Blu-ray Movie Reviews
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Cavalli: Ercole Amante (Blu-ray Review)
When was the last time you actually had fun at the opera? Well, prepare yourself for the carnival ride that is 'Ercole Amante'.
You think your family is dysfunctional? Take Hercules crewplease. The half-god, half-mortal strongman has problems galore, woes which tended not to make it into any of those Steve Reeves Italian opuses from half a century ago. You have to go several centuries further back, in fact, to get to Francesco Cavallis little known and very rarely performed Ercole Amante, a wonderfully silly (at least in this production by the Nederlandse Opera) piece which takes nothing seriously as ...Video
I get occasional complaints from some readers who want these usually live-for-television HD tapings to look more like feature films. They decry the typical 1080i resolution as if it were a throwback to VHS days. All I can tell them is I find a lot of Opus Arte's AVC encoded 1080i 1.78:1 images absolutely spectacular, if at just a hair less than full 1080p splendor. Ercole Amante is one of the best opera releases we've been treated to from an image standpoint, with absolutely jaw-droppi...Audio
Likewise, the DTS-HD MA 5.1 recording is, to put it simply, practically perfect in every way. Cavalli's music is frankly lesser known than the major composers who more frequently dot Opus Arte's releases, but this performance, helmed by conductor Ivor Bolton leading the marvelous Concerto Köln, is a model of Baroque floridity grounded by a more classically restrained balance, especially in the gorgeous choral singing of the Nederlandse's chorus. This is a warm and inviting soundtrack with exc...Supplements
Several excellent supplements are on disc 1 of this two-BD set. Along with the expected illustrated synopsis (which due to Ercole's rather labyrinthine plot runs well over 10 minutes) and cast gallery, there are 10 minutes each devoted to costars Pisaroni and Johannette Zomer. A 29:27 Making of featurette rounds out the extras....Final Words
We reviewers tend to be an awfully jaded lot at times. But every so often a wonderful little surprise comes down the pike to reawaken our love and enthusiasm. Ercole Amante is a near perfect soufflé, wonderfully melding Cavalli's gorgeous music with an outlandishly expressive physical production. Thank Heaven (literally in this case)--it's time to have fun at the opera again!......
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Import/Export (Blu-ray Review)
Nominated for Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, Austrian director Ulrich Seidl's "Import Export" (2007) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Trinity Home Entertainment. The only supplemental features on the disc are the film's original theatrical trailer and an excellent interview with Ulrich Seidl recorded for Film4 in 2008. With optional English subtitles. Region-Free. Please be advised that the film contains disturbing footage that is not appropriate for minors! ...Video
Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Ulrich Seidl's Import Export arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Trinity Home Entertainment.
Before I address the quality of the transfer, I would like to quickly point out that Import Export was shot on Super 16 (16 mm - Kodak Vision II) and therefore there are a number of natural limitations with the image. Import Export has a cold yet soft look, wit...Audio
The back cover of this Blu-ray disc insists that Import Export arrives with two audio tracks, a German/Russian DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and German/Russian/Ukrainian Stereo 2.0, but my disc contains only one audio track - German/Russian DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. For the record, Trinity Home Entertainment have provided optional English subtitles for the main feature.
Import Export is a dialog-driven feature with strong organic qualities. The dialog is clean and mostly easy...Supplements
Note: The supplemental features listed below are encoded in 720p. Therefore, they are perfectly playable on all Region-A PS3s and SAs.
Interview - an interview with director Ulrich Seidl, recoded in London on September 25, 2008 for Film4. Here the director answers a series of questions about the history of his film, its message, the social political status quo in West and East Europe after the fall of the Iron Curtain, the thoughts and feelings he aims to expre...Final Words
Bold and uncompromising, Ulrich Seidl's Import Export offers a bleak and genuinely disturbing look at borderless Europe. I would also like to specifically point out that there isn't even a hint of political correctness in this film - so be prepared when you sit down to watch it. The Blu-ray disc herein reviewed, courtesy of British distributors Trinity Home Entertainment, is competent. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. ......
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Rick Wakeman: The Six Wives of Henry VIII (Live at Hampton Court Palace) (Blu-ray Review)
Prog rock goes Tudor
If you think prog rock is shorthand for the music scene in the Czech Republic, you might not be familiar with Rick Wakeman, legendary keyboardist for Yes, one of the genres pioneer bands. Characterized by unusual time signatures, extremely technical arrangements, long-winded virtuoso solos, and a near complete obliteration of the typical verse-chorus-verse song structure, prog is the bastard child of psychedelic rock and classical opulence, birthed out of an attempt to somehow elevate...Video
Shot with a number of hand-held, crane-mounted, and otherwise mobile high definition video cameras, The Six Wives of Henry VIII is covered from all angles and looks Tudoriffic on Blu-rayso so sorry for that onesporting a 1080i/AVC encode thats colorful, clean, and relatively crisp. Some of the longer, full-stage shots have a tendency to look a little soft, but when the camera operators get right up in Wakemans British badger-like face, or show his fingers darting like minnow...Audio
The disc includes three audio options, one of which is excellent. The other two? Not so much. The default Linear PCM 2.0 mix is strong dynamically, but at times it seems to creep out of sync with the video, which is endlessly irritating if youre paying attention. Also skip the lossy Dolby Digital 5.1 mix, simply because a better option exists. And that would be the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, which has all the grandeur befitting of a prog-rock magnum opus. Keyboards, as yo...Supplements
Behind-the-Scenes with Rick (1080i, 16:56)
Here, Wakemen leads us through his band's practice space, introduces us to all of the players, and explains how this Hampton Court concert has afforded him the chance to add even more keyboard solos to the songs.
