Ghostbusters 2016 on DVD/Blu-Ray

[Tan Djarka]

Recently I picked it up at a thrift shop on DVD for a buck. Honestly, I mostly got it for the bonus features. Regardless of the film's quality (which can go without discussion in this thread), I'm always interested in the details of film production.

Anyway, when I was watching the DVD, I noticed something odd. The film is letterboxed, leaving the typical black bars at the top and bottom of the screen. At some points in the film, the effects (proton beams, etc) extend beyond the letterboxed area, into the black bars, and to the edge of the screen.

I'm pretty sure sure it was intentional, but I've never seen anything like that before. Maybe it was to create a 3D effect from a 2D image? Whatever it was, it was strange.

 

[batmann539]

Interesting... I found this article that explains it. Apparently it appeared that way in the theater as well.

Why Ghostbusters Looks So Unusual in 3-D

Sean

 

[Tan Djarka]

Okay, that explains it. Thanks.

 

[Richard Baker]

I got my copy from VUDU Streaming- (the expanded version was on sale for about $9). I don't think that version breaks the boundaries but I will check tonight.

Interesting idea about what they did and why

 

[Strikerkc]

Ha, that's neat. shame about it being that movie though

To be honest though, I'd be a bit miffed if I got a DVD or blueray home, popped it into my TV, and the tops and sides were drawn in, making the "main" portion of the movie smaller, just so the occasional thing to go "WoooOOOOOAAAaaAAA!! Check it out, I broke the black barrier!!!"

I'd be like "Son of a bitch, I bought this big TV cause I wanted the movie big, not for some gimmicky illusion that's only good in an IMAX 3D theater"

At the very least, I'd want an option of "fill up the darn screen" in addition

 

[robn1]

At the very least, I'd want an option of "fill up the darn screen" in addition

The article says the film was shot in 2.4:1 ratio. Most TVs are 1.77:1, the only way to fill the screen is to stretch it vertically or crop off the sides.

 

[The Searcher]

the only way to fill the screen is to stretch it vertically or crop off the sides.

Unless some of (or all) the scenes in a movie are shot in the IMAX format, which allows you to use the entire screen without additional compression/loss of quality.

 

[robn1]

Unless some of (or all) the scenes in a movie are shot in the IMAX format, which allows you to use the entire screen without additional compression/loss of quality.

Of course, I just meant in general.