Starz / Anchor Bay | 2010 | 93 min | Rated R | Region A (locked) | Sep 28, 2010
Three snowboarders they get stranded on a ski chairlift taking them to the last run of the day. When the ski patrol switches off the night lights, the threesome realize with growing panic and dread that they’ve been left behind,...
A respectable addition to the thriller/suspense genre.
Movie: Frozen provides us with such a simple concept: you're trapped with seemingly no way out, now what do you do? The movie starts with the creaking sounds and visuals of the inner workings of a ski lift, immediately heightening my anticipation to find out what happens to the trio of friends who you know will be stranded before long. The camera angles used here and the authenticity of shooting on location while not using any green screen provide a fantastic atmosphere for realism. I found the acting ability of the three leads, Kevin Zegers, Shawn Ashmore, and Emma Bell to be very strong. What helped make the story so believable is Kevin and Shawn's real life relationship, and also Emma's ability to be so credible, to feel for her character yet at some points be agitated with her as well.
Video: Frozen's video transfer left me amazed yet also disappointed at the same time. During much of the film I was treated to some of the best black levels I've seen on any release to date, giving me the sense that the characters are forever lost in a black hole. Colors can appear to be a tad dull yet are very accurate and never over saturated. Details throughout are very sharp but leads into my biggest gripe: excessive grain, which I found to be a bit distracting in some scenes. Also to note, I frequently noticed white specs that flashed at random intervals, which were very apparent due to the deep black levels. I also observed some inaccurate "reverse halos", which were viewable when the camera was panned up at the trio from the ground, where certain areas around them as well as the lower right corner were darker than the rest of the screen.
Audio: Frozen's audio track also lends hand to the excellent video transfer in giving that "I'm lost forever and no one is going to find me feeling". Surrounds are active from start to finish and the LFE track gives just the right amount of "oomph" to add to the suspense, especially during a scene when you first realize they are stranded. Seeing our trio in the beginning at the ski resort felt as if you were another bystander there strapping on your boots and getting ready to head up the mountain, where skiers traversed the soundstage from all angles.
Extras: The extras provided in Frozen are two commentary tracks, deleted scenes, a trailer, an easy to find easter egg, and a very thorough and educational making of documentary. The documentary itself is just as long as the film is and I found to be very fascinating, diving into cast selection, location scouting, and detailing how much blood, sweat, and tears went into making the movie, and literally leaving the cast and crew "Frozen" as well.
Overall: I truly appreciate what Adam Green's vision was for Frozen. The filming style was fantastic, the A/V accurately portrayed a sense of terror and suspense, and I found the extras and documentary to be very entertaining as well as informative. Unfortunately in the end, I was left wanting more. The film comes recommended, but because of low replay value, I would only suggest a purchase at the right price.
20th Century Fox | 2001 | 128 min | Rated PG-13 | Region free
| Oct 19, 2010
In 1899 France, a young writer named Christian defies his bourgeois father, leaves his family home and
moves to the seedy, bohemian underworld of Montmartre, Paris. He is taken in by Toulouse-Lautrec
and his entourage, and is...
Movie: Moulin Rouge is an energetic ride from start to finish. I was laughing hysterically at the movies interpretation of "Like A Virgin" and ready to get up dance when I heard the concoction of Lady Marmalade, Smells Like Teen Spirit, and the "Can-Can" dance song, and I still can't stop singing "Roxanne" as I type this. I fell in love with the artistic style presented within as it is completely abnormal from what I usually experience, with numerous special effects and larger than life moments. Kidman and McGregor seemed to be meant for their roles here and were superb throughout. Though the ending is hinted multiple times, I found it very fitting. Moulin Rouge sure is a kinetic and touching journey, and I'm ecstatic I purchased a ticket for the ride.
Video: What an dazzling light show we have here. The visuals in Moulin Rouge are purely gorgeous. Greens, blues, yellows, and reds truly pop off the screen and the black and whites of the tuxes counter each other perfectly as yin and yang. You may notice a large amount of lens flare, particularly during the first encounter with the Moulin Rouge, but keep in mind this is the director's vision. At first I found them distracting, but Luhrmann's envision behind the movie is that humanity is not perfect, and since we come to expect perfect digital manipulations, he intentionally took shots out of focus or left blemishes intact.
Audio: The audio track herein is one of the best I have ever experienced. I say experience, not hear because that is how it felt when sitting down and viewing Moulin Rouge. Dialogue is crisp, the vocals are superb, and the musical numbers are so energetic they make you want to get up and dance along with the Can-Can girls! Surrounds are very active throughout the entire film and the LFE adds the perfect amount of bass. My one and only complaint with the track is that during some musical scenes, dialogue can be difficult to interpret as the music itself overpowers the spoken voice.
Extras: The extras found here can be daunting yet they are outstanding. From an detailed and never-ending PiP track, documentaries with Baz Luhrmann & Catherine Martin, the cast, crew, behind the scenes, web episodes, making of, production featurettes, and even music videos of songs from the soundtrack. I personally enjoyed the A Creative Adventure, which delves into the minds of the Luhrmann & Martin, detailing what went into the film and how it came to be. I also found it fascinating to know all of the audio and vocals were recorded in Luhrmann's living room and not in a studio. All extras are in HD and much of them are as vivid looking at the movie itself. Audio is 2ch DD.
A note regarding the extras: While some are presented with a video quality almost as good as the film itself, there a quite a few shown as a tiny picture in picture window in a space about 40% of your actual display. The surrounding area is outlined with antiquated borders in the style of the Moulin Rouge.
