™ Nixon -- in Blu-ray

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave H
My guess is that is a softer filmed shot with some very light DNR applied. I say that because grain is still visible. If no grain were visible, I would be concerned.

I can see where some DNR might have been used in the film to keep a little balance between the different shots and mixed/different sorts of footage used, but that's just my guess.

Yeah, it is tough to say. As I have mentioned before, I am still learning what to look for where DNR is concerned, so I'd hate to create unnecessary hysteria during the learning process. However, just from this one picture I have learned that one has to take into account the the director's intent, which is difficult to 'know', the film stock, the age of the transfer (as older ones resolve less detail), and to look to see if grain is still present before thinking 'ZOMG! I can barely see Anthony Hopkins pores! This is another DNR victim'.
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#9
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8/9/08 at 4:20pm
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Re: A few words about...™ Nixon -- in Blu-ray

I have also learned that watching people or faces in motion (movement) you can often detect DNR (Patriot Games is a good example). You can sometimes see an unnatural, almost as if there are two layers of skin moving on the face. I think Mhafner has some examples of this on his Web site too.
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#10
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8/9/08 at 4:29pm
  • Joined: July 2008
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Re: A few words about...™ Nixon -- in Blu-ray

Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul Arnette
...I'm still learning how to spot DNR, but from reading RAH's view it would seem that I've attained a modicum of success at it.
A dubious accomplishment at best.
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#11
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8/9/08 at 6:11pm
  • Joined: January 2006
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Re: A few words about...™ Nixon -- in Blu-ray

I'm not familiar with this film and the DVDBeaver review mentions there are many different types of film techniques and stocks used etc. so I don't know what's supposed to look like what. But setting that aside, for all you DNR apologists, would you really prefer the soft look of these two caps:
Soft 1
Soft 2

When you could have clarity and sharpness like this:
Sharp 1
Sharp 2
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#12
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8/9/08 at 8:01pm
  • Joined: February 1999
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Re: A few words about...™ Nixon -- in Blu-ray

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave H
Does high frequency detail appear to be reduced at all? Or, does it seem like it's just grain only?

The film looks fine.

"All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible. This I did."  T.E. Lawrence

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#13
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8/9/08 at 8:05pm
  • Joined: February 1999
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Re: A few words about...™ Nixon -- in Blu-ray

Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidDTS
Question I'm dying to find out--- did they fix the EXTENDED SCENES so they blend seamlessly in with the rest of the film?? On standard dvd, they just reinserted them even though the extended scenes were of extremely poor quality (not to mention wider aspect ratio) and thus took you right out of the film. I couldn't believe Disney could release such a crummy product.

So Mr Harris, can you confirm basically if everything now looks uniform?

Everything appears to be totally transparent, with no way of knowing where one version ends and the other begins.

I noted only a single shot in over three hours that appeared odd -- that being President Nixon being helped with his tie by J. Edgar Hoover.

There are no problems here. Nixon is a quality release.

"All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible. This I did."  T.E. Lawrence

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#14
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8/9/08 at 8:48pm
  • Joined: August 2000
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Re: A few words about...™ Nixon -- in Blu-ray

I will definitely be picking this up. I have the non-anamorphic DVD version and the quality wasn't too good to begin with.
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#15
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8/9/08 at 10:14pm
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Re: A few words about...™ Nixon -- in Blu-ray

Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert Harris
Everything appears to be totally transparent, with no way of knowing where one version ends and the other begins.

I noted only a single shot in over three hours that appeared odd -- that being President Nixon being helped with his tie by J. Edgar Hoover.

There are no problems here. Nixon is a quality release.


Good to hear.........incidentally that scene you mention is one of the extended scenes but even if it's limited to just that one instance, very glad to have this in anamorphic after years of waiting.
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#16
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8/10/08 at 8:21am
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Re: A few words about...™ Nixon -- in Blu-ray

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kris Z.
I'm not familiar with this film and the DVDBeaver review mentions there are many different types of film techniques and stocks used etc. so I don't know what's supposed to look like what. But setting that aside, for all you DNR apologists, would you really prefer the soft look of these two caps:
Soft 1
Soft 2

When you could have clarity and sharpness like this:
Sharp 1
Sharp 2

Hard to believe that these are from the same Blu-Ray !
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#17
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8/10/08 at 9:32am
  • Joined: April 2000
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Re: A few words about...™ Nixon -- in Blu-ray

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kris Z.
I'm not familiar with this film and the DVDBeaver review mentions there are many different types of film techniques and stocks used etc. so I don't know what's supposed to look like what. But setting that aside, for all you DNR apologists, would you really prefer the soft look of these two caps:
Soft 1
Soft 2

When you could have clarity and sharpness like this:
Sharp 1
Sharp 2

You acknowledge varying film techniques can cause softer image and you admit you don't know how this is supposed to look yet you automatically equate softness with compromised PQ and excessive DNR!?

