Hallo,

just watched the European Blu-ray-Release of "Almost Famous - Extended Cut" from Sony.
The good news first: The picture quality is excellent; the image is very sharp and very detailed throughout with some of the outdoor-scenes having that 3D-Pop we like from HD; there is some grain but it is reproduced faithfully to the source (at least it looks that way to me); all in all the image is much better than what I exspected and much better than any previous DVD;
after haveing watched some of the dreadfull catalog-titles from Fox (Butch Cassidy & Sundance Kid, ID4, Master & Commander) this was a visual revelation;
The Audio is TrueHD and sounds pretty amazing as well but I am no expert so I cannot say how much better it sounds than the DVD;
Unfornutaley the extras suck: you get 10 minutes B-Rool and a short Interview with the real William Miller

Picture: 4.5/5
Sound: 4.5/5
Extras: 0.5/5

Equipment used:
Playstation 3 (24p-Output)
Panasonic 1080p Projector PT AE 2000 with 9-Foot-Screen

Thanks for the review. I will pick it up.

thanks for the review. just ordered it from sendit

There is only the Extended cut? Or maybe a menu like "Close Encounters" to choose the theatrical version?

My copy shipped yesterday. Is the commentary track on the disc?

Unfornutaley the extras suck: you get 10 minutes B-Rool and a short Interview with the real William Miller

who do you mean when you say "the real william miller"? do you mean cameron crowe? since he based the movie on his experiences writing for rolling stone, he is the real william miller.

can't wait for the disc, btw! preordered from amazon.uk.

who do you mean when you say "the real william miller"? do you mean cameron crowe? since he based the movie on his experiences writing for rolling stone, he is the real william miller.


I believe the interview actually involves the real Lester Bangs.

I believe the interview actually involves the real Lester Bangs.

ahhhh that makes more sense.

I've never bought an import before, but I'm very tempted with this one.

Thanks for the review. I already have it preordered from Send It, so I'm glad to hear the video and audio quality are great.

Just out of curiosity, do the opening credits still show "Untitled" as the name of the movie?

It's a region 2 disc... Sendit says it may not play in the U.S.... anyone know if this is true?

Bollocks.

11th February 2008

Almost Famous (Extended Edition) - Coming-of-age drama from Cameron Crowe about a young boy who goes on tour with rock band Stillwater and ends up receiving the greatest education imaginable from professional groupie, Penny Lane (Kate Hudson).

Coded for all regions (A, B and C), features include:

* 1080P 1.85:1 Widescreen
* English Dolby True HD 5.1 Surround
* Polish (VO) DD5.1 Surround
* Subtitles: English, English HOH, Arabic, Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Korean, Chinese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovene, Spanish, Thai, Turkish
* Love Comes and Goes – Featurette
* Lester Bangs Interview

http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=66730

Just placed an order through Amazon. Thanks.

So is this only available as an overseas import??

Yes. The stateside distributions is held by Dreamworks.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0181875/companycredits

hmm so no scheduled HD-DVD release.
Where to order the BD release.

Thanks for the review. Definitely going to need to import this... although I wish they had used seamless branching to include both versions.

Just out of curiosity, do the opening credits still show "Untitled" as the name of the movie?

That's a great question. Anyone?

I just preordered this from Amazon Uk. My very first import.. I feel so.. well, about the same as I feel with any other movie order. I don't even have a blu player yet and I already have half a dozen blu movies on order!

Hallo,

will check about the Title-Sequence tomorrow; I tested the German-Version from Sony.

My copy shipped yesterday. Is the commentary track on the disc?

I'm very curious to know about the commentary track.

So, the UK version is the same as the other European versions from Sony, right? Nothing censored or omitted?

It's a region 2 disc... Sendit says it may not play in the U.S.... anyone know if this is true?


It's a region free release.

bump.

can anyone confirm a commentary track? also, is it a making of video or a music video included as an extra ?(along with the Lester Bangs interview)...

Hallo,

will check about the Title-Sequence tomorrow; I tested the German-Version from Sony.

Definitely awaiting this response. I've been on the brink of ordering this for the past week now.

Can the OP post pics of the packaging and even the disc itself? I just like to see what companies do in different countries.