Overall: I was never a fan of musicals, be it from a movie or a TV show. Moulin Rouge is the first musical movie I've ever purchased and my viewing last night happened by chance. I wanted to demo the A/V first and watch it later, but after watching two random chapters, I decided to give it a shot, and I'm thrilled that I did. As a film, I found it energetic and brilliant. The musical score blended perfectly, the audio and video breathtaking, and extras that will take days to view everything. This release of Moulin Rouge is what the Blu-ray format is entirely about and comes very highly recommend. Simply put: Moulin Rouge is Spectacular, Spectacular!
A must see release that provides a look into the Japanese culture.
Movie: Best of Travel: Beautiful Japan is divided into two episodes with six chapters each, first of which is Tokyo, the latter being Kyoto. Rudy Maxa, contributing editor with National Geographic Traveler magazine, host for a multitude of PBS documentaries, and who even runs his own radio talk show, guides us on a journey to two amazingly beautiful and historic cities.
Episodes and chapters are as follows:
Tokyo
1) Commerce
2) Tokyo By Night
3) Fish Market
4) Spring
5) Exploring Tokyo
6) New & Old
Kyoto
1) Wabi-sabi
2) The Story
3) Crafted Goods
4) Nishiki Market
5) Spring
6) Temples & Shrines
The documentary starts us of by giving a background of the shopping districts and lifestyles in and around Tokyo. It briefly touches upon the numerous malls and even food department stores such as the Isetan, where fruits such as "the most perfect melon in the world" are sold for hundreds of dollars each. Tokyo By Night shows the Shinjuku district with it's vast neon signs and tiny hidden restaurants. Maxa highlights the pachinko parlors there.
Maxa next visits the Tsukiji fish market and sees his first blowfish, giving us a pointer that if we ever caught one in the wild, throw it back fast. He highlights how many billions of dollars runs through the market each year. Some tuna here sell for $10,000-$15,000 on average per fish! He briefly speaks about the auctions that run here and where the food ends up, usually in local bars with wait times up to two hours for the most fresh sushi.
Spring in Tokyo is when the first cherry blossom trees bloom and is Maxa's next topic. Here he talks about the Shinto shrines, wedding ceremonies, and hanami, the tradition of relaxing under the beautiful trees and enjoying the recently bloomed flowers. Exploring Tokyo shows a glimpse of the subways and then has Maxa exploring some small areas around Tokyo, such as Kagurazaka. Here he samples soba noodles, which are handmade, never machined, daily. He also experiences Japanese hospitality, where sake is poured overflowingly, just to show their generosity.
The last topic of Tokyo is titled New & Old. Maxa starts off mentioning the economy of Japan's past and present, as well as the corporate culture, where 90% of it is contrived of men. Traditional tea ceremonies as well as classic and modern hotels are touched upon as well. He then goes full swing into currently technology, including toilets that can be operated by remote, and briefly mentions anime and manga.
Maxa next visits Kyoto, about a two hour train ride from Tokyo. The entire topic of his visit is wabi-sabi, the Japanese view of finding beauty within. His first visit is to a zen garden in the Ryaon-ji temple, which focuses on harmony and relaxation. Maxa also interviews a textile artist who specializes in kimonos, , showing us the time and effort that can go into each one, and even the cost, charging $30,000 for each one!
In The Story, Maxa samples a kaiseki meal (a dish where the focal point is color, texture, and appearance) in Gion. He also provides a succinct backstory of geishas and meikos. The next chapter is very brief, titled Crafted Goods. Maxa inverviews an owner of an incense store and mentions how Kyoto is the center of craftsmanship in Japan, showing artisans at work making fans, umbrellas, and lamps. Nishiki Market is up next, highlighting the various teas, egg rolls, sushi, and color dishes that can be found there Maxa mentions that if it's edible, you'll find it there. This chapter also touches upon the topic of traditional tea ceremonies and ritualization.
Spring was one of my favorite chapters on this release. Maxa interviews a shakuhachi player and artisan. Also shown here are bamboo forests in Arashiyama and mentioned is the "philosophers walk", a 2km walk under gorgeous cherry blossom trees.
The final chapter, titled Temples & Shrines, shows amazing architecture around Kyoto, starting off with the Kiyomizu-dera temple and expanding upon the Higashiyama district. Maxa checks into Yoshida-sanso, a ryokan, or traditonal Japanese inn.
There are two things that I must bring up regarding the documentary. First and foremost is that the feature is very short, at only 50 minutes total. Maxa touches upon key areas of Tokyo and Kyoto but very rarely goes deeper. Secondly, the chapters order is entirely random and changes abruptly, going from Tokyo's nightlife and pachinko parlors to diving right into Tsukiji's fish market. I also found it quite peculiar to have a "TV-G" rating symbol shown at the beginning of each episode, which may mean this was ripped straight from TV.
A side note as well: This very own website, Blu-ray.com, is quoted on the back cover of this release - "A beautiful visual experience", but not attributed to anyone specifically.
Video: The video transfer here is near flawless. Beautiful Japan was shot with HD cameras and encoded using MPEG-4 AVC. Right from the start, with cherry blossoms glowing a neon purple, I knew this release would be gorgeous. Colors are extremely vivid and vibrant, and saturation is never overused. One particular scene that stood out to me was the gorgeous geisha outfits in Kyoto: The Story, where the geisha's deep blue kimono and neon green accents contrasted the dull streets perfectly. Another standout was also in the same chapter, where I paused on Maxa's stunning kaiseki meal to appreciate the colorful selection of the various foods.
Audio: Don't let the 2.0 audio track fool you as it did to me. I was concerned that this would be a dull track and it is far from! Since this is a documentary, the center channel is primarly used. Maxa's voice is clear and powerful, but what impressed me the most was the use of traditional Japanese instruments including the koto, shakuhachi, and shamisen throughout most of the journey. The shamisen could also be heard battling between the left and right channels. Surrounds can also be mixed with DD PLxii and provide a good soundstage with the right setup.
