A few words about...™ A History of Violence -- in Blu-ray

Re: A few words about...™ A History of Violence -- in Blu-ray

Disappointing, to say the least. Especially since it probably doesn't have enough of a fan base to be revisited any time in the near future. Thanks for saving me $25 bucks though...

Ken.

Re: A few words about...™ A History of Violence -- in Blu-ray

Yup, saved me from buying it as well. Sorry Warner but when you don't do a film justice by producing a faithful transfer, you don't get my hard earned dollars.

Re: A few words about...™ A History of Violence -- in Blu-ray

Thanks for the headsup, RAH. Like Ken said, it's even more unfortunate that it'll be years before this title gets a re-release.

Re: A few words about...™ A History of Violence -- in Blu-ray

As a matter of practically (I fully understand the refusal to endorse a release in hi-def when compared to its source material and how good it could be), if one wanted this title and did not have it in any other format (recorded on DVR, SD DVD or, in a generic case, VHS), would the recommendation be A) get the BD if you really want this movie and don't want to wait because it's better than any other available format, despite the significant flaws it suffers from or B) don't get this under any circumstance because not only does it look bad on a "big screen" but even on a small monitor, it looks bad.

If I understand correctly, Patton could fall under option A) while Gangs of New York would fall under category B). If this makes sense, would A History of Violence fall under Category A) or B)?

Re: A few words about...™ A History of Violence -- in Blu-ray

My question was based on (possibly misremembered) comments from you, I believe, regarding your initial viewing of Patton on a small (30 inch, if I recall correctly) monitor seeming reasonably good whereas it became unacceptable on a large (again, if I recall correctly, 50 inches plus) screen. On the other hand, your comments about Gangs of New York offered no mitigation whatsoever, so I took that to mean that there were limited circumstances wherein Patton might be okay on an individual basis (though its release in its current condition could not be endorsed as a matter of principle) whereas there were no conditions under which Gangs of New York could be remotely tolerable (at any screen size). If I'm misremembering such nuances, I apologize.

Re: A few words about...™ A History of Violence -- in Blu-ray

Warner may only be the distributor of these titles, but Warner isn't exactly some no-name, no-influence party that's just thankful to have a play in the game.

It's Warner. It's a phone call, a meeting, a memo: "Hey, New Line, your shabby transfers are costing you -- and us -- sales. Our more demanding customer base is making a fuss. How about throttling back on the Madame Tussauds Wax Museum grain strip?"

It's not like New Line's gonna tell Warner to like it or lump it and hang up the phone.

It's Warner.

And, yeah, I'll be passing on this title, too -- a title I would have otherwise purchased, as I'm a big Cronenberg fan, have the SD, and was keen on picking AHoV up.

So thanks for saving me the money, New Line. Or, if it's Warner reading, feel free to pass the message on to your friends at NL next time you see them.

Re: A few words about...™ A History of Violence -- in Blu-ray

What's sad about this is that it used to be you could count on New Line for superior SD packages and transfers. The LotR Extended Editions, now over 4 years old, are STILL the standard, IMO, for overall excellence in DVD releases.

With the collapse of the company last year, and its subsequent absorption into WB, I'm guessing the people who were responsible for NL's glory years are probably no longer there.

This does not bode well for the release of the LotR theatrical editions on BD supposedly coming late this year. If they hose up LotR they will make a whole lot of people very, very upset.

Re: A few words about...™ A History of Violence -- in Blu-ray

Um, this IS Warner, guys. The last real movie that the old-school New Line Home Video department worked on -- as far as I know -- was DARK CITY. All of NL Home Video's operations are run through Warner Bros. now. Unless this transfer was done prior to last June, it's Warner Bros' baby.

Re: A few words about...™ A History of Violence -- in Blu-ray

The most likely scenario. These things are at times years in the process.

Re: A few words about...™ A History of Violence -- in Blu-ray

I saw this a couple nights ago and I agree 100%. Thank goodness I Netflixed it.

Perhaps the WB Blu-ray folks were let go or reassigned and the New Line crew have taken over the shop...?

Re: A few words about...™ A History of Violence -- in Blu-ray

Now this is just sad......I was looking forward to picking up this disc too. I guess my upconverted SDVD will have to do as I assume that the Alliance version (The Canadian distributor of this film) is the same New Line disc. Well, at least you saved me some cash to use on a disc that's more worthy Mr. Harris.

I really hope that New Line do not screw up LOTR......I would be extremely upset if that happens!!!!

Re: A few words about...™ A History of Violence -- in Blu-ray

Interesting, but I disagree with you about Patton in that extreme.





Crawdaddy

Re: A few words about...™ A History of Violence -- in Blu-ray

This transfer might have been done prior to last June. I think we'll all be surprise as to how many titles are done and in the pipeline.





