Right, well just as I thought the whole question had been resolved (see two articles down) another spanner comes along and inserts itself in the works. The Sunday Times reviewed the new Blu-ray player rather sniffly today, and declared that there was a significant difference between 1080i and 1080p. Having said all that they still did not recommend you buy one, but instead recommended a decent upscaling DVD player in order to get further use out of your DVD collection rather than replace it.
This advice I must say is very good. I have no intention whatsoever of buying all my old films yet again, many for the third time. New films in HD ? Fine. Star Wars again ? No. Sorry I'm not falling for it again. And as for 1080p I'll just have to concede defeat, however I still rest assured that nothing on the TV will require it for many years, and that's where the majority of my watching will take place anyway. You can't win them all, in fact with hi tech stuff you never really win.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Will Casino Royale be any good ?
It's three weeks until the 21st official Bond film is released. Much doubt has been cast at it (from me too I'll admit) and I still don't understand the whole chronology thing. However I just wanted to say in advance that I'm convinced it will be the best Bond film since Goldeneye. And why do I feel this, a few things really:
1. Martin Campbell is directing. He understands what Bond is about, and is responsible for, oh, Goldeneye.
2. Paul Haggis is co-writing. Yep, two Oscars for screenwriting. Knows what he's doing. Never done a film like this before but I think it'll be fine.
3. The original book is great. It really is, in fact they all are, but this one is particularly good.
4. Daniel Craig is the nearest we have ever had to the Fleming Bond. And yes I include Connery in that. Don't believe me ? Read the books and then wait for November 17th. You'll see. And he's the best actor to ever play the part too.
5. It looks good in the trailer. Yes most films do, but the last two 007 films didn't. Let's face it, if there isn't enough good stuff to fill a trailer you're stuffed. But here there is, and with hints of much more besides.
And so that's it really. Not much, but I just wanted to be really early in predicting that this would be a smash. And let's hope I'm right because Bond REALLY needs one.
1. Martin Campbell is directing. He understands what Bond is about, and is responsible for, oh, Goldeneye.
2. Paul Haggis is co-writing. Yep, two Oscars for screenwriting. Knows what he's doing. Never done a film like this before but I think it'll be fine.
3. The original book is great. It really is, in fact they all are, but this one is particularly good.
4. Daniel Craig is the nearest we have ever had to the Fleming Bond. And yes I include Connery in that. Don't believe me ? Read the books and then wait for November 17th. You'll see. And he's the best actor to ever play the part too.
5. It looks good in the trailer. Yes most films do, but the last two 007 films didn't. Let's face it, if there isn't enough good stuff to fill a trailer you're stuffed. But here there is, and with hints of much more besides.
And so that's it really. Not much, but I just wanted to be really early in predicting that this would be a smash. And let's hope I'm right because Bond REALLY needs one.
1080p question solved ?
Okay. For most people, i.e. people with lives, the term 1080p means nothing, and quite rightly. However, for gadget freaks it means just about everything right now. If you are interested in high definition TV, it has probably become an obsession. Put simply, the issue is thus; high definition TV comes in three flavours. 720p, 1080i and 1080p. They ascend in order of resolution and presumably quality. So far so good. However, when Sky HD was recently launched, it and thus most TV manufacturers decided to go no higher than 1080i in quality. The reason behind this was that to transmit the data required for the highest standard is still technically impossible on today's satellite TV technology. This, rather tantalisingly leaves a higher standard, hanging in the air like a Holy Grail of quality, but unobtainable to mere mortals.
And thus 95% of HDTVs will only go as high as 1080i, as will Sky for many years to come. Sounds okay doesn't it ? WELL IT'S NOT !!! Gadget fans want the best, and that's it. The mere thought that there is something better out there, if only marginally so, is enough to drive them nuts. And here's where it gets complex. DVD as we know it, is nearly dead. It is to be replaced by a new format, high definition DVD. Now, as an aside there are two competing formats in the race both of which are mutually exclusive. Yes that's stupid, and yes it'll put back the growth of high def DVD by at least 12 months, but that's a discussion for another day. What is relevant for this article, is that BOTH deliver 1080p !!! Oh dear.
This means that people with one of the 5% of mega TVs out now (and presumably a higher percentage month by month as the prices drop) will be able to see a higher quality picture. To add insult to injury the Playstation 3 will also output pictures in this resolution, and thus will provide a better experience than most of us can receive. Or will they ? Many people I know are thinking of getting HDTVs, and the more technically minded are wondering whether to wait until 1080p becomes normal, in order to get the most out of HD video. I myself have already committed myself to 1080i and no more, and have been delighted, but as the months roll by I have begun to wonder if I jumped too soon.
