New Thread #1: SOME MOVIES I'VE WATCHED RECENTLY
Comments
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fantasia 2001 is amazing! i was so dissapointed that i didn't get out to see it on IMAX after i watched it on DVD and was blown away!
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I just watched fantasia 2001 with my **** and she loooovvved it!
I mean my dog of course. -
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Micah - Sorry for the slow response re Chasing Amy...yes, it is the Criterion Collection edition...and the commentary track is hysterical if you haven't watched/listened to it yet.
Has anyone bought Dogma...I was wondering how the bonus stuff on that DVD is.
Mantis - I went to see Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back on the big screen opening night. Yes, I was the only guy with (premie) gray hair there. It was might funny too. Does the DVD have bonus goodies?system 1:
Athena: AS-F1 mains, AS-C1 center, AS-B1 surrounds, AS-P400 sub, Yammie RXV-730, Rotel RB-976 driving front stage, Samsung BD3600 Blue Ray, Denon DVD2900 for sacd/cd , jbl n24awII on the deck, samsung 40" 1080p lcd
system 2:
XBox 360 Spherex 5.1 system, HK DVD38, Phillips CDC 926 CD changer, Phillips 32" LCD
2 channel
NAD 1600 pre, NAD 2400 THX amp, Phillips CDC 926, Linn extra speaks, crappy TT -
WOAW! The CHASING AMY Criterion Collection disc is $15! Last time I looked it was $24! This is IMO Kevin Smith's best, most complete, most well-written and insightful film. Most mature film. I'm going to have to pick this up, if only to have another (watchable) Chick Flick in my collection. (Wonder why the radical price break?)
The only thing I hate is that chick with the squeaky voice. But it's all forgiven for the little speech Silent Bob gives when he finally speaks up -- BRILLIANT!
And, while I'm here, FANTASIA 2000 has the best multichannel version of Stravinski's FIREBIRD SUITE ever -- man, that'll bring your house down around you it's so powerful!
MC -
Definately Smith's most thought out and complete film, arguably his best. I'm going to have to pick it up too. Another chick flick in the collection, Micah, means one more chance to look sensetive when you call the women over (and the sexual undertones of the film may get you laid!)
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Originally posted by johnnyamerika
Another chick flick in the collection, Micah, means one more chance to look sensetive when you call the women over (and the sexual undertones of the film may get you laid!)
c'mon, we're talking about micah here...:rolleyes: -
Yeah, I guess Chasing Amy just wasn't moving as a single disc costing 30 bucks...I actually saw it on sale for 13.99 at either CC or BB a couple of weeks ago...but I had already bought it (and Clerks).
I'll have to rent Fantasia 2000...I haven't seen Fantasia since it was re-released on VHS about 15 or so years ago....and I do love Firebird Suite (Got hooked on it when Yes used to use it as a prerecorded intro piece to their live shows in the 70's).
That has my mind going...know anyplace to find a 5.1 version of "Carmina Burana?"system 1:
Athena: AS-F1 mains, AS-C1 center, AS-B1 surrounds, AS-P400 sub, Yammie RXV-730, Rotel RB-976 driving front stage, Samsung BD3600 Blue Ray, Denon DVD2900 for sacd/cd , jbl n24awII on the deck, samsung 40" 1080p lcd
system 2:
XBox 360 Spherex 5.1 system, HK DVD38, Phillips CDC 926 CD changer, Phillips 32" LCD
2 channel
NAD 1600 pre, NAD 2400 THX amp, Phillips CDC 926, Linn extra speaks, crappy TT -
Is the recent DVD of EXCALIBER in 5.1? I know it's reportedly a crappy DVD, even tho it's a SE with some extras I think, but I believe it was remastered in 5.1. And that has "Carmina Burana" in it, but I don't know anything about what version or who is playing it, as to whether or not it's a "good version."
But that "Firebird Suite" in FANTASIA 2000 is really awesome. The movie itself is lucky that it's short -- only about 80 minutes -- but the performances are on the whole "okay." By the time it gets to "Firebird" you really need it, and it delivers. Just like the Yes shows! (How dated does that make me feel? I just learned that it's Rick Wakeman playing keyboards on SABBATH BLOODY SABBATH!)
The DVD of the original FANTASIA is pretty cool, too, considering the film is like 60 years old. It's one of my all time favorite films, just because I have good childhood memories of it. It's a great simple introduction to classical music for a child. And the performances -- especially "Night On Bald Mountain" and the conductor's transcription of the Bach Toccata -- are really great.
MC -
Panic Room - Jodie Foster won't win an Oscar for this one.
Original Sin - A sinful delight (Jolie) horrible movie other than that 3 minute sex scene
Memento - First time seeing it and I was completely blown away. I will be buying the SE when it comes out.
Thri13en (?) Ghost - Okay horror flick. not the best, but not the worst either.
Usual Suspects SE - One of my most favorite movies.
BMW FILMS THE HIRE - Short movies, from different directors. Great little promotion DVD I got from Sony.
Courage Under Fire dts - Great sound dts track.
ON the Horizon (Soon to be seen)
Spy Games
Dances with Wolves dts -
Excalibur is what turned me on to "Carmina Burana" when I first saw it...read the credits and went out and bought it. I didn't know there was an SE out of that flick...I'll have to see if I can find it.
