The Film Has Already Been Made - Reproduce it
As far as this thread goes it does not matter if the film has grain or has a soft look or has a dark and stylistic look which would normally see such films being given low marks by those who want eye candy but what matters is that the film has not suffered excessive DNR or excessive EE or other such issues related to film transfers. You will find eye candy titles here but you will also find many great films which have been under appreciated because of the cinematography choices made at the time of filming.
If you think a film should be on this list then nominate it. All nominations are welcome from everyone and you can also negative or critique any film on this list and give your reason why a film either deserves to be here or should not be here. Films will either go straight onto the minor/medium/major issues list or be placed on the nomination/digital camera list. Two nominations are required for a place on the main list and three negatives will see a film removed from the list or placed on the minor issues list.
- Film titles on the reference list will be expected to have a film like look with very little issues. There may be extremely small issues lasting several seconds but this would not disqualify the film from the list.
- Film titles which have recurring problems throughout the running time that are considered just minor distractions can be placed on the minor issues list. Examples of minor distractions would be edge enhancement used to sharpen some scenes or excessive DNR used for a couple of minutes in a two hour film or macroblocking may be seen in some scenes in an otherwise perfect transfer - All these reasons could see a film dropped from the main list to the minor issues list.
- Film titles which have more extensive issues and more prolonged may be placed on the medium issues list. Films may still look film like but may have serious other problems preventing placement on the minor issues list.
- If a film has undergone major changes to the way it originally looked it can be placed on the Changed significantly from it's theatrical presentation list - Examples of major changes would be altering the colors of the entire film or replacing guns with walkie talkies or boosting the contrast levels - Films on this list may contain minor issues which will be noted next to each film.
- Films on the major issues list should have very serious problems with their transfer to Blu Ray - They will not be film like and may look very processed and will be less detailed and will have had either excessive digital noise reduction applied or excessive edge enhancement applied or both applied to them. They may also contain other issues as a result such as waxy looking faces or frozen grain structure. These transfers are ones which should have been a lot better.
For Smaller Screen Owners - Recommended Viewing Distance Relating to Your Screen Size
Screen Size >>>>>>>>720p >>>>>>>>> 1080p
32 inches >>>>>>>>> 6 feet >>>>>>>> 4 feet
37 inches >>>>>>>>> 7 feet >>>>>>>> 5 feet
40 inches >>>>>>>>> 8 feet >>>>>>>> 5 feet
42 inches >>>>>>>>> 8 feet >>>>>>>> 5.5 feet
46 inches >>>>>>>>> 9 feet >>>>>>>> 6 feet
50 inches >>>>>>>> 10 feet >>>>>>>> 6.5 feet
52 inches >>>>>>>> 10 feet >>>>>>>> 7 feet
65 inches >>>>>>>> 13 feet >>>>>>>> 8.5 feet
Additional Viewing Distance Chart Help
The Official EE/DNR Thread
Digital Noise Reduction Information ( DNR )
37 inches >>>>>>>>> 7 feet >>>>>>>> 5 feet
40 inches >>>>>>>>> 8 feet >>>>>>>> 5 feet
42 inches >>>>>>>>> 8 feet >>>>>>>> 5.5 feet
46 inches >>>>>>>>> 9 feet >>>>>>>> 6 feet
50 inches >>>>>>>> 10 feet >>>>>>>> 6.5 feet
52 inches >>>>>>>> 10 feet >>>>>>>> 7 feet
65 inches >>>>>>>> 13 feet >>>>>>>> 8.5 feet
Additional Viewing Distance Chart Help
The Official EE/DNR Thread
Digital Noise Reduction Information ( DNR )
Check out Xylon's screenshot threads too - Very informative
The Reference List - Highly Recommended Blu Ray Releases
These films are considered to closely reproduce the look of the original film
A Clockwork Orange
*softer film look with grain present in darker scenes
Across The Universe
Aeon Flux
A Passage To India
*Grain structure intact
*Film like image
Armageddon
*Alternates between light grain and heavier grain
*Looks great in HD
Avatar
*Fabulous transfer and highly detailed image
Babel
Batman Begins* ----------------------1 negative for filtered undetailed look
Beneath The Planet Of The Apes
Big Fish
*Fine to medium grain throughout running time in this film like presentation
*No ringing or halo's noted
Big Trouble In Little China
