Topic: The Movie Thread

@Ravix Oooof okay, I'll pass for now. I liked the tie-in animation set that WB released with the three styles of animation but in typical old WB style they were the cardboard slips. I played a Matrix game on the Xbox that captured the feel and flow of the movie very well, I can't remember the name and it may have been on Playstation 2 also. There were some good licensed games on there, Buffy was great too, there are probably more too that I'll never remember. A modern Matrix game could be great if they get the right voice actors. Unfortunately I think a lot of people might compare it to Cyberpunk, I know I would. Their world design is phenomenal.

@Ravix I still have family members that I can knock off my Christmas presents list, so there's still room for a few more purchases (he said as he just completed the purchase of a Ltd. Ed. vinyl of excellent French prog-rock). I have three tickets in the "will it arrive unharmed" lottery for December, as both the Kill Bills are scheduled to ship, so I'm not liking my chances

@GirlVersusGame I actually liked the fourth one quite a bit. While I have mellowed on the two previous sequels over the years, I felt the fourth one was one that actually lived up to my expectations (which were, granted, low and my expectations for the previous two sequels were very high, so there's that). Before the steelbok set was ordered, the fourth one was the only one that was actually on my wishlist. It's by no means the perfect sequel, and it is fairly controversial for almost deconstructing the previous films (dudebros hated it, which is almost reason enough in itself to like it), but I liked it just fine.

I'm more excited to see what Drew Goddard may bring to the table with the one he's currently developing, though.

@Werehog We should probably qualify for a PushSquare group discount or something over at Amazon.it by now

I won’t tag everyone specifically since many are in on the Matrix discussion but I was interested to see that in an alternate reality we could have had a Kojima directed Matrix video game:
https://www.timeextension.com/news/2025/10/no-one-ever-told-m...

(This knowledge came to me via a Sacred Symbols recent episode, as I don’t routinely visit the Time Extension sister site)

It would have been great to see what Kojima did with the IP, but also, it could have meant MGS3 would have been delayed or never made, if the Matrix game took off instead.

@GirlVersusGame @FuriousMachine

It's honestly been long enough that i've forgotten most things about it. I wouldn't say don't watch it, just be aware that there was a large subset of people that didn't like it. Maybe it was the dudebros. It was almost like a bit of a love story (maybe) which would explain why hateful people would have been angered. I'm actually quite excited to watch them all again to see how things line up, tbh.

Not having heard of Sacred Symbols, which I assume is a podcast or something similar, I thought you were going somewhere completely different here, until the words "recent episode" registered in my brain - it actually managed to think "cool, they have an occult news source" before the truth was revealed by the full sentence.

But yeah, I completely agree, a Kojima Matrix game would have been interesting!

@Ravix @GirlVersusGame A lot of people didn't like it and some for more valid reasons than others (there was the sadly expected contingency of toxic "dude's name is Lana now?!" a-holes making noise, but I doubt many of them ever actually saw the film). I think it's safe to say that very few got what they expected from this sequel, so that probably played a big part in it, too. Going in with expectations firmly in check will probably help. As will a love for Jessica Henwick, of this I speak with experience

Funnily enough, after quickly jumping on the set (because y'know, act first, think later) I browsed some of the comments on Blu-Ray enthusiast sites and somebody was literally on one of 'em saying, "I'll wait until Amazon Italy has it going cheap." Never realised it was a thing 'til now, so thanks!

I wouldn't call myself a "collector" by any stretch of the imagination, but if a steelbook of something I already like (or know I'm gonna like) is an option, and the artwork is nice, I'll take it.

Aside from The Matrix once it gets delivered, my only other complete sets are for Paramount's Sonic the Hedgehog series to date (all three movies and the Knuckles show) and Star Trek: Picard. I'm also keeping current with the Disney+ Star Wars shows, which only get periodically released via 4K steelbook anyway, so that's three seasons of The Mandalorian, one season of Ahsoka, and the Obi-Wan Kenobi miniseries (still waiting on The Book of Boba Fett and The Acolyte, but it's only a matter of time). I have two Indiana Jones steelbooks and a couple of Batman ones as well, although the latter are random older releases from way back. Oh, and I got the limited edition Godzilla Minus One from All the Anime. I've come very close to importing the new Shin Godzilla 4K steelbook a couple times (my favourite Godzilla movie thusfar) but I'm waiting to see if it'll get a dedicated UK release first.

I'm also keeping my eye on the James Bond 4K re-release schedule. They've just done a lovely steelbook set for the Sean Connery movies but I don't like 'em enough to justify the cost. As soon as they release the Roger Moore and Pierce Brosnan equivalents, though? Bye bye, bank balance!

