Films, top 5 of 2007?

[JussiK]

Are these good or bad? I think they were the best:
1. David Cronenberg: Eastern Promises
2. Juan Antonio Bayona: El Orfanato / The Orphanage
3. Quentin Tarantino: Death Proof
4. Woody Allen: Cassandra's Dream
5. Eli Roth: The Hostel Part 2

the worst? Disney's Enchanted.

[Mixmachine]

Originally Posted by JussiK

Are these good or bad? I think they were the best:
1. David Cronenberg: Eastern Promises

Just watched this one for the first time last night on HD-DVD, my kind of movie, what great performance by Viggo, just a great flick all around, (with a couple of things that don't make sense in retrospect, but..) not a chick's "Date" flick by any means...

3. Quentin Tarantino: Death Proof

I enjoyed this one too, although not as much as some other Tarantinos's flicks. I think the dialog this time around drags a bit to much at times, if you think "Eastern Promises" was shocking/violent, you ain't seen nothing 'till you see this one...

I'm yet to pick up the second part...

5. Eli Roth: The Hostel Part 2

Never seen any of this, from what I've read they are categorized as a new brand of ultra-violent slasher flicks, maybe I should try them..

[Videoskooter]

Originally Posted by JussiK

Are these good or bad? I think they were the best:
1. David Cronenberg: Eastern Promises

This one's on my wish list!



2. Juan Antonio Bayona: El Orfanato / The Orphanage

Unknown but doesn't appeal to me



3. Quentin Tarantino: Death Proof

I have this on DVD and yes, it's KEWL!



4. Woody Allen: Cassandra's Dream

Never been a Woody Allen fan, sorry!



5. Eli Roth: The Hostel Part 2

NO! Not my cup of tea, definitely!



the worst? Disney's Enchanted.

Oops-I'm not enchanted!

Have fun with the trailers and pick your pic!

[paul]

I'm not into slasher films. After 30 minutes of Hostel, I simply had enough of the gore.
So were there 5 good movies in 2007?

[JussiK]

The gore wasn't what Hostel 2 was all about, it was rather a shrewd and stylish hommage to the Italian genre films of the 70's and early 80's. Eli Roth even managed to coax Edwige Fenech, the real queen of cinema, back before the cameras. Luc Merenda was there, as was Ruggero Deodato. The Hostel films aren't really slashers, either. That they were accused of being "torture porn" movies naturally only increased their gloriously un-pc, totally warped charm...and today, in the age of mellow crowdpleasers such as Woody Allen's morality play Cassandra's Dream it's good to know that while the grindhouses may be gone their (evil) spirit lives on !

[Videoskooter]

We just watched this on DVD and I must confess: BIG FUN!. Very well done, the CGI were outstanding and believable and man...I wanna be an Autobot!!!! Highly recommended for an evening of just...fine entertainment!

[Mixmachine]

Originally Posted by Videoskooter

We just watched this on DVD and I must confess: BIG FUN!. Very well done, the CGI were outstanding and believable and man...I wanna be an Autobot!!!! Highly recommended for an evening of just...fine entertainment!

Video, I was avoiding this movie/DVD until a few days ago, finally got a good deal on the HD-DVD version and since everyone on the Net has been raving about the PQ of this release finally decided to check it out.

I'm glad I did, very entertaining summer 'popcorn' flick, I was afraid the "kids" theme and the mindless "blow it up" action sequences -- courtesy of Michael Bay--- was going to be a bit to much for my taste, but instead I was pleasantly surprised.

I've been watching the supplements on Disc 2 the last few days, very interesting, many times the "Making" supplements are more interesting to me than the flick..

By the way, Samantha Fox was /is hot, but Boy, She needs a few more acting lessons.....

[Mixmachine]

As I hardly ever visit a movie theater anymore and catch all my movies on DVD, so I can't comment on 2007's best, not yet anyways.

But here are some of my year's picks in DVDs ...

