The film thread.

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

At a pinch, I'd say I prefer Toy Story 2 to the first film. There's really not much in it, and I guess even this may just be the exception proving the rule.

 

[davidf]

At a pinch, I'd say I prefer Toy Story 2 to the first film. There's really not much in it, and I guess even this may just be the exception proving the rule.

It's interesting watching the films in series, as you see the improvements in the animation and rendering - the first one looks quite dated compared to the others now.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

It's interesting watching the films in series, as you see the improvements in the animation and rendering - the first one looks quite dated compared to the others now.

It does, and the third looks fractionally better too, whilst still maintaining the quality of the story arc. Hated 4 though....

 

[davidf]

It does, and the third looks fractionally better too, whilst still maintaining the quality of the story arc. Hated 4 though....

I quite enjoyed the 4th 🙂

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

I quite enjoyed the 4th 🙂

You and many others!

 

[Al ears]

Finally got to watch Gladiator II, and you guys were right, it's as good as the original.

 

[Jasonovich]

Finally got to watch Gladiator II, and you guys were right, it's as good as the original.

The shark scene in the arena was a little naff. The rest of it, was really enjoyable.

 

[Al ears]

The shark scene in the arena was a little naff. The rest of it, was really enjoyable.

That and the rather odd looking baboons yes

 

[Revolutions]

What about a man riding a Rhino??? 🤣🤣🤣

 

[Jasonovich]

What about a man riding a Rhino??? 🤣🤣🤣

Ha ha ha yes!

 

[davidf]

Sod that, it's almost time for my annual visit to Amity Island...

 

[Al ears]

Ha ha ha yes!

Yeah ha!
Well they ride elephants don't they???

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Duel on 4k - thoroughly enjoyed it - I'd not picked up things like how clearly you can see how much the truck is receding in his wing mirrors in some of the earlier sequences. Loved it when I saw it as a kid, less so the second time, and the third I was mostly dawn to how Dennis Weaver's acting isn't exactly from the top drawer. But this time, probably because my expectations were not in the stratosphere, I really enjoyed it. And whilst he's not always reached the greatest of highs, it was ample demonstration that Spielberg was born to direct. Looks like the scene where Weaver has to jump out of the phone box just before the truck hits it really didn't leave much margin for error!

 

[Jasonovich]

Duel on 4k - thoroughly enjoyed it - I'd not picked up things like how clearly you can see how much the truck is receding in his wing mirrors in some of the earlier sequences. Loved it when I saw it as a kid, less so the second time, and the third I was mostly dawn to how Dennis Weaver's acting isn't exactly from the top drawer. But this time, probably because my expectations were not in the stratosphere, I really enjoyed it. And whilst he's not always reached the greatest of highs, it was ample demonstration that Spielberg was born to direct. Looks like the scene where Weaver has to jump out of the phone box just before the truck hits it really didn't leave much margin for error!

Conspiracy theorists claim Weaver boasted about the sonic merits of speaker cables to a pole dancer in a truck bar.
Hey Hank this weirdo spoke dirty to me.
😂
Great movie BTW.
Spielberg's first directed movie I think? I'll argue he's best before his future movies started to degenerate into overcooked infantile action scenes that lacked finesse but under the same breath he was probably the best in his genre. George Lucas fans will argue differently. 😊

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

The Wicker Man from Beeb4. Didn't really rate it last time I saw it, but thought it was much better this time. The influence on The League of Gentlemen/Inside No.9 is apparent.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Pale Rider on 4k - my expectations were not in the stratosphere, as some of Eastwood's stuff isn't transformed on 4k - I'm thinking Unforgiven here - but I can't think of another film so transformed by HDR. There's lots of sunshine and bright blue skies, and it really shows.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Dark City on 4k - unusual for SF in that the human story works better than the SF story - I guess that's the right way around though!

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Starship Troopers on 4k -a guilty pleasure in that it's basically rubbish, but palatable brain off entertainment. Special effects still look very good for a film that's nigh-on 30 years old.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Monty Python and the Holy Grail on 4k - as you'd expect it's not like watching a new film in the shiny new format, but there are worthwhile gains in resolution (there are signs after Sir Robin's encounter with the three-headed knight that I hadn't registered before, let alone been able to read), but it's the HDR gains that make the biggest difference.

I'd strongly recommend avoiding the ''tis but a tribute' extra though - a series of soundbites from people who are almost all American, whom you are unlikely to have heard of, and who cannot pronounce 'python'.

Found out from a book I'm reading that my favourite author, the late, great Iain (M.) Banks was an extra in it.