*Grain structure intact
*Razor sharp detailed image
*Screenshots of the movie from forum member Giger
Black Book
Black Narcissus
*Grain structure intact
*Fabulous color photography
*Detailed and film like presentation
Black Snake Moan
Blade Runner - Theatrical, Directors Cut and the International Theatrical Cut
Blades Of Glory
Blazing Saddles
Body Heat
*Film like detailed image
*Shot film noir with a deliberate soft lensed look
Body Of Lies
*Fine detailed film like transfer
*Grain structure intact
Bonnie and Clyde
Braveheart
*Very film like and extremely detailed image
*One of the best releases on the Blu Ray format
*Grain structure intact
*Screenshots of the movie from forum member Giger
Bullitt
*Film like image
*Retains it's cinematic look
Burn After Reading
*Film like image
*Grain structure intact
*Screenshots of the movie from forum member Giger
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
*Grain structure intact
*Shot with a softer focus which some have mistaken for DNR
*Pleasing film like image but could do with restoration work on the print
Casino Royale
*Director approved release with moderate grain structure
*Detailed and pleasing film like image
Cast Away
Children Of Men - German Edition
Chungking Express
*Grain structure intact
*Detailed film like presentation
*Screenshots of the movie from forum member Giger
CJ7
Close Encounters Of The Third Kind
*Grain structure is intact
*Pleasing film like presentation
Crash
*Grain structure intact
*Softer lensed look believed to be intentional
Curse Of The Golden Flower
Day Watch
Deja Vu
Die Hard
Die Hard With A Vengeance
Dirty Harry
*Film grain structure intact
*Detailed film like image
Dog Day Afternoon
Domino
Doomsday
*Detailed film like image
*Grain structure intact
*Screenshots of the movie from forum member Giger
Dreamgirls
Eagle Eye
*Film grain structure retained
*Stylistic look to the movie
*Screenshots of the movie from forum member Giger
Enchanted
Escape From The Planet Of The Apes
Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer
Fearless
*Directors cut of movie retains it's film look
*Grain structure intact
*Screenshots of the movie from forum member Giger
Forgetting Sarah Marshall* ---------- 1 negative for overcompression, smearing and blocking
Franklyn
*Fine film grain structure intact
*Beautiful looking film
*Screenshots of the movie from forum member Giger
Gandhi
Ghostbusters
*Cinematographer approved transfer
*Retains grain structure for detailed cinematic image
*Contrast boosting in some scenes may not be approved by all
Ghost Town
*Natural film like image
*Film grain structure intact
*Screenshots of the movie from forum member Giger
Gone Baby Gone
Good Night, and Good Luck
Hancock
Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban
Heathers
*Grain intact
*Good catalogue title
Hellboy - Directors Cut
*Light grain structure intact
*Highly detailed film like image
*Fabulous colors and contrast range
Hellboy II - The Golden Army
Hitman
Hollow Man
*Gorgeous film like image quality
*Grain structure intact
*Hollow Man Review
How The West Was Won
*Shot in 70mm Cinerama format
*Highly detailed image with great depth of field
*Just a tiny hint of edge enhancement
*Colors are strong and bold
*Screencaps of How The West Was Won
Hustle & Flow
Identity
Independence Day
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Interview With The Vampire
*Film look maintained
*Stylistic film photography with a sometimes softer look to the image
*Screenshots of the movie from forum member Giger
Into The Blue
*Fabulous crystal clear image
*Very light grain structure
Iron Man
*Film grain intact and a highly detailed image
*Xylons Picture Comparison Thread
*Iron Man Review
I Robot
JFK
Juno
Kingdom Of Heaven
*Grain structure intact
*Pleasing film like image
*Gorgeous cinematography
Knocked Up
La Femme Nikita
*Grain structure intact
*Beautiful example of film photography
*Screenshots of the movie from forum member Giger
Layer Cake
Let The Right One In
Live Free Or Die Hard
Lord Of War
Mad Max 2 - The Road Warrior
*Medium to sometimes heavy grain structure is intact
*Retains it's film look
Manhunter
*Natural grain structure intact
*Great looking eighties film
*Retains the film look
Man On Fire
Master and Commander - The Far Side Of The World
Memento
Men In Black* ---------- 2 negatives for a digital processed look with EE
Minority Report
*Film grain preserved and it looks detailed and excellent
Mission Impossible III
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist
Night Of The Living Dead - ( 1968 version - B/W )
Night Watch
