Scorsese a fan of Blu-Ray

[ack_bak]

http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6705205.html

NOV. 3 | PHYSICAL: BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.—Academy Award-winning filmmaker Martin Scorsese called Blu-ray Disc a "very, very strong change for the better" in home entertainment, in a keynote address at Blu-con 2.0 today here.

Appearing via live satellite from the Directors Guild in New York, Scorsese spoke as a filmmaker, a movie lover and a film preservationist.

"Blu-ray is as close as you're going to get to the theatrical experience at home," Scorsese said. He noted that "when we mixed Shine a Light, we knew it would be transferred just that way to the home."

Scorsese discussed the new wave of film restoration and preservation being done across studios in order to bring classic films in the most pristine presentation possible to Blu-ray.

"I'm very excited and optimistic as a filmmaker and a film lover that Blu-ray is going to extend the life of film," he said.

His favorite film to watch on Blu-ray is John Ford's The Searchers.

Scorsese films available or coming to Blu-ray include Raging Bull, Goodfellas, Casino, The Last Waltz, Gangs of New York, The Aviator, The Departed and Shine a Light.

As a movie lover, I definitely agree. Blu-Ray for me is often even better than the theatrical presentation I see at the theaters. I am excited to see what the future offers on home video.

[redfirebird2008]

Too bad Gangs of New York didn't receive a new transfer from Disney. They just repackaged the terrible DVD transfer with a high bitrate VC-1 encode.

[ack_bak]

Originally Posted by redfirebird2008

Too bad Gangs of New York didn't receive a new transfer from Disney. They just repackaged the terrible DVD transfer with a high bitrate VC-1 encode.

Agreed, Gangs of New York 100% deserved a new remaster and I am surprised that Disney did not do it as most of their releases on Blu-Ray are top notch.

I declined buying it on Blu-Ray (and on DVD as well, as the DVD looks even worse).

[redfirebird2008]

Originally Posted by ack_bak

Agreed, Gangs of New York 100% deserved a new remaster and I am surprised that Disney did not do it as most of their releases on Blu-Ray are top notch.

I declined buying it on Blu-Ray (and on DVD as well, as the DVD looks even worse).

I made the mistake of shelling out $25 at Wal-Mart during the week of its release without reading any reviews on it. At the time I had recently bought my HDTV and PS3, so I was not quite as selective about buying titles as I am now. In hindsight, the only way I would have bought that particular version of Gangs on Blu-ray is if the price was really awesome, like $10 or lower.

[comixguru]

Originally Posted by redfirebird2008

I made the mistake of shelling out $25 at Wal-Mart during the week of its release without reading any reviews on it. At the time I had recently bought my HDTV and PS3, so I was not quite as selective about buying titles as I am now. In hindsight, the only way I would have bought that particular version of Gangs on Blu-ray is if the price was really awesome, like $10 or lower.

I saw it for $8.00 recently and passed it up. Sometimes folks make a big deal out of minor stuff. But this one, I can tell it's messed up on my 42" screen... and that Plasma makes everything look good. Apparently, not everything, though.

I think the Gangs of New York situation makes anything like the original article ring hallow to me. If he cared about Blu-ray, that wouldn't have happened.

[mikemorel]

Ahh yes - the blu-con 2.0 propaganda fest 2009.

They should squeeze out 4-5 feel-good blu-ray stories today.

Objective

To demonstrate innovations and advancements in Blu-ray entertainment, while providing a platform for the widespread industry support for Blu-ray marketing and technology development.

To inform the media, analysts and members of the entertainment community about the latest market data and adoption rates for Blu-ray hardware and software.

To provide networking opportunities for members of the Blu-ray community; to bring together senior level Blu-ray representatives from Motion Pictures, Consumer Electronics, IT and Video Game industries.

[Sbert]

Originally Posted by comixguru

I think the Gangs of New York situation makes anything like the original article ring hallow to me. If he cared about Blu-ray, that wouldn't have happened.

There's a lead time issue here. The BD was released 7/1/08. His comments were quoted in a news article from today.

I wouldn't just throw out his comments because of a poor transfer. It is very possible he didn't give two shits about bd until this year - realizing what it could do for his shit.

