AVS › AVS Forum › Blu-ray & HD DVD › Blu-ray Software › So what about Push and Knowing?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

So what about Push and Knowing? - Page 3

post #61 of 133
7/11/09 at 1:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Toe View Post

Just finished Knowing and thought the audio was awesome.....4-5 great sequences with my favorites being the subway, plane and at the end which were all "demo" caliber. Movie was lame, but still enjoyed it from a tech level.

At least the kid wasn't a pain in the ass compared to the one in The Day The Earth Stood Still(Latest version)
Reply
Reply

AVS Top Picks

post #62 of 133
7/11/09 at 7:00am
Call me crazy, but Knowing looks scrubbed to me...
Look at these PNGs:
http://www.thehdcrowd.com/screenshots/knowing_2.png
http://www.thehdcrowd.com/screenshots/knowing_4.png
http://www.thehdcrowd.com/screenshots/knowing_12.png
http://www.thehdcrowd.com/screenshots/knowing_13.png
http://www.thehdcrowd.com/screenshots/knowing_14.png
http://www.thehdcrowd.com/screenshots/knowing_15.png

I am surprised because people usually point this out before I notice. There is alot of talk of reference video but I think it looks okay but not like film.

In contrast, Push looks a lot more filmlike:
http://www.thehdcrowd.com/screenshots/push_2.png
Reply
Reply
post #63 of 133
7/11/09 at 7:54am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Franin View Post

At least the kid wasn't a pain in the ass compared to the one in The Day The Earth Stood Still(Latest version)


Agreed. I did like how it ended in comparison to TDtESS as well. I still enjoyed it though and it was a fun Fri night flick.
Reply
Reply
post #64 of 133
7/11/09 at 8:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Toe View Post

Agreed. I did like how it ended in comparison to TDtESS as well. I still enjoyed it though and it was a fun Fri night flick.

I actually enjoyed it more than TDTEST (latest version).
Reply
Reply
post #65 of 133
7/11/09 at 8:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Patsfan123 View Post

Call me crazy, but Knowing looks scrubbed to me...

I am surprised because people usually point this out before I notice. There is alot of talk of reference video but I think it looks okay but not like film.

Knowing doesn't look like film, because it wasn't shot on film. It was shot on HD video using the RED ONE camera.

Personally, I think the Blu-ray is just about flawless technically. However, I agree with you that I don't enjoy the look of the movie aesthetically. It has a weird quality where it's both sharp and soft simultaneously, but doesn't seem to be the result of DNR. It's like they were trying to go for a film-like appearance, but didn't quite get there.
Reply
Reply
post #66 of 133
7/11/09 at 8:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by pocoloco View Post

Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)
Spoiler  
Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)

I disagree with the plot holes you talk about. The "code" that the kids write down are merely a side effect from the whispers they hear and not meant to be a warning for people to decipher. The code wasn't planted in Lucinda to be revealed 50 years later. Lucinda was merely another chosen person that was exhibiting the same side effects as the other chosen ones. Had she not died from an overdose, she would have been wisked away along with the other chosen ones (we shouldn't assume they are all children). In terms of the last pickup coordinates, it simply foretold where they will be picked up, not serving as a message telling them where they needed to go to get picked up.

I'm sorry, but I can't agree.

Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)
Spoiler  
Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)
Throughout the movie, the point is made that Everything Happens for a Reason. The universe is not random. Everything is planned. That code wasn't accidentally left in the time capsule. It was deliberately left there so that John would find it 50 years later.

But, again, for what purpose? The movie drops the ball on that part.

As for Lucinda, she was never supposed to go with the aliens. They only wanted children. Besides which, if they can see the future, then they already knew that she was going to die, and wouldn't be going with them. So why torture the poor girl by planting the code in her head and making her go batshit crazy?


The movie's plot just doesn't add up.
Reply
Reply
post #67 of 133
7/11/09 at 9:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Josh Z View Post

Knowing doesn't look like film, because it wasn't shot on film. It was shot on HD video using the RED ONE camera.