No Country For Old Men
No Reservations
Ocean's 11
Ocean's 12
Ocean's 13
Pan's Labyrinth - French/German/UK Release
*Detailed film like image
*Grain structure intact
Pirates Of The Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest
*Very light grain structure is intact
*Highly detailed film like image
Pirates Of The Caribbean - At World's End
*Very light grain structure is intact
*Highly detailed film like image
Pitch Black
*Grain structure intact
*Has a stylistic look to it which is intentional
*Screenshots of the movie from forum member Giger
Planet Of The Apes
Point Break
Poltergeist
*Grain structure intact
*Detailed and film like look
*Poltergeist Review
Punisher: War Zone
Quantum Of Solace
*Film grain intact
*Detailed film like image
Raging Bull
*Fine grain and film like image
*Fantastic black and white photography
*Screenshots of the movie from forum member Giger
Rambo
*Grain structure is intact
*Film like image with bold contrast range
Red Belt
Repulsion
*Film grain intact
*Fantastic film look preserved
Rescue Dawn
Resident Evil - Extinction
*Fine light grain structure intact
*High quality film like image
Requiem For A Dream - Lionsgate Edition Only
*Film grain intact
*Faithful transfer with very pleasing film like image quality
Romancing The Stone
*Grain structure intact
*Pleasing film like image
*One of the better looking catalog titles from the eighties
Running Scared ( German Edition )
Serenity
*Grain structure intact
*Gorgeous looking film with high levels of detail present in the image
*Screenshots of the movie from forum member Giger
Sex and the City
Shall We Dance
Shooter
Sleepwalking
Sleepy Hollow - Japanese Release
*Grain structure intact
*Stylistic film photography looks fabulous and works well for this type of story
Shoot 'Em Up
*Grain structure intact
*Stylistic cinematography choices look great but may not please everyone
*Highly detailed image
Silent Hill - ( German Edition )
*Detailed film like image
*Fine film grain intact
Smart People
South Pacific
*Film grain structure beautifully preserved
*Detailed image with original color tint intact
*Xylon's South Pacific Comparison Pix Thread
Star Trek II - The Wrath Of Khan
*Grain structure mostly intact
*Detail levels high
*Blue tint to some scenes may upset purists of original DVD release
Street Kings
*Fine grain structure intact
*Nice sharp picture
Sunshine
*Fine grain structure
*Detailed and beautiful image quality
*Screencaps of Sunshine
Taken - UK and American extended edition
*Film like pleasing image
*Grain structure intact
*Screenshots of the movie from forum member Giger
The Bird With The Crystal Plumage
*Grain structure fully intact
*Fabulous looking Argento classic
The Bourne Ultimatum
*Detailed film like image
*Grain structure intact
The Chronicles Of Narnia - Prince Caspian
*Film like and detailed image
The Day The Earth Stood Still ( 1951 original )
*Grain structure intact
*Some minor edge enhancement may exist on the print
*Beautiful film like black and white photography
The Descent ----- AVC American and Australian editions only
*Retains grain structure
*Some chroma errors reported during opening title sequence
*Film like and detailed image
*An MPEG 2 edition exists which has been degrained
*An Australian edition available without chroma errors but different contrast levels - This is the best edition to date but is 24fps (should be 23.946fps )
The Day After Tomorrow
The Devil Wears Prada
The Fall
*Grain structure intact
*Nice levels of detail and great color reproduction
The Godfather
*Grain structure intact
*Film like presentation
The Godfather Part II
*Grain structure intact
*Film like presentation
The Godfather Part III
*Lighter grain structure than first two movies but grain structure intact
*Film like presentation
The Happening
The Hunt For Red October
*Grain structure intact
*Detailed film like image
The Illunionist
*Light film grain structure intact
*Beautiful cinematography and pleasing film like image
*Screenshots of the movie from forum member Giger
The Incredible Hulk
The International
*Outstanding fine detail
*Grain structure intact
*Superb and pleasing image
The Ipcress File
*Medium grain structure consistent throughout film
*Seems to be fresh master with no dirt on print
*Nicely balanced color and contrast
The Island ( UK Edition )
The Man Who Fell To Earth
*Grain structure intact
*Detailed and film like image
*Screencaps of The Man Who Fell To Earth
The Midnight Meat Train
*Grain structure intact
*Detailed image with film like presentation
The Omega Man
*Heavy film grain preserved and intact
