MERGED ----> Across the Universe

[bonocomet]

It's not playing in one single theatre in San Diego. I still can't believe it.

 

[LMP]

It's playing at a handful of theaters in Seattle. The theater I saw it at downtown was in digital projection, and I could really tell a difference. I almost felt like I'd put in new contact lenses this morning!

I saw Superbad in DLP, there is an enormous difference between that and a normal screen. I love it.

 

[Lila64]

It wasn't playing at my local theater, which I thought was odd. Perhaps there are too many big movies out around this time. There's another theater we go to about 15 minutes away that has stadium seating, which we prefer. We got there early just in case. Small theater, maybe a couple hundred people, but it was definitely pretty full, and there was no show listed after ours, which leads me to believe the 7:10 show had already sold out much earlier in the day (even before out 4:10 one) {it was listed as playing later in the newspaper}. I tried not to sing along too often or out loud

 

[U2Fanatic4ever]

definitely liked this film alot! Music was fab!

and Bono being in it didn't hurt either..

I loved seeing Joe Cocker in there that was unexpected surprise.

 

[UnforgettableLemon]

It was pretty much what I expected - not really a revelation or anything, but good fun.

 

[impy13]

It was only showing at one theater in Austin, which makes absolutely no sense to me. But my girlfriend and I went to see it tonight and good lord I was disappointed. So bad. So, so bad.

Don't get me wrong, there were some cool parts. I just really couldn't get into it in the least. With a weak storyline and weak actors, it was sometimes a labor to watch. Being a huge Beatles fanatic, I loved a few of the small, subtle nods Prudence coming in through the bathroom window, for instance), but for the most part I was tremendously disappointed.

Bono did a good job though. His ramble after stepping off the bus was a highlight.

 

[powerhour24]

Unless you're watching something weeks into it's release and it's been played heavily, digital projection can't touch the quality that 35mm projection can attain, it's only avantage is that there's no print to get scratched up after weeks of exhibition.

 

[U2Soar]

I saw last night it was a lot of fun. The music and the visuals were very well done.

 

[Utoo]

The thing with this one seems to be that there's so much potential....but perhaps it doesn't quite live up to it.

I haven't seen it yet, but plan to either tomorrow or Monday. We shall see!

 

[bonocomet]

I think it lived up to it's potential with flying colors.

 

[forbonou2]

Across the Universe..What did you think of the Movie?

I just saw this movie and I will not ruin it for anyone who has yet to see it. It is Brilliant!!! And Bono has a good part and really shined in this! And of course, the music was great!

 

[edurban]

Yes, not bad, although it goes wierder and wierder towards the end, but the music is awesome obviously. I found it a bit too long though.
Bono is good and you can see Macphisto's grin coming out at one point, it's funny.

 

[ALass4Larry]

Great story and a happy ending! What can I say...I like happy endings!

 

[love_u2_adam]

fricking amazing!
the guy i was with thought it was weird and didn't get it lol.
lol i love how Sadie looked like Janis Joplin and jojo looked like Jimi Hendrix cause you know how they supposedly "hooked up" back in the 60s. i loved it sooo much. i think it would be pretty awesome stoned.
i totally buying it when it comes out lol

 

[U2democrat]

I saw it yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed it. My friend was laughing at me when Bono was on the screen because I was grinning from ear to ear and I couldn't stop


Enjoyable film. Nothing life changing, but I really enjoyed it.

 

[U2Fanatic4ever]

I saw it yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed it. My friend was laughing at me when Bono was on the screen because I was grinning from ear to ear and I couldn't stop


Enjoyable film. Nothing life changing, but I really enjoyed it.

that was me when I saw it.. I had this HUGE (that was me in the theater by myself ). I too enjoyed it... not earth shattering for me either but I liked it.. I loved being surprised by Joe Cocker's little cameos...very cool. And Eddie Izzard (luv that guy!).

 

[U2democrat]

I was joking that when Joe Cocker appeared as the homeless guy that he didn't need a costume

 

[JCOSTER]

Across the Universe will be released on DVD February 5th!!!!

 

[jesseu2]

I just ordered the Blu-Ray version!!

(actually the last one in stock at Amazon until they get more in...heh)

 

[Carek1230]

I am really enjoying owning this. I've seen it 3 times now and the added bonus dvd that comes with it is really cool. You will love it, Jesse. Let us know how the Blu Ray version is!