It is of course a truism that whatever technology you buy, if you return to the same shop 6 months later you will see something twice as good and for half the price. I knew this better than most people when I opened my wallet for a Panasonic 42in plasma screen. Once you buy, NEVER LOOK IN THE SHOPS AGAIN. For inevitably you'll either see what you bought much cheaper, or something that kicks its arse. This applies in all situations and will never change. It doesn't matter what they invent and how groundbreaking it is, just around the corner there will always be something better. It's the nature of business, and the breakneck progress of technology.
However, when I went to a local electronics show today I had a very important task on my mind. I wanted to seek out and kill a blu-ray or HD-DVD player. I needed to know my money hadn't been wasted. Stepping into the massive wareshouse of goodies it took a while to find either, and frankly not that many people seemed to know what they were, being more transfixed by the mere presence of a plasma screen. Yeah, beginners I'm afraid, I was drooling over those in the mid 90's. I however, after some work tracked down a blu-ray player, tucked in a corner that no-one had noticed, as they clearly hadn't appreciated what it was. To be fair the things have only been out a week so you can't blame the poor sheep really. Anyway, I grabbed my wife's arm and reverentially said 'there it is' in hushed tones consistent with walking into a place of worship. My wife however could not have been less excited if she had been dead. Still, a girl, what does she know ?
And the results of my survey ? Well, it's very good yes. Hard to say if it's better than what I have, and hard to compare it so Sky which by it's very nature is compressed anyway. But it was very good. Then, undecided I wandered off and found a HD-DVD machine. Again very good, but again I wasn't sure if it was any better. Then I found the Sony stand. Sony invented Blu-ray after all and so I was sure they would provide me with the answer. And they did. After a few minutes of chatting with the obviously well informed assistant, I asked him whilst stood in front of the only Sony Blu-ray player in Europe, if we were watching a 1080i or 1080p picture, for it was mightily impressive. He looked at me and said the following words "To be honest I can't tell you, as we can't tell the difference between the two".
And so there we have it. If the guys who sell the thing can't tell the difference, I'm not losing any sleep over the thing. However this does leave one question mark more, whilst I was at the show I saw an Xbox360 running on a large plasma screen. And it was simply awesome. I've been playing games for 25 years and this thing answered every prayer I ever had about games. It was just magic. And you know what, if I'd had the money I'd have bought one on the spot, despite my previous reservations (see previous blogs). However, one thing did cross my mind to nag me a bit and it was this, "if this is that good, imagine how good the Playstation 3 will be !!". And so it continues.
And thus 95% of HDTVs will only go as high as 1080i, as will Sky for many years to come. Sounds okay doesn't it ? WELL IT'S NOT !!! Gadget fans want the best, and that's it. The mere thought that there is something better out there, if only marginally so, is enough to drive them nuts. And here's where it gets complex. DVD as we know it, is nearly dead. It is to be replaced by a new format, high definition DVD. Now, as an aside there are two competing formats in the race both of which are mutually exclusive. Yes that's stupid, and yes it'll put back the growth of high def DVD by at least 12 months, but that's a discussion for another day. What is relevant for this article, is that BOTH deliver 1080p !!! Oh dear.
This means that people with one of the 5% of mega TVs out now (and presumably a higher percentage month by month as the prices drop) will be able to see a higher quality picture. To add insult to injury the Playstation 3 will also output pictures in this resolution, and thus will provide a better experience than most of us can receive. Or will they ? Many people I know are thinking of getting HDTVs, and the more technically minded are wondering whether to wait until 1080p becomes normal, in order to get the most out of HD video. I myself have already committed myself to 1080i and no more, and have been delighted, but as the months roll by I have begun to wonder if I jumped too soon.
It is of course a truism that whatever technology you buy, if you return to the same shop 6 months later you will see something twice as good and for half the price. I knew this better than most people when I opened my wallet for a Panasonic 42in plasma screen. Once you buy, NEVER LOOK IN THE SHOPS AGAIN. For inevitably you'll either see what you bought much cheaper, or something that kicks its arse. This applies in all situations and will never change. It doesn't matter what they invent and how groundbreaking it is, just around the corner there will always be something better. It's the nature of business, and the breakneck progress of technology.