*Fabulous seventies classic
The Professionals
*Grain structure intact
*Film like and highly detailed image
*The Professionals Review
The Sand Pebbles
*Grain structure intact
*Pleasing film like image
The Seventh Seal
*Film grain structure intact
*Absolutely stunning classic B&W film
The Spiderwick Chronicles
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre ( 1974 original )
*Grain structure intact
*Film like presentation shot using 16mm film stock
The Third Man
*B/W film with grain structure intact
*Beautiful film like image
The Visitor
*Natural fine grain apparent throughout - no halos or ringing noted
The Wackness
The Water Horse - Legend Of The Deep
The Wizard Of Oz
*Fantastic classic film now breathtakingly restored for Blu Ray
*Grain structure intact
*Film like presentation
The Wrestler
*Very nice transfer
*Grain structure intact
*Detailed film like stylistic image
*Screenshots of the movie from forum member Giger
The 7th Voyage of Sinbad
The 400 Blows
*Film's grain structure intact
*Another great Criterion release preserving the films original cinematography
Thunderball
Tomb Raider - The Cradle Of Life - German Edition
*Very light grain structure intact
*Detailed film like image
*Tomb Raider - The Cradle Of Life Review
Trainspotting - Japanese Edition
Transformers
Transporter 2 - Japanese Edition
Transporter 3
*Film grain preserved
*Film like and detailed image
*1 negative for persistent ringing noted here
*Screenshots of the movie from forum member Giger
Tropic Thunder
Underworld
Wanted
*Light grain structure is intact
*Detailed and film like image with striking cinematography choices
*Mostly shot using 35mm film but some scenes shot digital with new 4K Red camera
Vantage Point
Wages Of Fear
*Grain structure intact
*Fantastic looking classic preserving the original cinemtography
Watchmen
*Film look maintained
*Very good levels of detail
We Own The Night
X-Men
*Grain structure intact
*Highly detailed image
X-Men: The Last Stand
*Film grain structure intact
*Film like stylised image
Zack and Miri Make a Porno
28 Weeks Later
300
*Heavy film grain structure which was added post production
*Highly stylistic look which will not please everyone
*Detailed image with fabulous cinematography
The Nomination List
- Adventureland
- Alien vs Predator
- Alien vs Predator: Requiem
- Alvin And The Chipmunks
- American History X
- A Nightmare On Elm Street
- Antwone Fisher
- Armageddon ( Bruce Willis and not the Rutger Hauer film )
- Assault on Precinct 13 ( Carpenter's original 1976 version )
- Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery
- Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
- Australia
- Battle For The Planet Of The Apes
- Babylon A.D.
- Bridge To Terabithia ---- 1 negative for DNR
- Broken Arrow
- Bulletproof Monk
- Casanova
- Catch and Release
- Carrie
- Chain Reaction
- Cinderella Man ( import version )
- City Girl
- Collateral
- Commando
- Conquest Of The Planet Of The Apes
- Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon
- DareDevil
- Day Of The Dead
- Day Watch
- Dawn Of The Dead ( 1978 UK Edition )
- Death Proof
- Die Hard 2
- District B13
- Drag Me To Hell
- Dragon Wars
- Dr Strangelove
- Eight Below
- Election
- End Of Days
- Entrapment
- Eraser
- Every Which Way But Loose
- Eyes Wide Shut
- Faces Of Death
- Fantastic Four
- Felon
- Field Of Dreams
- Fighting
- For Your Eyes Only
- Friday Night Lights
- Gigi
- Go
- Gone In Sixty Seconds
- Grand Canyon Adventure - River At Risk
- Great Expectations ( UK Import - David Lean 1946 Version )
- Halloween ( 2007 remake )
- Hardware
- Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay
- Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone
- Hell Ride
- Henry Poole Is Here
- Home Alone ----- 1 negative for grain reduction/filtering of detail
- How To Lose Friends And Alienate People
- In Bruges ----- Australian edition - 25fps release
- In Cold Blood
- Inside Man
- In The Realm Of The Senses
- In The Valley Of Elah
- Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter
- John Mayer: Where The Light Is
- Kiss Of The Dragon
- Kung Fu Hustle
- Labyrinth - 1 nomination for The Reference List and one nomination for the Minor issues list
- Last Holiday
- Last Year At Marienbad
- Leatherheads
- Little Miss Sunshine
- Live and Let Die
- Magnum Force
- Martyrs ( UK Release )
- Max Payne
- Meet Dave
- Meet The Spartans
- Michael Clayton
- Milk
- Million Dollar Baby
- Minority Report
- Mirrors
- Natural Born Killers
- Navy Seals
- Nixon
- Norbit
- Phone Booth
- Pride and Prejudice ( BBC Miniseries 1995 )
- Quo Vadis
- Reds