My copy shipped from Amazon U.K. yesterday for 28.36 delivered.
Really looking forward to this one on Blu.

The cover features a very seductive Kate Hudson

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51XBQJBCAFL._AA280_.jpg

Sorry, I can't get the link to work, but, go to amazon.uk.co and search under Almost Famous Blu

That cover was the poster they used in Europe. I have that poster hanging up at work.

The cover features a very seductive Kate Hudson

Sitting next to another American made Classic Les Paul. :cool:

The cover for the Japanese release is awesome, not very hard as Kate Hudson is a real beauty.

I don't recall Kate Hudson being seen in that pose in the movie (could be wrong but I think I would have remembered).

I don't recall Kate Hudson being seen in that pose in the movie (could be wrong but I think I would have remembered).

That was my first thought as well.

That cover was the poster they used in Europe. I have that poster hanging up at work.

At what sort of place do you work? Anywhere I've worked that would be a lawsuit waiting to happen.

I work at a movie theater. That's just one of dozens of movie posters hanging up in the projection booth.

ordered it from amazon.co.uk Hopefully it really is region free.
can't wait.

I work at a movie theater. That's just one of dozens of movie posters hanging up in the projection booth.

:-) I should have thought of that as an exception

I ordered mine from sendit last Wednesday. I checked the order status this morning and it is temporarily out of stock. Has anyone had their order ship from sendit? Maybe I will cancel and order from amazon uk.

I got the same e-mail from sendit. Hoping it was just an automated pre-order notice.

Mine shipped from amazon.co.uk this weekend. Can't wait!

Mine too, looking forward to my first import. Time to pre-order T2:cool:

By the way, the title on this version is indeed "Untitled."

Woohoo! Copped!

Thanks for the info!

Just received mine from sendit. It doesn't look exactly the same as the image posted above.

Does this one come in the thick case ? I love U.K and E.U for putting the discs inside thick cases which look fancy, sturdy and doesn't break.

Seems like a normal case to me.

Nice, so who has it cheapest for US Delivery?

Nice, so who has it cheapest for US Delivery?

Total from amazon.uk.co, for me was roughly $28.

Total from amazon.uk.co, for me was roughly $28.

Yep, a little over $28 delivered for me as well. Not bad at all.

By the way, the title on this version is indeed "Untitled."

What? :confused:



aviators99: Thanks for posting the pics of the packaging. :)

Although I do have a question. What is that "FaCt" logo on the disc right below the Blu-ray logo? It's not the first time I've seen it on a Sony UK Blu-ray import. Casino Royale also had it. Is "FaCt" a company or some sort of rating or copyright warning?

Thanks,
I picked it up at sendit, decided to save the $3 over Amazon.

Just received mine from sendit. It doesn't look exactly the same as the image posted above.

Thoughts on the transfer? Also, what's your display and player?

Although I do have a question. What is that "FaCt" logo on the disc right below the Blu-ray logo? It's not the first time I've seen it on a Sony UK Blu-ray import. Casino Royale also had it. Is "FaCt" a company or some sort of rating or copyright warning?

It's some kind of anti-pirate movie warning which forces the UK etc to sit through forced 3 minute messages before their movies begin.

It's some kind of anti-pirate movie warning which forces the UK etc to sit through forced 3 minute messages before their movies begin.

Oh wonderful. :rolleyes:

Kinda sounds like the whole "downloading pirated films is stealing" thing we have in the US.

My copy didn't have that forced anti-piracy warning...it's basically exactly the same as our domestic discs.

Also, I may be biased, but I think the movie looks and sounds pretty great. No artifacts, solid encode, great colors, sharp in portions but still retains that 70s feel...I'm very happy with this disc. Still, it would have been nice to have at least the commentary and deleted scenes from the DVD.

My copy didn't have that forced anti-piracy warning...it's basically exactly the same as our domestic discs.

Also, I may be biased, but I think the movie looks and sounds pretty great. No artifacts, solid encode, great colors, sharp in portions but still retains that 70s feel...I'm very happy with this disc. Still, it would have been nice to have at least the commentary and deleted scenes from the DVD.

Sounds like I need to hold on to the DVD if all the extras aren't there.