Booklet
The disc includes a full color, 25-page booklet that features an essay by Wakeman, profiles of Brian Blessed, The English Chamber Choir, Orchestra Europa, conductor Guy Protheroe, and The ...Final Words
Prog-o-philiacs and Rick Wakeman fans will want to snap this release upits a lifelong dream concert for some, Im sure, and it looks and sounds excellent on Blu-raybut I dont see this release winning any new converts to the faith. If you pine for the days of Yes, Genesis, and King Crimson, this is totally for you, but if youre the sort who scoffs at a grown man wearing a cape on stageactually, Wakeman changes capes at least three times during the setyoull most likely wan......
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Days of Heaven (Criterion Collection) (Blu-ray Review)
Winner of the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival and Oscar for Best Cinematography, Terrence Malick's "Days of Heaven" (1978) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion. The supplemental features on the disc include an audio commentary with art director Jack Fisk and editor Billy Weber, who have worked with Terrence Malick on all of his films, as well as costume designer Patricia Norris and casting director Dianne Crittenden; an exclusive interview with Richard Gere and second inte...Video
Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Terrence Malik's Days of Heaven arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion.
The following text appears in the booklet provided with the Blu-ray disc:
"Days of Heaven is presented in the filmmakers' preferred aspect ratio of 1.78:1. On standard 4:3 televisions, the image will appear letterboxed. On widescreen televisions, the image should fit the screen. Created from a ...Audio
There is only one audio track on this Blu-ray disc: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. For the record, Criterion have provided optional English subtitles for the main feature.
The audio treatment is as impressive as the video treatment. While the English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track would not test the muscles of your audio system, I think that many of you would be genuinely impressed with its nuanced audio effects -- the wind blowing, birds chirping, horses galloping, etc. As expected...Supplements
Interviews - an audio interview with Richard Gere recorded exclusively for the Criterion Collection in 2007; and an interview with Sam Shepherd conducted in 2002 for Citrullo International. Both interviews are very strong, offering an abundance of informative comments from the two actors. The interview with Gere, in particular, is on par with the audio commentary offered on this disc. Without optional English subtitles. (13 min, 1080i).
John Bailey/Haskel Wexler...Final Words
Terrence Malick's Days of Heaven is a film about feelings and emotions that cannot be described with simple words. It is also a visual spectacle, one that many, this reviewer included, believe ranks amongst the very best ever made. Criterion's treatment of the film is simply superb. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. ......
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Dumbo (70 Aniversario) (Blu-ray Review)
Eager importers may want to source this one from south of the border.
Ask a sample of people old enough to have an opinion about which Disney animated classic is most impressive on a technical level, and youll hear a variety of responsesSnow White for its innovation, Pinocchio for its moody lighting, Fantasia for stretching the boundaries of what the medium could and couldnt do, Bambi for its fluid and realistic animation, or Sleeping Beauty for the detail and complexity of its artwork. Ask which film provokes the gr...Video
Disney animation really hasnt had a miss yet on Blu-ray. Though the studios characteristically slow release schedule may try the patience of fans eager to fill their shelves with animated classics in 1080p, if theres one thing Disney doesnt do, its rush jobs. Like Pinocchio, Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White, Dumbo is a revelatory experience in high definition, especially if you grew up watching it, like I did, on a worn out VHS tape. The film has been gr...Audio
Disney has given an English DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround track to each animated classic the studio has released so far, and that trend continues with Dumbo. Purists may raise their eyebrows over the fact that the films original mono track isnt included herenot even in lossy formbut few others will have any complaints. Considering the dated source materials, the film sounds as good as could be expected, possibly better depending on your expectations. If you see 7.1 and ...Supplements
Taking Flight: The Making of Dumbo (1080p, 28:08)
Disney was in financial hot water after Fantasia underperformed at the box office, and this excellent making-of documentary chronicles how Dumbo's streamlined approach to animation and narrative in essence saved the company. Features interviews with Disney historian Didier Ghez, Disney Supervising Animation Editor Eric Goldberg, Jim Capobianco of Pixar, and many others.
Cine-Explore
...Final Words
A U.S. release date for Dumbo has yet to be announced, so more impatient stateside Disney fans may want to shell out the extra few bucks for the instant gratification of having this classic before everyone else. If you dont mind having the Spanish language packaging, its not a bad option, as I cant imagine Disney changing anything for the U.S. version. Plus, this disc is completely import-friendly for those in Region A territories. Once you select English on the discs init......
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