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Quint is visited by the ghosts of DVD past, present and future! Criterion and Mamet! LOOKOUT DVD giveaway and FLASH ah-aahhh!!!
Ahoy, squirts! Quint here.
I’m going to look over some DVDs that I’ve received for review over the last 2 weeks. Two have yet to see release and the rest hit last week. Let’s look at the new ones first.
I had never seen David Mamet’s HOUSE OF GAMES. Criterion sent me a review copy. Anything Criterion gets put in the Must Watch Now stack and it helped that the cover showed a poker table under the title and David Mamet’s name. I do love my poker and my Mamet, so it jumped to the front of the stack.
This is, in fact, David Mamet’s directorial debut. It’s a con man movie about a psychiatrist (played by Mamet’s then wife Lindsay Crouse) who enters into a world of confidence games when she investigates one of her patients’ troubled stories.
She finds herself entangled with Mike, played by Joe Mantegna, and his group of con men. They teach her the ropes and at first she thinks she’s interested in their line of work as material for her next book, but she slowly comes to find there’s a deeper fascination with this than she wants to believe.
Of course, like all con artist movies, it’s full of twists and turns. Who is being played? What is real?
Mamet’s character work is definitely on display here, but I couldn’t help but find a lot of the delivery and staging very choppy and more than a little forced. It felt very stagy to me, so I wasn’t surprised that this was Mamet’s first job directing his material considering he began on the stage.
That’s not to take anything away from the finished product. It’s an entertaining and multi-layered movie. I was involved all the way through, so it definitely did its job.
It was also great seeing some of Mamet’s stable of actors show up. Great character actors like JT Walsh and William H. Macy and Ricky Jay (also a magician and expert at cons… he consulted on the project with Mamet and in turn got a small role as one of the members of this con artist gang).
The extras: You get a commentary track with Mamet and Ricky Jay, a new transfer overseen by DP Juan Ruiz Anchia, recent interviews with Crouse and Montegna looking back on the movie (about 10 mins each) and a 25 minute documentary filmed during the making.
The commentary is surprisingly entertaining. I don’t know what I was expecting, but Ricky Jay and Mamet kept it from being the “and here is when she runs… because Montegna is chasing her…” type stuff. In fact, they start off with Mamet saying he’s figured out George Bush’s tell when he’s lying and that it’s 100% accurate. He says that he respects Bush for being a bad liar. It’d be one thing if he’s done what he’s done, but was able to cover it up well, but he can’t because he’s a bad liar.
It’s also one of those commentaries that are really interesting because the filmmaker hasn’t seen the movie since it (kinda) came out. So there’s literally a moment where Mamet had forgotten he had done something and was shocked.
It’s a flashback scene. He’s talking about something wholly unrelated and then it happens and he stops dead in his tracks. “Did I film a goddamn flashback scene? I’m going to hell… oh well, at least I’ll be there with all my friends…”
I loved that. He also takes Orion to task many times for fucking the distribution of the film… apparently, they only ever released it on 6 screens, even though it was their best reviewed film in the history of the company.
Also, the 25 minute documentary from the ‘80s is pretty fascinating. You get a lot of Mamet playing poker with his buddies in-between takes. Fascinating stuff for me, a poker nerd, but also the way he deals with his close friends… you start seeing a little where his writing comes from.
All together, a worthy package from Criterion. It sees release NEXT Tuesday, the 21st.
I missed this film when it played SXSW this year. Funnily enough, it was playing against the AICN premiere screening of the next DVD I’m looking at.
I like Scott Frank’s work on MINORITY REPORT, GET SHORTY and, in particular, OUT OF SIGHT. With this film he actually directs one of his scripts.
I’m also a big fan of Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Isla Fisher and Jeff Daniels’ work, so I don’t know how I missed this on its theatrical release.
I remember some of the wind was taken out of my sail by the lukewarm reaction it got from trusted friends at SXSW, so that might have had something to do with it.
Now that I’ve seen the movie, I have to ask why no one mentioned Isla Fisher has a butt-shot in the movie to me? Now I’m angry I didn’t see the full theatrical experience!
I found I really, really, really wanted to like the movie a little more than I actually did.
The performances are actually pretty good all around. Jeff Daniels steals the show as Gordon-Levitt’s blind friend, his rock. He’s got the best character, full of smart-ass humor and true heart.
