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House of Cards - Netflix Original - Page 2

post #31 of 70
2/8/13 at 3:27pm
What's up with the odd aspect ratio .. ?? Everyone getting some thin top and bottom black bars .. ??
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post #32 of 70
2/8/13 at 8:28pm
It could be considered an unusual aspect ratio, but I like have the wide aspect. Bravo Netflix, Bravo!
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post #33 of 70
2/8/13 at 9:24pm
^^^^
2.00:1 according to imdb. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1856010/technical?ref_=tt_dt_spec
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post #34 of 70
2/9/13 at 12:13am
Thread Starter 
I guess the question is why 2.00.1?

Maybe for a movie look - but frankly why not fill the 16:9 screens that most people will watch this on.

Just watched the third episode - Netflix has a winner here.
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post #35 of 70
2/9/13 at 8:05am
That is my complaint and I'm wondering if it was because Fincher et al. pretended they weren't "lowering" themselves to make TV. Frankly, TV shows are designed for the television, Netflix especially. It should have been 16:9.
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post #36 of 70
2/9/13 at 8:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by xcrunner529 View Post

That is my complaint and I'm wondering if it was because Fincher et al. pretended they weren't "lowering" themselves to make TV. Frankly, TV shows are designed for the television, Netflix especially. It should have been 16:9.
I doubt that. Film directors often direct pilots for epic dramas like this one. It isn't beneath them at all. Especially not Fincher, who's career started with making, of all mediums, music videos.

I think it has more to do with this being Netflix, and thus not traditional TV. The freedom to try other aspects beyond the boring 1.77:1 and 2.35:1. Plus, 2:1 doesn't look that bad on a computer monitor, which are often 16:10.
Edited by tighr - 2/9/13 at 8:15am
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post #37 of 70
2/9/13 at 8:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by tighr View Post

I doubt that. Film directors often direct pilots for epic dramas like this one. It isn't beneath them at all. Especially not Fincher, who's career started with making, of all mediums, music videos.

I think it has more to do with this being Netflix, and thus not traditional TV. The freedom to try other aspects beyond the boring 1.77:1 and 2.35:1. Plus, 2:1 doesn't look that bad on a computer monitor, which are often 16:10 .

Good point ..
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post #38 of 70
2/9/13 at 8:49am
I'll add that I did not think it looked bad .. just a little unusual ..
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post #39 of 70
2/9/13 at 12:31pm
I'm sure Sony did as well as Apple and whomever else products are prominently displayed.
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post #40 of 70
2/9/13 at 1:49pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by tighr View Post

Plus, 2:1 doesn't look that bad on a computer monitor, which are often 16:10.

That used to be true - but aren't most recent computer screens 16:9.

I know both my home and work 24" monitors are - as is my work laptop.

Anyway it is not a big deal - just as others are saying a little unusual.
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post #41 of 70
2/9/13 at 3:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mgkdragn View Post

I'll add that I did not think it looked bad .. just a little unusual ..

Agree - I didn't really pay attention when I passed the series. If I did notice, the thought passed in seconds.
On my 27in iMac (16:9) the t/b bars are 3/4 inch in full screen. Didn't stream to the TV.
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post #42 of 70
2/9/13 at 6:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by undecided View Post

That used to be true - but aren't most recent computer screens 16:9.
Most laptops are, particularly the ones for consumer use; but I think monitors are still 16:10. Typically the ones used in the business sector, where that extra half inch of vertical real estate is essential due to the taskbar (and multi-monitor support).
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post #43 of 70
2/10/13 at 12:41pm
Not exactly a product placement but I don't think there are any Raley's in DC since they are a California chain but the water bottles at the hearing looked like Raley's Everyday water bottles though blurred enough so you couldn't tell the brand.
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post #44 of 70
2/10/13 at 3:34pm
I finished the series.

All in all, I applaud Netflix. If they do a season 2, I will watch.

But, it was really too long. They could have taken eps 3-11 and condensed to two or three. Then eps 12 & 13, which were great. 10 hrs was too long. Four hours would have been perfect.

But then, I doubt Netflix cares what the consumer wants. Their concern is the economics.
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post #45 of 70
2/10/13 at 3:45pm
I'm though episode 9 and have really enjoyed it. Somebody should start a finished House of Cards spoiler thread so we can discuss details of episodes.
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post #46 of 70
2/10/13 at 4:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by grittree View Post

But, it was really too long. They could have taken eps 3-11 and condensed to two or three. Then eps 12 & 13, which were great. 10 hrs was too long. Four hours would have been perfect.
That's because you watched 10 hours in one week. Most television shows could have been reworked as miniseries. Prime example? LOST.
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post #47 of 70
2/11/13 at 6:48am
If this aspect ratio turns into a trend, another great reason to have a Constant Image Height setup.
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post #48 of 70
2/11/13 at 7:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by grittree View Post

I finished the series.

All in all, I applaud Netflix. If they do a season 2, I will watch.

But, it was really too long. They could have taken eps 3-11 and condensed to two or three. Then eps 12 & 13, which were great. 10 hrs was too long. Four hours would have been perfect.

But then, I doubt Netflix cares what the consumer wants. Their concern is the economics.

I was left wanting more when I finished it .. the ability to flesh out the characters / work the sub plots / provide additional detail, etc would have been impossible with a 4 hour mini series ..

