PHE Press Release: Braveheart * Gladiator * Forrest Gump (Sapphire Series Blu-ray) - Page 2

Re: PHE Press Release: Braveheart * Gladiator * Forrest Gump (Sapphire Series Blu-ray

What comes to my attention is how kind of tacky that "saphire series" seems to be. Suddenly we have more to obstruct the artwork of the release. It could have been been implemented with a little more taste, these outer cases remind me of the early Disney feature film releases like Chicago etc.

It took Paramount a long time to finally announce these titles and the whole saphire moniker just sounds a bit cheap and not needed.

Seems like these studios are trying to out do each other with badly looking cover art layouts. I figured FOX become the worst with titles like The Robe that looked generic esp after such awesome looking standard DVD Classics Collection titles like All ABout Eve, Fantastic Voyage etc.. Those were classy looking designs... just seems like no one has taste anymore when it comes to layouts for cover art.

Re: PHE Press Release: Braveheart * Gladiator * Forrest Gump (Sapphire Series Blu-ray)

It's obviously a way to eek out a few more sales from those who collect titles in a "collectible" series.

Re: PHE Press Release: Braveheart * Gladiator * Forrest Gump (Sapphire Series Blu-ray)

I see Braveheart is now 30% off at Amazon ($27.99), so at least they're moving in the right direction for now.

Re: PHE Press Release: Braveheart * Gladiator * Forrest Gump (Sapphire Series Blu-ray)

VERY excited about Gladiator.

Re: PHE Press Release: Braveheart * Gladiator * Forrest Gump (Sapphire Series Blu-ray)

So are the extras from the previous Braveheart DVDs on this blu or not. The press release doesn't make it all too clear.

Re: PHE Press Release: Braveheart * Gladiator * Forrest Gump (Sapphire Series Blu-ray)

First thing I thought when reading the release, "Oooh...Sapphire Series. It must be worth every dollar they're charging...NOT! Yeah, they'll make some sales to those who think the movies are special, just because they're part of a series.

The only one of the three I'm interested in is FG and I'll wait for the price to drop.

I'm so glad I never worked in marketing.

Re: PHE Press Release: Braveheart * Gladiator * Forrest Gump (Sapphire Series Blu-ray)

It's nice to see these three announced, although I don't know that they will be high on my purchase list unless we start seeing 50% discounts. If the transfers live up to their billing, all of them should be promo grade.

Re: PHE Press Release: Braveheart * Gladiator * Forrest Gump (Sapphire Series Blu-ray)

Except wasn't the CG stuff pretty low def anyway? It looked low def even for DVD -- at least on the first DVD release anyway. I also recall Roger Ebert making that point in his original review of the film during its theatrical run.

Would be interesting to see how that plays out on this "Sapphire Series" BD.

I never bought the extended version DVD. Is that cut actually better? If not, I may just stick w/ my old DVD unless I find it at a very steep discount -- I enjoyed the theatrical version, but am not a fan of it.

Will probably pick up Braveheart and FG soon after release though.

_Man_

Re: PHE Press Release: Braveheart * Gladiator * Forrest Gump (Sapphire Series Blu-ray)

Nov 3 is going to kill me.. Lord of the Rings BD release is now set for that day, along with the above.. my wallet can feel the hit already

Re: PHE Press Release: Braveheart * Gladiator * Forrest Gump (Sapphire Series Blu-ray)

I'm glad to see these 3 announced and looking forward to their releases though i'll say BRAVEHEART is the only solid "buy" for me.

I do find it interesting that GLADIATOR is being released in DTSMA. I think that's more along the request of Ridley Scott moreso than any policy shift over at Paramount. I definitely want to rent GLADIATOR. As for FORREST GUMP, before I buy, I want to Netflix it. I'm a little down knowing in advance that only 3.1 of the 5.1 channels will be utilized as the sound mixer intentionally avoided mixing to the surrounds. I want to see how well it sounds before purchase.

Re: PHE Press Release: Braveheart * Gladiator * Forrest Gump (Sapphire Series Blu-ray)

I've never seen the whole film, and I've never heard of any movie having that kind of mix. Very interesting. Was there a specific reason for no surround mixing ever mentioned?

