2106 replies to this topic

[Bosch]

709er, on 06 March 2012 - 03:13 PM, said:

That's great news!
I have had my copy sitting in the shelves since it was first released here. Now I'm inspired to "spin it up".
What display did you view on?

Definitely put this title at the top of your list!

All DVD and Blu-ray viewing now happens on the plasma. My plan for the CRT is to play the original 4:3 transfer STAR WARS trilogy DVDs on permanent repeat on a spare player. B-]

[Bosch]

STATE OF GRACE

Australian R 18+ release from MGM/Shock.

Video 3.5/5
The first 5-10 minutes of this 1990 film look ordinary, with spots, grain, and a soft look. It picks up for the remaining running time, though it lacks a degree of sharpness and detail more recent films show. All up, however, this is a worthy upgrade from the DVD, which itself was fine. It's also the best way to enjoy Jeff (FIGHT CLUB) Crownenweth's marvelous cinematography.

Audio 3/5
The soundtrack here is 2.0 stereo. As such it's soundstage is limited but it does the job adequately. The dialogue dipped below intelligibility at times....pumping the volume up should fix most issues (there's no subtitles) while also highlighting Ennio Morricone's syrypy music score.

Movie 3.5/5
At two and a half hours, STATE OF GRACE almost reaches epic status; it's funny that the movie is not mentioned more often. While it does have a few moments of harsh violence (it would get MA 15+ today) the real intensity comes from the performances by Ed Harris, Gary Oldman, Sean Penn, and Robin (Penn) Wright. Given that KING OF NEW YORK was also made in 1990, you could almost consider this to be an unrelated companion piece to that yarn.

Our Blu-ray comes with a 90-minute doco about the Irish Mob in America. Sweet.

[709er]

LEGEND OF THE GUARDIANS - THE OWLS OF GA'HOOLE - 3D - UK release - DTSHDMA - 2.35:1

Fantastic family film with demo quality 3D throughout.
Wonderful to hear so many Aussie voices and to see gum trees and echidnas in the animation. Not to be fooled though, there is so much visual, magical imagery, that it's breathtaking. Night skies, swollen seas, forest floors and fires.....it's all there in spades.
The DTS HDMA track (excellent soundtrack music by Aussie, David Hirschfelder), equals the PQ and is immersive, balanced and clear.

FILM: 3.8/5
PQ: 4.5/5 (3D)
AQ: 4.5/5

Worth watching just to be visually "blown away",,,,and funnily enough, one of the cheapest 3D discs you can get locally!

[:)]

709er, on 27 February 2012 - 04:46 PM, said:

DRIVE - US release - Region A LOCKED - DTS HDMA 5:1 - 2.35:1

I was not prepared for this film. Thought it would be a "thinking mans" F & F, but it was more like Taxi Driver!
Rivetting from start to finish!
The PQ was fantastic, but the AQ was (on my system), a mixed bag.
Music and sound effects were excellent with plenty of dynamics during action sequences.
However, the dialogue was very murky. At times it was like Ryan Gosling's character was just mumbling. Other characters voices were better, but the scarce and important dialogue was annoyingly difficult to follow.
I checked out my speaker system today and all was well.
Has anybody else noticed this?

FILM: 4.2/5
PQ:4.2/5
AQ: 3.5/5

found this a very intersting movie. PQ I found hard to fault in any aspect. it has a bit of a retro cast to it. like super 8. but lovely shot movie. was very impressed. same with AQ I to be honest couldnt fault it there either. it is a quiet film in many places. the bass depth at times when pops up here and there impressed ! as with dynamics and steering of sounds for instance in the car chase and the like. just added to the scene rather than intruded and took over.

overall I agree with you on the story line of the movie, its starts off quite serene and quietly, sneaking up on you to go off in the taxi driver end of the spectrum hehe. I overall really liked the sense of the film, will watch again sometime

[709er]

:), on 18 March 2012 - 08:26 AM, said:

found this a very intersting movie. PQ I found hard to fault in any aspect. it has a bit of a retro cast to it. like super 8. but lovely shot movie. was very impressed. same with AQ I to be honest couldnt fault it there either. it is a quiet film in many places. the bass depth at times when pops up here and there impressed ! as with dynamics and steering of sounds for instance in the car chase and the like. just added to the scene rather than intruded and took over.

overall I agree with you on the story line of the movie, its starts off quite serene and quietly, sneaking up on you to go off in the taxi driver end of the spectrum hehe. I overall really liked the sense of the film, will watch again sometime

Yes. I really should have given the AQ score as a range. 3.5/5 - 4.5/5 as 90% of the time, it was excellent - it's just a shame when you miss/struggle to hear, dialogue.