However, when I went to a local electronics show today I had a very important task on my mind. I wanted to seek out and kill a blu-ray or HD-DVD player. I needed to know my money hadn't been wasted. Stepping into the massive wareshouse of goodies it took a while to find either, and frankly not that many people seemed to know what they were, being more transfixed by the mere presence of a plasma screen. Yeah, beginners I'm afraid, I was drooling over those in the mid 90's. I however, after some work tracked down a blu-ray player, tucked in a corner that no-one had noticed, as they clearly hadn't appreciated what it was. To be fair the things have only been out a week so you can't blame the poor sheep really. Anyway, I grabbed my wife's arm and reverentially said 'there it is' in hushed tones consistent with walking into a place of worship. My wife however could not have been less excited if she had been dead. Still, a girl, what does she know ?
And the results of my survey ? Well, it's very good yes. Hard to say if it's better than what I have, and hard to compare it so Sky which by it's very nature is compressed anyway. But it was very good. Then, undecided I wandered off and found a HD-DVD machine. Again very good, but again I wasn't sure if it was any better. Then I found the Sony stand. Sony invented Blu-ray after all and so I was sure they would provide me with the answer. And they did. After a few minutes of chatting with the obviously well informed assistant, I asked him whilst stood in front of the only Sony Blu-ray player in Europe, if we were watching a 1080i or 1080p picture, for it was mightily impressive. He looked at me and said the following words "To be honest I can't tell you, as we can't tell the difference between the two".
And so there we have it. If the guys who sell the thing can't tell the difference, I'm not losing any sleep over the thing. However this does leave one question mark more, whilst I was at the show I saw an Xbox360 running on a large plasma screen. And it was simply awesome. I've been playing games for 25 years and this thing answered every prayer I ever had about games. It was just magic. And you know what, if I'd had the money I'd have bought one on the spot, despite my previous reservations (see previous blogs). However, one thing did cross my mind to nag me a bit and it was this, "if this is that good, imagine how good the Playstation 3 will be !!". And so it continues.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Nintendo Wii
First off, what a silly name ! It's pronounced like 'wee'. Sniggers please start your engines. I have no idea why they would choose this name, it means nothing as far as I can see. However, the machine itself is a different story, in fact it may just be a masterstroke. Nintendo have always gone a slightly different way from the other consoles. Customarily focussing on gameplay and innovation rather than graphics and formulaic franchises, Ninty has always appealed to the offbeat crowd. They are the Apple Mac to Sony's PC if you see what I mean.
This time they've gone even further off the beaten track, and I think they might have hit the jackpot. Where Sony and Microsoft have put all their eggs into the high definition basket, Nintendo amazingly have remained standard def. This, in a console designed to last several years is a huge risk. The other consoles' games will look much better at the very least, and the casual buyer may be swayed by that. But then those are probably not Nintendo's favoured customer. They like people for whom the game is everything, and the window dressing is secondary.
The Wii also comes with a totally original wireless controller, shaped like a remote control. It reacts to movements, and thus as you mimic the swing of a golf club, the action is replicated on screen. Thus, we have a potentially amazing experience on our hands. Imagine four people all playing a tennis game, each with their own controller. Sounds fun doesn't it? And frankly the fact that the game isn't in high def may be totally irrelevent. Fun, is after all, why we play games. Nintendo have remembered this. I wonder if Sony and Microsoft have forgotten ?
Those two companies are channelling their energies into power and performance, and into producing spruced up versions of their best selling games. They also want you to watch DVDs on there, surf the net, maybe even do your washing up on one. But where's the innovation? Where are the weird little games like Rez and Tetris that are graphically simple but amazing to play? Well, on Nintendo that's where.
And not only that the Wii is only £180. That's £100 less than the 360, and £245 less than the PS3. And you may just remember why you started playing games in the first place. So, do you drop a stack of cash and play Gran Turismo AGAIN, or do you play cartoon baseball with your friends ? I'm beginning to seriously wonder. And unlike the PS3, it'll be here before Christmas.
This time they've gone even further off the beaten track, and I think they might have hit the jackpot. Where Sony and Microsoft have put all their eggs into the high definition basket, Nintendo amazingly have remained standard def. This, in a console designed to last several years is a huge risk. The other consoles' games will look much better at the very least, and the casual buyer may be swayed by that. But then those are probably not Nintendo's favoured customer. They like people for whom the game is everything, and the window dressing is secondary.
The Wii also comes with a totally original wireless controller, shaped like a remote control. It reacts to movements, and thus as you mimic the swing of a golf club, the action is replicated on screen. Thus, we have a potentially amazing experience on our hands. Imagine four people all playing a tennis game, each with their own controller. Sounds fun doesn't it? And frankly the fact that the game isn't in high def may be totally irrelevent. Fun, is after all, why we play games. Nintendo have remembered this. I wonder if Sony and Microsoft have forgotten ?
