'The Contract' - High-Def Digest review - High-Def Digest Forums

jed · #1 08-06-2007, 01:20 PM

Kenneth's review of 'The Contract' is up, and apparently there's a reason this Morgan Freeman/John Cusack flick went direct-to-DVD. As an HD DVD release, it's not much better. Although the video transfer is actually quite good, it's only shining star in otherwise lackluster package -- even a HD DVD-exclusive PiP commentary failed to wow our man Kenneth.

Full review here:
http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/844/contract_2006.html

krammer · #2 08-06-2007, 03:30 PM

I disagree

I'll just note that the dts track is around 15-20db below reference. Once I matched volume output, both the Dolby Plus & dts were equal. Also being the first, First Look feature for HD DVD I was impressed that both the audio & video were just shy of perfection + this title also has an "In Movie Experience" type deal + 6 First Look trailers in 1080p & 5.1 surround. Not too bad.

Blurry · #3 08-06-2007, 03:42 PM

Actually, I think it is significant that a relatively small producer put a PiP track on the disc, hiliting the ease with which such things can be done using HD DVD. I already bought this title, but I have not gotten around to watching it yet.

RayLRoy · #4 08-06-2007, 03:55 PM

Hi: I totally disagree with your review of The Contract. This is one of the better movies I have seen this year. On my scale of 1-10 I would have to given this one at least an 8. Also, the video as viewed on my 10 foot screen in 1080P was at least 4 1/2 stars. The scenes in the country are just beautiful. I know movies are like music, everyone likes something different but for me this one's is music to my ears.

WesleyTech.com · #5 08-06-2007, 04:02 PM

At the least, it is nice to see a "smaller studio" creating and including PiP commentary.

@jed: your link in the OP is invalid, here is the correct review link: http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/844/contract_2006.html

mrkiller · #6 08-06-2007, 06:10 PM

i was gonna get this, Morgan Freeman AND John Cuszak, i might still rent it

forsho01 · #7 08-06-2007, 07:24 PM

yeah it was a blind buy for me considering it was $12.99, but i thought it was ok.

VC-1 · #8 08-06-2007, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forsho01

yeah it was a blind buy for me considering it was $12.99, but i thought it was ok.

where is this 12.99??

onavarr8 · #9 08-06-2007, 07:54 PM

I hadnt heard of the movie until they announced it here but I decided not to get this one since I had heard that it wasnt very good.

Also imdb has it at a 5.6
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0445946/

WesleyTech.com · #10 08-06-2007, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VC-1

where is this 12.99??

Fry's Electronics on it's release day. I'm sure it is not at that price anymore...

In related news, Blockbuster online has just shipped this HD DVD out to me, so I will be viewing it soon.

HomeTheatreFreak · #11 08-06-2007, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blurry

Actually, I think it is significant that a relatively small producer put a PiP track on the disc, hiliting the ease with which such things can be done using HD DVD. I already bought this title, but I have not gotten around to watching it yet.

Lol, I swear I hear you say this again and again. Time to open up some of those shiny new discs. Hey did you ever get around to watching Blood Diamond? I was curious to hearwhat you thought of that disc.

As for me and the contract I was really impressed with this disc escially given that it as a relativly small studios first HD DVD effort. I had no problems with it and I was actually one of the people that really enjoyed this film as well.

Blurry · #12 08-06-2007, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HomeTheatreFreak

Hey did you ever get around to watching Blood Diamond? I was curious to hearwhat you thought of that disc.

I saw Blood Diamond a while ago now, excellent movie. It was one of the few movies that I felt were given a truly unfair rating, it was easily better than a 3 and should have gotten a 4 IMO.

jimbach13 · #13 08-07-2007, 08:09 AM

I am another person who disagrees with the review. This movie won't win any awards, but it was worth a purchase. Walmart.com had it for 15.87, so it was a blind by for me. It's a movie will watch a few times...and you can't go wrong with Morgan Freeman and John Cusack.

timbobarry · #14 08-07-2007, 08:15 AM

From http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6465211.html

Quote:

He said First Look also is pleased it has already made all its money back in its investment on HD DVD. Wilson did not break out standard-definition and HD DVD results on Contract.

“The HD DVD more than broke even,” he said. “It cost extra money to author [than standard-def.] And in my measurement, that is good.”

Also point out that The Contract did not even make the top ten for high def sales for the week of its release with about 25.74% of what Bourne Identity sold that week. Shows that HD DVD does have a low cost to put movies on.

When the hell is Netflix going to get this movie?