Weekend Movie Marathon

The Blu-ray Experience

Here recently I been getting myself some Blu-ray discs... since thanks to my daughter getting a new player for when she goes off to college... my daughter gave me her blu-ray player... which thankfully easily hooks up to my standard TV. I have a nice little collection of Blu-ray collection starting to build. Mostly thanks to gifts and free upgrades to combo sets when making trades at a friend's store. So thought this was the perfect time to have such a marathon.

Best part about this weekend... I will get to watch these on an HDTV despite not having one yet. As I will be able to watch these in my daughter's room (she said she is on the laptop 90% of the time anyway!) on her's. See below for the list of films I have on BD.

My BD Collection:
Titles in bold are ones I haven't watched yet. Note: I may have seen the movie before... but not since getting the disc.

Marvel's The Avengers
The Dark Knight Rises
Disney's A Christmas Carol (Seen on DVD but not on BD)
Dolphin Tale (Seen on DVD but not on BD)
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Just Go With It
Men in Black 3
Red Riding Hood
Santa Paws 2: Santa Pups
The Search for Santa Paws (Seen on DVD but not on BD)
Splice
Stargate
The Strangers
Street Kings
Terminator 2: Judgement Day
Terminator Salvation
The Three Stooges

BD Titles on the Way:
These are titles I have on order. At least some of them should get here in time for my marathon. Titles in bold are ones I haven't watched yet. Note: I may have seen the movie before... but not since getting the disc.

The Crazies (2010)
The Hunger Games
Jennifer's Body
Let Me in
Pride and Glory (This one definitely won't make it in time as it hasn't even shipped yet.)

Other BD Titles I have access to:
Brittany's

Coraline

I do believe there may be one or two more in Britt's collection. I know she has some anime series on BD... but have to wait till she wakes to find out about other films.

Any recommendations from the above is appreciated... but no promises I will get to them this weekend. As I can only get to so many this weekend and a lot depends on my mood as well.

Title: Terminator 2: Judgment Day
IMDb |Wikipedia |Trailer |
Year: 1991
Director: James Cameron (1954)
Writer: James Cameron (1954) (Writer), William Wisher (Writer)
Rating: Rated R : Strong Sci-Fi Action and Violence, and for Language
Length: 137 Min.
Video: Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital EX: 5.1 (Matrixed 6.1), English: DTS ES: 5.1 (Matrixed 6.1), Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo
Subtitles: English, Spanish

Stars:
Arnold Schwarzenegger as The Terminator
Linda Hamilton as Sarah Connor
Edward Furlong as John Connor
Robert Patrick (1958) as T-1000
Earl Boen as Dr. Silberman
Joe Morton (1947) as Miles Dyson

Plot:
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER returns as the Terminator in this explosive action-adventure spectacle. Now he's one of the good guys, sent back in time to protect John Connor, the boy destined to lead the freedom fighters of the future. LINDA HAMILTON reprises her role as Sarah Connor, John's mother, a quintessential survivor who has been institutionalized for her warning of the nuclear holocaust she knows is inevitable. Together, the threesome must find a way to stop the ultimate enemy – the T-1000, the most lethal Terminator ever created. Co-written, produced and directed by JAMES CAMERON (The Terminator, Aliens, Titanic), this visual tour de force is also a touching human story of survival.

Extras:
Scene Access
Audio Commentary
THX

My Thoughts:
It has been years since I seen this film! So watching it for the first time ever on Blu-ray was an extra treat. And I can say I saw such a difference right away! I have yet to see Terminator Salvation... but so far this is my favorite film in the franchise. I really liked the addition of the T-1000 with his liquid metal morphing abilities. I really enjoyed watching this one again... definitely recommended.

My Rating:
Out of a Possible 5

Title: The Hunger Games
IMDb |Wikipedia |Trailer |
Year: 2012
Director: Gary Ross
Writer: Matthew Chapman (Screenwriter), Suzanne Collins (Screenwriter), Billy Ray (Screenwriter), Suzanne Collins (Original Material By)
Rating: Rated PG-13 : Intense Violent Thematic Material and Disturbing Images - All Involving Teens
Length: 143 Min.
Video: Widescreen 2.40:1
Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio: 7.1, English: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, Spanish: Dolby Digital: 5.1
Subtitles: English, Spanish

Stars:
Stanley Tucci as Caesar Flickerman
Wes Bentley as Seneca Crane
Jennifer Lawrence (1990) as Katniss Everdeen
Willow Shields as Primrose Everdeen
Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne
Elizabeth Banks (1974) as Effie Trinket

Plot:
Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the Capitol of the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen volunteers in her younger sister's place and must rely upon her sharp instincts when she's pitted against highly trained Tributes who have prepared their entire lives. If she's ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

Extras:
Scene Access
Feature Trailers
Bonus Trailers
Featurettes
Gallery
Interviews
BD-Live
Digital Copy

My Thoughts:
For the next film I let my daughter pick the movie to watch... and this is the one she wanted to see. I found this to be a very good film. It easily kept my attention from beginning to the end. And I was pleasantly surprised to see an appearance by Donald Sutherland as President Snow. I always liked him. I would have liked to seen more hunting scenes... I kinda went into this one expecting to see more. I also found that while this is a rather long movie... it didn't feel like it while watching it. I would say this one is definitely worth checking out.

