John Landis classic coming next year with all new 90 minute documentary:

http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/12673

Classic horror movie but let's see what kind of transfer they come up with before I get excited.

Classic horror movie but let's see what kind of transfer they come up with before I get excited.

Will it be a new transfer, or the same one used for the HD-DVD?

probably will be the same one. well, actually, isn't that film-to-tape transfer now about 8 years old? Maybe it's due for another.

probably will be the same one. well, actually, isn't that film-to-tape transfer now about 8 years old? Maybe it's due for another.

It definitely needs a new transfer.

It definitely needs a new transfer.

Yes it does, the HD DVD transfer was very poor IMO.

i just have the DVD. i read that the HD DVD just improved on res although colour points are slightly different...with HD that makes sense.

It definitely needs a new transfer.

specific examples please. I have it, think it looks fantastic, but am very curious to why so many seem to consider it unsatisfactory.

Have you ever flipped it over and compared it to the sd side?

Universal Studios recycles it's original home video masters. Video masters used for laserdisc and cable are ported to DVD and then HD-DVD/Blu-Ray. Sometimes they will make new transfers for whatever reason but that is a rare case. That's why so many of their catalog releases have been less than stellar.

This was released in the early days of "WTF!? This doesn't look like the discovery channel!" reviews. It didn't take an inordinate familiarity with the film to realize the differences in the HD presentation, when the sd was readily available to a/b on the flip side.
Another thing that I think was a huge factor in all the pot shots this took, was that format warriors found titles like this easy to slam since unlike the majority of Bds at the time, it was over 10 years old and was never known for being a particularly 'pretty', let alone splashy looking movie.

I won't be suprised if the film looks 'different' on Bd. A change in the films color timing would accomplish that. That won't mean it's more correct. I'm sure they can now feel free to DNR the hell out of it, since most of those bad reviews singled out the graininess of the image.
Let's put it this way, the current HD DVD is the antithesis of the New Line Pan's Labyrinth. You guys can have Pan, and the rest of the DNR'd monstrosities to come. I'll keep AWIL.

I am also in the "American Werewolf look amazing" camp. As someone who watched the SD DVD a million times, I thought the HD upgrade was brilliant. Very film like image, which great detail and colours.

You guys can have your DNRed BD, I'll keep my old one thank you.

Will it be a new transfer, or the same one used for the HD-DVD?

I reckon if they're lazy they will use the same one they used for HD-DVD.Hopefully they're not

I thought the twentieth anniversary DVD looked good....Nice film like image with GRAIN....If that's how it looked on HD-DVD with six times more detail then i'll gladly take a port of that over to the Blu Ray version and i'll buy it....If they DNR out all the grain and give us waxy smooth images then it's a no sale for me.

Yes the HD DVD was a very film like transfer. With it being a Landis film I would be surprised if the BD is any different. Remember what happened with Animal House, Universal cleaned it up so much and Landis made them change it to how it was supposed to look. In the HD DVD forum a while back someone posted about being at a festival showing of AWIL where Landis introduced it and said the transfer looked better than his original prints of the film. I can't imagine anyone wanting a different transfer.

This was released in the early days of "WTF!? This doesn't look like the discovery channel!" reviews.

lol :D Those days are still alive and kickin' over at places like High Def Digest.

Where as I would normally have replaced an existing HD DVD with a BD upon the title's announcement in these dark days of DNR, I'm keeping all of them until I've read some reviews. In fact, I'm pretty much done pre-ordering in general unless some makes me an offer I can't refuse. ;)

Same here! I would rather spend my money on newer titles in HD then have to start double dipping... ;)

Any updates on this?

Same here! I would rather spend my money on newer titles in HD then have to start double dipping... ;)

Another one here! Won't double dip either especially I paid $4.95 for it on a hd DVD clearance sale:)

Any updates on this?

Mid April is what I've heard.

The good movie and great make up effects but HD-DVD is enough for me.

If I remember correctly the HD DVD, although largely film-like with the grain intact, had a frustrating amount of edge enhancement present.

That said, by far my biggest complaint about the HD DVD (and the DVD release before it) was the exclusion of the original mono audio mix. In its place is an absolutely horrendous 5.1 remix that buggers up the film beyond all recognition with the insertion of completely new sound effects that bear no resemblance to the rest of the sound and stick out like a sore thumb.

I have the HD-DVD but have not watched it for a while however, I don't recall being very impressed with this title. It is one of my all time favorite movies and I do remember the HD-DVD being an improvement but the picture seemed soft and somewhat flat IIRC.

The only thing I really liked about the 5.1 mix was hearing the wolf growl behind me when it was circling them in the beginning, gave me a proper scare:p

I have the HD-DVD but have not watched it for a while however, I don't recall being very impressed with this title. It is one of my all time favorite movies and I do remember the HD-DVD being an improvement but the picture seemed soft and somewhat flat IIRC.


Whatever its failings, the HD DVD wiped the floor with the DVD. I compared them before I popped the DVD on my Sell/Trade pile. I understand Whiggles' complaint about the EE, but it still made the DVD look very poor.

Whatever its failings, the HD DVD wiped the floor with the DVD. I compared them before I popped the DVD on my Sell/Trade pile. I understand Whiggles' complaint about the EE, but it still made the DVD look very poor.

