got the DVD of "Dirty Dancing" as in many
Reviews it stated the conversion was rubbish, it didn't look any better than the DVD
and at times worse, as it showed up noise in the shadows etc. So it may not help
with some older films, unless it is a special edition.
It's all about the transfer. A bad Bluray is like an okay DVD. A great DVD is like an okay Bluray.
But really, nothing beats a great Bluray. The Bond movies look phenomenal IMO.
4k/UH definition makes sense if you have a huge screen. If you only have a big screen you won't see any difference. And most TV stations are still standard definition!
The Bond films (especially the Connery's) look amazing on Blu Ray. But it goes way beyond things just looking better on Blu Ray. First of all, the original DVD releases of DN, FRWL, and GF were a disaster. DN, FRWL and GF were shot "hard matted" at 1.66 to 1 aspect ratio with a "safe area" for 1.85 to 1 so that they could be projected theatrically (depending on what Country) anywhere from 1.66 to 1 to 1.85 to 1. The original DVD releases took the side-cropped 1.33 to 1 VHS versions and further lopped off picture from the top and bottom to create "wide screen" versions creating absolute abominations. In fact, the company responsible for this (I think it may been Fox that had the original video/DVD rights in the USA) were eventually sued over this for fraud. Fortunately, the next generation of DVD's that were re-mastered corrected this. For the Blu Ray releases MGM pulled out all the stops, going back to the original film negatives and doing a complete digital re-master, cleaning up and correcting any flaws or wear and tear, re-mastering the original mono soundtracks and even creating an optional 5.1 surround track. The studio shot scenes that utilized rear projection were also digitally enhanced and significantly improved (check out the scenes around the pool at the hotel in Miami in GF; they look 100% more convincing on the Blu Ray). All in all, on a good Hi Def wide screen TV, the original Connery Bonds look fabulous....as close to what they looked like upon their initial releases in a good theater as you could get at home.
Agreed HowardB -{ the early films look amazing on bluray. Sometimes I watch them
just to see what's going on in the background or to see the details in some scenes.
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
The Blu Ray releases of the first three Bond films have been lauded as some of the best Blu Ray's ever. The Blu Rays of the three Craig films have been rated at the top of most contemporary films as being superior in picture and sound. You can't go wrong with Bond on Blu Ray.
I never got to watch the early Bond movies at the cinema, but I find it hard to imagine that the picture quality would be as good as Blu-ray can offer, as long as you have a decent-size display.
I never got to watch the early Bond movies at the cinema, but I find it hard to imagine that the picture quality would be as good as Blu-ray can offer, as long as you have a decent-size display.
Film was incredible back then & any loss of crazy detail in the projection process was made up for in the bright colours. Kids today have no idea. It's all digital projection now.
It may have felt incredible to watch, big screen, panoramic picture and vivid colour, must have been very different from the small, black and white, low-resolution TV's most people had at the time. But I wonder how the resolution achieved by an average cinema compared with Blu-ray quality.
I was fortunate (actually just old enough ) to have seen all the Bond films in real movie theaters. The first five were seen in what could be described as "movie palaces" in their first run: 1,000 plus seats, balcony, very large screen (at least 50' wide), real Union Projectionists (not pimply faced teenagers), proper well maintained Carbon Arc lamp projectors. IMO, a properly projected, brand new dye transfer Technicolor 35mm film print on a 40 to 50 foot screen is going to trump any Blu-ray on a large widescreen HD TV. It's just a different, much more visceral experience than sitting at home watching on your 50" flatscreen. I will say that with a great home surround system that these films could certainly sound better than they did in the theater given that the first four Bonds were surprisingly only released in mono, not even the three track stereo prevalent at the time.
I was fortunate (actually just old enough ) to have seen all the Bond films in real movie theaters. The first five were seen in what could be described as "movie palaces" in their first run: 1,000 plus seats, balcony, very large screen (at least 50' wide), real Union Projectionists (not pimply faced teenagers), proper well maintained Carbon Arc lamp projectors. IMO, a properly projected, brand new dye transfer Technicolor 35mm film print on a 40 to 50 foot screen is going to trump any Blu-ray on a large widescreen HD TV. It's just a different, much more visceral experience
-{ -{ -{ -{ -{ -{ -{
But if you sat in the front row the picture could seem a little 'soft'.
I always preferred to sit at the front in the cinema. What's the point of having a big screen if you are far away from it? Sometimes it also allows me to take off my glasses!
I always preferred to sit at the front in the cinema. What's the point of having a big screen if you are far away from it? Sometimes it also allows me to take off my glasses!
I prefer to sit in the Middle, where you don't have to keep raising your Head like you do at the Front.
1.On Her Majesties Secret Service 2.The Living Daylights 3.license To Kill 4.The Spy Who Loved Me 5.Goldfinger
I always preferred to sit at the front in the cinema. What's the point of having a big screen if you are far away from it? Sometimes it also allows me to take off my glasses!
The big screen may be not so "big" in the last cinema row, but there (in the rear) - if you are lucky and go out with the right girl - you may see things which are not part of the movie
President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
The big screen may be not so "big" in the last cinema row, but there (in the rear) - if you are lucky and go out with the right girl - you may see things which are not part of the movie
Well, I haven't been contributing much to this thread, so time to make amends. And what better way to do this than with a look at MY favourite Bond film. -{
OCTOPUSSY (1983)
Released in competition against the unofficial Bond film Never Say Never Again starring Sean Connery, this official entry in the Bond canon, starring Roger Moore, won "The Battle of the Bonds" for that year, and deservedly so.