Personally, I think the Blu-ray is just about flawless technically. However, I agree with you that I don't enjoy the look of the movie aesthetically. It has a weird quality where it's both sharp and soft simultaneously, but doesn't seem to be the result of DNR. It's like they were trying to go for a film-like appearance, but didn't quite get there.

I got the impression that in many scenes there was an attempt to duplicate the look of the unnatural light from the solar flares. I could be wrong.
Reply
Reply
post #68 of 133
7/11/09 at 9:39am
I actually watched Push a second time before sending it back to Netflix. Go figure as I really don't plan to buy it. Of the two, I'd buy Knowing but would not be in any hurry to. I doubt it would sit collecting dust though cause the AQ and PQ are just outstanding.
Reply
Reply
post #69 of 133
7/11/09 at 10:50am
I did not even bother finishing Push, what absolute crap.
Reply
Reply
post #70 of 133
7/11/09 at 11:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Josh Z View Post

I'm sorry, but I can't agree.

Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)
Spoiler  
Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)
It was deliberately left there so that John would find it 50 years later.

But, again, for what purpose? The movie drops the ball on that part.

As for Lucinda, she was never supposed to go with the aliens. They only wanted children. Besides which, if they can see the future, then they already knew that she was going to die, and wouldn't be going with them. So why torture the poor girl by planting the code in her head and making her go batshit crazy?


The movie's plot just doesn't add up.

Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)
Spoiler  
Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)

Maybe it could have been left there to help restore John's belief in purpose/meaning that was lost when his wife died.

I didn't realize that they ONLY took children. Did the movie mention that specifically? If so, then I would agree with you.

This entire movie is about determinism vs. free will and given that the topic itself is a contradictory concept, it makes sense that the movie naturally manifests these contradictions or loop holes... so I think we can probably talk it to death and still come away with no conclusions. This is pretty much the same issue of predestination vs. free will talked about in Christianity and everyone has a different way of reconciling the two.

Reply
Reply
post #71 of 133
7/11/09 at 12:01pm
I agree with those of you who think that Knowing's video was outstanding and its audio was demonstration quality. I have never heard a better BD soundtrack. Period, paragraph. Unfortunately, the film was another example of Nicholas Cage's career choices over the past too many years: mindless action flicks in which he can turn in over the top performances without really having to try too hard. An actor with Cage's consummate skills should be ashamed of himself.

Knowing's plot seemed to me to be what E.T. might have been had it been stripped of all humor and intelligence. What a waste of terrific production values Knowing is! If you have a good 1080p display and a good 5.1 audio system with a first class subwoofer, the BD is worth a couple of hours, albeit barely. Otherwise, stay far, far away.
Reply
Reply
post #72 of 133
7/11/09 at 8:16pm
Knowing arrived today. Will watch it soon. But first things first. The 2 hour series finale of Harper's Island.
Reply
Reply
post #73 of 133
7/11/09 at 10:07pm
Quote:


There is alot of talk of reference video but I think it looks okay but not like film.

Based on your pngs, I prefer the look of Know1ng. Should digital cameras attempt to recreate film? sorry for going off topic.
Reply
Reply
post #74 of 133
7/12/09 at 1:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bing View Post

Based on your pngs, I prefer the look of Know1ng. Should digital cameras attempt to recreate film? sorry for going off topic.

I'm not sure the OP knew Knowing wasn't shot on film.

I saw Knowing in a large theatre and was quite impressed by what the Red can do and am sure the finished product looks even better on BD where a film print wasn't involved.
Reply
Reply
post #75 of 133
7/12/09 at 6:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by kucharsk View Post

I'm not sure the OP knew Knowing wasn't shot on film.

I saw Knowing in a large theatre and was quite impressed by what the Red can do and am sure the finished product looks even better on BD where a film print wasn't involved.

I did not know it was not shot on film.. However I still do not enjoy the look of the movie.
Reply
Reply
post #76 of 133
7/12/09 at 7:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Patsfan123 View Post

I did not know it was not shot on film.. However I still do not enjoy the look of the movie.

I tend to agree, I watched the movie last night, Knowing, and the pq was great in some scenes and in others it just did not look right. I don't know anything about cinematography, but I almost thought my eyes were being played with. All in all, it was an ok movie, the SVS got a workout in a few scenes as it shook the house.