I totally agree but I still expected more. I don't know what the specifics are on the original print, what kind of film was used, etc. but I bought it after I bought The Thing and Blade Runner on HD-DVD which were about the same age but looked much better. Again this may not be a fair comparo due to condition of film stock and what was used to shoot it.

I love this movie so I will probably douple dip if there is any added value over the HD version

The HD-DVD had a very low tier rating. It might be better than DVD, but that doesn't mean a whole lot. It was soft and from what I recall, it had some film defects (scratches, etc.) that where transfered over. IMHO, it needs a new transfer for BD.

EDIT: I just found review link (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=922982&highlight=american+werewolf) in the HD-DVD forum. Not very favorable. And it looks like the softness and poor quality were intentional based on the second post about the Director's comments. Read that post and still see if you think it doesn't need remastering on BD.

If I remember correctly the HD DVD, although largely film-like with the grain intact, had a frustrating amount of edge enhancement present.

That said, by far my biggest complaint about the HD DVD (and the DVD release before it) was the exclusion of the original mono audio mix. In its place is an absolutely horrendous 5.1 remix that buggers up the film beyond all recognition with the insertion of completely new sound effects that bear no resemblance to the rest of the sound and stick out like a sore thumb.Do you watch The French Connection 1,2 BD yet?it was by far the worst as blu-ray discs ever for picture,I know these 2 movies was old aged but the movies older than these got a better transfer.(2 movies,I mean The American and The French connrction.)

Do you watch The French Connection 1,2 BD yet?it was by far the worst as blu-ray discs ever for picture,I know these 2 movies was old aged but the movies older than these got a better transfer.(2 movies,I mean The American and The French connrction.)
I haven't yet, no. I'm currently waiting to see if the upcoming US release has the original mono audio intact, as the European releases only appear to feature a 5.1 remix. As far as I can gather, the biggest issue with its transfer is the extent to which it has been changed from its original theatrical presentation, but I don't want to say too much about it until I've actually watched the disc, instead of just going by the screen captures that have been posted. Based on these shots, though, I'd argue that calling them "by far the worst as blu-ray discs ever for picture" is hyperbole of the most extreme kind. I also don't think age really comes into it: the intended aesthetic, the budget, the materials used and so on play a far more important role than how old the film is.

ok, so I popped this in last night and flipped through a few scenes and I'll eat my words (mostly). It is a bit soft but nothing like I remember, there is certainly a level of detail that is missing but all in all I'd say it looks pretty decent. Based on the way Ralph Potts scores things I'd give it low 80's. The colors seem a little punched up and I do see some EE but neither are too distracting. I agree that this movie needs a re-master but the HD version is a pretty large improvement from the peasant disc.

Well April has come and gone and still not a peep about this title which seems to be one of the very few Uni titles that have yet to surface in the blu world.:(

Still have the HD DVD and it looks fantastic!

still have the hd dvd and it looks fantastic!

+1

^ The HD-DVD transfer was OKish (IMHO) - but was minted from the same master used for the film's 20th anniversary edition DVD released back in 2001. Let's hope they re-master it for BD.

Well April has come and gone and still not a peep about this title which seems to be one of the very few Uni titles that have yet to surface in the blu world.:(

It will be released in late September or October, as a tie-in with Universal's upcoming "Wolf Man" movie. Not sure about a remastered transfer, but it will have the new 90 minute documentary called "Beware The Moon".

Expect Van Helsing to release around the same time.

It will be released in late September or October, as a tie-in with Universal's upcoming "Wolf Man" movie. Not sure about a remastered transfer, but it will have the new 90 minute documentary called "Beware The Moon".

Expect Van Helsing to release around the same time.

Good news, thanks for the update. Almost forgot abut Van Helsing too. Come to think of it (off topic) aren't we still waiting on Dune from Uni as well?

^ The HD-DVD transfer was OKish (IMHO) - but was minted from the same master used for the film's 20th anniversary edition DVD released back in 2001. Let's hope they re-master it for BD.

It's not perfect but it does have more detail then some BDs from the same movie era and there are some BD films made 10 plus years later that look worse.

No doubt it could be better without the EE and a new master, but studios are sometimes so cheap they just re-use an old DVD master, like the 'new' Terminator 2 transfer.

Well, if one goes by other Uni releases (THE THING, for example), then the BD will be a downgrade from the HD-DVD.


It's not perfect but it does have more detail then some BDs from the same movie era and there are some BD films made 10 plus years later that look worse.

No doubt it could be better without the EE and a new master, but studios are sometimes so cheap they just re-use an old DVD master, like the 'new' Terminator 2 transfer.

Its coming out on BD this Summer according to the same source as the OP.
http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/16599

Encouraging comment from Landis, " I was afraid the digital cleaning of the negative would result in too clear a picture and hurt Rick Baker's make-up, when in fact the incredibly crisp detail actually makes Rick stuff look even better!"

Encouraging comment from Landis, " I was afraid the digital cleaning of the negative would result in too clear a picture and hurt Rick Baker's make-up, when in fact the incredibly crisp detail actually makes Rick stuff look even better!"

Good news! Man I wish someone would do a proper werewolf movie again with some real art instead of all this CGI crap.

