[Jim Di Griz]

Originally Posted by lucasisking

Hugo

I almost feel guilty for not enjoying this more. It’s a tender, earnest and gentle movie full of tender, earnest and gentle characters, and it looks sumptuous. But it just didn’t engage me at all on first viewing. It ambles from scene to scene without really going anywhere; two thirds of the way in, the characters seem no further into the story than when they started. I also found the acting a little flat, which is odd as they are all good actors. I’d like to give it another chance, but I’m not in a big hurry.

Picture is probably the best I’ve ever seen: utterly impressive. It's warm, vibrant, colours pop out, blacks are like Indian ink, metals gleam, little details sing, and faces are detailed. The few exterior shots are also stunning. It's so impressive in fact that I was more focused on that than the story itself. Sound is equally flawless, although it’s a fairly quiet film. Sound effects are steered around with perfect precision and there is some good use made of rear speakers.

Movie: 6.5
PQ: 10
AQ: 9

Why guilty? I know its Scorsese but this film just doesnt appeal to me in the slightest - I dont have kids though. Yours is the first review Ive seen of this which gives it anything less than full marks though - I think I trust your review more than the others Ive seen if thats any consolation!

[Jim Di Griz]

Originally Posted by djjimbob

In Time

MQ: Dross - 3/10. Great premise and it's hard to pinpoint exactly why I feel it was so poor. Most of the acting apart from Cillian Murphy was awful and the action was quite flat
FQ: 7/10. It looks like it had money spent on (the film), but the images were not particularly dazzling
SQ: 6/10. Nothing major and the clock noise was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay overused.

Im getting more and more worried about watching this now! Thing is, I want to like it because of Gattaca....must watch it with an open mind!

[lucasisking]

Originally Posted by Jim Di Griz

Why guilty? I know its Scorsese but this film just doesnt appeal to me in the slightest - I dont have kids though. Yours is the first review Ive seen of this which gives it anything less than full marks though - I think I trust your review more than the others Ive seen if thats any consolation!

Thanks . The two bluray reviews I've seen are very different. Our own here put it at 6/10, while Hi def digest praised it to the heavens (5/5). It just didn't grip me. It's a beautifully crafted and sentimental movie and obviously meant a lot to it's makers. I think if I revisited it I might warm to it, but not today.

As an AV experience it's absolutely top of the pile though (although I've yet to see MI: Ghost Protocol ).

[SBT]

Just watched The Wicker Tree. Oh dear,one of the worse film i've ever seen.Shocking

[pRot3us]

Tonight's film : Demons

I don't think I've seen this film since the 80s (perhaps very early 90s), but it's one I remember really liking at the time back in the days of Betamax, video nasties and my burgeoning love of zombie films. In fact I always mentally lumped this in with the zombie genre.

I don't remember a hell of a lot about this film detail wise, but I'm expecting a good old trashy low budget gorefest, no rose tinted spectacles here, but the fridge is stacked so I will be sliding on the beer goggles later on.

[simonblue]

Whistleblower,a very powerful and sometime hard to watch,but well worth it.

p/q ok
s/q ok

But dont let that put you of the film

[brian s]

Originally Posted by simonblue

Whistleblower,a very powerful and sometime hard to watch,but well worth it.

p/q ok
s/q ok

But dont let that put you of the film

Is that the Michael Caine film?

The Whistle Blower - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bri

[Indiana Jones]

Last night I watched for only the second time 'Dune'

First time was a few months back through Netflix and that was cropped and looked pretty ropey however the US BD looked fantastic.

[irascian]

Not had much time for Blu's lately as the DVD-only 15 hour set "The Story of Film" (highly recommended - first DVD I've bought in 2 years as these days I just go Blu) is taking up most of my viewing time.

But watched "In Time" last night. Sci-fi thriller set in the future where everything is paid for with time left to live. Great start and cast did a good job (Justin Timberlake, Cillian Murphy, Amanda Seyfried with a silly hair cut, "Pete" from Mad Men) but the plot peters out and gets very predictable and lame for the second half.

Disc was a pain as it just clunks and whirs and freezes in my "region free" Panasonic DMP-BD80 which Panasonic don't seem to have provided any updates for in an age. Had to watch it on a PS3. Only second disc I've had this issue with (the first was the "Star Trek" sampler)

Worth a rental on a slow afternoon, but not much more.

[steviedr]

DR. STRANGELOVE OR: HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE BOMB

Finally made some time for this, great film, as you all will know, Sellers is superb, I thought George C Scott was excellent.
Great humor and a fantastic set, can't believe it's taken me this long to watch it, but glad I did.

Looks very good on Blu.

Great Saturday afternoon viewing!


