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Blu-ray Brings a Smile to Martin Scorsese's Face!By Michael S. Palmer [teaser]For this year’s Blu-Con 2.0, the keynote speaker was heralded master filmmaker and movie fan extraordinaire Martin Scorsese.[/teaser] As an avid cinephile, restorer, and collector, he remembers the days when the only way to “own a movie” was through the poster. One could go to revival houses, of course, but after years of use and abuse, prints were scratched, faded, and even missing scenes. Then came the videotape. The first chance to build a film collection for the home, but VHS was a very limited technology. DVDs were one step better. A boon to the cause of restoration. Yet even DVDs were troubling, with the squabble over aspect ratios (full screen vs. wide screen). And now, Blu-ray disc. To Mr. Scorsese, despite the fact that the cinema going experience can never be fully recreated, Blu-ray is the closest home theatre has ever gotten. It marks the very best quality picture and sound. Visual clarity is so strong; it’s all encompassing, almost 3D. As for the audio, he recently remarked while mixing ‘Shine a Light’ that he was excited to know that what he and his team mixed, would transfer exactly to the home. When asked what he thought about the ability to alter classic titles for Blu-ray release, (such as removing production wires from special effects, or remixing mono soundtracks into 5.1 stereo surround) Mr. Scorsese said that one must preserve the vision of the filmmaker, through elements such as correct aspect ratio, color, and sound. In his own experience, when Mr. Scorsese originally released ‘Taxi Driver’ (which isn’t out on Blu-ray yet), the technology at the time limited him to a mono track, but Bernard Herman had recorded his haunting score in stereo (just like Warner Home Video did with the 'Wizard of Oz' in 2005). Returning to those elements isn’t a desecration of the original exhibition, but a chance for the filmmaker to use technology that was unavailable to them when they were making their movies. He wanted us to remember that there were actually early versions of stereo 60+ year ago (Walt Disney’s ‘Fantasia’ was the first, exhibited in 1940 in “Fantasound”), used for such classics as ‘A Star is Born’ and ‘Shane.’ Regarding special effects, moderator Grover Crisp (SVP, Asset Management, Film Restoration & Digital Mastering, Sony Pictures Entertainment) spoke with Scorsese about the recent 4K restoration of ‘Dr. Strangelove.’ There were strings in some shots of the planes. Sony left the strings in for the studio’s master so they would always have them, but for the Blu-ray release removed the them, as the medium is so clear, on today’s larger television, the strings would have been distracting. Something Stanley Kubrick never wanted his audiences to see. As a fascinating anecdote, Mr. Scorsese said in the early 1990s Kubrick was self-preserving ‘Dr. Strangelove’ using a 35mm still camera, photographing it frame-by-frame. Scorsese chuckled, and then admitted that he wasn’t sure if Kubrick ever concluded this project. Peter Bogdanovich said there are, “no old movies, just ones you haven’t seen.” And it’s through Blu-ray that Scorsese finds this especially true. Blu-ray has the ability to extend the life of film, in that it presents and preserves all the elements that make this visual medium feel like film (grain, texture, color etc). He said with previous home entertainment formats, audiences might not have been able to tell you exactly why a movie wasn’t as good as it was in the theater. Yet subconsciously they could feel it when clarity, color, and quality were lost. When asked about his favorite Blu-ray movie, Mr. Scorsese didn’t want to pick just one, but admitted that every time he fires up John Ford’s ‘The Searchers,’ even just to check it out, he can’t turn it off. It still holds up, it’s very moving, and there’s beauty in the landscape and the nature of the faces.Posted Wed Nov 4, 2009 at 04:00 PM PST by: -
HDD Spotlight Bargain: 'Sunshine Cleaning' Blu-ray $9.99 at Amazon[teaser]Amazon has a steal of a deal on this quirky comedy from the folks who brought you Little Miss Sunshine. [/teaser] The online retailer has just listed 'Sunshine Cleaning' starring Amy Adams for $9.99 (75% off suggested list price). Click here to check out the deal at Amazon and don't miss David Krauss' review here.Posted Wed Nov 4, 2009 at 03:30 PM PST by: -
'Gremlins' & 'The Green Mile' No Longer Exclusive[teaser]Warner Brothers has revealed these two popular titles will be widely available in early December. [/teaser] Previously, 'Gremlins' was only available at Target and 'The Green Mile' was a Best Buy exclusive, but on December 1 they will be available in other stores as well. Both titles come highly recommended by HDD's own Drew Taylor, so be sure to click on the links above to check out his reviews.Posted Wed Nov 4, 2009 at 02:25 PM PST by: -
