Bright Side Home Theater

THANK YOU for PUSHING PLAY

Tron: Ares vs. Predator: Badlands—Streaming Showdowns and Early HT Demo Kings

What a week and what a show! And it could’t have come at a better time! Spoiler alert: we have a couple of potential Home theatre experiences of the year… In January!!
Enjoy!

Lets get into ALL our Home Theater Experiences!
So much fun!
“If you can’t laugh while talking Home Theater, you’re doing something wrong.”
Right?
Push Play and hear for yourself.

In this week’s Bright Side Home Theater, Steve and DJ shake off the rust after a brief schedule shuffle, catch up with a lively live chat, and dig into a stack of fresh home theater experiences. The guys debate the surprising quality of IMAX Enhanced streaming for Tron: Ares on Disney+, weigh it against the Kaleidescape version, and discuss why—story quibbles aside—it’s the early front-runner for Home Theater Experience of the Year. They then jump to Apple’s digital release of Predator: Badlands, where the Atmos mix and inky black levels (even on the stream) make it a thrilling at-home upgrade over our theatrical viewings. On Netflix, The Rip (Affleck/Damon) delivers punchy gunfire and rock-solid HDR even if the plot is predictable fun. They also hit the big screen for 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple in 4K HDR Barco—great psychological swings and a notable commercial HDR presentation, though they still prefer the home setup.

Disc-wise, they celebrate Arrow’s new 4K/Atmos Under Siege—impressively tasteful HDR and a room-filling mix with smart overhead cues—and rave about DreamWorks’ Kung Fu Panda 4K upgrades: Part 1 is demo-grade video with lively Atmos, while Part 2 is very strong with a few jaw-dropping HDR moments. Along the way they guys talk AirPods Pro 3 ANC, Xreal glasses’ incoming real 3D update, variable aspect ratios vs. fixed, the value of calibration for streaming HDR, and a viral “home theaters are a boomer waste” take that gets properly set straight. They close with community shout-outs, a Patreon welcome, and a quick world tour—hello to our first listener in China!

CHAPTERS

1. (00:00:00) Cold open, banter, and easing back into the show
2. (00:01:40) Tech, warfare, and ethics: guns, drones, and video games
3. (00:05:35) Schedule changes, life updates, and a resilient community
4. (00:08:45) Live chat roll call and welcoming new listeners
5. (00:16:00) Gear corner: AirPods Pro 3 noise canceling impresses
6. (00:21:55) XR glasses update: real 3D coming to Xreal and use cases
7. (00:27:45) Listener support shout‑outs and Patreon thanks
8. (00:32:55) Friends hearing the show and the oddity of being recognized
9. (00:33:55) Debate: are home theaters a "boomer" waste or a passion?
10. (00:37:55) Awards talk: Hashtag Dork picks F1 for Bright Side HT Award
11. (00:42:45) Theatrical review: 28 Years Later – The Bone Temple (format notes)
12. (00:50:55) Cinema vs home: HDR Barco projection and why home still wins
13. (00:51:45) Netflix spotlight: The Rip (Damon & Affleck) – story and mix
14. (00:56:35) Artists, AI writing, and streaming economics (Artists Equity)
15. (01:01:00) Home theater take on The Rip: dark‑scene HDR and punchy gunfire
16. (01:08:00) Disc demo time: Kung Fu Panda 1 & 2 in 4K HDR and Atmos
17. (01:15:40) Top home theater contenders: Tron Ares (IMAX Enhanced stream)
18. (01:21:55) A/B talk: streaming vs disc for Tron Ares and VAR impact
19. (01:30:08) Predator: Badlands – stronger film, playful Atmos, vibrant HDR
20. (01:41:20) Variable aspect ratios: Oppenheimer vs Tron Ares preferences
21. (01:41:45) Catalog upgrade: Under Siege 4K (Arrow) – image and Atmos gains
22. (01:48:20) Die Hard in a… everything? Comparing genre clones with Under Siege
23. (01:53:16) Looking ahead, more reviews queued, and global listener count

Follow & Say Hi to the Guys on Twitter

DJ - Bright Side Home Theater (@BrightSideHT) / Twitter
John - John Circone ⚽️ (@JohnCircone) / Twitter
Steve - Steve George (@LegalBeagleOK) / Twitter

And if you’d like to contribute to the show…

Here are Two Ways YOU CAN BE ON THE SHOW
Email the guys and put “HT Experience” in the subject line they will talk about your comment on the Podcast.
Email or DM Them on Twitter to schedule to record a Take Over Tuesday episode.
A movie you liked or a Movie you hated?
A favorite scene?
Good or Bad Experience with Home Theater gear?
Comments about past Bright Side Home Theater podcasts?
Anything about your Home Theater Experience, just let them know and you’ll be on the show!

