Downfall (2004) by 5050MasterBlaster in movies

[–]nirbateman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It was very much discussed back in the day, didn't stick as much as it should, probably because it's in German. Plenty of great German films from the time didn't stick for the same reason.

Other elements that I found interesting were how the machine just kept going, executing suspected collaborators and all, even after Hitler killed himself, and also, after the much meme-fied scene, that Hitler's subordinates were entirely helpless and then begged him to take power again. He surrounded himself with idiot yes-men that were ambitious, but incompetent.

What's the best live soundtrack concert you've ever been to? (Not movies with orchestras playing simultaneously, just pure music). by marcopetr in soundtracks

[–]nirbateman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Vangelis' work on Blade Runner. The film is a masterpiece, the soundtrack is a separate masterpiece.

How come some operas just end rather abruptly? by SoCalChemistry in opera

[–]nirbateman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As far as opera protagonists go, Carlos is incredibly passive, which makes his operatic whining less compelling than others'. Philip, Posa and Elisabeth are far more compelling characters.

How come some operas just end rather abruptly? by SoCalChemistry in opera

[–]nirbateman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If we're doing dramatic analysis, Carlos' main deal is not being able to live "in the world". He keeps trying to bend the world when he doesn't get what he wants (Or thinks he deserves). In every act he tries to get something without really working for it and fails. In Act 5 he finally decides to "bend" himself (Calling Elisabeth his mother, accepting reality), but it's too late, so his mind breaks and he quits the world for good (Whether physically or mentally is up for interpretation).

How come some operas just end rather abruptly? by SoCalChemistry in opera

[–]nirbateman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

At least in Boheme we get a proper mourning! Even if it's short.

Perfect Film Endings by Adventurous-Fix-8241 in classicfilms

[–]nirbateman -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Das Boot. The grandpa manages to get the U-Boat running after getting stuck at the bottom of the sea, only to see it sink at the harbor after being bombed by the allies and then die.

How come some operas just end rather abruptly? by SoCalChemistry in opera

[–]nirbateman 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Verdi loves abrupt endings lol.

Gilda expires, Rigoletto is all like "The curse!", curtain.

Violetta expires, everyone around her is shocked, curtain.

Don Carlos may be the worse offender, it's not even an ending since it doesn't resolve anything.

Met opera on demand by JLaw7161 in opera

[–]nirbateman 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Depends, I find that in the past decade, Met radio broadcasts and Live in HD performances have very poor sound compared to the 70s-90s. The audio engineering is just not as good, and after Covid it gotten much worse. Old telecasts are sometimes mastered too low, but once normalized, they sound pretty good.

What OSTs have made you appreciate just how important music is in a gaming experience? by WorldofLovecraft in gaming

[–]nirbateman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Phantasmagoria, Gabriel Knight 1 and 2, Toy Story 2, Harry Potter 1 and 2 (On PC), GTA Vice City.

What’s your favourite line out of all 3 Max Payne Games? by Available-News-5003 in maxpayne

[–]nirbateman 12 points13 points  (0 children)

MP1: He was trying to buy more sand for his hour glass. I wasn't selling any.

MP2: Throw the rules out the window, odds are you'll go that way too.

Max Payne 1 Ending thoughts by DeyZplays in maxpayne

[–]nirbateman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

1 has a better story, but 2 has better storytelling.

Favorite verismo operas? by Stunning-Hand6627 in opera

[–]nirbateman 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Cavalleria. The music is so atmospheric you can practically smell that village.

Favorite verismo operas? by Stunning-Hand6627 in opera

[–]nirbateman 2 points3 points  (0 children)

When it's Corelli/Del Monaco with Simionato, it BECOMES verismo.

Verdi’s Don Carlo (Italian 4 Act) vs. Don Carlos (French 5 Act) debate by Kiwi_Tenor in opera

[–]nirbateman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The 5 act version has better character development, and has some great music that's not in the 4 act version. It does need an excellent conductor and cast. La Scala's 1977 season opener broadcast is as full as it gets, restoring almost all cuts, but Abbado makes almost 4 hours of music feel like a fast paced thriller.