"300" (HD-DVD)
"Apocalypto"
"Casino Royal"
"Letters from Iwo Jima" (HD-DVD)
"Blood Diamond" (HD-DVD)
"The Departed" (HD-DVD)
"Batman Returns" (HD-DVD)(2006)
"Good Shepherd" (Hd-DVD)
"Bourne Ultimatum" (HD-DVD)
"Death Proof"
"Eastern Promises" (HD-DVD)
"Transformer" (HD-DVD)

Will be watching soon..

"The Kingdom" (HD-DVD)
"Pan's Labyrinth" (HD-DVD)

and what many reviewers are saying is the best DVD presentation of the year, and my favorite Sci-Fi flick of all times..

"Blade Runner" the Final cut. (Five disc on Hd-DVD or Blu-ray)

Going only by reviews of this year's flicks that match my tastes, I will be most likely picking up all this ones from the 2007 season as they become available, hopefully in HD.

"Zodiacs"
"3:10 to Yuma"
"The assassination of Jesse James.."
"No country for old men"
"American Gangsters"
"Michael Clayton"
"Gone baby gone"
"There will be blood"
"Atonement"
"Bug"
"The Mist"
"Into the wild"
"we own the night"

From what I hear , they are all excellent..

[JussiK]

HD... I go to people's houses and many have that and I don't as it would mean once again re-arranging the whole bloody bookshelf and re-connecting all the gables etc. Can't throw away the old laserdisc player either as I keep hearing that's still about the best thing image-wise ( surely that can't be so?) And there are all those old vhs tapes that must be kept along with the player - who knows if they'll ever issue Ken Russell's "The Devils" or Riccardo Freda's "L'Orrible Segreto Del Dr. Hithcock" (sic) in any other format.

Is the HD picture quality really noticeably superior compard to regular dvd discs? I've never seen a HD image next to that of dvd. Some of my friends just shrug and say things like "well, it's the latest gadget so I bought it and I think it's okay...." Eventually one must switch to HD of course. Blue Ray? HD? What is one to do?!

[Mixmachine]

Originally Posted by JussiK

HD... I go to people's houses and many have that and I don't as it would mean once again re-arranging the whole bloody bookshelf and re-connecting all the gables etc. Can't throw away the old laserdisc player either as I keep hearing that's still about the best thing image-wise ( surely that can't be so?) And there are all those old vhs tapes that must be kept along with the player - who knows if they'll ever issue Ken Russell's "The Devils" or Riccardo Freda's "L'Orrible Segreto Del Dr. Hithcock" (sic) in any other format.

Is the HD picture quality really noticeably superior compard to regular dvd discs? I've never seen a HD image next to that of dvd. Some of my friends just shrug and say things like "well, it's the latest gadget so I bought it and I think it's okay...." Eventually one must switch to HD of course. Blue Ray? HD? What is one to do?!

If you already own a HD-TV Set, once you experience a HD-DVD or Blu-ray DVD you don't want to go back to plain old SD-DVD, the picture quality is that much better, SD-DVD has a max of 480 lines of rez , HD-DVD uses of all your HD-set's available 1080 lines of resolutions, and even if your Hi- Def set's max resolution is in the lower 768 lines of resolution or so (still considered Hi-Def), HD/Blu DVDs still will look stunning on this sets.

As far as the sound, both formats still allowed you to use your existing old DD-5.1 setup, --- renamed now DD+ (slightly better sound), --- but if you want to make use of the new sound formats included with the HD discs, new superior un-compressed formats like Dolby-TrueHD, or DTS-HD, (Hi-Rez quality like DVD-A or SACD ) PCM 5.1, (Cd quality), then you'll need a new generation Receiver to decode this new codecs, simply because your receiver needs to be equipped with the new HDMI digital connector (version 1.3) to accept the signal from your HD-DVD player. (First generation HD-DVD player were able to decode this new codecs and send out the signal through built in analogs 5.1 outs to your receiver, but this feature was eliminated starting with 2nd Generation (Toshiba) players to reduce the price of player, I think only the current top of the line HD-DVD model still has this feature)

Here in the US, Onkyo is already selling at a relative inexpensive price (starting around $300 street price) this new flavor of A/V receiver units that are able to decode this new surround codecs, a few other brands are coming along, brands like Pioneer, Integra, and Denon are already offering this new A/V receiver models now, although this brands are more expensive.

