Bright Side Home Theater

It’s Take Over Tuesday where you the listener run the podcast.

And this week’s episode is featuring Jon!

Not ‘Good Enough’: Inside the Eyes Wide Shut 4K Debate with Jon Thompson

In this lively, wide-ranging conversation with post-production veteran John Thompson, DJ and Jon dig into the controversy around Criterion’s Eyes Wide Shut 4K release and why 12‑bit Dolby Vision (Profile 7) matters for preserving filmmakers’ intent—especially for Kubrick. Jon breaks down bit depth, chroma subsampling, Dolby Vision’s cinema vs. TV profiles, and how downsampling can rob highlights, depth, and color nuance. They branch into the history of film vs. digital (from DCI and IMAX to ACES and grain management), why presentation is part of the art, and how home theater standards influence the entire ecosystem. Along the way: Kaleidescape vs. disc, power supplies and noise, lenses and bokeh, the economics of high-end vs. mid-market gear, AI hype vs. reality, and vivid anecdotes about Kubrick’s process, Neil Armstrong’s “one small step,” and the enduring value of striving for better over “good enough.”

Bottom line: If you care about fidelity, consistency, and honoring the work, asking for the best available delivery format isn’t nitpicking—it’s the point.

Chapters

1. (00:00:00) Opening banter and setting the agenda
2. (00:00:45) Eyes Wide Shut on Criterion sparks a quality debate
3. (00:04:40) Dolby Vision vs HDR10: history, licensing, and bit depth
4. (00:07:36) 8‑bit to 16‑bit: lessons from VFX, DCI testing, and standards
5. (00:12:19) Pixel depth over pixel count and the rise of HDR cinema
6. (00:16:43) Kubrick’s influence: obsession with perfection and process
7. (00:20:01) Case study: The Long Good Friday—12‑bit vs 10‑bit impact
8. (00:31:41) High‑end processors and niche features: Trinnov and pro Atmos
9. (00:41:26) Why file‑based playback can rival DCPs
10. (00:44:53) Film vs digital highlights, dynamic range, and capture choices
11. (00:50:13) Grain myths and proper grain management in scans
12. (00:56:42) Why not 12‑bit? QC, seamless branching, and costs
13. (00:59:31) Criterion’s track record, pricing, and likely silence
14. (01:03:15) Trickle‑down tech: DLP, big OLEDs, and falling prices
15. (01:05:41) Resolution vs HDR: when 2K is enough on smaller screens
16. (01:06:25) Why Kaleidescape images pop: ASICs and HDMI design
17. (01:10:27) Power supplies and noise: linear vs switch‑mode in AV
18. (01:19:41) Kubrick team lore: lenses, DPs, and preparation for Eyes Wide Shut
19. (01:26:48) AI accusations, editing tools, and writing voice
20. (01:45:02) Chroma subsampling 4:2:0 vs 4:2:2 vs 4:4:4 explained
21. (01:50:06) Digital archiving woes: lost tapes and fragile negatives
22. (01:54:05) Studios restoring classics and obsessive research culture
23. (02:03:00) Is streaming anti‑art? Group experiences and curation
24. (02:05:00) Context matters: then vs now in theatrical awe
25. (02:07:17) Community, tribes, and social media echo chambers
26. (02:12:00) Pre‑internet research, libraries, and conspiracy thrillers
27. (02:14:18) Bandwidth overkill and file sizes then and now
28. (02:16:49) From flying negatives to digital delivery timelines
29. (02:18:18) Cameras shrink, phones shoot 8K, and custom IMAX rigs
30. (02:21:36) Nolan, Odyssey, and managing IMAX spectacle
31. (02:25:35) What does space smell like? Humor and human details
32. (02:26:24) Moon landing conspiracies, restorations, and Armstrong’s tale
33. (02:33:11) Closing thoughts: Kubrick’s rigor and the 12‑bit ask
34. (02:42:43) Wrap‑up, meta on discourse, 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

From Plows to Projectors: Primitive War, Minority Report 4K, and Classic Comedy Upgrades

What a week and what a show! And it could’t have come at a better time!

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.

Steve and DJ went live on a snowy week and kicked things off with winter war stories, from New England plow piles and driveway disasters to UK gridlock after a few inches. That led into home-theater chat galore: Xreal’s new RealD-style 3D conversion on AR glasses, why it’s a neat free upgrade with mixed results, and some fun tests like Disney’s Rise of the Resistance POV. They also touched on online debates over Criterion’s Eyes Wide Shut mastering and why expertise matters in restoration talk. Reviews this week spanned dinos-in-’Nam mayhem with Primitive War (surprisingly ambitious on a small budget), a knockout 4K upgrade for Cinderella Man with standout Atmos crowd work and nuanced punch design, and a stellar new 4K/DV pass on Minority Report that made it feel fresh again. The guys laughed their way through classic comedy upgrades with Kingpin and Airplane II, then closed with the live-action How to Train Your Dragon—gorgeous HDR visuals, faithful to the original, with restrained Atmos. They wrapped by planning next week’s regular Tuesday slot and teasing more discs on deck.

CHAPTERS
1. (00:00:00) Snowpocalypse webcams and childhood blizzards
2. (00:07:40) Driveways, pretreating roads, and storm prep tech
3. (00:08:45) Patriots back to the Super Bowl and sports-fan baggage
4. (00:11:45) “How was your summer?”—US culture decoded
5. (00:16:39) Kickoff: Bright Side Home Theater goes live
6. (00:18:05) A tough week, a heartfelt shout‑out, and chat roll call
7. (00:23:40) Live show scheduling and growing the audience
8. (00:27:50) XR glasses update: RealD 3D conversion tested
9. (00:33:50) Free feature, pros and cons, and VR ride immersion
10. (00:38:04) Criterion kerfuffle: Eyes Wide Shut Dolby Vision debate
11. (00:46:45) Primitive War (Blu‑ray) review: ‘Platoon meets dinos’
12. (00:58:57) Cinderella Man (4K/Atmos) rewatch: crowd waves and punch weight
13. (01:10:14) Minority Report (4K DV) surprises: grain, glow, and detail
14. (01:21:54) Kingpin (4K) revisited: Farrelly humor still strikes
15. (01:34:16) Airplane II (4K) love letter: gag rate to the moon
16. (01:40:50) How to Train Your Dragon (live‑action 4K/Atmos): faithful, polished, restrained bass
17. (01:53:14) Wrap‑up: what’s next 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

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/