[709er]

IN TIME - US Release 2.35:1 - DTS HDMA 5:1

Interesting, futuristic concepts that unfortunately, never propelled the film to any great height.
Timberlake is good, but I just couldn't sympathize with the characters. Lots of "bleak" eye candy of a world not too far from now.
The PQ was fantastic. Crisp, clear, but with a blue/green tinge throughout which gives off an austere vibe.
Nice AQ too. All clear and balanced, just a bit forgettable.

FILM: 3.3/5
PQ:4.5/5
AQ: 4/5

[709er]

sorry....double post

Edited by 709er, 19 March 2012 - 04:38 PM.

[cooksta]

City of Life and Death
Uk Version 2.35:1

Movie 4.5/5
A foreign language film about the Nanking massacre pre world war 2. A film of the same events as "City Of War The John Rabe Story" http://www.dtvforum....3. While John Rabe's character is present in this movie the focus is more on the suffering of the local chinese population. City of Life and Death is a far more graphic depiction of the Nanking massacre and is quite hard to watch in places. Much along the lines of Schindlers List. For a Chinese movie it is very well made and acted and held my interest. recommended.

Video 4/5
Filmed totally in black and white ( ala Shindlers List) I found the picture quality quite good with fine detail present. Battle scenes were especially realistic and reminded me of actual war footage.

Audio 3/5
Actually disappointed with the audio, overseas reviews stated Dolby True HD and the UK version I bought is only Dolby Digital 5.1. Audio was ok but overseas reviews raved about the HD audio while for me it was run of the mill.

Summary;
If interested in buying this movie be careful which version you buy.
I did see it ib JB for $28 but bought from amazon UK for a tough over 4 gbp. Unsure as to audio format of aussie version.
Bottom line- recommended.

Edited by cooksta, 20 March 2012 - 06:55 PM.

[yorac]

Shrek - 1.78:1 - Dolby TrueHD 7.1

Region B UK import - region free

PQ: 4.2/5 - As with most animated movies Shrek stand up well, nice colours throughout and a very good transfer to BR..........

AQ: 4.2/5 - Audio is good without ever going over the top, some nice LFE here and there.......


The Movie: Have not watched it in ages but found it to still be entertaining, hard to believe it's 11 years since it was released........

[yorac]

The Next Three Days 2.35:1 - DTS-HD MA 5.1

Region B - locked

PQ: 4.25/5 - I found this to a nice enough transfer, only a recently made film so pretty much what you would expect.......

AQ: 4/5 - Audio is clear enough and no surprises in the AQ as it is largely dialog driven .......

The Movie: Another solid Rusty movie and Elizabeth Banks is well cast as his wife sent to jail for the murder of a work colleague she had argued with the night before, Rusty then decides to spring her from prison and so the journey begins to get her free, pretty well told movie and has enough twists to keep you interested and

Spoiler

you're never quite sure whether they will get away with it

............

Very good cast helps this along the way and it kept me interested all the way through, definitely for most would be worth renting before purchasing........

[:)]

like the sounds of that one yorac. will look out for it.

[yorac]

:), on 20 March 2012 - 07:39 PM, said:

like the sounds of that one yorac. will look out for it.

Got in in the JB B2g1F mate with the Lincoln Lawyer and 2012, 30 bucks for all 3 not bad..........

[:)]

thanks yorac, sounds like should head over there.

[Bosch]

NOTTING HILL

Australian M 15+ release from Universal.

Video 4/5
A solid transfer, with nothing obviously wrong. No spots, artefacts, edge enhancement, etc. Colours are strong. I enjoyed looking at details in the background in HD, e.g. the cluttered bookshop. But it does lack the wow factor of the best transfers.

Audio 4/5
The audio is OK. Again, nothing bad about it. There's not much surround activity given this is a dialogue-driven movie. Dialogue was clear.

Movie 4/5
An old favourite that gets played frequently. There's so many great moments in NOTTING HILL....many of the best ones are throw-away lines and quirky performances by supporting cast members. Screenwriter Richard Curtis makes it look easy, but it's not.

My Oppo had trouble loading the menus when I first played it. No issues since.

[yorac]

Senna 1.85:1 - DTS HDMA 5.1

Region B - RF untested.........