Extras: There are no extras on the disc itself, only a DVD and digital copy are provided with the release. The popup menus are done very nicely as well as the intro. No subtitles are available nor is there the ability to resume play where you left off. The score is based upon the bonus disc and presentation of the feature.
Overall: This particular Best of Travel release is a first for me into the Travel series, and I must admit it was a long awaited one. I've been fascinated with the Japanese culture and lifestyle since I was a teenager, leading me towards studying the language and history for the past ten years. Beautiful Japan is a fantastic release on Blu-ray, giving a brilliant HD picture, fairly good 2.0 audio track with exceptionally clear tone from Maxa as well as a background musical track that sucks you into the Japanese cultural mindset. For fans of the culture of Japanese, this is a must own release. For travel aficionados, this comes highly recommended.
Sony Pictures | 2010 | 140 min | Rated PG | Region free
| Oct 05, 2010
12-year-old Dre Parker could've been the most popular kid in Detroit, but his mother's latest career move has landed him in China. Dre immediately falls for his classmate Mei Ying - and the feeling is mutual - but cultural...
Movie: My initial reaction upon hearing about the new Karate Kid was "you've got to be kidding me". As you very well may be thinking right now "why mess with a classic?". I hope to vanquish your fears by starting off with telling you that the original producer for the first Karate Kid filmed in 1984, Jerry Weintraub, is the very same producer for the new TKK. This is never meant to be a replacement but a new age version of a classic. The story stays true to the original but adds it's own flavor, which is immediately noticeable right from the start. Some modern day changes include subtle hints about the current economy, some classic rock, and coming from far out from left field, current songs from Flo Rida and Lady Gaga.
The story itself is an emotional roller coaster, giving a wide range of reactions from pity, embarrassment, anger, joy, and sadness. Jaden Smith did a wonderful job taking over the role as the karate kid, and Jackie Chan was admirable in the shoes of the old mentor. Jackie was fantastic in one of his scenes that is a total reversal of his usual roles, leaving you feeling for him, truly putting you in his shoes. I felt TKK to be a bit too long, clocking in at 140 minutes. The first 45 minutes seem to drag on as we see Dre be abused over and over. This could have easily been cut down to 25 minutes or less and have the same effect.
Video: I don't recall saying this about any BD transfer this far, but the video in The Karate Kid is flawless. I couldn't find a single fault in the transfer. Flesh tones are accurate, colors are vibrant and never over saturated, and even the scenes filmed in the Wudang mountains that appear to be rather dull are extremely detailed.
Audio: Similar to the video but missing it by a hair is a near perfect audio track. Voices are clear and precise, surrounds are used to add matching ambiance, and the LFE is used to add "oomph" during fight scenes. The only inconsistency I found was near the very end of Mr. Han's first fight scene, I noticed some sound effects out of place.
Extras: Included are a wide variety of extras, from behind the scenes and making of, production diaries, music videos, and even basic Mandarin lessons. The interactive map shows historical information and details on how much effort went into the scenes in locations such as The Great Wall, Beijing, and the Wudang Mountains. The map layout can be a bit cumbersome though as you have to choose each location, then the area within, waiting for constant loading in between. I thoroughly enjoyed the making of, which to me hit a sweet spot of around 20 minutes. It was fascinating to see direct comparison between the two movies but a major irritation with me was the constant advertising in the scenes showing the original Karate Kid, with incessant flashing of "Now available on Blu-ray and DVD".
Overall: I was a bit nervous going into the new Karate Kid. The original is such a classic and I had concerns that altering it would be a crime against cinema. Thankfully what I discovered was a fantastic modern day version of the original. It's faithful yet adds it own flavor, and serves as a great complement. The video is flawless, the audio near perfect, and the extras, while varied but ultimately short, provide a brief look into the production and the history of locales around China. The Karate Kid (2010) comes highly recommended.
12-year-old Dre Parker could've been the most popular kid in Detroit, but his mother's latest career move has landed him in China. Dre immediately falls for his classmate Mei Ying - and the feeling is mutual - but cultural...
Movie: My initial reaction upon hearing about the new Karate Kid was "you've got to be kidding me". As you very well may be thinking right now "why mess with a classic?". I hope to vanquish your fears by starting off with telling you that the original producer for the first Karate Kid filmed in 1984, Jerry Weintraub, is the very same producer for the new TKK. This is never meant to be a replacement but a new age version of a classic. The story stays true to the original but adds it's own flavor, which is immediately noticeable right from the start. Some modern day changes include subtle hints about the current economy, some classic rock, and coming from far out from left field, current songs from Flo Rida and Lady Gaga.
The story itself is an emotional roller coaster, giving a wide range of reactions from pity, embarrassment, anger, joy, and sadness. Jaden Smith did a wonderful job taking over the role as the karate kid, and Jackie Chan was admirable in the shoes of the old mentor. Jackie was fantastic in one of his scenes that is a total reversal of his usual roles, leaving you feeling for him, truly putting you in his shoes. I felt TKK to be a bit too long, clocking in at 140 minutes. The first 45 minutes seem to drag on as we see Dre be abused over and over. This could have easily been cut down to 25 minutes or less and have the same effect.
Video: I don't recall saying this about any BD transfer this far, but the video in The Karate Kid is flawless. I couldn't find a single fault in the transfer. Flesh tones are accurate, colors are vibrant and never over saturated, and even the scenes filmed in the Wudang mountains that appear to be rather dull are extremely detailed.
Audio: Similar to the video but missing it by a hair is a near perfect audio track. Voices are clear and precise, surrounds are used to add matching ambiance, and the LFE is used to add "oomph" during fight scenes. The only inconsistency I found was near the very end of Mr. Han's first fight scene, I noticed some sound effects out of place.
