So, you may be asking yourself "Self..what is the difference between my current DVD's and the new HD format disc?" Go ahead, I'll wait for you to ask.
Finished? Good, okay well I happen to have found the answer. In the new world of HD digital media there were two main formats produced: the failed HD-DVD and the champion the Blu-ray disc. Described in this post is what makes the formats different from regular DVD's and from each other. We will also discuss why the Blu-ray media format won the HD format war.
The Basics
So, if you've ever seen inside a CD or DVD player you will know that there is a little red laser that reads little pits on the surface of the disc. In the case of rewritable media, the pits are replaced by burn marks (hence, burning a disc!). The laser of a CD driver has a wavelength of 780 nanometers (nm) and general use recordable DVD is 640 nm. The CD laser reads the pits/burns as 1's and 0's, or binary and translates that to the information the computer displays or the stereo projects. The need for a new HD format was answers by Sony and Toshiba. Sony created the Blu-ray and Toshiba created the HD-DVD. The main difference between regular DVD/CD's and HD media is the type laser used. HD media use a blue laser with a smaller wavelength, 405 nm to be exact. This means that smaller pits can be used since the laser is smaller and more information can be saved. However, both HD-DVD's and Blu-rays discs use the same 405 nm blue laser. If this is true, what should you ask, is the difference between the two? Furthermore, why did Blu-ray win over HD-DVD? Good questions, you ask and I'll wait right here.
Good to go? Okay, lets continue.
The Difference
The distinguishing difference between these two formats is the coating on the disc. HD-DVD's have the same coating as regular DVD's. The coating is 0.6 mm thick and allows the HD-DVD to focus at a certain length close to the surface and record so much information. The coating of a Blu-ray disc is 0.1 mm thick and allows for a longer focus length and therefore store more layers of information. In the end, Blu-ray won the format war because it could store more information, the production methods were new and the technology to record them was not available to the public (which would limit the ability of criminals to pirate the media) and with the adoption of the format into the Sony PS3, the backing of several prominent movie companies and Disney pushed the market in Sony's favour. The War was over.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
Weekly Question - Mar. 25th, 2010
Feeling uncreative this week, sorry all.
WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE HERO?
Post your answer below.
WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE HERO?
Post your answer below.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Lights, Camera....Problems with Action!
Alright so, this week I felt like writing an opinion piece, more specially, my thoughts on some common action movie issues.
The first major problem (especially in 007 movies) is that the bad guys always have such bad aim. I mean seriously, is there no marksmanship criteria for henchmen? What would happen if the first time Bond pops out from cover he gets killed with a head shot? Or what is the German sniper in Enemy at the Gates got the Russian officer on the first attempt (now I admit I've never seen the movie completely, so I am partially guessing here)? In fact, one of the only movies I can think about where the bad guy (we are initially lead to believe he's bad) has amazing marksmanship is Phone Booth. Kiefer Sutherland plays a sniper who keep Colin Farrell trapped in a Phone Booth (creative name eh?). In a good deal of action movies, the villains will run through entire clips and never once hit the protagonist, yet often with a single clip the protagonist can eliminate a room full of henchmen. Wheird! And yes I am aware of the "h" in "wheird"! Watch the movie Hot Rod.
Another major problem the henchmen cannot seem to get is logistics of a group fight. It is not uncommon for the hero to find themselves surrounded by henchmen who then proceed to attack ONE AT A TIME. I mean come on! Of course you will lose since this now becomes a series of one-on-one fights in sort of Mortal Kombat styled series of battles. If they had any sense, they would swam the hero all at once. True, a few henchmen might get injured but it would be minimal and the hero would be taken no problem. If I ever get jumped by a gang of people, I hope they follow this common action movie issue (and of course they don't know martial arts or carry weapons).
