Video

That's not really on my lists of interests but video projection has improved in more recent years. Getting back to the quality we enjoyed in the 1990's would be nice but I think we're a way off that yet. What is needed is some different thinking and to do that we need to look to the past for the solutions of the day and with that in mind we showed a D-150 lens in public for the first time yesterday. I intend to push this for cinema use today wherever possible but I'll need a bigger platform than this little CZcams channel. If you look up Dimension-150, the beauty of it is that is will work with any cinema projection system. This means that even video projectors still in use from 20 years or more ago will get the benefit. It will make going to the cinema a worthwhile pastime again. John.

The possibilities of what The Shining is all about could go on forever. I had an intriguing comment recently that suggested Jack is writing the book from a certain point and then we enter the book. It was something like that anyway but that's the beauty of this film, every time you watch it you see something else to add to the whole debate. John.

@@moviecollector5920 There maybe lots of other subtext & social commentary that could be debated. But for me its as clear as day. It also keeps in line with the same themes you see in all of Kubrick's films. Mainly power & his fascination of how people abuse power.

Cinema needs work at the moment to thwart what looks like a general demise in all but the top cinemas such as the BFI IMAX and other cinemas who offer something special or different. We showed off a D-150 lens at Film Is Fabulous yesterday because we think that something from the past that could well be the solution for today. It works with any projector as long as the beam fires straight and not up or down like most home video projectors. A curved screen would be the biggest expense but imaging active 3D in Dimension-150. It would be amazing as would any widescreen movie shown in the format. John.

It is amazing how it all looked so like we imagine Vietnam and the Vietnam war. What an achievement. John.

Nope. Never actually seen the film but Cinema Retro did a piece on it a year or two back so there must be some knowledge all about it tucked away in my brain. John.

@@moviecollector5920 Ah john!!!!! This is a must see my friend.

That's two of us then Peter because I prefer the original. That's the case with almost all films for me. John.

I don't think I've ever even heard of 'The Offence' Gary. I'm not the biggest Sean Connery fan but I think he's brilliant in Highlander, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, The Untouchables and as the voice of the dragon in Dragonheart. I still have so many of his films to see and enjoy though but I struggle with some of the early Bond films now so I'll have to try a few of those again soon to see if I've really gone off them. I expect I'll still very much enjoy Thunderball though which I always thought was his best Bond. John.

@@moviecollector5920 I’m surprised you don’t know this, since it’s a British crime drama from the 70’s. You didn’t mention Darbie O’gill and the little people amongst your favorites.

@@garyharper2943 I haven't seen Darbie O'Gill for years Gary. I'll try to do better in the future! John.

@@moviecollector5920 I sometimes forget, you’re just a kid.👶🏻

@@garyharper2943 Yes Gary, I'll certainly never grow up.

Morning Jeremy. 8mm made me realize that snuff movies were real and not the urban myth they were made out to be. A disturbing but great film that has lost none of its power since I first saw it in the cinema. John.

I was going to review the 4K of Collateral but never got around to it. It's actually a good 4K disc but you have to bear in mind that most of it was shot on video and I think HD video at that so it never looked brilliant. I think the night club sequence was 35mm so that will probably stand out to you and make the rest of it feel somewhat sub-standard. 'Heat' on the other hand has no such problems but everyone who reviewed this 4K disc made the common mistake of basing their reviews on previous home video releases. 4K UHD releases have to be based on the original 35mm and how a film looked in cinemas. This was one I remembered owing to it being so dark and dense. Previous home video releases were brightened up but the 4K has now sorted all those errors. John.

Thanks for that - I think I’m going to get them both on 4K as I currently only have them on dvd. Really appreciate you taking the time to reply.

@@RB-mq6em I fancy watching Collateral again RB which is a sign of how much I like that film. The 4K would need a bit of scrutiny to do a full review though which can take away some of the enjoyment so maybe I should just watch it. Expect HEAT to appear dense to the point of almost nothing visible. This is how it was in the cinema and if you look at the comments (I think I have one from a projectionist at the time pinned to the top) you'll see that my memory of this wasn't flawed. Grading a film print is a little different to grading a digital video though so Michael Mann was able to perfect how he wanted it to appear this time around. Some of it is a little darker as a result and some apparently a little brighter. Essentially though, it's what we saw (or didn't see with regard to some scenes!) in cinemas across the world. John.

That’s good to know and really interesting- thanks. My first memory of Heat is from the VHS when it first came out, so I’m sure the 4K will be a big improvement on that! I like to support 4K physical releases when I can as I don’t like the idea of studios relying solely on streaming in the future so will definitely buy copies of both next time I’m out. I hope you enjoy Collateral when you get round to watching it again.

