What DVD have you just watched?

I have seen this movie countlees times, but this Blu-ray edition, picked up from HMV for a fiver, contains four hours of additional material, all of which is hilarious and well worth watching. A true classic that one never tires of. 11/10. Of course.

Forest Gump via Sky+, what a great and moving film. 

Woman of Straw.  The first time I've seen this film from 1964.  Doubtless, despite starring Sean Connery alongside Gina Lollobrigida, and Sir Ralph Richardson, it came out the same year as Goldfinger and so was quietly forgotten.  Which, on this showing, is a great shame, because this is actually a rather excellent film - a good story, well acted (even lollo did well here), and nicely filmed. 

If there's a problem it's down to the DVD.  I received this courtesy of Lovefilm and it is a recent release - the first release as far as I can tell. The aspect ratio is a bit of a mess.  No amount of fiddling with the Oppo blu-ray player settings or those of the screen could give me a satisfactory result.  The Rewind website says it's anamorphic however, the disc seems to have either been authored incorrectly or the site is wrong.  The other problem is that the print used is variable in quality and colour, with areas of distinct damage.  You get the feeling that there's a wonderful picture waiting to get out here - if it were restored then it could potentially be up there with the PQ of the aforementioned Goldfinger.  There is a Blu-ray available in the US, but it's Region A locked.  Reading some reviews it appears to be an improvement on the DVD but still unrestored, hence the damage and variable colour issues remain.  This would be a great choice for a label such as Arrow to get hold of and restore in either 2k or 4k.  But then it would be a gamble, as it's not a well known film.  But it's an excellent film, with three great actors and the potential is definitely there..

Thor

Love these Marvel Comic Films

William Eggleston, known for bringing color to the world of art photography, was born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1939 to a well-to-do family. He picked up his first camera when he was 18 years old and began printing his own black and white photographs. At the time, he didn’t know anything about photography. He taught himself. 

Now a well-known artist, with reporters and photographers clamoring for his attention, Eggleston continues photographing the seemingly mundane life around him. His life and work are a striking example of the importance of sticking to your own personal style and shooting what you like to shoot.

The film follows Eggleston on trips to Kentucky, Los Angeles, New York and Memphis, where Eggleston lives.

The Fiddler on the Roof

Brilliant on a number of levels: Music; Drama; Tragedy & comedy. Superb.

M

Joe Bonamassa - Live at the Greek Theatre.

Finally, the long awaited Blu Ray arrived today.

Well worth the wait, yet another great live concert from Joe and the band.

A movie, made ten years ago but perfect for these enlightened times. It's about armyman "Average Joe" Bowers (Luke Wilson), of average intelligence, who takes part in an experiment that sees him unfrozen 500 years in the future, at which time, "Uhmerica" has dumbed down to the point where Joe is now the smartest man alive. In the end, he makes it to president. Here's a clip of his speech to congress:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OHm6FsgJM8

Just because... RIP Robert

The Second Mother

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOrbWcObwR4

From the Floyd mega-box, the first Blu-ray disc from the first volume, Cambridge Sta/tion; from 1967, it's wionderful stuff, most of it in remarkable picture and SQ:

 "Chapter 24" (Syd Barrett, Live, Cambridgeshire, 1966) / (Live at EMI Studios, London, 1967) - 3:40

"Recording Interstellar Overdrive and Nick's Boogie" (London, 1967) - 6:36

 "Interstellar Overdrive: Scene – Underground" (London, 1967) - 4:15

 "Arnold Layne: promo video" (Wittering Beach, 1967) - 2:54

 "Pow R. Toc H. / Astronomy Domine: plus Syd Barrett & Roger Waters interview: BBC The Look Of The Week" (BBC Studios, London, 1967) - 9:22

 "The Scarecrow" (Pathé Pictorial, UK, 1967) - 2:05

 "Jugband Blues: London Line promo video" (London, 1967) - 2:58

 "Apples & Oranges: plus Dick Clark interview" (Live, Los Angeles, 1967) - 4:51

 "Instrumental Improvisation" (BBC Tomorrow's World, London, 1967) - 2:11

 "Instrumental Improvisation" (Live, London, 1967) - 4:32

 "See Emily Play: BBC Top Of The Pops" (Partially restored BBC Studios, London, 1967) - 2:55

 "The Scarecrow (outtakes)" (Pathé Pictorial, UK, 1967) - 2:07

 "Interstellar Overdrive" (Live at the Roundhouse, London, 1967) - 9:33

The second Blu-ray of that big PF box. This is from the 1968 Germin/ation set:

1. ‘Tienerklanken’, Brussels, Belgium, 18–19 February 1968 (total length: 22:28):

 "Astronomy Domine" - "The Scarecrow" - "Corporal Clegg" - "Paintbox" - "Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun" - "See Emily Play" - "Bike"