Not all of the problems in action movies are the fault of the henchmen. Sometimes the issue is the people making the movie. I love movies with montages. The point of a montage is to show progress of the main character through progressive clips that give the illusion of time passing while at the same time, remind the audience about what is going on. Listen to "You Need a Montage!!" from the movie Team America:World Police if you require more help with montages. The audience is basically left with one conclusion...that the main character is somehow allowed to learn and improve in a Matrix like fashion and speed by being a part of a montage. If that was all it took in real life I'd learn every though montages. I would be a super genious and have awesome soundtracks playing in the background while I do.
Anyway, these are just of the few great things about action movies. If you think of one, we would love to hear about it. Post a comment below with your thoughts below and thanks for reading.
The first major problem (especially in 007 movies) is that the bad guys always have such bad aim. I mean seriously, is there no marksmanship criteria for henchmen? What would happen if the first time Bond pops out from cover he gets killed with a head shot? Or what is the German sniper in Enemy at the Gates got the Russian officer on the first attempt (now I admit I've never seen the movie completely, so I am partially guessing here)? In fact, one of the only movies I can think about where the bad guy (we are initially lead to believe he's bad) has amazing marksmanship is Phone Booth. Kiefer Sutherland plays a sniper who keep Colin Farrell trapped in a Phone Booth (creative name eh?). In a good deal of action movies, the villains will run through entire clips and never once hit the protagonist, yet often with a single clip the protagonist can eliminate a room full of henchmen. Wheird! And yes I am aware of the "h" in "wheird"! Watch the movie Hot Rod.
Another major problem the henchmen cannot seem to get is logistics of a group fight. It is not uncommon for the hero to find themselves surrounded by henchmen who then proceed to attack ONE AT A TIME. I mean come on! Of course you will lose since this now becomes a series of one-on-one fights in sort of Mortal Kombat styled series of battles. If they had any sense, they would swam the hero all at once. True, a few henchmen might get injured but it would be minimal and the hero would be taken no problem. If I ever get jumped by a gang of people, I hope they follow this common action movie issue (and of course they don't know martial arts or carry weapons).
Not all of the problems in action movies are the fault of the henchmen. Sometimes the issue is the people making the movie. I love movies with montages. The point of a montage is to show progress of the main character through progressive clips that give the illusion of time passing while at the same time, remind the audience about what is going on. Listen to "You Need a Montage!!" from the movie Team America:World Police if you require more help with montages. The audience is basically left with one conclusion...that the main character is somehow allowed to learn and improve in a Matrix like fashion and speed by being a part of a montage. If that was all it took in real life I'd learn every though montages. I would be a super genious and have awesome soundtracks playing in the background while I do.
Anyway, these are just of the few great things about action movies. If you think of one, we would love to hear about it. Post a comment below with your thoughts below and thanks for reading.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Weekly Question - Mar. 17th, 2010
Nice and easy this week. Post your answer below as a comment!
WHAT PIECE OF WORK (NOVEL, COMIC, PLAY, FABLE, ETC.) WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MADE INTO A MOVIE?
WHAT PIECE OF WORK (NOVEL, COMIC, PLAY, FABLE, ETC.) WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MADE INTO A MOVIE?
My Rational
Hey guys, sorry there was no post on Sunday. This has been a crazy weekend with work and life. I will be posting something shortly and a new Weekly Question tonight. Stay Tuned!
In the meantime here is a picture from the Our Lady Peace concert I went to last night plus my rational for why it works on a blog about movies, enjoy!
Picture = Jeremy Taggart = OLP Drummer = Naveed Album = Starseed = Armageddon Soundtrack = A MOVIE = Reel Geekz material!
In the meantime here is a picture from the Our Lady Peace concert I went to last night plus my rational for why it works on a blog about movies, enjoy!
Picture = Jeremy Taggart = OLP Drummer = Naveed Album = Starseed = Armageddon Soundtrack = A MOVIE = Reel Geekz material!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Weekly Question - Mar. 10, 2010
For this weeks Weekly Question I want everyone to look deep into their soul and answer this from the darkest part of yourselves. The area inside yourself that is so deep that only one movie has ever entered. What I want to know is....