I'll do Aliens eventually but I know the film so well that watching any home video release of that one doesn't exactly thrill me. It will be a good excuse for one of my retrospective videos along the lines of Star Wars and Alien though. £25 for something I'll never watch all the way through seems a bit of a waste of money right now so it can wait a while. The Abyss should look great irrespective of anything that may have been done to it simply because it always looked great. John.

There are still a few of us around the world who have kept their Super 8 purchases from the days when the gauge was the king of home cinema. The late 1980's through to the early 2000's was the heyday of Super 8 but then towards the latter part of the 2000's home video projection started to overtake the quality achievable with Super 8. Nothing will ever match the excitement of putting on a Super 8 though because that's what I've known for just about all of my life. I'm chomping at the bit to run 'Aliens' on Super 8 again at the moment after all the furore about the 4K UHD release of that one. John.

@@moviecollector5920 Man those are priceless. I mean for me the ones you have shown looks great. I love 8mm looks its an under rated format imo.. 16mm & 35mm get all the attention.. 16mm late release prices are silly though.. they go for 3 times the amount of 35mm prints & most times they are beat..

@@moviecollector5920 smart move focusing on them.. Because they feel so magical that you will find yourself watching through the years & they aged well. You know what I feel hasn’t aged well over the past few years laserdisc.. and I am a big collector … from Japanese to late release & all sorts of titles .. there are a few really good ones .. the 480’is hard to get past .

Many told me that when it came out Peter. I'm not the biggest fan of the Conan films though so didn't get that one. John.

One thing I got wrong in this review Peter, it's John Williams the classical guitarist who did the theme and not John Williams the film composer. I should have remembered because my parents bought (and still have) the album it came from. John.

I used to think so too Peter. They're both great films though whichever of them we may prefer. John.

Michael Ford is brilliant. If he's not the most experienced projectionist still working in the UK (or the world) then he can't be too far off. Fortunately for all of us he still has a few years left at the top. John.

That has always been the case but fortunately it takes a hell of a lot of hours and all the parts of serviceable. Some film projectors were in use for 70 years or more in cinemas before the big downgrade in 2011. John.

The two don't compare Michael. The BFI video projectors are excellent though and owing to the 85 foot wide screen it is still good to go there to see a movie even if it is video projected. John.

If something were to go wrong with a genuine IMAX 3D Michael then that would likely be a major problem owing to the scale of the gauge necessitating this almighty sized projector. 3D is never as impressive to look at but it is a good novelty for children and youngsters. Better to see the ultimate rather than a 3D if you're making the effort and going to the expense of a genuine IMAX show. John.

Evening Danny. The screen is actually the wall painted matt white brilliant emulsion (nothing better) and just a few inches under ten feet wide. The room is 11ft 3in by 11ft 5in. John.

Evening Carlos. I think you saw The Long Kiss Goodnight on LaserDisc. I could do a review of that one but I'm not sure where anyone would be able to purchase a copy these days! It's a great PAL LaserDisc though and great fun. John.

@@moviecollector5920 so that was a copy of LKG laser disk mixed in with your 4k reviews ? I have the Blu-ray great movie BUT it did not come with any extras at all so I think when they release it on. 4k I’m hoping they would fill it with extras and bloopers

I haven't yet Matthew but I might try this with our 18 year old HD projector because that has a standard video input on it and as a result I think it produces better imagery than either of our 4K players can from older equipment. Currently we're enjoying the Laserdiscs through the telly but even that isn't as good as our sadly deceased CRT for LD. John.

You're welcome Jim. John.

Thank you Bob. John.

Why have I never heard of that film? I will watch anything with Michael Caine in it... although I might draw the line at sufferring through Jaws 4 again! Thanks for the recommendation Graham, now get back into your cinema! John.

I don't think I've ever seen Hardcore Kashie so thank you for the recommendation. I was told in an earlier comment on this video that there is a German Blu-ray for 8mm too so it looks like there are two options for me to keep an eye out for. I hadn't watched that DVD in around ten years though so I probably won't exactly in a rush to see the film again for a while. John.

Morning Andrew. I think I enjoyed 'Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard' more than the first film but I might change my mind when I watch them both again one day. I couldn't get through 'The Wolf of Wall Street' and had to turn it off before the end. It wasn't only the language which I didn't find funny, it was the general theme and all the sex which felt dirty to me. I saw Mr. DiCaprio at the premiere for that film which wouldn't have been my first choice for a film of his. I was coming out of the pub next door and there he was. I quite often buy when I look at what is on the shelves in HMV and FOPP. That's the beauty of having shops I suppose. John.

