How is it possible that many classic movies are still only available in 4:3 full screen dvd format? It is just not good enough and deters me from buying them!
Cheers guys for your technical advice. I agree that film should be presented in its original format – but it seems to me that the full screen tv ratio 4:3 does crop some of the original film print. I am always reassured by at list a hint of a black border along the top and bottom of the screen.
For me movies are similar to art, music, and reading a good book, a means to escape from the confines of time and space – ie, more or less the same as meditation.
They can also enlighten and entertain, make social comments, and present almost inlimited fantasies, however absurd.
(Unfortunately some people are unable to accept that movies are just movies and not an invitation to re-enact suffering in real life.)
4 weddings and a funeral – funny for the first time – and possibly the worst final scene dialogue uttered by an actress ever (Andie M)
Any film that relies upon a big plot twist is probably only worth seeing once – although I often forget the exact plot for the hundreds of films that I have seen so I usually get something new each time I see them.
Donnie Darko still baffles me though, much as i loved it the first time
First Indiana Jones movie – Spielberg had arranged a for a bit fight scene between Harrison Ford and a knife yielding attacker; but on the day of filming Harrison had the runs and could barely stand up.
So he pulled out his gun and shot him instead – inspired!
Once Upon a time in the West (love the squeaking windmill)
Touch of Evil – single take tracking shot heaven
But even if the rest of the film isnt as good at least it’s still better than the first few minutes of practically any current mainstream Hollywood cgi monstrosity. What happened at the very start of Ironman for instance? – even if the film was ok (Well Downey always is) because I really can’t remember
I loved Lives of Others – powerful and tragic – but it does drag towards the end, in order to tie up the story. Saddest thing is that it wasnt based on a true story.
Seventh Seal is pretty hard going – I havent yet got in Bergman (will I ever?)
Tarkovsky – Stalker, Solaris, Nostalgia
Three Colours Blue/Red
Raise the Red Lantern/Hero
Amelie
Blade Runner
Apocalypse Now
Diving Bell and the Butterfly (for sheer innovation)
I cant choose One – besides, usually if the film looks good it generally has little depth
I am always amazed at how instantly I can differentiate between a real life segment of the news and a docudrama/movie. There is something about the appearance of the picture and, crucially, the behaviour of the protagonists involved that gives an almost instant clue. But what is it?
Eg. Compare Cloverfield with 9/11 footage and you can tell what’s real
Some movies feature segments of ‘actual footage’ and some try to mimic reality – Diary of the Dead tries but still looks staged; French Connection 2 has Hackman looking like he isnt in a film at all with the crowd bewildered by his behaviour. Is this down to hiding the camera? In any case most acting looks like acting no matter how real they try to make it – and a shaky camera style doesnt look real either. Maybe it is just down to people mumbling and being inarticulate while being filmed – the usual amateur video effort.
Dubbing is BAD. The only exceptions are Spaghetti westerns and certain Bond villain sidekicks and maybe comedies. Keep it real – should we also deface paintings? I have met some people who actually say that they don’t watch films with subtitles (maybe they are too lazy to read!) but for me I cannot take a dubbed film seriously. Luckily in the UK very few foreign films are dubbed (except some early Jacky Chan or Jet Li)
I’m in two minds about anime – seems like the Japanese are afraid to draw Japanese looking characters (Miyazaki especially) so dubbing fits with that need for universality.
Life is Beautiful is well intentioned but I found it very difficult to admire or believe (and I really hate Fascists). Sorrentino is very good I agree, I cant wait to see il Divo.
Jaws changed horror movies forever, Indiana Jones 1 led the way to a still increasingly fast edits (and hence vastly reduced attention spans). For the first he can be praised, sadly the second has led to the virtual end of serious cinema via Hollywood and dependence upon special effects. I am still waiting for him to make a grown up, non-sentimental movie. Empire of the Sun comes close
Tilda is very underrated and needs to be seen much more. What about teaming up with Cate Blanchett – they could almost be sisters. and why didnt she play Elizabeth 1?!
All classic movies in W I D E S C R E E N dvd format please! almost 3 years ago
How is it possible that many classic movies are still only available in 4:3 full screen dvd format? It is just not good enough and deters me from buying them!
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All classic movies in W I D E S C R E E N dvd format please! almost 3 years ago
Stalker (Tarkovsky) and The Third Man to name but two (PAL UK version)
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All classic movies in W I D E S C R E E N dvd format please! almost 3 years ago
Cheers guys for your technical advice. I agree that film should be presented in its original format – but it seems to me that the full screen tv ratio 4:3 does crop some of the original film print. I am always reassured by at list a hint of a black border along the top and bottom of the screen.
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Is Radha Mitchell the most underrated actress working today? almost 3 years ago
Naomi Watts deserves that accolade I reckon – Mulholland Drive, 21 Grams, maybe not King Kong though even though she was still good.
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Where are you from? almost 3 years ago
Bournemouth UK
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Is Radha Mitchell the most underrated actress working today? almost 3 years ago
there is clearly something in the water in Oz that has produced the likes of Judy D, Cate B etc. By the way Naomi was born in Sussex UK!
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What's the point of watching a film? almost 3 years ago
For me movies are similar to art, music, and reading a good book, a means to escape from the confines of time and space – ie, more or less the same as meditation.