Good news! Man I wish someone would do a proper werewolf movie again with some real art instead of all this CGI crap.

This (http://www.thewolfmanmovie.com/) looks promising...

Encouraging comment from Landis, " I was afraid the digital cleaning of the negative would result in too clear a picture and hurt Rick Baker's make-up, when in fact the incredibly crisp detail actually makes Rick stuff look even better!"

How is this good news? This sounds like there was some DNR applied, but he doesn't think it affected detail. Doesn't sound all that promising to me.

Encouraging comment from Landis, " I was afraid the digital cleaning of the negative would result in too clear a picture and hurt Rick Baker's make-up, when in fact the incredibly crisp detail actually makes Rick stuff look even better!"

Sounds like a defensive director to me.

How is this good news? This sounds like there was some DNR applied, but he doesn't think it affected detail. Doesn't sound all that promising to me.

Sounds like a defensive director to me.

These statements are comical.

So you know better than Landis himself how his movie should and will look? DNR is not evil by the way. It is a tool (like any tool) which can have value when properly applied and has been used on some releases which are considered to be outstanding (including Casino Royale and Blade Runner - The Final Cut come to mind).

These statements are comical.

So you know better than Landis himself how his movie should and will look? DNR is not evil by the way. It is a tool (like any tool) which can have value when properly applied and has been used on some releases which are considered to be outstanding (including Casino Royale and Blade Runner - The Final Cut come to mind).

I'm all for DNR.. I just don't believe Director's.

I just don't believe Director's.

You mean you wouldn't trust boarding a helicopter on the set of a John Landis movie, even if he told you that it was safe?

OK, that was of very poor taste.

This (http://www.thewolfmanmovie.com/) looks promising...

eh

There is something about a wolf on all fours that seems so much more animal and scarier to me. The wolf from AWIL is the scariest werewolf I've seen in a movie.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b212/iamjackspictures/Americanwerewolf4.jpg

eh

There is something about a wolf on all fours that seems so much more animal and scarier to me.
Hey, to each his own. At least this new film seems to be using physical effects and make-up rather than CG (which was your initial complaint.) It just seems odd to me that you would dismiss this new film with an "eh" after saying that you "wish someone would do a proper werewolf movie again with some real art instead of all this CGI crap," especially since Rick Baker's involved.
The wolf from AWIL is the scariest werewolf I've seen in a movie.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b212/iamjackspictures/Americanwerewolf4.jpg
Nothing against AWIL - I love the film, have seen it tons of times, and will definitely buy it on BD - but many of the effects are pretty dated at this point. In several shots, the wolf looks more "cheesy" or "fake" than "scary," in my opinion. Granted, the effects were ground-breaking at the time (and some still hold up pretty well,) but that was nearly thirty years ago.

Personally, I'm looking forward to owning both films so I can have a little "wolf marathon" night.

I think Wolfman could be good and I'm not dismissing it but how many werewolf movies have been out in the past 20 years with a wolf that is on all fours? It's not many... even if they looked cool like the ones from Dog Soldiers it would still be refreshing to see a well blended combo of makeup with some light CG, a wolf on all fours, and some solid writing.

ok back OT:p

Now, it's official! From Blu-Ray.com



An American Werewolf in London Announced for Blu-ray

Posted July 13, 2009 08:54 AM by Josh Dreuth

Universal Studios Universal Studios Home Entertainment has announced that they will bring 'An American Werewolf in London: Full Moon Edition' to Blu-ray on September 15th, day-and-date with the DVD re-release. This John Landis film will be released on a BD-50 featuring 1080p VC-1 video accompanied by a 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack.

Special features for this release include:

* I Walked With A Werewolf
* Beware The Moon
* Making An American Werewolf in London, An Original Featurette
* An Interview With John Landis
* Make-up Artist Rick Baker On An American Werewolf in London
* Casting of the Hand
* Outtakes
* Storyboards
* Photograph Montage
* Feature Commentary with Cast Members David Naughton & Griffin Dunne
* BD Live Basic Download Center

Van Helsing also announced for the same day


Universal Announces Van Helsing Blu-ray

Posted July 13, 2009 09:00 AM by Josh Dreuth

Universal Studios Universal Studios Home Entertainment has announced that they will bring 'Van Helsing' to Blu-ray on September 15th. Originally released in high definition on the now defunct HD DVD format, this film will come to Blu-ray on a BD-50 featuring 1080p VC-1 video accompanied by a 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack.

Extras for this release include:

* Van Helsing: The Story, The Life, The Legend
* Track the Adventure
* Bringing the Monsters to Life
* You Are In The Movie!
* The Music of Van Helsing
* Bloopers
* Dracula's Liar is Transformed
* The Masquerade Ball Scene "Unmasked"
* The Art of Van Helsing
* Monster Eggs
* Feature Commentary with Director Stephen Sommers and Editor/Producer Bob Ducsay
* Feature Commentary with Richard Roxburgh, Shuler Henley and Will Kemp
* D-Box
* BD Live - Basic Download Center

Now, it's official! From Blu-Ray.com



An American Werewolf in London Announced for Blu-ray

Posted July 13, 2009 08:54 AM by Josh Dreuth

Universal Studios Universal Studios Home Entertainment has announced that they will bring 'An American Werewolf in London: Full Moon Edition' to Blu-ray on September 15th, day-and-date with the DVD re-release. This John Landis film will be released on a BD-50 featuring 1080p VC-1 video accompanied by a 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack.

