Inspired by a similar, long-running thread in the DVD area , I thought I'd ask for your recommendations of lesser-known movies from the last few years that you've discovered on Blu-ray as blind buys or just stumbled upon. Post why you liked the Blu-rays..the movie itself turned out to be good and/or PQ/AQ made it a better guilty pleasure or home theater experience than DVD would've. I'll get it started...
Taken (2009)
Was lesser-known when I saw it
. Got lukewarn reviews from critics, but I imported the Blu-ray from the UK (based on some member comments) while it was still in threatres in the U.S. Liked the movie better than I expected; gripping action from start to finish. Neeson makes this movie work. Blu-ray PQ and 5.1 DTS-HD MA being first-rate helped make this a fun ride.
Adventureland (2009)
Found out about it based on Ralph's review and ended up enjoying it more than I thought. Not another crude comedy, but the kind of coming-of-age type movies I enjoyed from the 80's. It may be a little formulaic, but it's got a good story and well-drawn characters. Good PQ/AQ on the Blu-ray. The 80's music made up want to listen to my old Replacements, Smiths, Cure and other CDs.
The Visitor (2008)
A blind buy. Not a showy movie for Blu-ray (it's mostly dialogue), but it's a very good character-driven piece about how people from diverse backgrounds can connect, immigration boundaries aside.
Two Lovers (2008)
Another find thanks to Ralph . I liked this better than I'd expected. Hope Joaquin Phoenix returns to acting after his silly beard/quitting stunt as this movie proves how good he can be. The Blu-ray's PQ and AQ do the job; again, not a showy presentation.
The International (2009)
Like 'Taken', it got lukewarn reviews, but turned out to be a pretty gripping thriller. I like Clive Owen and he doesn't disappoint in this one. Blu-ray PQ and AQ are excellent.
Traitor (2008)
Passed off as another clichéd outing by several critics, I liked this mideast/terrorism thriller better than I'd expected, more so than another recent thriller in this mold, 'Body of Lies'. It tells the story from inside out of jihadists and Don Cheadle's character turns out to not be who we're led to believe from the beginning. Very good PQ and Dolby TrueHD audio.
Black Book (2006)
Fantastic German WWII drama from Paul Verhoeven (hard to believe it's the from the same guy who made 'Starship Troopers'). Really absorbing & enjoyable considering it's a holocaust film. Great Blu-ray (PQ and AQ), w/the exception of subtitles not being CIH-friendly.
Sunshine (2007)
Good sci-fi film, a thinking person's sci-fi like '2001'. Not as good, but very absorbing. Top-notch PQ and DTS-HD MA track.
Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
Superb Spanish fantasy/war film. I'd read raving reviewing on this one, and the raves were justified. I have the UK Blu-ray, which doesn't have the DNR issue the U.S. disc does. PQ and AQ (7.1 DTS-HD MA) are out of this world! Update: I was mistaken...only DD5.1 track, but still good.
Transsiberian (2008)
Above-average thriller set on a Siberian train ride from China to Russia. Nothing standout about the Blu-ray, but it does the job.
Tell No One (2006)
Terrific French mystery/thriller with lots of twists. You almost need to watch it twice, but it all fits together. Very good Blu-ray PQ. No lossless 5.1 audio however.
I'm sure I'm missing several. I have small kids and hardly ever go to a movie theater, but discovering movies at home beats doing so in multiplexes anyway for those of us who've made decent home theaters. I've got the following in my queue to watch next...
- Appaloosa
- The Counterfeiters
- Defiance
- The Duchess
- Duplicity
- Easy Virtue
- The Fall
- The Other Boleyn Girl
- Redbelt
Lesser-known Movies on Blu-ray That Should Stay Lesser Known
...
- Burn After Reading (may be the first dumb Coen brothers flick I thought was a waste of time)
- Ghost Town (so boring/dull, had to turn it off after 1/2 hour)
- I've Loved You So Long (depressing movie, good acting, but not much else)
- Married Life (marital infedelity, but not much to see here)
- Sunshine Cleaning (an okay movie at best, but very forgettable)
Taken (2009)
Was lesser-known when I saw it
Adventureland (2009)
Found out about it based on Ralph's review and ended up enjoying it more than I thought. Not another crude comedy, but the kind of coming-of-age type movies I enjoyed from the 80's. It may be a little formulaic, but it's got a good story and well-drawn characters. Good PQ/AQ on the Blu-ray. The 80's music made up want to listen to my old Replacements, Smiths, Cure and other CDs.
The Visitor (2008)
A blind buy. Not a showy movie for Blu-ray (it's mostly dialogue), but it's a very good character-driven piece about how people from diverse backgrounds can connect, immigration boundaries aside.
Two Lovers (2008)
Another find thanks to Ralph . I liked this better than I'd expected. Hope Joaquin Phoenix returns to acting after his silly beard/quitting stunt as this movie proves how good he can be. The Blu-ray's PQ and AQ do the job; again, not a showy presentation.
The International (2009)
Like 'Taken', it got lukewarn reviews, but turned out to be a pretty gripping thriller. I like Clive Owen and he doesn't disappoint in this one. Blu-ray PQ and AQ are excellent.
Traitor (2008)
Passed off as another clichéd outing by several critics, I liked this mideast/terrorism thriller better than I'd expected, more so than another recent thriller in this mold, 'Body of Lies'. It tells the story from inside out of jihadists and Don Cheadle's character turns out to not be who we're led to believe from the beginning. Very good PQ and Dolby TrueHD audio.
Black Book (2006)
Fantastic German WWII drama from Paul Verhoeven (hard to believe it's the from the same guy who made 'Starship Troopers'). Really absorbing & enjoyable considering it's a holocaust film. Great Blu-ray (PQ and AQ), w/the exception of subtitles not being CIH-friendly.
Sunshine (2007)
Good sci-fi film, a thinking person's sci-fi like '2001'. Not as good, but very absorbing. Top-notch PQ and DTS-HD MA track.
Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
Superb Spanish fantasy/war film. I'd read raving reviewing on this one, and the raves were justified. I have the UK Blu-ray, which doesn't have the DNR issue the U.S. disc does. PQ and AQ (7.1 DTS-HD MA) are out of this world! Update: I was mistaken...only DD5.1 track, but still good.
Transsiberian (2008)
Above-average thriller set on a Siberian train ride from China to Russia. Nothing standout about the Blu-ray, but it does the job.
Tell No One (2006)
Terrific French mystery/thriller with lots of twists. You almost need to watch it twice, but it all fits together. Very good Blu-ray PQ. No lossless 5.1 audio however.
I'm sure I'm missing several. I have small kids and hardly ever go to a movie theater, but discovering movies at home beats doing so in multiplexes anyway for those of us who've made decent home theaters. I've got the following in my queue to watch next...
- Appaloosa
- The Counterfeiters
- Defiance
- The Duchess
- Duplicity
- Easy Virtue
- The Fall
- The Other Boleyn Girl
- Redbelt
Lesser-known Movies on Blu-ray That Should Stay Lesser Known
- Burn After Reading (may be the first dumb Coen brothers flick I thought was a waste of time)
- Ghost Town (so boring/dull, had to turn it off after 1/2 hour)
- I've Loved You So Long (depressing movie, good acting, but not much else)
- Married Life (marital infedelity, but not much to see here)
- Sunshine Cleaning (an okay movie at best, but very forgettable)