As you might be able to tell, I'm far less of a movie buff and more of a fanboi, so my love of a particular series is what'll drive me to wanting a fancy version of any given release. Case in point, I double-dipped on Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and got both the Sonic and Shadow steelbooks, not because I wanted a complete collection of steelbooks, but because I couldn't decide between the two!

The only steelbooks I have out on display are from games, usually because they accompany a regular boxed copy of the game in question, so rather than hide 'em away as bonus tat I'll find a way to incorporate them into my various nerd shelves. Unfortunately, some games haven't pulled that trick, so I also have a handful lined up on my shelf amidst everything else, too. Same with movies, it has to be a game or series I know I'll care about enough to justify the cost (or an unmissable deal in a sale).

Apologies for rambling. Hope that answers your question!

I'd feel guilty taking a steelbook away from a real collector, though! More power to you and your fellow collectors on here. It's great you folks have found a secret source!

Sounds like you're just as much a "collector" as the rest of us, from what you told us of your collection - in my universe there's no such thing as "real collectors", just enthusiasts with poor impulse control who likes shiny things (OK, I may be projecting a bit here) So have at it, friend! Nobody will know it was you, anyway - I won't tell

@Ravix I already have The Matrix on 4K, it is supposed to be a really good transfer. Even colour correcting the fudged previous DVD and Blu Ray releases back to the intended palette in the theatrical version. I never did see it at the cinema, so am interested to see how different it looks.

DVR recorded Expendables 3 and 4 from SyFy channel the other day on slingtv.

im surprised Expendables 4 is now airing on tv especially on SyFy channel

@Werehog as @FuriousMachine has said, we're not really collector's here. I refuse to call myself a collector as it would step on the toes of those that really do have very specific collections. I'm just bad with money and like stuff, and my hobbies tend to have collecting communities associated with them anyway, and i'm a bit of a wannabe geek, nerd or whatever 😁 I do get genuine enjoyment from people that really love the things they love, even if i'm a bit more carefree about stuff. When people talk with so much passion about their hobbies I find it interesting as I flit in and out of varying interests. That said, I don't think I will ever understand when people collect but don't open the things they bought, but I understand it is a part of it for some people, so if that is how they like it, so be it.

And yeah, I don't mind a ramble, clearly. So it sounds like you have a decent amount of cool stuff you like, and that is the point, it is why kings hoarded jewels and baubles and what have you, is it not? 😂

My own 'collection' simply stemmed from the fact I love movies, and I was getting back into physical media again anyway, and the steelbooks came because I had a bland wall that I hated and thought i'd combine the cool movie art of steelbooks and filling that space. So two birds were killed with one stone. And now I like the ritual of opening a steelbook, checking out the art, popping in a movie and leaving the case displayed until the next one is shown. And it has actually been easier to store steelbooks than 4k cases, as the plastic cases look a bit naff and I keep those hidden away. But the steels can be used as decoration and rotated depending on the mood or season. So overall, paying just a bit less for a plastic case seems hardly worth it vs the plus of the steelbook. But I am mostly focused on 4k's that will be worth owning, after my initial surge to get the steel-wall sorted! 😁 The Star Wars ones are good. I have 5 displayed from Obi-Wan, Mando and Andor. Kingdom of Heaven is my absolute favourite steelbook, Scarface and The Shining from The Film Vault are noice, Tombstone is a real looker. Got a set of 'The Hunger Games' dirt cheap, less than even standard 4ks. And now finally have some Tarantino, on the lookout for a couple more. If True Romance would reappear somehwere (new) i'd practically hurl my crying wallet at that! I have yet to sink to the depths of trusting resellers, though.

@johnnyshoulder i'm wondering what the tint will be like. I feel like The Matrix is meant to be green in one world and clear/grey in the other. Right? But have no recollection of the dvd's and I dont know which transfers get shown on tv or streaming tbh. It has been a while.

I can't remember if I mentioned here, but V for Vendetta was pretty sweet on 4k disc. I feel like that was one that used to look a bit crap on tv or streaming.

I'm also going to add on that the Northman was good last night. I' very tempted to go for more eggers, can't decide if I ever want to see The Lighthouse again or not though 😅 I bet it looks bloody lovely though

@Ravix That sounds like the kind of thing a collector would say.

@FuriousMachine There might be too many comments but I got a little lost above, who's name is Lana now? someone from Dark City?

@GirlVersusGame

🤫

@FuriousMachine 😂 Yes, it’s a PlayStation centric podcast, not my own divination or moment of clairvoyance, but I can see where that may have given you a brief double take. I’m a little crazy, but not that crazy.