Mike
Reply
Reply
post #77 of 133
7/12/09 at 7:36am
Agree that Knowing was pretty interesting for about 3/4 of the film but you just knew the ending was going to be a joke, which it was. but was pleasantly surprised how great the audio was and watching on a brand new, calibrated Panny 65PZ850U I thought the picture quality was excellent. Didn't notice anything strange at all and thought most of the image was extremely sharp. still, probably wouldn't buy this unless it could be found for 10.00 at Wal-Mart.
Reply
Reply
post #78 of 133
7/12/09 at 9:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Franin View Post

At least the kid wasn't a pain in the ass compared to the one in The Day The Earth Stood Still(Latest version)

I thought the kid acting was poor. Very unbelievable and, thus, lacked any emotional punch. The school scene at the beginning was also very stilted and unrealistic. Also agree that Cage's acting was a little over the top. Diana was fine up until the end at which time I thought her whole character and acting fell apart. Overall, only "fair" as far as characterization and acting go.
Reply
Reply
post #79 of 133
7/12/09 at 10:31am
So, are these popcorn films like Transformers 2 bad? I mean in the so-bad-and-stupid-it's-insulting kind of way?

It was like Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg were laughing at the audience the whole time and thinking: as long as it has Megan Fox wearing very little and all oiled up and shiny (I don't mind that, since I am a red-blooded American male and freely admit that, but for the fact she has zero acting abilities and is as annoying to listen to as finger nails on a chalk board), big robots going BOOM!, 2 hours+ of MTV glamor shots, 5 second ADHD friendly edits, and shaky-cam styled photography then they'll lap up any inanely crude drivel we throw at them and come back for more.

So, are these two films cut from the same cloth?
Reply
Reply
post #80 of 133
7/12/09 at 10:42am
push is one of the most boring movies of ALL-TIME....just watch the trailer, and you'll get to see all the best scenes.

Knowing was good.
Reply
Reply
post #81 of 133
7/12/09 at 10:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ricwhite View Post

I thought the kid acting was poor. Very unbelievable and, thus, lacked any emotional punch. The school scene at the beginning was also very stilted and unrealistic.

All of the scenes involving school settings were stilted and unrealistic. I could almost believe that kids in the 1950s would be excited to bury a time capsule, but I have a much harder time believing that modern kids would be so rapturously excited to dig one up.

And look at the MIT college students hanging on every word of Cage's boring lecture like it's the most fascinating thing they've ever heard in their lives. I swear I thought the teenage girls were going to throw their panties at him like a rock star on stage.

The people who wrote this script have no fundamental understanding of human behavior.
Reply
Reply
post #82 of 133
7/12/09 at 11:39am
I was just saying the other day, "I wish someone would come out with a disaster movie the the earth isn't saved at the last minute by some 30 something male or female hero of the day."
The ending of Knowing fulfilled my wish but that was the only thing that was good about it and Cage's acting was up to it's usual B movie star quality, how he gets these roles is beyond me, he should keep to collecting cars.
Seeing as the time capsule was not in a sealed manhole just covered with a loose cover does anyone really believe it would still be there 50 yrs. later?
Reply
Reply
post #83 of 133
7/12/09 at 12:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan Hitchman View Post

So, are these popcorn films like Transformers 2 bad? I mean in the so-bad-and-stupid-it's-insulting kind of way?

It was like Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg were laughing at the audience the whole time and thinking: as long as it has Megan Fox wearing very little and all oiled up and shiny (I don't mind that, since I am a red-blooded American male and freely admit that, but for the fact she has zero acting abilities and is as annoying to listen to as finger nails on a chalk board), big robots going BOOM!, 2 hours+ of MTV glamor shots, 5 second ADHD friendly edits, and shaky-cam styled photography then they'll lap up any inanely crude drivel we throw at them and come back for more.

So, are these two films cut from the same cloth?

I would say that PUSH falls into this category. But KNOWING is far worse, because it is not simply bad, but dangerous. It presents a philosophical view of the world which is very much the opposite of what we need right now.
Reply
Reply
post #84 of 133
7/12/09 at 1:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Josh Z View Post

Knowing doesn't look like film, because it wasn't shot on film. It was shot on HD video using the RED ONE camera.