PQ: 4/5 - If you're sitting on the fence wondering about the transfer here then let me assure you this is a lovely transfer inclusive of the restored footage, was pleasantly surprised at how good it looked..........


AQ: 4/5 - Can't really tell you much here as it is a doco and as such there isn't anything to say about it other than there is no problems with the AQ at all.....

The Movie: I was never a big Senna fan but realistically I really didn't start to follow F1's in earnest till about 1998 and that was well past the period of this documentary, it is wonderfully put together and it really does showcase the man's career and highlights some of the battles not only with other drivers but with officialdom as well.

If you are into car racing of any sort this should appeal and at a minimum is well worth a rental fee...........

[cooksta]

yorac, on 26 March 2012 - 05:03 PM, said:

Senna 1.85:1 - DTS HDMA 5.1

If you are into car racing of any sort this should appeal and at a minimum is well worth a rental fee...........

Must give that a spin.
I would also recommend "TT3d Closer to the Edge" if you are at all interested in motorbike racing Neil.  To put it mildly they are mad.

[:)]

brake, on 29 November 2011 - 04:11 PM, said:

Red State - US Release - Region A Locked - DTS HD MA 5.1

Movie
Something completely different from writer/director Kevin Smith. This time pushing aside the lure of making another comedy, here's to hoping that Cop Out made him take a step back and compose himself. With Red State he chose to go down a different path: Thriller.... No wait, Horror. Not, wait, Drama.... Ummm... A bit of an action film actually and almost a police procedural at times. So which is it? It's a bit of all of those at times and while that is the basis of why a lot of people don't like it, I almost liked it more for those reasons.

While watching this I got a sense that Mr Smith sat down at his typewriter (I know he wouldn't have used one, but it sounds better that saying Computer) and said, "Shut up, Genres!" (yeah, I watched "SUPER" last night) while writing this film and just did what he wanted. I like that. Who says a film has to be defined by a Genre or story type? If I ever get to make a feature movie I would much prefer that the answer to the question "So what genre is it?" be a resounding "I'm not sure" then a definite clear cut answer, if it were me asking the question, not knowing what genre it is would make it even more interesting. I know this isn't the best way to go about making money at the box office and targeting your market audience but let's face it, Smith didn't make this film to be a summer box office blockbuster, he made it outside of the studio system so he could do what he wanted and have greater creative control, and I respect that.

There are a few small things about the plot that annoyed me, like why didn't the two teenagers trying to get outside just pick up the phone make a few phone calls including one to 911 and wait? I can overlook this though because there was never any phones actually shown in the movie that I can remember, so it's not entirely outrageous to assume they didn't have any.

So, the few small annoyances aside, I took it for what it was, switched my mind off from over analysing and enjoyed this film quite a bit and would definitely watch it again. Kevin Smith fans might be disappointed though because they would be expecting a comedy with extremely witty dialogue. 4/5

PQ
Red State is filmed digitally - Red One camera and Canon 7D for some shots - and it shows, not in a bad or good way either, I'm a fan of all formats, I couldn't care less if a movie is shot on an iphone, I'm simply stating that it's very digital. I did notice quite a few instances where jello effect/rolling shutter were extremely prevalent - obviously on whip pans - and it surprises me that the director of photography didn't address these issues.

That said, the actual PQ is very good, especially towards the end in the outdoor shots. 4.25 - 4.5/5

P.S. I'd be very interested if someone could point me in the direction of an article or something that shows which scenes were filmed on the Canon 7D DSLR, I suspected a few of the scenes, like when the hostage kid with the machine gun was running through the house after being chased by the crazies

AQ
AQ is very very good here also. Lots of rear channel usage, decent enough LFE when it is used and dialogue is balanced nicely. There is lot's of nice, loud demo material in the many shootout scenes which I wasn't expecting this movie to have which was a nice and very very welcomed surprise. 4.5/5

picked this up cheaply, and more of a blind purchase. I think its good it doesnt try to be any genre. I'm glad it isnt just a horror film for instance. I agree its just flows like a narrative. people picked for their parts play them pretty well I think. I am amazed they have entirely made this digitally, something I didnt know. and wow with a humble canon 7D something I own myself. am astonished consumer gear these days is just getting so good !