Extras: Included are a wide variety of extras, from behind the scenes and making of, production diaries, music videos, and even basic Mandarin lessons. The interactive map shows historical information and details on how much effort went into the scenes in locations such as The Great Wall, Beijing, and the Wudang Mountains. The map layout can be a bit cumbersome though as you have to choose each location, then the area within, waiting for constant loading in between. I thoroughly enjoyed the making of, which to me hit a sweet spot of around 20 minutes. It was fascinating to see direct comparison between the two movies but a major irritation with me was the constant advertising in the scenes showing the original Karate Kid, with incessant flashing of "Now available on Blu-ray and DVD".
Overall: I was a bit nervous going into the new Karate Kid. The original is such a classic and I had concerns that altering it would be a crime against cinema. Thankfully what I discovered was a fantastic modern day version of the original. It's faithful yet adds it own flavor, and serves as a great complement. The video is flawless, the audio near perfect, and the extras, while varied but ultimately short, provide a brief look into the production and the history of locales around China. The Karate Kid (2010) comes highly recommended.
Summit Entertainment | 2008 | 108 min | Unrated | Region free
| Mar 21, 2009
“The Final RIOT!” is a live CD/DVD/Blu-ray that documents the band in their most intimate moments on tour, with exclusive interviews, full access behind the scenes and on the bus, at soundcheck, at rehearsals, and more. On top of...
Movie: Paramore: The Final Riot! was filmed in Chicago's Congress Theater in August '08. The concert includes fifteen songs from All We Know Is Falling and Riot!
Track List:
1) Born For This
2) That's What You Get
3) Here We Go Again
4) Fences
5) Crushcrushcrush
6) Let the Flames Begin
7) When It Rains
8) My Heart
9) Decoy
10) Pressure
11) For A Pessimist, I'm Pretty Optimistic
12) We Are Broken
13) Emergency
14) Hallelujah
15) Misery Business
Video: After seeing phenomenal video quality in other concert Blu-rays I had very high hopes for TFR! Unfortunately this is the worst part about the BD. The quality is definitely not up to BD standards. Video appears very soft and hazy during much of the concert plus there are quite a few shots of the audience and the band on stage that seem to be taken with handheld cameras, with large amounts of noise. Camerawork is all over the place, often times zooming in and out on the band, turning to the audience, panning back to the stage, then pulling away again all in a second. I appreciate some of the effects used here but they seem to be overused entirely too often. Freeze framing, bleeding, ghosting, and color alteration were consistently used, and the latter to me is the most annoying culprit. Colors are off at times where you will find the background bleeding with a foggy red, green, or blue hue.
A final note on the disc itself: I noticed white lines and specs that flashed through the entire concert which were extremely distracting. They appeared on the very right side of the screen, on the edge of the 16x9 frame itself. This did not occur on the Decode bonus video, leading me to believe it isn't a technical error on the disc but an encoding error.
Audio: Where this release lacks in video the audio more than makes up for it! Audio is crystal clear and the 5.1 track is utilized throughout. As soon as the concert starts, you'll immediately notice each front channel used individually, where guitars take over the left and right channels, and the drums fill out the center. The mix is entirely front heavy with a small ambiance of the audience the surrounds, but also joining in singing with Hayley during the concert. LFE seems to fit perfectly, not over or underwhelming at all. My one and only gripe with the audio is the volume seems quite low overall. While comparing other concert BDs to this, the track here seems to be a whisper.
The Final Riot! is an absolute joy to listen to if you feel like mellowing out with some of their slow songs such as We Are Broken or getting pumped up with For a Pessimist, I'm Pretty Optimistic. With the help of the TrueHD track, this BD is very energetic and at times euphoric.
Extras: Included is a fun behind the scenes video titled 40 Days of Riot. It gives a look inside the mind of the band, behind the scenes during the concert, the work that went into it, and life on tour. Also included is the music video for Decode and an audio track for I Caught Myself. Unfortunately there is no pop-up menu provided during the concert so choosing a song on the set list can only be done prior to starting the concert.
Overall: The Final Riot! was the first concert BD I've ever purchased and to date have listened to it many times over. It's an absolutely blast to experience and listen to. The video is edited very poorly although the audio is absolutely stellar. For Paramore fans, this is a must own BD. For anyone else, the audio track and music itself are demo material, but you may want to shut your TV off right after you press play.
Blu-ray + DVD
Paramount Pictures | 2010 | 125 min | Rated PG-13 | Region free
| Sep 28, 2010
With the world now aware of his dual life as the armored superhero Iron Man, billionaire inventor Tony Stark faces pressure from the government, the press, and the public to share his technology with the military. Unwilling to...
IM2 is a staple release to Bluray that no collection should be without
Movie: I have to admit going into Iron Man 2 I was angry at the decision to replace Howard with Cheadle. One of the cardinal rules of filmmaking should be to never change a lead character in a film. After experiencing IM2 both in theaters and in my home theater, I can say without a doubt his performance actually had me forget the cast change entirely. Iron Man 2 picks up right where the first ended. Tony Stark reveals himself to be the one and only Iron Man. The movie immediately starts off showing the villain of the story, Ivan Vanko. Without giving anything away, I felt that the opening scenes with Ivan and his father are too abrupt and forced. It left me asking myself "that's it?" instead of feeling any emotion.
I felt the cast in this was near perfect. From Downey Jr's charisma, Rockwells's ego-centric and annoying persona, Rourke's cold and uncaring, Johansson's sultry seduction, and Paltrow's dorky yet powerful attitude, everything just fit wonderfully. Without a doubt RDJ's performance steals the show once again as it did with the original Iron Man. His personality, attitude, and ability to ad lib make this movie a comedy almost as much as it is an action movie. This is a movie I can watch repeatedly and enjoy it more with each viewing.
