I've been re-watching all of the Bonds released on Blu-Ray to date lately, and yes...the transfers are nothing less than miraculous. The 2006 DVD remasters looked amazing enough, but the clarity of these Blu-Ray transfers are something to behold, making even the earliest Connery pictures look like they were shot yesterday and only set in the early 60s.
In fact, I watched Thunderball again tonight. The first of the "epic" Bond adventures, some of the underwater stuff is a bit draggy, but there's so much to take it it's worth sitting through a bit of padding to get there. Plus, one of Barry's best Bond scores ever (with excellent use of his thrilling "007" theme). 7.5/10
Monterey Jack wrote:I've been re-watching all of the Bonds released on Blu-Ray to date lately, and yes...the transfers are nothing less than miraculous. The 2006 DVD remasters looked amazing enough, but the clarity of these Blu-Ray transfers are something to behold, making even the earliest Connery pictures look like they were shot yesterday and only set in the early 60s.
In fact, I watched Thunderball again tonight. The first of the "epic" Bond adventures, some of the underwater stuff is a bit draggy, but there's so much to take it it's worth sitting through a bit of padding to get there. Plus, one of Barry's best Bond scores ever (with excellent use of his thrilling "007" theme). 7.5/10
The underwater stuff IS draggy. Between Barry's (repetitive) score and the tedium of those scenes I always felt it was a good alternative to sominex. lol.
Good movie though, just not in the league of the previous three Bonds IMO.
Too bad MGM's cash-strapped existence right now likely means no more Bond Blu-Rays until next year or whenever the new 007 is released.
Eric Paddon wrote:Well, the 2006 release looked great to me, so I will resist the temptation to get a Blu-Ray machine.....yet.
You should do it. Those remasters look even better in high definition, they really do.
I'm sure they do. The problem is we have no space for a new machine between the two DVD recorders, an old VHS player that tracks old tapes better for transfer purposes and the old LD player (to transfer at last the unreleased on DVD stuff I have). But I also have not heard good stuff about many Blu-Ray players not properly playing back normal DVDs and there's also the dearth of vintage titles in general on DVD.
As for "Thunderball" I have to concur that things drag in the underwater climax that just goes on and on (and that editing gaffe of Bond's blue mask returning after he pulls the black mask off the dead SPECTRE man really sticks out).
Eric Paddon wrote: But I also have not heard good stuff about many Blu-Ray players not properly playing back normal DVDs ...
News to me.
and there's also the dearth of vintage titles in general on DVD.
Right. At the end of the day there has to be enough compelling content for you to make a move and from what I gather you're not seeing enough yet so that's really all that matters in the end.
I can tell you this: Once you go high def you'll never look back.
. But I also have not heard good stuff about many Blu-Ray players not properly playing back normal DVDs
That's not an issue, and never has been that I'm aware of. Trust me, I've had enough different BD players to know. DVD capability is not an issue.
I think there's more than enough content to spend $100 on a BD player at this point in time. It's worth for the Bonds, BLADE RUNNER, CE3K and a few other titles alone.
. But I also have not heard good stuff about many Blu-Ray players not properly playing back normal DVDs
That's not an issue, and never has been that I'm aware of. Trust me, I've had enough different BD players to know. DVD capability is not an issue.
I think there's more than enough content to spend $100 on a BD player at this point in time. It's worth for the Bonds, BLADE RUNNER, CE3K and a few other titles alone.
Well, I finally purchased a BD player. Panasonic for me. I ended up paying about $20 for the player. Yes, that right. $20. I got an AMEX gift card from my employer and paid the rest. Not a bad bargain. I started off with Dr. No and From Russia With Love. Picked those up for $12.99 thanks to Best Buy. Never thought I would thank them for anything. LOL There's good bargain around if you look. Bullitt I've seen goes for about $10.
John Johnson wrote:
Well, I finally purchased a BD player. Panasonic for me. I ended up paying about $20 for the player. Yes, that right. $20. I got an AMEX gift card from my employer and paid the rest. Not a bad bargain. I started off with Dr. No and From Russia With Love. Picked those up for $12.99 thanks to Best Buy. Never thought I would thank them for anything. LOL There's good bargain around if you look. Bullitt I've seen goes for about $10.
. But I also have not heard good stuff about many Blu-Ray players not properly playing back normal DVDs
That's not an issue, and never has been that I'm aware of. Trust me, I've had enough different BD players to know. DVD capability is not an issue.
I think there's more than enough content to spend $100 on a BD player at this point in time. It's worth for the Bonds, BLADE RUNNER, CE3K and a few other titles alone.
Well, I finally purchased a BD player. Panasonic for me. I ended up paying about $20 for the player. Yes, that right. $20. I got an AMEX gift card from my employer and paid the rest. Not a bad bargain. I started off with Dr. No and From Russia With Love. Picked those up for $12.99 thanks to Best Buy. Never thought I would thank them for anything. LOL There's good bargain around if you look. Bullitt I've seen goes for about $10.
Those Warner catalog Blu-Rays -- the ones that have been out there for a few years now -- are typically $10 or less. Amazon has a lot of them for $8.99 on and off.
AndyDursin wrote:
That's not an issue, and never has been that I'm aware of. Trust me, I've had enough different BD players to know. DVD capability is not an issue.
I think there's more than enough content to spend $100 on a BD player at this point in time. It's worth for the Bonds, BLADE RUNNER, CE3K and a few other titles alone.
Well, I finally purchased a BD player. Panasonic for me. I ended up paying about $20 for the player. Yes, that right. $20. I got an AMEX gift card from my employer and paid the rest. Not a bad bargain. I started off with Dr. No and From Russia With Love. Picked those up for $12.99 thanks to Best Buy. Never thought I would thank them for anything. LOL There's good bargain around if you look. Bullitt I've seen goes for about $10.
Those Warner catalog Blu-Rays -- the ones that have been out there for a few years now -- are typically $10 or less. Amazon has a lot of them for $8.99 on and off.
Good deal John!
Thanks Andy.
Speaking of WB titles, I see my local Best Buy has The Adventures of Robin Hood for $10.
THE HUMAN CONDITION (Parts 1-6): 8/10. Epic Japanese film series that follows pacifist Kaji through several stages of World War II. The film as a whole is very dramatic and takes its time in developing everything. I watched parts 3-6 this weekend, and my brain is fried...lol...I can't imagine an American film ending as this one did...it is not for the weak. Good acting throughout with an appearance by Chishu Ryu and Hideko Takamine in part 6 (which was a pleasant surprise for me). If you have the patience, it's worth watching even though it gets a bit bloated at times.
AndyDursin wrote:Those Warner catalog Blu-Rays -- the ones that have been out there for a few years now -- are typically $10 or less. Amazon has a lot of them for $8.99 on and off.
Seeing prices like that is what finally convinced me to go Blu last October. Hell, I recently picked up the five-disc Blade Runner Blu for $12.99 at Costco.
AndyDursin wrote:Those Warner catalog Blu-Rays -- the ones that have been out there for a few years now -- are typically $10 or less. Amazon has a lot of them for $8.99 on and off.
Seeing prices like that is what finally convinced me to go Blu last October. Hell, I recently picked up the five-disc Blade Runner Blu for $12.99 at Costco.
