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[SCULLIBUNDO]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doX2E1vNtY8
Simultaneously Spielberg's most mature, restrained and ballsy film to date also happens to be his best-looking film. The compositions in this film are something else and now you can finally watch the Berg firing on all cylinders in Blu goodness.

So far The Digital Bits is the only place that has their review up, but it sounds like a great transfer.

Universal’s new Blu-ray release delivers the film in 1080p HD in its original 2.35:1 theatrical aspect ratio. Contrast is terrific, with deep, dark blacks, and bright areas that glow nicely but are never overblown. The image offers excellent fine detailing and texturing. The film’s color palate is subdued by design, both in keeping with the dramatic tone of the film and its 1970s setting. Very light print grain is visible as well, provide a satisfying and film-like viewing experience. This is as fine an HD presentation of the film as you could expect, I think. Audio options include 5.1 English and French DTS-HD MA, with subtitles in English SDH, Spanish and French. The English mix is naturalistic, with a wide front soundstage and ambient use of the surround channels. Dialogue, sound effects, and music are all cleanly rendered.

It's a pity Universal went with the pithy cover of the old single-disc release instead of the vastly superior one-sheet cover that was on the old deluxe edition:

Anyway, apparently it's a Best Buy Exclusive until April, but get this in you in. One of last decades best pictures.

 

[Caboose]

ABOUT GODDAMN TIME

 

[Punto]

Still havn´t seen this movie. Actually I havn´t even seen the Schindler´s list cus I hate black and white movies (although Raging Bull was pretty good).

 

[rude]

Kaminski > *. I dislike the majority of Spielberg, but many of his movies are always so gorgeous to watch. Cinematography in War Horse was so underrated.

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

Still havn´t seen this movie. Actually I havn´t even seen the Schindler´s list cus I hate black and white movies (although Raging Bull was pretty good).

I both hate you and envy you. Watch them now.

Kaminski > *. I dislike the majority of Spielberg, but many of his movies are always so gorgeous to watch. Cinematography in War Horse was so underrated.

On the contrary, I think War Horse was one of Kaminski's worst Spielberg collabs outside of the cutting the barbed wire scene. Overblown stage lighting looked terrible throughout the film. Some seriously artificial-looking scenes because of it.

 

[Fevaweva]

Damn good film.

 

[Tugatrix]

Finally those glorious Spielberg Oners in FHD

 

[MrChom]

One of the biggest wastes of time I have ever seen.

I'd far prefer a documentary instead.

 

[Subterranean]

Wow! I've been begging for this for a long time.

 

[Madness]

I love the film, Eric Bana acted brilliantly. But I don't like how Spielberg never even brought up the Lillehammer affair, where they killed an innocent Moroccan waiter and how the Mossad agents were arrested but released back to Israel in 1975.

 

[rude]

On the contrary, I think War Horse was one of Kaminski's worst Spielberg collabs outside of the cutting the barbed wire scene. Overblown stage lighting looked terrible throughout the film. Some seriously artificial-looking scenes because of it.

I was just about to edit my comment to talk about how much I liked that it looked like a big budget stage play come to life on the screen. I loved that look.

 

[haikira]

Curious if it's region free. If not, hopefully it doesn't take too long to arrive here in the UK.

 

[The Albatross]

Pretty lousy movie given the hype back then.

Surprised it's been 10 years though, I saw this in the theatre.

 

[badcrumble]

Yussss. So buying this.

Also, when this came out, the only really significant Bond-film presence was Michael Lonsdale (who played Hugo Drax in Moonraker), but now like half the cast has been in a Bond film. Makes me realize that we desperately need Ciarán Hinds to be a Bond villain (and basically reprise his brilliant portrayal of Julius Caesar in Rome tbh).

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

I love the film, Eric Bana acted brilliantly. But I don't like how Spielberg never even brought up the Lillehammer affair, where they killed an innocent Moroccan waiter and how the Mossad agents were arrested but released back to Israel in 1975.

That was a different Mossad team.

 

[jond76]

Great movie, will pick it up

 

[Punto]

I both hate you and envy you. Watch them now.



On the contrary, I think War Horse was one of Kaminski's worst Spielberg collabs outside of the cutting the barbed wire scene. Overblown stage lighting looked terrible throughout the film. Some seriously artificial-looking scenes because of it.

Guess I´ll watch them then !

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

Here's hoping his Cold War thriller this year sees the return of the daring Spielberg.

 

[Currygan]

movie kinda disappointed me, but it's not bad at all

 

[segasonic]

his second worst movie after E.T.

 

[brandonh83]

his second worst movie after E.T.

Worse than The Lost World or Hook? Let's not kid ourselves here

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

GAF gonna GAF.

 

[rude]

his second worst movie after E.T.

After A.I., Tintin, Amistad, Hook, all of the Indiana Jones Sequels....? Come on now.

 

[thenexus6]

Will get this at some point been waiting years of blu ray release.