- Resident Evil - Apocalypse
- Saturday Night Fever
- Saw
- Saw II
- Saw IV
- Saw V
- Seabiscuit
- Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow
- Sideways
- Sleepy Hollow - Japanese Edition
- Sleepwalking
- Step Brothers
- Sting: Bring On The Night
- Subway
- Sudden Impact
- Sunrise
- Super Troopers
- The Big Blue - Directors Cut
- The Bourne Supremacy
- The Brothers Grimm
- The Bucket List
- The Cave (Japanese Edition
- The Covenant
- The Dead Pool
- The Deal
- The Doors
- The Enforcer
- The Fly
- The Graduate
- The Great Raid
- The Kite Runner
- The Last Metro
- The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen
- The Lives Of Others ( Das Leben der Anderen )
- The Matrix Reloaded
- The Mist
- The Omen
- The Pink Panther - 1963 original
- The Replacement Killers
- There's Something About Mary
- The Robe
- The Ruins
- The Shining
- The Strangers
- The Transporter
- The Unborn
- Transporter 2 ( American edition )
- The World's Fastest Indian
- Three Days Of The Condor
- Tommy Boy
- Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
- Transsiberian
- Troy Directors Cut edition
- Twilight ( UK edition )
- Two Evil Eyes
- Ultraviolet
- Underworld: Evolution
- W
- War
- Warriors Of Heaven and Earth
- We Were Soldiers - Australian and UK editions
- We Were Soldiers - American edition
- What Doesn't Kill You
- What Happens In Vegas
- What Just Happened
- Woodstock
- Young Frankenstein
- 20 Million Miles To Earth
- 2010
- 8 Mile
Minor Issues With Transfer To Blu Ray
Films on this list are still highly recommended- Not everyone will notice issues
Air Force One - Import Edition
*Some noise on the transfer
American Psycho ( Sony Australian Edition )
*Minor grain reduction
*Some minor EE spotted in places
An American Werewolf In London
*Edge enhancement running throughout the movie
*Grain appears somewhat unnatural but may be due to film stock used
Annapolis
*Some artifacting in some scenes
Any Given Sunday
*Some blocking occuring in some scenes where grain has not been compressed well
*Any Given Sunday Review
Austin Powers: Goldmember
*Some minor DNR
Batman
*Some minor DNR
Batman Returns
*Minor grain reduction and EE visible in some scenes
Behind Enemy Lines
*Some minor edge enhancement
Black Hawk Down
*1 Negative for lack of detail and EE throughout
*1 Positive for image quality
Bottle Rocket
*Minor edge enhancement in a handful of scenes
*Minor aliasing issues ( jaggies )
Capote
*Light to moderate edge enhancement throughout the movie
Changeling
*Noticeable trails during camera as a result of grain reduction
Cop Land
*Black specks and crosshatch noise
Crimson Tide
*Occasional EE
Danny The Dog aka Unleashed - Japanese Edition
*Minor EE
Donnie Brasco
*Minor EE
Doubt
*Thin but persistent ringing and halos throughout film
Eden Lake
*Slightly elevated blacks - Possibly intentional
*Minor ringing around edges and the letterboxing area indicates filtering
*Other than the above minor issues this is a good film like transfer
Enemy Of The State
*Some minor edge enhancement
*Slightly filtered look
*Most likely an old master was used
Flightplan
*Minor DNR
French Connection II
*Some slight aliasing ( jaggies ) on the opening credits and objects
Full Metal Jacket
*This is the remastered release
*Minor EE and a touch of aliasing ( jaggies )
Halloween
*Color timing changed
Highlander
*Some scenes have had minor degraining done
*Mostly a very film like and absorbing experience
I Am Legend
*Compression issues resulting in some blocking
King Arthur
*Inconsistent with grain retained in some scenes but not in others
*Some EE visible
King Kong
*Some minor grain reduction
*Opening scenes before the island is reached look the best
Kill Bill Volume 1
*Light use of noise reduction
*Some minor ringingin some scenes
Kill Bill Volume 2
*Light use of noise reduction
*Some minor ringing in some scenes
Kramer vs Kramer
*Minor ringing throughout the film
Little Miss Sunshine
*Natural looking film grain intact
*Detailed and film like appearance
*Edges have been enhanced resulting in ringing throughout the film
Lost Season 4
*Some minor EE in some of the earlier episodes
Mr Brooks
*Minor Edge Enhancement
Payback - Directors Cut
*One scene has excessive DNR - Rest of the film is fine
Pearl Harbor
*Some moderate ringing
Pirates Of The Caribbean - Curse Of The Black Pearl
*Very light EE throughout
Predator
*Film grain is intact some of it is heavy due to zooming in on scenes post production
*Some compression artifacts spoil the show
Predator 2
*Minor DNR visible most of the time
Pulp Fiction ( French Release )
*Light application of DNR