By the way, the title on this version is indeed "Untitled."

Whoo! Thanks for the info. I held off a little too long and missed the first shipment... But Amazon.co.uk's telling me that they should be shipping out my copy in 9 days or so... No real rush considering I've still got a bajillion other movies to watch in the meantime, thanks to amazon.com and their weekly sales. ;)

What? :confused:


Cameron Crowe want the film to be called UNTITLED, but the studio wasn't too keen on that idea, so he named it ALMOST FAMOUS. However, when he went back to make his director's cut, they let him rename it UNTITLED.

Personally, I think it would have been cooler if it really were untitled, instead of entitled UNTITLED, but either way, it's better than ALMOST FAMOUS. :)

Just got my copy from Sendit. Will watch tomorrow.

Mine showed up today from Amazon.uk. Very cool. Looks just like the scans posted above.

I'm assuming it's only the extended cut and doesn't have theatrical release?

Is this correct? How much longer is it?

And where do you look to see title "Untitled"?

Received mine from Amazon.co.uk today. Put it in and gave it a quick scan and thought it looked pretty good.

Is this correct? How much longer is it?

And where do you look to see title "Untitled"?

The extended cut is about 39 minutes longer than the theatrical cut. It's really cool, because the footage is much more thoroughly and seamlessly integrated into the movie. Most extended cuts feel like the extra footage has just been tacked on after the fact. But this one actually feels like the entire film has been recut. I would highly recommend it.

As for the second question, I'm not exactly sure what you're asking, but it sounds like the only place it's called UNTITLED on the BD is in the movie itself.

Received mine from Amazon.co.uk today. Put it in and gave it a quick scan and thought it looked pretty good.

Agreed. Got mine from Sendit and am quite happy with both the audio and picture.

Anyone thinking of making custom cover art for this movie should post their work.

I really hate the awful UK ratings logos covered all over the disc cover.

It sucks.

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/3398/almostfamouspz8.jpg

Anyone thinking of making custom cover art for this movie should post their work.

I really hate the awful UK ratings logos covered all over the disc cover.

It sucks.

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/3398/almostfamouspz8.jpg

You're right. This one needs custom cover artwork really badly. ;)

Anyone thinking of making custom cover art for this movie should post their work.

I really hate the awful UK ratings logos covered all over the disc cover.

It sucks.

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/3398/almostfamouspz8.jpg

Agreed. Anybody out there up for the challenge?

Since it doesn't contain all of the extras of the Untitled DVD set, I'm going to buy one of the Amaray Triple replacement blu-ray cases and use it to hold the BD and the two DVD's.

I'd prefer to work on cover art based on this photo:

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/7646/coverhb3.jpg

How about this ? :D

http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/51PmItH63yL._SS500_.jpg

Holy crap? Did you make this or is it import? Please do tell!!!! :D

That's the Japanese BD cover art.

Almost Famous now available at Xploited Cinema :D

http://xploitedcinema.com/catalog/almost-famous-directors-bluray-p-13448.html?osCsid=71ee7b95bcf1899aaa3a757792f6e7a2

I watched this last night. I looked great and held up well for a repeated viewing.

As far as the Dolby TrueHD surround track, it's mostly front-centric. Not much happens in the rears with the exception of a few sound effects and during the concert scenes.

All in all a must own. Why isn't this available here? A big plus for Blu, IMHO.

All in all a must own. Why isn't this available here? A big plus for Blu, IMHO.

Sony doesn't have the rights to the domestic release. Dreamworks does. ;)

Its like that for a lot of import titles. Studios a lot of times don't have the rights to a movie for every region in the world.

Well Kate does look rather nice there on the Blu-ray cover, I prefer the original poster art used for the DVD. and to further the nerd status, I'm assuming this UK Blu-ray has the dvd thick case? :o

But..who cares, this is a great movie. :)

Is Xploited Cinema a trustworthy site?

Dan

yes. I own several hd-dvd imports from xploited. Excellent service and fort knox type packaging. Fast shipping. highly recommended.

yes. I own several hd-dvd imports from xploited. Excellent service and fort knox type packaging. Fast shipping. highly recommended.
+1

Is Xploited Cinema a trustworthy site?