Links
Patreon: patreon.com/brightsidehometheater
Twitter: @BrightSideHT
email: [email protected]
web: Brightsidehometheater.com
Merch: www.teepublic.com/user/bright-side-home-theater

Thanks to:
Theme Music by Jeff Bernheart/Throne Vault Productions.
https://thronevaultproductions.bandcamp.com/

THANK YOU for PUSHING PLAY

What is the BEST Home Theater Experience of 2025?

The Freddies Debut: Our Top 10 Home Theater Experiences of 2025

Steve and DJ give you the Bright Side Home Theater Top 10 Home Theater Experiences of 2025!
PLUS,
What is the NEW NAME of the Bright Side Home Theater Award?
What Movie or Movies will win?
Is there a NEW Bright Side Award this Year?
Was this the Best Year for Home Theater?
Do you agree?
Did they miss anything?

Steve and DJ are handing out their first-ever Freddies and revealing their Top 10 Home Theater Experiences of 2025. After months of rewatches, calibrations, and a few last-minute binges, they lock in a list where any of the top nine could have taken the crown. From explosive streamers to reference-grade discs, they cover the full spectrum—celebrating best use of video (Sinners), best use of audio (Wolfman), a surprise top-five animated streamer (K-Pop Demon Hunters), and their overall Home Theater Experience of the Year. They also debut the origin and meaning of the “Freddies,” give a one-time award to the podcast that inspired them, and explain how their scoring blended three different lists into one definitive ranking.

Expect quick-fire honorable mentions, spirited debate on titles like Superman, Weapons, and Kingdom of Heaven, plus why Netflix quietly dominated multiple categories this year. The guys close with what they're excited for next year and why Odyssey might be the one to beat. Grab your popcorn, dim the lights, and let the Freddies begin.

Lets get into ALL our Home Theater Experiences !
So much fun!
“If you can’t laugh while talking Home Theater, you’re doing something wrong.”
Right?
Push Play and hear for yourself.

Chapters
1. (00:00:00) Kicking off awards week and top-10 prep
2. (00:03:12) Kaleidescape most-watched list and Tom Cruise talk
3. (00:07:04) Origins of their annual lists and guests shout-outs
4. (00:10:41) Debating predictions and the difficulty of rankings
5. (00:18:06) Show open hiccups and setting the stage
6. (00:20:30) Introducing the Freddies: the donkey award origin story
7. (00:29:02) Award logistics, categories, and chat roll call
8. (00:35:03) Method: scoring the combined top list
9. (00:38:46) Honorable mentions 29–23: streams and discs mix
10. (00:49:01) Honorable mentions 22–16: Dirty Harry to Daredevil
11. (00:55:01) Controversies: Superman and Weapons ranked lower
12. (01:10:04) Mission Impossible just misses the top 10
13. (01:14:29) Top 10 begins: Kingdom of Heaven (Director’s Cut)
14. (01:17:40) #9 Novocaine: cringe, glass, and Atmos wizardry
15. (01:21:56) #8 Dangerous Animals: nasty fun without Atmos/DV
16. (01:27:52) #7 Ballerina: neon noir and flamethrower mayhem
17. (01:33:00) Clarifying formats and the exception cases
18. (01:33:56) #6 Death of a Unicorn: vivid HDR and Jurassic roars
19. (01:37:51) Freddies awarded: Inspirational pod, Best Video, Best Audio
20. (01:49:59) #5 K‑Pop Demon Hunters: 1080p DV/Atmos stunner
21. (01:54:56) #4 Wolfman: jaw-dropping audio, story debates
22. (01:58:05) #3 Sinners: VAR cinematography and immersive pacing
23. (02:02:00) #2 House of Dynamite: tension masterclass on Netflix
24. (02:10:15) #1 F1: the complete home theater experience
25. (02:17:23) Full rankings recap and reflections on the year
26. (02:20:16) Looking ahead to 2026: Odyssey, Predator, and more
27. (02:23:46) Closing laughs and sign‑off with technical gremlins Follow & Say Hi to the Guys on Twitter

DJ - Bright Side Home Theater (@BrightSideHT) / Twitter
John - John Circone ⚽️ (@JohnCircone) / Twitter
Steve - Steve George (@LegalBeagleOK) / Twitter

And if you’d like to contribute to the show…

Here are Two Ways YOU CAN BE ON THE SHOW
Email the guys and put “HT Experience” in the subject line they will talk about your comment on the Podcast.
Email or DM Them on Twitter to schedule to record a Take Over Tuesday episode.
A movie you liked or a Movie you hated?
A favorite scene?
Good or Bad Experience with Home Theater gear?
Comments about past Bright Side Home Theater podcasts?
Anything about your Home Theater Experience, just let them know and you’ll be on the show!