The new HD-DVD of "Pan's Labyrinth" already incorporates the DTS -HD Master audio in 7.1 surrounds, (first release to do this ! ) but like I previously said, to experience this new audio we’ll need a new generation A/V Receiver and a capable Hi-Def player to pass these raw digital bit stream signal along to the A/V receiver. (some of the new inexpensive Hi-Def players may not be able to do this, so we need to carefully double check, I know, this is complicated)

For the majority of us the standard DD+ codec ---- which all existing A/V receivers can decode now --- is more than adequate anyways (given my personal experience), and even though the new surround codecs are superior according to all testimonies, imo there is no need to rush out and upgrade your audio/video receiver gear just yet given the high cost of ‘performance improvement’ ratio, one is better off waiting until prices of the better brands are more affordable and the gear more stable and mature. At least that's what I'm doing..

After carefully studying both sides, I made the decision to go with HD-DVD, in part because all the flicks I’m interested in (with some exceptions) are available to me on the HD-DVD format , this players are available now between $150.00- $200.00 (1080i) in the US, Wal-Mart along sold tenth of thousands of them for $100.00 on ‘Black Friday’ sales, and even though Blu Ray prices have been dropping recently, they still sell for at least $300.00 now.

Another important reason for me was that HD-DVD’s hardware specs are solid, Blu just recently upgraded (finalized) their hardware specs and owners of old stand along Players wont be able to take advantage of the new Blu discs features introduced by the studios just now during this shopping season, (except for “Gamers” with PS3 console players that can take advantage of the ‘firmware’ upgrade )

This new Hi-DEF disc features were made available to HD-DVD players from day one, (more than two years now) features like internet connectivity (easy upgrades, internet interactive features like downloads of different Menu looks/skins, movie trailers, Artist information, games, trivia, movie merchandising, etc)

But more importantly to me, PIP, this feature, my favorite of them all, allows you to watch the “making of” supplements (sometimes ‘Directors interviews’) playing in PIP mode (with audio) at the same time you are watching the main feature, HD-DVD (un-like Blu–Ray players) also features built in “Persistent Memory”, mainly used to “bookmark” and/or save your favorite movie scenes for easy access next time around, very handy feature, given the fact that all Hi-Def players lack the “resume” feature available in all existing SD-DVD players/Discs.( you can share this “Favorite scene” bookmarks online with others if you care to)

And my second favorite HD-DVD advantage, “Zone Free”, this means I can import any HD-DVD from anywhere in the world and it will play in any HD-Player with out any Mods or Hacking requirements. (many times flicks are released in foreign markets first (and only), i.e. many Blu exclusive titles are available in HD-DVD from Europe and Asia)

Which Hi-Def format will prevail? Who knows, (this is endlessly debated and is very interesting to watch (read) as it unfolds, at least for me [ my bets are on the HD-DVD camp, currently rumors are rampant (by HD-DVD supporters) that this year the WB studio , --- the only movie studio still producing movies in both Blu-ray and HD-DVD formats ---will pick sides and move to drop Blu - ray in favor of HD-DVD --- following behind the choice made earlier this year by “Paramount” studios, others are also claiming “Disney” studio will also do the same or at least go “neutral” (producing both formats), since the number of installed HD-DVD players is making it hard to ignore this potential profitable market. (40% of the USA Hi-Def DVD market as of last month)

On the other hand, if Blu-ray prevails then my next player will surely be a combo player able to play both formats, (they are available now, but expensive) in the mean time I’m avoiding purchasing any regular (new) Sd-DVDs if a HD version is available or announced.

The way I see it, You only get to experience a movie for the first time ONCE, and I want to be able to enjoy it with the best possible Picture quality and audio ( at an affordable price) , now.