Special features for this release include:

* I Walked With A Werewolf
* Beware The Moon
* Making An American Werewolf in London, An Original Featurette
* An Interview With John Landis
* Make-up Artist Rick Baker On An American Werewolf in London
* Casting of the Hand
* Outtakes
* Storyboards
* Photograph Montage
* Feature Commentary with Cast Members David Naughton & Griffin Dunne
* BD Live Basic Download Center

Van Helsing also announced for the same day


Universal Announces Van Helsing Blu-ray

Posted July 13, 2009 09:00 AM by Josh Dreuth

Universal Studios Universal Studios Home Entertainment has announced that they will bring 'Van Helsing' to Blu-ray on September 15th. Originally released in high definition on the now defunct HD DVD format, this film will come to Blu-ray on a BD-50 featuring 1080p VC-1 video accompanied by a 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack.

Extras for this release include:

* Van Helsing: The Story, The Life, The Legend
* Track the Adventure
* Bringing the Monsters to Life
* You Are In The Movie!
* The Music of Van Helsing
* Bloopers
* Dracula's Liar is Transformed
* The Masquerade Ball Scene "Unmasked"
* The Art of Van Helsing
* Monster Eggs
* Feature Commentary with Director Stephen Sommers and Editor/Producer Bob Ducsay
* Feature Commentary with Richard Roxburgh, Shuler Henley and Will Kemp
* D-Box
* BD Live - Basic Download Center

I have both on HD DVD I won't be upgrading the American werewolf in London but Van Helsing DTS HD MA track has me intrested. I will wait first and see if there is an upgrade in Sq.

Fingers crossed that Uni doesn't botch this one like The Thing.

These statements are comical.

So you know better than Landis himself how his movie should and will look? DNR is not evil by the way. It is a tool (like any tool) which can have value when properly applied and has been used on some releases which are considered to be outstanding (including Casino Royale and Blade Runner - The Final Cut come to mind).

I don't remember typing I knew better than Landis how the movie should and will look, apparently you have some powers we all lack that you should me making money off of.

I made a comment based on his comment. Any digital cleaning that is not done with the preservation of the film the way it was shot, is a bad thing in my mind. even if the director approves it or wishes it that way. Landis didn't say anything about preserving the film's original look, only that the digital cleaning looked good as far as the make up goes. I don't want it "Pattoned" even if the director does. Now he didn't say anything about scrubbing the pic, but I heard nothing that sounded like good news to me. I made a comment stating that.

I don't remember typing I knew better than Landis how the movie should and will look...

Oh really? Because you go on to say...

Any digital cleaning that is not done with the preservation of the film the way it was shot, is a bad thing in my mind. even if the director approves it or wishes it that way.

Landis didn't say anything about preserving the film's original look, only that the digital cleaning looked good as far as the make up goes.

Digital cleaning or remastering or whatever other term is used these days means different things to different people. If I recall, Landis actually didn't like what the initial "remastered" version of Animal House looked like for DVD and told them it was too clean, hence, they limited the grain reduction on it. As I said before, nearly all releases have some grain reduction done - I bet even on releases which you think look great. DNR is a tool and as long as it's not abused, it has value for different reasons. However, I dislike excessive DNR as much as anyone.

Digital cleaning or remastering or whatever other term is used these days means different things to different people. If I recall, Landis actually didn't like what the initial "remastered" version of Animal House looked like for DVD and told them it was too clean, hence, they limited the grain reduction on it. As I said before, nearly all releases have some grain reduction done - I bet even on releases which you think look great. DNR is a tool and as long as it's not abused, it has value for different reasons. However, I dislike excessive DNR as much as anyone.

Some films I have seen make me suspect some kind of light de-graining was going on, like Casablanca, and yes I do wish they had not done it.
My HD ideal is to do what was done with Blade Runner, a Director's Cut that seemed to have full film grain warts & all and the Final Cut which looks like some slight de-graining was done.

The Director's Cut had more detail in the live action and I liked the look of it better, although the vfx shots looked better in the Final Cut. Do I care which version the director prefers? For the BR set, not really.

I to like AWIL, but the "Howling" has always been my favorite werewolf movie. I thought the wolf transformation scene in the Howling was great. Hopefully that movie will make a blu-ray appearence soon.

Speaking of horror movies: how about John Carpenter's "The Fog" and "Prince of Darkness" in properly restored versions?

Both are stellar, classic Carpenter horror picks. Both creepy as all get out with some real old fashioned scares (especially in "The Fog" where the ghosts are hardly shown in any detail and the practical fog effects --some of the best ever put on film-- becoming the real villain, leaving a lot to your imagination as should be with scare pictures) and extremely good cinematography and editing. John Carpenter was a master in his prime. POD even has the old Chinese dude from "Big Trouble In Little China" in it.

I would definitely to see Carpenter's "The Fog" and I agree about the effects. I watched it on DVD not too long ago. Ugh.

The Thing would be nice to. Or is it already out on Blu-Ray?

The Thing would be nice to. Or is it already out on Blu-Ray?

The Thing is already out on Blu-ray.

Looks like the cover art is finalized...

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b212/iamjackspictures/51hAp5ZhKPL_SS500_.jpg

Looks like the cover art is finalized..

Well, it's certainly better than the atrocity on the HD DVD cover... But I wish they would just use the original poster. Of course, that doesn't have a badly photoshopped werewolf in the moon, or enough famous London landmarks, :p

If it looks half as good as the 4k clean up uni did on the Blues Brothers then count me in.

Uk cover art

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v56/dvdmike/americanwerewolfbd3d.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v56/dvdmike/americanwerewolfbdback.jpg

Amazon has it listed for pre-order for $17.99
http://www.amazon.com/American-Werewolf-London-Full-Blu-ray/dp/B002HWUU9U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1251660821&sr=1-1

If it looks half as good as the 4k clean up uni did on the Blues Brothers then count me in.

Uk cover art

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v56/dvdmike/americanwerewolfbd3d.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v56/dvdmike/americanwerewolfbdback.jpg

barf.. that is the same hideous cover art from the last dvd release. I wish they'd just stick to the original artwork with classics like this.

As far as confidence in Uni, after seeing the terminal injury they've inflicted on Gladiator I'd say it's a crap shoot.

Universal had nothing to the with the Gladiator release. It's Paramount (Universal released the DVD version, but that was during the time when they distributed Dreamworks' titles).

Universal had nothing to the with the Gladiator release. It's Paramount (Universal released the DVD version, but that was during the time when they distributed Dreamworks' titles).
They did, however, it would appear, provide the rotten master.

There's no question in my mind that An American Werewolf in London is the best werewolf movie ever made. My pre-order is in.

^
I agree ...best "Modern" werewolf movie.

Overall - I still prefer the classic 1935 "WEREWOLF OF LONDON".

I hope this does get a great transfer to Blu Ray.

Now how about the excellent original The Howling and i would like a little known movie called Bad Moon as well.

If it looks half as good as the 4k clean up uni did on the Blues Brothers then count me in.

When did that happen and where did you see it?

Cineworld in the UK are running a Universal series I have tickets for The Thing on the
15th
For a limited time only, Universal Pictures are re-releasing five of their most beloved Cinema Classics in cinemas around the UK. The films will be Spartacus, Blues Brothers, Scarface, The Thing, National Lampoon’s Animal House.
http://www.cineworld.co.uk/films/2585
http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://latemag.com/images/1129.jpg&imgrefurl=http://latemag.com/spartacus-at-cineworld&usg=__nTfvhthkpGrjq4Z0FaoiVFlf6xY=&h=375&w=500&sz=47&hl=en&start=3&um=1&tbnid=kk7ft1ARi6KXSM:&tbnh=98&tbnw=130&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcineworld%2Bblues%2Bbrothers%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN %26um%3D1

Also my importer just got the US disc instock are there any reviews ? as I can if I order now get it for the weekend

barf.. that is the same hideous cover art from the last dvd release. I wish they'd just stick to the original artwork with classics like this.

As far as confidence in Uni, after seeing the terminal injury they've inflicted on Gladiator I'd say it's a crap shoot.

its not far off the UK Quad

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v56/dvdmike/l_82010_e69f5e1e.jpg

its not far off the UK Quad

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v56/dvdmike/l_82010_e69f5e1e.jpg

Ok, that's freaking hilarious.

dear mike,

this email is to advise you that:

An american werewolf in london: Full moon edition (blu-ray)

has been dispatched to you.

Your average delivery time is listed on the email receipt sent when you first placed your order with us.


woooo !

woooo !

I'll be very interested in your thoughts on this one as i'd like to buy it.

That old artwork sucked and i guess i'm one of the few who like the new artwork.

I dont mind either, but I can get the US disc in the UK before it hits the US.
So I thought why not ?

two reviews
www.dvdbeaver.com/film2/DVDReviews46/an_american_werewolf_in_london_blu-ray.htm
www.blu-raydefinition.com/reviews/an-american-werewolf-in-london-blu-ray-review.html

two reviews
www.dvdbeaver.com/film2/DVDReviews46/an_american_werewolf_in_london_blu-ray.htm
www.blu-raydefinition.com/reviews/an-american-werewolf-in-london-blu-ray-review.html

Ah so, who will you side with? The guy who says it looks like parts of the film were dragged through a sewer, or the guy who says it looks as it did when it was projected, or are they both right? There are already those in this thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1176572&page=3) who say they don't like the way the screencaps look.:D We'll see.

Universal had nothing to the with the Gladiator release. It's Paramount (Universal released the DVD version, but that was during the time when they distributed Dreamworks' titles).

Universal provided the Gladiator transfer to Paramount.

It's tough to triple dip on this, even though it's one of my favorites.

How abour some screen caps of the HDDVD vs the BD, huh?

Or, better yet, some people that have it that can do comparison at home.

It's tough to triple dip on this, even though it's one of my favorites.

How abour some screen caps of the HDDVD vs the BD, huh?

Or, better yet, some people that have it that can do comparison at home.

Check the other thread and you will see Whiggles provided a comparison screenshot between one little scene and it looked identical to the HD DVD edition. Guess we need more shots though.