@GirlVersusGame Lana Wachowski, with her sister Lilly who are the creators (directors and writers) of The Matrix movies. I guess their transitioning occurred between the 3rd and 4th movies. So there’s a question of how objectively the movie is judged by some of the prejudiced fans.
Edit: I think maybe Lilly wasn’t involved in Matrix Resurrections, but I’m not sure.

@GirlVersusGame Yeah, Lana Wachowski, as @Th3solution says. They did indeed both transition in the period between the films. Lilly wasn't involved with the project as she was busy with other things, needing a break from the industry, though gave her blessing to the project. Lana purportedly wrote this for herself as a sort of catharsis for losing her parents (and took comfort in then bringing Neo and Trinity "back from the dead"). I seem to remember also reading somewhere that it was also, in part, meant as a giant middle finger to the toxic parts of the Matrix fan-sphere, but I can't find any sources for that at the moment, so take that with a grain of salt. May just be my brain engaging in (wishful) revisionist thinking.

Funnily enough, I had no clue that there was such an uproar amongst a small minority with the release of the sequel. This is going to severely reveal my age, but the first Matrix film release I was actually alive for was the second in the series. Thus, I only really learned about the franchise in my teens... and for the longest time, until quite recently, I had no clue Lana and Lily Wachowski was transgender! When I first got into film culture, I was always pleasantly surprised to see that two women were the creative minds behind one of the most successful movies of the 90s. And a big-budget action flick at that! Or rather, that a big-time movie studio let two women spearhead a big-budget effort like that at the time. I guess it says a lot for how revered the franchise is that (luckily) one of the first things that come to most people's mind is not transphobia, or I'd have figured that one out much earlier. Still, it made me very happy once I did figure it out!

@GirlVersusGame I thought the last Matrix film was awful, a complete waste of time.

@Ravix Taken from this review: https://www.avforums.com/reviews/the-matrix-4k-blu-ray-review...

Now The Matrix has been an odd fish in terms of releases on home formats, with a reasonably natural tone to its original almost flagship DVD release back in 1999 (it was one of the first titles that many DVD adopters bought), but - years later - a very different look to its 2004 re-release on DVD. Everything in 'The Matrix' suddenly became really green. This green-tinged 'style' carried on to its Blu-ray release in 2008, where things were dialled back a little, but some sequences were still almost monochromatic in their green bent.

It's a stylised look which, for many, doesn't really capture the original vision of The Matrix that was in theatres back in 1999, so it's a massive relief that this new native 4K remaster - culled from the Super 35 negatives with 2K VFX shots and supervised by the original director of photography - has been completely regraded to give an all-new look which suits not only the modern sensibilities of HDR10 and Dolby Vision, but also the original theatrical vision of the piece.

@Tjuz Yeah, the franchise has thankfully escaped getting too stained by toxic fandom. It's there, but, as you point out, it isn't the first thing one thinks of. I think Star Wars is more stained by some of its fans than the Matrix is, for example. I think much of the pushback for the fourth film (and I think this was part of Lana's motivation for it) is that when reconsidering the entire series in the wake of both of their transitions, it can recontextualise the originals as allegories for transitioning (moving from a trapped "perfect" existence to a secret and more difficult, yet more authentic one, for example). I believe that didn't sit too well with parts of the fandom

@FuriousMachine I'd never have known or noticed that. When I was in film school the ratio of men to women was about 90% men and 10% women and in the first three months one had already dropped out. By the final year there were only two of us but to be fair quite a few guys dropped out too. I think some realized it wasn't for them and others were either there because their families were either in the industry or they saw it as a quick way to riches, it's not.

At first I wanted to focus on directing then I realized I didn't like working with actors (not in a bad way) and then I swiveled towards the more practical side of cinematography. When it does come to an established female director they usually have a crew that they work with from picture to picture. It's one of the only ways to ensure fairness in the workplace. At the end of the day the higher ups in each studio are usually male and are very old school. I was raised old school so I kind of get it, it's not that agree with it either it's just something I'm familiar with. Sort of like the dynamic you are raised with if that makes sense. If it doesn't then I don't know how to explain it.

I saw a flag on someones profile here thinking it was another country, it wasn't. Back home gender issues are beyond taboo now, I'm still catching up. Hollywood is probably one of the last hardcore bastions for sexism. They had the whole me 2 movement etc but nothing really changed. I only found out about DEI and the one I already forgot from this site. It's probably down to very selective internet browsing, and also spending time in places where human rights aren't exactly top of peoples priorities.