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James Bond Blu ray Collection - Volumes 1 & 2

post #1 of 208
10/10/08 at 6:25pm
Thread Starter 
Alright,so I only managed to get Volume 2. I had to make a decision as I did not expect to see them at this point, and I only had enough cash for one. So here it is, Volume 2. I will be watching them over our Thanksgiving long weekend so I hope the picture quality is up to par. Here are a few shots. Only a little over a week to go (officially!).
















The first picture shows the black card board "book" that slides out of the slip cover, and the bottom photo is the clear plastic protectice sleeve - it is open at the top and bottom - a little push and shove and out comes the slip cover. Nice to know some of my money went somewhere.
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post #2 of 208
10/10/08 at 7:32pm

Re: James Bond Blu ray Collection - Volumes 1 & 2

Why...i hate that book!
I want to be able to put my Bond movies in production order, not some arbitrary weak film with a strong film method.

But let us know how they look, if you can Brent.

Thanks for taking the time to post the pics too!
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post #3 of 208
10/10/08 at 8:59pm

Re: James Bond Blu ray Collection - Volumes 1 & 2

I, too, dislike the case. In the case of the 007 films, I purchased the DVD box sets, but split the individual movies up and stored each one in alphabetical order along with the rest of my DVDs. I'd like to be able to do the same with Blu-ray, but this configuration makes it impossible.
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post #4 of 208
10/10/08 at 9:12pm

Re: James Bond Blu ray Collection - Volumes 1 & 2

Quote:
Originally Posted by cafink
I, too, dislike the case. In the case of the 007 films, I purchased the DVD box sets, but split the individual movies up and stored each one in alphabetical order along with the rest of my DVDs. I'd like to be able to do the same with Blu-ray, but this configuration makes it impossible.

I just went to Amazon, and cancelled my order of the 2 box sets, and placed an order for the individual releases. They SEEM to be in slim Blu-ray cases. It cost a little more, but i loath cardboard pages for DVD/CD/Blu-ray releases.
I had also done the same thing with the Planet of the Apes box. Just ordered the individual discs.
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post #5 of 208
10/10/08 at 10:59pm

Re: James Bond Blu ray Collection - Volumes 1 & 2

I think they look pretty nice. These pics took me from a "might" to a "definate" buy. Thanks Brent.
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post #6 of 208
10/11/08 at 8:36am

Re: James Bond Blu ray Collection - Volumes 1 & 2

Wow, I don't like that box either - I'd assumed the sets would simply consist of an outer box wrapped around the regular plastic cases. I'll be picking each movie up separately.

I'm most intrigued to know if any of the COCK-UPS from the previous UEs have been fixed, but none of the more controversial titles are in this set.
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post #7 of 208
10/11/08 at 9:25am

Re: James Bond Blu ray Collection - Volumes 1 & 2

I like the book design but the inability to ultimately put the films in production order is downright moronic.
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post #8 of 208
10/11/08 at 11:42am

Re: James Bond Blu ray Collection - Volumes 1 & 2

Quote:
Originally Posted by RickER
I just went to Amazon, and cancelled my order of the 2 box sets, and placed an order for the individual releases. They SEEM to be in slim Blu-ray cases. It cost a little more, but i loath cardboard pages for DVD/CD/Blu-ray releases.
I had also done the same thing with the Planet of the Apes box. Just ordered the individual discs.

Did you order them all individually or get the amazon 6-pk bundle? In case anyone doesn't know, amazon now has a 6pk bundle for these as well for $112. I had the volumes ordered, but cancelled when I heard of this bundle over at avsfoum. That, and I had a gut feeling that the box sets wouldn't have the films in individual cases.
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post #9 of 208
10/11/08 at 12:05pm

Re: James Bond Blu ray Collection - Volumes 1 & 2

Can someone post a link to the Amazon 6-pack bundle.

I have the two volumes on order, but I am cancelling them as well. Those sets are lousy and the inability to put them in release order is inexcusable. No way will I buy them like that.

I tried locating the bundle on Amazon but couldn't find it.
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post #10 of 208
10/11/08 at 12:14pm

Re: James Bond Blu ray Collection - Volumes 1 & 2

Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe_G
Did you order them all individually or get the amazon 6-pk bundle? In case anyone doesn't know, amazon now has a 6pk bundle for these as well for $112. I had the volumes ordered, but cancelled when I heard of this bundle over at avsfoum. That, and I had a gut feeling that the box sets wouldn't have the films in individual cases.

