paulb-8 Reviews

An Ideal Husband (I) (1999)

Movie: B- DVD: B+

[5/10 · 12 July 2000]

An Ideal Husband B-/B+ 7.10.00 1.85:1/5.1 First Viewing 16:9 Enhanced

Based on an Oscar Wilde play, this witty piece stars Cate Blanchett, Minnie Driver, Julianne Moore and Rupert Everett. So why hadn't you heard of it? Because its overly simplistic and has a highly predictable ending. The filming and subsequent video transfer are superb however and sound is adequate. The DVD includes a production featurette.

The Hunt for Red October (1990)

Movie: A- DVD: C

[9/10 · 12 July 2000]

The Hunt for Red October A-/C 7.12.00 2.35:1/5.1 Previously Viewed Non-anamorphic Transfer

I probably never had as much fun at the movies as I did the first time I saw this on the big screen. This was one of the first DVDs and deserves to be redone. The non-anamorphic transfer does not look good and the sound could even be a little better. I would love to hear Clancy and director John McTiernan do a commentary track, discussing ideas, how things were created and where there are differences between the movie and book.

Driving Miss Daisy (1989)

DVD: A DVD: D

[9/10 · 11 July 2000]

Driving Miss Daisy A/D 7.7.00 1.33:1/5.1 Previously Viewed Non-Anamorphic Transfer Best Picture

This is one of my favorite pictures and it gets better every time I watch it. It definitely deserves better from DVD though. Its original aspect ratio was 1.85:1, and while I don't know it for fact, I believe the full screen version on this disc is really an unmasked transfer, meaning what you see at the top and bottom was not meant to be shown in the theater. I watched this on my 16:9 set and blew it up to fill the screen. Not once did I observe a chopped off head or a frame that didn't look right. Unfortunately, picture quality was poor, especially for such a beautiful movie. Hopefully someone will transfer this Oscar winner properly in the correct aspect ratio and enhance it for the big screen.

Chasing Amy (1997)

Movie: B DVD: A-

[6/10 · 7 July 2000]

Chasing Amy B/A- 7.2.00 1.85:1/5.1 First Viewing 16:9 Enhanced

A very interesting look at relationships and generation X. It borders on being too vulgar (as the generation often is) and for many it will be too vulgar. The movie itself is definitely a lower budget production, but the DVD is first class. Tons of extras including deleted scenes and commentary.

Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999)

Movie: B+ DVD: B+

[7/10 · 2 July 2000]

Drop Dead Gorgeous B+/B+ 7.1.00 1.85:1/5.1 First Viewing 16:9 Enhanced

This movie is hilarious! Much better than the canned comedies that normally come out of Hollywood. Kirstie Alley isn't too impressive, but everyone else does a great job. The DVD looks and sounds good, although there aren't any real extras.

Sweet and Lowdown (1999)

Movie: B DVD: B+

[6/10 · 1 July 2000]

Sweet and Lowdown B/B+ 6.26.00 1.85:1/2.0 mono First Viewing 16:9 Enhanced Somebody finally convinced Woody Allen to release a DVD in the anamorphic format and it was worth it. The picture looks great. It's still in mono sound, but that works here because the film is about a jazz guitarist in the early 30's, who would have recorded in mono sound anyway. It sounds good! The comedy is somewhat simple, but Sean Penn does a nice job with his interesting character.

The World Is Not Enough (1999)

Movie: B DVD: A+

[6/10 · 25 June 2000]

The World Is Not Enough B/A 6.19.00 2.35:1/5.1 First Viewing 16:9 Enhanced

Has there ever been a better movie title? For a popcorn movie, this is not bad. Much better than …Never Dies. One great thing about Bond movies is that the DVDs are reference quality in all respects. Great sound and video, incredible use of the 5.1 system and lots of extras.

Snow Falling on Cedars (1999)

Movie: B+ DVD: A-

[7/10 · 18 June 2000]

Snow Falling on Cedars B+/A- 6.12.00 2.35:1/5.1 First Viewing 16:9 Enhanced

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this film. The movie flows much like a book, meandering from was thought to another, but it works. If your looking for action adventure or even the fast pace of most recent movies, this isn't for you. But if you want to be absorbed into the world of the characters in a film, try this one. The DVD includes plenty of extras and is well produced.

