What Blu-Ray did you watch last night?

[Steve Carter]

Your comment on preference for the mono track on Jaws makes sense. There are so many bad multi-channel sound mixes out there that require turning the volume way up, or switching to mono. I have just re-watched the Hobbit trilogy, and the Atmos sound mix is fantastic, and I found the dialogue does have to compete with the noise of the battle scenes. All of the LOTR films are too long, but they manage to hold you attention regardless. Having said that, I found the TV series The Wheel of Time to be more challenging intellectually.

Regarding the sound on the Jaws 4k version the dialogue is very clear, and there's plenty of low end thump when the shark rams the Orca, the John Williams music score is well rounded and sits well in the mix.
Ed I have the Hobbit Trilogy in 3D, I haven't watched it yet. I know what you mean about The Wheel of Time, I watched season 1, and I'm 2 episodes into season 2, but prime has took the Dolby Vision off you can only watch in DV if you pay for the new Advert free Prime. I would rather purchase the disc and keep it, I think more people are going back to buying discs rather than streaming.

[Brian Fretwell]

I saw the first Hobbit movie in the cinema with 60hz + 3D, people were right, it looked like a video taped TV show on a big screeen!

[Ed Gordon]

I saw the first Hobbit movie in the cinema with 60hz + 3D, people were right, it looked like a video taped TV show on a big screeen!

My old 2K digital video camera supports multiple frame rates. The 24fps speed is referred to as "Cinema Mode". The user manual suggests that the Cinema Mode minimizes the video effect they call, "the live TV Soap Opera" look.

[Graham Ritchie]

Arrived this week and watched it the other night. based on the novel by Ernest Hemingway. The film is very well done, excellent story, George C Scott is outstanding. The transfer is not up to the high standard you might expect, but in saying that, its still a very good indeed, so don't let me put anyone off.

To sum up its another gem release from "Imprint" and well worth getting.

PS...Added an extra video below just look at them all

[Brian Fretwell]

Last night Pinnochio, Disney cartoon, not a bad disc, but second hand and stuttered a couple of times due to surface marks. Still at £2 no complaints from me!!

[Steve Carter]

Soldier Blue special collectors edition German Blu-ray.
I have a special place in my memory of this film it was a British X certificate, so we knocked off from school and got into see the matinee I was about 13 years old at the time I loved westerns, because of the scenery bluer than blue skies. Yes the film was shocking the slow motion gunshot scenes, the mutilation of the Native American Indians. What made it more easy on the eye was the lovely Candice Bergen.
The Blu-ray is better than the previous DVD release running at 115 mins, the British cinema release and DVD had a running time of 110 mins, the original uncut version ran for 135 mins, this version never went on release and cuts had to be made for it to get a certificate.The source material is better and at last the correct aspect ratio, detail is not too bad some long shots are a bit soft focus, colours are bright the final scenes of the attack on the Cheyenne village by the the US cavalry is the nearest uncut version we are likely to see, as a teenage boy watching it in the cinema I didn't really understand the history, now I'm watching it with older eyes, I can say nothing in our World has really changed regarding what humans are capable of doing to each other. The other stars in the picture are Peter Strauss (Rich Man, Poor Man) and Donald Pleasence as a gun runner, music score by Roy Budd and one of my favourite theme songs Soldier Blue by Buffy Sainte-Marie. There is a nice little booklet attached to the cardboard gatefold case, text in German but some very nice stills from the film.

[Janice Glesser]

Last night I had my oldest son and the three grandsons over for movie night. By popular demand we watched "The Empire Strikes Back." I have converted all my optical media to digital files so I can save them on my Plex Media server and project them with my digital projector via wifi on Roku. My films and digital media all project from the same permanent location which makes it easy to switch from one to the other. The 16mm, 8mm, and digital projector all use the same sound system which I can easily alternate via a switcher.