Video: Technically IM2's video is near flawless. I didn't find a spec of dust, noise, or tears on this release. Colors were very vibrant especially in the scenes around Monaco. I even noticed the colors pop from the blue uniforms to the red chairs in the Senate hearing. My only gripe in with the video would be the first chapter and scene where we first meet Vanko. I found the entire scene inside to be a bit too soft and hazy. I know Paramount was going for the look as if Vanko is in a slum, dirty and grimy, but the colors and tones were off to me.
Audio: I will forewarn you: Be ready to turn the volume down if you have neighbors or any family home. The soundtrack here is nothing short of amazing. Two scenes stick with me immediately: When Hammer confronts Vanko in his "cell", I felt as if I was in the room with them. Audio was crystal clear and the echoes of their voice in the near empty room made it feel as if you were one of the guards standing in there with them. The other scene during the final shootout was so intense I actually had to turn my receiver down 10 notches! It felt as if someone was using a jackhammer and pounding out the floor underneath me.
Originally writing this review, I had a complaint about the audio during key scenes in Monaco where we first see Vanko in action. LFE was very active but similar to the opening scene I mentioned earlier where it felt hazy, I feel the same way about the audio in this scene. Bass was pounding with each car being destroyed and being scattered around, but the sounds of the cars and parts crashing sounded as if you were waking up, like everything just isn't all there yet. After a second viewing, I realized that this was more intentional. During the car crashes, you're put into their perspective as if you're flying in the destroyed car. When the camera pans away and you see the car crashing into a wall, the viewpoint is now of the audience watching everything happen on TV, so you hear the their reactions first and the crash audio is severely toned down... as if you're watching it on a mono TV.
Extras: THIS is how extras should be done. The first disc includes a superb commentary track with Favreau who is fantastic to listen to and learn about all of the nuances of the movie. Previsualization and Animatics can be played as picture in picture during the movie or is found in the SHIELD vault, which shows some details during specific scenes in a pop up, an example being when Tony first uses the suitcase Mark V suit. After he first puts it on, the screen pulls back and gives you a 3D detail of its features. Now the SHIELD vault... this is for the fans! The videos in here are the same as you PiP Previsualization extra, but you can choose them individually instead of watching through as an overlay through the movie. The Vault also gives up character bios on all of the heroes and villains of the movie, plus some fun easter eggs.
The first disc has some great extras, but disc 2 is where the fun begins. It starts off with a making of in 1080p and 5.1 that is nearly 90 minutes long! This gives us great details about filming, choosing the cast, costume design, props, and where you learn some of the key scenes such as Monoco are almost entirely CGI! The deleted scenes are 16 minutes in total length. I understand why Favreau chose not to include these scenes in the movie but as a supplement they are fantastic and hilarious, particularly with the alternate opening. It's suits well as an extra and just wouldn't fit within the movie. I enjoyed the featurettes given here detailing the characters in the movie but primarily appreciate the video and commentary Favreau did regarding Adam Goldstein (DJ AM). I'm glad that Jon put this on the disc and gave an in memorandum to him in the credits. The extras wrap up with an art gallery, trailers and a single music video from AC/DC. From what I understand, there will be extras through BD-Live as well. There are simply hours upon hours of bonus content, and all of it will keep you satisfied!
Overall: Iron Man 2 was one of my most awaited BDs to come out this year and I'm happy to say that I'm extremely pleased with this release. The story blends perfectly with the first, the A/V are near perfect, and the extras seem like the you'll never have enough time to view them all, let alone when the BD-Live aspect is active. As far as I'm concerned, this 3-disc set is a staple release to Bluray and comes with my highest recommendation.
With the world now aware of his dual life as the armored superhero Iron Man, billionaire inventor Tony Stark faces pressure from the government, the press, and the public to share his technology with the military. Unwilling to...
IM2 is a staple release to Bluray that no collection should be without
Movie: I have to admit going into Iron Man 2 I was angry at the decision to replace Howard with Cheadle. One of the cardinal rules of filmmaking should be to never change a lead character in a film. After experiencing IM2 both in theaters and in my home theater, I can say without a doubt his performance actually had me forget the cast change entirely. Iron Man 2 picks up right where the first ended. Tony Stark reveals himself to be the one and only Iron Man. The movie immediately starts off showing the villain of the story, Ivan Vanko. Without giving anything away, I felt that the opening scenes with Ivan and his father are too abrupt and forced. It left me asking myself "that's it?" instead of feeling any emotion.
I felt the cast in this was near perfect. From Downey Jr's charisma, Rockwells's ego-centric and annoying persona, Rourke's cold and uncaring, Johansson's sultry seduction, and Paltrow's dorky yet powerful attitude, everything just fit wonderfully. Without a doubt RDJ's performance steals the show once again as it did with the original Iron Man. His personality, attitude, and ability to ad lib make this movie a comedy almost as much as it is an action movie. This is a movie I can watch repeatedly and enjoy it more with each viewing.
Video: Technically IM2's video is near flawless. I didn't find a spec of dust, noise, or tears on this release. Colors were very vibrant especially in the scenes around Monaco. I even noticed the colors pop from the blue uniforms to the red chairs in the Senate hearing. My only gripe in with the video would be the first chapter and scene where we first meet Vanko. I found the entire scene inside to be a bit too soft and hazy. I know Paramount was going for the look as if Vanko is in a slum, dirty and grimy, but the colors and tones were off to me.
Audio: I will forewarn you: Be ready to turn the volume down if you have neighbors or any family home. The soundtrack here is nothing short of amazing. Two scenes stick with me immediately: When Hammer confronts Vanko in his "cell", I felt as if I was in the room with them. Audio was crystal clear and the echoes of their voice in the near empty room made it feel as if you were one of the guards standing in there with them. The other scene during the final shootout was so intense I actually had to turn my receiver down 10 notches! It felt as if someone was using a jackhammer and pounding out the floor underneath me.