If they do please let me know Paul and I'll send you a long list!!!

I'd have to watch them both again Gary. I think the sequel is more comedic and that is probably why I think I enjoyed it more than the original movie. John.

@@moviecollector5920 My latest pickup, Runaway Train with Jon Voight, The Arrow version a real favorite.

Cor, the best we ever nabbed was ten for £1 so you take the top spot there Paul. It amazes me what people will get rid of. CD sized discs can be taken out of the cases and kept on spindles which then take up no space at all but people get rid of them because they think an empty house is preferable. John.

I did realize the pandemic caused the problem with Hitmans's Wife's Bodyguard David but only after I'd recorded all the blurb and then took a close look at the boxes for the close-up shots. I think the same problem caused the low take for TENET and Last Night In Soho so some great films got all but killed by that pesky virus. And now we know what we know we wouldn't have taken any bloody notice if we'd have known then! John.

First of all, there is no organization to my disc and video tape collections. They just go back on the shelf in the order they're watched. I think that if I see a Blu-ray of 8mm I'll have to buy it but the DVD projects rather well so I'm not in any rush. It was probably ten years since I last gave that one a spin. I have the Blu-ray of 'Harry Brown' and that's another with Michael Caine at his best. His best might well be 'The Italian Job' but my favourite film he stars in is 'Zulu'. I did mention that towards the end of this video but cut it out because it was running on far too long. I've never actually seen 'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels' all the way through so that's another one on the ever lengthening list of movies I've still got to see. He is brilliant in 'The Great Escaper'. He says it's his last film which I can understand. What a great way to bow out after a great career in the movies. John.

@@moviecollector5920 ...forgot to mention, another classic Michael Caine film finally released on bluray not too long ago in France (fully English compatible), 'Sleuth' also starring Lawrence Olivier. Another must see film! regards, Hugh

We've been purchasing a lot of Blu-rays and DVD's in a charity shop lately. 3 for £1 and that includes active 3D Blu-rays. John.

Evening Dave. At Film Is Fabulous on Saturday we're going to try to start a discussion about a reintroduction of D-150 into cinemas. Those lenses will work with any projector providing the image fires out straight and not at an angle like just about all home video projectors nowadays. A 120 degree curved screen would be the expensive part but then cinemas would have something different which we wouldn't realistically be able to do at home. 3D would be sensational to keep the kiddies happy too. We'll see how this plan goes but it probably won't get far as cinema managers/chain managers/owners don't seem to have must of a clue these days. As for re-releases at the moment, the only way to guarantee an audience is to show a film print. John.

Thank you Rob. We did well with all four of those discs which was a lucky. 'The Great Escaper' looked like a surefire hit but the others could have been misfires... thankfully they weren't. John.

It made me realize that snuff movies really do exist. A great film that I've never tired of even though it's a bit of a difficult watch. John.

I think you prepared me for it Timothy. But as soon as Mr. Jackson appeared in the opening sequence with his laugh booming out I laughed along and didn't stop until the end. John.

@moviecollector5920 glad to be of service. Are you going to review the ocean's movies?

Trevor at Double Bill Movies did a fabulous review of Once Upon A Time In The West. He explains a whole lot and covered it again in a video he put out yesterday. Have a look at his review and bear in mind he was a quality controller in the disc production business for many years and you'll understand all you need to. I believe others are claiming too much image noise reduction has been applied but you can see from the snaps Trevor displays that that's a load of codswallop! John.

Don't expect a masterpiece Mubai but more something that's a little bit different and intriguing. I knew nothing going into it and that might have made the whole air of mystery feel a little bit more appealing than it otherwise would have done. Great location which gives it a dystopian feel. Worth a try for £25 with a very good and informative booklet of 80 pages. John.

@moviecollector5920 Sold, just ordered it from HMV.... 😅

@@LaughMuBai I hope you like it Mubai. It might be worth reading the little book first so you get into the feel of the whole thing. John.

Evening Paul. I think there was another film by the same name last year too which is why the spine of this disc caught my eye on the 4K shelves in HMV. I took a look at it and decided it looked interesting enough to buy despite not being the film I hoped it was. John.

Oh I know the one in the 1950’s is one I seem to remember,not sure if I’ve heard The Great Escaper,I haven’t bought a 4K Movie for a while.

@@paulallenMacca The Great Escaper is a Blu-ray Paul and it's so cheap now. Worth a watch but try not to cry your eyes out because I did feel the emotion so much during that one. I could watch it again right now which is a sign of a very good movie. John.