Paramount Announces 'The Godfather' (Parts 1 & 2) for Individual Blu-ray Releases[teaser]The first two films in Francis Ford Coppola's masterpiece trilogy will be given the Sapphire Series treatment in February.[/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, it seems Paramount will be releasing 'The Godfather: The Coppola Restoration - Sapphire Series' and 'The Godfather: Part II: The Coppola Restoration - Sapphire Series' on Blu-ray on February 2. Specs and special features haven't been revealed yet, but we expect the same 1080p transfers and Dolby TrueHD 5.1 soundtracks from the already released 'The Godfather Collection'. Suggested list price for each Blu-ray has been set at $39.99. You can find the latest specs for 'The Godfather' and 'The Godfather: Part II' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under February 2.Posted Wed Nov 4, 2009 at 01:00 PM PST by: -
Sony Preps 'Last Action Hero' for Blu-ray[teaser]Arnold Schwarzenegger will be back on Blu-ray this January. [/teaser] Sony says the 1990s action/adventure flick 'Last Action Hero' will be coming to Blu-ray on January 12. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and the disc will also include Sony's MovieIQ and BD-Live. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $24.95. You can find the latest specs for 'Last Action Hero' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under January 12.Posted Wed Nov 4, 2009 at 11:30 AM PST by: -
'Michael Jackson: This Is It' on Blu-ray in 2010[teaser]The final farewell for one of the greatest performers of our time is rumored to be making its way onto Blu-ray early next year. [/teaser] According to the Los Angeles Times, Sony hopes to release 'Michael Jackson: This Is It' on DVD and Blu-ray sometime in early 2010. Sony had originally planned to release the film just in time for the holidays, but it seems theater owners had some concerns feeling a home video release this soon would have an impact on theatrical attendance. Specs and supplements have yet to be finalized, but the suggested list price for the Blu-ray will be $39.95. You can find the latest specs for 'Michael Jackson: This Is It' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under PENDING.Posted Wed Nov 4, 2009 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
'Smokin' Aces' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]Illusionist Buddy "Aces" Israel will magically appear on the Blu-ray format this January. [/teaser] Universal Studios is preparing Joe Carnahan's 'Smokin' Aces' starring an all-star cast, including Andy Garcia, Ben Affleck, Jeremy Piven, and Ryan Reynolds for Blu-ray on January 19. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: One Smoking Camera; Lock, Stock and Two F**cking Barrels; U Control - Picture in Picture; U Control - Assassin Tracker (Picture in Picture); BD Live - Basic Download Center; BD Live - Video Rotation; and BD Live - On-Screen Ticker. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $26.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Smokin' Aces' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under January 19.Posted Wed Nov 4, 2009 at 08:00 AM PST by: -
'Cliffhanger' Bound for Blu-ray[teaser]Whatever you do, don't look down when this nineties thriller climbs onto the high-definition format in the new year. [/teaser] Sony is slating up the Sylvester Stallone thriller 'Cliffhanger' also starring John Lithgow for Blu-ray on January 12. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: commentary with director Renny Harlin and Sylvester Stallone; technical crew commentary; Stallone on the Edge: The Making of Cliffhanger; special effects featurettes; storyboard comparisons; and deleted scenes. The Blu-ray disc will also include Sony's MovieIQ and BD-Live. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $24.95 You can find the latest specs for 'Cliffhanger' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under January 12.Posted Wed Nov 4, 2009 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
$9.99 Blu-rays at Amazon[teaser]Stock up for the holidays with a wide selection of Blu-ray movies for under $10.[/teaser] Running now through December 31, Amazon has cornered off a special $9.99 Blu-ray Area. Some of the available titles include 'The Silence of the Lambs,' 'Rescue Dawn,' and more! Click here for the sale page details at Amazon.Posted Tue Nov 3, 2009 at 03:30 PM PST by: -
HDD Spotlight Bargain: Save $10 on ‘Pixar' Blu-rays at Amazon[teaser]Amazon has a special offer for those who are planning to buy both Pixar Blu-rays releasing next week.[/teaser] Pre-order 'Up' along with ‘Monsters Inc. ’ to save an additional $10 at checkout (getting both for under $38). This Amazon offer is only available for a limited time so be sure to take advantage of the savings while you can.Posted Tue Nov 3, 2009 at 01:30 PM PST by:
