just got done watching Casanova it was BD-50 encoded VC-1 the highest mbps i saw was 46.8 it was around 30 through out the movie. Video wise i would say 3.5 out of 5. it had a touch of grain through out the movie. Some shots were very sharp some just ok it was the indoor shots that were the grainest. The outdoor scenes looked really clean and shap. Audio wise a very nice pcm 5.1 had some nice kick and when the fireworks near the end will get some boom from your sub. movie wise it was a funny movie and fry's did not have to many blu ray movies there that i did not all ready have. ;)

I'll bet this is the closest to lossless to master that any film-based movie has gotten so far. I also saw dozens of peaks above 44.

So what exactly is this movie like? As in: the story, acting, plot, etc.

It's like Dangerous Beauty + Shakespeare in Love with less skin, a simpler story line, less poetry, more light hearted comedy, and it is done in HD.

There are a few postcard panoramic pans of Venice, nighttime balloon ride against a backdrop of fireworks. Venitian architecture, rooftops, canals, gondolas.

Main weakness : No chemistry between the leads, and I felt the supporting cast were more entertaining. The best lines in the movie were delivered by the nun in the beginning and Victoria (the virginal fiancee).

Although intended to be a light-hearted romantic comedy, there were quite a few predictable groaners.

The movie would have been much better if the writing was more consistent (and they spent more time on these secondary characters) or if they just took more postcard shots of Venice. It did make me watch Dangerous Beauty again (still the best movie set in Venice).

I give the movie 2.5/5 stars, the PQ 4.5/5.

Interesting. Many people took Disney's use of VC1 as a sign of possible support of HD DVD and perhaps porting their titles over. But with bitrates like these there is no way it can go on a HD DVD. ;)

Plus using BD50's as well :)

I wish my copy would show up....it's cold outside. Esta es estacion por peliculas en casero!

It's like Dangerous Beauty + Shakespeare in Love with less skin, a simpler story line, less poetry, more light hearted comedy, and it is done in HD.

There are a few postcard panoramic pans of Venice, nighttime balloon ride against a backdrop of fireworks. Venitian architecture, rooftops, canals, gondolas.

Main weakness : No chemistry between the leads, and I felt the supporting cast were more entertaining. The best lines in the movie were delivered by the nun in the beginning and Victoria (the virginal fiancee).

Although intended to be a light-hearted romantic comedy, there were quite a few predictable groaners.

The movie would have been much better if the writing was more consistent (and they spent more time on these secondary characters) or if they just took more postcard shots of Venice. It did make me watch Dangerous Beauty again (still the best movie set in Venice).

I give the movie 2.5/5 stars, the PQ 4.5/5.

Could you comment more on the PQ? Is the PQ good enough to justify a purchase?

I just ordered this and should be here with my Lion's Gate preorders on Monday. I'll give it a spin.

It's a great piece to show off your HT IMO. I thought the picture quality was excellent with great use of color and scenery. Plus the movie is light hearted enough to be enjoyable to both sexes.

Could you comment more on the PQ? Is the PQ good enough to justify a purchase?
Depends on what you mean by good enough. I buy pretty much every disk, so lots of things are "good enough to buy".

If you have enough reference quality disks to give your system a good workout, it's much better to pick movies that you really like. I think Casanova will only appeal to people who really like Venice or light comedies. The movie itself is not that great, however, the PQ looks accurate (in the sense I am guessing since I've never seen the master), but if your criteria is clean as in "look out the window", then you won't like the fact that it looks just like film.

I really enjoyed this on BD rented from Netflix. The movie is fun and very well done. The dialog is really entertaining. The image quality is very pleasing and I would rate it very high in terms of image quality. I really like how the Buena Vista Discs go straight to playing the feature. Any way another nice transfer that will definitely please.