A Few Words About A few words about…™ Wonder Boys – in Blu-ray (1 Viewer)

[Robert Harris]

Wonder Boys, a delightful 2000 film from Paramount via the Amazon Collection is decidedly okay.

Nothing terribly awful here.

It appears to be from an old IP, mit dirt, and wonderfully blown-out highlights.

Those who appreciate blown-out highlights will love this Blu-ray!

Other than that, color seems to be fine, and audio likewise.

Is it worth 18 bucks? I'd like to see a better master.

For those concerned, it's a burned disc. I don't see where it matters.


Image – 3.25

Audio – 5 (DTS-HD MA 5.0)

Pass / Fail – Pass

Upgrade from DVD - NO

RAH

 

[Robert Crawford]

Oh boy, here we go again.

 

[Mark VH]

Sorry (but not surprised) to hear this didn’t receive better treatment. Guess I’ll stick with my DVD and/or catch an Amazon Prime stream whenever the mood to revisit the film strikes me - which it often does, because it’s an absolute gem. It deserved better.

 

[ManW_TheUncool]

That's a bummer.

Ah well, not exactly a big surprise coming from Paramount. Guess I'll just have to be satisfied w/ the iTunes (HD) digital I recently bought for $5 then...

_Man_

 

[David Wilkins]

From a purely amateur perspective: I gladly pre-ordered this wonderful and under-appreciated film, since all I had was the original DVD release from many years ago. True, the BD results are below what could have been, and should have been, but I think it’s a decent boost over my old DVD. I’m not among the school of “better than DVD is good enough”, but given the state of things, I can’t help wondering if we’ll see a better release of this film anytime in the foreseeable future. So all things considered, I don’t regret the purchase.

 

[Charles Maesschalck]

Just to clarify, it's only a burnt disc if you order from amazon. Everywhere else "should" be a pressed disc.

 

[Reggie W]

Just to clarify, it's only a burnt disc if you order from amazon. Everywhere else "should" be a pressed disc.

This is correct the disc I have is a standard pressed disc, I did not purchase it from Amazon.

 

[Jeff Whitford]

Amazon purchased Blu-rays are not from the studio?

 

[ManW_TheUncool]

Just noticed Vudu (streaming) now apparently has Wonder Boys in 4K w/ Dolby Vision(!). Guess my iTunes copy will likely get upgraded before too long, so even less reason for someone like me to bother w/ such a mediocre BD release.

This seems to be becoming Paramount's MO...

_Man_

 

[Reggie W]

Amazon purchased Blu-rays are not from the studio?

Amazon cut a deal to burn these Paramount releases as they need them. Everybody else gets pressed discs shipped to them from Paramount. So, if you want a pressed disc, don't buy from Amazon.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Just noticed Vudu (streaming) now apparently has Wonder Boys in 4K w/ Dolby Vision(!). Guess my iTunes copy will likely get upgraded before too long, so even less reason for someone like me to bother w/ such a mediocre BD release.

This seems to be becoming Paramount's MO...

_Man_

That's kind of strange because based on RAH's comments, I would have thought that this BD release was derived from the same master as my iTunes HD digital that I purchased for $4.99 earlier this year. Paramount wouldn't release this BD from an older master?

 

[ManW_TheUncool]

Just noticed Vudu (streaming) now apparently has Wonder Boys in 4K w/ Dolby Vision(!). Guess my iTunes copy will likely get upgraded before too long, so even less reason for someone like me to bother w/ such a mediocre BD release.

This seems to be becoming Paramount's MO...

_Man_

That's kind of strange because based on RAH's comments, I would have thought that this BD release was derived from the same master as my iTunes HD digital that I purchased for $4.99 earlier this year. Paramount wouldn't release this BD from an older master?

Hmmm... apparently, just a false alarm. It seems just some kind of bug in Vudu's iOS mobile app. I just doublechecked the (mobile) site and also the Roku app, and no 4K available.

_Man_

 

[B-ROLL]

Hmmm... apparently, just a false alarm. It seems just some kind of bug in Vudu's iOS mobile app. I just doublechecked the (mobile) site and also the Roku app, and no 4K available.

_Man_

NO 4K FOR YOU !

 

[Dave Blair]

Amazon cut a deal to burn these Paramount releases as they need them. Everybody else gets pressed discs shipped to them from Paramount. So, if you want a pressed disc, don't buy from Amazon.

What is the source of this information regarding burned vs pressed discs. I am suspicious of the veracity of such a claim, but would like to read more from a reputable source.

 

[Reggie W]

What is the source of this information regarding burned vs pressed discs. I am suspicious of the veracity of such a claim, but would like to read more from a reputable source.

Well, the source was Amazon themselves but I am not certain where you would find that announcement. It was posted by the people at blu-ray.com when Amazon made the deal. This was a while ago. It's not a claim and it has been verified by people that have purchased the discs including myself when I spoke about having a pressed Paramount disc and was accused of inventing that. I'm currently drawing a blank on which disc that was but I know this "burn on demand" program has included catalog titles like Atlantic City and The Molly Maguires. It does not include all Paramount titles that Amazon sells. For example the Paramount Presents line are the same everywhere you purchase them. They are all pressed. The giveaway if you are looking at the box the disc comes in is if the blu-ray logo is printed on it.




If this is on the packaging it is a pressed blu-ray. If the package just says Blu-ray Disc as it does on this image:

It is burn on demand. Apparently the Blu-ray logo can only be used on pressed discs. This does align with all of the burned discs I have, none show the logo on the packaging. So, I purchased Wonder Boys at Bull Moose and the logo is on it and it is a pressed disc. From Amazon, I would assume you will get what is pictured, a burned disc, because they have the deal to make their own.