What Blu-Ray did you watch last night?

[Graham Ritchie]

Our daughter paid us a visit last evening, would you like to watch a movie I asked? The movie we watched was the excellent film "Goodbye Christopher Robin" after watching it I said to April you will never be able to watch a Winnie the Poo film again without thinking back to the story of how it all began.

The blu-ray picture and sound quality is excellent "Goodbye Christopher Robin" I would certainly highly recommend watching, but be warned though, I forgot to bring out the box of tissues for April, as near the end you will really need to supply them.

[Ed Gordon]

For me "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" which looked better at home in HD than at the "Digital IMAX" screen I had previoulsy seen it at...

Otherwise known as "LieMax"

IMAX is short for “Image Maximum” but, since 2008, they’ve been pretty lax on the maximum part.

The Disappointing World of IMAX and LieMAX

It’s been 6 years since it first began, and yet today so many filmgoers are still unaware that this deceit is occurring. Just last week I told some friends that I planned to drive two hours to go see Interstellar in 70mm IMAX, and they were all puzzled why I didn’t just drive a few minutes to see it in “IMAX” at our local mall.

See full article by John Canfield (November 11, 2014) Link: https://johncanfield.me/blog/disappo...d-imax-liemax/

[Brian Fretwell]

For me "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" which looked better at home in HD than at the "Digital IMAX" screen I had previoulsy seen it at. I suspect it just had two synchronised 2K projectors and the picture was too big for that set-up I could almost count the mirrors of the DMD!!!!

[Ed Gordon]

Ed

I had been thinking of "Living" for a while now, but just could not make up my mind after seeing the DVD at JB Hi Fi a while back. After reading your review I got around to getting it today what looked like the last of the DVDs in stock of this title. Tonight I watched it using the Epson and I must say the story was way better than I thought it would be. I would have to rate "Living" as one of the best films I have seen. Bill Nighy really nailed it, outstanding acting. In a way it reminded me of my father who after leaving school worked for the ICI in Glasgow before the war and again after the war until he took retirement. I always thought he liked the job but my mother told me after he left the ICI that he hated it, I never new that. There is a lot of truth to how Bill Nighy puts it across. Many people of my fathers generation would often stay in a job all there working lives, even though they might not be happy with it, it might sound strange these days, but I guess it was a matter of having to back then.

On the blu-ray side of things I did watch Spencer Tracy in "Bad Day At Black Rock" 1954, outstanding in every way, and its a blu-ray release I would highly recommend

I had the same reaction to the film Graham. I wasn't expecting too much, and it sat in my queue to watch for awhile. The trailer really did not reflect the what it was about. I did not know that it was a remake of an Akira Kurosawa film from the 50's. What a pleasant surprise it turn out to be.

Living is a 2022 British drama film directed by Oliver Hermanus from a screenplay by Kazuo Ishiguro, adapted from the 1952 Japanese film Ikiru directed by Akira Kurosawa, which in turn was partly inspired by the 1886 Russian novella The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy. Set in 1953 London, it depicts a bureaucrat in the county Public Works department (played by Bill Nighy) facing a fatal illness.

Living had its world premiere at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival on 21 January 2022, and was released in the United Kingdom on 4 November 2022, by Lionsgate.^[3] The film received positive reviews, with Nighy's performance receiving particular acclaim, and at the 95th Academy Awards was nominated for Best Actor (Nighy) and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Credit: Wikipedia

I also agree with you on Bad Day At Black Rock. Outstanding performances by Tracy and all the supporting cast!

[Graham Ritchie]

Ed

I had been thinking of "Living" for a while now, but just could not make up my mind after seeing the DVD at JB Hi Fi a while back. After reading your review I got around to getting it today what looked like the last of the DVDs in stock of this title. Tonight I watched it using the Epson and I must say the story was way better than I thought it would be. I would have to rate "Living" as one of the best films I have seen. Bill Nighy really nailed it, outstanding acting. In a way it reminded me of my father who after leaving school worked for the ICI in Glasgow before the war and again after the war until he took retirement. I always thought he liked the job but my mother told me after he left the ICI that he hated it, I never new that. There is a lot of truth to how Bill Nighy puts it across. Many people of my fathers generation would often stay in a job all there working lives, even though they might not be happy with it, it might sound strange these days, but I guess it was a matter of having to back then.

On the blu-ray side of things I did watch Spencer Tracy in "Bad Day At Black Rock" 1954, outstanding in every way, and its a blu-ray release I would highly recommend

[Melvin England]

No photographs, but over the last couple of months or so, my wife and myself have binge watched the complete "Downton Abbey" series on blu ray. All six series, plus the Christmas specials plus the finale and, the bit that qualifies this post on this thread, "Downton Abbey - The Movie" and "Downton Abbey - A New Era."

Watching the series as a 2nd time after their TV runs, it is wonderful to pick up on little bits that one missed the first time. Watching them all so close together also improves the flow. One can pick up a remark to a situation that took place a couple of episodes ago far more easier thus totally enhancing one's enjoyment of this superb series.