They can also enlighten and entertain, make social comments, and present almost inlimited fantasies, however absurd.
(Unfortunately some people are unable to accept that movies are just movies and not an invitation to re-enact suffering in real life.)
Go to Comment
I used to think this movie was great, but i don't anymore almost 3 years ago
4 weddings and a funeral – funny for the first time – and possibly the worst final scene dialogue uttered by an actress ever (Andie M)
Any film that relies upon a big plot twist is probably only worth seeing once – although I often forget the exact plot for the hundreds of films that I have seen so I usually get something new each time I see them.
Donnie Darko still baffles me though, much as i loved it the first time
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my favourite story relating to a film almost 3 years ago
First Indiana Jones movie – Spielberg had arranged a for a bit fight scene between Harrison Ford and a knife yielding attacker; but on the day of filming Harrison had the runs and could barely stand up.
So he pulled out his gun and shot him instead – inspired!
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my favourite opening to a film almost 3 years ago
Too right Howard -
Once Upon a time in the West (love the squeaking windmill)
Touch of Evil – single take tracking shot heaven
But even if the rest of the film isnt as good at least it’s still better than the first few minutes of practically any current mainstream Hollywood cgi monstrosity. What happened at the very start of Ironman for instance? – even if the film was ok (Well Downey always is) because I really can’t remember
Go to Comment
Art-House films people give you "shit" for not liking almost 3 years ago
I loved Lives of Others – powerful and tragic – but it does drag towards the end, in order to tie up the story. Saddest thing is that it wasnt based on a true story.
Seventh Seal is pretty hard going – I havent yet got in Bergman (will I ever?)
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Best Films with NO soundtrack almost 3 years ago
Mamma Mia? Only joking – I meant to say Festen, The Idiots (Dogme generally)
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What do you believe is the most visually impressive film of all time? almost 3 years ago
Tarkovsky – Stalker, Solaris, Nostalgia
Three Colours Blue/Red
Raise the Red Lantern/Hero
Amelie
Blade Runner
Apocalypse Now
Diving Bell and the Butterfly (for sheer innovation)
I cant choose One – besides, usually if the film looks good it generally has little depth
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Greatest director that only made a few films? almost 3 years ago
Malick, possibly Rafelson
I agree with Dimitris – Thin Red Line is one of the the best war movies ever made (’smalz’berg take note)
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What do you believe is the most visually impressive film of all time? almost 3 years ago
Oh, and…
Citizen Kane (which doesn’t really connect emotionally)
and
Black Narcissus (which does)
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Why can we tell instantly whether it's a drama or real life on screen? almost 3 years ago
I am always amazed at how instantly I can differentiate between a real life segment of the news and a docudrama/movie. There is something about the appearance of the picture and, crucially, the behaviour of the protagonists involved that gives an almost instant clue. But what is it?
Eg. Compare Cloverfield with 9/11 footage and you can tell what’s real
Some movies feature segments of ‘actual footage’ and some try to mimic reality – Diary of the Dead tries but still looks staged; French Connection 2 has Hackman looking like he isnt in a film at all with the crowd bewildered by his behaviour. Is this down to hiding the camera? In any case most acting looks like acting no matter how real they try to make it – and a shaky camera style doesnt look real either. Maybe it is just down to people mumbling and being inarticulate while being filmed – the usual amateur video effort.
Go to Comment
Foreign Laguage Films: Subtitles or Overdubbing almost 3 years ago
Dubbing is BAD. The only exceptions are Spaghetti westerns and certain Bond villain sidekicks and maybe comedies. Keep it real – should we also deface paintings? I have met some people who actually say that they don’t watch films with subtitles (maybe they are too lazy to read!) but for me I cannot take a dubbed film seriously. Luckily in the UK very few foreign films are dubbed (except some early Jacky Chan or Jet Li)
I’m in two minds about anime – seems like the Japanese are afraid to draw Japanese looking characters (Miyazaki especially) so dubbing fits with that need for universality.
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Art-House films people give you "shit" for not liking almost 3 years ago
Reygades Silent light – absurdly long takes, bad acting, and no real plot do not always make for cult status.
I usually love long takes but not this time
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What's Italy been up to? almost 3 years ago
Life is Beautiful is well intentioned but I found it very difficult to admire or believe (and I really hate Fascists). Sorrentino is very good I agree, I cant wait to see il Divo.
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Underrated Films... over 2 years ago
Parallax View
The Conversation
Jacob’s Ladder
Toto the Hero
Lawndogs
Trop Belle pour Toi
Raise the red lantern
Ridicule (well anything by Leconte)
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are there any spielberg films true cinephiles admire... about 2 years ago
Jaws changed horror movies forever, Indiana Jones 1 led the way to a still increasingly fast edits (and hence vastly reduced attention spans). For the first he can be praised, sadly the second has led to the virtual end of serious cinema via Hollywood and dependence upon special effects. I am still waiting for him to make a grown up, non-sentimental movie. Empire of the Sun comes close
Go to Comment
What do you think of Tilda Swinton? about 2 years ago
Tilda is very underrated and needs to be seen much more. What about teaming up with Cate Blanchett – they could almost be sisters. and why didnt she play Elizabeth 1?!
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Post a song you are currently listening to almost 2 years ago
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwH3Xiy5G2E&feature=related
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Post a song you are currently listening to almost 2 years ago
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