The film thread.

[davidf]

Donnie Darko on 4k - a film that feels subtly different and shows new things at almost every viewing. Another nailed-on top tenner.

I’d always watched the Director’s cut, but when I bought the Arrow 4K box set a few years ago, the theatrical cut disc had an issue, so they sent out replacements. That year I watched the replacement disc before opening the box set - this was maybe the second time I’ve ever seen it, the first time being something like 20 years ago. I decided to watch it for a second year in a row this year as I didn’t have time to fit in the Director’s cut, and bearing in mind this was my ninth viewing in 10 years, I noticed an aspect of the story I hadn’t even seen before! Was this because I was watching the theatrical cut? Whenever I watch this film, I’m always running the whole thing around in my head trying to force it to make perfect sense, but it never does - maybe I didn’t do that this time so I was open to more of the story? I dunno, but it makes a little more sense now...

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

I’d always watched the Director’s cut, but when I bought the Arrow 4K box set a few years ago, the theatrical cut disc had an issue, so they sent out replacements. That year I watched the replacement disc before opening the box set - this was maybe the second time I’ve ever seen it, the first time being something like 20 years ago. I decided to watch it for a second year in a row this year as I didn’t have time to fit in the Director’s cut, and bearing in mind this was my ninth viewing in 10 years, I noticed an aspect of the story I hadn’t even seen before! Was this because I was watching the theatrical cut? Whenever I watch this film, I’m always running the whole thing around in my head trying to force it to make perfect sense, but it never does - maybe I didn’t do that this time so I was open to more of the story? I dunno, but it makes a little more sense now...

I prefer the theatrical cut - the director's tries too hard in my view - and Richard Kelly says it isn't a director's cut in the sense it's what he wanted, more an alternate version.

Don't you think that Roberta Sparrow in the monochrome picture on the school wall looks spookily like his elder sister? Also, there's a point (I think where he first asks to kiss Gretchen) where there's a visible scratch on his neck. Only saw that last night, and don't believe it's an accident.

 

[davidf]

I prefer the theatrical cut - the director's tries too hard in my view - and Richard Kelly says it isn't a director's cut in the sense it's what he wanted, more an alternate version.

Don't you think that Roberta Sparrow in the monochrome picture on the school wall looks spookily like his elder sister? Also, there's a point (I think where he first asks to kiss Gretchen) where there's a visible scratch on his neck. Only saw that last night, and don't believe it's an accident.

I’ll look out for both next time…

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

The five Daniel Craig Bond films.

Skyfall the high point, Casino Royale second, the last two being too long and not so convincing in terms of the combined villain/story arcs, at least for me.

 

[davidf]

The five Daniel Craig Bond films.

Skyfall the high point, Casino Royale second, the last two being too long and not so convincing in terms of the combined villain/story arcs, at least for me.

From Quantum Of Solace onwards, the sound is amazing.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

I find Pixar's stuff a really mixed bag. Tried Finding Nemo last night and marvellous visuals aside, it does nothing for me. Felt the same About Wall-e and Toy Story 4. But the first three TS films are great, and Up! is just wonderful.

 

[davidf]

I find Pixar's stuff a really mixed bag. Tried Finding Nemo last night and marvellous visuals aside, it does nothing for me. Felt the same About Wall-e and Toy Story 4. But the first three TS films are great, and Up! is just wonderful.

I can’t say there’s many Pixar films I don’t like. Love Wall.e, and I like TS4 too, nice and dark in places. Up! Is just amazing, and the montage of their life gets me every time.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

the montage of their life gets me every time.

Doesn't it just.

 

[davidf]

Doesn't it just.

Even just thinking about it! And I haven’t actually seen in for about 10 years… (feels like 5).

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

The Sixth Sense on blu ray - a true modern classic.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Jurassic Park on 4k - still highly enjoyable, and proof (were any needed) that movie franchises are seldom a good thing.

 

[davidf]

Jurassic Park on 4k - still highly enjoyable, and proof (were any needed) that movie franchises are seldom a good thing.

Picked them all up on 4K this year. I quite like the recent ones with Chris Pratt - just enjoyable fun and gives your sub a workout.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

gives your sub a workout.

Unlike your brain!

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Inception on 4K. Good film and as always with Nolan very clever. I just wish (and it feels churlish to say so, given that most films err in the other direction) that he was a bit more heart and a bit less head.

 

[twinkletoes]

im looking forward to the abyss 4k remaster , might even go and see it in the cinema for its limited one night run. if its running in the UK that is

 

[Messiah]

im looking forward to the abyss 4k remaster , might even go and see it in the cinema for its limited one night run. if its running in the UK that is

Love The Abyss. First watched this on Laserdisc.

Wanted it in Blu-ray but does not seem to be available.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

The Iron Giant on blu ray - have a soft spot as the book on which it is loosely based was the first thing I read to my brother.

 

[twinkletoes]

The Iron Giant on blu ray - have a soft spot as the book on which it is loosely based was the first thing I read to my brother.

its a highly underrated classic by Brad Bird. There where number of great movies that year fight club, Tarzan , American pie , the matrix. it was a good year for films

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

1917 in 4k - a great film, and the cuts are very clever - look for the odd scene with no-one in, either because they are passing behind something, or when everything is still. There seem to be some in the river scene too, which must have been extremely difficult.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

T2 Trainspotting - a worthy sequel to the brilliant original.

 

[podknocker]

I watched 'The Creator' last night. A sci-fi film about AI and it wasn't too clichéd for a change. Great effects and a satisfactory ending leaving no chance for a rubbish sequel, hopefully.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

A sci-fi film about AI

Have you seen Ex Machina?

 

[podknocker]

Have you seen Ex Machina?

Yes and loved it. It does make you wonder if all these films, including the Terminator films, could end up being a self fulfilling prophecy eventually. People have all these ideas about AI and robots and they do take over, because we intentionally designed society to be that way. Not happen in my lifetime though. Skynet is a parcel delivery company at the moment, but could get taken over and they start shipping AI parts, etc. Apart from time travel, everything I've seen in sci-fi films is possible. It just needs a nerd to make the wrong decision.

 

[Freddy58]

1917 in 4k - a great film, and the cuts are very clever - look for the odd scene with no-one in, either because they are passing behind something, or when everything is still. There seem to be some in the river scene too, which must have been extremely difficult.

Yes, watched it myself around a week ago, on tv. As you say, a great film. It did leave me wondering how they made it so apparently seamless, although the aeroplane crash wasn’t totally convincing, but that’s just being hypercritical on my part. A cinematic masterpiece, I would say.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

I’ll be watching the Alien films this week (all except Alien Resurrection, which is dire) as part of the whole LV426 thing. Although, I do need to get to my local cinema before Friday to catch Evil Dead Rises which is supposed to be really good based on the feedback I’ve had so far.

Aliens gets a US 4k release in April, so hopefully we will soon thereafter. Trying to source a US copy of a newly-released 4k cut means having to accept being debagged, it seems to me!