Split Decision
Those who were influenced by Robert Harris‘s rip-job of Universal Home Video’s recently released Spartacus Bluray may be surprised by DVD Beaver’s half-rave and half-pan by Gary W. Tooze.
On one hand he calls the higher resolution “staggeringly sharper, [which] has swept away any reservation this reviewer had. It looks that good. Is it a digital smoke and mirrors? Probably, but I am indifferent at present. I don’t have [Harris's] discerning eyes as to readily dismiss. You may make up your own mind.
And on the other he acknowledges that “people are speaking out against this title making a solid point that the majors won’t get the point unless we are vehement in our dismissal. I believe they are right. Our recommendation is to own the Criterion DVD until this title is transferred correctly in the new format.”
A week ago HE’s Moises Chiullan wrote the following: “There’s so much visible de-graining [on this Spartacus Bluray) that it’s like Universal added a ‘botoxify’ button to the machines that do their masters. The Blu-ray horror show I’d compare it to the most is Fox’s Patton, which suffers from similar digital plastic surgery. There’s a shot here and there that looks…all right, I suppose, but this is a movie that should transfix you on this format, not make you squint or shrink back.”
it’s not really a surprise at all — Tooze gave an unqualified rave to the Gladiator BD and then quietly edited the review after others slammed it for DNR
at least he admits his eyes aren’t “discerning”, he could’ve used some of that humility before
I thought he was going to say the transfer is fine but the film still really isn’t that good.
Tooze has a far, far better eye than his colleague Leonard Norwitz, who gave a rave to that abortion that was the first, uncorrected “Gangs of New York” Blu-ray, but he can get distracted sometimes by shiny things. I haven’t seen the “Spartacus” Blu-ray yet but Harris’ review inclines me to not even bother with it. Harris is spot-on as far as “Out of Africa” is concerned, it really is a harshly bright version designed for cinematically ignoratn big-box store display.
The DVD Savant review is largely favorable too–
http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/42398/spartacus-50th-anniversary-edition/
That DVDTalk view is a great litmus test for Glenn Erickson as a DVD reviewer.
If you don’t give a rat’s ass about the same things he didn’t care about, he’s your guy! If you fear angering a studio into not sending you comps no more, he’s your guy too.
With all the films in the universe, who has the time to re-watch and compare different DVD versions of Spartacus?
Not sure if this was the implication, but Glenn Erickson has gone on the attack against transfers he found to be shitty many, many times. A fortnight ago he interviewed Joe Dante and printed comments bemoaning the studios clumsy ignorance of the freebie extras Dante had offered them for MATINEE. I don’t think he fears not getting comps, especially as he’s often noted that a particular disc was reviewed weeks later since he never received a comp and had to source one elsewhere. I’ve read the different comments about the SPARTACUS disc and will avoid it for the same reason Glenn K. will be, but I disagree that Glenn Erickson might have bit his tongue for fear of angering the studio.
raygo: Maybe the people who would actually consider paying money for the disc?
Yeah I know, your question is rhetorical, and couched inside one of those cute/ignorant “BUT I JUST LOVE MOVIES, I DON’T CARE WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE OR WHAT I PAY FOR” comments, but seriously, did you forget what fucking blog you’re reading?
Glenn Erickson is one of the very best DVD reviewers out there, both on the transfer quality and the content of the films themselves. I’m disappointed, to say the least, to see him attacked. As punishment, Moises, you should update the Most Wanted column; a number of these films are now available via the Warner Archive or other MOD programs.
I agree with Bob.
Nope. At five comments in, it’s apparent that not too many people care about this transfer of Spartacus.
It’s not really a surprise at all –I agree with Bob. The DVD Savant review is largely favorable too– keep sharing…
I did a terrible job of being a flip smartass, referencing various disc-evaluation dustups in the comment section of H-E in recent weeks. The previous comment was missing a last sentence that makes it appear (as it does above) that I think Glenn Erickson is an easy lay. Let the record show that in reality, I find Erickson to be one of the best and most consistent disc reviewers out there, something that I really can’t say about Gary Tooze anymore.
I’ll gladly update the listings by deleting stuff, Bob. It would expedite the process if you could eyeball it for me and provide a list of stuff that’s available on MOD services. The rate that they’ve been putting stuff out, I’ve been unable to keep up. Warner Archive alone has released nearly 600 titles now, and they’re TERRIBLE at sending press releases or making it easy to see their release slate all in one place.
“If you’re looking for a classic title that showcases Blu-ray quality, Fox Home Video’s presentation of Franklin J. Schaffner’s Patton is the best-looking BD I’ve yet seen.”
ahahahahaaahahahahaaaa
The cost for P90X is about three months of a paid gym membership but you get to keep the program forever
In addition to his other sterling qualities, Erickson doesn’t think “reference” and “eyeball” are verbs.
oh no language changes
oh no
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