Personally, I think the Blu-ray is just about flawless technically. However, I agree with you that I don't enjoy the look of the movie aesthetically. It has a weird quality where it's both sharp and soft simultaneously, but doesn't seem to be the result of DNR. It's like they were trying to go for a film-like appearance, but didn't quite get there.

Che was also shot on RED and it has the same odd smooth but sharp look as Knowing.
Reply
Reply
post #85 of 133
7/12/09 at 1:33pm
I watched Knowing last night and I have to agree with others on the great pq and audio - especially the audio. I thought the film itself was pretty interesting, despite some flaws and plot holes with the script. Here is an interesting article dealing with some of the biblical references in the movie. I haven't watched push yet, but the trailers I've seen don't look promising.
Reply
Reply
post #86 of 133
7/12/09 at 4:22pm
The LFE on Knowing reached dangerous proportions....simply stunning.
Reply
Reply
post #87 of 133
7/12/09 at 4:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan Hitchman View Post

So, are these popcorn films like Transformers 2 bad? I mean in the so-bad-and-stupid-it's-insulting kind of way?

It was like Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg were laughing at the audience the whole time and thinking: as long as it has Megan Fox wearing very little and all oiled up and shiny (I don't mind that, since I am a red-blooded American male and freely admit that, but for the fact she has zero acting abilities and is as annoying to listen to as finger nails on a chalk board), big robots going BOOM!, 2 hours+ of MTV glamor shots, 5 second ADHD friendly edits, and shaky-cam styled photography then they'll lap up any inanely crude drivel we throw at them and come back for more.

So, are these two films cut from the same cloth?

No, definitely not the same style at all.

It's hard to say if Alex Proyas peaked with The Crow and Dark City, as he appears to be going more mainstream with I Robot and Knowing, but I think he has more artistic talent and respect for the audience intelligence than Bay does. Knowing's budget is probably only 20% of the new Transformers movie, but still managed to pull off very impressive effects.

I recommend Knowing as a rental, and if you are as impressed with the disaster scenes as I was, you may end up owning as a demo disc for friends and family.
Reply
Reply
post #88 of 133
7/12/09 at 8:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gwsat View Post

I agree with those of you who think that Knowing's video was outstanding and its audio was demonstration quality. I have never heard a better BD soundtrack. Period, paragraph. Unfortunately, the film was another example of Nicholas Cage's career choices over the past too many years: mindless action flicks in which he can turn in over the top performances without really having to try too hard. An actor with Cage's consummate skills should be ashamed of himself.

Knowing's plot seemed to me to be what E.T. might have been had it been stripped of all humor and intelligence. What a waste of terrific production values Knowing is! If you have a good 1080p display and a good 5.1 audio system with a first class subwoofer, the BD is worth a couple of hours, albeit barely. Otherwise, stay far, far away.

Of course, I was curious why he was starring in Bangkok Dangerous.
Reply
Reply
post #89 of 133
7/12/09 at 8:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rakesh.S View Post

push is one of the most boring movies of ALL-TIME....just watch the trailer, and you'll get to see all the best scenes.

Knowing was good.

Same here.The best in this film was the cute girl from 10000 B.C.
Reply
Reply
post #90 of 133
7/12/09 at 11:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by PerryD View Post

No, definitely not the same style at all.

It's hard to say if Alex Proyas peaked with The Crow and Dark City, as he appears to be going more mainstream with I Robot and Knowing, but I think he has more artistic talent and respect for the audience intelligence than Bay does. Knowing's budget is probably only 20% of the new Transformers movie, but still managed to pull off very impressive effects.

I recommend Knowing as a rental, and if you are as impressed with the disaster scenes as I was, you may end up owning as a demo disc for friends and family.

The airplane scene was quite intense/good. Reminded me of the extended scene in Children of Men. No cuts, just one long sequence. Very cool.
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Blu-ray Software

AVS Top Picks

AVS › AVS Forum › Blu-ray & HD DVD › Blu-ray Software › So what about Push and Knowing?