WHAT IS THE WORST MOVIE YOU HAVE EVER SEEN?
This can be a movie that had a horrible story, bad acting or major plot holes. It could even contain all of those and others only you can think of. Post your answer below as a comment!
WHAT IS THE WORST MOVIE YOU HAVE EVER SEEN?
This can be a movie that had a horrible story, bad acting or major plot holes. It could even contain all of those and others only you can think of. Post your answer below as a comment!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Movies App for Blackberry and iPhone
So this post is directed to all you Crackberry and iPhone (still looking for a Crackberry type name of the iPhone) addicts out there who are into movies. I recently found a movie app that in general, is one of the best mobile device applications I have ever used. The app is called "Movies" and it is free for Apple and RIM products. The app is run by Flixster, the social site that allows users to share information about movies and utilizes ranking from both Flixster themselves and Rotten Tomatoes. The app is visually pleasing and very user friendly. Did I meantI will detail the different functions of this app below but can already say this app is a must have.
Box Office
The main page of this app gives you information about Movies now in theatres. This information includes both Flixster and Rotten Tomatoes ratings, movie synopsis and cast and user reviews. There are also links to get showtimes, IMDB pages as well as watch the trailers.
Theatres
If your phone is GPS-enabled you can search for theatres nearby, otherwise you have to give the app a city or postal code to search in. However, once your location is set you can search nearby theatres or search theatres by name (you can even set a favourite theatre to save time). Selecting any of the listings gives you theatres information and a list of all movies playing there with times up to a week ahead.
Upcoming
This section gives you similar information to Box Office but with soon to be released movies.
DVD
This section, which can be sorted by New Releases or Coming Soon, is once again like the Upcoming and Box Office sections but with information regarding DVD's.
Search
The Search section allows you to find Flixster information on movies, actors, or directors in a very organized fashion.
Cons
Only real con I can find with this this app is that the trailers only work with Curve 8900's and Bold 9000's currently but the developers have stated they are working on changing that.
Screenshots
Blackberry App World Album - Movies Screenshots
Download
Blackberry: Blackberry App World - Movies
iPhone: iTunes Store - Movies
Reel Geekz is always looking for interesting movie software and apps so if you have anything you'd like to review (or have us review) email us at reelgeekz@gmail.com or leave us a comment below or on Facebook.
Box Office
The main page of this app gives you information about Movies now in theatres. This information includes both Flixster and Rotten Tomatoes ratings, movie synopsis and cast and user reviews. There are also links to get showtimes, IMDB pages as well as watch the trailers.
Theatres
If your phone is GPS-enabled you can search for theatres nearby, otherwise you have to give the app a city or postal code to search in. However, once your location is set you can search nearby theatres or search theatres by name (you can even set a favourite theatre to save time). Selecting any of the listings gives you theatres information and a list of all movies playing there with times up to a week ahead.
Upcoming
This section gives you similar information to Box Office but with soon to be released movies.
DVD
This section, which can be sorted by New Releases or Coming Soon, is once again like the Upcoming and Box Office sections but with information regarding DVD's.
Search
The Search section allows you to find Flixster information on movies, actors, or directors in a very organized fashion.
Cons
Only real con I can find with this this app is that the trailers only work with Curve 8900's and Bold 9000's currently but the developers have stated they are working on changing that.
Screenshots
Blackberry App World Album - Movies Screenshots
Download
Blackberry: Blackberry App World - Movies
iPhone: iTunes Store - Movies
Reel Geekz is always looking for interesting movie software and apps so if you have anything you'd like to review (or have us review) email us at reelgeekz@gmail.com or leave us a comment below or on Facebook.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Weekly Question - Mar. 3, 2010
This weeks Weekly Question is connected to Sunday's post.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE SOUNDTRACK?