If you haven’t seen it, the flick is about a young man (Gordon-Levitt) who is in a horrible car accident and is banged up to the point that he has some very serious brain injuries. He survived, but he is still trying to get back to par. He’ll occasionally speak what’s on his mind, his brain not sending the signal to his mouth to not say exactly what he’s thinking. He has trouble remembering things. He’s still fucked up about the accident, which killed two of his friends and drove a wedge between him and the love of his life.
His forgetful qualities are noticed by a group of bank-robbers. Gordon-Levitt works nights cleaning up a small town bank, so he’s a perfect accomplice. The problem is he’s also a good person and wouldn’t do it without the right set-up, so the group begins the seduction of this poor kid.
Daniels is his roommate and really his voice of reason, his Jiminy Cricket… albeit a little hornier and crude… and blind.
I can’t really put my finger on it. All the performances were great, the plot was detailed and layered… but there was something off, some disconnect I had with the movie. It’s not a bad movie or a great movie for me… it rests comfortably in that “I liked it” category in-between.
The DVD isn’t really packed, but it has a few basics, like a Making Of documentary and a look at issues the main character has to deal with due to his brain injuries. There’s also a commentary with Scott Frank and cinematographer Alar Kivilo.
I know this is out on Blu-Ray as well, but I was neither sent the disc nor did I have the ability to play it. I don’t think the high def disc has any different features, though.
The commentary runs well. Frank is pretty open about his greenness as a director, pointing out his perceived flaws as a first time director. I think he’s a bit too hard on himself, but I’d say this commentary is a pretty good tool for aspiring directors to get an idea of the traps he fell in to his first time out.
I have three copies of this DVD to give away, so I’m going to make it simple. You have to live in the continental US to get these discs… and you have to email me at quint@aintitcool.com with the subject line HAND OVER THAT LOOKOUT DVD, YOU FAT BASTARD! with your name and mailing address in the body of the email. First three get it.
I’ll update it around here when they’re spoken for. UPDATE! That didn't take long. All three are given away... congrats to Ron Martin, Joey Ernand and Max Brody!!!
Out today on SD and Blu-Ray.
This came out last week and I meant to get a review out then, but I got a bit behind. I won’t focus too much on the released titles, but I will go into the disc a bit.
I watched the HD-DVD version of this disc, but a quick look-up on Amazon tells me that there aren’t any high def exclusive materials on this DVD, so the standard def is the same (in terms of extras) as the HD-DVD and Blu-Ray editions… it’s just the high def versions have the film and most of the features (including deleted scenes, the Making Of, the Gag Reel, Trailer and Music Video).
I really liked this flick, but I reviewed it way back when I missed THE LOOKOUT to see it opening night of SXSW at the original Alamo Downtown, so you can read my larger review there.
The transfer was nice, but it didn’t really blow me away with high def awesomeness. I’ve noticed most of the older films I have in high def look the best. THE STING looks incredible, but both KING KONG and BLACK SNAKE MOAN also look fantastic. I just finally saw some of the HD HOT FUZZ and that’s a brilliant transfer, too. I didn’t notice anything spectacular or distracting about the DISTURBIA high def disc, so I won’t dwell on it.
The blooper reel could have been longer. You can tell LaBeouf and Caruso really got along well and it was a fun set, but there’s under 2 minutes of bloopers. I’m sure there were more… maybe the PG-13 rating on the disc screwed us out of some really funny stuff.
The commentary track was very entertaining. It featured LaBeouf (on a protein diet because he has to bulk up for “his next movie” meaning INDIANA JONES 4), Caruso and Sarah Roemer. The guys keep it light and the lady keeps it sexy. Nice combination.
Caruso spends much of the commentary shedding light on how he shot multiple locations for the same set (exterior of the house, real house location, set, different real house location to see into Roemer’s backyard, etc) and the actors talk a lot about their scene to scene work. Everybody takes the piss outta the others on the commentary. I wasn’t bored during the track.
The Making Of is pretty typical and I must confess I had no desire to watch the Music Video.
Not a bad disc, but it won’t blow you away. It’s not one of those releases that’s worth buying just on its own, regardless if you’ve seen or really, really like the movie involved. If you dig the movie, then there’s no reason not to pick up this DVD.
Ah, beautiful, beautiful ‘80s cheese. I really do love this movie.
