Films The Official bit-tech Movie Thread - What have you seen lately?

Aka, dynamic range compression . I have that option on my TV... and my Apple TV... and various streaming apps.

No incarnation of DRC has ever really worked well IMO. Plus if you forget to switch it off it absolutely ruins any stereo content like music or podcasts.

 

Yup some devices aren't very good at it, I don't seem to need to fiddle with it these days as the auto volume on my LG TV seems to do a good enough job of keeping all sources at the same level whilst still sounding good but was reminded that not all things are equal when setting up a new mini LED TCL TV for my mum this week, where some of the apps would not output at same level as TV, it's a bit frustrating.

 

It's not just me! Phew. Thought the end of days were setting in.

That IS called "ageing" though. It unfortunately doesn't get any better

Conjuring: Devil Gave Me A Convenient Excuse - 7/10
Some rather creepy moments but ultimately nothing new; still an enjoyably cheeky fright-romp though.

Mortal Kombat (2021?) - Ha!/10
Some brilliant one-liners/smart-arse comments that kind of made the film, covering for the in-game fatality comments that found their (tongue-in-cheek) way in. After they all find their raison though, it becomes a bit generic.

 

I actually kinda like it! Only if it's done well - for example, some big helicopter thing flying in to give that sense of IMERSHUN. I am the kind of person who's happiest when he's listening to glam metal on full blast though.

There is sympathy, however. Not quite sure how to help those out with lower volume thresholds. Don't really want to start setting up different viewings with different volume levels as before you know it you'll end up with a huge list of things cinemas have to turn on and off.

 

Some also offer baby-friendly screenings, with supposedly similar criteria, lower sound levels and more lights. The latter they did, the former i didnt notice any difference - still very loud!

 

Finch - "Can I do something Finch?"/10

I've always been fascinated in the development of AI and robotics but Hollywood has never quite managed to pull off. There have been attempts in the past such as the legendary short circuit and the god awful chappie but that development has always been sidelined or hurried in favour of a greater plot. Finch is one of the better renditions but imo would have succeeded better without the post apocalyptic backdrop and instead focused on its main plot of a dying man building a robot to look after his dog after he's gone.

Overall very enjoyable but not perfect.

 

Rambo: 1st Blood Part 2.
Epic.

 

Dangerous - ???/10

I went in expecting crap and I got crap. So. Thumbs up for being kind of what I expected? Thumbs down for all the rest of it though.

 

Bloodshot - Eh/10

Vin Diesel stars as Vin Diesel in another Vin Diesel film. If you want a 90 minute action film to tide you over while you eat some food, check on your emails etc, it'll do.

 

Grim. That's crud and I feel for ya, dude - can relate to some of that, but your next task is to watch The Crash Reel. That's a 9/10 but also relevant here. Let me know what you think.

 

Is that the Vin Diesel one ?

 

Yeah, with Vin Diesel as Vin Diesel.

 

Delighted to hear that dynamic range is a common bugbear. On some media it is definitely the surround-to-stereo downmix that does it, you get weird results that seem like loud rear channel stuff and quiet front stuff.

Tremors.
20/10, would relive my childhood again. This film is the tits and I'll knife fight anyone who disagrees.
True actual not even joking story: my ex hated this film, and it wasn't the main reason we broke up, but in some dark pit of my soul, I know it was one of the reasons. No room in my life for people who don't appreciate this masterpiece.

I like Tremors.

edit

Idk what to do with this info but I'm definitely holding onto it for a rainy day.

 

Black Christmas - Dear Lord/10
Given this is set in a sorority house, there should be some redeeming features, but sadly (and in the spirit of the film's supposedly ulterior theme) there was just about a single one. And it wasn't the story.

 

I just watched this yesterday, I was surprised when Vin Diesel popped up in it, very unexpected.