My Rating:
Out of a Possible 5

Title: The Avengers

Year: 2012
Director: Joss Whedon
Writer: Zak Penn (Story By), Joss Whedon (Story By), Joss Whedon (Screenwriter), Stan Lee (1922) (Original Characters By), Jack Kirby (Original Characters By), Joe Simon (Original Characters By)
Rating: Rated PG-13 : Intense Sequences of Sci-Fi Violence and Action Throughout, and A Mild Drug Reference
Length: 142 Min.
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.78:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, French: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Spanish: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Audio Descriptive: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

Stars:
Robert Downey, Jr. [Robert Downey Jr.] as Tony Stark / Iron Man
Chris Evans (1981) as Steve Rogers / Captain America
Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner / The Hulk
Chris Hemsworth as Thor
Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow
Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton / Hawkeye

Plot:
Marvel makes cinematic history as it unites the Super Hero team of a lifetime. Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) and Thor (Chris Hemsworth) assemble together for the first time ever in this epic, action-packed blockbuster – alongside Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) and Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson). Director Joss Whedon creates an unprecedented masterpiece that has become a global phenomenon. Packed with awesome special effects, Marvel's The Avengers is the must-own movie sensation your family will watch over and over!

Extras:
Scene Access
Audio Commentary
Bonus Trailers
Featurettes

My Thoughts:
Yes, yes we just watched The Avengers again! This is like my 6th time watching this film since it came out. Once at the theater... twice on DVD... and now 3 times on Blu-ray. But what can I say... I love this movie! Even after all these multiple viewings I still enjoyed every second of it! This movie is almost two and a half hours long... but it sure didn't feel like it while watching it! Everything moved quickly... it is quite action packed... and it has a plenty of laughs as well. Sure there was maybe a few jokes that fell flat for me... but for the most part I think  Joss Whedon did an excellent job. As did the entire cast. I was a little concerned about Mark Ruffalo taking over the part of Bruce Banner... but I liked him in the role too. The Hulk is probably my favorite character in the film. He really stole the show. I couldn't recommend this one any higher.


My Rating:
Out of a Possible 5

Title: The Three Stooges: The Movie
IMDb |Wikipedia |Trailer |
Year: 2012
Director: Peter Farrelly, Bobby Farrelly
Writer: Mike Cerrone (Writer), Bobby Farrelly (Writer), Peter Farrelly (Writer)
Rating: PG
Length: 92 Min.
Video: Widescreen 1.85:1
Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio: 5.1, Audio Descriptive: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Spanish: Dolby Digital: 5.1, French: Dolby Digital: 5.1
Subtitles: English, Spanish

Stars:
Sean Hayes as Larry
Will Sasso as Curly
Chris Diamantopoulos as Moe
Jane Lynch as Mother Superior
Sofia Vergara as Lydia
Jennifer Hudson as Sister Rosemary

Plot:
Calling all knuckleheads! From the fiercely funny Farrelly Brothers (There's Something About Mary) comes this contemporqary take on the world's most beloved classic comedy trio...The Three Stooges!

Left on the doorstep of a num-conventional orphanage as toddlers, Moe, Larry and Curly grow up eye-poking, face-slapping and head-clunking their way into adulthood. Now the bumbling trio — pure of heart, but dim of wit — find themselves on a madcap mission to save their childhood home from foreclosure. Can the Stooges survive the modern world, raise the money, and ultimately save the day? Why soitenly!

Extras:
Scene Access
Feature Trailers
Bonus Trailers
Deleted Scenes
Featurettes
Digital Copy

My Thoughts:
Felt like some silly comedy this morning... so decided to pop this one in. If you ever seen any Three Stooges short you pretty much know what to expect going into this one. Just like the shorts it isn't the type I can watch often... but is fun when you are in the mood. I think they did a pretty good job on it. They cast the stooges well... and the storyline keeps your interest. Definitely worth checking out!

My Rating:
Out of a Possible 5

On the blu-ray of Dolphin Tale there is an animated short that is absolutely hilarious. Both Britt and I laughed all the way through it. It is called Ormie and the Cookie Jar. And I found it on youtube... check it out!

Thank you for posting that short!  That was absolutely hilarious!!  Mom says thank you too, she hasn't laughed so hard in quite some time.

You're welcome Danae Cassandra... glad you both enjoyed it

Thanks for the tip Neil... Most the time I wouldn't be able to do it though. Mainly because.... in many cases it has been years since I seen the DVD. And once Britt goes away to college I will have to watch them on a standard TV as I don't have an HDTV yet. My blu-ray player will be hooked to an old standard 4:3 TV... so really won't have the equipment to really give a real comparison. (Yes I have had this blu-ray player hooked to my standard TV before it hooks up and plays fine).

I can say for Dolphin Tales I noticed a nice difference. But then that was even watched on different equipment so can I give a fair comparison? I watched the DVD on my laptop and watched the blu-ray on Britt's HDTV.