But I must warn you. This really does fall into the category of all the other lame double dips that have the movie tie-in name “Edition” subhead… Like the “Don’t Call Me Shirley Edition” of Airplane. This one is “The Savior of the Universe Edition.” I can't remember if FLASH GORDON had seen a US DVD release... it's hard for me to believe it hadn't, but it wasn't in my DVD library and I'm pretty sure it would have been a must-buy... So, it might not technically be a double-dip, but it feels like it...
Honestly, the best special feature on this disc is that Alex Ross cover. There is almost nothing else to the disc other than a 10 minute piece of Alex Ross talking about how much he loves the movie and a 10 minute interview with the screenwriter, Lorenzo Semple Jr.
I’ve heard of a European disc that has commentary by Mike Hodges and Brian MotherFucking Blessed (his legal middle name). Why the fuck is that not on this disc? I looked it up, too… thinking it was one of those discs that came out really super cheap… like $9.99 or something… but it’s not. Even discounted it’s $19.99! What the shit is that?
So, boo at the special features. Praise to the packaging, fantastic work by Ross and I love the flip open cover for the DVD and the pencil insert, a second piece from Ross. But bad form on the lack of special features.
I will say the transfer is the best I’ve ever seen of this film and I’ve seen it projected at least 3 times in my life… Beautiful and Queen’s score sound fantastic coming out of my speakers.
If you have an HD-DVD player I’d hold out to see if Universal releases it HD. They might pull a HOT FUZZ and include all the European extras exclusively on the disc. If you don’t want to wait (for either the HD-DVD announcement or the white flag from Universal as they go neutral for you Blu-ray readers), then just know you’re buying the DVD for the film only, nothing else.
That’s it from me on these DVDs. Thanks for reading!
-Quint
quint@aintitcool.com
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I remember bringing that one home from a video store I worked in back in the late 80's. Damn fine movie - particularly for that time period. Made me a Mamet fan. And is it just me or does Jeff Daniels look a wee bit like The Dude in the cover for THE LOOKOUT? I wonder if he hates the fucking Eagles too...
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...whilst there's more resolution generally on a PAL disc, they're speeded up to 25fps. Makes Freddie sing even higher...and faster!
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Care to share a little commentary spoiler with us? What did Mamet say was Bush's tell??? I'm assuming it is something a little more compelling than "his lips are moving". Just whisper it to me. I won't tell anyone else.
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Here's the really annoying thing. A friend of mine says they actually recorded yet another commentary just for the US release that also got discarded. What the hell???
On top of that, this week I bought the Muppet Show Season 2 DVD. Season 1 had bonus trivia pop-ups and other cool bonuses. Season 2? Not so much. Then I ended up stumbling on the web site for the DVDs. Had a full episode guide. Odd thing is, the episode guide indicates that on many episodes there are intros by Jim Henson's son. Only on the DVDs, the American ones at least, there are no intros. What the hey? Are US viewers goign to get gyped on all the bonus stuff?
I'll wait and buy Flash Gordon when they get there act together and put out the edition with all the bells and whistles. -
Then dammit I don't wanna be straight.
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The only man on Earth awesome enough to warrant the middle name 'MotherFucking' apart from Sam Jackson. (It's what the 'L' stands for.)Hawkmen! Diiiiive!
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Always number one hangover movie. The UK Silver Anniversary Edition has a great interview/ documentary thing with Mike Hodges that is hysterical- like when he talkes about how they had to do the US marketing around Max Von Sydow, because Sam Jones wanted nothing more to do with it. It is just cinematic gold- where else could you find The Exorcist, The creator of THe Rocky Horror Picture Show, A future James Bond and BRIAN "GORDON'S ALIVE" BLESSED in a fabulous slice of cheese directed by the man that made Get Carter- just watching them mangle some of the worst dialogue ever committed to page is a pleasure.
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Excellent! Now I can finally get all huffy and sniff "YOU have never SEEN House of Games before? Philistine!"
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As far as I'm concerned "Homicide" is still Mamet's masterpiece....and that still isn't even available in a widescreen DVD release :-(
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and then it went out of print at some point and they never re-released it until now for reasons I could never figure out. I'm pretty certain that version had absolutely no extras at all, so be thankful we at least have this at long last.
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Fuck Yeah!
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Actually, it's impossible to detect the "speed-up" with the naked eye, and the sound can be adjusted with the pitch control function available on some hardware. Just dial it down to 96% and you can't hear any difference.