I did the individual releases. The only bundle i could find was the Vol. 1 and 2, and thats what i cancelled after i saw the cardboard books. I was hoping, like others here, that the boxes were housing individual Blu-slim cases. Glad i found out before i got them.

But yea, Joe, if you have a link to a 6 volume bundle, that isnt in a book, id be all over it.
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post #11 of 208
10/11/08 at 12:56pm

Re: James Bond Blu ray Collection - Volumes 1 & 2

Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe_G
Did you order them all individually or get the amazon 6-pk bundle? In case anyone doesn't know, amazon now has a 6pk bundle for these as well for $112. I had the volumes ordered, but cancelled when I heard of this bundle over at avsfoum. That, and I had a gut feeling that the box sets wouldn't have the films in individual cases.
I did as well. Also, you save $31.75 buying them in the bundle versus purchasing them individually.

James Bond Blu-ray Collection Six-Pack
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post #12 of 208
10/11/08 at 12:58pm

Re: James Bond Blu ray Collection - Volumes 1 & 2

Here's the link:

Amazon.com: James Bond Blu-ray Collection Six-Pack (Dr. No / Die Another Day / Live and Let Die / For Your Eyes Only / From Russia with Love / Thunderball) (Amazon.com Exclusive) [Blu-ray]: Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan: Movies & TV

The description says that this is a 6pk. I'm praying that indeed it is that, like how they did National Treasure and Kill Bill. BUT, they have the volume packaging as the artwork.:\ I have this on order but haven't inquired as to whether or not the films have indiviual cases and are just bundled or if the volume sets are bundled. I'm gonna chance it unless I find out they're the volumes, then I'll cancel and re-order the titles individually.
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post #13 of 208
10/11/08 at 1:23pm

Re: James Bond Blu ray Collection - Volumes 1 & 2

I would almost guarantee you that it will be the two volume packs and not the individual titles.
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post #14 of 208
10/11/08 at 3:04pm

Re: James Bond Blu ray Collection - Volumes 1 & 2

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris S
I would almost guarantee you that it will be the two volume packs and not the individual titles.

Yep, i feel the same. Thats what i HAD on order, but cancelled after seeing the pics in the first post.
Yea, i could print out art online and make my own chronological collection. But, by the time i bought more cases, paper, printer ink, and of course my time, id use that $30 of savings.

To me its almost, but not quite as bad as putting Godfather II in a set before I or III, or Star Wars 4,5, and 1 in a set, and 2,3 and 6 in another.
Some of these movies do build on one another, not quite the same as Godfather or Star Wars. I just want to be able to put them in an order i see fit for a movie series. And that would be production order.

Besides, to me its cheap cardboard, that wont last 5 or 10 years without splitting at the bend.
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post #15 of 208
10/11/08 at 3:24pm

Re: James Bond Blu ray Collection - Volumes 1 & 2

Nice pictures Brent, but I think I will stick with the seperate releases so I can organize them in order of release date under James Bond in my HD library.

Hey Brent,

Have you had the chance to watch any of the movies yet?

If so what is your impression so far?
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post #16 of 208
10/11/08 at 4:04pm

Re: James Bond Blu ray Collection - Volumes 1 & 2

Are the mono tracks included on From Russia with Love and Thunderball?
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post #17 of 208
10/11/08 at 4:43pm

Re: James Bond Blu ray Collection - Volumes 1 & 2

Doesn't ANYBODY know yet if Lowry has made any corrections to the problematic UE masters of Goldeneye, OHMSS, Live And Let Die (which is in this first batch!) and A View To A Kill in advance of their BD releases?

Re: This set - have the colour changes made to the opening titles sequence on Live And Let Die now been corrected?

EDIT:

Oh, according to this review (and comments) http://whathifi.com/blogs/discs_and_...with-love.aspx Lowry have gone back to the original camera negatives and restored these movies from scratch - again! So assuming they haven't made a whole NEW set of errors some of the original problems should be fixed. This does open a new can of worms however, and that is the age-old issue of subtitles.

