Home Cinema Choice Spring 2023

'If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire... the A-Team.' That memorable opening narration of the 1980s TV series was talking about a rogue ex-Special Forces unit doing good deeds around the streets of LA, but it might as well apply to Denon's A-class of AV hardware. For nearly thirty years, these top-flight products have worked their own wonders in home cinemas. They haven't been a constant, though. For whatever reason, the 'A1' line was curtailed in 2007, only returning in 2020 with a limited edition 110-year anniversary model. Now, thankfully, comes the AVC-A1H, Denon's most advanced AV amplifier ever. Does it fill the shoes of its reference-grade predecessors? To spoil the conclusion of our exclusive review…

➜News highlights MCINTOSH MHT300 AV receiver promises premium sonics SAMSUNG South Korean giant outlines 2023 flatscreen lineup KEF R series relaunched, gets the Meta treatment AT THE PLEX This month's cinema releases NEWS X10 Hot news stories in bite-sized chunks M3GAN Smash-hit sci-fi-horror aims to please on Blu-ray & MORE! Style matches for Paradigm's Founder Series speakers, the new XR 13 (pictured, in Midnight Cherry finish) and XR 11 subwoofers feature a freshly designed bass driver on advanced 'trilinear' suspension system, and incorporate ARC calibration and app control. Onboard power for the 13in model (£5,899) is rated at 2,200W, while the smaller 11in sibling (£4,699) claims 1,100W. Trickledown tech from the Founder Series includes faceted, braced cabinet designs and shock-mount feet.…

McIntosh MHT300 ➜www.finesounds.uk Soon after launching its CI-focused MI502 power amplifier (see p66), McIntosh has announced a new AV receiver that promises to 'transform home theatre dreams into reality.' The US brand's first product to feature Dirac Room correction, and sporting HDR10+, Dolby Vision and 4K/120 passthrough on its HDMI stage, the MHT300 claims a 7x150W output via individually assignable amp modules, plus 11-channel processing for use with additional amplification. Design flourishes include McIntosh's customary black glass front panel and illuminated logo. Look out for the AVR at authorised dealers, priced £8,995.…

Shotgun Wedding Available on Prime Video, this frothy and fun action comedy puts Jennifer Lopez's bride-to-be against gun-wielding pirates. The Last Emperor Bertolucci's historical biopic looks more opulent than ever on Arrow's UHD BD thanks to a superb Dolby Vision-graded restoration. All That Heaven Allows Criterion's UK Blu-ray release of Douglas Sirk's 1955 romantic melodrama will leave cinephiles weeping tears of joy. Snake & Crane Arts of Shaolin: Deluxe Collector's Edition A new 2K restoration makes 88 Films' Blu-ray revisit well worth the double-dip for fight-fans. Freaky Shout Factory treats this brilliant body-swap slasher to a US 4K BD – it's still DVD-only in the UK... …

Next-generation Samsung QD OLED screens, Neo QLED models with Mini LED backlighting, and a raft of largescreen 4K smart TVs have made their European bow at a 'Tech Summit and Showcase' held in Frankfurt. The 2023 models may be in stores by the time you read this, and represent the most comprehensive lineup of TV technology yet seen from the brand. HCC was there for a close look at the major models. Certain to attract attention from cinephiles are the two new Quantum Dot OLED screens, the S90C and flagship S95C. Both will sell in 55in, 65in and 77in screen sizes, with the S95C easily distinguished from its stablemate by a newly redesigned One Connect Box; the S90C model is slightly more conventional, with all inputs and tuner hardware built…

John Wick: Chapter 4 March 24: Keanu Reeves is back in the suit and toting a seemingly endless arsenal of high-powered handguns in this eagerly anticipated sequel that sees the former(?) assassin killing everybody between him and freedom from the High Table... Super Mario Bros. April 7: It's-a-me, Chris Pratt! The ubiquitous Hollywood actor lends his voice to this 'toon take on Nintendo's mushroom-loving plumber. Fun trailers have us hoping it will purge all memories of the woeful 1993 live-action film. Evil Dead Rise April 21: Originally planned for release on HBO Max, positive test screening feedback to director Lee Cronin's fifth instalment in the franchise means the Deadites will be raising hell in a cinema near you instead. Groovy!…