Van Helsing DVD Talkback

[Deadly Messiah]

Anyone besides me pick up Van Helsing yet?

Well, man what an awesome movie this is. The transfer is gorgeous, and the audio rocks. Although I do wish it had DTS audio (I mean it is in the credits after all), the DD was great.

The extras are pretty cool as well. There was one that talked about the original Van Helsing from the 1931 Dracula movie, and stuff on Jackman. A making of the monsters' CGI (mostly for the brides and Mr Hyde), bloopers, which are funny, and a few other things I have not had the chance to watch yet.

Oh yeah, you can even play the first level to that horrid video game.

I give the movie a 5/5 and the DVD a 5/5.

And Kate Beckinsale a 5/5. ;)

[Sigma]

I steered clear of this DVD. I saw the movie and theaters and it was so boring I fell asleep in the middle of the movie. The CG effects were horrid and the whole plot just flat out sucked, but your not the only one to like I have a few friends who also liked it.

[Michael24]

Favorite movie for the year! Awesome kick-ass flick! Bought the "Collector's Edition." Haven't had a chance to watch the movie yet, but checked out some of the bonus features. The Bloopers were pretty funny. The "You Are In The Movie" featurette was kinda boring, but I liked the interview with composer Alan Silvestri. I'll probably check out the rest of the featurettes and watch the movie over the weekend. Just wish they had a collection of deleted scenes, because I know a couple things were cut.

And what are you talking about? On a scale of 1-10, Beckinsale is 100! :D

[Mynd Hed]

I steered clear of this DVD. I saw the movie and theaters and it was so boring I fell asleep in the middle of the movie. The CG effects were horrid and the whole plot just flat out sucked, but your not the only one to like I have a few friends who also liked it.

...and what was the point of saying so? If everyone who didn't like a movie popped up in every DVD talkback thread just to point out that they didn't like it, talkback threads would be very very long and very very boring.

Anyway, Michael24, would you recommend the Collector's Edition over the regular one? What does it have to justify the extra price?

[Silly McGooses]

I would never buy it...dreadfull film. And this is the SECOND TIME they've used Van Helsing to get people to buy the classic Universal Monster Movies on DVD (the collecter's edition has them on disc three)

[Michael24]

If it was a dreadful film, then why waste your time posting about something you obviously didn't like? Just a thought.

Anyway, Michael24, would you recommend the Collector's Edition over the regular one? What does it have to justify the extra price?Well, I guess if you want as many bonus features as possible, then the CE is worth buying. One of the reasons I wanted it was for the interview with composer Alan Silvestri, but also, I just wanted as many of the features as I could get. Sure, the third disc will be wasted because I already have the original Universal monster movies, but it's a small price to pay for getting those extra bonus features. So I guess if you want those extra extras and can afford it, then the CE is worth picking up. Plus, the packaging is just way cooler than the 1-disc version. :)

Watched the movie tonight. Looked great, though I was disappointed that it was shot in 1.85:1, especially since Sommers' previous films have been 2.35:1, my favorite ratio. :) Still, looked great, and it sounded kick-ass on my surround sound. I had it cranked way up! Awesome movie!!

[Frank Castle]

I hated the movie when I saw it. But I'll rent it and see if my view towards it gets better or worse.

[Deadly Messiah]

Ok, Michael24, question, what is the difference between 1:85:1 and 2:35:1? How can you tell?

I mean I really can care less since since widescreen is widescreen no matter what.

As for those posting how they hated the movie, well, I can't say don't post in here because I do it sometimes, but please explain what you hated about the movie.

[Michael24]

Well, have you seen THE MUMMY and THE MUMMY RETURNS? Those movies are shot in 2.35:1, which I describe to non-aspect ratio literate people as "wide widescreen." :) True, widescreen is widescreen, but I just prefer 2.35:1. It looks cooler, too. If I ever get to be a director one day, I will shoot all of my movies in 2.35:1.

Anybody knows what up with the TRANSYLVANIA spin-off TV series? I heard that NBC backed off from it because it was deemed to expensive, but that other networks were interested. Personally, since it wouldn't be about Van Helsing, I would have prefered a VAN HELSING animated series in the style of the VAN HELSING: THE LONDON ASSIGNMENT prequel DVD. They could still keep Hugh Jackman as the voice (since he did do THE LONDON ASSIGNMENT and the video game, and movie stars have been known to voice their animated TV counterparts sometimes), and I think it would be better than the live-action proposal, which would have little to do with the film other than being set in the same world and using the Transylvanian town set.

[Deadly Messiah]

I really don't understand the difference, but oh well.

And I actually want to get into the movie industry. My main thing is to do character designs (for both animated stuff and live action), but I also want to make the series I have drawn characters for and written short stories about in movies.

[Michael24]

Yeah, I can't really explain the difference because I don't know the technical stuff myself. I just know how they look different, and i has something to with the lenses I believe. But take a look at THE MUMMY or THE MUMMY RETURNS on DVD, and you'll notice the widescreen bars are "thicker" (so to speak" than they are on VAN HELSING. Basically, if VAN HELSING was shot in 2.35:1, you would be seeing even more on either side of the screen.

Here's something that might help - http://home1.gte.net/res0mrb7/widescreen/aspect.html You can see the size difference between 1.85:1 and 2.35:1 at the bottom of the page.

[Deadly Messiah]

Ok, so it is the height of the black bars? Screen size being (hope this comes out right):

___________
!__________!


____________
! !
!___________!

[Michael24]

Pretty much, yeah. I was trying to do a similar graphic in my previous post, but couldn't make it work. But you got it with that. :)

[Sparticus]

If it was a dreadful film, then why waste your time posting about something you obviously didn't like? Just a thought.
This question will, unfortunately, plague the ages. -.- Thanks for asking it!!!!! :zim:

I haven't gotten the DVD yet, it's waiting untill the next paycheck. :gir: (Man, these Gir and Zim smileys work for EVERYTHING!) Can barely wait for the bloopers. ^-^ I wuv bloopers. I've seen stills but I have no idea what's going on.

I only ask for one spoiler: What's the deal with the Carl and Van Helsing spit-take?

[Michael24]

It's Hugh Jackman and Carl Wenham goofing around while filming the shot of Van Helsing and Carl traveling on the ship, on their way to Transylvania. There's another funny moment (two, actually) of Hugh when Kate Beckinsale is sitting on top of him. Haha!! It's a pretty funny gag reel. :)

[Knight]

I bought this the other day. Never saw it when it was in the theatres and had the desire to see something new so I picked it up. It was good to me not great but I was certainly entertained by the movie. Hugh Jackman and Kate Beckinsale were very good. It had a lot of good action. Im not disappointed with the purchase. The inside the movie feature sucked though.

[Sparticus]

It's Hugh Jackman and Carl Wenham goofing around while filming the shot of Van Helsing and Carl traveling on the ship, on their way to Transylvania. There's another funny moment (two, actually) of Hugh when Kate Beckinsale is sitting on top of him. Haha!! It's a pretty funny gag reel. :)
Yay! I'd heard as much. ^-^