Going back to Live And Let Die... has the opening subtitle leading into the United Nations building been changed at all, or is it exactly how it was in the theatrical version and all subsequent DVD releases?
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post #18 of 208
10/11/08 at 6:14pm
Thread Starter 

Re: James Bond Blu ray Collection - Volumes 1 & 2

If any of you have any suggestions about what to perhaps look for with these BD transfers please let me know and I will try and look for them. I watched From Russia With Love last night on a 42" LCD 1080 set ( Toshiba ) and since I am not very familiar with any of these films on a technical level I did notice it was framed at 1:66. I assume this is the correct OAR. As for the picture itself - I thought it looked quite good. Excellent detail and colors - It was like watching a new film for the first time since I was constantly amazed at what the new 1080 transfer was revealing in the background! There did not seem to be any evidence of film grain yet it looked very natural. I have yet to see how many of the Special Features are in HD - the back of the cover implies they are.

The sound track was quite decent as well, clear and fairly dynamic. I mean, when you consider it's age I think it turned out well. Surrounds were not used very much from what I could hear but the presentation from the front was excellent with the sub giving a bit of depth - nothing outstanding, understandably. I can't see myself ever watching Bond in SD again. As the BD versions are released I will give the SDs to a friend. Still, until I see it on the larger screen along with Thunderball and For Your eyes Only I cannot really judge their overall quality, everything is much sharper on a smaller set so hopefully this will still be the case at 128". Am I asking too much?
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post #19 of 208
10/11/08 at 8:48pm

Re: James Bond Blu ray Collection - Volumes 1 & 2

Thunderball was the first Bond picture to be shot in Panavision. Are you sure it was really 1.66:1? That would be the ratio for From Russia With Love. Thunderball should be 2.35:1.
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post #20 of 208
10/11/08 at 8:59pm

Re: James Bond Blu ray Collection - Volumes 1 & 2

Quote:
Originally Posted by John H Ross

So assuming they haven't made a whole NEW set of errors some of the original problems should be fixed. This does open a new can of worms however, and that is the age-old issue of subtitles.


Blu-ray has the ability to have player generated subtitles that exactly match the look of the original burned in titles. The Godfather is a good example of what is possible. I didn't even know they were player generated until I accidentally turned them off.

Doug
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post #21 of 208
10/11/08 at 10:18pm
Thread Starter 

Re: James Bond Blu ray Collection - Volumes 1 & 2

Your right about Thunderball - I was so tired I managed to confuse it with From Russia With Love, which is 1:66 - I corrected it.Thanks for the info on that. I have to say that For Your Eyes Only was soft looking with somewhat more subdued colors - intentionally I would say. Although the scenes starting with the skiing are much better (sharper, clearer), as are the those near the end when they go to St. Cyril. Not sure why. With the more vivid colors in those scenes as well I wish it had been as consistent and nice throughout. When Moore was climbing the rock face near the top the distant background had a depth to it that really brought much better impact to that part of the film. This was while watching with the projector, so the image was fairly large ( 128" ). Certainly allows one to really see any possible failings in the transfer, although in this case it seems the softness was intended.
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post #22 of 208
10/12/08 at 4:28am

Re: James Bond Blu ray Collection - Volumes 1 & 2

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brent Avery
If any of you have any suggestions about what to perhaps look for with these BD transfers please let me know and I will try and look for them.

Actually Brent, please could you do me a big favour and check the following:

LIVE AND LET DIE:

At the 00:00:46 (DVD time) mark there's a subtitle which reads "United Nations, New York City". Is this the original theatrical caption or has it been player generated? If player generated has some effort been made to match the original or it is cheap and nasty looking?

Also, is the beginning of the opening credits still overly red or has the red/black contrast been restored?


DIE ANOTHER DAY:

At the 01:44:40 (DVD time) mark there's a subtitle which reads "U.S. Command Bunker, De-Militarised Zone, South Korea". How does this look on BD? Does each letter appear on-screen one at a time, as if typed (i.e. good)? Or does the whole caption flash on in one go (i.e.bad)?

A thousand thanks!
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post #23 of 208
10/12/08 at 9:29am

Re: James Bond Blu ray Collection - Volumes 1 & 2

Well I've gone ahead and canceled my order with Amazon and re-ordered the bundle pack.

