"A Nightmare on Elm Street" comes out on Blu-ray Tuesday April 13th... I was able to score a copy early.. so here is my ramble review:
I know all of us are struggling with whether or not we should spend coin to repurchase 80's movies that we already own on perfectly good DVDs and I definitely understand why. I made rules for myself early on that I would only upgrade if:
1. It was a movie that I truly loved 2. I only owned the movie on VHS 3. The Blu-ray offered incredible extras 4. Amazing 1080p picture and 7.1 sound 5. Or I found it for a deal under $10
My rules worked for awhile, but I must admit that I'm starting to slip the more I watch 80's Blu-rays and as the prices are starting to become a little more reasonable on first release dates.
Okay.. the review..
I totally remember the buzz that surrounded the orginal release of "A Nightmare on Elm Street" and how it was viewed at that time as this cutting edge horror flick. I know Freddy has lost his scary effectiveness after numerous installments, but I still a hold a place in my collection for the original Nightmare. Plus, seeing Johnny Depp in such an early role is quite entertaining.
Everyone knows the movie, but what does the Blu-ray offer?
First, it delivers an almost spooky 1080p, 1.78:1-framed transfer.. the picture quality is the best I've seen of "A Nightmare on Elm Street", but they still left some of the grainy presence that made the original viewing so surreal.
And next was not what I expected, but totally closed the deal for me: "A Nightmare on Elm Street" contains an impressive DTS-HD MA 7.1 lossless soundtrack. Most studios are releasing Blu-rays only in 5.1 and it has been quite dissappointing for us fans of what 7.1 surround sound offers. So listening to "A Nightmare on Elm Street" in 7.1 as Freddy scraps his sharp finger blades is a chilling realism that everyone should hear at least once.
The awesome extras include:
Ready Freddy Focus Points: See alternate takes and learn filmmaking secrets behind the nightmare by jumping to video highlights while watching the movie
Two commentary tracks: (1) Director Wes Craven, co-stars Heather Langenkamp and John Saxon, and cinematographer Jacques Haitkin, (2) Wes Craven, co-stars Robert Englund, Heather Langenkamp and Ronee Blakley, producer Robert Shaye, and co-producer Sara Risher
Alternate endings
Three featurettes: The House That Freddy Built: The Legacy of New Line Horror, Never Sleep Again: The Making of A Nightmare on Elm Street, Night Terrors: The Origins of Wes Craven’s Nightmares
Okay.. so whether to buy or not? .. It was a definite purchase for me because of the 7.1 sound and incredible extras. But if you don't have the ability to watch Blu-rays in 1080p and 7.1 sound and have no interest in extras.. then the decision is way more difficult.
Anyone else picking this up?
[ 03. April 2010, 12:12: Message edited by: Valley ]
Posted by pork pie mcfly (Member # 6802) on :
Unless blu-ray becomes as cheap as dvd i won't be replacing my dvd collection, i think for what you get extra on blu-ray its just not worth it for the cost.
Posted by Valley (Member # 1322) on :
pork pie mcfly.. I respect your opinion, but have a different view. For a person that has a passion for movies and can afford upgrading to HD/Blu-ray .. I highly recommend making the move.
At first I was totally skeptical of what HD could really do for 25 year old 80's flicks.. but after watching and listening to 80's movies such as "Night of the Creeps", "Dirty Dancing", and "The Lost Boys" on Blu-ray it gave me a new appreciation of what was capable.
I will say that to truly appreciate it you have to go all in .. HDTV, HDMI 1080p, Blu-ray player, and at least 5.1 surround sound which is quite an investment and not worth it for many.
With all that said.. I know some people that could care less about all that stuff and are happy watching movies without all the frills. Sometimes my bank account wishes I was more like them!
Posted by Fightertown (Member # 7418) on :
Valley...your right about upgrading. The technology is there for the taking. A few will discover it by accident and the rest is just a matter of time.
I was sold on older movies on BLU format after purchasing 'The Road Warrior'. It was the best I have ever seen aside from viewing it in the theater. I truly wish more of our classic 80's movies crossover to BLU format.
Posted by pettyfan (Member # 2260) on :
I got a Blu-ray player for Christmas a few years ago. I like the fact that I can still play my regular DVDs on it, and some Blu-ray movies are becoming cheaper. I got the Monster Squad for about $10, give or take. Blu-ray quality is much better, but I can understand people NOT wanting to upgrade, especially if they aren't able to financially.
Posted by Kash (Member # 297) on :
Great write up on an old classic, Valley. I'd like to know what the alternative endings are.
