This is Spinal Tap - PQ is slightly better than the DVD, though not stunning. The SQ on the BD is in my opinion, a significant upgrade from the DVD. The DD5.1 just doesn't sound as good as the DTS MA.

Just finished watching 17 Again. What a fun movie that was.

PQ was really solid. There was some EE but none too distracting. And it seems that this transfer was DNR free.

AQ was very good as well. Nice full use of the soundstage and I was surprised at how well the LFE was implemented.

Glory Long been a favorite of mine, first viewing on BR. Excellent AQ, clarity and detail. Colors were very muted although that was most certainly on purpose given the nature of the movie. Great performances from Broderick Freeman and Elwes

The Ultimate Matrix Collection. Yes, I watched all three of the films and The Animatrix. That was absolutely an awesome way to watch the trilogy. I had a total blast. The only downside is I don't like Reloaded as much as the other two, though there are still things about it that I genuinely like - it just doesn't work for me nearly as well overall. Ultimately (pun intended) this is a great set of films. I feel exhilarated right now. As a positive: the films are great, the bonus materials are great, the artbox is sexy. As a negative: both the PQ/AQ were not up to my expectations. Good, but not great. I suspect that even though this is billed as the Ultimate Collection they are already planning on getting us to double dip on these films within the next decade, and probably sooner than we think.

Yeah, but did you watch the 19,746 hours of Bonus Features?

Npt yet.

Well, I did watch a few of them. About an hour's worth!

Finally got the wife to sit down and watch The Dark Knight with me.

Pale Rider. Looked pretty good. Not a bad purchase for under $10.

Ronin
Fast and Furious

The Aviator - Looked great! Wished it would've had a lossless track, but it still sounded great!

Plague Town - I didn't think the PQ was that great for a BD, but the film itself was pretty good.

Inside Man. Good heist film. PQ was great in most scenes except for the interrogation scenes which the contrast was blown out on purpose. So yeah, I was surprised I actually liked a Spike Lee movie.

The soundtrack was killer, though.

The Ninth Gate

In the Realm of the Senses-I'll never look at an egg the same way again. BTW, a top notch effort all around from Criterion.

Chuck Just finished season 1 disc 2, waiting for 3 from Blockbuster

Bourne Ultimatum felt like firing up the A35 so a Bourne flick is always a good choice.

Gran Torino - Loved the movie, Eastwood over played his part for the 1st third of the movie, but it was still funny.

Knew the ending before hand, still was powerfull.

PQ was very good, not great.

Blades of Glory (HD DVD)--I laughed probably more than i should have. A real guilty pleasure. Picture quality was extremely good, very bright and clear.

Hellboy II

Glory

Trading Places
The Corpse Bride

Quarantine

Liked it better at home than in the theater for some reason. Looked god too

Dead Space

Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children COMPLETE

The story really hasn't changed much, if you didn't like the previous cut, this version wont sway you. It flows a little better (except for a rythm halting extension during the final fight) but I can't really say it's a whole lot better.

The characters are still bland and the story trite. It's some years after the events of Final Fantasy VII and a virus known as Geostigma is killing many of the survivors of Meteor. Three mysterious youths arrive intent on retrieving the remnants of Jenova in order to achieve a long sought for reunion. That's pretty much it.

Cloud is sullen and distant. Apparently all his character development from the preceding game was forgotten. Tifa runs a messenger service in which Cloud is the only employee (very inconvenient since he never picks up his phone). Barrett is out looking for oil. Marlene is pretty much a cypher along with tagalong Denzel (an orphan boy befriended by Tifa and Cloud who is suffering from Geostigma). The other FFV alumni appear but are reduced to either plot contrivances or comic relief.

Our three villains, Yazoo, Loz, and Kadaj are a trio of whiny emo teens who are always whimpering and whining for "mother". Not exactly the kind of antagonists that would strike fear into anyone. The problem is that Cloud, although he doesn't spend the runtim crying, is such a self pitying and aloof douche through most of the movie that he seems no better.

I borrowed this from a friend. I have the DVD version and previously only got to sample this movie in bits and pieces at a friend's house. Since his TV wasn't properly calibrated (he had his contrast set to 100 - I kid you not) I wasn't able to make final judgment.

After watching it at home, this is a lackluster transfer. Lousy textures, stair stepping in the hair, and a lot of aliasing. The newer footage looks better but still very much a direct-to-video animated movie. I don't get all the praise at all, even if I were to discount the older footage. I don't agree with the wild claims about the older footage being upscalled DVD footage but it still isn't all that great.

The audio has a lot of channel separation but no real oomph. Gunfire is weak and shallow and scenes during the climax that seem like they should make the walls rumble feel decent at best. It's a good mix, make no mistake. But far from a great mix.

I like some of the changes done to the movie. The stigma finally comes across as something lethal and not an annoying skin condition but I HATE HATE HATE how they ruined the final part of the Cloud/Sephiroth fight.



Oh and whats the deal with Cloud getting bloodied with no actual cuts on his body? It looks like he was smeared with paint rather than sliced up in a brutal fight.

The extras are unremarkable. We have a promo video for the release of the Complete version. A mildly interesting summary of the events of Final Fantasy VII and another mildly interesting summary of the tie-in games that were released ti flesh out the story. There is also a 28 minute animated feature that offers some backstory to Denzel. Unfortunately it's very boring and far too reliant on contrivances to create a genuine emotional connecton with the boy.

Some trailers for the feature round out the extras.

I recommend those interested in this release to rent it first and keep your expectations in check. It's not the jaw dropping visual and aural spectacle many would lead you to believe.

I Love You, Man. Terrific film. I still think it's ridiculous that Rudd doesn't get more starring roles. If anybody deserves it, it's him.

PQ was really good also. Haven't watched the extras yet.

Hellraiser (Blu-Ray)

What a treat. Pinhead, Chatterbox and Co. in HD