I had totally forgotten that their was an orchestal version of "Tocatta" on Fantasia...I guess I will have to buy it. About 20 years ago I taped a Cleveland Symphony adaptation of that that still gives me the chills...even on that taped-from-FM radio-broadcast TDK D-60 it still sounds good (if you don't mind tape hiss that sounds like a 30mph wind). I seem to remember that the Fantasia adaptation is pretty good. Sold!system 1:
Athena: AS-F1 mains, AS-C1 center, AS-B1 surrounds, AS-P400 sub, Yammie RXV-730, Rotel RB-976 driving front stage, Samsung BD3600 Blue Ray, Denon DVD2900 for sacd/cd , jbl n24awII on the deck, samsung 40" 1080p lcd
system 2:
XBox 360 Spherex 5.1 system, HK DVD38, Phillips CDC 926 CD changer, Phillips 32" LCD
2 channel
NAD 1600 pre, NAD 2400 THX amp, Phillips CDC 926, Linn extra speaks, crappy TT -
Yeah, that Bach transcription is really tremendous, rivalled only by the original organ piece. I once saw THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA with Lon Chaney on a Halloween night in an old church in NYC with a live orchestral accompaniment, and of course they did the Stykovski (sp?) transcription of the piece... Chilling!
I watched JEREMIAH JOHNSON last night: Great DVD of a mediocre (but much-loved from my childhood movie watching days) film. The DVD restores the intermission and overture to the widescreen film. Really fun "guy movie."
I'm trying to find out the best possible version of "Carmina Burana" for you (from my classical music genius friend), and I think you can find the EXCALIBER DVD for like $9 out there. Cheap cheap.
More later. Meeting time here at Polk Audio, the meeting specialists...
MC -
I loved the intermissions/overture scenes, really lets you know that although it's a great transfer on a new technology, it's still a classic old movie.
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According to my lawyer...The single finest version is the old Eugene Ormandy recording with the Philadelphia Orchestra (natch) and the Rutgers University Choir: Sony SBK 47668. The analogue sound is still good.
If you must have digital, then go with Herbert Blomstedt, San Fran SO & Choir, on London [Decca] 430509-2, if for nothing else but the incomparable soprano Lynne Dawson (easily my fave in
choral singing!).
You could also check out the Ray Manzarek version I guess, altho I can't find it anywhere. Ray, man, what went wrong?
http://www.thedoors.com/BeHere/ray/cbinfo.html
MC -
Excellent...I'll look for them. I was lucky enough to see the London Symphony Orchestra (and I don't recall what choir) perform the Carmina Burana at the Barbican Centre in London in '89. Nothing has ever compared to that...but I will look for the Ormandy disc.
I've never heard of the Ray Manzarek recording. That might be...interesting.
Thanks!system 1:
Athena: AS-F1 mains, AS-C1 center, AS-B1 surrounds, AS-P400 sub, Yammie RXV-730, Rotel RB-976 driving front stage, Samsung BD3600 Blue Ray, Denon DVD2900 for sacd/cd , jbl n24awII on the deck, samsung 40" 1080p lcd
system 2:
XBox 360 Spherex 5.1 system, HK DVD38, Phillips CDC 926 CD changer, Phillips 32" LCD
2 channel
NAD 1600 pre, NAD 2400 THX amp, Phillips CDC 926, Linn extra speaks, crappy TT -
Originally posted by Micah
- ANIMAL HOUSE -- Sometimes you just need a little Blutarsky, too. I happen to have the OOP "Special Edition" version, which boasts not only a documentary on the disc but a superior anamorphic print of the film. And it's funny, man. Plus, it could be the last time that Peter Reigert was funny. And that Karen Allen was cute.
Oh, I don't know. Karen Allen wasn't too shabby in RAIDERS. In fact, in my more perfect universe she would have played Lois Lane opposite Christopher Reeve's Superman/Clark Kent. Not that Margot Kidder didn't do a fine job. In RAIDERS, though, I thought Allen convincingly showed toughness, vulnerability, and yes, cuteness; not to mention shrewdness and, well...balls (characteristics you would hope to find in a not-so-mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper). The kind of girl you don't mind getting you into trouble, as long as she gently kisses your boo-boos later.
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Fly, you are totally correct. In fact, I have often thought that Karen Allen did a great job in RAIDERS because -- unlike the women in the sequels who were just cartoon characters -- she was more fleshed out and believeable, especially since she also was tough and had personality. She could convincingly and sympathetically kill **** just as good as any guy hero could. That's sexy.
Kate Capshaw's got great cans, but she couldn't act her way out of paper bag no matter who she marries to get into movies. See DREAMSCAPE...
In the ANIMAL HOUSE doc, tho, Karen Allen looks like a corpse.
MC -
Originally posted by Micah
In the ANIMAL HOUSE doc, tho, Karen Allen looks like a corpse.
MC
Fair enough. I haven't seen that documentary, yet, but I'll take your word for it.
But JEEEeeeeezz...have you seen Margot Kidder lately? Yikes. -
She looked like a corpse when she was star!
LOL!
(Altho... She is actually pretty good in SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE if I recall. I either think she was good, or I thought that the babe who's screen test is included in the extras on the disc should have gotten the job instead. I can't remember what I think. I need a donut. And another cup o'joe.)
MC -
Yeah, I've never thought of Ms. Kidder as a real looker, which is why I would have preferred Karen Allen as Lois. Not that she's drop dead gorgeous, but, as we've established, she was pretty cute back in the day.
In the features section of the fantastic SUPERMAN DVD, Kidder claims she got the role 'cuz she could do the puppy-dog-lovey-dovey eyes toward Reeve convincingly enough. And again, I think she did a fine job in the role; a very tough yet flaky character she portrayed (though...how much of a stretch is that?).