Considered going Blu-Ray but doubt I will. Its too soon to switch IMO: see I happily replaced all my VHS, that was a given, even replaced DVDs with Collector's Editions, Steelbooks, Criterions etc.
If they stop making DVDs which they're kind of trying to (e.g. 'The Watchmen' complete edition is Blu-Ray only, Avatar 3D will probably be just a Blu-Ray) then I may have to...move to a bigger apartment that is.
Posted by Veronica Sawyer (Member # 2221) on :
Valley, I am so jealous that you got this DVD early! I have only bought a handful of blu ray's so far (mainly because of the prices of them) but this is something I will definitely buy. I hope they eventually release the whole series on blu ray.
Posted by oneyedwilly (Member # 8730) on :
Guys guys guys a little intelligence please... you all (and me) replaced vhs with dvd right?? Well your thinking of doing the same again with blu ray right??? So what the hell do you think we are going to be doing in another 10 yrs time?? Hmmmmm food for thought really - its never ending, just a question about how much you really are willing to spend on what you already have...you cant rebuy the 80s guys.
Posted by oneyedwilly (Member # 8730) on :
oh yeah. and spend the money youd lose on blu ray on some kick *** state of the art sound and a projector 100x blue ray@$10 a pop is a grand on sound and if your like me have over 1200 dvds and i can watch all of them in great quality because of the sound and vision iv purchased. think first friends.
Posted by Valley (Member # 1322) on :
But I'm not replacing 1200 DVDs with Blu-ray.. just the ones that meet my criteria above. I do spend money on technology and some might think it is pointless. But for me.. it gives me a reason to get up everyday and go out and earn the coin to make it possible. Yes.. we will always be chasing technology, but what if you never went from VHS to DVD.. how's those old VHS tapes that barely play now?
And I can't bring back the 80's, but eventually you will be able to live out your favorite 80's movies..
Posted by Faith No Motley (Member # 3598) on :
I may end up getting this one to replace the standard DVD. I'm with ya Valley on not replacing the whole collection thing. I've noticed alot of places are offering some great deals on Blu-ray DVDs and alot of them are even coming down in price all together. We just bought and watched The French Connection on Blu-ray. It's amazing how crystal clear it looks and it's almost 40 years old!
Posted by oneyedwilly (Member # 8730) on :
hmmm yeah fair point there valley...your right, we will always be chasing technolgy and i could be waiting ages. And like you said it does give you the incentive to get up and earn to buy. i think im just going to very choosy and follow the criteria you set though because i know once i start buying blu ray i wont stop.
Posted by jam (Member # 8815) on :
One, Two Freddy's coming for you, Three, Four, better lock your door,
Check out the Official UK page for Nightmare on Elm Street (http://www.facebook.com/dontfallasleep) to be in with the chance of seeing Freddie’s revival way before the rest of the country!
Enjoy!
Posted by kevdugp73 (Member # 5978) on :
My pre-requisit for Blue-ray is primarily price...$10 bucks or under and I'm in...and typically, it's gotta be 80's...though I may splurge occasionally...I keep passing "Ghostbusters" Blue-ray on the shelf for $20+...but not sure how much longer I can resist. They seem to be making a bit of a move with the Blue Rays to nab more customers...at Walmart and FutureShop, they had approximately 10-15 movies on Blue-ray for....$5 BUCKS EACH!!! I was forced to break my "only 80's" pact and bought Sin City and the 3 Blade Runner movies....for $5 BUCKS EACH!!!
I'm also a bit stuck on preserving the presentation of my collection. I proudly display my 80's DVDs...and ya can't just go stickin' a few Blue-rays in the line...it just won't look right!!! I never owned Risky Business at all, but picked up the Blue-ray for $10 at Christmas time. A few weeks later, I bought the DVD...to add to my "real" collection. Sad and hopeless at the same time my brain is....
Sorry to take your thread off track Valley...I'm in for Nightmare, but can't imagine replacing the whole series on Blue-ray....
[ 12. April 2010, 17:39: Message edited by: kevdugp73 ]
Posted by Valley (Member # 1322) on :
Kevdugp.. I understand not wanting to intermingle Blu-rays with your regular DVD collection, but I don't understand why you bought the regular Risky Business DVD after having it on Blu-ray first.
Can't you do what I did .. I started my first shelf in my DVD cabinet with Blu-rays.. then the next few shelves were an all 80's regular DVDs .. finally any additional room I put my fav non-80's flicks. That way they aren't mixed...