 

[WayneMorse]

Here's hoping his Cold War thriller this year sees the return of the daring Spielberg.

Lincoln and War Horse disappointed me greatly. That ending to Lincoln was pretty bad.

 

[brickarts295]

Probably the only Spielberg film I haven't seen, yet.

 

[Currygan]

After A.I., Tintin, Amistad, Hook, all of the Indiana Jones Sequels....? Come on now.

Ughhhh what

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

Lincoln and War Horse disappointed me greatly. That ending to Lincoln was pretty bad.

Yup. I have high hopes for the cold war thriller, providing it's the unrelenting Spielberg and not the PG Spielberg. With the Coens doing the re-write of the film, I'm hoping the former.

 

[atr0cious]

Worse than The Lost World or Hook? Let's not kid ourselves here

After A.I., Tintin, Amistad, Hook, all of the Indiana Jones Sequels....? Come on now.

Munich is my favorite Spielberg film, but fuck anyone saying Hook was bad. That's his most daring film to date.

Amistad's biggest sin was length.

 

[Indrid Cold1]

What were those funky little guns they used on the houseboat?

 

[Tugatrix]

After A.I., Tintin, Amistad, Hook, all of the Indiana Jones Sequels....? Come on now.

 

[michaelius]

Really amazing movie. I wanted to rewatch it for some time so this will be good occasion.

 

[jb1234]

his second worst movie after E.T.

You've never sat through 1941, I can tell.

 

[Secret Fawful]

After A.I., Tintin, Amistad, Hook, all of the Indiana Jones Sequels....? Come on now.

Tintin is an incredible film.

 

[bananafactory]

YES

YESSSS

Fucking love this movie.

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

What were those funky little guns they used on the houseboat?

Zip guns disguised within the bicycle pumps.

 

[rude]

Tintin is an incredible film.

The tracking shot was cool i guess

 

[Raptor]

Best Spielberg movie by far.

When Bana hear his daughter on the phone is pure cinematic genious right there, dem feels!

 

[segasonic]

You've never sat through 1941, I can tell.

true. I also forgot about Hook.

 

[dc89]

Great movie. I'll pick this up.

 

[Jarrod38]

Was going to pick this up via Amazon and then I saw Best Buy exclusive until May 5th.

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

Also Daniel Craig at his most baller. But really, the whole cast is fantastic. From Ciaran Hinds to Almaric and Michael Lonsdale.

 

[Madness]

That was a different Mossad team.

It was, but you'd think since it was such international news, and the fact that it jeopardized all their operations in Europe, and was perhaps the main reason they stopped these programs, you'd think they'd have mentioned it. They made it seem like the main reason was moral objections by the agents, or dwindling funds/retaliation. But yeah it's an amazing film either way.

 

[NYR]

Angry sweaty pregnant sex is the best type of sex.

Spoiler

Not really. That scene sucked.

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

It was, but you'd think since it was such international news, and the fact that it jeopardized all their operations in Europe, and was perhaps the main reason they stopped these programs, you'd think they'd have mentioned it. They made it seem like the main reason was moral objections by the agents, or dwindling funds/retaliation. But yeah it's an amazing film either way.

Well the point made in the film is that Avner didn't even know there were other Mossad teams in operation until the end of the film.

 

[Secret Fawful]

The tracking shot was cool i guess

Besides that, the numerous Hitchcock references and stylistic choices, the mastery of suspense during the Karaboudjan and plane sequences, the usage of motion capture to put camera movement and angles in and through impossible places, the play on history repeating itself, the incredible pirate sequences that put anything similar in modern times to shame, the gorgeous soundtrack, the Chaplin-esque physical comedy, and Serkis' incredible performance as Haddock, and the willingness to use risky cartoon visuals like birdies and the plane propeller that fit the comic's sensibilities.

 

[Nerdkiller]

After A.I., Tintin, Amistad, Hook, all of the Indiana Jones Sequels....? Come on now.

So much wrong with this post. Harder to take your seriously since you didn't list Always.

Spoiler

Except for Temple of Doom. There's nothing wrong with disliking that.

 

[rude]

Besides that, the numerous Hitchcock references and stylistic choices, the mastery of suspense during the Karaboudjan and plane sequences, the usage of motion capture to put camera movement and angles in and through impossible places, the play on history repeating itself, the incredible pirate sequences that put anything similar in modern times to shame, the gorgeous soundtrack, the Chaplin-esque physical comedy, and Serkis' incredible performance as Haddock, and the willingness to use risky cartoon visuals like birdies and the plane propeller that fit the comic's sensibilities.

I think the movie is an utter bore, but yes, the film is definitely masterful on a technical level. Lots of love went into crafting it.

So much wrong with this post. Harder to take your seriously since you didn't list Always.

I haven't even seen that.

 

[Flynn]

 

[Jezbollah]

Fucking outstanding film. Will buy again.