I would have strayed to about a 4ish on the PQ too. It does have a bit of a low budget movie feel to it at times. but yes you just end up watching it not really looking out for faults and such. agree the sound quality is a cracker. with all the gun shots and dynamics etc working the sound stage and the system a treat  

[SDL]

The Tree of Life (Australian release)
1.85:1
DTS HD MA 5.1 (the US is meant to have 7.1 another ripoff downunder)

Didn't see a review for this so thought I would give my view of a film that has certainly divided people and now having watched I almost can see why, but only 'almost' as I will explain. For those that haven't seen it this story is essentially about the life of a man Jack O'Brien (Sean Penn) who after an argument with his dad where he say's something (not revealed) about the death of his younger brother, has him reflect on his life. Man-o-man what a long winded way to go about it at the beginning though. There is a speech at the start about nature and grace of which I only sorted out later was meant to reflect his mum (grace) and dad (nature). His mum being easy going his dad a strict disciplinarian who regrets his own choices in life (that saw him become an engineer and not a muscician his first love) and wants to toughen his son for the way the world treats us. This all gets interspersed with cut scenes that show the formation of life on earth, changes in times, and a flickering flame. Jack rebels but also keeps thinking about how he needs to get back to being the Jack he wants to be. He also picks on and abuses his younger brother as he sees him as his parents favourite. His brother just looks up to him though.
This gained acclaim with the critics and many awards. The story all makes sense in the end but I personally believe it was trying to be too clever for its own good and really confuses along the way. I don't mind a movie that gets you to think but for me this took that too far and while I appreciated moments in the film as being really representative of the way we might reflect on our won lives, I think the timeline issues and the character development made this too difficult to appreciate until you had virtually finished the movie. For me this movie just didn't cut it and why I say 'almost' understand the split views is that I completely understand those that didn't like it. I got something out of it, so wouldn't say I didn't like it, but thought it was way to pretentious and left me feeling as though they set out to confuse rather than make something work. Those, the critics included, that loved this I only assume is because they want to pretend it is art and they are the same people who look at a red square painted on a black background and believe it has some meaning the rest of us can't see.

Movie: 2/5

Sound: Some brilliant LFE in the cut scenes with volcanoes, forming of the land etc. Brilliant surround and dialogue. All in all very good but where was the 7.1 on the Australian release?

Audio: 4/5

Picture: Superb. The colours were brilliantly done from the cut scenes and life in Waco, Texas looking a completely different pallette with subdued colour.

Picture 4.5/5

All in all I wouldn't recommend as a movie, though at the same time glad I have seen it. Would I watch it again? Possibly, just because as it ended and I realised what some of the earlier things meant I would probably like to see it in that context.

Edited by SDL, 02 April 2012 - 11:24 AM.

[709er]

THE MAN FROM SNOWY RIVER - US release - Region Free - 2.35:1 - DTS HDMA 2.0 Stereo?

It was great to revisit this excellent Aussie film after many years.
The opening shots were a bit strange and foggy (at first I thought the disc was on pause), but the PQ picked up very quickly and apart from a thin layer of grain which was more noticeable in darker scenes, the PQ was generally very good, especially considering the film is now 30 years old.
I can't imagine that a title such as this would get any restoration work, so they must have used a damn fine print for the master.
The last hour of the film boasted the best PQ of all with many outdoor shots.
The picture never really popped (which would have been awesome), but it was natural and consistent.

The AQ was also good.
Despite the back cover stating 2.0 stereo, my setup was playing as F/C/R/SW and surrounds, though the amp displayed DTS HDMA 2.0!There was definitely discreet information coming out of the rears. echos from wood chopping etc, so very strange. Maybe someone can shed some light on this.
I reckon it's DTS HDMA 3.1.1 (same signal in the surrounds).
The sound was great. Thundering hooves and a rousing score really did it for us and interestingly enough, the whole family enjoyed it!

FILM: 4/5
PQ:3.4-4/5
AQ:4/5

Edited by 709er, 08 April 2012 - 09:51 AM.

[cwt]

709er, on 08 April 2012 - 08:48 AM, said:

The AQ was also good.
Despite the back cover stating 2.0 stereo, my setup was playing as F/C/R/SW and surrounds, though the amp displayed DTS HDMA 2.0!There was definitely discreet information coming out of the rears. echos from wood chopping etc, so very strange. Maybe someone can shed some light on this.
I reckon it's DTS HDMA 3.1.1 (same signal in the surrounds).
The sound was great. Thundering hooves and a rousing score really did it for us and interestingly enough, the whole family enjoyed it!