Posted by kevdugp73 (Member # 5978) on :
I guess I just like everything being in the same format...I wish the Blue-rays came in the same size case..then I'd be totally fine with it. I like your idea for arrangement, but my collection has reached a point where I'm running out of options for organizing. I bought a nice shelf just for my 80's DVDs, but have just recently filled it...I'm currently 300 + for 80's alone...all my horror are seperate, all my non-80's are seperate, all my TV series are seperate, all my Blue-rays are seperate, all my Westerns are seperate...my wife is soon to kill me!
For quite some time now, I've been buying primarily 80's...for some reason, I have no desire to own many movies that are not from the 80's, with some exceptions of course. Reflective of life change I think...I was always a collector, but reached a point where space became a real problem and I felt suffocated...basically had to prioritize and pick one or two things to collect...80's movies were thankfully high on the list. I'm kind of a mastermind at organizing, so I'll figure somethin' out! *Sorry so long winded....
Posted by Pyromantic (Member # 7658) on :
I've not been taken in by Blu-Ray quite yet..It just has not gotten cheap enough for my penny-pinching standards yet.
Besides, I still have a collection of 700+ VHS tapes. Almost all still in good working order.
So you can imagine how much $$$ I've already saved by not making the transition to DVD with alot of them. And yes, Nightmare on Elm street is still in my VHS collection..and still plays just fine.
Posted by Veronica Sawyer (Member # 2221) on :
Is anyone going to see the remake this weekend?
Posted by WRAITH 81 (Member # 6874) on :
the remake will not be as good as the original i think.....originals allways take the cake
Posted by Veronica Sawyer (Member # 2221) on :
Just saw the remake. I went in with very low expectations, but the movie was actually really good and really SCARY. They made it much more of a psychological movie than just a gorefest. Jackie Earl Haley made a very, very creepy Freddy. There were lots of references to the original series too, which is always fun.
Posted by Valley (Member # 1322) on :
One, two, Blu-ray's coming for you. / Three, four, better start your car. / Five, six, time to get your Visa fix. / Seven, eight, better stay up late. / Nine, ten, you'll never sleep again.
I've watched the original "A Nightmare On Elm Street" on Blu-ray a couple of times now. I must say that it is quite impressive and I highly recommend the upgrade to any Nightmare fans. The picture is better than the original movie theater presentation and the 7.1 sound is incredible.
Posted by Veronica Sawyer (Member # 2221) on :
I love it too. I thought the scenes in the boiler room were the most impressive. You can actually see the details of Freddy's makeup!
Posted by Valley (Member # 1322) on :
If I was staying in tonight.. this might have to be watched as a prelude to Friday The 13th: Part 2!
btw.. who wins in Freddy vs Jason?
Posted by the young warrior (Member # 9554) on :
i think the 1984 nightmare on elm street blu ray is one of the best quality blu rays i've seen so far,and i've seen lots.i've also got no intention of replacing all my dvd collection to blu ray but this knocks spots of the old dvd release. be great when they do a elm street blu ray box set but i'd dread to think of the price! song from the end credits of elm street 6 freddys dead http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxfZd_TkCy8 .
[ 23. March 2011, 13:19: Message edited by: the young warrior ]
Posted by Billie Jean (Member # 9525) on :
Well I don't have a blu-ray player or any blu rays. Not sure when I will but I know it's only a matter of time. Just like the DVD Switch. DVD switch took me forever. It was all about cost. I still have 3 VHS Players and too many VHS movies to count. I would like to convert them to DVD'S before I run out and buy them again. I don't want to buy the movie twice. . I have all the Nightmare on Elm Street movies on DVD. So I won't ever buy them on blu-ray unless it's for two bucks or maybe free. That may be a while. Then my dilemma will be what will I do with my DVD copy?
Posted by The Good Package (Member # 9492) on :
is the commentary with englund good?
Posted by aTomiK (Member # 6575) on :
Is this cool or is this cool?
Posted by imawalkingcorpse (Member # 1675) on :
quote:Originally posted by Billie Jean: Well I don't have a blu-ray player or any blu rays. Not sure when I will but I know it's only a matter of time. Just like the DVD Switch. DVD switch took me forever. It was all about cost. I still have 3 VHS Players and too many VHS movies to count. I would like to convert them to DVD'S before I run out and buy them again. I don't want to buy the movie twice. . I have all the Nightmare on Elm Street movies on DVD. So I won't ever buy them on blu-ray unless it's for two bucks or maybe free. That may be a while. Then my dilemma will be what will I do with my DVD copy?
Trade them in. I have done that on upconvert from DVD to Blu Ray.
![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
I was forced to break my "only 80's" pact and bought Sin City and the 3 Blade Runner movies....for $5 BUCKS EACH!!!
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
. I have all the Nightmare on Elm Street movies on DVD. So I won't ever buy them on blu-ray unless it's for two bucks or maybe free. That may be a while.