As for the R2 Silver Edition, it is indeed sweet, but I found that the colors in the original R1 Image Entertainment edition were better -- even if the overall quality of the R2 print is superior.
Awesome, awesome movie. -
Back in Oct. 04, at a Chiller Theater convention in New Jersey, I spoke with both Sam Jones and Melody Anderson, who both stated that they had recorded a commentary for a new DVD release. WHERE IS IT UNIVERSAL?!!? The R2's picture quality is just as good as the new States-side release, but the extras are better with the R2. If you have an all-region player, I encourage you to import.
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I'm not too sure if I'll be insulting anyone here, and it is not my purpose to do so, but...
Why does this character excite so many people today? I mean, it's not that good...
They're doing a new series and I just don't see the attraction of it, so few exciting moments or twists.
I don't know, maybe it's just me... Fans of the character.. Educate me on what makes this storyline any good and I might switch sides... -
so unlike aicn...hmmm...and yet hard for everyone to qualify for
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Why does this character excite so many people today? Regular guy gets to fly around in space ships and bang hot chicks on far off planets. What not exciting to you? Oh FLASH GORDON! I thought you said FLESH. I picked this new FLASH DVD up at Best Buy for $17. It came with 2 art cards - what is up with these funky DVD cases , while nice looking artwork is cool your DVD will fall out the bottom when picked up if the disc is loose inside.
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Matthew Goode's performance was completely overlooked. I couldn't even believe it was the same guy from Matchpoint. He went from playing a fey, rich english dude to a scary american thug!
I also have to agree with Max404 in that Mamet's masterpiece is Homicide - it's a crying shame that it's not out on dvd! -
never was. Ugh, that sounds ridiculous. There is just something about the pulps...take a look at some covers from "Planet Comics" in the 1950's...Aliens with big heads, ray guns, girls in skimpy attire...why WOULDN'T anyone get excited about Flash?? It is basically every 12 year olds fantasy world come true.
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FINO
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just curious.
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Well, now I don't know what to believe.
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It was in the 5 dollar bin. I knew I had found a buried treasure and snapped it up right away.
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Too drunk to type!
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Check out Lucas Belvaux's Trilogy, made about four years ago. This woman is still gorgeous.Also, good to see some love for Homicide. I bought the full-screen DVD (Region 2) on a Mamet binge and loved it.Finally, to second Horace Cox, what is Bush's "tell"?
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TINO? FGINO? I miss all these AICN abbreviations...
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so they might as well release that.
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I said this in the Harry Potter:Deathly Hallows talkback, but he so needs to protray Slughorn in the Half Blood Prince movie.as for Flash Gordon, I can't remember the last time I saw that movie, I may pick it up just for nostelgia
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Quint...I'm a long time fan of Mamet and HoG certainly helped that. I've seen the film about 10 times now and each time, I find more little nuances that actually offset the vibe you got watching it. I know, I had the same feeling the first time or two with it. So, this film has grown from a quirky favorite to a "recommend" to all of my cinema-loving friends. It's made it into the Movie Night queue at my house as well. Liked your review...didn't give anything away, which is always appreciated. Keep up the good work and....THANK YOU SIR....MAY I HAVE ANOTHER??
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nobody's said it yet.
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INO stands for In Name Only. I think it first showed up around the time of the US GODZILLA movie, where most folks called it GINO- Godzilla In Name Only. Funnily enough, the GINO acronym was appropriated by old school Galactica fans when the new version showed up. It amused me because they were accusing Ron Moore of taking something old (Galactica) and repurposing it to forward his own political agenda, which is exactly what they were doing by using the GINO appreviation.
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To be sure, there's a fair amount of nostalgia for the 1980 version, which I dare say many of us saw in the theater when we were pre-teens. But go back and read the original Alex Raymond comic strips- Sheer masterpieces! Check out the trilogy of serials starring Buster Crabbe- Fine and fun movie making for its time. This is the stuff that inspired Lucas to create STAR WARS and also informed the sensibilities of RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK.