*Audio pitch issues
*Mouseover comparison between Pulp Fiction France and Denmark releases
Run Lola Run
*Questionable color balance compared to earlier releases
Shutter
*Minor EE
Speed
*Film like detailed image
*Unfortunately some edge enhancement throughout the film
Spiderman 2
*Minor EE in a handful of scenes
Spiderman 3
*A handful of scenes have EE but otherwise this is a flawless transfer
Stir Of Echoes
*Dirt ridden print with gate telecine wobble
Subway
*Contrast boosted
*Great looking disc with film grain intact
Superman - The Movie
*Daily Planet scenes look DNRed - Possibly just soft focus lens
Sympathy For Lady Vengeance
*Some scenes where transfer fails to retain grain - Probably due to low bitrate
The Adventures Of Baron Munchausen
*Some minor DNR
The Amityville Horror - 1979 version
*Small amount of filtering resulting in slight detail loss
The Aviator - Import Versions
*Some minor EE and minor color banding in a few shots
The Chronicles Of Narnia - The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
*Some minor DNR and EE
The Bourne Identity
*Minor DNR reduction
*1 Negative for halos and frequently popping black and white speckles exposing print damage
*Click for Lgans comments regarding 1 negative against this film
The Departed
*Minor EE
*Some scenes look processed
The Devil's Rejects
*Film like but has compression issues
The Fifth Element
*Slightly processed look to the image
The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy
*Minor Artifacting
The Hulk
*Frequently popping black and white speckles shows signs of print wear and tear
*Minor halo's around high contrast edges
The Last House On The Left (2009 remake)
*Minor artifacting perhaps due to putting the unrated and rated editions on the same disc ( Seamless branching not used )
The Last Samurai
*Minor EE
The Life Before Her Eyes
*Light temporal noise reduction applied
The Life Of Brian
*Slightly Processed Look
The Matrix Revolutions
*Light to moderate edge enhancement in a handful of scenes
*macroblocking is present during the last half hour of the film
The Machinist
*Minor EE
The Orphanage
*Minor aliasing issue which results in jaggies sometimes visible on noses and arms and diagonal edges and curves
*Click here and check out woman's right arm for an example of aliasing issue
*Click here and check out man's nose for an example of aliasing issue
The Princess Bride
*Minor EE visible around objects on blue sky background scenes
*Grain structure intact and film like image
The Proposition
*Some minor EE
The Punisher - Import version ( Japan and UK Editions )
*Mild filtering and some EE visible
The Reader
*Minor filtering resulting in slightly less detail and also minor ringing spotted
*Generally a very good looking title
The Rock
*Occasional EE/Ringing
The Searchers
*Grain structure intact
*Film like image but suffers from minor ringing in a number of scenes
*Robert A Harris interviews Ned Price on The Searchers restoration
The Silence Of The Lambs
*Minor grain reduction
*Early scenes such as when Clarice meets Jack Crawford suffer from waxy appearance
The Stendahl Syndrome
*Some sharpening has been applied to this edition
*A heavier than normal grain structure
*Some artifacting most of which is invisible in motion
There Will Be Blood
*Some EE/Ringing is visible
Tears Of The Sun
*Some minor EE and very minor artifacting
Total Recall(UK and European Editions)
*Around 10% of the film comprises of optical shots and all the optical shots have suffered DNR
*Some scratch removal has removed objects although mostly invisible in motion
*Generally a decent transfer but for the above issues
Unforgiven
*Some minor EE
Untitled: Almost Famous The Bootleg Cut
*Some minor EE
X2
*Temporal DNR issues
2001 A Space Odyssey
*Edge enhancement/Ringing issues
30 Days Of Night
*Some minor EE
3:10 To Yuma
*Film like but contains aliasing ( jaggies )
Medium Issues With Transfer To Blu Ray
Titles on this list will have more noticeable issues and these will be more frequent and annoying
Play Time
*Shot in 65mm - Possible that they used the 35mm prints for this release and that grain reduction has been applied as there is a lack of detail in the image
*Edge enhancement evident throughout the transfer
Angel Heart
*At times there is an unnatural looking grain structure probably due to compression artifacts or sharpening applied to the transfer
*Sharpening applied to transfer
Die Another Day
*Edge enhancement ringing plagues all medium and long distance camera shot scenes and is on both sides of objects and people
The Wild Bunch