[ack_bak]

Originally Posted by comixguru

I saw it for $8.00 recently and passed it up. Sometimes folks make a big deal out of minor stuff. But this one, I can tell it's messed up on my 42" screen... and that Plasma makes everything look good. Apparently, not everything, though.

I think the Gangs of New York situation makes anything like the original article ring hallow to me. If he cared about Blu-ray, that wouldn't have happened.

So you disagree with his statement? That Blu-Ray will get you closest to duplicating the theater experience in your home? Sorry, but since I bought a 1080p projector a 100" screen and invested more money in audio gear over the last year or two, I tend to agree with Scorsese. I mean it is usually pretty obvious when I am watching a DVD vs watching a Blu-Ray disc.

[cakefoo]

Originally Posted by mikemorel

Ahh yes - the blu-con 2.0 propaganda fest 2009.

They should squeeze out 4-5 feel-good blu-ray stories today.

zomg, the conspiracy. Netflix streaming HD is clearly the best.

[Kosty]

Originally Posted by mikemorel

Ahh yes - the blu-con 2.0 propaganda fest 2009.

They should squeeze out 4-5 feel-good blu-ray stories today.

Awwhh did somebody have a bad day today with all the good news Blu-ray stories coming out? Well wait until tomorrow when the new sales statistics get released. For that matter looking like you are going to have a long couple months if the Blu-ray hardware and software sales trends keep up.

[Kosty]

Just in case, the point is missed, there is significant news just from the fact the the retail and entertainment industry is once again publicly and opening declaring full support for the Blu-ray format and not only is that coming from the studios but from major retailers.

Of course, it does matter that there is not a "Digital- Download-Con" to compete with Blu-Con, which is an interesting point all by itself. Tell me, why do you think that is the case?

[ack_bak]

Originally Posted by Kosty

Of course, it does matter that there is not a "Digital- Download-Con" to compete with Blu-Con, which is an interesting point all by itself. Tell me, why do you think that is the case?

Because the studios and content providers cannot even agree on a single model for downloads. For many Americans, HD downloads are not even really an option right now when you consider bandwidth. ISP's are fighting tooth and nail to limit bandwidth consumption and want you to buy videos from them directly. It is a fragmented mess for consumers right now. Studios have hitched their wagons to Blu-Ray for now. The last thing the studios want right now is for people to stop buying movies on optical discs and instead rent them over the Internet. It is not hard to understand why. Downloads and streaming revenue numbers pale even in comparison to Blu-Ray right now. That does not mean that downloads and streaming are dead by any means, but clearly they are not going to save the home video industry anytime soon. The studios know that.

[Rayzor77]

Originally Posted by Kosty

Awwhh did somebody have a bad day today with all the good news Blu-ray stories coming out? Well wait until tomorrow when the new sales statistics get released. For that matter looking like you are going to have a long couple months if the Blu-ray hardware and software sales trends keep up.

You know with the time and energy he invests bashing all things Sony and Blu-Ray, i hope he at least is shorting some of those stocks....man imagine wasting the time and energy bashing something day in and day out and not even getting the payoff for it.

[BostonMA]

Originally Posted by redfirebird2008

I made the mistake of shelling out $25 at Wal-Mart during the week of its release without reading any reviews on it. At the time I had recently bought my HDTV and PS3, so I was not quite as selective about buying titles as I am now. In hindsight, the only way I would have bought that particular version of Gangs on Blu-ray is if the price was really awesome, like $10 or lower.

i made an even bigger mistake of blind buying it at best buy for $30

stupid, stupid move, would never, ever happen today.

[comixguru]

Originally Posted by ack_bak

So you disagree with his statement? That Blu-Ray will get you closest to duplicating the theater experience in your home? Sorry, but since I bought a 1080p projector a 100" screen and invested more money in audio gear over the last year or two, I tend to agree with Scorsese. I mean it is usually pretty obvious when I am watching a DVD vs watching a Blu-Ray disc.

I love this man's movies. He's a great filmmaker.

But the guy has a certain celebrity to him, too. Based on this stuff and his past non-involvement, I think he was being a celebrity at this event more than a filmmaker. Might as well have been some actor up there.

To quote the HDD review of this disc --

All in all, the 'Gangs of New York' Blu-ray is a travesty.