FQ - 9
PQ - 8
SQ - 7

[rebel_scum]

Open Range (German import)

I wasn't expecting much from this disc. The French release was a stinker and there have been a lot of incredibly lazy discs slipping out of Germany recently, as far as catalogue titles are concerned.

My fears were erased very quickly. This is a fine disc on all fronts. I honestly can't see Disney besting it, if they ever get around to releasing this in the states. It looks better than a lot of newer titles I've seen on BD of late, that mess of a transfer for M:I-Ghost Protocol immediately springing to mind.

The final shoot-out is an A/V treat.

Highly recommended.

[tele1962]

The Ward last night. I thought this was very good and didn't deserve some of the criticism it received.

FQ 8
AQ 9
PQ 9.

[Jim Di Griz]

Spaceballs

I love Spaceballs! Always have and always will. Even though Ive seen it dozens of times (literally) it still always makes me laugh out loud. Im probably in the minority but its my 2nd favourite Mel Brooks film (after Blazing Saddles of course) and certainly the most-watched. And its kid-friendly too, I know my step-niece and nephew love it so its not just a nostalgia thing.

Theres far too many funny bits for me to repeat here. Everyone in it seems to be perfect for the role. Rick Moranis steals the show of course as Dark Helmet - every time hes on screen I start laughing. Mind you, Colonel Sandurz is damn funny too. They dont make films like this anymore and if they brought Spaceballs out today I bet it would make me cringe...

The picture is very good indeed for an 80s film - a bit soft maybe but great colour and a definite jump-up from the DVD and DVD SE I used to have. I was also impressed with the sound, you might want to be careful with the volume of your subwoofer with this one.

And may the schwarz be with yoooouuuuuuuuuuuu....

Film 9/10
PQ 8/10
AQ 8.5/10

[Indiana Jones]

Fantastic film, started quoted bits of it to my mate the other week and he had no idea what I was on about and then admitted he had never seen it or Blazing Saddles so I lent him both and now he is a fan

Anyway last night I broke the seal on my Underworld Legacy Collection, have never seen any if the films so didn't know what to expect but quite enjoyed the first one and made very good use of the surrounds and sub.

I can't wait to get through the other 3 films.

[shoestring25]

watched mission impossible ghost protocol great stuff would recommend to anybody best of the mission impossible films. good cast lots of gadgets and non stop action start to finish.

8/10

[brian s]

Originally Posted by tele1962

The Ward last night. I thought this was very good and didn't deserve some of the criticism it received.

FQ 8
AQ 9
PQ 9.

It's not Carpenter's best but still a very good watch. I was very chuffed to get this for Xmas.

Bri

[irascian]

Spielberg's war horse epic for me today.

Liked this more than I thought I would given the snippy comments about over-sentimentality from the critics. Yes, it is overly-sentimental (but not as bad as Saving Private Ryan), far-fetched and old-fashioned. But it's beautifully acted by a very strong cast, has some amazing cinematography and feels like a cinematic epic. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Great picture quality and sound.

The extra's are lame, comprising mainly a fake "round table discussion" with Speilberg and the actors and then separately the writers and technical folk. Lots of "stating the bleeding obvious" chronyism and fawning whilst wisely nodding head in agreement with anything anybody says. Quite sick making.

Glad to own this one. It's a keeper.

[jagdeepp]

Watched Cowboys & Aliens. Average. Zero repeat watch value. 4.5/10

In hindsight should've watched Super 8 which has been sat in my collection for ages.

Mrs is in the theatre at present watching Shrek The Third with my daughter. I got bored of it and came back indoors. We're watching The Change Up later tonight which i'm looking forward to.

Not seen so many films in a day for at least a year! Brilliant!

Am going to also try and slip in Thor so i can finally complete the Marvel set before moving onto Avengers!

[MrFurious]

Girl With The Dragon Tattoo finally got to see this now my new plasma and speakers have been set up.

Loved the film, knew nothing much about it as i missed the original, i was totally immersed into this, the setting and feel of the film, visually excellent and a great story, the blu ray was superb also with a great PQ and Soundtrack.
9/10 from me here

[snooloui]

American History X

[jagdeepp]

Just finished The Change Up. Fair to say that 80% of the gags were in the trailer. Still a decent watch. 7.5/10 overall.

[brian s]

Originally Posted by jagdeepp

Watched Cowboys & Aliens. Average. Zero repeat watch value. 4.5/10

In hindsight should've watched Super 8 which has been sat in my collection for ages.

I found them both very poor. No rewatch on either of them for me.

Bri

[lucasisking]

Originally Posted by jagdeepp

Am going to also try and slip in Thor

I imagine you'll need to get him drunk first lol

[tele1962]

Demons last night, great fun but not really an Argento classic.

