The Wire

subbass · 10 Jan 2011 at 20:41

I haven't seen this and want to but seriously when is the bluray out for this? I can't bear to watch anything on DVD as it looks horrible on a big-ish telly.

j.col · 10 Jan 2011 at 22:20

i thought season 1 was brilliant.
but i just got out of it during season 2 but i am tempted to watch them again and hopefully get through the whole lot

jp_bl_68 · 10 Jan 2011 at 22:40

I would definitely give it another go. The show lulled in Season 2 but it's back on form for Season 3.

avec · 11 Jan 2011 at 00:12

Season 2 is one of the best seasons, it's just a shock because they change things up which is something no other show does.

The Greek comes and goes because he is an elusive figure. Season 2 told an important story about the working class, particularly the whites. It was the only season with a major selection of white characters.

jaws104 · 11 Jan 2011 at 00:17

Up to season 6 now on the Shield, it's very good - but not a patch on the Wire

simisker · 11 Jan 2011 at 01:06

I'd just like to add to the voices defending series 2.

Sure, first time round there's no doubt that it takes far too long introducing too many characters. There's no real 'action' until what - seventh, eighth episode of the series? By any standards, that's an indulgence.

Third or fourth time round, though, you can *really* appreciate the performances of Chris Bauer and James Ransone.

Knubje · 11 Jan 2011 at 15:59

subbass said:
I haven't seen this and want to but seriously when is the bluray out for this? I can't bear to watch anything on DVD as it looks horrible on a big-ish telly.

There is no HD version of The Wire available to my knowledge. It was filmed in 16:9 too. It has an old look and feel to it.

I don't know if they are ever releasing it in HD but I would buy it if they did. I'm a complete HD snob. Will do every thing in my power to watch shows/films in HD if possible.

The Wire makes the exception list with no doubt. I'm watching it as it came originally and the last thing you will be questioning is the quality of the picture.

Just over half way through S4 which I am really loving. My least favourite so far has been S2 but in its defense it is still excellent. It shows a different side to Baltimore to the ghetto and does link very well.

I also found out the other day that the guy who plays Cutty (Coach - boxing) is actually the voice of Coach in Left for Dead 2!!!!

Awesome :cool:

elroberto · 11 Jan 2011 at 16:30

Knubje said:
There is no HD version of The Wire available to my knowledge. It was filmed in 16:9 too. It has an old look and feel to it.

I don't know if they are ever releasing it in HD but I would buy it if they did. I'm a complete HD snob. Will do every thing in my power to watch shows/films in HD if possible.

It was shot in SD on Digibeta so there is no HD master so if it came out on Blu it would just be upscaled.Still, would probably mean less discs per season due to the increased capacity.

Loved the show. Might have to start watching them again.

Stelly · 13 Jan 2011 at 10:40

Tummy said:
I disagree, I think The Sopranos was much better.

me too, now I do like the wire, but I think the sopranos was a better show.

Stelly

doodah · 13 Jan 2011 at 11:19

The day they can fit a whole TV show on one disc; The Wire/Sopranos/Sons of Anarchy crime/drama set

Mr.Fantastic · 13 Jan 2011 at 13:11

subbass said:
I haven't seen this and want to but seriously when is the bluray out for this? I can't bear to watch anything on DVD as it looks horrible on a big-ish telly.

Found this article talking about The Wire, it mentions why there is no HD version out.

The Wire for each of its five seasons has been produced in good old fashioned 4 x 3 standard definition. DP Dave Insley recalled, "The reason the show has stayed 4x3 is because David Simon thinks that 4x3 feels more like real life and real television and not like a movie. The show's never been HD, even 4x3 HD and that (SD) is how it is on the DVDs. There is no 16x9 version anywhere." As a viewer with an HD set I will point out that like much of SD television that makes its way to HD channels, it appears that HBO utilizes state-of-the-art line doubling technology. It may still be standard definition, but line doubled it looks considerably better on a high definition set than it would on a standard definition set.

Insley explained, "When the show started 2001 / 2002 they framed it for 16 x 9 as a way of future-proofing. Then a couple of seasons ago, right before Season 4 began shooting, there was a big discussion about it and after much discussion -- David, Nina, Joe Chappelle, the Producers, the DPs -- and we discussed what should be the style of the show. David made the decision that we would stay with 4x3. The DPs pretty much defined the look to be what it is now. And it's been consistent for the past two seasons."

If you fancy reading the whole article - http://magazine.creativecow.net/article/inside-hbos-the-wire

Gustov · 13 Jan 2011 at 13:20

Stelly said:
me too, now I do like the wire, but I think the sopranos was a better show.

Stelly

Couldn't disagree more. Both are great shows but The Wire is better in every way for me. Saying that I do love Tony Soprano as a character. I'll finish my Sopranos boxset today, been watching since mid December. A month to watch 6 (7) seasons

not bad!

Tummy · 13 Jan 2011 at 13:45

I'm moving on to the second disc of the first season and so far I'm a bit lost to see what the massive fuss is about.

It's good, it's very good, but it's not West Wing or Sopranos or Band of Brothers good, I'm enjoying it, but enjoyment wise

Dexter wins hands down.

Gustov · 13 Jan 2011 at 14:03

Tummy said:
I'm moving on to the second disc of the first season and so far I'm a bit lost to see what the massive fuss is about.

It's good, it's very good, but it's not West Wing or Sopranos or Band of Brothers good, I'm enjoying it, but enjoyment wise Dexter wins hands down.

The characters in The Wire are amazing. Omar, Bubbles, Deangelo , Daniels, Bunk, Marlo, Stringer Bell, Brother Mouzone, McNulty, Avon....think that's what makes it so special. I also like the way they introduce a new theme every season whereas with The Sopranos its more just 1 long season.

Tummy · 13 Jan 2011 at 14:05

There are amazing characters in other shows too

It's good, I'm not saying it isn't, I was just expecting something a little ? Better? I don't know, I don't think it's as good as the ones I mentioned

Gustov · 13 Jan 2011 at 14:11

Have you watched Breaking Bad by the way? That's just as enjoyable as Dexter.

Stelly · 13 Jan 2011 at 14:13

Gustov said:
Couldn't disagree more. Both are great shows but The Wire is better in every way for me. Saying that I do love Tony Soprano as a character. I'll finish my Sopranos boxset today, been watching since mid December. A month to watch 6 (7) seasons not bad!

I did the same as you with both the wire and the sopranos, but I dont know, I think that season 2 did ruined the wire for me, just went off on a tangent, would liked to have more development of the first series then.

Started to watch Blues Blood and Southland, first series of Southland is fantastic... Blues Blood I'm not too sure about at the moment, I like it, but I'm not sure about the story line, doesnt feel quiet right as a program.

Stelly

Tummy · 13 Jan 2011 at 14:14

Nope, I'll stick with The Wire then give that a go.

Dexter season 6 please

Knubje · 13 Jan 2011 at 14:14

Give it time. It took me a long while into S1, probably about episode 8 before I realised how much I loved it.

There are lots of characters with varying depths of complexity and I think it takes time for it to come across. Stick with it and it will grow on you...oh indeed!

Muffin` · 13 Jan 2011 at 23:59

I envy people who haven't seen The Wire

oh to watch it again with an untainted eye...