The Descent

Rob Babcock · « **on:** 28 Dec 2006, 08:10 am »

Well I just finished watching The Descent. I'm not a fan of horror movies as a rule, so it takes a lot to get me to watch one. Overall I found this one to be pretty good, with one caveat: why can't modern horror flicks give us something approaching a decent ending? The acting and writing is strong, and if the idea is to create tension you'll get that in spades. The whole thing sorta comes off the rails in the last 1/2 hour, and don't even start me on the science of it, but if you like this kind of film you can't really go wrong.

Did I mention, almost all the chicks are really hot?

[I'll save a more detailed critique -ie spoilers- til it's been out a bit longer.]

ajzepp · « **Reply #1 on:** 28 Dec 2006, 11:16 am »

The reason I'm interested in seeing this is because the critics seem to be quite high on it. That's not very common for a film in this genre, so I figured something about it must be worth watching. I've got 'Last Kiss' (I think Zach Braff is one of the most talented guys on the block these days) on the agenda this morning, but I'll get around to this one, too.

fiveoclockfriday · « **Reply #2 on:** 28 Dec 2006, 02:21 pm »

Rob,
I agree -- although I am a fan of horror movies. Loved the Descent, ending was weak. Apparently the UK release version had a slightly different ending. I won't spoil it here, but it was less "happy" than the US ending. A search online will turn it up.

*I haven't seen the DVD yet though, it might be on there, as a feature or something.

ajzepp · « **Reply #3 on:** 8 Jan 2007, 12:03 pm »

Wow, I thought this movie sucked. I don't know why exactly so many critics gave it a positive review. It's the same old, "people get stuck somewhere and spend the next forty mins trying to get out" sort of thing....aside from some of the more creative zombie flicks as of late (Shawn of the Dead and Land of the Dead come to mind), this whole premise is tired, IMO.

I agree with Rob that some of the chicks were hot....but unfortunately they remain fully clothed and spend most of the film in the dark, lol.

Thumbs down from me!

Night_Train · « **Reply #4 on:** 8 Jan 2007, 01:03 pm »

Quote from: ajzepp on 8 Jan 2007, 12:03 pm

Wow, I thought this movie sucked. I don't know why exactly so many critics gave it a positive review.Thumbs down from me!

I haven't seen this film, so no comment from me on that one. But, I find your critics' assessment interesting. Many times in the past I've enjoyed movies the critics panned and disliked films they had raved on about. As a matter of fact, this seems to happen more times than not, at least lately. I take all their critiques with a grain of salt now and do not rely on their assessments. I only read the overviews of the movies now. Leaves too great a chance to pass on a good film.

ajzepp · « **Reply #5 on:** 8 Jan 2007, 01:36 pm »

Quote from: Night_Train on 8 Jan 2007, 01:03 pm

Quote from: ajzepp on 8 Jan 2007, 12:03 pm
Wow, I thought this movie sucked. I don't know why exactly so many critics gave it a positive review.Thumbs down from me!

I haven't seen this film, so no comment from me on that one. But, I find your critics' assessment interesting. Many times in the past I've enjoyed movies the critics panned and disliked films they had raved on about. As a matter of fact, this seems to happen more times than not, at least lately. I take all their critiques with a grain of salt now and do not rely on their assessments. I only read the overviews of the movies now. Leaves too great a chance to pass on a good film.

I agree....I think I even posted above that a main reason I wanted to see this film to begin with was because critics seem to have praised it. Maybe it's just me, but it seems that this particular genre is panned more than it's praised. I doubled checked a few minutues ago and the rottentomatoes.com rating is 84%! Maybe it's just me and I'm missing the brilliance with this film, I dunno....but I didn't connect with it at all

I will say, however, that my projector is out of commission for the time being, and I have been using a (brand new) Samsung 32" LCD. I LOVE this display, but I think a movie like this might be more fun on the larger screen.

zybar · « **Reply #6 on:** 20 Jan 2007, 08:34 pm »

Quote from: fiveoclockfriday on 28 Dec 2006, 02:21 pm

Rob,
I agree -- although I am a fan of horror movies. Loved the Descent, ending was weak. Apparently the UK release version had a slightly different ending. I won't spoil it here, but it was less "happy" than the US ending. A search online will turn it up.

*I haven't seen the DVD yet though, it might be on there, as a feature or something.

I think the DVD has the original ending since it wasn't a happy ending...

Overall I would say it was a pretty decent, but could have been better with a stronger ending.

