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A few words about...™ Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles - in Blu-ray

#1
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Throughout the history of the cinema, vampires have generally been treated as something unclean -- not someone or something one would bring home to dinner to meet the family.

Interview with the Vampire, based upon Anne Rice's work, turns the tables on that ethic and allows us to see the life of a vampire from the inside -- and it appears that it isn't all bad.

The 1994 production based upon Ms. Rice's tome, as directed by Neil Jordan and photographed by Philippe Rousselot, is wonderful filmmaking, beautifully cast and acted, and now finally brought to Blu-ray in all its glory.

One needs to understand, however, that this is a low-key film, darkly lit in the majority scenes, with shadows that constantly come into play.

The Blu-ray disc itself is gorgeous, needle sharp, with full grain and a lush color scale. While the audio is rich and full, it appears that this may have been a master prepared before the changeover to full lossless. Will 99% of the viewing audience be able to hear a difference? Extremely doubtful.

The only negative is an odd and very short intro, that really isn't an intro -- by Mr. Jordan and Ms. Rice -- along with some shots from the film in standard definition. I found it unnecessary and visually annoying.

With that exception, I'm thrilled to be adding Interview with the Vampire to my Blu-ray library.

Highly 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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Re: A few words about...™ Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles - in Blu-ray

This is one of my favorite films. Sometimes you don't know what to expect from catalog BD titles. Warner seems to be stepping up to the plate and knocking them out in regards to PQ at least. After reading your review, it makes my purchase that much easier. Thank You Mr. Harris.

" I think it's time we go to plan B". "What's plan B?" "That's the one where we don't do something stupid".

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#3
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Re: A few words about...™ Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles - in Blu-ray

it is only DD track there ??
no DolbyTrueHD ?



Marek
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#4
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Re: A few words about...™ Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles - in Blu-ray

Quote:
Originally Posted by MarekM
it is only DD track there ??
no DolbyTrueHD ?



Marek
Looks that way. Why certain titles get it and many others don't is beyond me. I'm still buying it.

" I think it's time we go to plan B". "What's plan B?" "That's the one where we don't do something stupid".

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#5
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Re: A few words about...™ Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles - in Blu-ray

Quote:
Originally Posted by troy evans
Looks that way. Why certain titles get it and many others don't is beyond me. I'm still buying it.

yes you are right, but I have DVD with DTS !!!!!

so it's quite ironic that DVD have better track then blu-ray hmm

Marek
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#6
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Re: A few words about...™ Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles - in Blu-ray

Quote:
Originally Posted by MarekM
so it's quite ironic that DVD have better track then blu-ray hmm

Marek
You have to remember that on sd dvd the DD is at 440 bitrate and on Blu it's at around 640 kbps. So the Blu will sound better than the sd dvds DD. It won't be as good as a true lossless track, however. As far as whether it will beat the DTS track that's currently on the sd dvd release, I don't know.

" I think it's time we go to plan B". "What's plan B?" "That's the one where we don't do something stupid".

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#7
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Re: A few words about...™ Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles - in Blu-ray

I saw INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE on HBO-HD some weeks ago, and it looked just wonderful. I'm sure the Blu-ray will be even more appealing.
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#8
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Re: A few words about...™ Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles - in Blu

Quote:
Originally Posted by MattH.
I saw INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE on HBO-HD some weeks ago, and it looked just wonderful. I'm sure the Blu-ray will be even more appealing.

Matt,

Do you mean Showtime HD? I saw it on Showtime recently - don't remember seeing it on HBO's schedule.

Anyway, I thought it looked pretty good too.

I've seen several complaints already regarding softness on other forums, but I suspect this is indeed due to the style of the film. Still looking forward to this despite the lack of TrueHD.

My DVD, Blu-Ray and HD DVD Collection @ DVDSpot

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#9
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Re: A few words about...™ Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles - in Blu-ray

It probably was Showtime instead of HBO. I have both and just didn't pay attention which one it was.
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#10
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Re: A few words about...™ Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles - in Blu-ray

Quote:
vampires have generally been treated as something unclean -- not someone or something one would bring home to dinner

Nor accompany them to their home "for dinner", I guess.


Thanks for this very insightful review. Added to my pre-order list!


Cees
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#11
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Re: A few words about...™ Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles - in Blu-ray

Late to the party, but I finally got to this in my pile, and the image is truly stunning. I haven't seen so much detail, since, well, the theater in 1994. Another great recommendation from RAH.

I too have seen the hi-def cable broadcast, and the Blu-ray is superior. The difference is not subtle.
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