Given these screenshots are from the same disc, what's your point? Are you saying the first two shots are soft due to excessive DNR? Sounds to me like you're one of "those people" who want everything to look like the "sharpness" of DiscoveryHD and the filmmakers intent can be damned.

The Movie Library
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#18
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8/10/08 at 12:50pm
  • Joined: July 2001
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Re: A few words about...™ Nixon -- in Blu-ray

Please...let this not be the start of another pre-release tirade based on screen caps.
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#19
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8/10/08 at 6:43pm
  • Joined: October 2001
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Re: A few words about...™ Nixon -- in Blu-ray

Great to hear this title looks good, especially the re-inserted scenes. The previous DVD release was one of the worst PQ wise I ever saw, especially the analog noise riddled, sub LD quality re-inserted scenes, so I'm glad to hear they've done this film justice.
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#20
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8/10/08 at 6:52pm
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Re: A few words about...™ Nixon -- in Blu-ray

I was worried about this release because its a real favorite of mine.

A coupel shots look soft while others look very sharp.

Looking foward to seeing it.

And THANK YOU for that cover instead of a floating head. Love the cover art.
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#21
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8/10/08 at 11:30pm
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Re: A few words about...™ Nixon -- in Blu-ray

Is the film spread over two discs like Stone's Alexander Revisited?
The amazon site says Nixon BD has two discs?

Any help would be really appreciated. Thanks.
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#22
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8/11/08 at 4:36am
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Re: A few words about...™ Nixon -- in Blu-ray

200 minutes plus fits easily on a BD-50

"All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible. This I did."  T.E. Lawrence

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#23
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8/11/08 at 5:44am
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Re: A few words about...™ Nixon -- in Blu-ray

Nixon Blu-ray Anthony Hopkins Joan Allen
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#24
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8/11/08 at 6:15am
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Re: A few words about...™ Nixon -- in Blu-ray

Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert Harris
This is an extremely high quality production and a high quality Blu-ray experience.

Thanks. I´ll be getting this for sure. Stone is my favourite directors.

Rewind - DVDcompare/Site Administrator
*US PS3 (1080p) - Xbox 360 Elite (HDMI) - Nintendo Wii (Euro) - Sony PSP-2000 - Nintendo DSi
*HD DVD Toshiba XE1 (1080p) - Sony Bravia KDL-40W2000 (1080p) - Yamaha RX-V1800 (HDMI 1.3)

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#25
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8/11/08 at 7:01am
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Re: A few words about...™ Nixon -- in Blu-ray

Quote:
200 minutes plus fits easily on a BD-50

Thanks. It's just that Alexander Revisited was spread over two discs and that movie had a runtime over 200min--they say it was at Stone's decision.
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#26
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8/11/08 at 1:59pm
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Re: A few words about...™ Nixon -- in Blu-ray

Quote:
It was the correct decision!

No need to shout.

Quote:
The carbon footprint of this thread is soon going to be illegal in three states

There's no need to throw hissy fits or get sarcastic.

Nobody said anything was wrong.

What's your problem?
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#27
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8/11/08 at 2:12pm
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Re: A few words about...™ Nixon -- in Blu-ray

Quote:
Originally Posted by Thivanka R. Perera
No need to shout.



There's no need to throw hissy fits or get sarcastic.

Nobody said anything was wrong.

What's your problem?

...Oh wait, who cares anyway? There's always something better to do than watch Stone's fucking Kooky crap.

Who's overreacting?
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#28
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8/12/08 at 5:07am
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Re: A few words about...™ Nixon -- in Blu-ray

RAH said:
Quote:
The carbon footprint of this thread is soon going to be illegal in three states

Maybe that's supposed to be some smart-ass quip?

People come here to know things too--and when they do, they ask questions. There's no need to jump on their throats for asking something simple like whether a movie was spread over two discs.

Nobody's overreacting, expect some of the big wigs here need to have some patience and manners when dealing with consumers.

If not, don't answer.
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#29
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8/12/08 at 5:30am
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Re: A few words about...™ Nixon -- in Blu-ray

Wow. Plenty of hostility in the forums lately..

Rewind - DVDcompare/Site Administrator
*US PS3 (1080p) - Xbox 360 Elite (HDMI) - Nintendo Wii (Euro) - Sony PSP-2000 - Nintendo DSi
*HD DVD Toshiba XE1 (1080p) - Sony Bravia KDL-40W2000 (1080p) - Yamaha RX-V1800 (HDMI 1.3)

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#30
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8/12/08 at 5:54am
  • Joined: February 1999
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Re: A few words about...™ Nixon -- in Blu-ray

TRP

The film was on two discs at the request of Mr. Stone, who was desirous of replicating the "intermission" found in many epics.

He explains this on the disc.

"All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible. This I did."  T.E. Lawrence

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