10 must-have movies on Blu-ray

**Blaser** · **05-28-08, 06:32 PM**

I thought I would start my collection of BD movies. There are some criteria these movies must enjoy before I would think to buy them:

- good plot
- exellent PQ and SQ
- noticeably better than a DVD transfer

Here are some movies that are on my card and I need you to confirm and complete to10 or rectify my choices:

- 300
- The fifth element remastered
- No country for old men
- The rock
- Planete earth complete BBC series (exception)
- Iron man (when available)

Thanks for your suggestions

**nova** · **05-28-08, 10:37 PM**

Don't have Blu-ray, but I have heard that the Blu-ray release of The Fifth Element is not even as good as the Superbit release

May be worth a little research on that one before you buy.

**Blaser** · **05-29-08, 02:42 AM**

I have heard the remastered version is very good

**Richard W. Haines** · **05-29-08, 05:28 AM**

Well the simple answer is...I want everything I have now in standard DVD in high definition which
is about 250 titles. I have some of my favorites in HD DVD and some day I'll have to replace them
with Blu-ray copies.

In terms of what's been listed as being released in the format, next week is "The Sand Pebbles"
and "Patton". I'll go ahead and get them even though I don't have a Blu-ray player yet. I
waiting to hear the reviews of the new player being released in July. On August 26th will be
the restored version of "How the West Was Won" with a solid widescreen image since they
digitally removed the panel joins of the three panel Cinerama image. I'll have to have the player by
then. They also announced "Ben Hur" for next year. Certainly "The Wizard of Oz", "Gone with
the Wind" and "North by Northwest" are musts. They've shown up on lists for release but they
haven't announced release dates yet. Anything shot in 70mm should look awesome in high definition
so titles like "Lawrence of Arabia", "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World", "South Pacific" and "Around
the World in 80 Days" would be great additions to my collection.

Very frew new movies are worth owning in my opinion. I'll rent them or borrow them from friends
but since blu-ray movies are so expensive, I'm not going to shell out the cash just to see them
once.

**Bob_99** · **05-29-08, 07:23 AM**

For me it would be "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy (obviously) but I don't know how much that could improve as the extended version is already pretty good IMO. I also have never seen anything that indicates it will ever be done.

Bob

**mekkanic** · **05-29-08, 08:27 AM**

I have the I am Legend Blu-ray, good PQ and SQ. Plot is ok (??).

**tonyvdb** · **05-29-08, 10:18 AM**

The day after tomorrow is fantastic on Blu,
The Waterhorse
DieHard4
The chronicles of Narnia
And as mentioned above The Planet earth series is a must have.

**yacht422** · **05-29-08, 02:26 PM**

when it issues, laurence of arabia is 100% #1 movie. i have it on laser disk and dvd. blu ray will be "special". it might be worth mentioning that the end of the movie is worth visiting if only to see how it mirrors today!!!
walt

**ragingsamster** · **05-29-08, 03:10 PM**

Although not technically "Movies" the HBO series Band of Brothers and John Adams would be on my list.

**Blaser** · **05-29-08, 08:02 PM**

Thank you guys

**Kevin_Wadsworth** · **05-30-08, 04:48 PM**

I just watched the BluRay "5th Element". Noticeably better than my DVD copy, althoughI dont' have the superbit. Very good picture and sound quality. Plot? To each their own. It's not in my top 10, but my wife loves the movie.

**Blaser** · **05-30-08, 04:52 PM**

Is it the remastered version? What size is your screen, and what's your watching distance?

**nova** · **05-30-08, 05:37 PM**

Quote:

Blaser wrote:

I have heard the remastered version is very good

It may well be the original Blu-ray release that is not so good. The remastered release may be fine. Dunno, had just read a few reviews that were less than stellar on the Blu-ray release.

**Kevin_Wadsworth** · **05-30-08, 05:37 PM**

Quote:

Blaser wrote:

Is it the remastered version? What size is your screen, and what's your watching distance?

It was from blockbuster, so I don't have the disc to double check. But the release date listed on the blockbuster.com web page is the same as the remastered version (7/17/07).

Screen size is 110" diagonal (16:9). Seating distance is ~11.5 feet.

**Cones** · **05-30-08, 06:15 PM**

Hi,

I have the Remastered version of the Fifth Element.

Viewing on my Pioneer 1080P LX508 50" Plasma from about 7-8feet the picture is very good indeed. Way better than all the previous DVD versions I have seen.

Other Recommended Blu Rays that meet your requirements I own or have rented.

3:10 to Yuma (In my top 5 Westerns ever)

Blade Runner

Any of the Pirates of the Caribbean (Although the first one is the best film)
Picture and sound is among the very best I have seen so far.

300

Although not meeting your requirement for a good story the following are excellent for picture and sound.