FQ 7
AQ 6
PQ 6.

[Movie BEXtra]

Last night my viewing was.....

Alien

Cracked open my bargain blind buy anthology, didnt know which version to watch. In the end went for the Directors Cut. I am going to ruffle some feathers here and say i don't get the Alien hype. I thought it was slow paced, i didnt think the acting was that great, a bit wooden?! The effects were impressive for 1979 and the picture quality was very impressive for a 33 year film. This film came out 4 years before i was born, but if id of been alive and of age to view it i can imagine this film would of been mind blowing at the time. Don't get me wrong i did enjoy it but i cant help thinking my mind has been influenced by modern day films that maybe i have failed to fully appreciated a good thing when i see it.

FQ: 6/10
PQ: 8.5/10

[irascian]

Originally Posted by brian s

I found them both very poor. No rewatch on either of them for me.

Bri

Yup Super 8 is top of my "Most over-rated and disappointing movie experiences" list of last year. Really don't understand all the love this film gets. Tedious "Goonies-like" retread aimed at kids with a bad Cloverfield monster spliced onto it.

[irascian]

Originally Posted by Movie BEXtra

Last night my viewing was.....

Alien

Cracked open my bargain blind buy anthology, didnt know which version to watch. In the end went for the Directors Cut. I am going to ruffle some feathers here and say i don't get the Alien hype. I thought it was slow paced, i didnt think the acting was that great, a bit wooden?! The effects were impressive for 1979 and the picture quality was very impressive for a 33 year film. This film came out 4 years before i was born, but if id of been alive and of age to view it i can imagine this film would of been mind blowing at the time. Don't get me wrong i did enjoy it but i cant help thinking my mind has been influenced by modern day films that maybe i have failed to fully appreciated a good thing when i see it.

FQ: 6/10
PQ: 8.5/10

This is a common problem with films that have so much hype attached to them that you get to see "out of time". I had the same experience with the film on first viewing (similarly for "Blade Runner" and too many others to mention here).

However I suggest you revisit it in 5 years time. You might be pleasantly surprised, as I was, on a re-visit once you've got fixed in your mind that it's slow and a bit wooden and then revisit it expecting that.

[bosque]

Originally Posted by Movie BEXtra

Last night my viewing was.....

Alien

Cracked open my bargain blind buy anthology, didnt know which version to watch. In the end went for the Directors Cut. I am going to ruffle some feathers here and say i don't get the Alien hype. I thought it was slow paced, i didnt think the acting was that great, a bit wooden?! The effects were impressive for 1979 and the picture quality was very impressive for a 33 year film. This film came out 4 years before i was born, but if id of been alive and of age to view it i can imagine this film would of been mind blowing at the time. Don't get me wrong i did enjoy it but i cant help thinking my mind has been influenced by modern day films that maybe i have failed to fully appreciated a good thing when i see it.

FQ: 6/10
PQ: 8.5/10

Nothing wrong with disliking a movie, though you'd have to say a bit more about why you felt the acting was "wooden". That's a description I've never seen used about the cast, whether someone liked the movie or not. Which actors in other movies would you recommend for being non-wooden ?

[Jim Di Griz]

Originally Posted by Movie BEXtra

Last night my viewing was.....

Alien

Cracked open my bargain blind buy anthology, didnt know which version to watch. In the end went for the Directors Cut. I am going to ruffle some feathers here and say i don't get the Alien hype. I thought it was slow paced, i didnt think the acting was that great, a bit wooden?! The effects were impressive for 1979 and the picture quality was very impressive for a 33 year film. This film came out 4 years before i was born, but if id of been alive and of age to view it i can imagine this film would of been mind blowing at the time. Don't get me wrong i did enjoy it but i cant help thinking my mind has been influenced by modern day films that maybe i have failed to fully appreciated a good thing when i see it.

FQ: 6/10
PQ: 8.5/10

Well I dont understand blind-buying boxsets youve never seen (I certainly wouldnt!) but hey ho!

I didnt watch Alien when it came out either. When I did see Alien and Aliens I always thought Aliens was slightly better even though Alien was very good. Wind on about another 10 years and I thought the opposite and still do now.

If you think Alien is slow you better not watch Blade Runner . But both these films are better than any sci-fi since they were released in my opinion and I cant see that changing (I hope Prometheus proves me wrong though!)

[Jim Di Griz]

Originally Posted by bosque

Nothing wrong with disliking a movie, though you'd have to say a bit more about why you felt the acting was "wooden". That's a description I've never seen used about the cast, whether someone liked the movie or not. Which actors in other movies would you recommend for being non-wooden ?

+1. Theres plenty of wooden actors in sci-fi films but Alien is certainly not one of them!