Title: The Fly
Year: 1986
Director: David Cronenberg
Rating: 18A
Length: 96 Min.
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, English: DTS: 5.1, French: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, Spanish: Dolby Digital: Mono, Commentary: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround
Subtitles: English, Spanish

Stars:
Jeff Goldblum
Geena Davis
John Getz
Joy Boushel
Les Carlson
George Chuvalo

Plot:
The gritty, realistic performances of Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis are at the heart of this terrifying tale of a transformation too horrifying to bear...and too relentless to stop! Goldblum's experimental scientist has created a miraculous device...but in the course of testing it, he finds that his DNA is slowly bringing about a metamorphosis which will forever trap him in the body of a hideous monster...the Fly!

Extras:
Scene Access
Audio Commentary
Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:
I decided to watch this one today because today (January 21) is Geena Davis' 55th birthday.

This is an enjoyable movie. It is a bit on the disturbing as well as on the disgusting side. But I think it updated the Vincent price classic well. I can't say that I prefer the original or the remake because even though it has the same basic story — both movies are such a different style from one another that I enjoy each one pretty much the same amount for each of their particular styles. When I want the classic atmosphere of storytelling the Vincent Price version will more then satisfy. But this one is the one I want to see when I want a more disturbed... dark version of the story.

This movie came in a boxset with the sequel that I bought cheap from a friend in Canada. Which is the reason for the Canadian rating.  I really enjoyed this set... especially for the price I paid for it. But if there is one thing that could have been done better... it is the amount of extras. This movie only has a commentary track. Sure that is cool... but I would have liked to seen more stuff added.

My Rating: 4/5

Quoting FilmAlba:

Quote:
Get the collectors edition. I say it's about 7 or 10 dollars now.

The 2 disc Collector's Edition is $15.99 on Amazon.com and includes a ton of special features:

3 production documentaries
Deleted scenes with storyboard and script comparisons
Never-before-seen alternate ending
Rare test footage (makeup and visual effects)
"The Brundle Museum of Natural History" featurette
George Langdon's original short story
Charles Edward Pogue's original screenplay
David Cronenberg's screenplay rewrite
Interactive articles (stills with video clips) from Cinefex and American Cinematographer
Promotional featurettes
Still photo galleries
Original teasers, trailers, TV spots, and more

Not bad for $15.99

Quoting Addicted2DVD:

Quote:
Sounds like I need to upgrade!

Me too . I've got the same box set as you. I'd also like to get the Blu-ray edition but I'd like to hear from someone that owns it to comment on whether the transfer to Blu-ray is worth the upgrade.

Quoting 8ballMax:

Quote:
Quoting Addicted2DVD:

Quote:
Sounds like I need to upgrade!

Me too . I've got the same box set as you. I'd also like to get the Blu-ray edition but I'd like to hear from someone that owns it to comment on whether the transfer to Blu-ray is worth the upgrade.

Here's what dvdbeaver said:

Quote:
I have always thought I remembered a kick-ass soundtrack and image when I first saw the film in a West Los Angeles theatre in 1986. The 2005 SD DVD was of pretty good quality, and the surprise is that the BD looks much the same, not a whole lot better: more resolved, with more dimensionality – you know, those things we come to expect from high definition – just not knock your socks off better. I felt I had to squint a bit to see the improvement in some scenes. At first glance, for example, in the opening crowd shot at the hotel convention, the image is simply not sharp. Perhaps the film isn't sharp as well, or has degraded over the last twenty years. That resource being no longer available, I checked out a few scenes for BD/DVD comparisons. Some, like the exterior shot of Sathis Borans' building appeared to be identical – soft, not quite sharp it seemed. Others, such as interior master shots of Brundle's loft or close ups of just about anything are lovely, though far from razor sharp: acceptably clear and textured, very filmlike, with a fine, but noticeable grain. Strange. The print is reasonably, but not entirely, free of specks, but there are no transfer issues of concern.[/quote]

What can I say... I am a poor poor man!  my TV recently went up on me and I just couldn't afford a new TV so went to a 2nd hand shop and got another standard TV.

I'm innocent! I just got one of those lovable faces is all! 

Why could you not get new TV? You could have just got something like pay nothing till next year.

Title: Mr. Holland's Opus
Year: 1995
Director: Stephen Herek
Rating: PG
Length: 143 Min.
Video: Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, French: Dolby Digital: 5.1
Subtitles: English

Stars:
Richard Dreyfuss
Glenne Headly
Jay Thomas
Olympia Dukakis
W. H. Macy
Alicia Witt

Plot:
Acclaimed star Richard Dreyfuss gives the performance of a lifetime (1995 Academy Award™ Nominee, Best Actor—Mr. Holland's Opus) in this uplifting hit cheered by audiences everywhere! Glenn Holland (Dreyfuss) is a passionate musician who dreams of composing one truly memorable piece of music. But reality intrudes when he reluctantly accepts a "day job" as a high school music teacher to support his family. In time, however, Mr. Holland realizes that his real passion is teaching, and his legacy is the generations of young people he inspires. Also featuring Glenne Headly (2 Days In The Valley) and Olympia Dukakis (Mafia!) — you're sure to find this electrifying motion picture both entertaining... and unforgettable!

Extras:
Scene Access
Featurettes
Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:
As most of you know... I am not a fan of music in general. And if that is not enough I never liked Richard Dreyfuss. So you must understand that I was more then concerned about enjoying this movie. Thankfully this isn't actually a musical. More of a drama that just happens to be about music. So that was definitely a plus for me. As for Richard Dryfuss... I am still not a fan., He just kinda bugs me whenever I see him on the screen. I don't know why. It is something I know is irrational... but it is what it is. So his presence was no help for me what so ever. But it is a good story about a teacher and how much her cared for his students and teaching them what he loves so much. I especially enjoyed the storyline of his relationship with his son. It showed he wasn't a perfect person. And I felt it helped balance the character. It is a good movie that is definitely worth watching... even if it is a little on the long side.

My Rating: 3.5/5