TweakTown's Digital Lounge Blu-ray Awards 2009

TweakTown's Digital Lounge Blu-ray Awards 2009

Well, another year, another batch of awesome new releases. 2009 was the first full year where it had no rival in the form of HD-DVD, saw the emergence of BD live portals from almost every major distributor, saw some controversies (Warner Bros lack of lossless audio on some releases, Universals botched Gladiator video transfer), and most importantly, the solidification of the format. Now, Mums and Dads know what Blu-ray is and what it can do for them.

So, at the start of 2010, I thought it was high time to award the releases of 2009 and the distributors that produced them.


Best Image Quality

Criteria: Most impressive image quality based on quality of materials, devoid of sloppy DNR or other digital nasties and with most efficient image encoding.



Winner: Star Trek (Paramount Home Entertainment)

Why: During the film I saw nary a hint of digital annoyances. The transfer of this Blu-ray is infinitely better than the experience I had at the cinema only a few months before. It really is picture perfection.

Runner Up: Hot Fuzz (Universal Home Entertainment)


Best Audio Quality

Criteria: Most immersive use of sound, with lossless audio being a must.

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Winner: Quantum of Solace (MGM Home Entertainment)

Why: Quantum of Solace features a very, very aggressive DTS HD Master Audio track at 24 bits. You are dragged kicking and screaming into the action, but rarely does it call attention to itself; rather taking you along for the ride.

Runner Up: Watchmen (Paramount Home Entertainment)


Best Special Features Collection

Criteria: Based on quality and quantity of extra features, including audio commentaries, picture in picture video tracks and providing more than basic behind the scenes information.

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Winner: Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen (Paramount Home Entertainment)

Why: Disc producer Charlie de Lauzarika is renowned for his behind the scenes documentaries, and those featured on Transformers 2 don't disappoint. Every facet of the production is thoroughly investigated and it's a romp to watch Michael Bay at work... almost more entertaining than the film itself.

Runner Up: Wall-E (Disney Home Entertainment)


Best New Release Movie

Criteria: Best overall movie for a new release title released over the course of the year.



Winner: Wall-E (Warner Home Entertainment)

Why: Pixar is Hollywood's golden child. Rarely do they make a misstep (I hate Finding Nemo, and was disappointed by Up, but almost every other film is perfect), and it almost seems to have reached a pinnacle with Wall E. Working on multiple levels, and for a good section of the film is devoid of human speech, yet Wall E himself is one of the most humanistic and emotional of animated characters yet created. It works, and it works perfectly.

Runner Up: Star Trek (Paramount Home Entertainment)

TweakTown's Digital Lounge Blu-ray Awards 2009

Best Vintage Catalogue Release

Criteria: Best visual and audio remastering for an older title, released previously, including quality of extra features.



Winner: The Wizard Of Oz (Disney)

Why: For a 70 year old film to look and sound as good as The Wizard of Oz does, is nothing short of a miracle. Warner Brothers have put much effort into making one of the gems of their library shine like never before, and they should be applauded for going all the way for fans of not only this film, but cinema history.

Runner Up: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Twentieth Century Fox)


Best TV Series Release

Criteria: Best overall release of a TV Series property released over the course of the year.



Winner: Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series

Why: No true Battlestar Galactica fan should be without every single disc out of the 20 discs. Filled to the brim with extra features and an astounding high definition transfer; this set really is an embarrassment of riches.

Runner Up: Star Trek: The Original Series Volume One


Best Studio

Criteria: Consistence of quality releases is a must, including quality of image and audio quality, consistency of lossless audio and at the very least, including special features from DVD release, if not more.



Winner: Disney Home Entertainment

Why: This was the hardest award of all to judge. So many studios put a lot of effort into their Blu-ray productions this year, so singling out one is rather difficult. However, in the end there can only be one, and it goes to Disney for the consistency of their releases, both catalogue (Pinocchio) and new release (Wall E). Rarely do they push out a title without first properly restoring the film (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs), creating new additional features that can only work on Blu-ray (Sin City) or giving consumers just that little bit extra (additional DVD copies of the relevant film in the same package). Kudos to Disney, you've earned it!

Runner Up: Universal Home Entertainment


Best Overall Release

Criteria: Best Blu-ray release based on image, audio and special feature quality, and quality of the movie in general.



Winner: Star Trek (Paramount Home Entertainment)

Why: Again, an extremely hard award to dish out. In the end however, Star Trek ticked all the boxes to a higher degree than everything else, just edging out some very strong (and close) competition.

Runner Up: Wall-E (Disney Home Entertainment)


We sincerely hope you enjoyed our content throughout the year. Please feel free to discuss this in our forums and we look forward to the bounty of Blu-ray goodness in 2010!