Shoot em up (Pinsharp image and super loud soundtrack, slightly bonkers action)

Rambo First Blood (Very good for such an old film, sound could be better though)

Mission Impossible III (Great action film, better story than the second one)

Crank (Totally manic from start to finish, but great picture and sound quality)

Sunshine (Stunning visuals and effects)

Kingdom of Heaven (Epic scale, I hope Gladiator looks this good on Blu Ray)

Have Fun

Mark

**Blaser** · **05-30-08, 08:27 PM**

Welcome to the Shack Cones! Glad to have you here and thanks for the advice that will sure be considered

**Blaser** · **05-31-08, 07:18 PM**

Quote:

tonyvdb wrote:

DieHard4

Already own it

Quote:

The chronicles of Narnia

Saw it on DVD and is added to my list

Quote:

And as mentioned above The Planet earth series is a must have.

Saw the first disk on DVD but wasn't impressed with PQ

I hope it's much better on BD.

**Blaser** · **05-31-08, 07:28 PM**

Quote:

Cones wrote:

3:10 to Yuma (In my top 5 Westerns ever)

Added

**Blaser** · **05-31-08, 07:29 PM**

Quote:

Richard W. Haines wrote:

Well the simple answer is...I want everything I have now in standard DVD in high definition which
is about 250 titles. I have some of my favorites in HD DVD and some day I'll have to replace them
with Blu-ray copies.

In terms of what's been listed as being released in the format, next week is "The Sand Pebbles"
and "Patton". I'll go ahead and get them even though I don't have a Blu-ray player yet. I
waiting to hear the reviews of the new player being released in July. On August 26th will be
the restored version of "How the West Was Won" with a solid widescreen image since they
digitally removed the panel joins of the three panel Cinerama image. I'll have to have the player by
then. They also announced "Ben Hur" for next year. Certainly "The Wizard of Oz", "Gone with
the Wind" and "North by Northwest" are musts. They've shown up on lists for release but they
haven't announced release dates yet. Anything shot in 70mm should look awesome in high definition
so titles like "Lawrence of Arabia", "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World", "South Pacific" and "Around
the World in 80 Days" would be great additions to my collection.

Very frew new movies are worth owning in my opinion. I'll rent them or borrow them from friends
but since blu-ray movies are so expensive, I'm not going to shell out the cash just to see them
once.

You love these movies eh? When released they will be added to my collection

**wbassett** · **06-01-08, 06:57 PM**

Quote:

Cones wrote:

Kingdom of Heaven (Epic scale, I hope Gladiator looks this good on Blu Ray)

Kingdom of Heaven is definitely one of the best looking movies in my BD library. A Knight's Tale also looks very good too, although the unique modernized music can put some people off, it is a fun romp of a movie.

Blade Runner is also a great one to have, as is 2001. The acid trip FX at the end of 2001 are mind blowing on Bluray!

I personally prefer 300 on HD DVD over the Bluray version, but it still looks fantastic on Bluray.

Spidy and the Fantastic Four, Rise of the Silver Surfer also look great.

And then there is Casino Royal. It just looks flat out incredible. Sony made it as a Bluray show piece, so the video and audio transfer as well as the special features are top notch.

**Bob_99** · **06-03-08, 04:32 PM**

I guess I spoke too soon as I just found this posted on the web:

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Lord of the Blu-ray Rings
Jackson confirms work on high-def trilogy release.
by Christopher Monfette
May 27, 2008 - In what seems like a rather obvious, yet earth-shatteringly cool, announcement, Lord of the Rings mastermind Peter Jackson recently stated in a web-chat concerning the upcoming Hobbit film that he is hard at work on a high-definition release of the classic trilogy.

"We are working on a Blu-ray version of the LOTR trilogy with Warner Bros at the moment, not sure when it is due for release. It certainly won't be this year."

It's not much, but at least it's an official, straight-from-the-source confirmation that sometime in 2009, we'll all be watching the One Ring cross into Mordor in superior high-definition.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

This may motivate me to buy a blue-ray player.

Bob

**yacht422** · **06-05-08, 11:57 AM**

hey, you young guys, what about casablanca: the magnificent seven: the sound of music: my fair lady: all 9 of the stars wars epics: anything by mario lanza - and- believe it or not, the original tv production of victory at sea! no lousy script, no poor acting, just our men in action.
Truth is, there are too many choices. Henry Ford had it correct when he said, "any color, as long as it is black".
Best of luck with your blu ray quest
walt(age 67; retired in florida)

**Blaser** · **06-05-08, 12:03 PM**

Great suggestions

.... Welcome to the Shack Walter!

**MrPorterhouse** · **06-06-08, 09:02 AM**

The Fifth Element (Remastered Version)
Kingdom of Heaven
Pirates of the Caribbean (Any of the three)
Live Free or Die Hard
Casino Royale
Ratatouille or Cars or The Wild
Rambo
Crank
Man on Fire
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe

**Blaser** · **06-06-08, 09:13 AM**

Quote:

wbassett wrote:

The acid trip FX at the end of 2001 are mind blowing on Bluray!

What's that?

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