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Post by Pulpmariachi on Dec 15, 2006 23:52:55 GMT -5
Borat -- again, it worked first because of shock value now it's kinda ehhhhhh. B-.
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Post by Termination on Dec 16, 2006 1:25:57 GMT -5
Miami Vice (2006)
HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 6/10
The picture quality throughout this disc may look like utter crap, but that is only because of Michael Mann's unique style of direction. Video noise is present during most (if not all) dim light scenes. You can tell it is 99.9% intentional more so in high definition than standard definition. I don't know why Mann takes shots of actors & than later edits video noise around them while backgrounds are crystal HD clear & vise versa, you see the actors crystal HD clear while the backgrounds are riddled with noise. Despite this odd technique in his shots, I didn't find any compression artifacts with the transfer. Colors sometimes come off as pale & there are a few soft spots, but again, this is Mann's final cut & can't really be looked at as a transfer flaw. The film does have some of that three dimensional wow factor during bright light scenes & those scenes are on par with the very best HD transfers.. too bad most of the film is dark light. My biggest complaint about the transfer in general is the Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 track. Pretty much all front heavy making good use of the mains but not the center channel nor surrounds. In fact, I could not help but giggle at the 2 or 3 times the surrounds were actually used. Anyway, the center channel is the weakest output I have ever heard. Could be intentional of the film, which if it is the case, Mann.. Ever hear of boom mics? Dialog was so weak, that I actually stopped the HD DVD to check that I had my dialog norm setting on. Yep it was set on, but that didn't help one bit. I know a lot of the speach in the film is whisper quiet but WOW, thank god for subtitles! This is the type of movie that begs to have them set on! Overall, a bad flick, good digital video transfer & a audio track for the deaf.
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Post by Phoenix on Dec 16, 2006 10:38:40 GMT -5
In Her Shoes - A most excellent chick flick. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for the ladies.  8/10
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Post by frankenjohn on Dec 16, 2006 11:45:06 GMT -5
American Pie 5: The Naked Mile- My friend forced me into watching this with him. It's a movie we've all seen before, and a movie we've seen done better. Much better. D+.
Now I know why I skipped Band Camp.
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Post by Phoenix on Dec 16, 2006 18:06:28 GMT -5
American Pie 5: The Naked Mile- My friend forced me into watching this with him. It's a movie we've all seen before, and a movie we've seen done better. Much better. D+. Now I know why I skipped Band Camp. Band Camp was TORTURE to watch. I figured Naked Mile was probably just as bad. I will refuse under any circumstance to watch it based on your review. |
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Post by frankenjohn on Dec 16, 2006 20:03:16 GMT -5
Gladiator- The story is excellent and the acting is superb, but some of the technical things they did...yuck! Still good though. B+.
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Post by ZapRowsdower on Dec 16, 2006 20:42:02 GMT -5
In Her Shoes - A most excellent chick flick. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for the ladies. 8/10 Hey, um... I'm not a lady, and I enjoyed it quite a bit. |
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Post by frankenjohn on Dec 16, 2006 22:57:32 GMT -5
The Devil Wears Prada- Immensely entertaining. Not only does Streep do good, but the beautiful Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt steal scenes, and Stanley Tucci is fun in a supporting role. This movie was a pleasant surprise. A-.
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Post by ZapRowsdower on Dec 17, 2006 0:44:04 GMT -5
Charlotte's Web
When my teacher read me the book in second grade, I cried. When I watched the movie today... I fought hard to hold back to tears. My favorite story as a child was beautifully brought to life, and Julia Roberts was the perfect Charlotte. And while it doesn't hold a candle to the book that captured my seven-year-old heart, I still loved it. B
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Post by Termination on Dec 17, 2006 2:39:28 GMT -5
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)HD Video - 8/10 HD Audio Dolby Digital Plus - 8/10 Despite the so-so HD transfer, I forgot just how freakin' hilarious this film is. 
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Post by Phoenix on Dec 17, 2006 10:59:03 GMT -5
Charlotte's WebWhen my teacher read me the book in second grade, I cried. When I watched the movie today... I fought hard to hold back to tears. My favorite story as a child was beautifully brought to life, and Julia Roberts was the perfect Charlotte. And while it doesn't hold a candle to the book that captured my seven-year-old heart, I still loved it. B awwww....cute. I really want to see this but I'm waiting for someone to go with so maybe I won't get as choked up. The cartoon makes me weep. So instead I saw Eragon. Generic fantasy, but the Dragon CGI is AWESOME. It looked very very real, I was impressed. I also watched on DVD last night Talk To Her. 9/10 |
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Post by Pulpmariachi on Dec 17, 2006 15:13:52 GMT -5
The Nativity Story -- ehhhhh. I'm writing up a review so I'll just give the grade. A good solid... C-.
I'm also writing up something for "Happy Feet" and maybe "Babel".
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Post by frankenjohn on Dec 17, 2006 18:52:20 GMT -5
The Pursuit of Happyness- It really should've captured my emotions but instead it just had me smiling or frowning. Smith and Smith are a great pair though. B.
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Post by ZapRowsdower on Dec 18, 2006 3:37:27 GMT -5
The Holiday
Its unnaturally long 2 1/2 hour (yikes) running time will probably lose a LOT of people. Which is unfortunate, because the movie is actually quite good. I just don't like watching a movie and constantly being distracted by how sore my ass is for sitting there for so long. Still, great work by the four leads. And sore as my ass was, I was laughing more than I wasn't, which is always a good sign for a comedy. B+
Might I mention, I really enjoy Nancy Meyers' style. Her movies always have that sort of wit.
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Post by Termination on Dec 18, 2006 5:24:13 GMT -5
A Christmas Story (1983)Classic.
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