25 REASONS TO 1080 IT: THE CATCH-ALL THREAD - Page 4

Weaver's voice was fine (it was cool to hear her narrate a Pandora nature doc). But even I would criticize it for the simple choice to replace Attenborough's voice at all. I mean, WHY!? Because he's too snooty for us Americans!?

Then I heard Oprah's narration of Life. Ugh. Sounded like she was talking to a class of first graders. In that case, I have a problem with the narration itself.

The biggest clue to me was the change in the opening. Soaring, beautiful score, over a clear sunrise vs tribal drums, title cards explaining the technology and money spent, and animals beating the shit out of each other.

Is that enough of a reason to completely replace a perfectly great Attenborough narration? Wouldn't you just need to edit a few lines here and there for a grand opening? Especially since additional information was delivered through title cards.

Unless, that's not what you're talking about.

Attenborough's narration is happy, curious, lilting, completely enchanted with everything we're seeing. Sigourney's, which, again, I like, has a sharpness, an analytical edge that takes some of that away. The average American isn't fascinated by nature: We fear it. The way that opening's portrayed over here reflects that, I thought, and it's definitely a conscious choice.

Ohhhhhhhh... that's a fascinating take on the why's of replacing Attenborough's narration, and I would say that you're absolutely right about that (based on nothing other than scary animal instinct!).

Now you step up to the greater challenge. RATIONALIZE THE OPRAH NARRATION!!!!

EDIT: I actually have both versions of Planet Earth. I got my dad the Weaver version (it had the Planet Earth: Diaries special feature that the Attenborough one didn't), but I also have the other one borrowed from a friend. I may take the time to compare the two.

Guantanamo needed a waterboarding alternative.

APPROVED FOR ALL AUDIENCES!!!!

The Planet Earth Diaries bonus is actually just the same stuff from the end of every episode on the Attenborough version.

Oh really? I remember threads (not here) of people bitching about them not being included in the original Attenborough release. It's why I bought the Weaver version at all.

The difference is, the BBC episodes are the full hour with a 50 minute episode and 10 minute individual behind the scenes that is episode specific, while the Discovery ones were re-edited for American commercial breaks to be included in the running time, and the first thing they cut were the BTS.

So as a result, they threw them on as a bonus on the Discovery DVDs.

Don't tell me that! Don't tell me that! Don't ever tell me that!

Gah! Hhahahah

I personally find Life to be so much more impressive from a visual standpoint, although as a whole I think Planet Earth is a slightly better series. But man, the camera work took a significant leap with Life.

The technology took a big leap between Planet and Life, and they learned a lot from Planet Earth for what they could do with the next one.
Life is an example of a great sequel - more of what everyone loved in the first, taken to the next level.

I also give Planet Earth the edge because of the overarching theme of it being about our planet and learning more about where we live. Life, for all it's leaps in technology and footage, is basically "check out these insane fucking animals!"

Wonderful I am one of those who held out on the previous DVD version based solely on funds and hating the last installment. I've been close to getting this though based on these stellar raves and have to admit I will be buying this soon. This just took that feeling of having to do so over the top.

Really good list, by North by Northwest is conspicuously absent.

A good number one pick, the set is really all that and more. I haven't even gotten to watch the really good stuff like the documentary about Alien3 with Fincher in it, it's really a set that keeps on giving. What's the next endeavor going to be or did you want to keep it a secret?

Really solid list, guys. Great work and I don't think I'm just speaking for myself when I say I can't wait for more like this as well as further additions/addendums to the "Reasons to 1080 it."

Yeah, excellent work guys. I've read a few of these best-of-blu lists and this one deserves the first read amongst all of them.

Not that your writing was shit before, but I feel as if Justin's really come into his own as of late. Now all you gotta do is keep it up! Ha.

Just want to offer up my support for DAY 24 of this list. I own PLANET EARTH on HD DVD and some of the footage is truly awe inspiring. Angel falls and Iguazu in particular take my breath away

Huh, I was really holding out on this alien set because:
a) mega double dips on Alien
a-i) it seemed like a repackage of the Quadrilogy set
b) price

I'm glad to see that there are new extras on it and that Fincher finally shows up on the Alien III extras.

Funny, though. Your description makes it seem like the higher definition removes some of the "magic" of the film. Maybe I'll stick with the DVD definition if it will mean that I can't differentiate produce and milk crates while watching the movie.

Still, if the price ever drops below $60ish...

I'll buy Alien on Blu-Ray as a standalone when it happens. I promised myself I'm never, ever, ever, paying for "Alien: Resurrection" again. Ever.

I couldn't agree more about RESURRECTION. But if you wait for a standalone release on any of them, you're going to miss out on almost all of the extras, which are housed on Discs 5 and 6. Just FYI. If you don't care about the extras, then you'll be good to go.

I already ponied up for the "Quadrilogy" back in 06', so I'm familiar with the bonus material. I honestly don't mind if the bonus material isn't in 1080p

Well, there are several hours of additional and new bonus material exclusive to the new set. Plus MU-TH-UR Mode. Sounds like you can survive without all the new stuff though.

I used to be hardcore about the bonus features, but nowadays I'm pretty "take it or leave it." I guess I watched so many behind the scenes documentaries that they all started to blur together.

Agreed. I don't even care as long as the picture and sound are good. The ONLY reason I will ever double dip now on a blu-ray is because of an uprade on picture, sound or some kind of worthy director's cut.

The transfer on ALIENS is indeed awesome. Grainy but so crisp. I think Fox has now cracked the code of fixing '80s film stock transfers with this one. The film itself, on the other hand... Nah, it's Cameron working his Corman magic on a bigger budget franchise. It's fun and I won't derail any further.

I'm going through it in a weird order. ALIEN is last. Last time I tried to watch RESURRECTION I actually stopped, it was so bad. Can it withstand a full screening?...

I'll save you the trouble and say "No."

Yup. ALIEN RESURRECTION is indeed kinda terrible. I'd rather watch ALIEN VS. PREDATOR, which at least knows it's stupid.

Alien Resurrection's tone is all off. It doesn't feel like an Alien movie, I mean even Alien 3 was moody. This just felt like an action movie. A bad action movie for that matter. Also, they handled their ridiculous and over the top material way too seriously. I mean, at least have a sense of humor about it.