Edit: From what I've read, ---- as I never jumped into Laser myself ---- DVD versions of all Laser releases are much better in PQ and audio, until recently some Laser titles had better sound (analog) that the DVD counterparts, but this titles are by now very few. ( I forgot which), since better DVD versions are constantly released, some laser owners kept versions of movies not on DVD counterpart, (Star Wars) but again , current DVDs version have taken care of this, I've read some still keep certain LD for the "Director's commentaries" and other features, you would have to make that determination and decide.

As far as VHS movies not on DVD, this is a actually more common, I'd would suggest a DVD-Recorder and Burner with built in HDD, and dump all your VHS movies to DVD, ASAP, I will be doing this for a friend's private Family movies soon, He's got them on old Sony 8mm Tapes(?)

[paul]

Well Mix, I'm still holding out on a HD player. As you know I bought a HD plasma earlier this year. Since the format wars will continue for at least a few years it seems, I'm leaning towards a dual format player.
Right now I'm doing OK with my upconverting Samsung dvd player.

[JussiK]

Oh no...I knew it would be complicated, but to think it's THIS complicated! I fear for the actual no doubt 180 page thick guidebook ...but thanks so much for the info. I'm going to have to print all this and study it in detail and show it to my friends - who will no doubt go hmmm, yes, why not, but really considering the resolutions and this and that and...etc. But I do have a HD ready Bang&Olufsen tv ( form before function as always) so in that respect, I'm ready.

[Marcio**]

My number one was Jean Claude Brisseau's LES ANGES EXTERMINATEURS

[Mixmachine]

Originally Posted by paul

Well Mix, I'm still holding out on a HD player. As you know I bought a HD plasma earlier this year. Since the format wars will continue for at least a few years it seems, I'm leaning towards a dual format player.
Right now I'm doing OK with my upconverting Samsung dvd player.

Yeah, I remember now you finally chose Plasma, I recently picked up a Plasma Panasonic 50PC77u from Costco myself, same as the regular 50px77u model, the colors on this one rival that of my old trusted Hitachi 1080i RPTV in a different room.

I was going to pick up the equivalent and also excellent Sammy, but finally decided on the Panny after good all around reviews, and extra year warranty included.


Hi-Def Combo players are expensive; you can buy separate Blu/HD-DVD players for less.


And only the latest generation (Samsung?) are able to take advantage of all the features available on a stand along HD-DVD player.

For our Panny and your Sammy set we don’t need anything more than a 1080i HD-DVD player, those are less than $200.00 now, with up to ten free discs at Amazon last time I checked, even Best Buy had equal deals this past season. Wally World (Wal-mart) sold them for $100.00 during a secret sale.

Don’t forget that many HD-DVD tittles are available as combo discs, you can watch the SD-DVD version (side) in other rooms or portable players now, and Hi-Def on your main setup now or later.

And all Hi-Def players also up convert SD-DVD tittles, some reviews of the up converting quality of this (top of the line) HD-DVD players is said to rival that of the best up converting only units out there (OPPO ?).

My Toshiba A20 is great at up converting, I played a few ‘Super Bit’ SD-DVD tittles and they almost look like Hi-Def..

You need to jump into the Hi-Def world now, where is that adventurer Disco spirit of the past???

[Videoskooter]

(Jussi, sorry, to go off-topic here)

Guys, you really got me confusing. I know Paul picked the Plasma, I know Bernie adviced it and Mix also got enchanted by it but....in good ol' Belgium, Plasma is finito, kaputt, they won't sell it anymore as they go full LCD in the stores here! They don't believe in Plasma anymore, say it's too expensive compared to LCD and that LCD is as good as....

They are now predicting Bio-LCD which is already used for compu-screens and cellphone-screens. Fujitsu has even stopped producing Plasma-screens

Now, I don't have a problem believing Mix when he says that HD-DVD truly makes a difference but I'm sticking to my ol' Sony for a while because who knows what's next. The evolution goes that fast!

But hey, I'm probably the only person in the world that doesn't own an I-pod, Zune, Creative Player or even an mp3-player! Maybe...I am legend?

Okay, I do have a Blackberry for business purposes but that's all I purchased recently. I must be the marketeer's worst nightmare