*Edge enhancement resulting in halo's around people and objects
*The film has either had DNR applied or the VC-1 codec has been used with a low bitrate resulting in a slightly smoothed over grain reduced look
The Terminator
*Temporal DNR issues
*Click here for further information and screenshots regarding the issues with this film
Must be Director or Cinematographer approved changes to be on the list below - These are recommended viewing
Film Has Changed Significantly From It's Theatrical Presentation
Blade Runner - The Final Cut
*Color timing changes made by the director Ridley Scott
Bram Stokers Dracula
*Color timing and contrast changes approved by director Francis Ford Coppola
*This release will not please everyone and there is divided opinion about it
Dr No
*Film grain preserved but of a later vintage
*Fabulous detail and depth to the image and beautiful colors
*Xylons Picture Comparison Thread
*Blu Ray vs DVD Picture Comparison
*The Official AVS Forums Dr No Blu Ray Review
From Russia With Love
Goldfinger
*Some very fine film grain which does not appear to be from 1964
*Nice detailed film like image with beautiful color reproduction
*Possible ringing in some scenes
Planet Terror
*Aspect ratio changed from theatrical 2.35:1 to 1.78:1 for Blu Ray release
*Intentional scratches, hairs and specks on print to re-create the look of worn film
*Screencaps of Planet Terror
The Dark Knight
*Aspect change for IMAX scenes from 1.40:1 to 1.78:1
*Edge enhancement on 35mm shot scenes
*The Dark Knight Review
*Click for Xylons Picture Comparison Thread
The French Connection
*Frozen grain structure in just a few scenes but otherwise grain intact
*Color timing changed by director William Friedkin for this release
The Last Emperor
*Aspect ratio changed from 2.35:1 to 2.0:1 and some EE in places
*Grain structure intact
*Click for Xylons Picture Comparison Thread
*Screencaps of The Last Emperor
The Matrix
*Color timing changed for the entire film to match up with the two sequels
Films on this list have no significant issues and were shot using digital camera's
The Digital Camera Film List
Apocalypto
Before The Devil Knows You're Dead
*Jaggy edges and moire patterns present throughout the movie
The Bank Job
Click
Cloverfield
Crank
*EE added post production thus film maintains it's cinema look
Crank 2 - High Voltage
Flyboys
Rachel Getting Married
RocknRolla
Sin City
Speed Racer
Superbad
Superman Returns
The Other Boleyn Girl
The Spirit
Zodiac - Import Version
*Some macroblocking in the sequence before the opening credits
21
28 Days Later
Major Issues With Transfer To Blu Ray
Titles on this list will be very poor and recommendation is to rent only
A Battle Of Wits (Hong Kong Deltamac Release )
*Excessive DNR results in smearing on motion and a lack of fine detail
*Clumpy grain structure most likely due to overuse of DNR
A History Of Violence
*Excessive use of DNR
*Waxy faces and smoothed over look
American Psycho ( Lionsgate Release )
*Heavy handed application of DNR
*Ringing around sharp edges
*Even the halos have halos
Becket
*Grain structure gone AWOL due to DNR
*Persistent Halos
*Waxy faces due to aforementioned excessive DNR
Being There
*Excessive DNR
*Frozen grain structure
*Smeariness to the image
Black Rain
*Heavy grain removal which has been badly done resulting in a frozen grain structure
*Backgrounds are filled with static frozen grain patterns
Boondock Saints
*Excessive DNR
*Edge Enhancement
*Mushy appearance similar to Dark City
Con Air
*There are often thick edge halos in combination with a significantly smoothed, plastic look
Dark City
*Excessive DNR and edge enhancement
*Click for Xylons Picture Comparison Thread
Dirty Dancing
*Excessive DNR and EE and a very processed look to the image
Face-Off
*Excessive DNR
*Import versions also have excess edge enhancement
First Blood
*Excessive DNR
El Cid
*Waxy looking images
*Strange colors
*Looks like it was filmed with vaseline over the lens
*Fine grain structure largely absent
*Lacking high definition detail
Escape From New York
*An upconvert from a 480p master with excessive edge enhancement
*Escape From New York Blu Ray Screencaps
Evil Dead II
*Excessive DNR resulting in waxy faces
*Contrast and Color changes
*Original THX release looks better and more detailed than the Blu Ray
*Screencaps link added here soon
Gangs Of New York
*Excessive DNR and edge enhancement
*Click for Xylons Picture Comparison Thread
Gladiator
*Excessive processing used including digital scratch removal tools which have erased arrows and fireballs in part of the opening battle scene
*Excessive DNR in many scenes
