Re: New features coming for Blu-ray DVD format

Bill's News wrote:

willbill <trek@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote

Bill's News wrote:

out of curiosity, what type of headphones
are they?

I use wireless LTB 5.1 (three sets) and wireless Sennheiser, surround? (four sets) The reason for the extra sets is visitors.

There is also a 7 speaker system spread around, but I live in a retirement community with shared walls on two sides - plus, here in So Cal the windows and doors are opened almost 12 months of the year. So I rarely use the speakers. When I do, it's because the nearby neighbors are among the visitors or known to be out-
of-town. It makes me very uncomfortable to think I might be disturbing any neighbor.

Whether or not the PC audio card/speaker system measures up to others' expecations is of no significance, it's far better than the TV speakers that were here only a few years ago ;-)

Some theaters have great sound systems others don't,


agreed


but not too many theaters pay any attention to adjusting their sound levels for the size of the audience. Us seniors have the advantage, not only of discount prices, but uncrowded theaters at noon or 1:00 PM on weekdays! Often, the sound level is almost intollerably loud - though it's possible the management thinks we're all deaf ;-0) Here, each visitor can adjust their own audio level - even when the speakers are enabled.

Regarding the Blade Runner 5 disc release, I chose to watch the Final Cut first because I'd not yet seen it. It was the only version from the set I'd watched when I had added it to the review. In the not too distant future I'll watch the theater version once again and perhaps revise my current thoughts - which are based on memories a few years old.


ok, i stand corrected in that you've
watched/listened to the excellent
quality of the Blade Runner final cut



i haven't seen either 3:10 movie, and don't
plan to spend the bucks for the current one
(i haven't done rentals for more than 5 years;
maybe i'll join up at the library so that i can
take out DVDs)


When it comes to DVD, and now HiDef DVDs, I always rent before buying. If it's a movie I expect to want to see more than once, then I'm assured somewhat of the transfer quality. If it's a film I'm viewing for the first time, then why buy it unless I intend to watch it again?


the idea of renting (DVD for $1/day) is
a big plus (see my response to your other
recent post local-library in general)

out of curiosity, what does it cost to
rent either a HD-DVD or a BD disc?

and is it any more of a hassle than using
a Redbox unit for a standard DVD?
(at a local store)



you might want to get the Elizabeth R DVD set (TV),
staring Glenda Jackson (1972, 540 min.)

mine is on order (used) through Amazon


You could be my personal Roger Ebert!


i'll take that as a BIG compliment. :)

if there's any one critic that i generally
agree with, it is Ebert. fwiw, Ebert gave
Blade Runner a so-so review when it came out <g>


ER is about 5 down on my NetFlix list. I've spoken to several of my neighbors about it, some have fond memories and look forward to joing me for its debut here. Other have never seen it and are equally enthused to join in. Should be a great several nights in the old folks' home;-0)


<laughing>

you spelled Costner and Kostner

that was my reference. :)


I'm surprised I didn't write both Kevin and Cevin!


:)


i guess i'm more of a Costner fan than you are

Perhaps everyone else alive is?


fwiw, you seem to be setting the bar
very very high for Costner's flicks

anyway, of Costner's top movies of this past
8 years are Open Range (2003, which it seems
you weren't that thrilled with), Thirteen Days
(2000), and The Upside of Anger (2005)

imo, Costner has got some range

as i think i already said, i placed
a buy for the recent Mr. Brooks (2007),
per your favorable comments on it. :)



Hmmmm, I'd never sonsidered myslef a Jane Austen candidate. Yet, I so enjoyed "The Jane Austen Book Club" that I may very
well schedule a few of her stories. Thanks for the reminder.
A neighbor has suggested we give "Emma" a spin on the disc
hub. Sadly, she has the Kate Beckinsale version and I'd lean
toward Gwyneth Paltrow, for an intro to Jane.

Interestingly, I just watched the NetFlix HD-DVD of "The
Italian Job" within the past three days. So you're spot on
in your suggestions.

there isn't much intrinsic value in the recent
Italian Job, but it is a fun flick.

Yes, entertaining. But I'd also say much more so than Michale Caine's effort in 1969, when viewed in 2008. That's in line with my earlier statement that today's actors and directors are so much better than yesteryear's, even though Michael is very much one of today's.

Paltrow's
"Emma" is more of a thinking person's flick

the HD 2005 Pride & Prejudice demands a *good*
surround speaker setup (not headphones). it has
a number of moments of "joie de vivre"

to name a few: the two dances, the moment in the
2nd dance where they suddenly only see each other
(the others briefly disappear), and when she is
twirling on the swing

bill


Well, if I survive Emma, I might give P&P a shot too. One neighbor in particular would enjoy that.


you're missing the point

Paltrow's "Emma" is not that easy
to like. and i think that only
a regular DVD rental would be merited.
my strong impression is that "Emma"
is quintessential Jane Austen, and
the movie is limited in it's dynamics

P&P (2005) goes well beyond Jane Austen,
due to all of the things being present,
that go into the few great movies that
are made



Thanks for all your commentary, Bill. It is truly appreciated.


no worries. i've gotten some useful refs/ideas
from you. :)

one other thought for you: if you haven't seen
We Were Soldiers (2002), it's worth a standard DVD rental

yes, it's a war movie (Viet Nam), but imo it's slightly
better than Saving Private Ryan (which goes totally
Hollywood at the end); whereas with We Were Soldiers
only the performance by Sam Elliott is over the top
(and given that he's at most a secondary performer,
it's easier to forgive/overlook than the honky
ending of Saving Private Ryan)

bill
.

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