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....AAAHHH
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Not that any of you actually own a Blue Ray. Universal and Microsoft are not going to bow to Sony just because their selling PS3's and that scewers the figures. Really do any of you think that the average joe is mopping up stand alone Blue ray players? No. And all those Blue Ray disc sales are scewered by PS3 game sales. By the way the PS3 is selling waaaaaaaaaay less than expected and way less than the xbox 360 which in turn is getting its ass kicked by Wii. The best thing is taht all the fanboys were musing that Nintendo would have to become a 3rd party game developer and stop making consoles pre launch and now with the PSP basically dead (yes, it is sorry but 40 Million DS to 6-7 million PSP is dead) especially if any of you are going to turn around and say that look at Blue to HD DVD. Sorry PSP is dead as UMD and Universal won't bow, has more titles released than scared to swim FOX (who hasn't released bunk since April and has NO titles on the way) and Blade Runner, BSG, Star Trek, Heroes, Stanley Kubrick, are all on HD DVD or EXLUSIVE HD DVD. So sorry, this Xmas won't determine the war any more than porn will. So in the end. Keep shilling for Sony. They may win but it will be a long, long war and y'all won't get nothing but a hefty pricetag as a reward for shilling for the big S.
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They have chosen the Blu-Ray format. And most consumers are buying technology for the whole family (like the Wii). Trust me, if you have whiny kids you are going to buy something they will want to use as well.
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Look it up on Imdb.
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This format war is so goddamn stupid and annoying as fuck in the first place. It makes me want to spit nails. Didn't these assholes learn anything from Beta/VHS? I know we're way down the road in this tech war, but I felt the need to vent. It's all about greed, greed, greed, greed, greed.
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It's decent but certainly not worth Criterion's edition. "Spanish Prisoner" - now that's worth it. Or would be.
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Aug 14, 2007 1:06:23 PM CDT
And Christ, does laBoof have to be vomitted EVERYWHERE?
by stalin vs predator
Even in a post about a Mamet DVD? Isn't it enough to see the damn thing soil Indy IV already?
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my theory about the missing commentary on the flash gordon R1 dvd is this...
within the first few minutes of the commentary the director makes a statement about how the evil dictators used to only be on film and how now we have people like president bush doing the things we thought only ming the merciless could do...
maybe universal thought the comment was too much. -
as a bad copy of Flash Gordon. just buy them all, dudes, what other film is there that you can watch again and again?
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I've had it for years. No special features, but no good reason to buy this new one either apparently.
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So, what did Mamet say was Bush's tell, Quint?
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His lips move.
(C'mon, somebody had to say it.) -
Yumtastic
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The new one apparently has a much better transfer than the old letterboxed DVD, plus the new transfer is anamorphic, so those of us with widescreen TVs won't be pulling our hair out when we watch it. That's a good enough reason for me to Netflix it and make a cop-- er, I mean buy it.
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It's fan- fucking -tastic!!!! Brian Blessed commentary is soooo cool yes he really does talk like that!!!!Thhe print is anamorphic and gorgeous (prob the same print on this new release) I bought mine a couple of years back from AmazonUK. Guys it's really easy to hack your dvd player to play all disk regions. There are a number of websites that tell you how to do it. The Shaw Bros remasterd library from Celestial pictures are worth it alone!!!!!
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You know why the chicken crossed the road?
Because the road crossed the chicken. -
I'll agree that the content of his films vastly outshine the look, but late night cinemax is a little strong. Wierd dialogue? Unconventional yes, and that's something I find satisfying when done well. And Mamet does it very well.
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Number one, the word is "skewed." Not "skewered" and definitely not "scewered." If you meant to say "screwed" I guess maybe you're closer to saying what you're actually trying to say. But I assure you, they're counting movie titles sold on Blu-ray, not PS3 games. Stop eating that HD-DVD pudding they keep serving you.
Secondly, you should know that set-top (NON-PS3) standalone Blu-Ray players are starting to edge out HD-DVD players collectively. So even the hardware market is beginning to shift in the format war, despite what you may believe.
Also, Universal's Executive Vice President of Marketing, Ken Graffeo, just admitted the studio is under huge pressure from it's parent companies (GE & NBC) to weaken their resolve against going format-neutral because it's not like they aren't noticing the sales trends either. It all comes down to Microsoft (a partner company of NBC/U) subsidizing the studio to stay with HD-DVD so that the format war continues indefinitely and cosumers will actually LOSE INTEREST IN BOTH FORMATS so that Microsoft can pump up its HD-downloading services through X-Box Live and other possible services in the near future. They're pulling a Palpatine... you get both sides to fight each other and take over everything when no one's watching.