Re: PHE Press Release: Braveheart * Gladiator * Forrest Gump (Sapphire Series Blu-ray)

Rent the DVD and you'll hear what I mean. You'll put your ear next to your surrounds and you won't hear anything.

Still sounds pretty good though.

Re: PHE Press Release: Braveheart * Gladiator * Forrest Gump (Sapphire Series Blu-ray)

Is this your opinion or fact?

Re: PHE Press Release: Braveheart * Gladiator * Forrest Gump (Sapphire Series Blu-ray)

I was curious so I pulled out my copy and sampled a few scenes and Forrest Gump definitely has surround sound. It is definitely a front heavy mix but the surrounds are active. Sample the Football scenes, Vietnam, Bar Scene, The chorus during the shrimp boat scene. The surrounds should definitely be more active though. Hopefully this will be resolved with the BD.

Re: PHE Press Release: Braveheart * Gladiator * Forrest Gump (Sapphire Series Blu-ray)

I love all three films....However, I will only pick up Braveheart and Gladiator for the time being as they are more "epic" which suits my Blu-ray requirements. Forrest Gump, I will probably pick up when the price drops significantly on it....the DVD will be fine for now.

Re: PHE Press Release: Braveheart * Gladiator * Forrest Gump (Sapphire Series Blu-ray

I am excited about both Braveheart and Gladiator. Never cared for Gump. For a long time, the DTS mix on Gladiator was my demo for 5.1 sound. If it is in DTS HD MA, it will probably be my Blu-ray sound demo as well. I just wish they'd included the original cut and done the seamless branching thing on the extra scenes. I remember watching the deleted scenes on the DVD and did not feel they were absolutely necessary.

Re: PHE Press Release: Braveheart * Gladiator * Forrest Gump (Sapphire Series Blu-ray

Did you read the press release Ron posted? Maybe I'm misunderstanding you, but the Blu-ray will include both versions of the film.

Re: PHE Press Release: Braveheart * Gladiator * Forrest Gump (Sapphire Series Blu-ray

Rest assured, the original cut is also included. Even says so in the press release.

One thing that's not very loudly trumpeted in that release is that there's nearly five hours of never-before-seen historical and production content in addition to pretty much everything from both of the previous releases.

Re: PHE Press Release: Braveheart * Gladiator * Forrest Gump (Sapphire Series Blu-ray

Thank you Charles, I'm looking forward to viewing this release.






Crawdaddy

Re: PHE Press Release: Braveheart * Gladiator * Forrest Gump (Sapphire Series Blu-ray)

With the knowledge that Charlie is connected to the Gladiator release, SOLD.

Re: PHE Press Release: Braveheart * Gladiator * Forrest Gump (Sapphire Series Blu-ray

same. i just got really excited for gladiator after reading that tid bit. Its one of those movies i don't consider a favorite, yet oddly every time i see it or hear the soundtrack i love it and realize i do really enjoy the movie.

Re: PHE Press Release: Braveheart * Gladiator * Forrest Gump (Sapphire Series Blu-ray

Good for you. It's good to hold on to things one finds precious like one's own opinion. Of course, it doesn't mean it is precious for anyone else. There is no "legion of collectors" that "made DVD what it was". The only people I know who "collect" movies (as opposed to buying a few favourites and a lot of kids movies) are on boards like this--hardly a drop in the bucket. I have a collection (nearly 800 films) that on boards like this often appears miniscule. However, in the "real world", it dwarfs the next biggest collection of any of my friends and family by at least 500 titles for one and 700 titles for the rest.