Crawdaddy

Re: A few words about...™ A History of Violence -- in Blu-ray

Once again a title which would have been a no-brainer for me has become a "no sale" because of stupid processing. What's the point of buying a Blu-ray that I won't be happy with because I can see plain as day its not right?

"Better than the DVD" is not good enough.

Robert's comments about how many more titles are done and in the pipeline means a "wait and see" policy is the only way to go with Warner released titles.

Re: A few words about...™ A History of Violence -- in Blu-ray

I'm not so sure it's only Warner.

Re: A few words about...™ A History of Violence -- in Blu-ray

Oh, it most certainly is not only Warner; however I think the sheer volume of titles Warner releases when compared to the other studios Blu-ray Disc offering means they're going to get called on the carpet more. Additionally, they seem content to release New Line's problematic transfers, which will only compound the issue.

Re: A few words about...™ A History of Violence -- in Blu-ray

Count me in as another disappointed non-buyer. I have better dsics to spend my money on, and the DVD will suffice.

Thanks, as always, for the review, Robert.

Re: A few words about...™ A History of Violence -- in Blu-ray

Isn't 'New Line Cinema' now a part of Warner and controlled wholly by them? Anyhow, 'New Line' in my opinion has always had great Home Video releases. In fact they have always had atleast one of the best, if not the best audio/video quality on their DVD and BD releases. Personally I think this poor release is simply the result of Warner taking control of 'New Line' releases, which is something I had been afraid of all along since I first read of Warner taking control of New Line. Personally I have always found Warner to have the poorest quality Home Video releases compared to the other major stuidios and it is sad that they now control one of the best Home Video companies. I shudder to think what Warner will do to 'Lord Of The Rings' when it finally makes it to Blu-Ray.

Re: A few words about...™ A History of Violence -- in Blu-ray

Sorry, to contradict most of you, but I thought HISTORY OF VIOLENCE looked just fine.

I have seen Blu-ray titles with poor transfers, but HISTORY is just not one of them.

Perhaps Mr. Harris is used to seeing more grain in his video transfers, but I thought HISTORY looked good--not demo material--but good!

Re: A few words about...™ A History of Violence -- in Blu-ray

To be blunt, I trust Robert Harris' eyes, as a recognized indsutry expert, over most others'

Re: A few words about...™ A History of Violence -- in Blu-ray

You must not have seen many New Line blu-ray titles because almost every catalog title has heavy DNR and even some of their "day & date releases" have it too like Hairspray. To blame Warner for A History of Violence when stuff like Dark City is out there is IMO ridiculous.



DVDirv,

Umm, I think Mr Harris is more used to you know, seeing more DETAIL not simply grain. You do know that when transfers like this are run through the DNR machine it kills fine/high frequency detail, right?



I saw screencaps of this transfer and it looks like crap. I shudder to think what it'd look like on my front projector setup if it looks that bad on my 17" monitor.As others have stated, a shame this got DNR'ed as I was ready to buy it.

I've basically come to the realization that I need to expect DNR on every future NL catalog title until proof is there that things have turned around. The funny thing is I almost ordered this disc before any comments were posted online but I saw it was a NL flick so I decided to wait and read...and am glad I did. I have the DVD so I will just stick with it.

Re: A few words about...™ A History of Violence -- in Blu-ray

Hmmm, well this may be a first for us UK Blu-ray buyers but maybe...just maybe...EIV will actually come through with a better release over here! They released the un-cut, slightly more violent version on DVD here in the UK so hopefully their transfer will be from a different source and as such an improvement.

Yeah, I know I'm hoping for a lot there (UK readers will understand) but hey, let's be positive!

Re: A few words about...™ A History of Violence -- in Blu-ray

This really is a shame. AHOV is such a fantastic movie, and I was greatly looking forward to having it on Blu-ray. From the screencaps I've seen--low-res they are, but still giving a decent idea of what the image quality is like--it really does look like detail was eliminated along with the grain. I firmly believe that there's no possible way to retain image detail when the grain is removed; the picture itself suffers in the process, since the grain is a part of that picture.

This is all bothersome especially considering how fantastic the BD for Eastern Promises look. I was hoping to have these two companion pieces looking equally as grand in hi-def.

I'll stick to my DVD upconverted, just as I'll stick with my DVD of The Thing over watching the Blu-ray, 'cos with the BD there's no additional detail or quality, and all the grain has been scrubbed away.

On the subject of New Line: Are their BDs really so bad? I own Shoot 'Em Up and it looks fantastic, very rich in detail and grain. Must just be an exception.

Re: A few words about...™ A History of Violence -- in Blu-ray

There is good news. The UK BD does not have the grain filtering and waxy look. The EE remains, though.