zen Posted June 7 Author Posted June 7 Branded to Kill (1967, Japanese) I have seen this film many times. I had purchased its 4K Blu-ray in probably 2023. It was lying around unopened. Finally, got in the mood to appreciate the wonderful 4K SDR transfer. It provides a cinematic experience. If I recall correctly, the transfer has received best restoration awards as well.
zen Posted June 8 Author Posted June 8 (edited) High Sierra (1941) This is another film whose Blu-ray had been sitting unopened since 2023. This was among my last 3 physical media purchases, along with Branded to Kill (4K UHD) and Mission Impossible 7 (4K UHD). This is a Blu-ray sporting a newly restored transfer in 4K, though the disc is not 4K UHD, the regular HD Blu-ray. Nevertheless the transfer gives the film a refreshing feel. Edited June 8 by zen
zen Posted June 8 Author Posted June 8 Notorious (1946) This is among Hitchcock’s best works! A gem with Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman firing on all cylinders. Mission Impossible 2 was based on this. I am glad that I have it on Blu-ray as you can watch the restored transfer in its absolute best form without any compression, potential noise reduction, wrong aspect ratio, etc.
zen Posted June 8 Author Posted June 8 (edited) Rebecca (1940) As a cinephile, you cannot ask for more than watching two masterpieces by Hitchcock back to back! Almost all of the physical discs, Blu rays and 4K UHD, in my collection are at one of my homes where I do not stay too often so when I am there, I tend to delve into many of these films to experience transfers in their best forms, providing a cinematic experience relatively speaking. Hitchcock films that I have on physical media: Rebecca (1940) - Blu ray Foreign Correspondent (1940) - Blu ray Notorious (1946) - Blu ray Rear Window (1954) - 4K Blu ray Vertigo (1958) - 4K Blu ray Psycho (1960) - 4K Blu ray The Birds (1963) - 4K Blu ray Other Hitchcock titles are in digital - in their latest restored transfers where applicable. Edited June 8 by zen
zen Posted June 9 Author Posted June 9 L.A. Confidential (1997) A top detective neo-noir film! It has many known actors who were not that well known relatively speaking when the film was released.
zen Posted June 10 Author Posted June 10 (edited) Never Say Never Again (1983) An out of the franchise standalone Bond film that was allowed to be made as one of the writers had its right as he wrote “Thunderball” with Ian Fleming. Sean Connery was recalled to play Bond for the final time and therefore maybe the title’s name. This was released in the same year as the regular franchise Bond film Octopussy. It is one of my low rated Bond films relatively speaking. But even low rated Bond films are fun. The quality is inconsistent where the good parts are so good that you want more of them, while the bad parts make you wonder - what were they thinking. It appears as if certain elements of this film are used in Brosnan era’s Bond films - Barbara Carerra’s Fatima Blush may have been a loose inspiration for Famke Janssen’s Xenia Onatopp in GoldenEye. Overall, like all Bond films, this is a fun watch that will keep you smiling most of the time! Edited June 10 by zen
zen Posted June 10 Author Posted June 10 Foreign Correspondent (1940) Another classic Hitchcock film that was released in 1940 along with Rebecca. Both were nominated for the best film Oscar, which Rebecca won. As you can see from the video below, Criterion did a great job with restoring the film:
zen Posted June 12 Author Posted June 12 (edited) Days of Heaven (1978) It is a good watch for the combination of story, score, and its unique low contrast muted colors cinematography. Many of the frames would make great photographs as well! The film is available in new 4K HDR restoration. Edited June 12 by zen
jf1gp_1 Posted June 13 Posted June 13 21 hours ago, zen said: Days of Heaven (1978) It is a good watch for the combination of story, score, and its unique low contrast muted colors cinematography. Many of the frames would make great photographs as well! The film is available in new 4K HDR restoration. I doubt I have seen a bigger movie buff than you. Hatsoff. zen 1
zen Posted June 15 Author Posted June 15 The Remains of the Day (1993) Acting, cinematography, sets and locations, score, screenplay, etc., are top notch. Its score appears to have inspired that of Quantum of Solace (2008). The 4K restoration is solid.
zen Posted July 16 Author Posted July 16 Batman: Gotham Knight (2008) An anthology Batman anime-inspired animated film. The segments are done by studios in Japan and South Korea. This is set within the Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy. This film is relatively underrated as it is different. However, because it is different, including the animation style in many segments, it can be seen as among the best. This film has good repeat value for me as I like almost all the segments, many of which have a philosophical tone to them as well. My favorite segment is Deadshot - the action, the setting, the score, etc. are all top tier:
zen Posted July 17 Author Posted July 17 Batman: Year One (2011) Another relatively different type of Batman animated film. This one deals with Gordon arrival in Gotham and Bruce Wayne's quest to become Batman. It is said to be faithful to the graphic novel. Overall, it is a nice serious and gritty Batman animated film. ... I watched the commemorative edition, released on its 10th anniversary, which is in 4K DV.
zen Posted July 29 Author Posted July 29 Batman: Under the Red Hood (2010) A solid action filled relatively serious Batman anime.
Mariyam Posted July 30 Posted July 30 On 4/19/2026 at 5:33 AM, zen said: Dil Toh Pagal Hai (1997, Hindi) This is among the relatively sophisticated Bollywood films. It is less of a masala film and more of a focused musical love story with a modern touch. SRK, Madhuri, and Karishma are more or less close to their best. They make most sequences highly watchable. SRK, at times, gives Shammi Kapoor vibes. The sets are pretty good, creating the appropriate atmosphere. The background score touches emotional chords. Songs are its major strength and are aligned with the story. This instrumental dance stand off was the highlight of the movie. zen 1
zen Posted July 30 Author Posted July 30 (edited) 2 hours ago, Mariyam said: @zen You term films from 2010 and 2011 as classics? If the films have the “classic” vibes, I mention them! Edited July 30 by zen
zen Posted July 30 Author Posted July 30 (edited) The Death and Return of Superman (2019) This combines two films - the Death of Superman and the Reign of Superman - into one epic film (close to 170 minutes). Overall, it is good fun even accounting for subtle change in tone between the two films. Edited July 30 by zen
zen Posted July 31 Author Posted July 31 On 7/30/2026 at 9:58 AM, Mariyam said: This instrumental dance stand off was the highlight of the movie. I will include 2 SRK films in my current top 10 favorite Bollywood films: Baazi (1951) Aan (1952) Shree 420 (1955) Kala Bazar (1960) Junglee (1961) Professor (1962) Teesri Manzil (1966) Bobby (1973) Dil To Pagal Hai (1997) Dil Se (1998) Mariyam 1
Mariyam Posted July 31 Posted July 31 1 hour ago, zen said: I will include 2 SRK films in my current top 10 favorite Bollywood films: Baazi (1951) Aan (1952) Shree 420 (1955) Kala Bazar (1960) Junglee (1961) Professor (1962) Teesri Manzil (1966) Bobby (1973) Dil To Pagal Hai (1997) Dil Se (1998) What are your top 10 SRK films?
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