And here is the crux of your argument. Just about every thread I've seen you participate in eventually gets around to making this tired statement. The Blu-ray section at my local video store is growing faster than the DVD section did back in the day. Rack space is growing at local stores. BD has displaced DVD in the most prominent display areas in the Future Shop and Best Buy stores around here. The movies that people I talk to that make them want to get BD players are NOT "deep catalogue films" like Spartacus and King of Kings (the latter one being UNKNOWN to any of them, I'm sure). They want Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Braveheart, Gladiator (imagine that), Indiana Jones...the list goes on but it hardly contains anything made before 1980. I might prefer, as you do, a greater focus on "deep catalogue" films, but let's not pretend that such films are what drove DVD to success and are required for BD to be considered a success. Hell, even now, over a DECADE after its been on the market as a product, there are films coming out for the first time on SD DVD (and I've been buying them because it could be another decade or longer before they get a BD release--if ever). If "deep catalogue" was so vital in the first five years of DVD, then why am I still waiting for The African Queen? No. The "deep catalogue" became a viable market segment AFTER the films you don't seem to appreciate made DVD a widely adopted format. The same applies to BD.

And, back to the OP--Braveheart and Gladiator will be on my shelf for sure (they will be on my Christmas list as I've got a stack of films to keep me busy until then and, if I don't get them for Christmas, I'll pick them up shortly thereafter).

Re: PHE Press Release: Braveheart * Gladiator * Forrest Gump (Sapphire Series Blu-ray

So, you just assume I didn't read it?

Well...you're right, I only glanced at it.

Thanks for the info that I should have noticed. Looks like it'll be an awesome release.

Re: PHE Press Release: Braveheart * Gladiator * Forrest Gump (Sapphire Series Blu-ray

That is fantastic news! All the new extras combined with a DTS-MA audio track make this my most anticipated release of the year.

Re: PHE Press Release: Braveheart * Gladiator * Forrest Gump (Sapphire Series Blu-ray

Four hours not Five. And it's too bad they didn't mention whether the extras from the previous releases of Braveheart will be ported over. I hope they are.

Re: PHE Press Release: Braveheart * Gladiator * Forrest Gump (Sapphire Series Blu-ray

The press release says "over four hours" and Charlie says "nearly five hours" so that's the same thing. Either way, I'm going to guess that he knows better than the marketing department.

Re: PHE Press Release: Braveheart * Gladiator * Forrest Gump (Sapphire Series Blu-ray

Yes, I will hold onto my opinions, just as you will hold onto yours. Yours are no more valuable than mine, except to you. You're still waiting for The African Queen, which has been available for many years in another region, because apparently the rights have shifted back and forth many times between various companies and because the elements need to be dealt with. Pretty simple. And I'm sorry, you are simply misremembering what came when with DVD. As are most people who are trying to make the best of a not very wonderful Blu-Ray situation. You can tap dance all you like, and that's all it is - tap dancing. No reason to carry on this discussion because you're not going to change my mind and I'm not going to change yours, and such is life. A year from now, when this same conversation happens again the only thing you will find is that not very much has changed, but you'll still say "the same tired argument."

Re: PHE Press Release: Braveheart * Gladiator * Forrest Gump (Sapphire Series Blu-ray

Even IF you're right, there's a ton of factors that Blu-ray has to deal with that DVD didn't have to contend with so, of course, its growth will be slower than the massively successful DVD. Expecting Blu-ray to be as successful as DVD is like someone running a 4 minute mile, getting to the finish line, finding out that they have to run another mile and then people being dissapointed when it takes him 5 minutes to run the second mile. Yeah, it took longer but it's still pretty damn good.

Re: PHE Press Release: Braveheart * Gladiator * Forrest Gump (Sapphire Series Blu-ray

I see. I (and most people) are misremembering but you, oh infallible one, are not? I guess I must also be "mis-hearing" all the people who've told me they're interested in things like Gladiator and Braveheart. They must have meant Spartacus and, what was it, King of Kings? Yeah, that must be it. 'Cause, you know, when I look at the DVDs on the shelves of, oh, just about everybody I know who owns any--King of Kings stands so prominently on their shelf.

And I thought cognitive dissonance of this magnitude was mostly confined to a few hardcore Trekkies. Ah well, learn something new every day. And a year from now, the only one trying to have this "conversation" will be you. And yes, I don't expect what you have to say then will have changed all that much. And that'll make it an "even MORE tired argument". Me? I'll be watching Gladiator on BD and liking it.

Re: PHE Press Release: Braveheart * Gladiator * Forrest Gump (Sapphire Series Blu-ray)

I'll be looking forward to Braveheart.