All commercial ventures primary concern is profit and shareholder value ..
Edited by mgkdragn - 2/11/13 at 9:18am
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post #49 of 70
2/11/13 at 9:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by turls View Post

If this aspect ratio turns into a trend, another great reason to have a Constant Image Height setup.
My setup is already width limited (I'm at my maximum) so CIH doesn't work on my projector. If I did CIH, I don't have anything to gain.

It might be possible to do Constant Image width, but I don't watch enough 4:3 content that I would see any benefit at all to doing it. Plus, 4:3 would end up looking FREAKIN HUGE on my wall.
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post #50 of 70
2/11/13 at 2:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by archiguy View Post

I was going to start a thread a few weeks back -- this show is totally in my wheelhouse -- but held back for the simple reason that, since this show is going to be available indefinitely from Netflix, I don't know when I'll be watching it.

I was in a conference this weekend where the head of content acquisition for Netflix talked for over an hour about this show. The bottom line is that, like a cable network, if people watch this show, they will make more things like it. If people don't watch the show, then it is a failed experiment and they won't. So I suggest watching at least the first episode to see what you think. If you enjoy it, watch more to encourage them to make more. Sitting on the sidelines indefinitely doesn't encourage anyone to continue making quality programming.

I was shocked to hear they spent $100 million on two seasons (26 episodes) of this series. That's not a low budget webisode. That's big network kind of money.
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post #51 of 70
2/11/13 at 2:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by vfxproducer View Post

I was in a conference this weekend where the head of content acquisition for Netflix talked for over an hour about this show. The bottom line is that, like a cable network, if people watch this show, they will make more things like it. If people don't watch the show, then it is a failed experiment and they won't. So I suggest watching at least the first episode to see what you think. If you enjoy it, watch more to encourage them to make more. Sitting on the sidelines indefinitely doesn't encourage anyone to continue making quality programming.

I was shocked to hear they spent $100 million on two seasons (26 episodes) of this series. That's not a low budget webisode. That's big network kind of money.

It feels to me, slightly a shame that it's a remake of a series already made in the UK rather than an original show. (And the UK original was very good)
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post #52 of 70
2/11/13 at 9:48pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by sneals2000 View Post

It feels to me, slightly a shame that it's a remake of a series already made in the UK rather than an original show. (And the UK original was very good)

I agree the UK version was very good.

Have you watched any of the new version - it is also very good.

EDIT - I should add I am a UK expat who moved to the US in the 90's
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post #53 of 70
2/12/13 at 8:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by undecided View Post

I agree the UK version was very good.

Have you watched any of the new version - it is also very good.

EDIT - I should add I am a UK expat who moved to the US in the 90's

Haven't watched US remake as I don't subscribe to Netflix... (Over here LoveFilm appears to have the better movie line-up, and offers physical DVD/Blu-ray rental, which the UK Netflix doesn't) Also most devices that play UK Netflix do so at 60Hz not 24Hz - and I can't watch 3:2 pulldown for any length of time. Find it too distracting.
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post #54 of 70
2/13/13 at 12:33am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by sneals2000 View Post

Haven't watched US remake as I don't subscribe to Netflix... (Over here LoveFilm appears to have the better movie line-up, and offers physical DVD/Blu-ray rental, which the UK Netflix doesn't) Also most devices that play UK Netflix do so at 60Hz not 24Hz - and I can't watch 3:2 pulldown for any length of time. Find it too distracting.

I am with you on the 60Hz vz 24Hz.

There are players here in the US that will output Netflix 24Hz material at 24P - unfortunately none are perfect (the 1080P ones don't switch automatically, others are limited to 720P etc).

That said - I think you would be surprised/impressed by Netflix's version of House of Cards. It is well written, well acted, beautifully shot and a great show.
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post #55 of 70
2/15/13 at 9:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by undecided View Post

... I think you would be surprised/impressed by Netflix's version of House of Cards. It is well written, well acted, beautifully shot and a great show.

I agree, the writing is good and well acted. They used Francis Urqhart's signature saying in the first couple of episodes but dropped it, which was a shame.

The pace of the US version is much slower than the UK. 13 hours for the US compared 4 for the UK.

They have, also, made the hero MUCH less ruthless! I don't think the American audience can handle the hero doing what Francis Urqhart did at the end of the first series in the UK.
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post #56 of 70
2/16/13 at 3:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by old_man View Post

I agree, the writing is good and well acted. They used Francis Urqhart's signature saying in the first couple of episodes but dropped it, which was a shame.

The pace of the US version is much slower than the UK. 13 hours for the US compared 4 for the UK.

They have, also, made the hero MUCH less ruthless! I don't think the American audience can handle the hero doing what Francis Urqhart did at the end of the first series in the UK.

We love our anti-heroes this side of the pond - not sure the US audience does as much.
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post #57 of 70
2/17/13 at 6:54am
I decided to check this series out yesterday. I have watched the first 5 episodes.and am really enjoying it.
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post #58 of 70
2/17/13 at 11:25am
BBCA is running the original today, starting at 2PM(CST)
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post #59 of 70
2/20/13 at 6:34am
Kate Mara is in this show? eek.gif

Love her, she's pretty. Ha
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post #60 of 70
2/20/13 at 8:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by A.Bell View Post

I decided to check this series out yesterday. I have watched the first 5 episodes.and am really enjoying it.

I'm on show 6 and thought shows 5 and 6 started to get loopy. Some of this like Underwood's backing of Russo is really bizarre.
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