To kick off the summer, we're showing two summer-time flicks: One Week (1920) + Coney Island (1917)!

Love is in the air in One Week, just in time for wedding season. Then next up is Coney Island, because nothing screams summer like an amusement park.

Join us for this classic comedy double feature and celebrate summer solstice this weekend at Midnight Grain, starting midnight EST June 20: https://midnightgrain.framer.website

Aaand just like that, we hit 1000 members! Thanks to everyone for joining, posting, commenting, sharing, and engaging in any way with this sub. Every upvote helps push this content higher in the alogrithm and brings more attention and activity to this community.

Let's celebrate this milestone, and look forward to the next 1000!

I'm watching One Piece on the train today. I've been trying to catch up on this series, and I have plenty of time to kill on my trip.

The Nintendo 3DS is so convenient to pack and carry around on trips like this. It's nice to have some episodes, 3D movies, and games all on one device.

This weekend we're screening two Charlie Chaplin classic films: A Dog's Life (1918) + The Kid (1921)! While both films are very funny, they both have the Chaplin charm with heartwarming moments and bonds between unsuspecting characters.

Tune in to Midnight Grain any time this weekend, starting at midnight EST June 6: https://midnightgrain.framer.website/

Eddie Mueller’s “Summer of Darkness” program starts tomorrow (6/5) on TCM, so I thought I’d share this little treat from his book, Noir Bar. The summer series is kicking off with The Maltese Falcon, so here’s a Hammett Martini.

“I distrust a man that says when. If he's got to be careful not to drink too much it's because he's not to be trusted when he does." - Kasper Gutman

Do you pair your noir viewing with a drink? If so, what’s your poison?

Was super grateful to have seen this masterpiece along with the fake trailers and Planet terror. Death proof has infinite rewatchability.

This weekend's screening is all about crime, as we explore the effects of greed, trust, and the fragile nature of criminal success with a double feature of The Asphalt Jungle (1950) + Kansas City Confidential (1952).

Tune in any time this weekend starting midnight EST 5/30: https://midnightgrain.framer.website

I found this DVD collection of horror classics at the library for $1! I've only seen House on Haunted Hill, which is one of my favorite Vincent Price films, but I'm really looking forward to watching The Head, The Devil's Messenger, and Bloody Pit of Horror for the first time!

The DVD collection came in a really nice wooden box with a magnetic closure. It's very well made and will stand out in my collection.

Have you seen any of these films? Which one should I watch first?

This is one of about 20 silent cartoons I'm currently restoring from original 35mm and 16mm archival elements. The source material had a lot of dirt, scratches, and other issues. Still a work in progress, however

I've recently been adding to my Blu-ray collection and picked up the 8-disc set of Tim Burton's Film Collection, which includes Mars Attacks! (1996). Originally shot on 35mm film using Panavision Panaflex Platinum and Panaflex DII cameras, paired with Primo Anamorphic lenses. The Blu-ray released in High Definition 1080p with the VC-1 codec, accurately framed at 2.40:1. A few of Burton's films have received a 3D conversion treatment, but Mars Attacks! has only ever been released in 2D. So how'd I watch this movie in 3D? (Keep reading!)

Audio is presented in DTS-HD Master Audio English 5.1, with additional Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks in French, German, Italian, and Castellano, plus Dolby Stereo 2.0 in Czech and Thai. The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio mix is dominated by the front soundstage, with slight support from the rear surround channels for occasional ambient and directional effects. The soundtrack/sound design specifically of Mars Attacks! was amazing! It had depth and pulsating effects, and created that eerie classic sci-fi alien atmosphere!

Now, the visual experience:
I watched the Blu-ray disc on a 55" Sony Bravia XBR-900B 4KTV through a PS4. This particular model of TV features a few premium capabilities that deepen the viewing experience.

1. Active 3D: One of the last released models with active 3D (Delivers full 1080p or 4K resolution to each eye.)
2. 4K X-Reality PRO Engine: A video processing chip inside the XBR-900B. It uses a special internal pattern database to analyze textures, borders, and colors in the 1080p signal, then cleans up noise and adds matching pixels to fill out the 4K screen seamlessly.
3. 2D-3D Simulation: The XBR-900B has Picture Settings that convert a 2D signal into stereoscopic 3D! (This is how I've been watching classically released 2D films in 3D!)
   I discuss this (and more) on my YT channel, search "Mars Attacks! Tim Burton Blu-ray Collection" and filter this year to watch!

Overall experience:
It was quite impressive to watch Mars Attacks! with an upscaled 4K 3D visual experience! There was so much more depth to the shots, the flying saucers were popping out of the TV, and the stylized effects in the film really lend it to be experienced in a 3D format! A few of Burton's newer films received the 3D post-processing treatment, but I think his (and other director's) earlier works deserve a revisit and re-release for a brand new 3D immersion experience! Or at the very least, technology should continue implementing this 2D-3D feature (which was very impressive), to offer a stunning new visual to our favorite classic (or new released) films!

I also watched Alice in Wonderland (released in 3D Blu-ray format), and many other 3D released Blu-rays to have a reference of comparison. While those releases might have a few shots that "pop" out a bit more intentionally, the 2D-3D conversion through the TV alone was still 85%-90% "as good" in relation to depth and subject separation!

Let me know if anyone else has questions about Active 3D or suggestions of Blu-rays to test/watch!