1. "Apples And Oranges" ('Vibrato', Brussels, Belgium, February 1968) - 3:03

2. 'Bouton Rouge', Paris, France, 20 February 1968 (total length: 13:35):

   "Astronomy Domine" - "Flaming" - "Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun" - "Let There Be More Light"  

1. "Paintbox" ('Discorama', Paris, France, 21 February 1968) - 3:40  

2. "Instrumental Improvisation" ('The Sound of Change', London, UK, March 1968) - 2:15

3. "Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun" ('All My Loving, London, UK, 28 March 1968) - 2:40

4. "It Would Be So Nice (excerpt)" ('Release-Rome Goes Pop', Rome, Italy, April 1968) - 1:21

5. "Interstellar Overdrive" ('Pop 68', Rome, Italy, 6 May 1968) - 6:59

6. 'Tienerklanken – Kastival', Kasterlee, Belgium, 31 August 1968 (total length: 5:31):

   "Astronomy Domine" - "Roger Waters interview"

1. 'Samedi et Compagnie', Paris, France, 6 September 1968 (total length: 5:31):

   "Let There Be More Light" - "Remember a Day"

1. "Let There Be More Light" ('A L'Affiche du Monde', London, UK, 1968) - 1:53

2. 'Tous En Scene', Paris, France, 21 October 1968 (total length: 6:39):

   "Let There Be More Light"- "Flaming"

1. "Let There Be More Light" ('Surprise Partie', Paris, France, 1 November  

       1968) - 6:35

1. "Point Me At The Sky" (Restored promo video, UK, 1968) - 3:19

This disc is hugely enjoyable - and often hilarious. Early on, the group are miming (quite a lot of the time, to songs written and sung by the by now-departed Syd) and look really embarrassed. Gilmour in particular must have been wondering what he'd got himself into. But as the year progresses, the group grow in confidence and they start playing live. Track 13 is amazing.

Ok, not a DVD, but the Channel 4 broadcast from the other night.............The Stones South American tour.

Worth a look.

Batman vs Superman (extended)

I was less than impressed with the film:

https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...912706786267378#5591

The extended edition has turned me into a believer, I even gained some appreciation for what Eisenberg was doing and the key word of 'Martha'. Glad i bought this, changed my mind.

M

Shogun

I love the Clavell novel and this Richard Chamberlain staring adaptation is excellent, just avoid the execrable over edited 'movie' release. This is loosely based on real history, the real 'John Blackthorn' is buried in the same Church grounds in Fulham used for The Omen, just on the other side of Putney Bridge. The TV series has time to build relationships and situations as Blackthorn is in turn used as a pawn but acts as a catalyst, growing in the process away from his own people, and perhaps developing a reproachment with some deep seated enemies.

I love the fact that the Japanese is not subtitled, allowing you to feel a portion of Blackthorn's frustration and confusion. This does mean that you miss some of the subtlety in the bravery and politics of the Japanese characters, but that is a good reason to go a read the book.

Superb, TV at its best.

M

A very nice Blu-ray transfer of Max Ophuls' 1950 classic - ahead of its time in its free and frank treatment of sexuality and prostitution. Set in Vienna in the early 1900s, it stars the great Anton Walbrook, along with Simone Simon and Simone Signoret (among others) in a collection of tales of illicit encounters. Fabulously shot, lit and acted, it's a delight - no wonder it won all those awards!

Scenes from the above movie:

Apart from Carrie, this is Brian De Palma's best film. Though too long, rather violent and riddled with improbabilities, it has masterful performances from the cast, Pacino in particular of course. The locations are great and BDP keeps the story and action going throughout. A modern-day morality tale in a splendid BR transfer, and packed with extras.

Good choice Kevin - one of my favourite De Palma films.  As per my post about the Arrow Blu-ray release of Blow Out, I've been gradually replacing my old DVD and VHS copies of classic films with Blu-ray equivalents, and De Palma films have been a particular priority. I recently bought Scarface on Blu-ray but haven't watched it yet. I'm waiting for a suitable moment, probably in the company of some good friends who could probably recite the script in their sleep. I also have the Arrow release of Dressed to Kill - a film I haven't seen since I fits saw it while at school - that I'm looking forward to watching at some point soon.

I agree Richard, Arrow do reissue some excellent movies in good quality, especially foreign language/Scandi stuff. I wish they would put out the complete Engrenages on Blu-ray.

Been binge watching West Wing on Sky Box sets, up to series 4 so far.  

Bearing in mind that it started originally in 1999 it seems nothing has changed, Home and Muslim extremists and dumb selfish Republican houses.  Armageddon threatened daily in the middle east.

God know how it will be next year, more like Airplane than West Wing. 

Kevin-W posted:

Hi Kevin,

I have to say that this is a film that a HATE with a passion. Prefer the Howard Hawks original.

M

Contemporary Danish politics. First two episodes of season 1, quite good.