I would like to see the size of the encode and the ADV bitrate, mine should be here tomorrow

Doing a quick comparison it looks like the exact same transfer as the HD-DVD. Same downright fuzzy appearance -- and still in major need of restorative work. I can't believe the movie looked like this theatrically.

Doing a quick comparison it looks like the exact same transfer as the HD-DVD. Same downright fuzzy appearance -- and still in major need of restorative work. I can't believe the movie looked like this theatrically.

Damn!!! This sucks, I was really hoping that they would have done a little work on this but I guess it all went into the cover art:mad:

The only upgrade for me would be the option of having it running 24p since my BD55 has that but my HDA2 does not... not sure if it is worth $17... arrrgg!

Doing a quick comparison it looks like the exact same transfer as the HD-DVD. Same downright fuzzy appearance -- and still in major need of restorative work. I can't believe the movie looked like this theatrically.

I will keep my $4 HD DVD version if that's the case no need for the double dip.

Doing a quick comparison it looks like the exact same transfer as the HD-DVD. Same downright fuzzy appearance -- and still in major need of restorative work. I can't believe the movie looked like this theatrically.

I'm surprised to see people so down on this release. Judging by the screenshots, and knowing that Landis approved the high def transfer, and knew what he wanted it to look like, I'm satisfied.

I'm surprised to see people so down on this release. Judging by the screenshots, and knowing that Landis approved the high def transfer, and knew what he wanted it to look like, I'm satisfied.

So what was with all the prep and delay to port this over to BD if it is the same damn transfer that was on HDDVD? Don't get me wrong I am an avid supporter of film grain and the preservation of director intent but there is no denying that this needed some work and if it is identical to the HDDVD then none was done. I'm reserving final judgement until I see what it looks like on my TV compared to my HD copy but so far my expectations are low and it pisses me off more than Gladiator because this is my #1 favorite horror movie that gave me nightmares not to be remembered when I saw it in the theater at the ripe age of 8:eek:

Best to Netflix first before buying.

Best to Netflix first before buying.

+1

I cannot believe I have never seen this movie, to the Netflix queue it goes.

I'm surprised to see people so down on this release. Judging by the screenshots, and knowing that Landis approved the high def transfer, and knew what he wanted it to look like, I'm satisfied.

From what I hear the 4k version they were showing at fright fest looked the same

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v56/dvdmike/DSC00538.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v56/dvdmike/DSC00540.jpg
I love getting a US disc in the UK before the US release :p

One of the extra features on this release is a D-Box which you can load onto your PC if you have enabled D-Box playback on the PC. Anyone know what this is ? is it some sort of digital copy ?

It just says D-Box enabled on the box

One of the extra features on this release is a D-Box which you can load onto your PC if you have enabled D-Box playback on the PC. Anyone know what this is ? is it some sort of digital copy ?

D-Box is a program that will shake and jostle your seat to coincide with action in the movie. Basically, it turns the movie into an amusement park ride.

You need to have D-Box equipped furniture, which is primo expensive, for this to work.

http://www.d-box.com/

As long as there is no edge enhancement i'll be happy.

Mike can you check for that and same for any others who have the release.

I love getting a US disc in the UK before the US release :pGood luck using that candy coupon in the UK!:p:D

As long as there is no edge enhancement i'll be happy.

Mike can you check for that and same for any others who have the release.

Do not have time to watch the whole thing yet, any places it was bad on previous discs so I can look out for it

Again, we need comparisons with the HDDVD, not the SD or any broadcast!

Again, we need comparisons with the HDDVD, not the SD or any broadcast!

I'll be happy to share some impressions as soon as I get my bd copy to compare.

I'll be happy to share some impressions as soon as I get my bd copy to compare.

Thanks!

As long as there is no edge enhancement i'll be happy.

Mike can you check for that and same for any others who have the release.

There is EE throughout though not of the Gangs of New York level. If we have to have EE on HD discs (and there was me back in April 2006 thinking we wouldn't get it on HD) then what appears on the American Werewolf disc I can put up with because the rest of the transfer is so faithful to the theatrical showing.

Again, we need comparisons with the HDDVD, not the SD or any broadcast!Last night, I dusted off my HD DVD player and put the new release in my PS3, and switching back and forth between the two inputs, I couldn't pick out any any difference between the two. Even though the encode alone on this Blu-ray disc has a bit budget literally twice the size (maybe a bit more?) of the HD DVD, it didn't make any difference I could see.

Admittedly, if you snapped screengrabs from each and zoomed in, maybe you could pick up a very mild difference, but in the few scenes I compared...? The Blu-ray isn't an upgrade over the HD DVD, although it does have those couple of additional extras...

Last night, I dusted off my HD DVD player and put the new release in my PS3, and switching back and forth between the two inputs, I couldn't pick out any any difference between the two. Even though the encode alone on this Blu-ray disc has a bit budget literally twice the size (maybe a bit more?) of the HD DVD, it didn't make any difference I could see.

Admittedly, if you snapped screengrabs from each and zoomed in, maybe you could pick up a very mild difference, but in the few scenes I compared...? The Blu-ray isn't an upgrade over the HD DVD, although it does have those couple of additional extras...

Man what a bummer... I'm still going to compare when mine comes but I think since my bd player has 24p and my HD player does not that will be the only benefit (albeit a small one) based on what I'm reading. Shame.

