Carlo_M
Senior HTF Member
- Joined
- Oct 31, 1997
- Messages
- 13,392
Awesome read Michael, thanks for sharing!
I am somewhat disappointed in Home Theater Forum's review of the extended version of It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World as released on the Criterion label. Certainly I do think that Mr Harris, and his associates, should receive every bit of credit due to them for the superb restoration efforts they applied toward some terrifically challenging elements in order to bring us the highest quality extended version of Mad World that available technology allowed.
But, the HTF review should have made it clear, via a brief statement, that those fans of the film who are simply looking for the highest quality version
of the shorter, general release edition of the film, will gain nothing in video quality by going to the extra expense of the Criterion edition vs the less expensive, (if bare bones) single disc MGM blu-ray release. Of course the authors of posts # 28 and 29 even go so far as to indicate that the Wal-Mart exclusive Blu-ray release (which I understand is the same encode as the MGM release) may even look better than its Criterion counterpart, although I seriously doubt it. I mean, what could account for Criterion managing to come up with a lower quality encode than an earlier Blu-ray release? I don't think that the high-def digital master used as the source for Criterion's release could have deteriorated.
One thing that does really piss me off (though certainly, no fault of anyone at HTF) is the way that you will find the Criterion Blu-ray release of Mad World discussed on Amazon. One customer reviewer while seeming to go into fine detail about every facet of the Criterion release, in a very long review, actually makes the claim that thanks to Criterion, the film finally became available in high definition, for the first time. Really makes you wonder if that supposed customer review was simply a Criterion plant to promote Criterion.
And, BTW, my purpose here was not to attack Criterion, since our Blu-ray collection already includes more than a dozen Criterion editions, and I'll continue to buy such editions when my interest in a film warrants the extra expense. Rather, I mainly sought to point out that Home Theater Forum's review of the Criterion edition of Stanley Kramer's epic comedy could have done a better job by mentioning that those whose only interest is viewing the
general release version of the film in its highest video quality, would be better off saving some money by getting the MGM release.
Mike I’m guessing this is the first time you’ve read an amazon review.I am somewhat disappointed in Home Theater Forum's review of the extended version of It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World as released on the Criterion label. Certainly I do think that Mr Harris, and his associates, should receive every bit of credit due to them for the superb restoration efforts they applied toward some terrifically challenging elements in order to bring us the highest quality extended version of Mad World that available technology allowed.
But, the HTF review should have made it clear, via a brief statement, that those fans of the film who are simply looking for the highest quality version
of the shorter, general release edition of the film, will gain nothing in video quality by going to the extra expense of the Criterion edition vs the less expensive, (if bare bones) single disc MGM blu-ray release. Of course the authors of posts # 28 and 29 even go so far as to indicate that the Wal-Mart exclusive Blu-ray release (which I understand is the same encode as the MGM release) may even look better than its Criterion counterpart, although I seriously doubt it. I mean, what could account for Criterion managing to come up with a lower quality encode than an earlier Blu-ray release? I don't think that the high-def digital master used as the source for Criterion's release could have deteriorated.
One thing that does really piss me off (though certainly, no fault of anyone at HTF) is the way that you will find the Criterion Blu-ray release of Mad World discussed on Amazon. One customer reviewer while seeming to go into fine detail about every facet of the Criterion release, in a very long review, actually makes the claim that thanks to Criterion, the film finally became available in high definition, for the first time. Really makes you wonder if that supposed customer review was simply a Criterion plant to promote Criterion.
And, BTW, my purpose here was not to attack Criterion, since our Blu-ray collection already includes more than a dozen Criterion editions, and I'll continue to buy such editions when my interest in a film warrants the extra expense. Rather, I mainly sought to point out that Home Theater Forum's review of the Criterion edition of Stanley Kramer's epic comedy could have done a better job by mentioning that those whose only interest is viewing the
general release version of the film in its highest video quality, would be better off saving some money by getting the MGM release.
Absolutely especially in regards to film.Mike I’m guessing this is the first time you’ve read an amazon review.
They are often hyperbolic. Often wildly inaccurate and often not even about the specific movie that is on the listing.
Amazon reviews are the last thing anyone should use to gauge what the content of a Blu-ray or dvd.
I believe they are both based on the same transfer. The trims are from various elements but the rest of the film is the same as the mgm Blu. To my eyes they looked identical. Someone correct me if I’m mistaken please.but the image and sound are miles above my previously owned MGM Blu-ray Disc.