New to Blu Ray is our monthly look at the latest Blu Ray releases. This month we look at some new action, comedy, horror and cable TV releases.
District 9
District 9 made a big impact on summer movies in theaters, and now it’s going to be one of the go to Blu Rays to show off the beauty and clarity of the format. All of the grit of the prawn ghetto is clear: dirt, rust, debris and dirty laundry. In the fake documentary footage, all the new footage is clear, versus the fuzzy video “stock” footage they faked.
The prawns and the big mothership in the background look totally real in the scene. Later on, so does the metal walker. The few colors of the film really stand out, like the stripes on different prawns, their glowing scales, police siren lights, a red sunrise.
Other settings hold up too, like the military hospital. Even balck and white surveillance footage is clear! Fergus’s home is more bland and suburban but I think it’s supposed to be.
Moon
This low budget sci-fi looks like big Hollywood productions on Blu Ray. Outer space is a deep, clear black. Shots of the moon and the view of earth look like 2001: A Space Odyssey only with more detail. Maybe the starry background looks like a sheet, but it’s still a clear sheet.
The space station is clear and gritty, showing detail in all the wear and tear on the machinery. The rover’s been used a lot and all the metal is scuffed up. The white walls shine brightly and scenes with two Sam Rockwells are seamless.
Pandorum
Pandorum sports the most starry space I’ve ever seen. Along with the sharpest white ships and realistic views of earth-like planets, it again makes me wonder: how will Star Wars look on Blu Ray?
Most of the film holds clear in the dark light. In really pitch black scenes, it grains up at most, but it still holds up. A lot of scenes are in green, purple or blue light and they still show all the detail.
Intense close-ups show all the pores and scars. All the hyperspace goo is extra crisp in high def, and all the crust of the ship wherever they go. There’s a lot of rusty corridors in these old hunks of metal.
This animated film is totally clear CGI. You see the texture in all the apocalyptic rubble, from rusty car carcasses to brick rocks and wood panels. The rag dolls show distinct textures too, and this was all created to look like actual filmed footage.
There are a few colors popping out of the otherwise burnt out sets: a bright stain glassed window, the purple sky… This apocalypse looks bright orange and it holds up throughout the movie.