Originally writing this review, I had a complaint about the audio during key scenes in Monaco where we first see Vanko in action. LFE was very active but similar to the opening scene I mentioned earlier where it felt hazy, I feel the same way about the audio in this scene. Bass was pounding with each car being destroyed and being scattered around, but the sounds of the cars and parts crashing sounded as if you were waking up, like everything just isn't all there yet. After a second viewing, I realized that this was more intentional. During the car crashes, you're put into their perspective as if you're flying in the destroyed car. When the camera pans away and you see the car crashing into a wall, the viewpoint is now of the audience watching everything happen on TV, so you hear the their reactions first and the crash audio is severely toned down... as if you're watching it on a mono TV.
Extras: THIS is how extras should be done. The first disc includes a superb commentary track with Favreau who is fantastic to listen to and learn about all of the nuances of the movie. Previsualization and Animatics can be played as picture in picture during the movie or is found in the SHIELD vault, which shows some details during specific scenes in a pop up, an example being when Tony first uses the suitcase Mark V suit. After he first puts it on, the screen pulls back and gives you a 3D detail of its features. Now the SHIELD vault... this is for the fans! The videos in here are the same as you PiP Previsualization extra, but you can choose them individually instead of watching through as an overlay through the movie. The Vault also gives up character bios on all of the heroes and villains of the movie, plus some fun easter eggs.
The first disc has some great extras, but disc 2 is where the fun begins. It starts off with a making of in 1080p and 5.1 that is nearly 90 minutes long! This gives us great details about filming, choosing the cast, costume design, props, and where you learn some of the key scenes such as Monoco are almost entirely CGI! The deleted scenes are 16 minutes in total length. I understand why Favreau chose not to include these scenes in the movie but as a supplement they are fantastic and hilarious, particularly with the alternate opening. It's suits well as an extra and just wouldn't fit within the movie. I enjoyed the featurettes given here detailing the characters in the movie but primarily appreciate the video and commentary Favreau did regarding Adam Goldstein (DJ AM). I'm glad that Jon put this on the disc and gave an in memorandum to him in the credits. The extras wrap up with an art gallery, trailers and a single music video from AC/DC. From what I understand, there will be extras through BD-Live as well. There are simply hours upon hours of bonus content, and all of it will keep you satisfied!
Overall: Iron Man 2 was one of my most awaited BDs to come out this year and I'm happy to say that I'm extremely pleased with this release. The story blends perfectly with the first, the A/V are near perfect, and the extras seem like the you'll never have enough time to view them all, let alone when the BD-Live aspect is active. As far as I'm concerned, this 3-disc set is a staple release to Bluray and comes with my highest recommendation.
Lionsgate Films | 2005 | 105 min | Rated R | Region free
| Aug 31, 2010
A smart, charming teenage girl, Hayley probably shouldn't be going to a local coffee shop to meet Jeff, a 30-
something fashion photographer she met on the Internet. But Hayley's ready to have fun, and soon she's mixing...
A rollercoaster ride full of ups and downs with a satisfying end.
Movie: No movie in recent memory has felt like a rollercoaster to me. Hard Candy appears at first to push the boundaries of how much interactions adults and children should have. Jeff appears at first to be a wolf, hunting younger women online in the hopes of meeting them in person. Hayley starts off the victim, but that changes very quickly. During their very first interaction where Jeff appears to be so comfortable with Hayley that he just walks up to her and wipes her lips from the chocolate cake smeared there then licks his own thumb, it makes you feel somewhat disgusted as you know it's plain wrong.
The film is shot live in the sense that you are experiencing everything as it is happening, but you will notice hints that there's more to it than what you see. As you go through the film, you'll find yourself rooting for Jeff to get away from the psychopath that is holding him captive or Hayley to give Jeff what you believe he may or may not truly deserve.
There is one key scene in Hard Candy that seems over the top and I will not give it away here. It's very methodical and can appear to be drawn out too long, but I appreciated the suspense it was intending to give. The film left me praising Ellen's acting ability. Her character is so believable and what she says in the movie has truth: it doesn't matter if Jeff called for help because who will anyone believe... the 32 year old man or the innocent 14 teenage girl in his home.
Video: I found the shooting style and color palette near perfect in Hard Candy. The colors in scenes can be so opposite at times, where the characters look almost pale and dull yet the background's reds or yellows are so saturated it's almost blinding. Since the movie is all about dialogue and suspense, you'll see two types of shots the majority of the time: close ups to fully engage the characters feelings, and panoramic shots to take in the entire scene and atmosphere. PQ is razor sharp throughout the film and the only falter I found was a spec of dust in one scene.
Audio: I knew as soon as I listened to the score that I would love the audio, and I was not disappointed. Dialogue is exceptionally clear throughout the film. Music is almost absent except in a few key scenes. The only complaint, which I almost hesitate to say it's a negative, is during scenes where the characters are extremely loud. I felt as if the screaming in the movie could be taken as real screams coming out of my own home.
Extras: The extras found on the disc can truly open your eyes to an indy film and help you understand the process that goes into one. I truly appreciated the making of for Hard Candy, as it showed how much went into the movie, from lighting, music selection, and the types of lenses used to create the perfect atmosphere. Almost all are encoded with MPEG-2 video and 2.1 channel audio.
Overall: Hard Candy can be defined as the quintessential movie where it will fall in the love it or hate it category. I lie on the former side of it. Writing this review was difficult for me as I did not want to give even a shred of the experience away as the ride, especially the ending, made the film extremely satisfying. As long as you can handle adult subject matter, Hard Candy comes very highly recommended from me.