I'd only just heard from a friend this afternoon that Mr. Coppola was possibly repeating the route he went down with 'One From The Heart' with his new film 'Megalopolis'. Cinema over here isn't doing well either and I only tend to go to a cinema when I know a film print is playing because I've had such bad experiences since the introduction of video projection in cinemas. There are some good ones but it tends to mean long journeys so it's easier and cheaper to await a 4K disc release and watch a better presentation at home. So you're not alone Gaspar. I think cinema is in terminal decline almost everywhere so something has to change otherwise it'll be curtains soon! Mr. Coppola has made some brilliant films over the years. Looks like he's still a driven man and will take risks for something he believes in. John.

One From The Heart is sure to draw different opinions but that will not mean it is a bad film. Even for those who don't like it, it's a very interesting film to study as I found out when going through the myriad extras. John.

You're welcome Craig. John.

I had assumed One From The Heart only got to cinemas in the USA briefly before being pulled from the market Jimbo so thank you for telling us you actually saw it down there in Braaaazil! Your girlfriend sounds like a good 'un to me so did you marry her? John.

I'd never come across One From The Heart at all. I don't think I'd ever even heard of it. I don't tend to like musicals but there are a few that appeal to me and this is one of them. I'm not sure if Mr. Coppola was pointing the way for video projection in cinemas but the adoption of the video cameras within the film cameras was certainly the way to go. Perhaps the everyone involved got a little obsessed with that though which is understandable but wouldn't have helped that balooning budget. John.

@@moviecollector5920Not a fan of musicals either. I always say musicals are for the stage, not the screen (that’s how close minded I am😊) I first heard of One From The Heart due to reading about it in biographies of Coppola and it’s production history. IMO the film is an aesthetic marvel whilst both Kinski and the great and sadly late Raul Julia are for me having pure fun.

@@spaceodds1985 We watched 'My Fair Lady' again recently when my mother stayed with us for a few days. I always rather liked that one but I think it's rather brilliant now. I'm getting old! John.

It was all I could do to hold back the tears a few times during The Great Escaper Darren. A very moving film and brilliantly acted. John.

As soon as I saw the trailer I knew I'd be buying it. I think I'll likely be like you holding back the tears. I've taken a bit if a break from the WW2 movies as obviously they can be a bit heavy. Have you got any recommended WW2 movies?

@@KeepYaHeadUpTS Christopher Nolan's 'Dunkirk' for sure and also 'Darkest Hour' with Gary Oldman. I expect there are loads I'd recommend if I thought about it for long enough but if you want the best education for the USA side of the Japan side of the war then the ten part series 'The Pacific' is probably the best thing I've ever seen. The remake of 'Midway' from a few years ago was a good education too but possibly a little too colourful picture quality or some to take seriously. Last year's 'Oppenheimer' was an education too but as with 'Dunkirk' it's really got to be seen in genuine IMAX to get the most out of it. John.

@@moviecollector5920 both Dunkirk & Darkest Hour were early watches in my WW2 movie marathon. 2nd time seeing Dunkirk and enjoyed it so much more. Those flying scenes in full screen... wow. Can only imagine what they were like at the BFI. Also have brilliant movies like Schindler's List, The Pianist, Book Thief amongst those I've watched. Also got Saving Private Ryan, The Pacific and Band of Brothers lined up before Oppenheimer. Thanks for the reply and recommendations John 😊

@@KeepYaHeadUpTS Paul Verhoeven's 'The Black Book' is a bit different too and if you can find the 101 Films Blu-ray release with the booklet that makes it feel even more special. John.

A major shame IMO. This is a film that has to be viewed in 35mm and I was lucky to see it at the PCC a few years back. So much so that I had trouble watching it on BD at a later date. Missing frame, cigarette burns scratches… perfect.

I know someone with a print too so we could have probably got that sorted out. However, there has been some sort of embargo against screening any of the Terminator films until a new one has been and gone apparently. John.

@@moviecollector5920 Really? Is JC being difficult again?

@@spaceodds1985 It might have been a false story but it's what I was told and the reason why Robocop was being booked everywhere with film projection capabilities (and doing very well as a result). John.

​@@moviecollector5920 That's odd. There hasn't been a new Terminator film since 2019. The PCC has played 35mm prints of T1 and T2 since then. I know Cameron is Pro-Digital and doesn't rate film. I hope he isn't preventing film screenings of his films. I've seen Aliens twice on 70mm in recent years. Avatar is playing as part of BFI IMAX's 25th Anniversary, but it's a Digital IMAX DCP, and I doubt IMAX 70mm prints of it from 2009 will ever see the light of day again. It's funny as back in the day Cameron paid out of his own pocket for 70mm blowup prints of True Lies and Titanic when Fox refused. As they were the highest quality presentations available before showing feature films on IMAX 70mm became an idea.