Anyone watch Oz last night in HD?

[MIB41]

I was flipping channels during the football game last night and came across the Wizard of OZ in HD. Wow. This is a perfect example of how too much detail ruins the cinematic quality of a classic film. You could CLEARLY see the appliances on their foreheads (especially the Lion) and the backdrops looked painfully fake (more so than usual). Scenes no longer blended together as well and the movie lost it's allure because of it. I'm SO glad I didn't pick up the Blu-ray edition because the imperfections would have screamed even louder. I wouldn't be able to watch it. I'll stick with my standard DVD copy.

[Hector]

I thought you were talking about HBO's Oz...you know...the prison series.

[mego73]

Well, it was meant for an even bigger screen than yours. The fact that we can "see the seams" now is not do to us seeing it in more detail than it was meant, it's due to how much more movie technology we have today.

I have the blu ray, looks great!

[cjefferys]

Yeah, I think the Blu-ray looks fantastic, wonderful colours and detail. Seeing a bit behind the movie magic due to the extra resolution doesn't ruin the suspension of belief for me. I'll take WOZ over a movie from 10-15 years ago that has overdone primitive CGI effects that look laughable today.

[Hulk]

I saw bits and pieces of it, having just gotten HD finally on DirecTv, and was blown away at how crisp it looked. I LOVED IT, planning on taping it and watching it to completion for the first time since I watched it synched up to Dark Side of the Moon a few years ago.

[Brue]

I was flipping channels during the football game last night and came across the Wizard of OZ in HD. Wow. This is a perfect example of how too much detail ruins the cinematic quality of a classic film. You could CLEARLY see the appliances on their foreheads (especially the Lion) and the backdrops looked painfully fake (more so than usual). Scenes no longer blended together as well and the movie lost it's allure because of it. I'm SO glad I didn't pick up the Blu-ray edition because the imperfections would have screamed even louder. I wouldn't be able to watch it. I'll stick with my standard DVD copy.

I skipped Oz but watched a couple older movies last month in HD and had the same thoughts. Part of what makes the illusion is that it isn't crystal clear.

[megoapesnut]

I loved it as well and the things that pop out now due to the HD just add to the ambiance of the presentation. One of my top 10 favorite Blu-rays.

[cjefferys]

Warner really hits it out of the park with their Blu-rays of older films (WOZ, Casablanca, Gone With The Wind), I've been impressed with their work so far on the older titles in their catalog.

[LadyZod]

To paraphrase Chris Hardwick:

Thanks to blu ray, I can see what all my favorite films would look like if shot on a cheap video camcorder!

[Nostalgiabuff]

I picked up the bluray for my wife for Christmas, I am looking forward to watching it in hi def.

[Brue]

watching a 60's Eastwood film in HD it looked like a set of a play rather than a movie. this is great if you enjoy the live yet unrealistic effect but i like to reserve that for when i am actually at a live show.

[MIB41]

High definition for many films is a great concept. But when they eliminate the cinematic illusion of what your use to seeing, then it becomes harder to enjoy the fantasy of the image (At least for me). I'm glad a number of people can still enjoy it. But for myself I see too many flaws that are not fun to see, like the shadows of the camera man in scenes. The other thing is the dialogue looping doesn't alway match up with the actors (especially with the scarecrow when he first meets Dorothy). Sometimes you hear him talking but his mouth isn't moving or is well behind like a Japense movie. Now some of this was noticable on a standard DVD but it's glaring on Blu-ray. It just kills the magic. I have to stay with the standard DVD here.

[cjefferys]

To paraphrase Chris Hardwick:

Thanks to blu ray, I can see what all my favorite films would look like if shot on a cheap video camcorder!

I strongly disagree. A properly mastered Blu-ray played on a properly calibrated HDTV should have a very satisfying film-like appearance and shouldn't look harsh and digital. It should replicate the films original theatrical appearance.

But watching a poorly done Blu-ray (i.e. one that has had way too much digital noise reduction preformed on it, wiping away all the natural film grain that should be there, and leaving an artificial, waxy looking mess) on a television not properly calibrated, everything pumped up in the "vivid" setting, etc. especially on many types of LCD screens (which tend to have a more digital look in it's picture)....the movie then might not look as it was intended too.

High definition can provide a fantastic presentation of a film. Whether it succeeds or not depends on the above factors.

[megoapesnut]

especially on many types of LCD screens (which tend to have a more digital look in it's picture)....the movie then might not look as it was intended too.

You called it exactly. I have yet to see an LCD that looks pleasing to me. I have been buying plasma for years and it's the best picture hands down. Colors are awesome without being over saturated. Picture is velvet smooth without that LCD "digital" look. Yeah, they are heavy and use more power and generate more heat and you need to be able to keep reflections off the screen, but the picture is well worth it.

[mego73]

I'm pleased with my LCD and it's picture and it looks more like film to me (but my reference point is my old CRT).

I probably would love seeing a properly tuned and calibrated plasma but I heard that they might be legislated out of existence because of their power use (which stinks).