I wonder if there will be a third film ? "Downton Abbey - The National Trust Years." 😉

[Ed Gordon]

I recently watched the 2022 movie, Living, which is based on Akira Kurosawa's 1952 film Ikiru. Roger Ebert's review of the 1952 version summarizes the what the film is about:

I saw "Ikiru" first in 1960 or 1961. I went to the movie because it was playing in a campus film series and only cost a quarter. I sat enveloped in the story of Watanabe for 2 1/2 hours, and wrote about it in a class where the essay topic was Socrates' statement, "the unexamined life is not worth living."' Over the years I have seen "Ikiru" every five years or so, and each time it has moved me, and made me think. And the older I get, the less Watanabe seems like a pathetic old man, and the more he seems like every one of us.

-Roger Ebert

If you watch the trailer for Living, you are left with the impression that this is just another Bill Nighy film about charming old people out to have their last fling. The 4 minute interview video below is more informative:

LIVING – Behind The Scenes

The film starts slow as it pulls you into the dull life of the main character. The last half of the movie explains why this man sitting on a swing in the snow is so happy.

The Rowan Tree with British actor Bill Nighy in Living

[Graham Ritchie]

Over the last few weeks I try to watch a movie a night on the Epson VP, while Yvonne watches more of the CSI series on TV, One movie "US Marshals" I have and always liked this one, with full on action from start to finish, excellent transfer and sound Next "Ice Road" a good movie but nothing special, however its an easy nights entertainment. "Last Cab To Darwin" an excellent Australian film, stunning Aussie scenery captured brilliantly. Starring Michael Caton, who if anyone can remember was brilliant in "The Castle" also out on blu-ray. Last night it was back to James Bond, with "For Your Eyes Only" the highlight for me is Scottish girl not only singing the hit title, but the only one to also star in the opening credits of a Bond film. To be honest after Roger Moore left the roll as bond I lost interest in the James Bond thing. I liked the light hearted along with the stunts/ filming locations of his series of bond films, they were just fun to watch..

On that note, here is the lovely Sheena Easton

[Graham Ritchie]

Last night it was "R.V" on blu-ray starring Robin Williams, we ran the film print at the cinema and always enjoyed it.

Tonight blu-ray was "Downfall" its not the first time I have watched it, impressive acting by Bruno Ganz.

The Epson VP has certainly been getting a lot of use at the moment.

On a side note and I keep forgetting to mention it, is a DVD "Shackleton's Antarctic Adventure" its really well worth adding into any movie night, and cant recommend it enough. I got this DVD years ago, and never tire of watching it, if you have a VP, its even better.


Back to "Downfall".

[Graham Ritchie]

I must have watched this one a million times and never tire of it tonight being another I checked through our old cinema records, Jan 2005 when we screened the 35mm print, yikes that's 19 years ago, how time passes. A few weeks ago I did screen the 1964 original on blu-ray, that's another one I have watched a lot since I first saw it at the cinema back in the 60s.

PS. Both picture and sound on the 2004 remake is excellent

The 2004 re-make is very good in its own right and makes a good nights entertainment

[Graham Ritchie]

I asked Connor, right you pick one tonight? reply you can, so the challenge began I came up with this one and it certainly got his attention worked well. All about "Interstellar" next time, are you sure I said as its a long one, yep next time however not forgetting about film, at last both him and Steven want to watch ET tomorrow. Its been sitting on the platter for ages, as they both want to watch it, but finding the time to get everyone together at the same time has taken a while, anyway that's tomorrow afternoon all going well.

I must add, I have had great run out of the Epson VP so far, very happy with it

[Graham Ritchie]

School holidays at the moment so thought I would screen this one from our grandson. I remember screening the 35mm print way back in 2008. If you have never watched "The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas", give it a go I would recommend it.

[Graham Ritchie]

Last night being New Years eve I had to screen this one, actually done it a few times now on New Years eve, boy does the years pass quickly, birthday tomorrow 72 yikes them bones, might have to give them a squirt of WD40 .

Of to Muffin break caffeine might help

Past screen shot.

[Brian Fretwell]

That'll be the Day, 1973, David Essex, Robert Linsey, Debbie Watling, Rosalind Ayers. RIngo Starr (who doesn't play drums in it) and Keith Moon (who does). Was also released as a 4x400ft and 1x 400ft by Derann. Mainly filmed on the Isel of Wight though the static funfair was Billy Mannings by Clarence Pier in Southsea. One I went to in the early 1960's.

[Ed Gordon]

A look back at the 4K releases of 2023 in terms of the 4K discs I've purchased and viewed that were issued in this year. Also includes my ten favourite 4K discs of the year which is not necessarily down to image quality and sound but more the overall package and what I think is the most desirable as a collector.

-John Clancy

While reviewing his favorite 4K discs he also discusses 70mm blowup prints, Super 35mm, Super 8, Techniscope and the advantages of 4K discs with HDR. In his review of the 4K Rocky release he notes:

..a beautiful 4K that once again is just like having your own personal 35mm print.