*Edge enhancement applied to the image - This is a sharpening tool which should never ever be used for high definition content and it results in halo's around people and objects and is very ugly to watch
*Scenes from the extended edition on the disc look very good and show what might have been if Paramount and Universal didn't go all cheap on us
*One of the worst examples of digital scratch removal tools used on Gladiator
*My article on Gladiator at top website Digg
Gulliver's Travels
*Cropped from original 1.37:1 aspect ratio
*Very excessive DNR
*Dot Crawl and quality looks no better than VHS
*Click For Pictures Of The Worst Blu Ray Ever
La Haine
*Major EE issues
*Blocking in many scenes
*DNR applied
Near Dark
*Excessive use of DNR
*Liberal sprinkling of EE
*Some blocking in many scenes
Once Upon A Time In China - Wong Fei Hung
*Considered to be an upconvert
*Grain reduced and lacking detail
*Edge enhancement throughout the film's running time
*Click for an example screenshot from this movie
Patton
*Excessive DNR
*Click for Xylons Picture Comparison thread
Police Story
*Considered to be an upconvert and not a proper HD release
*Noise in the image which should not be confused with grain
*Edge enhancement issues throughout the films running time
*Click for a screenshot and a thread discussing Police Story
Priceless ( Hors De Prix )
*Terrible compression issues
*Heavy use of DNR
*Edge enhancement
*Not at all film like despite being shot anamorphically in 35mm
Predator - Ultimate Hunter Edition
*Excessive DNR
*The Waxworks edition of the film
Pulp Fiction ( Denmark Release )
*Automated dirt and scratch removal tools affect image quality and show up artifacts noticeable during playback in some scenes
*Excessive DNR
*Mouseover comparison between Pulp Fiction France and Denmark releases
Requiem For A Dream - Alliance Canadian Release
*Soft undetailed image
*Washed out looking print with dull colors
*Overall a very poor looking release
Top Gun
*Heavy grain removal
*Frozen grain structure
*Backgrounds are filled with static grain patterns
The Fall Of The Roman Empire
*Waxy looking images
*Strange colors
*Looks like it was filmed with vaseline over the lens
*Fine grain structure largely absent
*Lacking high definition detail
The Forty Year Old Virgin
*Excessive DNR
The Last Starfighter
*Excessive DNR
*Color timing issues
The Longest Day
*Excessive DNR
*Click for Xylons Picture Comparison Thread
The Manchurian Candidate
*Heavy grain reduction applied
*Results in a frozen grain structure
*Backgrounds are filled with static frozen grain patterns
The Ninth Gate
*Smeary motion
*Highly processed looking
*Lacking in detail
The Untouchables
*Heavy grain reduction applied
*Results in a frozen grain structure
*Backgrounds are filled with static frozen grain patterns
The Sixth Sense
*Excessive DNR - Pasty looking faces
*European version retains the grain structure and looks much better
The Truman Show
*Excessive DNR and EE
*Image stretched horizontally resulting in people looking shorter and fatter
*The Truman Show Blu Ray vs HD TV Comparison Thread
Trading Places
*Excessive DNR
Salò o le 120 giornate di Sodoma ( Salo )
*DNR and EE
*A very unfilmlike processed video look
*Click for Xylons Pictures Comparison Thread
Saw III
*Excessive DNR throughout the films running time
Scary Movie
*Excessive DNR and edge enhancement
*It's scary that this was deemed good enough for Blu Ray
Star Trek III - The Search For Spock
*Grain structure mostly obliterated resulting in waxy faces
*Contrast boosted image results in poor shadow detail
*Any grain left is of the frozen grain type
*Occasional ringing in some scenes
Star Trek IV - The Voyage Home
*Waxy looking undetailed transfer
*Very processed looking image
Star Trek 6 - The Undiscovered Country
*Probably taken from an old 1080i master as aliasing ( jaggies ) visible on many scenes
*Pasty looking faces possibly due to makeup on an aging cast
Zulu - UK Edition
*Excessive DNR and EE
*Screencap of Zulu - Once open click to enlarge
*Screencap of Zulu - Once open click to enlarge
*Screencap of Zulu - Once open click to enlarge
Please note that films on the minor/medium/major issues list may have some problematic moments happening onscreen that many people may not notice and whether they notice these issues might be dependent on their size of screen or sitting distance or their tolerance to the faults at hand - They are still highly recommended but just be aware of the issues our more eagle eyed viewers have noticed and if you don't see any issues then be happy*
However I will post on both threads.