 

[impy13]

I'm in a bit of a pickle here. This girl I'm interested in wants very badly to see this, so I'm thinking about maybe renting it. But it's also the worst movie I saw in 2007 and one of the worst I've probably ever seen, so I don't know if I can take it.

Decisions, decisions.

 

[corianderstem]

This girl you're interested in ... she can't rent it herself? Is there a reason you have to watch it with her? Or is she all "but Impy, I want to watch it with yoooooooooooooooooou!"

If that's the case, and you like her, you may just have to suck it up and watch it. And bite your tongue.

 

[LMP]

I'm in a bit of a pickle here. This girl I'm interested in wants very badly to see this, so I'm thinking about maybe renting it. But it's also the worst movie I saw in 2007 and one of the worst I've probably ever seen, so I don't know if I can take it.

Decisions, decisions.

I'll be your wingman.

Even if it means me taking a chubby, I will suck it up.

 

[impy13]

Is there a reason you have to watch it with her? Or is she all "but Impy, I want to watch it with yoooooooooooooooooou!"

Yes. She even called me impy, which was startling.





YLB.....you blowhard!

 

[LMP]

But really, if you think she's worth it, bite the bullet and watch it again or try and convince her to watch something else of her choice that doesn't completely suck.

 

[jesseu2]

You will love it, Jesse. Let us know how the Blu Ray version is!

i won't have it for a few days but look at this review of the blu-ray disc

http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/1263/across the universe.html

The Video: Sizing Up the Picture

A film like 'Across the Universe' demands to be seen in high-def. Regardless of its flaws, it's a singular visual achievement, and this Blu-ray is pure eye candy. Sony offers a 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer that met my expectations, which is no small compliment, as I had set them pretty high for this one.

There is virtually nothing to complain about here. The source is pristine, as you would expect from a new release, with slight grain keeping the image film-like yet still slick. Colors are vibrant and lush, though at appropriate moments (largely the dour "real world" early scenes) they are kept more natural and subdued. The hues are rendered with precision throughout, with no chroma noise and great clarity and consistency. In terms of detail and apparent depth, this ranks among the best Blu-ray transfers I've seen, with moments of eye-popping three-dimensionality that easily rate as demo material. This is also a clean encode, with no obvious artifacts such as banding or macroblocking.

Alas, I did say that there was "virtually" nothing to complain about. I was however disappointed by a distracting level of jaggies and shimmering on movement, with edges a bit too pronounced throughout. I wish the transfer was absolutely free of such a brittle cast, and that some false sharpness had been sacrificed to retain the film-like smoothness I enjoyed in the theater. Otherwise, 'Across the Universe' is first-rate.

The Audio: Rating the Sound

As brilliant as the visuals of 'Across the Universe' are, they'd be nothing without the music. Thankfully, Sony has delivered the goods with a powerful Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround track (at a hefty 48kHz/24-bit) that easily handles the bombastic material. (Note: The disc's Audio menu does not list audio formats for any of the included mixes. The actual configurations on the disc are English DolbyTrueHD 5.1 Surround [not the PCM originally announced] and Spanish and Portuguese dubs in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround.)

The filmmakers spent months perfecting the soundtrack in the studio, and it shows -- there is not a single note out of place. Dynamic range is wonderfully expansive, so the highs ring with a bell-like clarity, while low end pounds out the bass when needed. Though a song-driven film, there are enough extended dialogue sequences that the words really do matter and they are very well balanced in the mix. 'Across the Universe' is a film that should be played loud for the best effect, but I was pleased with the sound, even at a quieter level.

My only slight disappointment is the lack of a surround wallop. I desperately wanted to be hit over the head with a sonic hammer, but the rear channels were just too reserved at times. There are plenty of discrete effects (all nicely dispersed) and the music bleeds to good effect, but it's not an overwhelming wall of sound -- for all of Julie Taymor's alleged visual excesses, it's too bad the film's sound designers didn't go for it as well. As it stands, 'Across the Universe' sounds mighty fine, but it’s just shy of reference-standard.

The Supplements: Digging Into the Good Stuff

Sony has not skimped on a comprehensive supplement package. All of the video-based supplements are presented in full 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 -- it all looks great on Blu-ray. (Note: Subtitles on the featurette material include Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, Chinese, and Thai, while the audio commentary has Korean subtitles only. Oddly, there are no English or French options on any of the extras.)

