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Insomnia (1997)
Insomnia (1997) poster
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Insomnia (1997)

Thriller, Crime, Mystery • 1h 36m

Overview

Detectives Jonas and Erik are called to the midnight sun country of northern Norway to investigate a recent homicide, but their plan to arrest the killer goes awry, and Jonas mistakenly shoots Erik. The suspect escapes, and a frightened Jonas pins Erik's death on the fugitive. Jonas continues to pursue the killer as he seeks to protect himself; however, his mounting guilt and the omnipresent sun plague him with an insomnia that affects his sanity.

Best English-Friendly Release

Best Video Release

Second Sight 4K Blu-ray is a Criterion SDR master with a HDR grade. Caps & comparison

Best Audio Release

Format

UHD Blu-ray

UHD Tiers

Solid
Second Sight

Featured Lists

External Links

Criterion Forum

Review

Picture: 9, Audio: 8, Extras: 7

Length

96 mins

Type

Movie

Last Updated

2 months ago

Contributors

Best English-Friendly Release
Best Video Release

Second Sight 4K Blu-ray is a Criterion SDR master with a HDR grade. Caps & comparison

Best Audio Release
Format
UHD Blu-ray
UHD Tiers
Solid
Second Sight
Featured Lists
Criterion Forum
Review

Picture: 9, Audio: 8, Extras: 7

Length
96 mins
Type
Movie
Last Updated
2 months ago
Contributors

Featured in Perfect Release

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Them! poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray see caps

SF is in 1.66 aspect ratio. Whether this is the intended ratio or a compromise isn't clear.

American Film Institute's catalog and Variety's contemporary review list it as 1.66, but other sources disagree.
Exhibitor's contemporary review lists it as 1.85, IMDB and an internal pre-production note from Warner Bros. list it as 1.75.

Them! poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray see caps

SF is in 1.66 aspect ratio. Whether this is the intended ratio or a compromise isn't clear.

American Film Institute's catalog and Variety's contemporary review list it as 1.66, but other sources disagree.
Exhibitor's contemporary review lists it as 1.85, IMDB and an internal pre-production note from Warner Bros. list it as 1.75.

Falling Down poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

US/UK Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

US/UK Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

US/UK Arrow 4K Blu-ray has both the original Dolby Stereo 2.0 mix in its best quailty and the original Dolby Stereo 4-track discrete stems in 4.0.

Best English-Friendly:

US/UK Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

US/UK Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

US/UK Arrow 4K Blu-ray has both the original Dolby Stereo 2.0 mix in its best quailty and the original Dolby Stereo 4-track discrete stems in 4.0.

The Silence of the Lambs poster
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Best English-Friendly:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray scheduled for October 2026 release

Best Audio:

1991 Orion LaserDisc vs 2024 Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Additional Info:

Criterion Blu-ray has exclusive extras

Best English-Friendly:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray scheduled for October 2026 release

Best Audio:

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Additional Info:

Criterion Blu-ray has exclusive extras

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UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Paramount US 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

70mm 6-Track: Paramount US 4K Blu-ray

35mm matrixed Dolby Stereo: 1995 Live Home Video US LaserDisc

Although the provenance of Paramount's 5.1 track is not confirmed, the fidelity is outstanding and speaks for itself.
The 7.1 track on the Capelight/old Lionsgate release is just an upmix with nothing gained over the 5.1.
The original stereo mix is only present on older DVDs and LaserDiscs; all Blu-ray 2.0 tracks are downmixes.

Additional Info:

Paramount 4K Blu-ray has no extras, Capelight 4K Blu-ray has most of the extras, Olive Films Blu-ray has a exclusive commentary

Best English-Friendly:

Paramount US 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

70mm 6-Track: Paramount US 4K Blu-ray

35mm matrixed Dolby Stereo: 1995 Live Home Video US LaserDisc

Although the provenance of Paramount's 5.1 track is not confirmed, the fidelity is outstanding and speaks for itself.
The 7.1 track on the Capelight/old Lionsgate release is just an upmix with nothing gained over the 5.1.
The original stereo mix is only present on older DVDs and LaserDiscs; all Blu-ray 2.0 tracks are downmixes.