Dan

Very.
i've gotten several titels from them most recently "the illusionist" they're fast too often 3 days from my order.

So far I'm un-impressed with the truHD audio on this title. I'm hoping the first Stillwater concert will sway me.

The video quality is up and down some is RAZOR perfect. some is rife with noise such as the scene when he's standing with phillip seymore hoffmans character after talking to him in the dinner while waiting for the bus. the sidewalk looks like it's trying to get up and crawl away.

ok so the Stillwater concert sounded fantastic. the rest of the movie is a bit weak but the concerts are GREAT.

I see xploited has it as well I may have to get this movie. Glad I held off on the DVD

The extended cut is about 39 minutes longer than the theatrical cut. It's really cool, because the footage is much more thoroughly and seamlessly integrated into the movie. Most extended cuts feel like the extra footage has just been tacked on after the fact. But this one actually feels like the entire film has been recut. I would highly recommend it.

As for the second question, I'm not exactly sure what you're asking, but it sounds like the only place it's called UNTITLED on the BD is in the movie itself.

I have to agree with this.
The extra bits really feel like they're part of the film. You almost dont' realize they're extra till you notice it's new material. it doesn't stand out as any different in feel to the rest of the flick it's genious.

So far I'm un-impressed with the truHD audio on this title. I'm hoping the first Stillwater concert will sway me.

The video quality is up and down some is RAZOR perfect. some is rife with noise such as the scene when he's standing with phillip seymore hoffmans character after talking to him in the dinner while waiting for the bus. the sidewalk looks like it's trying to get up and crawl away.

Unless you have a 110" screen with projector, or you sit closer than 6-feet from your TV, noise should not be a problem.

I will reserve judgement until I get the movie in my hands. Hopefully, by the end of the week.

I might post some screengrabs from my VAIO notebook blu-ray drive.

We'll see...

Is Xploited Cinema a trustworthy site?

Dan

Not only is Xploited trustworthy, the owner (Tony) responds to queries in minutes and he is very customer-oriented. My brother bought an HD DVD import of Lord Of War for me around Christmas time, but just gave it to me for my birthday last week. Since I've since purchased a Blu-Ray player and already had LOW on BD, I emailed Tony and asked if I could still return it for credit towards a Blu-Ray import even though it had been purchased more than 2 months in advance. He readily agreed, and I sent back the disc for a copy of Almost Famous. He's a great guy to do business with.

I ordered it from Xploited a couple of days ago! Can't wait!

Dan

I probably would have waited for Xploited instead of Sendit had I known they would stock it that quickly.

good to know for the future.

Is anyone watching this on a HTPC, using powerdvd?

I got my copy, but I can't select anything on the menu. For some reason, keyboard commands don't work and I can't start the movie because of this.

Anybody?

I just received my copy from Sendit and I gotta say the delivery was quicker than I expected (about 5 days from date of order, from the UK to New York).

Anyway, onto the actual movie itself:

Overall, I'd give the Picture a B+. I felt it was soft in several parts, and the colors were a bit dull. I also noticed a thin black strip (about 1/4-inch thick) on the left side of the picture. I would say I noticed it about 45% of the time, then it would magically dissapear and the whole image was full again. Don't know what that's about.

I also noticed what seemed to be splicing, most noticeably when Penny Lane is in the gym wearing no shoes and rose petals on the floor. I noticed the picture blinked several times, and it clearly looked like some splicing was going on.

As far as sound is concerned, I'd rate it a B- overall. I selected the Dolby TrueHD audio track. It's 91% dialog and 9% music. The dialog was clear and never had a problem understanding the voices. When the music does kick in, it sounds fantastic. I really felt I was in the audience for the rock concert.

As for the film itself, I'd give it an A- overall. I really liked the story, and I will be watching this movie again at a later date. Not many movies I can say that about.

My final grade for the UK release of Almost Famous (Blu-ray) is a B rating. I would strongly recommend waiting for a stateside release.

Not worth importing at this time, but a definite buy when it does get a US release.

ok so the Stillwater concert sounded fantastic. the rest of the movie is a bit weak but the concerts are GREAT.

I totally agree.

