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Flashdance: 40th Anniversary (UHD Blu-ray) review

Flashdance: 40th Anniversary (UHD Blu-ray) review
« on: July 25, 2023, 06:29:59 PM »


Studio: Paramount
Release Date: April 11, 2023
 Rating: R
 Film:  3/5
 
 Plot
 Jennifer Beals stars as Alex—a fiercely determined 18-year-old with one all-consuming dream to study at the Pittsburgh Conservatory of Dance. Working during the day as a welder and at night as an exotic dancer, she bravely pursues her dream and undertakes an unforgettable journey that reveals the power of her convictions.
 
My Thoughts
Believe it or not, but I had never seen this movie from beginning to end until watching it on UHD this past weekend. While I had watched the more iconic scenes over the years, I have never taken the time to actually watch the entire film. Well, I can’t say doing so changed my life in any way. The story is somewhat pedestrian and shallow and the acting can be a bit wooden and inauthentic.
 
What really makes the film work is the music and dancing, which is quite good. My wife remembers watching the film back in the 80s and recalled the big controversy regarding the body doubles uses for Beals’ character, and sure enough, it isn’t her doing the dancing in the film. Do I feel cheated? Nope—the dancing is still good regardless of who’s doing it.
 
The image is struck from a 4K master used in the Paramount Presents release in 2020 and looks spectacular. All of the grain is kept intact, and it allows the 35mm elements to shine in the higher resolution format. Shadows are extremely revealing, and fabrics and facial pores are to die-for. The 5.1 mix is very good but is repurposed from previous home video releases—not that this is a bad thing. The overall mix is a tad front loaded, which is to be expected given when the film was made, but really opens up when the kick-ass soundtrack comes into play. I was particularly impressed with the LFE on the musical numbers.
 
Video 9/10 (AVC)
 Audio 8/10 (DTS-HD MA 5.1)
 
 Special Features:
 
  • Filmmaker Focus: Director Adrian Lyne on Flashdance
  • The Look of Flashdance
  • Releasing the Flashdance Phenomenon
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • 4K + Blu-ray + Digital Copy

 

 Conclusion
 In the past when Paramount has rereleased one of its “Paramount Presents” films onto 4K, they haven’t included the Blu-ray in the package. Thankfully, they have done so here and its befitting to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of this iconic film. While the film doesn’t necessarily hold up to today’s higher standards, it does a good job of capturing the vibe of the 1980s and has never looked better on home video. Recommended for fans.   
 

 Reference Review System:
 JVC DLA-RS3100 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 110” 2.35:1 Screen
Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Kaleidescape Strato + Server
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: URC MX-990
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
SVS PC-Ultra Cylinder Subwoofer
SVS SB3000
HSU VTF-15H MK2 Subwoofer
M&K Sound X15+ Subwoofer
Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner
Blu-ray Reviewer / Technical Writer
Sound & Vision Magazine

Re: Flashdance: 40th Anniversary (UHD Blu-ray) review
« Reply #1 on: July 25, 2023, 06:30:19 PM »
For some reason this review disappeared from the site????

I had to repost it. 
Blu-ray Reviewer / Technical Writer
Sound & Vision Magazine

Re: Flashdance: 40th Anniversary (UHD Blu-ray) review
« Reply #2 on: July 25, 2023, 07:42:01 PM »
For some reason this review disappeared from the site????

I had to repost it.
Hmm, I was going to post something on a different movie review earlier this week, and that post has gone missing as well.  Hope there isn't something funky going on with the forum software.
My Room:  26’-1” X 17’-4” X 10’
Equipment:  Monolith HTP-1 feeding X7 and X9 amps, JVC RS3100, Elite Screens 135"", JBL Studio 590 for L, C, R, W, R, 580s for sides and four SCS8 for tops, JTR Captivator 1400 x 4, Panny DP-UB420K, Toshiba HD-A35. Nvidia Shield, Sonos Connect, MX-780 remote

See Youthman's actual tour of my room here: https://youtu.be/PHEaG2xKVhg

Re: Flashdance: 40th Anniversary (UHD Blu-ray) review
« Reply #3 on: July 25, 2023, 07:55:51 PM »
Hmm, I was going to post something on a different movie review earlier this week, and that post has gone missing as well.  Hope there isn't something funky going on with the forum software.
Which review was that? I was shocked when this one wasn't still on the site. 
Blu-ray Reviewer / Technical Writer
Sound & Vision Magazine

Re: Flashdance: 40th Anniversary (UHD Blu-ray) review
« Reply #4 on: July 25, 2023, 08:00:17 PM »
Which review was that? I was shocked when this one wasn't still on the site.
It was The Banshees of Inisherin, which dates back to the end of last year, I believe.

I remember reading it, finally got around to watching it, and wanted to revisit it.  But it's not coming up with a search.

(Above response was edited to remove the obnoxious formatting that was accidentally applied.  :-[ )
« Last Edit: July 25, 2023, 08:12:15 PM by SRW1000 »
My Room:  26’-1” X 17’-4” X 10’
Equipment:  Monolith HTP-1 feeding X7 and X9 amps, JVC RS3100, Elite Screens 135"", JBL Studio 590 for L, C, R, W, R, 580s for sides and four SCS8 for tops, JTR Captivator 1400 x 4, Panny DP-UB420K, Toshiba HD-A35. Nvidia Shield, Sonos Connect, MX-780 remote

See Youthman's actual tour of my room here: https://youtu.be/PHEaG2xKVhg

Re: Flashdance: 40th Anniversary (UHD Blu-ray) review
« Reply #5 on: July 25, 2023, 10:05:07 PM »
Here was the original link, but it's gone now: https://discuss.avscience.com/index.php?topic=3551.new#new

Ut oh...something going on with the site software. Craig, can you let the admins know?
Blu-ray Reviewer / Technical Writer
Sound & Vision Magazine

Craig Peer

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Re: Flashdance: 40th Anniversary (UHD Blu-ray) review
« Reply #6 on: July 26, 2023, 01:20:31 AM »
Here was the original link, but it's gone now: https://discuss.avscience.com/index.php?topic=3551.new#new

Ut oh...something going on with the site software. Craig, can you let the admins know?
Done.

bmoney

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Re: Flashdance: 40th Anniversary (UHD Blu-ray) review
« Reply #7 on: July 26, 2023, 08:19:18 AM »
Shes a maniac. Maniac on the floor!
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bmoney

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Re: Flashdance: 40th Anniversary (UHD Blu-ray) review
« Reply #8 on: July 26, 2023, 08:21:51 AM »
I’m a mod on this section of the forum. And  have  no way if telling what happened to the reviews

There is a few spam posts that come up which i delete. But no reviews. 

SadieMax 2,0 Build thread

Nad t758v3 
7.4.4 diysoundgroup 1099's (3) 
Volt 6 (8 ) 
18" SI subs (4) 
diy 130" 2.40 spandex screen
minidsp 2x4HD
JVC rs600
Lumagen radiance pro 4242
Nvidia shield pro
Emby NAS media player

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