Man on the Moon (1999)

Movie: B+ DVD: A-

[7/10 · 9 June 2000]

Man on the Moon B+/A- 6.6.00 2.35:1/5.1 First Viewing 16:9 Enhanced

The entertaining story of Andy Kaufman. Jim Carrey certainly deserved to be recognized for his stellar performance here. In real life, people tired quickly of Kaufman's obsession with wrestling women. Likewise, the movie drags in its middle as this period of his life is covered. A good making of…. video is included and the picture looks great.

The Minus Man (1999)

Movie: B DVD B+

[6/10 · 28 May 2000]

The Minus Man B/B+ 5.23.00 1.85:1/5.1 First Viewing 16:9 Enhanced

Much creepier than Clay Pigeons, this story focuses on a serial killer and his life when he is not stalking others. This film is not gory or gross; its more matter-of-fact. The DVD includes production notes and bios on famous serial killers.

End of Days (1999)

Movie: C DVD B

[3/10 · 28 May 2000]

End of Days C/B 5.25.00 2.35:1/5.1 First Viewing 16:9 Enhanced

A decent idea for a film, but not well executed. The film makers spent an incredible amount of time (and money) creating special effects but as is often the case, left gapping holes in the plot. The 5.1 mix sounds incredible, but I was bothered my how dark most of the scenes were and how little detail was available in those scenes. The disc contains a lot of info on how the special effect scenes were created.

Bringing Out the Dead (1999)

Movie: B DVD: B

[6/10 · 14 May 2000]

Bringing Out the Dead B/B+ 5.13.00 2.35:1/5.1 First Viewing 16:9 Enhanced

Cage and Scorsese should have been a home run, but instead is merely an infield single. The movie looks and sounds fantastic, but the story is not strong enough. They chose to push everything slightly over the top (the radio conversations, each of Pierce's partners, etc.) when the story might have been better off played straight.

The Wild Bunch (1969)

Movie: B+ DVD: B-

[7/10 · 14 May 2000]

The Wild Bunch B+/B- 5.10.00 2.35:1/5.1 First Viewing Non-anamorphic Widescreen

Not for casual viewing, The Wild Bunch offers a grizzly, unromantic view of the final years of the old West and its outlaws. A better job could have been done with the DVD as it is not anamorphic and the film element wasn't in great shape. It does contain a very good making of… short.

Apollo 13 (I) (1995)

Movie: A DVD: A+

[9/10 · 7 May 2000]

Apollo 13 A/A+ $$ 5.5.00 2.35:1/5.1 Previously Viewed 16:9 Enhanced

Ron Howard did everything right in making this movie and the DVD more than does it justice. The extras on this disc make it more than worth its price.

Philadelphia (1993)

Movie: B+ DVD: B-

[7/10 · 7 May 2000]

Philadelphia B+/B- 5.6.00 1.78:1/5.1 Previously Viewed 16:9 Enhanced

I was surprised to find that this movie seems somewhat dated now. Maybe that's what happens when a movie is made about the hot topic of the day. But even the look and feel here seems 90's. The video transfer also seemed inconsistent. At times, the film looked faded or washed out. And the sound, especially on Springsteen's opening title track, was not impressive. I've heard it sound better on the radio. There are no extras on this disc.

Immortal Beloved (1994)

Movie: A DVD A+

[9/10 · 30 April 2000]

Immortal Beloved A/A+ $$ 4.29.00 2.35:1/5.1 Previously Viewed Anamorphic Widescreen

Its hard to imagine how this picture didn't pick up a few nominations. Gary Oldman and the rest of the cast do a great job and writer/director Bernard Rose creates a visual and aural feast. This movie, more than anything else, is about the music, and Beethoven is music enough. Several years ago, when I first saw this film, I literally discovered classical music. The DVD is fantastic; there are director's comments, a very nicely done documentary, production notes and the sound and video quality are first rate. Napoleon's cannons will be one of my new reference scenes.

