Just WHY do people buy films on HD?

John H Ross · 08-20-2006, 10:27 AM

Since HD-DVD and, to a lesser extent Blu-Ray, was launched I've been reading all sorts of comments like "the film stinks but the HD-DVD looks fantastic so: highly recommended" or "it's a lousy film but it'll really push my home theater to its limits" or whatever.

I can understand buying a lot of rubbish when a new format is released. I myself bought a handful of dud titles when I first got into DVD. But a lot of the comments I've read here just strike me as... baffling.

So I gotta ask: just why are y'all buying movies on HD? Is it:

1. Because you genuinely love movies and you want to see them with the very best possible picture and sound quality. You're only buying turds like Happy Gilmore and Fast And The Furious 2 because you're interested to see what the new format is capable of.

or

2. Because you have a real expensive home theater and you want to show it off to all your mates so you need the most colourful picture and noisiest soundtrack you can get your hands on for your next "demo disc" and artistic integrity be damned.

or

3. A little of both (this is a bit of a cop-out obviously!!) LOL

John

Marc Colella · 08-20-2006, 10:52 AM

I haven't taken the plunge into HD movies yet, but when I do it'll be for part of the reason you've outlined in #1.

However, I will only purchase movies that I love - which is why I have yet to take the plunge. I will not purchase movies that I hate or even merely liked.

Goodfellas is the only film available so far on either format that I would like to have in my collection. While I did like the films such Lord of War and Jarhead, I have no desire to own either of them (unless they were free).

I want the best presentation I can get for films that I love.

From the looks of things, I'll be waiting a while until jumping on either.

Ronald Epstein · 08-20-2006, 11:17 AM

To be honest, much of what is available on HD-DVD right now is
generally rubbish. That's my opinion.

Sometimes I think the studios put some of this stuff out
in the first batch of releases because they knew that we
would buy them NOW as opposed to LATER.

I'll admit I bought a few titles I would have otherwise ignored
just because I'm starving for HD-DVD titles to look at on my
new system.

So, to answer your question, I am buying some of these lackluster
titles because I'm looking for the best sources I can to show off
my system.

Edwin-S · 08-20-2006, 11:26 AM

I would probably do the same thing with HD as I did with DVD and opt for the cop out route (#3), with somewhat more discretion due to the expense involved with HD discs. I think U-571 is a bad movie, but I would still consider getting an HD copy because it is an ideal film for demonstrating what a home theatre is capable of.........showing shitty movies with out-of-sight audio and visual qualities.

Harminder · 08-20-2006, 11:30 AM

I took the HD plunge mainly because of the sound improvement. DD+ and Lossless sound I really couldn't resist.

The massive picture improvement is a great bonus to me. The In-Movie-Experience is really fun too!

**HTF Ads**

John Troutman · 08-20-2006, 11:59 AM

I'll admit to having some stinkers on my shelf just because I was desperate for HD material. It just looks so pretty! But I generally buy films on HD-DVd because I enjoy them. They're not films I absolutely LOVE, mind you, but ones that I at least can enjoy now and then. And it has to be stated that one man's rubbish is another man's treasure. For instance, I LOVE Happy Gilmore and was delighted to have it in HD.

But I'm definently not the sort that's buying everything that comes out, because a lot of it IS crap. In point fact, it seems like the release slates now are worse than when HD-DVD debuted, with the exception of a few titles. Which is just as well, since I've already blown all my money.

Brent Avery · 08-20-2006, 02:06 PM

For those of us with a front projector setup any improvment in picture quality is a worthwhile investment and I would still be holding off otherwise. And now the wait is on for some worthy titles so I'm hoping the Spartacus release will really make this film an experience that makes investing in HD really pay off.

Bob_L · 08-20-2006, 02:37 PM

There are many ways to enjoy a film. The best way is when everything in it is brilliantly executed and it's a great movie. That doesn't happen very often.

But it is also possible to enjoy individual aspects of a film: a particular performance, the photography, the art direction, the score, the special effects, and so on. When posters leave messages like the ones you cite, I think they're really saying, "This isn't a good movie but the visuals are enjoyable when I see them looking this good in my home." I think that's a perfectly legitimate reason to enjoy a film.

I happen to think "Van Helsing" is a piece of junk and an abject failure as a film, for instance. But I also think it has remarkable photography and production design and, if I bought an HD DVD player right now, I'd consider buying that disk just to admire the higher-quality presentation of those two elements.

This is hardly "artistic integrity be damned" or showing off for your friends. So, I utterly disagree with the tone and content of your post Mr. Ross.

But you're still one of my heroes because of the tribute to Jerry Goldsmith that you have in your signature. A wonderful tribute to an incredibly talented musician. (I hope you've heard his score to the "Soarin' Over California" attraction at Disney's California Adventure. One of his most wonderful creations, IMO.)

John H Ross · 08-20-2006, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob_L

But you're still one of my heroes because of the tribute to Jerry Goldsmith that you have in your signature. A wonderful tribute to an incredibly talented musician. (I hope you've heard his score to the "Soarin' Over California" attraction at Disney's California Adventure. One of his most wonderful creations, IMO.)

I have indeed heard "Soarin' Over California" (available on Disney's "Music From Disney's California Adventure" CD as you probably know) and it is indeed splendid! I have a jolly nice 7 minute video (mpg) too about the ride, with some shots of people queuing outside and a full trip through the ride. If you drop me your e-mail address I'll send it over.

John