I was at futureshop here in Canada and noticed this title was for sale. When I took it to the counter they told me it wasn't for sale until December 2010 and couldn't sell it to me. Makes no sense at all. :eek:

Last night, I dusted off my HD DVD player and put the new release in my PS3, and switching back and forth between the two inputs, I couldn't pick out any any difference between the two. Even though the encode alone on this Blu-ray disc has a bit budget literally twice the size (maybe a bit more?) of the HD DVD, it didn't make any difference I could see.

Admittedly, if you snapped screengrabs from each and zoomed in, maybe you could pick up a very mild difference, but in the few scenes I compared...? The Blu-ray isn't an upgrade over the HD DVD, although it does have those couple of additional extras...

Isn't the audio an upgrade?

I was at futureshop here in Canada and noticed this title was for sale. When I took it to the counter they told me it wasn't for sale until December 2010 and couldn't sell it to me. Makes no sense at all. :eek:

So typical.

Both Futureshop and their parent Best Buy have set the worldwide standard for botched release dates. The stories I could tell you about things they wouldn't sell me...

I made my usual rounds this morning 1) FUTURESHOP, 2) BEST BUY, 3)HMV.

I picked up AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON at HMV which was cheaper than both FS and BB. I also picked up GRACE which was also cheaper at HMV.

So typical.

Both Futureshop and their parent Best Buy have set the worldwide standard for botched release dates. The stories I could tell you about things they wouldn't sell me...

I made my usual rounds this morning 1) FUTURESHOP, 2) BEST BUY, 3)HMV.

I picked up AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON at HMV which was cheaper than both FS and BB. I also picked up GRACE which was also cheaper at HMV.

I go to HMV once in a while too. I'll have to check if they have it tomorrow.

So typical.

Both Futureshop and their parent Best Buy have set the worldwide standard for botched release dates. The stories I could tell you about things they wouldn't sell me...

I made my usual rounds this morning 1) FUTURESHOP, 2) BEST BUY, 3)HMV.

I picked up AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON at HMV which was cheaper than both FS and BB. I also picked up GRACE which was also cheaper at HMV.

How much was American Werewolf, if you don't mind me asking? I tried looking for it today but didn't find any copies ( best buy & futureshop )

AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON was $19.99 at HMV (same price as amazon.ca).

FS and BB were both in the low 20's.

But if Future Shop wasn't going to let people buy it... :)

Seriously, those guys and their release date screw ups are incredible. They lost $100.00 sale from me last October 7th when I went to the cashier with the Ray Harryhausen boxed set and Young Frankenstein. They wouldn't sell me the Harryhausen set because they said it didn't come out until December (the computer always defaults to December). Then the cashier started to ring up Young Frankenstein and I said, "Hold on, if you aren't going to sell me the boxed set then you can't seriously believe I'm going to give you my business on Young Frankenstein?" It took of week of emails to get Best Buy to admit they screwed up. They finally phoned to say they were holding a set for me...I told them I bought it somewhere else.

I bought a disc at Best Buy last week and I said to the cashier, "Well, here's another release date crap shoot" (true).

I just watched this and, even for somebody who applauds the presence of film grain, this is hard to swallow. The grain was extremely heavy...I mean EXTREMELY heavy. It didn't look natural. In the scene where the boys are first approaching the pub, I initially thought it was raining. In fact, I now believe it was exceptionally heavy grain that was dancing on the screen and creating the effect of rain. I don't think I've ever quite seen anything like it. At least the edge enhancement distracted me from the grain.

Isn't the audio an upgrade?
Unless they've ditched that appalling 5.1 remix with all the added sound effects (in crystal clear quality, which jar with the murky low budget early 80s dialogue and remaining sound effects), then it's no upgrade at all in my opinion.

Unless they've ditched that appalling 5.1 remix with all the added sound effects (in crystal clear quality, which jar with the murky low budget early 80s dialogue and remaining sound effects), then it's no upgrade at all in my opinion.

Whiggles - as I trust your critical eyes, do you have any more comments re: the BD image against the HD DVD? It's looking like they're practically the same from other comments online.

Whiggles - as I trust your critical eyes, do you have any more comments re: the BD image against the HD DVD? It's looking like they're practically the same from other comments online.
Sure: I matched up a couple of the BD captures with the same frames from my HD DVD (I posted one of them a couple of pages back), and they're so close to being identical that it's not worth bothering about. The BD is simply a higher bit rate encode of the exact same master that made it on to the HD DVD.

Well, thanks for the personal reviews! I'll keep my HDDVD and spend that money on another double-dip in the future.

Unless they've ditched that appalling 5.1 remix with all the added sound effects (in crystal clear quality, which jar with the murky low budget early 80s dialogue and remaining sound effects), then it's no upgrade at all in my opinion.

Oh well. According to the back cover posted at DVDempire (my copy hasn't arrived yet) the only english track is a 5.1 DTS MA track.

Sure: I matched up a couple of the BD captures with the same frames from my HD DVD (I posted one of them a couple of pages back), and they're so close to being identical that it's not worth bothering about. The BD is simply a higher bit rate encode of the exact same master that made it on to the HD DVD.