* Audio Commentary - My reaction to the musical interpretations of 'Across the Universe' remains mixed, but I have no reservations about this commentary with Julie Taymor and composer Elliot Goldenthal. Given the participants, the track is quite focused on the musical aspects (to the detriment at times of other elements, such as story, casting etc.), but that's what makes it refreshing and, at times, revelatory. Beatles fans in particular will probably love hearing the meanings and sonic textures of the original songs discussed at length, as well as how the were deconstructed and revitalized to shape the film's narrative. It's fascinating stuff, regardless of your opinion of the outcome.

* Featurette: "Creating the Universe " (HD, 29 minutes) - The centerpiece of the extras, this nearly 30-minute long featurette sets the tone, using video diary material but marrying it with the strong focus of a traditional documentary. The effect is strong, with "Creating the Universe" capturing some great moments (Bono acting like a pompous ass on the set, an extra breaking down during a performance of "Let it Be"), while retaining a narrative through-line that gives us a solid idea of what Taymor intended. Well worth a watch.

* Featurette: "Stars of Tomorrow" (HD, 27 minutes) - Surprising in its heft, this featurette introduces us to the entire cast, including Evan Rachel Wood, Jim Sturgess, and Dana Fuchs. We are taken from auditions, to casting, to working on set, to interpreting the Beatles tunes, and again, the lack of boring film clips and plot recap is most welcome -- this is like being a fly on the wall, and it's another must-watch.

* Featurette: "All About the Music" (HD, 15 minutes) - A sort of digest version of the commentary, with Taymor and Goldenthal interviewed at length. Plus there’s tons of recording footage to sweeten the deal. This is the one segment not to be missed by Beatles fans, or just fans of great songs.

* Featurette: "Moving Across the Universe" (HD, 15 minutes) - Unusual for a major director, Taymor orchestrates a collaboration far more than she sits behind a chair barking orders, and that process is documented here (if not outright fawned over). Though Taymor can come off just a little bit pretentious (okay, a lot), it's invigorating to watch her whip out amazing ideas on the spot, even if her critics will find ample ammunition here. It's interesting to hear her say that being free from the typical cinematic restraints (three-act narrative, basic coverage etc.) is "liberating," as many critics (myself included), find that her greatest weakness. Hmmmm...

* Featurette: "FX of the Universe " (HD, 9 minutes) - A breezy look at the film's justifiably-praised visual tricks. It might surprise some, but the film was far from a CGI-fest, with many of the fantastic visuals pulled off live on the set, just like theater. The integration of it all through computer-assisted imagery, green screen, traditional opticals ,and practical magic is seamless, so it’s neat to see how they brought it all together and made it work.

* Extended Musical Performances (HD, 35 minutes) - Eight sequences are included: "Hold Me Tight," "Come Together," "I Am the Walrus," "Dear Prudence," "Something," "Oh! Darling," "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and "Across the Universe/Helter Skelter." While some were only slightly snipped for the final cut, others, especially "Dear Prudence" really come to life in their unexpurgated form. These extended performances are also the only place you can hear some of the complete songs, as the film's soundtrack CD doesn't include all of the tunes in the film.

* Deleted Scene (HD, 1 minute) - Only one is included, for the song "And I Love Her." Unfortunately, it's so short that it really rates as a "deleted shot." Not much to see here.

HD Bonus Content: Any Exclusive Goodies in There?

Sony has included only one real high-def exclusive, but it's a nice one...

* Still Gallery (HD) - This nicely organized gallery contains over 140 images, spread across five sections: "Inspiration" (10 stills), "Jude" (4 stills), "Lucy" (a whopping 112 stills), "Max" (10 stills) and "Sadie & Jojo" (7 stills). The neat thing is that you can easily toggle through each section, then cruise to each still with a flick of the remote. Or, you can set it to "Slideshow" mode, to enjoy the photos with underscore from the film. Very slick.

* Bookmarks - Sony also provides a bookmarking function, allowing you to save your favorite scenes for instant access even after you eject the disc from the player.

 

[Carek1230]

WOWSA!! That makes me wish I'd bought the blu-ray version. There's so much color and psychedlics in the film that would really pop in higher def especially on a large screen and with SS. That's a great review, but then it's a greal film too I really enjoyed the background, behind the scenes stuff, interviews, stories and narrations by Producer Julie T.

 

[Mr. Green Eyes]

Just saw it for the first time. It was AMAZING!! Bono's part was a good touch to the film, he was great. The songs were great, the singing was great, and the acting was good also. I think I have a new favorite movie to add to my ever growing list.