I realized that my oldest son was only 1-year-old when Empire came out in 1980 and my younger son was born later that year. Amazing how popular Star Wars still is today.

[Ed Gordon]

... I have converted all my optical media to digital files so I can save them on my Plex Media server and project them with my digital projector via wifi on Roku. My films and digital media all project from the same permanent location which makes it easy to switch from one to the other. The 16mm, 8mm, and digital projector all use the same sound system which I can easily alternate via a switcher.

I have done the same thing Janice. I use JRiver instead of Plex. Isn't it wonderful to have thousands of hours of curated media just one click away?

RE: Star Wars, the original trilogy has held up pretty well over the years. The prequel trilogy can easily be replaced by a good 30 minute digest. The ending trilogy was a nice funeral for SW fans, but like all funerals, once is enough.

[Graham Ritchie]

I upgraded my earlier blu-ray release with the Arrow release, you do notice an improvement in picture quality "Koyaanisquatsi" in certainly an impressive movie and well worth getting. Its a real thought provoking film, watched it two nights ago, highly recommend it.

[Ed Gordon]

I upgraded my earlier blu-ray release with the Arrow release, you do notice an improvement in picture quality "Koyaanisquatsi" in certainly an impressive movie and well worth getting. Its a real thought provoking film, watched it two nights ago, highly recommend it.

Graham, this one looks interesting. Thanks for the tip!

[Graham Ritchie]

The Arrow release is region "B" so I had a look as to what is a available in the US. I only see The Criterion Collection once had it. This is the type of film that should get a 4K release but not sure that will ever happen.

Last night it was "Non-Stop" blu-ray, what a brilliant script, so many twists and turns, nothing is how it seems, Lian Neeson in the making of, talks about the director being a fan of Alfred Hitchcock. "Non- Stop" is really a brilliant who done it film, that will keep you guessing right to the end, highly recommend it.

[Graham Ritchie]

We have our granddaughter staying with us, down from the North Island, so the other day she wanted to watch "Super8 the movie" again, since the last time was a few years back. The next night "The Book Thief" a brilliant movie. Last night by myself this time, the directors cut "Das Boot" 3hours and 27minutes to be exact, and tonight on my own, Bill Nighy in "Living" I only have this one on DVD but would highly recommend watching this one as well.

A couple of past screen shots.





Here is a trailer on "Living"

[Ed Gordon]

I upgraded my earlier blu-ray release with the Arrow release, you do notice an improvement in picture quality "Koyaanisquatsi" in certainly an impressive movie and well worth getting. Its a real thought provoking film, watched it two nights ago, highly recommend it.

Graham, have you seen any of the other two films in the Quatsi Trilogy? I have read negative reviews of the third film, Naqoyqatsi which used a lot of old footage that did not have the quality Koyaanisqatsi has.

[Steve Carter]

Saw The Final Chapter 3D,
Jigsaw is at it again, a good twist at the end. The 3D picture is pin sharp on this blu ray, skin texture is very good, Jigsaw at the book signing, is a good example. The puzzles with keys are well thought out, look out for the fish hook. The 3D depth is very good with no crosstalk, some scenes make you jump, the odd thing coming at you, blood splatters from the screen. Jigsaw is not your usual serial killer, the fact is he doesn't really do the killing, it's the failure of the person not completing the set puzzle in the alloted time and the victim not being helpful, times up!. Would I watch it again....yes I think I would, don't take it too seriously, unless your Jigsaws next victim.

[Graham Ritchie]

Hi Ed

I have never seen the other two, going of track a little bit is another film I think is even better than Koyaanisqatsi and that's Baraka its a blu-ray that is well worth getting, both picture quality and sound are excellent.

Getting a bit of a collection of Imprint releases these days, here they are below ,not shown are two others "The War Of The Worlds 1953" and "When Worlds Collide 1951".

The only title I have not as yet watched is The Music Of Chance.


Baraka...released by Beyond.