George

gitarretyp · « **Reply #7 on:** 20 Jan 2007, 09:21 pm »

I thought it was an excellent horror film. It did a really good job of capturing the mood and feeling of being trapped in a cave. I haven't seen a version with a happy ending. I tend not to like happy endings unless they're appropriate, which is somewhat rare. This is definitely a movie in which a happy ending would be inappropriate on many levels.

Ears · « **Reply #8 on:** 15 Feb 2007, 11:12 pm »

Both versions are on the Blu-ray disc...and I watched the DC version with 7.1 uncompressed PCM audio.....and this movies is very good IMO.

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #9 on:** 15 Feb 2007, 11:45 pm »

How many discs do you have in BluRay? Are you using a PS3 to watch them? How's well does it work? Is the PS3 noisy?

Ears · « **Reply #10 on:** 16 Feb 2007, 12:49 am »

Quote from: Rob Babcock on 15 Feb 2007, 11:45 pm

How many discs do you have in BluRay? Are you using a PS3 to watch them? How's well does it work? Is the PS3 noisy?

Rob...I started off with two different hd dvd players Toshina HD-A1 and RCA and around 24 of those movies...problem was that the hd dvd players were both slow, had problems constantly syncing with hdmi everytime you push play,stop,menu ect....and worst of all....every single hd dvd player has a tenancy to freeze up and lose audio sync in the middle of a brand spanking new hd dvd disc.

So with so many other reports of far too many glitches on all hd dvd players except the damm 360 add on which is noisy without any HD audio because there are no analog outs or hdmi....I said to h*ll with that noise....and have now sold all the hd dvd movies as well as the players.

I first bought an original firmware Samsung which was a much better functioning player(who would of thought)...and it ended up that anyone with an Optoma H-78/79 were getting no sync via hdmi...and these were the only displays having problems with this.

Not sure if that ever got worked out with that particular display...but I moved on to the Philips BD player from Wally World.
This player was a lot more like a regular dvd player as far as functioning goes...and I had no problems with it.
I then tried a Sony player to compare..and it offered a superior picture (guesstimate 10%) but when I got the movie The Descent...it would not play because of the seamless branching , picture in picture ect.
It does now have a firmware upgrade that fixed that problem now....but in the mean time...I found a PS3 after Christmas..so I had to check it out.

The ps3 is the fastest operating BD player yet....and far quicker at functions than say the Oppo dvd player.
Mine is dead silent unless your ejecting a disc right at the PS3...then you can barely hear it.

The 360 is like a freight train in comparison as we have one of those also.

The ps3 is so great of an BD player....I don't know how they can justify the price of the others.
Its also a very good SA-CD player.
Mines hooked up so that if I need a new firmware upgrade like the one coming for DTS Master audio in March....I just go to the menu and download it automatically via wireless.
Other than the wireless... the 20gb is every bit as good of a BD player as the 60gb.

As far as BD movies....I have bought over 70 already....and have a bunch more pre orderd from Amazon.com because of there cheaper pricing.

The Prestige and several others will be here next week....and I already have POTC pre-orderd.

Fly Boys, First Blood and The Departed ...are the only ones I haven't watched yet.

Having 7.1 channels of HD audio and up to 1080p via one cable is like the visa commercial....priceless.

PCM audio is so much better than core DD/DTS....its not even a contest....and in March...the Ps3 firmware upgrade for DTS-Master audio will be out....and all those Fox titles that already sound great via DTS 1.5 via hdmi or coaxial...will be right up there with PCM audio.

hd dvd did get a head start on BD...but around October/November when BD launched for real...they have basically taken over with the amount of titles...the most hi res audio titles by far...and far more announced dates titles coming soon.

I wouldn't even consider an hd dvd player at this time....so either keep waiting to see what ultimately happens...or buy a PS3...thats my advice on all things HD for now.

JoshK · « **Reply #11 on:** 14 Mar 2007, 01:52 am »

Well, just got done watching it. I'd say it was interesting and it stressed my wife out and that isn't usually the case with such films. I think it really kept you on your toes by starting out with the clastrophobic angle first. This kinda put you in the character's place more than typical for this genre. Think the ending sucked. Could have stopped a minute earlier and would have been much stronger.

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #12 on:** 14 Mar 2007, 02:45 am »

Yeah, the ending did suck. What is it with modern horror films? I can't recall the last one that had a decent ending. They either just "end" like there's a reel of film missing, or they kill everyone, or the protaganist escapes only to see the villian/creature pop back up in the last frames. That covers basically 98% of the horror movies of the last 10 years.