This one contains a lot of the elements of what makes Bond entertaining - a good story, action, humour, exotic locations, beautiful women, interesting villains and, above all, FUN. If you were to ask me which Bond film(s) would make for ideal family viewing, this would be among the ones I would recommend.
Roger Moore is in excellent form here, and is ably supported by a good cast. John Glen, directing his second Bond film, acquits himself very well in his duties. The film is helped immeasurably by John Barry's score, and the location scenes showing off India are outstanding.
One other interesting thing I noticed when re-watching the film - during the attack on Octopussy's palace. The scene where the thug who was unfortunate enough to end up with the octopus on his face, reminded me a lot of the Alien films, with the octopus resembling the Alien face-hugger. )
If there was one negative comment I could make, it would be I felt Moore could have left the series after making this film. IMO it would have made for a sweeter final Bond film for him, rather than the abysmal A View to a Kill. However, it still takes nothing away from such an entertaining movie.
The picture quality on Blu-Ray is (as one would come to expect) superlative, with distinct colours throughout.
All in all, a most entertaining and colourful Bond film; one which I wholeheartedly recommend to others. -{
"Well, he certainly left with his tails between his legs."
Nice review Brosnan_Fan {[]
I agree, OP is a great Bond film, with all the ingredients in place. It looks fantastic
On Bluray, very crisp with punchy colours. I think in this and FYEO Moore puts in
his best performance as 007.
I especially like the train sequences, some brilliant stunt work ( sadly Martin Grace
was very badly injured, doing the sequence hanging on to the side, when the train
Carried on to a stretch of track, which hadn't been cleared for filming )
So mix the visuals with the fantastic J Barry soundtrack, and you've a great way
To pass a few hours. {[]
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
Yes, great review Brosnan_fan.
Watched this film again quite recently and I enjoy it more and more (or should that be Moore and Moore! Sorry bad joke) with every watch. When I redo my list it will be moving up a few places.
Agree its one of Roger Moore's strongest performances - he seems so at ease playing the character by this stage and appears to be having a great time too.
Looking forward to your next review -{
Having just read a review about the new Ultra Definition format in Blu-rays coming out at the end of the year, it occurred to me that due to the amount of information you can cram onto these discs, it would be a good idea for the EON not only to put the (Inevitably they will re-issue the whole series on this format) film and hopefully some new extras onto these but also an " isolated soundtrack" whereby you could listen to the disc in say , your car, including all the missed pieces and cues excluded from the catalogue. I know they did this on the Tomorrow Never Dies dvd release in 1999.
Comments
Yes to this. {[]
Consumer cameras 4k? High chances to make big $$?
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Of course!
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
just to see what's going on in the background or to see the details in some scenes.
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
But if you sat in the front row the picture could seem a little 'soft'.
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
I prefer to sit in the Middle, where you don't have to keep raising your Head like you do at the Front.
When setting up the sound system.
The big screen may be not so "big" in the last cinema row, but there (in the rear) - if you are lucky and go out with the right girl - you may see things which are not part of the movie
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
OCTOPUSSY (1983)
Released in competition against the unofficial Bond film Never Say Never Again starring Sean Connery, this official entry in the Bond canon, starring Roger Moore, won "The Battle of the Bonds" for that year, and deservedly so.
This one contains a lot of the elements of what makes Bond entertaining - a good story, action, humour, exotic locations, beautiful women, interesting villains and, above all, FUN. If you were to ask me which Bond film(s) would make for ideal family viewing, this would be among the ones I would recommend.
Roger Moore is in excellent form here, and is ably supported by a good cast. John Glen, directing his second Bond film, acquits himself very well in his duties. The film is helped immeasurably by John Barry's score, and the location scenes showing off India are outstanding.
One other interesting thing I noticed when re-watching the film - during the attack on Octopussy's palace. The scene where the thug who was unfortunate enough to end up with the octopus on his face, reminded me a lot of the Alien films, with the octopus resembling the Alien face-hugger.
If there was one negative comment I could make, it would be I felt Moore could have left the series after making this film. IMO it would have made for a sweeter final Bond film for him, rather than the abysmal A View to a Kill. However, it still takes nothing away from such an entertaining movie.
The picture quality on Blu-Ray is (as one would come to expect) superlative, with distinct colours throughout.
All in all, a most entertaining and colourful Bond film; one which I wholeheartedly recommend to others. -{
I agree, OP is a great Bond film, with all the ingredients in place. It looks fantastic
On Bluray, very crisp with punchy colours. I think in this and FYEO Moore puts in
his best performance as 007.
I especially like the train sequences, some brilliant stunt work ( sadly Martin Grace
was very badly injured, doing the sequence hanging on to the side, when the train
Carried on to a stretch of track, which hadn't been cleared for filming )
So mix the visuals with the fantastic J Barry soundtrack, and you've a great way
To pass a few hours. {[]
Watched this film again quite recently and I enjoy it more and more (or should that be Moore and Moore! Sorry bad joke) with every watch. When I redo my list it will be moving up a few places.
Agree its one of Roger Moore's strongest performances - he seems so at ease playing the character by this stage and appears to be having a great time too.
Looking forward to your next review -{
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS