Fearless on HD-DVD

[MadBryan]

Finally picked this up and WOW! Excellent video and audio and not to bad of a story. I have a pretty decent amount of HD-DVD's and have not REALLY been blown away by most of them, but I really enjoyed Fearless. (flipped it over to SD and the differance was astounding) Any of you guys recommend movies of similar quality in video and audio. I realize opinions on movies themselves are subjective (I kinda like Battlefield Earth) Need some demo material like Fearless

[Jon Liu]

Dang! I wanted to watch this one. I really wanted to pick this one up but, I couldn't spend $35 or more on it. Once I find it for around $25-30 I think I'll bite on this one!

Thanks for the heads up MadB!

[dmiller68]

Originally Posted by Jon Liu

Dang! I wanted to watch this one. I really wanted to pick this one up but, I couldn't spend $35 or more on it. Once I find it for around $25-30 I think I'll bite on this one!

Thanks for the heads up MadB!

I'm right there with you I just can justify the cost to get it yet. I have watched the following HD-DVD's:

Serenity - I thought this one was pretty darn good but I really like the movie, so my opinion could be flawed.

Aeon Flux - I thought this one showed blacks, shadows etc very well. Crystal clear video and if you liked the movie I would definitely get it.

The Mummy - I though the picture was better then the DVD but noting spectacular.

Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift - Again I think this one is some great demo material however you need to like this movie which I'm sure has limited appeal.

Bourne Supremacy - I didn't think it was any better then the DVD

Mission Impossible III - Again I think this one has some great demo material, just don't watch the last 5-10min of the movie where they ruin it with dorky lines.

I still have to watch:
Constantine
V For Vendetta
Swordfish
The Mummy Returns
Waterworld
Batman Begins
Last Samurai

I have the following on the way:
Under Seige
Tomb Raider
Van Helsing

Yes, I'm an addict and need help...

[Jon Liu]

Yeah, DM. Just be glad you don't also have a BD player in your system, too. You think you need help!!!

Bourne Surpremacy did look better but, it wasn't as big of a WOW factor as most are... If you go back and look at the SD DVD copy you'll notice the differences a lot more.

[alter_ego_trip]

For sound I would go with - V for Vendetta, Tokyo Drift

For picture there are a lot of greats- Tokyo Drift, King Kong, Hulk, COR, Aeon Flux, Mummy Returns

I own Fearless and was surprised, I like it a lot less than some of his other works. My all time Jet Li fav is probably Hero. I would love to see this on HDDVD.

[JohnW]

One of the best transfers I've seen yet is John Frankenheimer's Grand Prix.

Sure, it was made in 1968, but if you're a fan of motor racing, you have to own this. It's AMAZING how clean this film is. Put it in your NetFlix account at least. I've had my rental for two months--I just keep putting it back in the player.

[Jon Liu]

I'll have to check Grand Prix out!

I second the suggestion for V for Vendetta! Great movie! Great sound!

[alter_ego_trip]

While I won't echo John's statements about it being one of the best transfers (a lot of softness and inconsistency in the pq), it is definitely a great movie. I bought it a few weeks ago and threw it in about 10 at night. At 11:30 I start thinking, this movie is going to have to wrap up soon if it is going to finish in the next few minutes. Just then an intermission sign comes up. Confused, I grab the movie and look at the running time. 3 freaking hours. I still haven't finished it.

[GoatMother]

I though I was going to watch fearless two nights ago, turned out it was a different movie. Forgot what it was called but some kid from Thailand who just wanted to save his Elephant name Kohrm. Totally over the top, I couldn't help but think it would make a great video game. It had roller bladers and ATV gangs going after the guy in Australia. Later had some massive strong men type guys.

[MadBryan]

I've been doing some tweaking on the projector and player not to long ago. Maybe I hit my sweet spot. I think I've only watched Posiden and Fearless since then. I have most of those movies mentioned and was not as impressed as I was with Fearless. I'm thinking I might have to rewatch them this weekend and see. Hero, would indeed be great but only if the used a differant master cause I thought the SD version stunk visually. Anyways its Jets last martial arts film so give it a rent atleast.

[alter_ego_trip]

I agree the PQ of fearless SD is awful. I haven't read the reviews of the Blu Ray version.

[MadBryan]

I was talking about the SD Hero picture. What did you think of it alter. Great movie but fuzzy grainy video

[alter_ego_trip]

Originally Posted by MadBryan

I was talking about the SD Hero picture. What did you think of it alter. Great movie but fuzzy grainy video

Oops, that's what I meant. Some shots looked great where others were very grainy and soft. Definitely not inherent to the master.

[GoatMother]

Hero in the theater I went to was pretty grainy, though I still liked the vivid colors and all. Bought it on DVD and don't think I ever actually watched.

[alter_ego_trip]

The movie was recorded with a little bit of film grain. I believe that was the directors intent. What you see in the DVD is a poor transfer which added a lot of unwanted grain/softness.

[MadBryan]

I only rented Hero after reading some reviews on pic quality and have been eagerly wanting a better version. Heck, I'd even take Superbit

[GoatMother]

I'm sure you are right.

I guess if I ever get around to watching it again (I haven't even watched all the movies I wanted yet) I'll notice it as well.

[Jon Liu]

The US version of Hero was absolutely terrible. If you read reviews for the Asian version, the picture quality was quite a bit better. I think Hero has a lot of potential of looking marvelous in HD!

[BiffCo]

I can't rightfully at the current TV size (32"). Everything in HD looks great. When I upgrade to a projector soon, I'm certain to notice a difference.

MadBryan, aren't you using the 4805? If so, I'd like your opinion on the conversion from 720p/1080i down to 480p. I'm picking up the IN72, the 4805's sibling.

-Brad