Additional Info:

Paramount 4K Blu-ray has no extras, Capelight 4K Blu-ray has most of the extras, Olive Films Blu-ray has a exclusive commentary

Tommy poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray

Includes original quintaphonic (5.0) mix as well as a modernized 5.1 remix.

Tommy poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray

Includes original quintaphonic (5.0) mix as well as a modernized 5.1 remix.

Night Moves poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray. caps by BR user Donald McDonald. The encode looks absolutely spotless even in the highlights and without Dolby Vision filling anything in.

Best Audio:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray

Criterion is entirely unfiltered and sounds significantly more detailed than previous tracks, see Blah-ray.

Night Moves poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray. caps by BR user Donald McDonald. The encode looks absolutely spotless even in the highlights and without Dolby Vision filling anything in.

Best Audio:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray

Criterion is entirely unfiltered and sounds significantly more detailed than previous tracks, see Blah-ray.

High Society poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Warner Archive 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Warner Archive 4K Blu-ray is a remaster from the original VistaVision camera negaitve, FiM encode

Best Audio:

Warner Archive 4K Blu-ray

The original mono sounds good. The Atmos remix is a mixed bag, music performances are sourced from magnetic stereo recordings and sound great, but mono dialogue/effectshas undergone destructive noise reduction and unnecessary EQ, so the jumps in fidelity are incredibly jarring.

Best English-Friendly:

Warner Archive 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Warner Archive 4K Blu-ray is a remaster from the original VistaVision camera negaitve, FiM encode

Best Audio:

Warner Archive 4K Blu-ray

The original mono sounds good. The Atmos remix is a mixed bag, music performances are sourced from magnetic stereo recordings and sound great, but mono dialogue/effectshas undergone destructive noise reduction and unnecessary EQ, so the jumps in fidelity are incredibly jarring.

Danger: Diabolik poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

UK Masters of Cinema 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Original Italian/English dubs: UK Masters of Cinema 4K Blu-ray
Export English dub: Paramount LaserDisc

MoC ported the export dub from LaserDisc, but used a low quality transfer, with poor lossy encoding.

Additional Info:

MST3K version: Vol XXXIX DVD / episode 1013: series finale of the original show.

Best English-Friendly:

UK Masters of Cinema 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Original Italian/English dubs: UK Masters of Cinema 4K Blu-ray
Export English dub: Paramount LaserDisc

MoC ported the export dub from LaserDisc, but used a low quality transfer, with poor lossy encoding.

Additional Info:

MST3K version: Vol XXXIX DVD / episode 1013: series finale of the original show.

Desperate Living poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Additional Info:

Criterion 4K is in director's preferred aspect ratio of 1.66:1.

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Additional Info:

Criterion 4K is in director's preferred aspect ratio of 1.66:1.

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Radiance 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Radiance 4K Blu-ray is superior to Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray, see mfunk9786 review:

Despite being at a considerably tighter bitrate than the Kino, the BD-66 from Radiance /Transmission is the release to own. Looks fantastic (FiM again), grain pattern is crisp, and the repeating scene error isn't on it, either. Really nice packaging that isn't as beefy as a Second Sight LE is another big plus.

Best English-Friendly:

Radiance 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Radiance 4K Blu-ray is superior to Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray, see mfunk9786 review:

Despite being at a considerably tighter bitrate than the Kino, the BD-66 from Radiance /Transmission is the release to own. Looks fantastic (FiM again), grain pattern is crisp, and the repeating scene error isn't on it, either. Really nice packaging that isn't as beefy as a Second Sight LE is another big plus.

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Best Video:

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European: 5.1 remix on 2016 Midnight Factory and 2021 ESC 4K Blu-ray much more detailed than all mono mixes

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Best Video:

2020 Second Sight 4K Blu-ray

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European: 5.1 remix on 2016 Midnight Factory and 2021 ESC 4K Blu-ray much more detailed than all mono mixes

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Best Audio:

2003 R1 MGM DVD

State of Grace poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

UK Second Sight Blu-ray?

Best Video:

UK Second Sight Blu-ray maybe better than all the other Blu-rays?

