Cover Art - "The Passion of the Christ" - Page 6

Dave Miller · 08-26-2004, 08:42 PM

Wow, I just watched it as well (R1) and I'm not telling you how I got it. This won't be real technical, but I was impressed. I saw this movie only once in the theater and man, this transfer is dead on. There are scenes that seem three dimensional almost.

I did a slight comparison between the DD and DTS tracks, but mostly listened to the DTS. The way the crowd noise and score are balanced across the rear channels gives the movie an even more ethereal feel. I think the music in this movie is a great fit and the audio track does it justice.

I'm not real thrilled with the subtitles. I am one who wanted player generated subs so I could turn them off (that's not how I watched it tonight), but I was reminded how bad player generated subs look compared to the theatrical ones. Even though they are white, at times they took me right out of the film because I'm thinking "Are the Okuda's doing a text commentary...wait, no, that's the dialogue. Ok, where was I?" It's a catch 22 and tommorrow I'll probably watch with the subs off.

This is a great film, and even though this DVD is crying out for a second disc full of supplemental material, I think you will all be pleased.

Peace,

DM

Tim Glover · 08-26-2004, 09:09 PM

Thanks for the review Dave.

Colin Jacobson · 08-27-2004, 09:49 AM

quote:

An in-depth review of the R1 DVD has taken way too long to appear. Haven't seen one anywhere.

As I mentioned earlier in the thread, Fox didn't send out "real" screeners. I - and I assume some others - got a non-retail version with only Dolby 2.0 audio. I didn't write about it - what's the point in reviewing something that's so different from what people can buy? Another website DID put up a review that I suspect comes from a screening of the non-retail screener.

Bill Chambers reviews the Canadian release - which is R1 - on his site. This link is earlier in the thread.

Sean Moon · 08-27-2004, 10:09 AM

I just watched this yesterday and the transfer on this disc is impecable. Just wonderful detail in all shots. I second the three dimensional comment.

The audio is superb as well. Just a very balanced and natural sounding mix that suits the film well. Bravo Fox!

Ron-P · 08-27-2004, 10:17 AM

Thanks Dave. This is my most anticipated DVD title this year.

Sean Moon · 08-27-2004, 10:50 AM

I know some will lament the lack of extras on this release, but I think that the lack of anything on it kind of adds a certain air to the film itself.

Michael Osadciw · 08-27-2004, 11:45 AM

quote:

Will there be an HTF Review of this film?

Yes there will be and HTF Review of this film...that is when I receive more product.

quote:

I don't think HTF has a reviewer for FOX titles at this time.

As of the beginning August, FOX reviews have been coming from me. I've passed on Columbia TriStar for FOX. I have received at few titles from FOX and posted them, but since then I'm still waiting for new material. I was expecting somthing to come this week. Given its Friday now, at 11.41am, the delivery truck hasn't come yet...and Passion comes out on the 31st...hmmm...was hoping to receive it yesterday...it would have been a nice birthday gift...

Regards

Mike

Herb Kane · 08-28-2004, 12:16 AM

Though I too have become suspicious of several reviews that have been posted on other sites recently for several reasons, I'd be hesitant to state unequivocally that they are being deceitful without knowing the exact details. We don’t know what arrangements or what connections certain sites may have with certain studios. Not only that, I believe this forum and its members are above such tactics.

Having said that, I have requested a screener copy from WB Canada so that Michael is able to do a proper evaluation on this highly anticipated title. Fingers crossed…

Colin Jacobson · 08-28-2004, 09:59 AM

quote:
Though I too have become suspicious of several reviews that have been posted on other sites recently for several reasons, I'd be hesitant to state unequivocally that they are being deceitful without knowing the exact details. We don’t know what arrangements or what connections certain sites may have with certain studios.

I never stated absolutely that the site in question posted a review of the screener DVD - I did relate that I strongly suspected that was the case. As far as I can tell, every other DD/DTS review on this site mentions both tracks, whereas Passion only vaguely cites a "5.1 track" and doesn't even establish if it's DD or DTS. Hey, for all I know, they found a store that put out the disc pre-street, but I seriously doubt it. I hate it when sites fake reviews - it reflects poorly on the rest of us, so if I seem more cheesed off by this than I should, that's why...

Dave Miller · 08-28-2004, 10:39 AM

I watched it again last night and saw many things I hadn't noticed before. By turning off the subtitles not only can you really pay more attention to the transfer (and my appreciation of the transfer has only gone up), but also you are really given the chance to watch the movie in a whole new way. Bravo to Fox & Mel for making this possible.

Collin & Herb - I must have missed something. Are you referring to the Canadian release? The packaging for my U.S. (R1) release specifically states both 5.1 DTS & 5.1 Dolby Surround on the back of the packaging, FWIW.

Peace,

DM

Colin Jacobson · 08-28-2004, 02:22 PM

quote:
Collin & Herb - I must have missed something. Are you referring to the Canadian release? The packaging for my U.S. (R1) release specifically states both 5.1 DTS & 5.1 Dolby Surround on the back of the packaging, FWIW.

No, I'm discussing a non-retail screener copy Fox sent to me (and presumably others). As I mentioned earlier in the thread, it was anamorphic 2.35:1 but offered only Dolby Surround 2.0 audio - no DTS or DD 5.1. The PR folks told me in no uncertain terms that this was all they had and we wouldn't get screeners that represented the final product. I believe that at least one website went ahead and reviewed the non-retail - and non-representative - screener but pretended they'd watched the real thing.