Links
Patreon: patreon.com/brightsidehometheater
Twitter: @BrightSideHT
email: [email protected]
web: Brightsidehometheater.com
Merch: www.teepublic.com/user/bright-side-home-theater

Thanks to:
Theme Music by Jeff Bernheart/Throne Vault Productions.
https://thronevaultproductions.bandcamp.com/

THANK YOU for PUSHING PLAY

Catch Me If You Can (In 4K): Holiday Rewatches, Sisu Surprises, and a New Christmas Classic

Well, for the last show of 2025, we had a BLAST!! This week: there’s maths, beards, rentals, bits and conniving kids!! Enjoy!! Happy New Year!!
Enjoy!
Lets get into ALL our Home Theater Experiences!
So much fun!

“If you can’t laugh while talking Home Theater, you’re doing something wrong.”
Right?
Push Play and hear for yourself.

In this lively year-end episode, Steve and DJ kick things off with an unexpectedly deep tangent on math as a “language,” universality, and why measurement and observation aren’t the same—before they pivot into what you came for: home theater fun. DJ shares a surprise Christmas reveal that’s perfect for the show—a custom Captain Bright Side shield—and they swap stories on holiday traditions, collecting discs, and the eternal Die Hard-as-Christmas debate. Reviews this week include a Prime Video watch of The Rental (solid premise, but a miss for Steve), a fresh revisit of Die Hard in 4K (still the gold-standard action classic with pleasing surround ambience), Sisu: Road to Revenge on Kaleidescape (gorgeous 4K imagery but a surprisingly front-heavy Atmos mix), and Catch Me If You Can in 4K (stunning HDR presentation and a stealthy Christmas movie with heart). The big discovery: 8-Bit Christmas—a new instant Christmas Eve tradition that nails 80s nostalgia, family feels, and delivers a shockingly great 4K/Atmos streaming presentation. The guys wrap up with plans for next week’s Best of 2025 Home Theater Experiences show and lots of listener shout-outs.

Movies discussed: The Rental (Prime Video), Die Hard (4K UHD), Sisu: Road to Revenge (Kaleidescape), Catch Me If You Can (4K UHD/streaming), 8-Bit Christmas (4K streaming).

CHAPTERS

1. (00:00:00) Cold open: Taxes, math anxiety, and universality debate
2. (00:12:40) Show kickoff: Home theater talk and a mystery Christmas reveal
3. (00:17:45) Gadgets chat: AirPods Pro 3, translation, and noise cancelation
4. (00:18:50) Ultimate gift reveal: Captain Bright Side shield
5. (00:25:00) Skills, ambidexterity, and coaching stories
6. (00:29:40) Live chat roll call and year wrap vibes
7. (00:33:00) Holiday routines: Decorations, timing, and traditions
8. (00:38:33) What to watch: Kicking off reviews with The Rental (Prime Video)
9. (00:46:28) Die Hard 4K revisit: Picture, audio quirks, and Christmas cred
10. (00:56:06) Home theater criteria and eligibility chat
11. (00:56:27) Sisu: Road to Revenge—stunning visuals, restrained Atmos
12. (01:08:05) Catch Me If You Can 4K: Whimsy, family, and Christmas through-lines
13. (01:26:00) Hidden gem discovery: 8-Bit Christmas setup
14. (01:31:50) 8-Bit Christmas review: ’80s nostalgia, heart, and home theater take
15. (01:44:26) Year-end outlook: 2025 home theater picks preview and sign-off

Follow & Say Hi to the Guys on Twitter

DJ - Bright Side Home Theater (@BrightSideHT) / Twitter
John - John Circone ⚽️ (@JohnCircone) / Twitter
Steve - Steve George (@LegalBeagleOK) / Twitter

And if you’d like to contribute to the show…

Here are Two Ways YOU CAN BE ON THE SHOW
Email the guys and put “HT Experience” in the subject line they will talk about your comment on the Podcast.
Email or DM Them on Twitter to schedule to record a Take Over Tuesday episode.
A movie you liked or a Movie you hated?
A favorite scene?
Good or Bad Experience with Home Theater gear?
Comments about past Bright Side Home Theater podcasts?
Anything about your Home Theater Experience, just let them know and you’ll be on the show!