Its fortuitous its been released for sure My cary can do similar things Ive got a concert bd iso thats a very rare dts hdma 4.0 [same era as snowy when 2ch dolby surround was par for the course] and my oppo says its hdma 5.1 and the cary says no signal even though it sounds right other tracks are fine. I cant even add pl2x to it and make the vfd read properly .. If the hdmi chip isnt programmed to read the rather rare edid handshake its been sent it may even display the closest downmix which is 2ch..gotta love hdmi..

All this is assuming you have all your dsp modes turned off naturally You got lfe so it cant be dtshdma 2.0 thats for sure

[David1]

WWII in 3D. History channel.

Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.78:1

Audio
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1



Amazing visual impact of the authentic 3D material from the period of the rise of Nazism and during the war.  The historical aspect of the pioneering of 3D photography and cinematography as a propaganda tool is a little known aspect of Hitler's regime. It was also used in reconnaissance photography by both the German's and the Allies. Material quality is a bit variable but on the whole very good, and startlingly good at times.
Worth a look.

[yorac]

Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol 2.35:1 - Dolby True HD 7.1

Region A - region free

PQ: 4.8/5 - Wonderful and vivid transfer here and only reason I did not reference it was a couple of scenes appeared soft and I found a tad of noise in some early scenes as well, that said you need to look hard to see it, the scenes from both Russia and Dubai in this are simply stunning at times..............

AQ: 4.8/5 - Pretty much up there with most of the better audio films released recently and it is extremely good through all channels and some great LFE in it as well.......

The Movie: The IM team is disavowed after the Kremln is partly blown up and they are blamed for it, in order to clear their names they have to find the person responsible who has his own plan to create nuclear armageddon and like any good actioner the clock is ticking,...........

Got to be very close to one of the best if not the best in the franchise (I'm a massive fan of MI:III), Brad Bird directs his first live action film here and carries on in the tradition of films like The Incredibles, would expect we'll see him in the chair again if there is another installment (almost certain), certainly one of Cruise's better efforts and Jeremy Renner and Simon Pegg are very good also........

if you're into the franchise buy it, if not rent it I doubt you will be disappointed.................

[:)]

The Iron Lady - Aus Release - 5.1 DTS Master Audio

Movie - 5/5 - This movie quite a surprise watch, the story of Margaret Thatcher, present day and reminiscing. Really just picked it up as know wife was keen to watch it. But before know it was just drawn in. Quite a story, some superb acting and the way the movie flows is excellent really. Quite intrigued by the movie and story, and quite a few points in the movie quite moved by. An insight into an incredible lady's life, and insight into humanity.

PQ - 4.5/5 - cant fault the picture quality, great photography, captures the time the moment, supports the movie as it should. done very well given so much of movie is filmed indoors.

AQ - 4.5/5 - all the detail and clarity is there as required of a movie of this type. you dont miss a word. And boy they have the odd moment that sneaks up on you. kaboom literally you are shaken by a moment and into realisation. As unbelievable as it might seem for a movie of this sort, surround effects are used extremely well, as is there some awesome LFE sub bass in sections as well !

Overall -  4.5/5 -  I had no idea would be so touched by a movie such as this. I know it has been nominated and won a few awards and deservingly so I think. For me a great watch and one I enjoyed very much watching with my wife. A unique movie I think that can highly recommend.

[beejay76]

I bought "Adele Live At Royal Albert Hall" on Bluray today. It has the best SQ I have ever heard from a recorded live performance, it is my new reference audio demo. However the PQ is terrible, 1080i which I strongly suspect has been upscaled from SD for the BR release. My suspicion could be easily confirmed if I had the DVD version, which I don't have unfortunately. In any event I'm not so fussed with PQ on a concert video.

I also bought the "Billy Joel Live at Shea Stadium" today...SQ it's OK, but doesn't come close to The Adele BR.

[yorac]

Cowboys and Aliens 2.40:1 - DTS HD-MA 5.1

Region A - region free

PQ: 4.75/5 - This is a very nice transfer throughout, lot of panoramic shots in it and very consistent transfer across night time and day time shots, really enjoyed the PQ on this..............

AQ: 4.75/5 - Great soundtrack here and whether in it's quiet or louder moments it never misses the mark, some very nice work in the LFE area also.........

The Movie: Been heavily criticised by quite a few people and have to say I can't understand why, an enjoyable enough film with a simple enough story,  movie starts with Craig in the middle of nowhere (old wild wild west) with no memory and an advanced piece of technology on his wrist, turns out that himself and others have been taken hostage by aliens and the story develops interestingly enough from there as Craig's memory returns and the aliens as well, fair bit of action, humor and self discovery along the way...............

well worth a rent imo..............