Australia Imprint 4K Blu-ray is disappointing with DNR and poor compression

Additional Info:

US Twilight Time and Germany NSM Blu-rays have exclusive extras

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UK Second Sight Blu-ray?

Best Video:

UK Second Sight Blu-ray maybe better than all the other Blu-rays?

Australia Imprint 4K Blu-ray is disappointing with DNR and poor compression

Additional Info:

US Twilight Time and Germany NSM Blu-rays have exclusive extras

The Endless Summer poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

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Best Video:

OOP US Monterey Video Blu-ray or OOP UK Second Sight Blu-ray share the same restoration, but no comparison available

HD Streaming is available otherwise

Best English-Friendly:

OOP US Monterey Video Blu-ray or OOP UK Second Sight Blu-ray

Best Video:

OOP US Monterey Video Blu-ray or OOP UK Second Sight Blu-ray share the same restoration, but no comparison available

HD Streaming is available otherwise

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UHD Blu-ray
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Second Sight vs Nordisk Denmark Import - caps

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Second Sight 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Second Sight 4K Blu-ray has better encoding than Magnolia Pictures

Second Sight vs Nordisk Denmark Import - caps

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UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

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Best Video:

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Best English-Friendly:

Second Sight 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Second Sight 4K Blu-ray has better encoding than Magnolia Pictures Comparisons

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30 Days of Night poster
1080p Blu-ray
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US Sony Blu-ray

Best Video:

US Sony Blu-ray

UK ICON 4K Blu-ray is disappointing - caps. Filmout scan with grain management and overall less detail than the Blu-ray.

Best Audio:

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30 Days of Night poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

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Best Video:

US Sony Blu-ray

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Jaws 3-D poster
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3D version: Universal 3D Blu-ray (caveat: 3D Blu-ray has misaligned eyes)

Nick_M's 3D version is better than Universal 3D Blu-ray

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3D version: Universal 3D Blu-ray (caveat: 3D Blu-ray has misaligned eyes)

Nick_M's 3D version is better than Universal 3D Blu-ray

Jaws 3-D poster
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2D version: 2016 Universal Blu-ray

3D version: Universal 3D Blu-ray (caveat: 3D Blu-ray has misaligned eyes)

Nick_M's 3D version is better than Universal 3D Blu-ray

Best Video:

2D version: 2016 Universal Blu-ray

3D version: Universal 3D Blu-ray (caveat: 3D Blu-ray has misaligned eyes)

Nick_M's 3D version is better than Universal 3D Blu-ray

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1080p Blu-ray
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Terminator 2: Judgment Day poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

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Best Video:
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Best Audio:
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  • Original Dolby Stereo SR: USA Widescreen LaserDisc and others.

differences of mixes on various releases: see thread and more info here.

Additional Info:

2017 Blu-ray (which has the DNRed transfer), the 2009 Skynet Edition Blu-ray, and the 2000 Ultimate Edition DVD have exclusive extras. The 2003 Extreme Edition DVD has some exclusive easter eggs.

Best English-Friendly:

2015 Lionsgate Blu-ray 

Best Video:
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  • 2017 StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray and subsequent 4K Blu-rays are notorius for being heavily denoised and smoothened. Alternatively, 35mm scans for the theatrical cut is also available.

  • For the Ultimate Edition with the T-1000 searching John's room and the happy future ending, the 2009 Skynet Blu-ray, which is the older pre-2017 transfer, but has DNR.

Best Audio:
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  • Original Dolby Stereo SR: USA Widescreen LaserDisc and others.

differences of mixes on various releases: see thread and more info here.

Additional Info:

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Best Audio:

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Best English-Friendly:

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Best Video:

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Best Audio:

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Best Audio:

Original matrixed Dolby Stereo: Arrow  4K Blu-ray or Image Entertainment LaserDisc
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Best English-Friendly:

Capelight DE 4K Blu-ray or Arrow UK 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

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Best Audio:

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The best and most accurate of the 5.1 mixes is from the 2003 Special Edition DVD in AC3 form.

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Best Audio:

Original 5.1 from Jokers France 4K Blu-ray or Criterion US Blu-ray or older Blu-rays

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Criterion US Blu-ray or Umbrella Australia 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

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Edit History

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Insomnia (1997) backdrop

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