Links
Patreon: patreon.com/brightsidehometheater
Twitter: @BrightSideHT
email: [email protected]
web: Brightsidehometheater.com
Merch: www.teepublic.com/user/bright-side-home-theater

Thanks to:
Theme Music by Jeff Bernheart/Throne Vault Productions.
https://thronevaultproductions.bandcamp.com/

THANK YOU for PUSHING PLAY

Go Push Play: Our Holiday Watchlist from Pandora to Peppermint-Fueled Punch-Ups

This week: we wish everyone a Merry Christmas (in lots of languages!!) and talk about some REFERENCE 4K HT experiences!!
Enjoy!

Lets get into ALL our Home Theater Experiences!
So much fun!
“If you can’t laugh while talking Home Theater, you’re doing something wrong.”
Right?
Push Play and hear for yourself.

In this festive, freewheeling episode, Steve and DJ kick off with holiday banter, retail war stories, and global greetings before diving into the meat: home theater greatness and year‑end plans. DJ's revisit Avatar (Collector’s Extended Cut) and Avatar: The Way of Water on 4K UHD—calling the first film’s disc a jaw‑dropping reference for picture and sound, with its HDR depth and DTS-HD MA upmixed to Neural:X rivaling theatrical thrills, while Way of Water impresses but feels less consistently three‑dimensional and a bit baggy in pacing. They discuss the new Avatar: Fire and Ash and why a 3.5+ hour runtime makes a theatrical trip tough during the holidays. From there, DJ spins Iron Man 3 (Dolby Vision/Atmos) as his Christmas comfort watch, praising its crisp dynamics, punchy bass, and razor‑sharp detail, and returns to Violent Night for gleefully over‑the‑top, graphically violent Christmas action—great bass, crunchy effects, and a wink to Home Alone. Steve covers The Conjuring: Last Rites with its surprise variable aspect ratio and solid Atmos jolts (fun for series fans, not essential). They also riff on Netflix signing Barstool’s podcasts and what it could mean for pod/video platforms and creator loyalty, brainstorm names for our own annual awards, and share a few listener‑powered ideas. The guys wrap up with holiday well‑wishes, a nod to mental health, and gratitude to our global community. Go push play and enjoy the season!

Note: They ignore sponsor talk and stick to the movies, tech, formats, and audience Q&A highlights.

CHAPTERS
1. (00:00:00) Holiday banter, shirts, turkeys, and retail war stories
2. (00:18:52) Show intro and Christmas vibes: Bright Side Home Theater
3. (00:20:49) Awards brainstorming: Naming the Bright Side movie awards
4. (00:36:04) Industry news: Netflix signs Barstool podcasts and platform loyalty
5. (00:47:50) Avatar revisit part 1: Collectors Extended Cut impressions
6. (01:02:06) Streaming vs disc upgrades: why physical still stuns
7. (01:05:32) Avatar Way of Water: strengths, bloat, and AV comparison
8. (01:18:10) Avatar 3 theater hesitation and franchise fatigue
9. (01:19:39) Iron Man 3 is a Christmas classic: Dolby Vision & Atmos delight
10. (01:29:05) MCU tangents: Downey Jr., Civil War, and Doomsday speculation
11. (01:33:24) Horror corner: The Conjuring Last Rites and surprise IMAX-style ratios
12. (01:36:26) Counter-programming: Violent Night holiday carnage review
13. (01:50:39) Dream theaters: IMAX at home, intimacy vs scale
14. (01:57:20) Wrap-up: gratitude, mental health, and holiday sign-off

Follow & Say Hi to the Guys on Twitter

DJ - Bright Side Home Theater (@BrightSideHT) / Twitter
John - John Circone ⚽️ (@JohnCircone) / Twitter
Steve - Steve George (@LegalBeagleOK) / Twitter

And if you’d like to contribute to the show…

Here are Two Ways YOU CAN BE ON THE SHOW
Email the guys and put “HT Experience” in the subject line they will talk about your comment on the Podcast.
Email or DM Them on Twitter to schedule to record a Take Over Tuesday episode.
A movie you liked or a Movie you hated?
A favorite scene?
Good or Bad Experience with Home Theater gear?
Comments about past Bright Side Home Theater podcasts?
Anything about your Home Theater Experience, just let them know and you’ll be on the show!

Links
Patreon: patreon.com/brightsidehometheater
Twitter: @BrightSideHT
email: [email protected]
web: Brightsidehometheater.com
Merch: www.teepublic.com/user/bright-side-home-theater

Thanks to:
Theme Music by Jeff Bernheart/Throne Vault Productions.
https://thronevaultproductions.bandcamp.com/

Welcome to the Bright Side Home Theater SEVENTH annual Christmas Eve tradition!

