What was the last movie you've seen?

[AppleQueso]

There is something about Blu-Ray and HD tv that really changes the way a show or movie looks. Very fluid. Fluid to the point that it reminds me of live shot soap operas; it looks so real that it reminds you it's all fake. That said BATMAN looks incredible on Blu-Ray.

...you sure you aren't confusing HD with those smoothmotion 120hz things a lot of new TVs have?

A lot of blu-rays run at 24fps, I never noticed any kind of unnatural "smoothness" in any of them, especially not anything that's comparable to the "soap opera" look.

I've watched stuff on some of those smooth motion 120hz sets, though, and they do have that soap opera effect that you're describing. I always turn motion smoothing stuff off if the TV i'm watching supports that.

[Luke]

There is something about Blu-Ray and HD tv that really changes the way a show or movie looks. Very fluid. Fluid to the point that it reminds me of live shot soap operas; it looks so real that it reminds you it's all fake. That said BATMAN looks incredible on Blu-Ray.

...you sure you aren't confusing HD with those smoothmotion 120hz things a lot of new TVs have?

I'm not sure. Probably a year ago my wife and I bought two Bravias (bedroom and living room upgrades) so it could just be the tv's as I mostly use a CRT in my Gentlemen's Club for my regular watching and gaming.

C'mon Pulsar! Let's talk Prometheus. I think we're the only two here who have seen it, and I think you watched a different movie than I did.

[Michi]

You get mini-write-ups today because TCM has been replaying a lot of cult classics lately that I've already seen.



Wednesday I watched Castle in the Sky (AKA Laputa). I hadn't seen it before and had really been wanting to, so bought the blu-ray last week from Amazon along with The Secret World of Arrietty (They ended up knocking an extra $8 off my order so I got both of them for less than $20 each. Huzza Huzza.)

I gotta say I really enjoyed it. It's a fun little adventure title and it's been a while since I've seen one of those. Admittedly, I'm a little partial to Ghibli films. They just have a certain vibe that really resonates with me and this one was no different. The animation was lush, the scenery was diverse, and the characters all have their own unique little traits that just make the movie memorable for me.


It's just pretty, damn it.

I watched it late at night, so I opted for the dub instead of the subtitles (I didn't feel like reading that night. Sue me.) Disney usually does a pretty decent dub job, so I wasn't worried. Gotta say I was impressed. It wasn't one of their better dubs, but it was decent. I'm usually pleased with Mark Hamill's animated performances, and Cloris Leachman portrayed a very impressive Dola. Not bad overall, though I will watch the subbed version later on to compare.

Overall, I found the film fun to watch. It's now up at the top of my list of favorite Ghibli movies.


MST3K: Zombie Nightmare


I've been watching an embarrassing amount of Mystery Science Theatre 3000 lately. I blame it on Luke and his earlier mention of obtaining the entire series.

Zombie Nightmare is probably one of my favorite episodes they've done. I find myself partial to the Mike episodes. I'm not sure if it's because I just find them funnier or if it's because that's just who I remember more clearly from when the show was still airing. Who knows.

What I do know is that I enjoy bad horror movies and I enjoy MST3K and when they combine so flawlessly like this, with such endearing commentary and pop-culture references (that are still pretty relevant today, considering this episode aired in 94), that it just can't help but put a big smile on my face.


"Look at all the candles. What did they do? Loot a Pier 1?"

I watched it on DVD, but who's to stop someone from finding it on Youtube? If you like MST3K than it's definitely worth it if you ask me.

[AppleQueso]

There is something about Blu-Ray and HD tv that really changes the way a show or movie looks. Very fluid. Fluid to the point that it reminds me of live shot soap operas; it looks so real that it reminds you it's all fake. That said BATMAN looks incredible on Blu-Ray.

...you sure you aren't confusing HD with those smoothmotion 120hz things a lot of new TVs have?

I'm not sure. Probably a year ago my wife and I bought two Bravias (bedroom and living room upgrades) so it could just be the tv's as I mostly use a CRT in my Gentlemen's Club for my regular watching and gaming.

Play around with the settings on those Bravias. If there's anything like options for "motionflow" or something like that, try turning it off. Should get rid of that 'soap opera' effect while keeping the image detail intact.

I can pretty much guarantee that the effect your describing is an issue with TV settings and not with blu ray or HD as a format.

[Luke]

I can pretty much guarantee that the effect your describing is an issue with TV settings and not with blu ray or HD as a format.

I'm about positive you are right. I remember after purchasing the tv's my Father said "After you plug the tv in, calibrate it, check all settings. Otherwise you're not optimizing the overpriced tv's you bought".

Again, turns out again my Father always has to be right. I'll break out the manual tonight (aka youtube Bravia Settings) and remedy this.

Now go see Prometheus you.

[Jrecee]

I hate that smooth motion shit. As someone who is and knows low budget filmmakers, the amount of time we spend trying to get that 24fps film look, only to have it raped by some tv technology really pisses me off. But yeah, you should be able to turn it off. My grandparents have a vizio and theres like 3 different levels of smoothing you can select. . . Youre a film nut luke, I wouldve expected you to have calibrated the shit out of your tvs!

[Luke]

Youre a film nut luke, I wouldve expected you to have calibrated the shit out of your tvs!

I know. I do have a hefty collection of movies, but I'm a big theater nut too. And if I'm not watching a movie in the theater, I usually watch them in my theater room from a digital projector.

I feel shame.

[Hobie-wan]

Well I was hoping to see Prometheus tonight, but the gang isn't responding to talk about it other than one person. So no theater chosen and no tickets bought at this hour probably means a no go.

[Stark]

Well I was hoping to see Prometheus tonight, but the gang isn't responding to talk about it other than one person. So no theater chosen and no tickets bought at this hour probably means a no go.

hate that.

[indecks]

I wanted to see Prometheus in the theater. It looks great. but damon lindelof worked on it and I'm not giving him any money so im gonna wait for the download.