"The Dark Knight" Blu-ray (Dec. 9th)
#501
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So is there anybody out there that's picking up more than one copy for exclusives? I already have the steelbook coming from Canada and I'm thinking about picking up the Target exclusive as well.
#503
DVD Talk Legend
I'll be getting four different versions of this one. The 2 disc from WB, the Amazon.de/FS steelbooks, and the Target exclusive to go with Iron Man. I normally only pick up one copy of a film but this film stands out IMO.
#506
DVD Talk Hero
I rented the BD yesterday and after watching it twice... Count me out. ![Frown](/images/smilies/frown.gif)
Yes, there's some DNR but it's only in a few spots. The edge enhancement, though not omnipresent, appears with enough frequency as to be distracting. But the worst offender is how misshandled the contrast is.
I've watched the IMAX prologue on my Batman Begins BD countless times before and since The Dark Knight was released in theaters. The moment I saw the opening areal shot on the BD of The Dark Knight, I knew something was off. Everything seemed darker. Too dark. In turn, the colors (particularly fleshtones) looked off. Now The Dark Knight, much like Batman Begins has a muted color scheme with a slight orange push for certain interior scenes. That was accurately represented in the prologue as seen in the Batman Begins BD. Not so with the BD of The Dark Knight.
The problem is present throughout the whole feature to the point that people oftentimes tend to look an unnatural shade of pink. Just look at when Alfred is talking to Bruce about getting a plane for his trip to Hong Kong. It looks wrong.
This is a very disappointing transfer so I'm definitely not purchasing it and will hope for the best regarding an eventual re-release in a year or two.
That said, the audio was fantastic.
![Frown](/images/smilies/frown.gif)
Yes, there's some DNR but it's only in a few spots. The edge enhancement, though not omnipresent, appears with enough frequency as to be distracting. But the worst offender is how misshandled the contrast is.
I've watched the IMAX prologue on my Batman Begins BD countless times before and since The Dark Knight was released in theaters. The moment I saw the opening areal shot on the BD of The Dark Knight, I knew something was off. Everything seemed darker. Too dark. In turn, the colors (particularly fleshtones) looked off. Now The Dark Knight, much like Batman Begins has a muted color scheme with a slight orange push for certain interior scenes. That was accurately represented in the prologue as seen in the Batman Begins BD. Not so with the BD of The Dark Knight.
The problem is present throughout the whole feature to the point that people oftentimes tend to look an unnatural shade of pink. Just look at when Alfred is talking to Bruce about getting a plane for his trip to Hong Kong. It looks wrong.
This is a very disappointing transfer so I'm definitely not purchasing it and will hope for the best regarding an eventual re-release in a year or two.
That said, the audio was fantastic.
Last edited by RocShemp; 12-07-08 at 09:47 PM.
#507
DVD Talk Hero
In one of the FOcus Points on the BD, Christopher Nolan and his DP seem to view the top of the IMAX frame as unimportant because when the image is that big "your eyes don't naturally focus on the top of the image". This seems to suggest that the 1.78:1 framing best reflects the intended composition of the IMAX footage. I guess in this particular case, the 1.45:1 aspect ratio is more akin to an open matte transfer.
#508
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#509
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Mr. Robert Harris, motion picture archivist:
Have a great week, and enjoy this highly anticipated release!
To the folks at AVS...perhaps next time!!
Pro-B
A few words about...™ The Dark Knight -- in Blu-ray
The Dark Knight from Warner is unequivocally, undeniably and absolutely gorgeous in every way.
It will undoubtedly be THE modern film release of 2008 used to show off one's system to believers and non-believers alike.
Hat's off to WB.
Extremely Highly Recommended.
RAH
The Dark Knight from Warner is unequivocally, undeniably and absolutely gorgeous in every way.
It will undoubtedly be THE modern film release of 2008 used to show off one's system to believers and non-believers alike.
Hat's off to WB.
Extremely Highly Recommended.
RAH
To the folks at AVS...perhaps next time!!
Pro-B
Last edited by pro-bassoonist; 12-07-08 at 09:54 PM.
#510
DVD Talk Legend
Well, what I've seen in the screenshots looks like edge enhancement, and I think it's disappointing. I'm still getting it, but it's not up to other recent releases IMHO.
#511
DVD Talk Reviewer
I am so damn excited about this disc, and consistently use RAH as a key source to gauging a disc's quality.
Though...I'd probably buy this even if it had 5.1 and was in full frame (don't tell WB, though, as they might just do it)
Though...I'd probably buy this even if it had 5.1 and was in full frame (don't tell WB, though, as they might just do it)
#512
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#513
DVD Talk Hero
I certainly wish I'd seen the BD release Robert Harris saw because "unequivocally, undeniably and absolutely gorgeous in every way" does not describe the transfer on the BD I rented.
![Frown](/images/smilies/frown.gif)
#514
DVD Talk Limited Edition
My favorite film is Casino, and I own 5 different versions of it so far. They're just cool to collect.
#515
Suspended
Just Dawn of the Dead for me. I own way to many different versions on different formats. Even UMD!
#516
Looking forward to renting this piece of controversy.
#517
DVD Talk Legend
#518
DVD Talk Legend
I have to admit that this one makes no sense. A lot of the reviews are praising it while individual users seem to be damning it. If the transfer can be improved, I'm going to wonder if WB did it on purpose so they can resell the title over in the future. I can't see any reason that this release, given it's importance at hooking new Blu-ray buyers, should have poor video.
#519
Is that white chocolate or something?
#520
I have to admit that this one makes no sense. A lot of the reviews are praising it while individual users seem to be damning it. If the transfer can be improved, I'm going to wonder if WB did it on purpose so they can resell the title over in the future. I can't see any reason that this release, given it's importance at hooking new Blu-ray buyers, should have poor video.
I hope TDK isn't a stark contrast between Hollywood's shills and the common sense of the viewer. In any case, I'll give my honest opinion, as I don't have any inside movie studio contacts, nor am I affiliated with them in any way whatsoever.
And if I don't like the aspect ratio changes, I'll say it as well. Personally, I think this was best left for a theater, because a home theater is much different and you'll notice aspect ratio changes whereas on a massive screen made for hundreds of people...you probably will not. But I'll see how it looks on my 50" plasma.
#521
DVD Talk Limited Edition
How dare you question Mr. Harris' critique of TDK. Are you mad?
![Wink](/images/smilies/wink.gif)
#522
DVD Talk Limited Edition
I have to admit that this one makes no sense. A lot of the reviews are praising it while individual users seem to be damning it. If the transfer can be improved, I'm going to wonder if WB did it on purpose so they can resell the title over in the future. I can't see any reason that this release, given it's importance at hooking new Blu-ray buyers, should have poor video.
Don't forget to pickup your latest SW reissues.
![Big Grin](/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
#524
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
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#525
DVD Talk Legend
I have to admit that this one makes no sense. A lot of the reviews are praising it while individual users seem to be damning it. If the transfer can be improved, I'm going to wonder if WB did it on purpose so they can resell the title over in the future. I can't see any reason that this release, given it's importance at hooking new Blu-ray buyers, should have poor video.
That said, the word is that the EE may have been done for the IMAX prints, so it's in the source they used. It's more acceptable in that context, but I still find it to be disappointing. The transfer is still good, but it isn't top quality IMHO.