Use the Comment Section below to answer.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE SOUNDTRACK?
Use the Comment Section below to answer.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Best Selling Soundtrack of All Time
Recorded here is a list of the Top 10 selling soundtracks of all time as best I can tell from Amazon.com. Please read through for some information on each album and then follow the directions at the bottom to reveal the #1 soundtrack. Enjoy!
10. Waiting to Exhale: Original Soundtrack Album
The album was released the same year as the movie and includes all Afriacan American performers. Talent on this ablum includes Whitney Houston, Brandy, Toni Braxton, Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, Mary J. Blige, SWV and TLC. The album went seven times platinum.
9. Grease: Original 1978 Motion Picture Soundtrack
It is funny to note that the album actually credits John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, the two main cast members, even though they only sing on seven on the 24 tracks. The rest of the album is sung by other cast members and Sha Na Na, with the title track recorded by Frankie Valli, who had no other connection with the film. The most successful songs from the soundtrack are "You're the One That I Want" and "Summer Nights". The songs went to #1 and #3 respectively and feared even better in the UK. "You're the One That I Want" was in 1st for nine weeks and "Summer Nights" for seven. Overall the ablum has sold over 28 million copies.
8. Top Gun: Soundtrack
"RIGHT INTO THE DANGER ZONE"!! Danger Zone = Awesome song! The original album was released in 1986 with a special edition being released in 1999 that included five additional songs. Bryan Adams was approached to included his song "Only the Strong Survive" but declined because he felt it glorified war and didn't want to be associated with it. Judas Priest was also asked to include a song but declined because they thought the film would be a flop (interestingly, they went on to record the title track for the movie Johnny Be Good which did flop). Toto was supposed to record "Danger Zone" but due to legal conflicts the song was passed to Kenny Loggins. Total sales are over $353,816,701.00
Interesting Note: On the Special edition there are a few songs by Steve Stevens! Great name.
7. Footloose
Not much to say, the album has reach #1 numerous times through several re-releases. How can you go wrong with Kevin Bacon.
6. The Lion King: Special Edition
The album which was record in three countries: the US, the UK and South Africa did very well on the charts and even won several awards including Academy awards for Best Original Score and Original Song and Golden Globes for the same. In international editions, the Elton John versions of all but "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" are replaced. The album has since gone 12 times platinum.
5. Titanic: Music From the Motion Picture
The films signature song "My Heart Will Go On" sung by Celine Dion was written by James Horner and was never meant to be played during the end credits. Unbeknownst to director James Cameron, Horner went ahead and recorded the song with Dion and Cameron changed his mind as soon as he heard it. Go Canadian talent (Dion of course)!! Since a review in 1997, the album has gone on to sell over 30 million copies.
4. Dirty Dancing: Original Soundtrack
Not only did the original album do well on the charts, it also spawned a second album entitled More Dirty Dancing released in 1988. The original though has sold over 42 million copies worldwide and even still appears in some Irish charts spending a total of 230 weeks in the Top 30.
3. Purple Rain: Music from the Motion Picture
Purple Rain has topped Greatest Soundtrack charts as well as being hailed one of the best rock albums in rock music history. Who doesn't like Prince (or the "artist now represented by a symbol, formally called Prince"). As of 2008, the album was ranked #1 by Entertainment Weekly on their Top 100 best albums in the last 25 years. The RIAA states the album has gone platinum 13 times over.
2. Saturday Night Fever: The Original Movie Soundtrack
The album has gone platinum over 15 times and along with the original movie, revived the disco phenomenon in the US.
To reveal the final entry in our count down simply HIGHLIGHT THE TEXT BELOW. The number one best selling sound track of all Time according to Amazon.com is:
1. The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack
The album was co-executive produced by Whitney Houston and Clive Davis. Houston sold more than a million copies of an album in a single week. This would be the first act (solo or group, male or female) to achieve this. The soundtrack later went on to win a Grammy Award for Album of the Year and the the RIAA has certified it 17 times Platinum as of November 1, 1999, making it the best-selling soundtrack of all time. To date, it has sold over 44 million copies worldwide.