At least it's cheaper.

I guess what I'll likely end up doing is printing out my own covers at some point in the near future. I'm hoping that someone will be able to make some cool custom art based off the original artwork for each poster. That'd be ideal.
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post #24 of 208
10/12/08 at 10:16am

Re: James Bond Blu ray Collection - Volumes 1 & 2

Quote:
Originally Posted by MattFini
I'm hoping that someone will be able to make some cool custom art based off the original artwork for each poster. That'd be ideal.
They have. If you google "custom dvd covers" you will be amazed what's out there. On one site I've seen exactly what you're talking about with original poster art. Forum member Ric Easton made some very nice custom covers for his Bond sets. As a matter of fact, he's done pretty nice customs of a good bit besides that. Check him out.
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post #25 of 208
10/12/08 at 10:27am
Thread Starter 

Re: James Bond Blu ray Collection - Volumes 1 & 2

Stayed up a bit later than usual just to watch Thunderball. Since I am not familiar with how it should look I will say I thought it was the best of the three as far as the video presentation is concerned. It does not appear to have any DNR, colors are quite vivid, not overly saturated and skin tones very natural - and it is certainly the sharpest as well, but in a good way.It still looks like film and at times I could discern some grain, say during scenes with a lot of blue sky - although quite fine. Very consistent overall. It would be interesting to know how these films were originally shot. Looking at For Your Eyes Only I have to assume they used a filter, that is the impression I got anyway. From Russia With Love was not quite as sharp as Thundeball ( with the pj ). Not being an expert I could be seeing some DNR and not realize it but from what I saw ( Thunderball ) it was very well done. Others may see issues when they watch it. Guess we will wait and see.

John - I would gladly help out except I only have Volume 2, the two you are interested in are on Volume 1. Sorry!
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post #26 of 208
10/12/08 at 11:17am

Re: James Bond Blu ray Collection - Volumes 1 & 2

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brent Avery
John - I would gladly help out except I only have Volume 2, the two you are interested in are on Volume 1. Sorry!

Oops - sorry - you're right!
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post #27 of 208
10/12/08 at 12:38pm

Re: James Bond Blu ray Collection - Volumes 1 & 2

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris S
I would almost guarantee you that it will be the two volume packs and not the individual titles.

If you all are talking about this item, the picture clearly shows two volume packs and not six individual discs.

Amazon.com: James Bond Blu-ray Collection Six-Pack (Dr. No / Die Another Day / Live and Let Die / For Your Eyes Only / From Russia with Love / Thunderball) (Amazon.com Exclusive) [Blu-ray]: Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan: Movies & TV

The only reason I had planned to order all six James Bond films on their release was because they were reasonably price through this offer. That said, it is no longer a 'deal' to me if they come in that atrocious package. It is back to the Connery films only for me. Hopefully, I will be able to pick up the other three via a deal later.
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post #28 of 208
10/12/08 at 1:56pm
Thread Starter 

Re: James Bond Blu ray Collection - Volumes 1 & 2

Deleted
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post #29 of 208
10/12/08 at 2:09pm

Re: James Bond Blu ray Collection - Volumes 1 & 2

Quote:
Originally Posted by troy evans
They have. If you google "custom dvd covers" you will be amazed what's out there. On one site I've seen exactly what you're talking about with original poster art. Forum member Ric Easton made some very nice custom covers for his Bond sets. As a matter of fact, he's done pretty nice customs of a good bit besides that. Check him out.

Cool. Thanks Troy. I've sent out a few inquiries to people far more talented than myself regarding the subject. I plan to break these BDs out of their ugly cardboard case ASAP.
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post #30 of 208
10/12/08 at 2:30pm

Re: James Bond Blu ray Collection - Volumes 1 & 2

Quote:
Originally Posted by John H Ross
Re: This set - have the colour changes made to the opening titles sequence on Live And Let Die now been corrected?

John,

According to a post on AVS, the color in the titles sequence has indeed been fixed. That gives me hope that at least some of the problems from the UEs have been fixed, but, as you said, there may be new problems that have been introduced as well.

p.s. I tried linking to the post, but apparently links to AVS have been disallowed because of an agreement with HTF that AVS has reneged on.
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