Buying Blu-rays...

Jawa Ex Machina

Jawa Ex Machina

Veteran
I used to spend WAY too much money on this. It almost became like an escape, browsing used DVDs. Well, let's face it, it WAS an escape.

Anyway, this past year I've hardly bought or seen any movies at all. All my money has gone into making MARIANNE and although I couldn't really afford to spend the cash I gave myself a treat today.

I found THE DARK KNIGHT (2-disc), THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES, THE LOST BOYS, FIRST BLOOD and TOTAL RECALL on blu-ray for $46.60 USD. (special price when you bought five discs).

The only one of these I already had on DVD was Total Recall, but it was that old Tin edition that looked like Mars and only had Dolby Digital sound and I think it was even non-anamorphic.

I guess it was worth it. Feel a bit guilty though. But **** those are great films.

Anyone else here a collector?
 
Sure; I've been an avid collector for a long time.

The problem is, with over a thousand DVDs and a good up-converting player, it's hard to find a movie on Blu-ray that I don't already have on DVD and would be worth the purchase -- so it's probably going to be only new movies, or repeat purchases of visually stunning movies where Blu-ray will really make them shine. And maybe a few favorites I just want to have in the best format possible. Certainly not going to try to replace all or even most.

But some movies are better-served staying low-res, like Caddyshack.
 
Only Blu-Rays can do my projector justice. I've been collecting them more and more as the prices have plummeted. I moved a few years back and decided to get rid of most of my dvd's. Since having an apple tv though I've had less of a need to collect certain titles. I only buy ones I know I'll watch more than once, and/or have really compelling behind the scenes content.
 
David Jimerson said:
Sure; I've been an avid collector for a long time.

The problem is, with over a thousand DVDs and a good up-converting player, it's hard to find a movie on Blu-ray that I don't already have on DVD and would be worth the purchase -- so it's probably going to be only new movies, or repeat purchases of visually stunning movies where Blu-ray will really make them shine. And maybe a few favorites I just want to have in the best format possible. Certainly not going to try to replace all or even most.

But some movies are better-served staying low-res, like Caddyshack.
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Agreed.

For me though, the past ten I've had a really shitty economy which has forced me into buying only my absolute favorite films, and all of them used or bargin bins.

Because of that, I only have about 400 or so films, and these past two years buying DVDs has really felt unnecessary with Blu-rays dropping in price. So there are still A LOT of great films I don't have.
 
If you get the chance, borrow or buy Kingdom of Heaven (Directors Cut) on BluRay. Though the DVD version also has a Directors Cut, on BluRay, the movie itself is a different movie than the DVD version, with scenes added that changes the story somewhat - and the cinematography is outstanding.
 
muonwave said:
If you get the chance, borrow or buy Kingdom of Heaven (Directors Cut) on BluRay. Though the DVD version also has a Directors Cut, on BluRay, the movie itself is a different movie than the DVD version, with scenes added that changes the story somewhat - and the cinematography is outstanding.
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I've heard great things about that actually, and it's available in bargin bins everywhere on Blu now Been meaning to buy it but haven't beause it hasn't had any extra features.
 
David Jimerson said:
Sure; I've been an avid collector for a long time.

The problem is, with over a thousand DVDs and a good up-converting player, it's hard to find a movie on Blu-ray that I don't already have on DVD and would be worth the purchase -- so it's probably going to be only new movies, or repeat purchases of visually stunning movies where Blu-ray will really make them shine. And maybe a few favorites I just want to have in the best format possible. Certainly not going to try to replace all or even most.

But some movies are better-served staying low-res, like Caddyshack.
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But one of the best reasons to go blu-ray is the sound. The lossless audio is just excellent. I'm still listening in stereo, but my AVR can handle the lossless audio streams. It makes a heck of a difference to me. On BDs that have alternate audio streams, I've gone back and forth (wife not in room of course ;-) and the lossless audio is an order of magnitude better. Much (let me say that again -- Much) better dialog, music just soars, and the sound effects can be stunning.

And on a big plasma screen in THX mode, the video is pretty darn good too. My wife who's big into cinema, actually prefers a good BD and the plasma to going to the cineplex now. I never expected that!

That said, a good DVD that records to the limits of the format (480 lines of resolution?) upconverts acceptably well. And most commercially available DVDs are actually pretty darn good. One of the best I can remember is from some little production house in Wrightsville Beach -- something about Lighting for Film and Television. Maybe you've heard of it? Excellent video quality for a DVD, nice and sharp.
 
Wellllll . . . who am I to argue with a word of that? :)

Seriously, thanks for the compliments! (I've noticed you've been asking questions directly related to some of the info.)

Blu-ray is definitely superior to DVD in all respects; just saying that it's not SO MUCH better from a well-done DVD that it would be worth replacing all of my library. I mean, if you have a great DTS 6.1 mix, especially of an older soundtrack, it's still pretty dang rockin'.
 
Not a collector by any means, but looking across the room at my shelf, here are a few that look and sound good:
The Road Warrior
There Will Be Blood
Inception
The Social Network
Iron Man
Wall E
Bullitt (for the car chase) :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)
District 9
 
Deepfocus88 said:
Not a collector by any means, but looking across the room at my shelf, here are a few that look and sound good:
The Road Warrior
There Will Be Blood
Inception
The Social Network
Iron Man
Wall E
Bullitt (for the car chase) :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)
District 9
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These are actually all very high on my to-buy-on-blu-list as I don't own any of them on DVD. I've been putting off buying them on DVD because I've been waiting for better releases and/or blu-ray.

I was even thinking yesterday about The Road Warrior (best action film ever \m/ )
 
In 2010 I bought the following on Blu-ray:

Inception
Avatar (both versions)
The Terminator
Terminator 3
Lord of the Rings trilogy
Mad Men season 3
Alien Anthology*
Iron Man 2
Gladiator
Braveheart

*If you are a fan of the Alien films, this set is a must. Luckily it is also cheaper now, about $70 on Amazon.
 
Jawa Ex Machina said:
I was even thinking yesterday about The Road Warrior (best action film ever \m/ )
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Jawa, I gotta tell ya, you've never seen it like seeing it on blu ray. There was all kinds of things in the background I'd never noticed, but now they are clear and sharp. (weird bike punkers, road signs, ect)

Anyone have the original on blu ray? I haven't gotten around to picking it up but i'm curious if it's worth it.

I have to get Alien, especially after reading that appreciation thread.
 
Nektonic said:
In 2010 I bought the following on Blu-ray:
Terminator 3
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