The Insider (1999)

Loudonville, NY

[9/10 · 18 April 2000]

The Insider A/A 4.17.00 2.35:1/5.1 First Viewing Anamorphic Widescreen

I really can't say enough good things about this film. In my opinion, it is right up there with All the President's Men. An important story exquisitely told and presented in a form for us all to understand and enjoy. It is really amazing that this film even got made. Russell Crow surely deserved the nod over Kevin Spacey for best actor. It was one of the greatest performances I've ever seen. My only gripe at all was Michael Mann's style of photography in the film. While certain individual scenes looked fantastic and were enhanced by the director's dramatic use of color and light, as a whole, it was too much. Almost every scene was different somehow from the previous, causing distraction and sometimes even confusion. Still, this movie was more than a joy to watch. The DVD includes a few extras and, thankfully, does everything right.

Three Kings (1999)

Movie: A- DVD: A

[8/10 · 17 April 2000]

Three Kings A-/A 4.16.00 2.35:1/5.1 First Viewing Anamorphic Widescreen

A very original movie and a joy to watch. Good story, well acted (even with Clooney) and excellent cinematography. The DVD looks and sounds good and includes a good making of…. video as well as commentary and deleted scenes.

Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)

Movie: C+ DVD: A+

[4/10 · 14 April 2000]

Tomorrow Never Dies C+/A+ (Special Edition) 4.12.00 2.35:1/5.1 Previously Viewed Anamorphic Widescreen

Definitely not my favorite Bond movie, mostly I think because of Jonathan Pryce's Elliot Carver (the bad guy). He played way to far over the top. But the Special Edition DVD (now out of print) is as good as DVDs get. Great picture and sound and tons of good extras.

Out of Africa (1985)

Movie: A DVD: A

[9/10 · 7 April 2000]

Out of Africa A/A 4.5.00 1.85:1/4.1 First Viewing Anamorphic Widescreen Best Picture

This is a great movie. Everything about it is first rate including story, acting, directing and cinematography. Its bear sweep at the Oscars in 1986 only proves that. The DVD does great justice to the film. The anamorphic video transfer was done painstakingly well and a very good Making of. video is included.

The Red Violin (1998)

Movie: B DVD A-

[6/10 · 4 April 2000]

The Red Violin B/A- 4.2.00 1.85:1/5.1 First Viewing Anamorphic Widescreen

I had hoped this story would be more about the music. While the violin itself has an interesting life, affecting all who possess it, it’s the music that should matter. That’s where this film missteps. No real extras on the DVD but the movie looks and sounds good.

Pink Floyd: The Wall (1982)

Movie: B+ DVD: A+

[7/10 · 2 April 2000]

Pink Floyd: The Wall B+/A+ 4.1.00 2.35:1/5.1 Previously Viewed Anamorphic Widescreen

Whatever you think of Floyd and their music (I am a big fan), this movie is tremendous audio/visual experience; possibly the best I've seen. Thankfully, the DVD does everything right in bringing the experience to home theater. It looks and sounds fantastic, and there are extras galore. Highly recommended!

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

Movie: B+ DVD:C

[7/10 · 2 April 2000]

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington B+/C 3.31.00 1.33:1/1.0 First Viewing

Not as powerful as It’s A Wonderful Life, but still a great combination of script and Mr. Stewart. The many shots of Washington must have really been a blast for early movie goers, and still look good today. As Capra’s son states in an interview on the disc, this movie is timeless: it could take place today just as easily as the late ‘30s.

Tea with Mussolini (1999)

Movie: B- DVD: B

[5/10 · 28 March 2000]

Tea With Mussolini B-/B 3.27.00 ? 1.85:1/5.1 First Viewing Anamorphic Widescreen

I'm not sure why this movie moves so slowly. Many of the scenes individually are wonderful and the acting is first-rate. Cher especially does a great job. Perhaps the screenplay itself should have been reworked more concisely, because this two hour movies feels like three. There are no extras on the disc and there is some confusion about the proper aspect ratio. I saw 1.66:1 printed somewhere but the film is anamorphic and on my 16:9 screen seemed perfect.

Goodfellas (1990)

Movie: A DVD: B-

[9/10 · 28 March 2000]

Goodfellas A/B- 3.25.00 2.35:1/5.1 Previously Viewed Non Anamorphic Widescreen

This is a great movie, and not just a great mob movie. The story is quick and smart, and the all star cast does a great job with it. Scorsese uses a grainy film stock (intentionally I'm sure) bothers me. Whatever his reasons, for me it distracts from the experience. Additionally, the video transfer is not anamorphic: a double disappointment. The DVD includes few real extras.