And, so you know, the disc sales continue their HUGE, lopsided figures in favor of Blu-Ray despite not really having a whole lot of BD-exclusive titles lately (POTC excepted, I suppose,) and since you mentioned these new title announcements, ("Blade Runner, BSG, Star Trek, Heroes, Stanley Kubrick, are all on HD DVD or EXLUSIVE HD DVD...") the only exclusives in there are expensive TV-DVD packages of BSG and Heroes - and only exclusive until NBC/U goes Format-Neutral if they're wise - and the others will all inevitably be outsold by their Blu-Ray counterparts anyway, so where's the victory there?
Oh, and if you think those of us who support Blu-Ray are just financially fellating Sony, open your eyes... that weird taste in your mouth is Toshiba's dick. You wanna talk corporate greed and proprietary technology? Toshiba is the ONLY major manufacturer of HD-DVD players. At least Sony is sharing the wealth with other companies this time around. That arrogant greed you accuse them of is exactly the mistake they're **not** making this time around, and that's one major reason they're winning.
Lastly, the HD-DVD ship is sinking. If you know this, you're foolishly stubborn. If you don't know this, you're don't have all facts. Either way, I'm an even bigger dumb-ass than you, 'cause I let you pull me into your little HD-DVD troll-fest. Here endeth the lesson. -
You bloody bastards!
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Agreed. It's good stuff. One of my favorite observations: "No one can kick over a tripod more heroically than Timothy Dalton."
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The first time I saw FG was for a birthday party at the movies when I was 10. All the kids hated it except for me! Well, I guess that explains a lot!
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Love Flash saw it when was first realeased back in the day. As to HD Vs S*** ,well I do recall vhs vs beta same bs one was cheaper while ,of course S*** was tech superior ,the cheaper format won. I oppose S*** for that reason they want to decide what format we watch and while tech wise it MAY be better it is no where near cheaper only slightly better because of the disc ,that has yet to be fully realized. I cannot condone them and will never buy their products.Anyone can buy what they want ,but before the shit storm starts form the fanboys, I would say only stand alone players on both sides should count ,as because you own a p*3 or 360 does not mean you buy hd movies per say.
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People don't like the Flash Gordon Movie because they are Flash Gordon fans, rather they are fans of the movie. The movie is incredibly cheesy. Its stupid, but fun.
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He opens his mouth.
I never bought Flash Gordon either. I was waiting for something better than what was out there. Oh well. I need to see The Lookout. But House of Games I've seen a few times. It's great. -
Crouse's performance is so bad. She almost ruins the film for me. When people talk about Rebecca Pidgeon (Mamet's new wife) is a bad actress I have to point out that she's much better than his first. She's so wooden and has no emotion. And not in a good way. She just doesn't do anything. But the movie is great. The scene with Ricky and the gun is fantastic. Even if you always know where this movie is going, and it is a familiar con, the execution is so great. Can't wait for this dvd. It will be worth the double dip.
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I haven't seen THE LOOKOUT yet, and somehow I never got around to CHASING LIBERTY, but Zack Snyder is putting my faith to the test here...
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Quint is spot on, the actors are great, it is a solid idea, the script is decent and yet it never quite clicks the way it should, certainly worth a watch but nothing to get excited about... Oh and Brian Blessed should do commentary tracks for every movie ever made. They should just lock him in a booth with a microphone, a bucket of chicken and a huge jug of beer and start showing him movies...
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So I have no bias to either format. I will tell all of you this the same as I told Harry when I saw him this past weekend. HD-DVD is by far a better format for many reasons.
1. Quality of picture. If you look at the early releases on Blu-Ray there were total garbage using an old MPEG format while HD-DVD from the starting gate has used the proper MPEG-4 AC-1 format. Proof of this fuck up can be seen in The Fifth Element original Blu-Ray release which was so bad that they remastered it with the proper format and have allowed anyone who bought it to trade it in for the newer version. So chalk one up for HD-DVD in leading the pack in quality. The movies on HD-DVD just look better for now. Period. That's not to say there have not been some recent Blu-Ray's that don't match up that's to say there are more out there in circulation that favor the HD-DVD format.
2. The selection of movies available on HD-DVD are of better quality as well. You have the whole Universal catalog which boast so many classics I am not even going to get started. So as far as the race goes to get quality pictures out HD-DVD wins yet again. The releases on Blu-Ray have been sub-par at best and they truly do not have quite the wanted catalog at this time that HD-DVD can boast. They may have as many titles but most are ones you are not going to want to spend your hard earned money on. Sorry it's just a fact.