Those two companies are channelling their energies into power and performance, and into producing spruced up versions of their best selling games. They also want you to watch DVDs on there, surf the net, maybe even do your washing up on one. But where's the innovation? Where are the weird little games like Rez and Tetris that are graphically simple but amazing to play? Well, on Nintendo that's where.
And not only that the Wii is only £180. That's £100 less than the 360, and £245 less than the PS3. And you may just remember why you started playing games in the first place. So, do you drop a stack of cash and play Gran Turismo AGAIN, or do you play cartoon baseball with your friends ? I'm beginning to seriously wonder. And unlike the PS3, it'll be here before Christmas.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
The Power of Art
Just a quick tip as regards the above named show. The Power of Art is a new documentary series on the history of art, presented by Simon Schama. The last thing he did was the very good indeed History of Britain. Schama looks like he has another hit on his hands here, after a fascinating opening episode on Caravaggio.
Schama is in my view, TV's leading historian. Some may prefer David Starkey, although I find him to be rather bombastic and just a touch too full of himself. He also isn't as good on the telly as Simon. Presenting history on TV must be one a hell of a difficult job. The great trap is to produce something which is a dusty procession of facts and figures relating to people and events so removed in time from us, that they may just as well be fictional. And very dull.
The great triumph that Schama has managed again here, is to bring these figures to life in a way that we can all relate to. After watching the first show Caravaggio becomes a living breathing sweating human being, just like us, only with rather more natural ability and a fondness for swordplay and fighting. Against that context his paintings come alive too, especially when the circumstances behind their creation are revealed. And what's more the programme is presented in a dramatic and highly accessible way which makes it very entertaining to watch.
So, if like me you have always admired art, but found it hard to get into, see this show. It appears to be an ideal stepping stone into a world which normally seems closed to me by a large bolted intellectual door.
Schama is in my view, TV's leading historian. Some may prefer David Starkey, although I find him to be rather bombastic and just a touch too full of himself. He also isn't as good on the telly as Simon. Presenting history on TV must be one a hell of a difficult job. The great trap is to produce something which is a dusty procession of facts and figures relating to people and events so removed in time from us, that they may just as well be fictional. And very dull.
The great triumph that Schama has managed again here, is to bring these figures to life in a way that we can all relate to. After watching the first show Caravaggio becomes a living breathing sweating human being, just like us, only with rather more natural ability and a fondness for swordplay and fighting. Against that context his paintings come alive too, especially when the circumstances behind their creation are revealed. And what's more the programme is presented in a dramatic and highly accessible way which makes it very entertaining to watch.
So, if like me you have always admired art, but found it hard to get into, see this show. It appears to be an ideal stepping stone into a world which normally seems closed to me by a large bolted intellectual door.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Lady Vengeance : Review
This is the first South Korean film that I have ever seen. South Korean cinema has been getting a lot of attention recently, partly due to the trilogy of films about revenge that this film is the final part of. For a while now I have been enjoying Japanese cinema, and even a bit of Chinese. As a film fan, I have long ago realised that Hollywood alone cannot ever represent the full spectrum of films. Whilst I love some Hollywood products, others are banal, infantile and ignorant.
What you have with foreign language cinema is a different take on life, and a different approach to cinema. You see things in 'world' cinema that would never happen in American films. Acts of violence, provocative questions and a depiction of sex that simply wouldn't be allowed. And also an unashamed intelligence that shows that here are film makers who don't assume that their audience are too stupid to understand anything but the most simple concepts.
Lady Vengeance is a story about a woman who is wrongfully imprisoned for a murder she didn't commit, spends 13 years behind bars plotting her revenge, and who upon release executes her 'beautiful plan'. Yes there is violence, and yes there are some avant garde moments. But none of this matters because the film is always backed up by a keen intelligence. Various interesting questions are asked, and a fascinating 'what if' scenario is played out towards the end. This film never flinches from difficult subjects (child murder in this case) and yet deals with them in a way which is neither sensational nor lurid. This is due to the skill of the people involved, and a willingness to treat their audience with respect.
Hollywood take note, PLEASE DO NOT REMAKE THIS. It would be an embarrassement, You wouldn't understand why it works, and rather like The Ring, you would absolutely cock it up. You don't do 'clever', please leave that to countries that are emotionally mature.
What you have with foreign language cinema is a different take on life, and a different approach to cinema. You see things in 'world' cinema that would never happen in American films. Acts of violence, provocative questions and a depiction of sex that simply wouldn't be allowed. And also an unashamed intelligence that shows that here are film makers who don't assume that their audience are too stupid to understand anything but the most simple concepts.
