open matte & full screen main thread

[spoRv]

Because there is an increasing interest in open matte and full screen versions of movies, I think it's time to start a main thread about this, a bit like the one found on our preferred Russian tracker.

Its main goal is to find out eventual differences between full screen, open matte and letterbox version of the same move, and *eventually* help project maker to release an AAP-AR version using two or three sources. Also, to have confirmation (or denial) of a DVD/BD/WEB release, or if it's available only on HDTV/DTV/ATV etc. - images and comparisons are extremely welcome!
Note that quite often 1.85:1 are released in home video with a 1.78:1 where there are top and bottom "slices".

Note: I copied and edited some posts that I feel relevant from the open matte master list thread; if you want to just add/correct titles which are not in the list, with no thoughts or pics, please post there, thanks!

Few and simple rules:
Title of the movie should be in bold, to facilitate grasping it in the post
OAR = original aspect ratio : the one found in theaters and in most home video versions
OM = open matte : here, it would be referred to 1.78:1 aspect ratio
FS = full screen : here, it would be referred to 1.33:1 aspect ratio
P&S = pan & scan : avoid to post a pan&scan title only, unless it contains more image than letterbox version
(when I write 2.40:1, it could be indeed 2.39:1 or 2.35:1, generally referred to anamorphic filmed movies)

Reference:
LIST OF OPEN MATTE AND VARIABLE ASPECT RATIO MOVIES
http://blog.sporv.com/open-matte-master-list

[nafroe]

If I'm not mistaken, the old "Full Screen" Spider-Man 2 DVD is full screen open matte, much like Terminator 2... Some slight cropping on the left/right, but more vertical information.

[jerryshadoe]

Lord of the Flies (1990) - DE PAL DVD Open Matte (1.33:1) - german dub only - comp: http://sd.caps-a-holic.com/vergleich.php...eichID=735

Damn shame that the open matte is horrible quality and looks like a transfer from a duped VHS
The 1990 version of that film has always been my favorite. I think it's an awesome remake that doesn't get enough credit. At least the BD release is flawless, full of grain, balanced colors and contains the original theatrical mix in lossless DTS-HDMA

[SilverWook]

I can confirm a 16:9 open matte version of Team America exists. Whether it's been seen anywhere outside of the Sony PSP UMD format is anyone's guess.

[Evit]

Food of the Gods 2

In a scene you can see the make-up guy pumping white stuff with a siringe connected to prostetic applications from which it would then ooze.
That's on the Italian VHS, open matte. I don't find the scene on youtube but here's a random funny scene https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9AnwYi2Frk

[Evit]

Well Low Blow seems to be open matte on my VHS tape while it has black bars on the DVD, same with Hollywood Cop. For that matter, I think every single bad movie I have on VHS is open matte, that's why I wondered... is it worth listing even bad movies? The list is endless

[Evit]

This specific Italian BD release of Dawn of the Dead states "full frame" on disc 3
https://www.amazon.it/Zombi-Dawn-Dead-Bl...01LTHL0IS/
(it's only available on the 4k boxset, not with the normal BD boxset)

[FrankT]

Looks like The Flintstones (1994) may have an open-matte version, judging from the trailers. Does anyone know if the VHS has it?

[FrankT]

It appears that the VHS version is indeed open-matte. I've bought a copy so I can check and maybe get a rip or something. The NTSC and PAL versions might be different, I'm not sure.

[nafroe]

the theatrical version of The Hangover. (can't speak to the unrated version)

The DVD has options for both Widescreen and Full-Screen on the same disc. I took a few VLC screenshots of both versions... The Full-Screen version is opened up vertically a bit, but cropped on the sides.