Cheers for that. I preordered one partly for the new documentary and partly because I really thought we were getting a new transfer. Disappointing!

I know the HD DVD wasn't perfect, but it was so much better than the old DVD. Those coming to Blu from DVD will probably be happy, but some of us hoped for more.

I just watched this and, even for somebody who applauds the presence of film grain, this is hard to swallow. The grain was extremely heavy...I mean EXTREMELY heavy. It didn't look natural. In the scene where the boys are first approaching the pub, I initially thought it was raining. In fact, I now believe it was exceptionally heavy grain that was dancing on the screen and creating the effect of rain. I don't think I've ever quite seen anything like it. At least the edge enhancement distracted me from the grain.
That scene has always been troublesome. In fact, if it's not that shot, there's one before it which is essentially one long optical because of a dissolve on one or both ends of the long take. So you have pushed exposure and a generation removed of the optical.

Watching the Blu tonite and I'll post back if there's anything other than what I'm expecting...

Has this release got a record number of subtitle tracks ? think I counted 27 !

Well, thanks for the personal reviews! I'll keep my HDDVD and spend that money on another double-dip in the future.

Same here. I didn't think the HD-DVD was that bad, it is not like this film ever looked great anyway. :)

Watched last night. Lotsa EE :(

Excellent 90+ minute documentary though :)

That scene has always been troublesome. In fact, if it's not that shot, there's one before it which is essentially one long optical because of a dissolve on one or both ends of the long take. So you have pushed exposure and a generation removed of the optical.

Watching the Blu tonite and I'll post back if there's anything other than what I'm expecting...

Looked as expected. I was very pleased. Viewed on a 92 in screen.

AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON was $19.99 at HMV (same price as amazon.ca).

FS and BB were both in the low 20's.

But if Future Shop wasn't going to let people buy it... :)

Seriously, those guys and their release date screw ups are incredible. They lost $100.00 sale from me last October 7th when I went to the cashier with the Ray Harryhausen boxed set and Young Frankenstein. They wouldn't sell me the Harryhausen set because they said it didn't come out until December (the computer always defaults to December). Then the cashier started to ring up Young Frankenstein and I said, "Hold on, if you aren't going to sell me the boxed set then you can't seriously believe I'm going to give you my business on Young Frankenstein?" It took of week of emails to get Best Buy to admit they screwed up. They finally phoned to say they were holding a set for me...I told them I bought it somewhere else.

I bought a disc at Best Buy last week and I said to the cashier, "Well, here's another release date crap shoot" (true).

I ended up getting it for $19.99 at HMV. HMV also had Army of Darkness for $19.99 compared to $24.99 at Futureshop. I returned my unopened copy to futureshop along with Van Helsing which was also $2 cheaper at HMV.

With the reports of it looking no different than the HD DVD, I am trying to locate a cheap HD DVD copy now.

Looked as expected. I was very pleased. Viewed on a 92 in screen.

...but, you don't have the HDDVD to compare it with.

It comes down to this, if you don't have it on HDDVD, then get it on BD.

Either way, at least it's something of an upgrade from the SD!!!

With the reports of it looking no different than the HD DVD, I am trying to locate a cheap HD DVD copy now.

:D

Yeahh i'll stick with my 3.99 $ copy :cool:

...but, you don't have the HDDVD to compare it with.

It comes down to this, if you don't have it on HDDVD, then get it on BD.

Either way, at least it's something of an upgrade from the SD!!!
I was referring to the previous comment that the grain looked unnatural in certain places.

But yes, I also have an HD-DVD player, and if I already had AWIL, I wouldn't buy it on Blu unless/until the Toshiba player starts acting up...

But if you don't already have it on HD-DVD, and you're a fan of the film, I would recommend a purchase without hesitation.

Slashfilm interview with Landis.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR7OwhNRQLg

Just watched it, and I'm very satisfied with the transfer. The opening shots in particular are still muddy, but they always were. What a great movie! The perfect combination of actors, script, director, and effects.

I just popped this in to do some A/B and agree with the others that this is identical in PQ to the HD release. Where my opinion changes is #1 gear since my HD-A2 does not do 24p so I did notice an image that was a hair sharper with a tad more depth but it was minimal. I also appreciated the upgrade from the DD+ track t the DTS HD MA track which has obviously the same post add ons the dvd and hddvd did but everything sounds much cleaner and the simply put better articulated on the DTS-MA track.

So what was with all the prep and delay to port this over to BD if it is the same damn transfer that was on HDDVD?
I don't know about the video-master (but everything suggest Universal did a second one) but the encode is obviously different
BluRay Movie Size 30,639,286,272
HDDvd Movie Size 14,098,683,904

The disc looks and sound awesome!
There is nothing artificial about the grain as it look perfectly natural in motion. Thank you Landis for the kept grain ;)
Buy NOW!!! :D

Don't know if already known:

I just watched the German BD of the John Landis movie Burke & Hare and there is a Q&A session from the German premiere and Landis also talks what happened when he should have approved the transfer for the BD of American Werewolf in London:

The Universal technician had completely degrained and brightened the movie and it looked like crap. Landis told him to disable DNR and give the movie back its dark and gritty look. The technician took a note which said "Image degraded per director". :eek:

Landis should have told them to remove the edge enhancement too.