Yippee-Ki-Yay, Christmas Eve: Our Annual Die Hard Deep Dive

DJ sits down with both his boys, Joe and Greg, for the annual Holiday discussion of Die Hard from 1988.
“If you can’t laugh while talking Home Theater, you’re doing something wrong.”
Right?
Push Play and hear for yourself.
Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

In the seventh annual Die Hard Christmas tradition, DJ is joined by Joe and Greg to revel in the timeless debate: yes, Die Hard is absolutely a Christmas movie—and they brought receipts. From on-screen “Christmas” word counts and plot mechanics that only work on Christmas Eve, to FBI playbooks, detonators, and Nakatomi party logistics, the guys break down why the holiday is essential to the story. They also compare viewing setups—headphones, home theaters, and formats—and dive into fresh audio/visual details they each noticed this year, from echo nuances and elevator atmospherics to continuity quirks and that glorious jet flyover. Along the way: the Fox Plaza sighting IRL, favorite fight beats, improvised lines they love, and new nitpicks that only make our affection for the film grow. Seven years in, they're still finding new things to laugh at, analyze, and celebrate—and they’re already counting down to next Christmas Eve. They also meander through format hunts (disc vs. streaming), Atmos vs. DTS surprises, and the legacy of Die Hard resetting the ‘80s action genre—plus some personal traditions, snack confessions, and a quick look ahead to the series’ sequels. It’s cozy, it’s nerdy, it’s festive, and it’s our favorite holiday ritual: push play on Die Hard, argue about glass and shoes, and wish you all a Merry Christmas. Yippee-ki-yay, see you next year.

CHAPTERS
1. (00:00:00) Kicking off the 7th annual Die Hard Christmas tradition
2. (00:01:57) How many times have we seen Die Hard? Joe, Greg, and DJ compare notes
3. (00:04:03) Is Die Hard a Christmas movie? Stats, arguments, and Home Alone debate
4. (00:12:02) Where and how we watched: gear, formats, and streaming pains
5. (00:17:00) Sound talk: jets, elevators, echoes, and Atmos vs. DTS MA
6. (00:23:18) Spotting continuity quirks: sunset light, wind cuts, and timing oddities
7. (00:27:48) Seeing Nakatomi (Fox Plaza) in real life and LA tangents
8. (00:31:00) Rubble, reverb, and falling debris: new audio details discovered
9. (00:32:58) Cops, welders, and flashbangs: tactical choices we love to roast
10. (00:35:00) Detonators, playbooks, and Dwayne: why the authorities miss the point
11. (00:41:06) Fights, dancers, and gun posture: Carl, Marco, and 80s action style
12. (00:44:49) The watch-side theory: good guys vs. bad guys wrist tells
13. (00:49:46) How Die Hard reset 80s action: grounded stakes vs. one-liners
14. (00:52:49) Fist with your toes to glass on your feet: small setups, big payoffs
15. (00:57:04) Hans’ notebook, Ode to Joy, and little touches we still chase
16. (01:03:04) Sequels, timelines, and the McClane family tree
17. (01:07:04) Takagi, Ellis, and Rickman’s micro-acting masterclass
18. (01:09:54) Early-plane scene oddities: soft dialogue and shaky shot debate
19. (01:12:00) California moments: yoga pants, culture beats, and 80s airport vibes
20. (01:16:00) Snacks, side chatter, and closing the annual tradition
Follow & Say Hi to the Guys on Twitter

DJ - Bright Side Home Theater (@BrightSideHT) / Twitter
John - John Circone ⚽️ (@JohnCircone) / Twitter
Steve - Steve George (@LegalBeagleOK) / Twitter

And if you’d like to contribute to the show…

Here are Two Ways YOU CAN BE ON THE SHOW
Email the guys and put “HT Experience” in the subject line they will talk about your comment on the Podcast.
Email or DM Them on Twitter to schedule to record a Take Over Tuesday episode.
A movie you liked or a Movie you hated?
A favorite scene?
Good or Bad Experience with Home Theater gear?
Comments about past Bright Side Home Theater podcasts?
Anything about your Home Theater Experience, just let them know and you’ll be on the show!

Links
Patreon: patreon.com/brightsidehometheater
Twitter: @BrightSideHT
email: [email protected]
web: Brightsidehometheater.com
Merch: www.teepublic.com/user/bright-side-home-theater

Thanks to:
Theme Music by Jeff Bernheart/Throne Vault Productions.
https://thronevaultproductions.bandcamp.com/