3. And lastly features. Without a doubt HD-DVD blows away Blu-Ray on this angle. The HD-DVDs have been more jammed packed with special features then any of the Blu-Ray releases which at best have been few and far between. Just look at the release of 300 recently on both HD-DVD and Blu-Ray. Read the specs. Without knowing which one was which and without bias if you had to chose between the two which one would you pick to get more bang for your buck? Hands down again HD-DVD
It's till to early to call a winner. I own a PS3 and I can tell you right now that while I love the damn thing for Ninja Gaiden Sigma and Resistance of Man I rarely use the Blu-Ray at all when I netflix movies. HD-DVD by a mile for now. Don't count them out either. With the XBOX360 dropping their price point and the add on drive being only $179.00 which comes with King Kong on HD-DVD and 5 free movies plus a remote they are very much in the game. Christmas time will be a tipping point for both formats but expect both to stay in the game for quite some time.
Now give me my damn Flash Gordon on HD-DVD! -
Who would have thought that the guy who was in Dumb and Dumber would have such range? He's one of those actors who consistently puts in great performances but fails to get the recognition. I'll rent The Lookout if only because Daniels is in it.
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or if you're going to name drop, lie and make it someone interesting.
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He is a terrific actor, though. Loved him in Squid and the Whale, and also Fly Away Home.
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I ask because most os us have just dumped our VCR's and now we have to make another transition. I say this because sooner later enough people will buy these and the disc industry will start making the switch. pretty soon my dvd player will be dumped into a trashcan or sent to a museum.
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I dug The Lookout, but more than that, I do believe that it is one of those films that has the potential to shape cinema in its own small way. Along with flicks like The Salton Sea, Brick (JGL connection!), and to an extent, 21 Grams, The Lookout builds a world where fairly alarming things are happening, but everyone is more or less grooving to it without thinking twice.
To me, this marks a return to the noir heros of decades past, who were not just antiheroes, but truely flawed human beings firmly rooted in the grey area of morality. I think that if enough low time filmmakers find their inspirational sparks in flicks like these (except the forgetable 21 Grams (on the record: sucked)), we may just have a decent string of low budget film noir over the next few years. -
...but I wouldn't worry just yet about DVD's obsolescence. It's still expected that DVD will be the prevailing format for the next several years at least.
HD-DVD and Blu-Ray are both picking up speed in sales and market recognition, but they're both still niche formats, and they're both only any good for people who own HDTVs... which ain't everybody. Not by a long shot. -
I'm guessing it's pure nostalgia that drives fans of Flash Gordon. So I guess I just won't be on the bandwagon for this DVD or the new series.Kuddos to you guys for being fans of this series.Althought the "Flesh Gordon" series looks interesting! Thanks Mace Tofu!! Mouahahahahaha!!
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Sony has denied the multi-billion $$$ porn industry, so Vivid and the likes will soon be releasing HD-DVDs. This will kill BluRay.
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Aug 15, 2007 11:30:33 AM CDT
Not true Spango it was a rumor and here is the proof
by allpowerfulwizardofoz
http://tinyurl.com/2qejwj
And I give you Debbie Does Dallas on Blu-Ray http://tinyurl.com/2xmmau
Happy jerking! -
That one was put to rest months ago. And it never really even held much water anyway. Most people know porn isn't going to decide this situation. Is this your first time here? ;-)
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He saved every man, every woman, every child, his name is chuck. 'Chuck norris is alive.'
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Good movies.
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I forgot I'd seen that movie until you just mentioned it. I cannot for the life of me remember anything about it except that I saw it. That's a good sign, eh?
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If you wanna see Jeff Daniels in a good movie rent Gettysburg. He's really awesome that movie. Considering how confusing that battle was the movie does an amazing job of clearly showing what happened and when.
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Just watched this last night on my PS3 and with the upscaling via HDMI the picture looks pretty outstanding. The best this movie has looked in years. I would have preferred they left the original 2.0 stereo soundtrack in but they didn't ruin the 5.1 mix so it's ok. Some movies like to change sound effects (cough* Superman cough*) when they remix them to 5.1. I consider that blasphemy on classic movies to retool any audio. Fixing scratches and mixing the sound to be 5.1 is one thing but changing sound effects should not be done.
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