Movie: The "movie" in itself is just under an hour long. What it shows us are many shots of trains, from still panoramas, standing pan and scans, trains coming at you and running past you, and ride-alongs in the cabin and on the rear of the trains. Some of the most notable shots are through canyons and riding through the Canadian/US border. Unfortunately, the footage seems very amateur at best. You can often see the camera crew or the general public in a good amount of shots.
Video: I found the video to be average at best. The footage is shot in HD but colors in some scenes can be very dull, while in others the image can wow you. It seems almost no post processing was done to enhance or clean up the image. During one of the pan and scan shots, it seemed as if the camera lens was dirty as you can see glaring and dust appear on the train as is roared by.
Audio: This seemed to be the main complaint on this disc and I would have to agree with the general consensus. The audio is strictly 2 channel stereo. 5.1 or at least 2.1 could have taken this from a mediocre adventure to an awesome ride. So many of the scenes could have benefited from any type of surround, as so many shots are of trains coming at you or from behind you. Also to note there is no LFE whatsoever. Starting up this disc, I was hoping to hear and feel the trains roar and unfortunately there isn't a single peep here.
Extras: This has to be the worst presentation and menu I've seen of any disc. The movie starts right off with no title menu whatsoever. Your only option is an audio mix between train, music, and mix. Chapters are set up in five minute intervals and cut off scenes entirely. There are descriptions of each train, but because of a lack of a chapter selection, skipping through the movie will put you right in the middle of a scene.
Your only extra is a trailer for other HD Moods films but selecting this is also a trap. Once you do, you have no way to go to the title menu (as there isn't one at all). Your only choice is to replay the trailer or change the audio. Confusingly, choosing an audio mix for the main feature is the only way to exit the trailer. By choosing any audio mix at this point, it will restart the movie entirely.
Overall: After seeing Rise and Rebel of the HD Moods line, I had high expectations for Trains. This is the epitome of a niche title and is absolutely a love/hate relationship. If you love trains or scenery in general, I would recommend this to you because of the price point and decent footage. If you have no interest in either category whatsoever, this film shows amateur hour at it's finest (or worst?). Avoid like the plague.
Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy
Disney / Buena Vista | 2010 | 116 min | Rated PG-13 | Region A, B (C untested) | Sep 14, 2010
Set in the mystical lands of Persia, a rogue prince and a mysterious princess race against dark forces to safeguard an ancient dagger capable of releasing the Sands of Time -- a gift from the gods that can reverse time and allow...
Ignore the negative reviews and see it for yourself!
Movie: As many others have stated about this movie, I was a bit concerned going in with all of the negative press Prince of Persia has received. I've been a fan of the game series growing up and went into the movie with a clear mind, ignoring the negative reviews. The movie at times can seem a bit over the top and too frequently use obvious green screen effects, especially right in the very beginning scenes with the children escaping. This can be expected though as the movie needs to stay true to the game. With this being a Disney movie, you can see traces of the Pirates series throughout, from the costumes to the story flow. There a few bits of humor spread out in the movie in the typical Disney fashion as well.
I did enjoy the idea of the Hassansins, individual assassins with the own unique abilities who are a sort of secret police to the king. Their abilities are showcased in a few scenes throughout the movie and give fantastic experience overall on the A/V side. I must admit that I was a bit surprised near the end how things changed pace, but I shall give away no spoilers and let you see it for yourself.
Video: I expected a top notch video transfer on such a high profile release, especially with the budget Bruckheimer had. Prince of Persia came through wonderfully in this category. The film frequently goes from gorgeous landscapes and panoramic shots with vivid greens and reds, and then quickly changes to a barren dessert with grain and grittiness apparent everywhere, complementing the scene perfectly. My only gripe about the video in itself is the overuse of CGI in much of the movie.
Audio: The audio is top notch with it's DTS: MA track. Audio is very clean and clear, surrounds our used to create a surreal experience, and the LFE is near perfect. Each time Dastan uses the dagger, it almost sounds as if you're standing there pressing the button yourself.
Extras: I appreciate the effort Disney put into the extras...or should I say the extra. It can be a double edged sword. What is provided is a very thorough behind the scenes look during each part of the movie, activated by pressing the dagger (or your remote's okay button) during specific moments. This is a blessing in disguise. It is fun for a few moments, and then you quickly realize that it can get old. I found myself just hitting the popup menu button and choosing the scenes individually, otherwise you'd be watching the entire film and extras for four hours. Also to note that watching the movie using the CineExplore disables HD audio.
Overall: I was impressed with the overall package of Prince of Persia. I did not expect a mind bending experience going in and as long as you don't, you will leave with a smile on your face. Prince of Persia is a wonderful popcorn flick. The movie has a fairly decent story with some cheeky humor thrown in. The audio and video are top notch on blu-ray, and the extras are very in-depth but can be cumbersome to access. Recommended.
Sapphire Series
Paramount Pictures | 1998 | 169 min | Rated R | Region free
| May 04, 2010
Seen through the eyes of a squad of U.S. soldiers, the story begins with World War II's historic D-
Day invasion, then moves beyond the beach as the men embark on a dangerous special mission.
Captain John Miller must take his...
Movie: I was only a teenager the first time I watched Saving Private Ryan. I remember back when it first came out, that it was the first movie to have me so moved that I had tears in my eyes from such simple yet powerful scenes. Truth be told I was actually a bit nervous going into it again ten years later to watch it on BD, and ten years later it still has the same effect on me.
SPR gives up a perfect mix of the best of his class director, a powerful lead, and most importantly a story which is part of the backbone of US history. SPR no knows bounds and is not afraid to show you every part of war, no holds barred. Even though the film is now over a decade old, it's great to see a director not afraid to show us the truth and real side of war, particularly in today's politically correct world. SPR is as real as it gets.