I don't own many concert Blu-ray movies (Tool, and Shakira Oral Fixation), but the concert scenes are the first time I've felt I was actually in the audience. Unfortunately, that's all they are...scenes. They actually last less than a minute each, and they happen about 3 times throughout the entire movie.

Wish they lasted longer...

I also noticed what seemed to be splicing, most noticeably when Penny Lane is in the gym wearing no shoes and rose petals on the floor. I noticed the picture blinked several times, and it clearly looked like some splicing was going on.


if what you're talking about is a kind of jump cut where it looks like the footage doesn't match up, that's always been there in the "penny in the gym" scene. it's that way in the "untitled" bootleg cut on sd-dvd.

i haven't watched the whole movie on blu-ray yet, but i flipped around. and this scene is one i did check out. it looks as it should. or at least as it always has.

It's a definite own for fans of this movie. I watched my copy tonight and it looks and sounds fantastic. Take a chance and wait for a U.S. Dreamworks release without lossless audio possibly....nah!! I'm not willing to wait to take the chance. Sony did a great job with this catalog title!

if what you're talking about is a kind of jump cut where it looks like the footage doesn't match up, that's always been there in the "penny in the gym" scene. it's that way in the "untitled" bootleg cut on sd-dvd.

i haven't watched the whole movie on blu-ray yet, but i flipped around. and this scene is one i did check out. it looks as it should. or at least as it always has.


Ahh, I see.

However, did you also notice the black stripe on the left side of the picture? It's about 1/4-inch wide...sometimes its there (about 40% throughout the movie) and then its gone and the picture fills up the screen.

Wonder what's going on there?

I totally agree.

I don't own many concert Blu-ray movies (Tool, and Shakira Oral Fixation), but the concert scenes are the first time I've felt I was actually in the audience. Unfortunately, that's all they are...scenes. They actually last less than a minute each, and they happen about 3 times throughout the entire movie.

Wish they lasted longer...

:confused:

When did Tool release a BD and where do I buy it?

Ahh, I see.

However, did you also notice the black stripe on the left side of the picture? It's about 1/4-inch wide...sometimes its there (about 40% throughout the movie) and then its gone and the picture fills up the screen.

Wonder what's going on there?

i haven't watched the whole thing yet. so, no i didn't notice that. my tv has a pretty generous amount of overscan, however, so... it may not show up. but i'll keep my eyes open for it.

For what it's worth, I remember that black stripe being there during the opening titles of the DVD, but not the rest of the movie.

I totally agree.

I don't own many concert Blu-ray movies (Tool, and Shakira Oral Fixation), but the concert scenes are the first time I've felt I was actually in the audience. Unfortunately, that's all they are...scenes. They actually last less than a minute each, and they happen about 3 times throughout the entire movie.

Wish they lasted longer...


The Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds : live at radio city blu-ray concert is a great concert if you're into them on disc fwiw.


As far as things like rose petals consider it one of many continuity errors in this movie. I do love this film but there are a TON of continunity errors regarding costuming and props moving around from shot to shot though I didn't really get a sense anything was spliced in.

finally ordered this from xploited on thursday & should arrive tomorrow. (monday). :)

Arrived today....it is kind of grainy but looks pretty good. I agree with many here in that the audio is especially good on the concert footage.

I'm in the minority here but I prefer the theatrical cut over the Dir. cut. It's just tighter and some scenes in this longer version seem to lose their way a bit. Not huge mind you but with a 50g disc, we should have gotten both versions.

I really really hope that the US version of this has the theatrical cut as well. Tim, we may be in the minority, but sometimes "director's cut" is an excuse for directors to make their perfect work of art and screw it up. Sometimes shorter and tighter is the the way to go - sometimes directors/writers are too close to the material to make good decisions about what to keep and what to ditch...

I've always said that Paul Thomas Anderson would be a much better director if he had an editor that would stand up to him and say "dude, you really gotta cut that five minute section - you don't need it."

(by the way, I just read this and it sounds like I thought PTA was the director of Almost Famous which he's not - it was an unrelated side note I was making)

I've always said that Paul Thomas Anderson would be a much better director if he had an editor that would stand up to him and say "dude, you really gotta cut that five minute section - you don't need it."

I completely agree with this statement!