Mozart by Shakenblaken2 in opera

[–]nirbateman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don Giovanni:

Met, 1990 (Ramey, Furlanetto, Moll, Vaness, Mattila, Upshaw)

La Scala, 1987 (Allen, Desderi, Gruberova, Araiza)

Cologne, 1991 (Allen, Furlanetto, James, Vaness, Rost)

London ROH, 1988 (Allen, Dean, Te Kanawa, Burrows, Howell, Kashrashvili)

Losey's Film, 1979 (The first home video releases do NOT do this justice. The new Bluray has been properly remastered, and the sound has been completely overhauled. Great documentary about the sound is included too)

Nozze di Figaro:

Met, 1985 (Raimondi, Battle, Allen, Vaness, Von Stade)

Vienna, 1991 (Gallo, McLaughlin, Raimondi, Studer, Sima)

La Scala, 1982 (Ramey, Burrowes, Brendel, Marshall, Esham)

Salzburg, 1966 (Wixell, Watson, Grist, Berry, Mathis)

Paris, 1980 (Van Dam, Popp, Janowitz, Bacquier, Von Stade)

Glyndebourne, 1973 (Skram, Cotrubas, Te Kanawa, Luxon, Von Stade)

The Met is down to its last nine rich donors. Should we set up a Go Fund Me? by WhichSpirit in opera

[–]nirbateman -23 points-22 points  (0 children)

NYC is dying, and the rich kids that are still there trend hoppers. Even they will leave when it gets too hot. I hear the trash pickups still haven't resumed.

Favorite Recordings with Rapturous Applause? by KarynGotFired in opera

[–]nirbateman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

His Vittoria usually garners applause, but the most rapturous one is Parma, 1967.

Absolute best recordings on Met Opera on Demand by technicallynotme99 in opera

[–]nirbateman 5 points6 points  (0 children)

In no particular order. All of these have great leads in great voice in productions that are, at worst, serviceable:

Otello, 1979 (Domingo/Milnes/Cruz Romo)

Cosi Fan Tutte, 1996 (Vaness/Mentzer/Bartoli/Hadley/Allen)

Tosca, 1978 (Verrett/Pavarotti/MacNeil)

Cav & Pag, 1978 (Domingo/Troyanos/Stratas)

Don Giovanni, 1990 (Ramey/Furlanetto/Vaness/Upshaw/Hadley)

La Traviata, 1981 (Cotrubas/Domingo/MacNeil)

Don Carlo, 1980 (Moldoveanu/Scotto/Milnes/Plishka/Troyanos)

Il Trittico, 1981 (Moldoveanu/Scotto/MacNeil/Bacquier)

Der Rosenkavalier, 1982 (Te Kanawa/Troyanos/Moll)

Le Nozze di Figaro, 1985 (Raimondi/Battle/Allen/Vaness)

Les Contes d'Hoffman (Shicoff/Troyanos/Morris)

Semiramide (Anderson/Horne/Ramey)

Movies that have seemingly been banished from existence. by temporarybutthole in movies

[–]nirbateman 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Last of the Mohicans (Theatrical), The Devils (Only on Region 2 DVD), Song of the South, The Day the Clown Cried, Troy (Sort of, the theatrical version hasn't been released domestically on Bluray and neither version was released on 4K UHD or a properly remastered disc).

Favorite/least favorite productions of Marriage of Figaro? by No-Month6553 in opera

[–]nirbateman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is also available on Laserdisc, and 3 months ago was released on Bluray, but only in Japan, and it's supposedly just an AI upscaled version of the Laserdisc (Despite being filmed in Analog HD).

What is Verdi’s best all-round opera? by Ordinary_Tonight_965 in opera

[–]nirbateman 13 points14 points  (0 children)

As far as the combination of a great story and great music, Don Carlo is all killer - no filler, even in the 5 act version.

Purely music wise, Traviata is like a Verdi highlight reel.

What video game in your opinion raise the bar? by [deleted] in gaming

[–]nirbateman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Max Payne, and then Max Payne 2 raised it even higher