Video: The video transfer is near flawless, particularly with using the 1:85 aspect ratio. I only state near flawless because of certain scenes where special lens techniques were used, I was concerned I had an error with the disc. I realize special lens techniques were used to create a feeling that you are the soldier, but I found the usage at times to be extremely distracting. Besides the camera tricks in a handful of scenes, the video transfer is pristine. Grain is used when needed and creates a wonderful experience overall.
Audio: The DTS: MA soundtrack is absolutely superb. You are literally immersed in the battle as if you're storming Omaha Beach with your squad. One of the most notable parts of the audio experience was when a shell exploded in front of you, and you could hear the dust cloud rolling over you, moving from front to back.
Extras: I found the extras here wonderful and truly appreciate them, as they have taught me some things I have never known about filming during WWII. The documentary Shooting War is just superb, telling us how men were able to capture the scenes seen recreated in Saving Private Ryan, and the sacrifices they made to give us such amazing footage.
Overall: Saving Private Ryan has everything you could possibly ask for in a movie. From the story and its realism, to the perfect casting roles, SPR and it's appearance on BD cannot be topped. Video is near flawless, the audio puts you right in the middle of things, and the extras provide a wealth of information into the history of film. This is without a doubt a must own BD.
Lionsgate Films | 2007 | 122 min | Rated R | Region free
| Jan 08, 2008
In Arizona in the late 1800s, infamous outlaw Ben Wade and his vicious gang of thieves and murderers have plagued the Southern Railroad. When Wade is captured, Civil War veteran Dan Evans, struggling to survive on his...
Movie: The story is absolutely character driven and focuses on our paths in life. On one side you have a family man who sacrifices everything for his children and on the other an outlaw who seems to care about no one but himself. They seem so opposite but appearances can be very deceiving. I found the characters absolutely perfect in the film, especially the co-main "bad guy" Charlie Prince. He carries just the right amount of bad ass but you can also clearly see his insanity.
Video: The video presentation is near perfect. Colors are very vivid and blacks are deep. The only minor issue I noticed was in one night scene by a campfire, where the characters seemed a bit soft.
Audio: This is the way BD audio should be. Voices are clear, the surrounds are used to create a sense of realism perfectly, and the bass just seals the deal. Scenes such a the shootout in Contention make it feel as if you're another gunslinger in the middle of the action. Hearing the train arrive felt like it was pulling up next to my house.
Extras: The extras found on the BD are fantastic and give you a sense of how much actually went into the movie. My personal favorite was a making of titled Destination: Yuma. It was a short but satisfying look behind the scenes showing how some of the scenes were created, interviews with costume designers, and even detailing how they got a classic train from Arkansas to New Mexico.
Overall: I have to say going into this was a totally new experience. Never watched westerns, let alone owned one. I never saw the original and intentionally secluded myself from the story until I was able to experience it first hand. This was a total blind buy for me and I can say very easily that for the current sale prices it has been lately, there isn't a single reason anyone shouldn't have this in their collection.
20th Century Fox | 2005 | 106 min | Rated PG-13 | Region A (locked) | Nov 14, 2006
Jessica Alba, Chris Evans and Michael Chiklis head a sexy, star-powered cast in this explosive adventure about a quartet of flawed, ordinary human beings who suddenly find themselves with extraordinary abilities. After exposure...
Movie: The movie itself was definitely an enjoyable ride. You'd think being about the Fantastic 4 that this is an action movie, but primarily it comes off as a comedy. You could count the action scenes on one hand, but the comedy is throughout. My only gripe is that the movie seemed almost too over the top, such as in a scene with Johnny skiing down a slope and ending up nude. Or where Jessica Alba practically does the same by choice.
Video: The video was fantastic overall. Colors were vibrant and I didn't notice any tearing or specs on the transfer.
Audio: Absolutely surreal. Surrounds are used consistently and add to the experience. Scenes such as the bridge accident where news helicopters are flying above make it feel as if you're on the bridge with the rest of the audience.
Extras: Extras... what extras? The only one included on this disc is a commentary from the cast talking about their experience during the shoot.
Overall: I'd recommend the release if you are Marvel fan or are looking for a light hearted action movie with a decent amount of laughs. Of course seeing Jessica Alba strip may make this a must own for some people.
Ron Burgundy is San Diego's top-rated news anchorman. While he is outwardly willing to adjust to the idea of females in the workplace -- even outside of secretarial positions -- he certainly doesn't want his own job challenged....
One of the best purchases this year with some minor issues.
Movie: I couldn't wait to grab the Best Buy exclusive version this Sunday and watched it for the first time Sunday night. The movie itself is hilarious. The sexism is spot on, the sets and props are spot on, and most importantly the movie is hilarious. Carrell's character is annoying and creepy, albeit in a brilliant way.
Video: The video itself is absolutely fantastic. The clarity is superb, and though I've never seen the movie in any other format, I can't imagine it any better than having the Channel 4 gang in your living room reading the news live in front of you. My only gripe is a ton of specs and white flashes in the movie. To me it was extremely distracting and took my eyes away from the scenes on a few occasions.
Audio: The usual for a comedy. It isn't meant to shake your house or blow you away, but I found the audio to be rather weak. Audio was very clear but I can only recall one time the surround was used, and it was just for ambiance/music.
Extras: Now Paramount has set the bar with extras! The notebook is hilarious and the trading cards are a unique touch. Having a second movie on the disc 2 plus hours upon hours of extras, including the original casting calls for the actors was brilliant. I don't see how any studio can top this!
Overall: I would recommend this if you're into crude humor and just insane over the top comedy. The video is excellent barring the few small issues, the audio is lacking, but the extras and bonuses seal the deal for me. For the current price, it can't be beat!
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