Boogie Nights (Blu-ray)

Boogie Nights (1997) is a superb drama starring a terrific cast including Mark Wahlberg, Burt Reynolds, Julianne Moore, John C Reilly, Heather Graham, William H Macy, Don Cheadle and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson (There Will Be Blood) uses inventive visuals and classic music to tell the story. This is the movie that turned Wahlberg into a Hollywood star. He's never got close to being this good since.

Despite the great acting its Paul Thomas Anderson who really makes this movie work so well. His writing is first class and its brilliantly matched by his direction. Anderson isn't afraid to use his camera to tell the story.

The Blu Ray looks and sounds fantastic. The big bonus on Blu Ray though is the extras. You get a very informative commentary from Anderson and a very fun commentary from members of the cast.

Can't believe it's took so long to have this film in it's original ratio of 2.40 and with decent extras. I've watched most of it and picture and sound quality are very good, but wondered if the image was slightly cropped at the top? Anybody know if the image is slightly cropped or not, would be a shame if it was? Watched this off TCM a few months ago and the framing did'nt look as tight! But still a very good disc and would recommened to anyone who likes this film.

This film is criminally overlooked due to it being centered around the porn industry, but anyone who has seen any of Paul Thomas Anderson's movies will know that they are rich in quality, and this movie is no exception. I was not expecting such a well written script and brilliantly crafted cinematography when I first saw this film in the cinema.

This director certainly knows how to work with actors as he continually draws great performances. Every part appears very well cast and each performance is creditable. John C Reilly and Julianne Moore are the standouts but Mark Wahlberg comes away with great credit in his biggest role at that time.

Martin Scorsese must be a big influence on P T Anderson's style as many long shots and lengthy edits appear straight out of the Goodfellas hand book. At no point though does it feel forced or unnatural. The camera flows from one character to the next in some truly wonderful and brave dolly shots which prove to be a great way to get introduced to everyone.

There is so much to appreciate, some so subtle that you won't notice it the first time, this is why it gets better with repeated viewing. With this, Magnolia, Punch Drunk Love, There Will Be Blood and The Master, Paul Thomas Anderson is steadily becoming a significant writer and director in Hollywood and I for one am a fan.

Don't be put off by its seedy setting, this is intelligent, engrossing, well written cinema worthy of the highest merit.

The transfer.............

New Line Cinema have granted this feature with a VC-1 encoded, 2.40:1 framed, 1080p transfer onto a 50GB Blu-ray disc of fantastic quality.

This is a huge leap in quality from the DVD version in terms of detail and clarity and is definitely worth the upgrade.

Even bad transfers are at their best when we see well lit daylight scenes and Boogie Nights spends a large part of its screen time in the California sun shine. The contrast in these moments is spot on and we have wonderful vibrancy in the colours on display. The image never appears washed out or lacking in depth. With this film being set in the 70's and early 80's we are thrown a virtual rainbow of colours and this disc handles them faultlessly.

Film grain for the most part is fine and is never obtrusive, it fluctuates from being non-existent to barely noticeable. I did not detect any DNR scrubbing or problematic edge enhancement which is very pleasing.

There aren't many darker moments but when we do get them the blacks and darks appear inky and strong with decent delineation and no crushing. Skin tones are lifelike and appear very natural.

Overall this is a great package both movie and transfer are top notch.

Movie 5/5 Transfer 4.5/5

Very highly recommended.

This film is criminally overlooked due to it being centered around the porn industry, but anyone who has seen any of Paul Thomas Anderson's movies will know that they are rich in quality, and this movie is no exception. I was not expecting such a well written script and brilliantly crafted cinematography when I first saw this film in the cinema.

This director certainly knows how to work with actors as he continually draws great performances. Every part appears very well cast and each performance is creditable. John C Reilly and Julianne Moore are the standouts but Mark Wahlberg comes away with great credit in his biggest role at that time.

Martin Scorsese must be a big influence on P T Anderson's style as many long shots and lengthy edits appear straight out of the Goodfellas hand book. At no point though does it feel forced or unnatural. The camera flows from one character to the next in some truly wonderful and brave dolly shots which prove to be a great way to get introduced to everyone.

There is so much to appreciate, some so subtle that you won't notice it the first time, this is why it gets better with repeated viewing. With this, Magnolia, Punch Drunk Love, There Will Be Blood and The Master, Paul Thomas Anderson is steadily becoming a significant writer and director in Hollywood and I for one am a fan.

Don't be put off by its seedy setting, this is intelligent, engrossing, well written cinema worthy of the highest merit.

The transfer.............

New Line Cinema have granted this feature with a VC-1 encoded, 2.40:1 framed, 1080p transfer onto a 50GB Blu-ray disc of fantastic quality.

This is a huge leap in quality from the DVD version in terms of detail and clarity and is definitely worth the upgrade.

Even bad transfers are at their best when we see well lit daylight scenes and Boogie Nights spends a large part of its screen time in the California sun shine. The contrast in these moments is spot on and we have wonderful vibrancy in the colours on display. The image never appears washed out or lacking in depth. With this film being set in the 70's and early 80's we are thrown a virtual rainbow of colours and this disc handles them faultlessly.

Film grain for the most part is fine and is never obtrusive, it fluctuates from being non-existent to barely noticeable. I did not detect any DNR scrubbing or problematic edge enhancement which is very pleasing.

There aren't many darker moments but when we do get them the blacks and darks appear inky and strong with decent delineation and no crushing. Skin tones are lifelike and appear very natural.

Overall this is a great package both movie and transfer are top notch.

Movie 5/5 Transfer 4.5/5

Very highly recommended.

A down right brilliant little movie. Epic, emotional, hard edged, exciting, dramatic and down right hilarious! Fantastic top form performances all round, this movie whisks you away to the seedy porn world of the late 70's early 80's and leaves you thoroughly entertained. It is crime this masterpiece isn't more often regarded as an all time great as it has everything a great well movie needs. Great Blu Ray transfer and super price. Do your self a favour. Enhance your Blu Ray collection with this Classic.