Lady Vengeance is a story about a woman who is wrongfully imprisoned for a murder she didn't commit, spends 13 years behind bars plotting her revenge, and who upon release executes her 'beautiful plan'. Yes there is violence, and yes there are some avant garde moments. But none of this matters because the film is always backed up by a keen intelligence. Various interesting questions are asked, and a fascinating 'what if' scenario is played out towards the end. This film never flinches from difficult subjects (child murder in this case) and yet deals with them in a way which is neither sensational nor lurid. This is due to the skill of the people involved, and a willingness to treat their audience with respect.
Hollywood take note, PLEASE DO NOT REMAKE THIS. It would be an embarrassement, You wouldn't understand why it works, and rather like The Ring, you would absolutely cock it up. You don't do 'clever', please leave that to countries that are emotionally mature.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Life of Pryor
This is not a review, just a quick note to say how very wonderful the above named documentary on Richard Pryor was the other night. Just for once you had talking heads with something interesting to say, and also for once, Lenny Henry wasn't irritating.
Let's talk turkey here, Richard Pryor may have been the greatest stand up of all time. Period. In my view the only other serious contenders are Bill Hicks and Woody Allen. Luckliy we don't have to choose. When it comes to entertainment there is no 'number one', there is only taste and opinion. Some people for instance think that Robbie Williams is good. It's amazing I know, but some people actually find that mediocre ego trip in a shirt to be entertaining. Poor them. For me, I restrict myself to a geniuses only club. Robbie wouldn't get in. Having said that, almost no-one would.
Richard Pryor would not only get in, but would have instant access to the VIP area. Behind me as I type this, is one of my proudest possessions, a 9 CD boxset of his entire album back catalogue. Of all the the things I have accumulated over the years, this takes pride of place in my collection. What made Pryor special was honesty. He didn't try to curry favour, to be a corporate whore, to spend his life selling toothpaste, he just told the truth. This is also why Hicks would be in the VIP area. Showbusiness is awash with falseness, insincerity and utter bullshit. It's nice when someone comes along and takes a sledgehammer to all that and tells it like it is. When that person is also a comedy god, then you have something very special. You have Richard Pryor.
Let's talk turkey here, Richard Pryor may have been the greatest stand up of all time. Period. In my view the only other serious contenders are Bill Hicks and Woody Allen. Luckliy we don't have to choose. When it comes to entertainment there is no 'number one', there is only taste and opinion. Some people for instance think that Robbie Williams is good. It's amazing I know, but some people actually find that mediocre ego trip in a shirt to be entertaining. Poor them. For me, I restrict myself to a geniuses only club. Robbie wouldn't get in. Having said that, almost no-one would.
Richard Pryor would not only get in, but would have instant access to the VIP area. Behind me as I type this, is one of my proudest possessions, a 9 CD boxset of his entire album back catalogue. Of all the the things I have accumulated over the years, this takes pride of place in my collection. What made Pryor special was honesty. He didn't try to curry favour, to be a corporate whore, to spend his life selling toothpaste, he just told the truth. This is also why Hicks would be in the VIP area. Showbusiness is awash with falseness, insincerity and utter bullshit. It's nice when someone comes along and takes a sledgehammer to all that and tells it like it is. When that person is also a comedy god, then you have something very special. You have Richard Pryor.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Hitler : Movie Star
I found the following page on IMDB the other day, and it astonished me :
http://imdb.com/name/nm0386944/
Now, I'm as intrigued as you must be to see that Hitler is 'sometimes credited as Der Fuhrer'. Have I missed something ? Is it not the very same man who is one of the greatest monsters in the history of the world ? Well, this is not mentioned on his page. Instead his film career is rather soberly detailed for us, with no mention of that rather unfortunate genocide business. Now I'm all for completeness, but is this going a tad too far ? Should IMDB have in fact denied a page to such a man ? Surely his works are best forgotten, I can't see them being issued in a box set any time soon. But hey, that's just me. And before we go, just one more bit of fun;
http://imdb.com/name/nm0821672/
http://imdb.com/name/nm0386944/
Now, I'm as intrigued as you must be to see that Hitler is 'sometimes credited as Der Fuhrer'. Have I missed something ? Is it not the very same man who is one of the greatest monsters in the history of the world ? Well, this is not mentioned on his page. Instead his film career is rather soberly detailed for us, with no mention of that rather unfortunate genocide business. Now I'm all for completeness, but is this going a tad too far ? Should IMDB have in fact denied a page to such a man ? Surely his works are best forgotten, I can't see them being issued in a box set any time soon. But hey, that's just me. And before we go, just one more bit of fun;
http://imdb.com/name/nm0821672/
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