Interstellar (2014) - UHD Disc

I walked out of the cinema watching this as a combination of my poor hearing and badly mixed audio meant I couldn't follow what was happening at even a basic level.

I've just upgraded my home speaker system and while I needed subtitles (I use subs for everything) and still think the sound mix is poor for dialogue, the video and audio are both stunning in their presentation, the SFX in space are mind-blowing.

The acting, characters and script are equally good. I really love a lot of Nolan's work with the likes of Memento and The Prestige being some of my favourites but this was just a level above. 

I think Nolan (with Denis Villeneuve close behind) is currently the most reliable producer of big-screen, knock-yer-socks-off entertainment that isn't dumb, and this could be my favourite of his. Some scenes near the end also reminded me that it's about time someone filmed Arthur C Clarke's 'Rendezvous With Rama'.

On a side note, I'm getting on a bit and as far as I know my hearing is still fine, but I'm having to flip on subs in places more than I used to. I think that poor dialogue recording is just a thing now. I regularly watch films from all decades and I never have to rewind or check subs on old films. I've seen films from the 1930s that have clearer dialogue than some new films/tv. On the other side note, I walked out of a cinema showing of 2001. Stargate - migraine - aaaaargh.

I read something about that the other day from an audio mixer. Apparently it's to do with wanting it to go really loud at times, and there's a set dynamic range that have to be followed (reference levels). So to get the big bangs to be really big, the quieter bits end up being mixed a lot quieter. Guy said he hated it but it was how the directors all want it now.

Top Gun 2 - I could take or leave the first one [*] and I guess if you're a fan, you will love this even more, with it's 80s gung ho style and cheesy soundtrack. But it plays like one big recruitment video, cos you just know the good guys are gonna win, right?
The effects are exciting, and the actors looked like they went through a lot to film the cockpit scenes. Obviously, watch it big and loud as it's a good test for your rear surrounds/soundbar. Overall, better than I expected, and enjoyable once it gets going - just about scrapes a 7/10.

[*] We used the VHS in-store to demo the new expensive Sony Nicam Stereo video recorder back in the day ... 1989 ? (and it did sound awesome).

Thor Love and Thunder. I enjoyed Ragnarok (and the Avengers series on the whole) but I never liked the way that they turned Thor into a clown - not just in Ragnarok, in all of them. I think the films would have been better if he'd been played straight, but that would have shown up Hemsworth's severe acting limitations even more. This one gets far too silly in places, with heroes flying off in a tourist attraction pulled by mad goats, powered-up toddlers getting in on the action, and a cringingly awful running joke about huffy weapons. It's still enjoyable up to a point, but it's joined the list of Marvel films (most of them after Endgame) that I wouldn't watch twice. Bale and Portman are good, and Crowe in a small part is the funniest thing in it.

Loved Top Gun Maverick, great fun without a modern agenda getting in the way of the story.

We also loved Thor L&T. Guess we were in the right frame of mind to enjoy the silliness of it. I lol'ed at the mad goats every time.

Watched this with the kids ... good fun, and plenty chuckles for adults with nods to Oceans 11, Pulp Fiction, etc.

For me, a bit too frenetic at times although the action does remain follow-able, but as usual with animations, I find the first 45mins better than the second (when things usually amp up too far). Good audio and soundtrack too. A solid 7/10.

I rated Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy at 9/10/10 (respectively) - I really connected with the aesthetics and the solid story telling (need a rewatch!) So for me, the 2022 version had a very difficult job ...

It's certainly a good film, but it didn't really grab me. The visuals are effectively and consistently grungy, the cinematography and soundtrack are good, the script perfectly OK (if mumbled), and Zoë Kravitz is ? (despite some of her scenes being sped up - I really wish directors wouldn't do that). There are even some Saw-esque horror elements (a good thing, especially in a kids' comicbook).

But the fight scenes are only average, Serkis & Farrell are underused, and there are no real WOW moments (not even the largescale scene). A solid 7/10.

Emily The Criminal - low budget, compelling performances, simple linear story sucks you in and doesn't let go.

Tense and tight without being showy, realistic without being gritty.

You've seen similar before, but how will things unfold this time? Still a solid 8/10.

Oh, and another mention for the t-e-n-s-i-o-n !

I'm looking forward to this one.