10. Waiting to Exhale: Original Soundtrack Album
The album was released the same year as the movie and includes all Afriacan American performers. Talent on this ablum includes Whitney Houston, Brandy, Toni Braxton, Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, Mary J. Blige, SWV and TLC. The album went seven times platinum.
9. Grease: Original 1978 Motion Picture Soundtrack
It is funny to note that the album actually credits John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, the two main cast members, even though they only sing on seven on the 24 tracks. The rest of the album is sung by other cast members and Sha Na Na, with the title track recorded by Frankie Valli, who had no other connection with the film. The most successful songs from the soundtrack are "You're the One That I Want" and "Summer Nights". The songs went to #1 and #3 respectively and feared even better in the UK. "You're the One That I Want" was in 1st for nine weeks and "Summer Nights" for seven. Overall the ablum has sold over 28 million copies.
8. Top Gun: Soundtrack
"RIGHT INTO THE DANGER ZONE"!! Danger Zone = Awesome song! The original album was released in 1986 with a special edition being released in 1999 that included five additional songs. Bryan Adams was approached to included his song "Only the Strong Survive" but declined because he felt it glorified war and didn't want to be associated with it. Judas Priest was also asked to include a song but declined because they thought the film would be a flop (interestingly, they went on to record the title track for the movie Johnny Be Good which did flop). Toto was supposed to record "Danger Zone" but due to legal conflicts the song was passed to Kenny Loggins. Total sales are over $353,816,701.00
Interesting Note: On the Special edition there are a few songs by Steve Stevens! Great name.
7. Footloose
Not much to say, the album has reach #1 numerous times through several re-releases. How can you go wrong with Kevin Bacon.
6. The Lion King: Special Edition
The album which was record in three countries: the US, the UK and South Africa did very well on the charts and even won several awards including Academy awards for Best Original Score and Original Song and Golden Globes for the same. In international editions, the Elton John versions of all but "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" are replaced. The album has since gone 12 times platinum.
5. Titanic: Music From the Motion Picture
The films signature song "My Heart Will Go On" sung by Celine Dion was written by James Horner and was never meant to be played during the end credits. Unbeknownst to director James Cameron, Horner went ahead and recorded the song with Dion and Cameron changed his mind as soon as he heard it. Go Canadian talent (Dion of course)!! Since a review in 1997, the album has gone on to sell over 30 million copies.
4. Dirty Dancing: Original Soundtrack
Not only did the original album do well on the charts, it also spawned a second album entitled More Dirty Dancing released in 1988. The original though has sold over 42 million copies worldwide and even still appears in some Irish charts spending a total of 230 weeks in the Top 30.
3. Purple Rain: Music from the Motion Picture
Purple Rain has topped Greatest Soundtrack charts as well as being hailed one of the best rock albums in rock music history. Who doesn't like Prince (or the "artist now represented by a symbol, formally called Prince"). As of 2008, the album was ranked #1 by Entertainment Weekly on their Top 100 best albums in the last 25 years. The RIAA states the album has gone platinum 13 times over.
2. Saturday Night Fever: The Original Movie Soundtrack
The album has gone platinum over 15 times and along with the original movie, revived the disco phenomenon in the US.
To reveal the final entry in our count down simply HIGHLIGHT THE TEXT BELOW. The number one best selling sound track of all Time according to Amazon.com is:
1. The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack
The album was co-executive produced by Whitney Houston and Clive Davis. Houston sold more than a million copies of an album in a single week. This would be the first act (solo or group, male or female) to achieve this. The soundtrack later went on to win a Grammy Award for Album of the Year and the the RIAA has certified it 17 times Platinum as of November 1, 1999, making it the best-selling soundtrack of all time. To date, it has sold over 44 million copies worldwide.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)