Ponyo

Bridge on the River Kwai

Doug

Batman Returns, which I just ordered from Amazon last week and counts for the Holiday Challenge. Also, we've been discussing the Batman movies in another thread here lately and it'd been a while since I last watched any of the sequels so it was fun to revisit. The Blu-ray looks great!

Aliens (1991 cut)

Sorry for the delay in responding. I've been busy with family & friends over the Holiday for Thanksgiving. Just wanted to thank you for saying as much, regarding my taste in film. It means a lot to read that and I want you to know I feel like we both have some of the best overall taste in film on here, and that we collect films because of how passionate we are for cinema as an art rather than anything else. I certainly think there are other 'film' collectors here but it can get annoying to notice people buying Criterion's and not necessarily watching any (or most) of them.

What really get's to me is when people blind buy work from a film-maker they have no prior experience with and that they don't have any idea about why they should or shouldn't buy said film -- they just purchase it because they notice other people doing so. While I certainly don't feel like that's the case for the majority, it does seem to me like more collectors are buying them because of their assumed 'status'.

Now, to keep this thread going, I will note that my last watched Blu-ray was for 'A Chinese Odyssey: Part 1'. I loved this film very much. Anyone who enjoys the humor of Stephen Chow should find something to appreciate as this demonstrates him in as strong a form as ever. It's really no surprise to watch it and think of how large of an influence this must have had on the present state of his career. I believe the directing style also served to influence his own style in the best way's possible. It's every bit as zany and creative as one could want. However, take note: the release is plagued with poor English subtitles. While a drawback I would still recommend this to others as it is the only way to see the films in North America that I am aware of and the PQ/AQ are good; Supplements are quite impressive (some informative interview footage with the Director, subtitled, is included). These English subtitles are distracting to the overall experience but are still understandable and won't destroy comprehension of the plot of the film or the actions of the characters.

Bigger Than Life
Really great film. Seeing a conservative 50's "Honey, I'm home!" family being completely turned upside down was quite unsettling. Criterion offers a damn fine presentation too. PQ/AQ are outstanding, colors really pop off the screen.

The Spirit
Valkyrie

The Expendables - I loved it just as much at home. Great throwback to when action movies could just be a bunch of guys kicking ass and being men. I could do without the digital violence, but it's so commonplace these days that I suppose it was inevitable. PQ was excellent, and the AQ is a beast.

Night at the Museum

Watched Get Him to the Greek, a Black Friday purchase. Then that put us in the mood to pop in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, which in retrospect we agreed we should have watched first. (We've seen both movies previously.) Hawaii, Kristen Bell and Mila Kunis are all gorgeous in HD, and Sean Combs was hilarious in Greek. It's even funnier seeing Jack McBrayer in FSM now that we've started watching 30 Rock.

Expendables Saw it in the theater. yes they relied too much on CGI blood but it was a fun romp. Will consider picking this up if the price is right one day.

Serenity

THE THIN RED LINE - i've seen the film at least a half dozen times but never with such breathtaking clarity. criterion really knocked this one out of the park. here's hoping they get their hands on BADLANDS.

House --- what a bizarre movie.. I'm sure the filmmakers had a great deal of fun making this one.

District 9- First time viewing. Really enjoyed it. Surprised about the high amount of gore, which had me laughing more than once.

Avatar (Theatrical Cut)- Surprisingly a little more enjoyable the second time around.

Superbad - Screw the Apatow haters, this movie is still funny as shit and Cera is at his least annoying in it. Once of the very few modern comedies I still like.

+1
I watched the trailer (never seen the movie) and instantly wanted to see it. Just holding out for a Criterion release.

Saving Private Ryan
Still as phenomenal and gut wrenching as ever. Blu looks fantastic with grain intact.

Observe and Report - First time watching it and I LOVED it. "How's yo dick hangin'? Low, I hope." . This film is dark comedic genius.

Elf picked this up in the DVD2Blu promotion. One of our favorite holiday movies. Not sure it was worth the $6 to upgrade. The transfer was scrubbed so clean everyone looks like wax.

Avatar (178min version)

in the theatre, this movie made my ears bleed... well give me a headache - it was by far the loudest movie I've heard this year.

Commemorated the passing of Irvin Kershner this morning with Never Say Never Again with his audio commentary track. Then tonight with dinner my wife and I popped in Pineapple Express, which we'd rented last year from Redbox and picked up for $5.00 at Walmart on Black Friday. It's not the funniest Apatow production, but it has its moments and we like it.

Brooklyn's Finest...awesome film w/excellent A/V
Street Fighter: The legend of Chun Li...worst film I've seen in a long time. A/V were equally unremarkable.

Try braving the BD at reference volume. The guns sound real and real loud. The Terry Crews' shotgun alone is worth the headaches.

Just finished In the Line of Fire