'The Shining' - High-Def Digest review

[jed]

Just posted Peter's review of 'The Shining.' A longtime fan of the film, he says its highly anticipated high-def debut is first-rate. The transfer is the best I've ever seen the movie look, and the extras aren't too shabby, either. The only weak point is a remixed PCM track, but Peter says not to let that stop you from picking this one up.

Full review here
http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/325/shining1980.html

[OSHAN]

Under "Aspect Ratio" 1.85:1 is listed but the review states it is 1.78:1 - which is it?

I didn't even know a 1:78:1 existed for this film.

[The Bandit]

The Shining was shot full frame (4:3) and exhibited as 1.66:1 in Europe and 1.85:1 in the US. The HD DVD/Blu-ray release is in a 16:9 (1.78:1) aspect ratio. It's simply a different size matte compared to the others.

[Ice2Dragon]

I was tempted to get this today, but after dropping nearly 150 bucks on five other movies today, Ill be holding off. Maybe in the future when another BOGO happens, but until then I dont see a reason upgrading from the standard dvd just yet..

[Cerdo24]

Originally Posted by OSHAN

Under "Aspect Ratio" 1.85:1 is listed but the review states it is 1.78:1 - which is it?

I didn't even know a 1:78:1 existed for this film.

It's a Warner Brother's thing, they did the same framing for Full Metal Jacket and Goodfellas, it has something to do with the aspect of widescreen tvs being slightly different then the 1.85:1 to which some films are displayed at theatrically.

[messin18]

Great to hear! Glad i pre-ordered this. San Diego is on fire though so i might not get this anytime soon

[bootylicious_krissy]

anyone pre-order this from amazon? it says 5-6 weeks to ship?! what the hell.. i really hope i don;t have to wait that long

[SoSoDef]

I picked up all the Kubricks this week (along w/ the final Sopranos ) and they all look fantastic. The Shining's PQ is great.

[hi-def-fanboy]

Another great transfer of a classic from Warner Keep up the good work. Look forward to adding this to my collection on 12/5 when released here in Australia.

[Josh Z]

Originally Posted by Cerdo24

It's a Warner Brother's thing, they did the same framing for Full Metal Jacket and Goodfellas, it has something to do with the aspect of widescreen tvs being slightly different then the 1.85:1 to which some films are displayed at theatrically.

Warner Bros. and Paramount both, as a matter of policy, open the mattes on all 1.85:1 movies to 16:9. The difference is only a couple of scan lines, invisible on consumer TVs with any degree of overscan:

[OSHAN]

Thanks for the info!

[arty100]

Originally Posted by bootylicious_krissy

anyone pre-order this from amazon? it says 5-6 weeks to ship?! what the hell.. i really hope i don;t have to wait that long

I just received a email stating that Shining and Eyes Wide Shut is
delayed until 12/5/07.

YIKES!

[arty100]

Just discovered that EYES and SHINING are available on HD-DVD
with no delay from Amazon.

Since I am dual format I changed my order to HD-DVD

What's going on with Blu-Ray suppplies?

[Lucifuge]

Originally Posted by arty100

Just discovered that EYES and SHINING are available on HD-DVD
with no delay from Amazon.

Since I am dual format I changed my order to HD-DVD

What's going on with Blu-Ray suppplies?

I received my copies of Shining, FMJ & ACO from Warner on Monday, the day before street date. I think a couple others here did too. Possibly an Amazon issue? Maybe they didn't order enough to fill pre-orders? My local BB also had at least 5 of each Kubrick title in stock yesterday, in both formats.

[kubrick2007]

Originally Posted by The Bandit

The Shining was shot full frame (4:3) and exhibited as 1.66:1 in Europe and 1.85:1 in the US. The HD DVD/Blu-ray release is in a 16:9 (1.78:1) aspect ratio. It's simply a different size matte compared to the others.

Yeah, most people don't know that about Kubrick films post-2001. The question is, is the fullscreen DVD version actually the original 4x3 master, or a 4x3 crop of the 1.85:1 crop? This question would also go for Barry Lyndon, Full Metal Jacket, Eyes Wide Shut, and perhaps Clockwork Orange.

The reason I ask such a normally ridiculous question is, I got the opportunity to see all of the above in a Kube marathon at the UC Theater in Berkeley (R.I.P.), and I swear, I was seeing less on the screen than I did on VHS at home.

Has anyone ever made the comparison?