Ears · « **Reply #13 on:** 12 May 2007, 01:22 pm »

Quote from: Rob Babcock on 14 Mar 2007, 02:45 am

Yeah, the ending did suck. What is it with modern horror films? I can't recall the last one that had a decent ending. They either just "end" like there's a reel of film missing, or they kill everyone, or the protaganist escapes only to see the villian/creature pop back up in the last frames. That covers basically 98% of the horror movies of the last 10 years.

I actually liked one ending better than the other...and the Blu ray has both via seamles branching.

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #14 on:** 2 Jun 2007, 05:00 am »

Assuming I get my Barco up & running with a minimum of trouble my next purchase will have to be a high def DVD player of some type. I would love to see The Descent in HD on a CRT PJ- think how black the blacks will be.

Ears · « **Reply #15 on:** 4 Jun 2007, 05:42 pm »

Quote from: Rob Babcock on 2 Jun 2007, 05:00 am

Assuming I get my Barco up & running with a minimum of trouble my next purchase will have to be a high def DVD player of some type. I would love to see The Descent in HD on a CRT PJ- think how black the blacks will be.

They look fantastic on my dark chip 3 DLP pj....so yes...should be better yet on a CRT.

The new Sony BD player is going to be arriving in stores for 499.00 in about a week...but I reccomend the PS3 because of the great track record of quick updates via the wireless connection.
I only use mine for BD movies and have found it to be a bargain.

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #16 on:** 4 Jun 2007, 09:30 pm »

I hate to say it, but I will probably consider buying both HD & BR.

Probably BRD will "win" but there are tons of HD-DVD-only movies that I hate to miss while we wait for "format neutrality" to prevail.

rbrb · « **Reply #17 on:** 5 Jun 2007, 03:49 pm »

The PS3 keeps getting recommended as the BD player of choice. Is HD audio not of equal importance to everyone here? Without an HDMI equipped receiver there is no access to the HD audio soundtracks on the discs. The high quality 5.1 analog output stage is exactly what made my BDPS-1 (insert your fave model) worth almost twice the price of the PS3. The HD video is only half of the experience for me. The HD audio is of equal importance. I take the same care of the audio signal from my BD player as I do from my SA-CD player. The PS3 is not the path to high end sound.

Sorry I've gone way off topic with my rant.

Ears · « **Reply #18 on:** 10 Jun 2007, 02:09 pm »

Quote from: rbrb on 5 Jun 2007, 03:49 pm

The PS3 keeps getting recommended as the BD player of choice. Is HD audio not of equal importance to everyone here? Without an HDMI equipped receiver there is no access to the HD audio soundtracks on the discs. The high quality 5.1 analog output stage is exactly what made my BDPS-1 (insert your fave model) worth almost twice the price of the PS3. The HD video is only half of the experience for me. The HD audio is of equal importance. I take the same care of the audio signal from my BD player as I do from my SA-CD player. The PS3 is not the path to high end sound.

Sorry I've gone way off topic with my rant.

You can buy an hdmi receiver that does the audio in 5.1 for 300.00...and Onkyo has the 605 for around 500.00 that has built in HD audio decoding of DD THD and DTS-MA.

I get 1080p and uncompressed 5.1 channel audio on one cable for a song.

rbrb · « **Reply #19 on:** 12 Jun 2007, 04:19 pm »

Quote from: Ears on 10 Jun 2007, 02:09 pm

Quote from: rbrb on 5 Jun 2007, 03:49 pm
The PS3 keeps getting recommended as the BD player of choice. Is HD audio not of equal importance to everyone here? Without an HDMI equipped receiver there is no access to the HD audio soundtracks on the discs. The high quality 5.1 analog output stage is exactly what made my BDPS-1 (insert your fave model) worth almost twice the price of the PS3. The HD video is only half of the experience for me. The HD audio is of equal importance. I take the same care of the audio signal from my BD player as I do from my SA-CD player. The PS3 is not the path to high end sound.

Sorry I've gone way off topic with my rant.

You can buy an hdmi receiver that does the audio in 5.1 for 300.00...and Onkyo has the 605 for around 500.00 that has built in HD audio decoding of DD THD and DTS-MA.

I get 1080p and uncompressed 5.1 channel audio on one cable for a song.

Fully understood. I did not suspect AC members to be part of the $300 receiver crowd. $300 receivers sound like crap, not really worth sending a HD audio signal to one IMO. $300 receivers generally act like switching divises only they don't process the audio data from the HDMI signal if they do my comment above certainly applies. Wrong place for this discussion me thinks.