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Dinosaur (2000) Review

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(More customer reviews)I thought a lot about this review.
I'm an animation buff, so I can well say that this film received the maximum rank on animation - the amount of details and thought that was put into every movement and shot is admirable, and the result shows. It is certain that the animators did an excellent job - even went down to details such as having the muscles of the dinosaurs vibrate when the foot hits the floor. Sometimes I actually forgot that this was an animation movie, and mistook it for a National Geographic feature.
The story, on the other hand, is rather disappointing. It seems like the development process stopped after the story became reasonable. The characters are only skin-deep, and it is frustrating for someone who had already seen a couple of movies before that this one brings nothing new to the screen. It's sad to notice so many 'deja vu's while watching, seeing so many thing that you have already seen before, especially that the main character - Aladar - is an orphan dinosaur raised by monkeys, carries a close resemblance to Disney's previous feature, Tarzan.
Two thumbs up for the music - it really hits the spot. The composer captured every moment so naturally that it fits like a glove. Nothing I say can convey the impression, so you might as well see it for yourself.
All in all, an amazing animation feature with a weak plot. This film - in itself - receives 4 stars from me, although if I had calculated my impression on the Collector's edition, I would have definitely lowered it to 3. It simply wasn't worth the extra money I added. The second DVD contains very little material, and I really expected more from a highly documented production such as this one to include more material. People purchase this item to get more information about the animation process, and I really feel like I wanted more. I really think that I should have bought the regular edition and saved some cash.

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Travel 65 million years into the past and experience the age of the dinosaurs in mind-blowing Blu-ray High Definition. DINOSAUR, Disney's landmark special effects spectacular, makes an evolutionary leap through the revolutionary new Blu-ray technology. For the first time ever, witness the film's dazzling meteor storm and all of Aladar's breathtaking battles in brilliant 1080p. Prepare for a stunning auditory experience with 5.1 48 kHz, 24-bit uncompressed sound -- from the thundering footsteps of the deadly carnosaurs to the smallest leaf blowing in the breeze. You've never experienced DINOSAUR like this. Go beyond everyday entertainment with Blu-ray High Definition.

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Gunbuster vs. Diebuster: Aim for the Top - The Gattai Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm such a big fan of the "Gunbuster" and "Diebuster" OAV series. The original 1988 OAV series is among my personal favorites and the newer 2003 series was pretty cool and nicely tied with the first OAV series and both featured cool storylines and a lot of action.
In 2006, GAINAX went to create two film versions, which are more or less a condensed to 2-hour film from the episodes of the OAV series. And to celebrate the 20th Year Anniversary of "GUNBUSTER" in 2008, Bandai Visual/Honneamise released the "GUNBUSTER vs. DIEBUSTER - Aim for the Top! The GATTAI! MOVIE" DVD Box set which I reviewed back in August.
But when it was announced that a Blu-ray version of the box set was being released in Japan which would feature interviews, footage from the movie premieres and interviews galore, Gunbuster fans were salivating over this release.
And now it is released in the US and how does it stack up against the original DVD box set? The only word I can think of, after I watched the Blu-ray Limited Edition box set was "beautiful".
First, there is no difference in terms of the storyline of the films from the DVD box set and the Blu-ray box set BUT the quality differences is tremendous. Also, you get more for your money as the Blu-ray box set comes with special features, while the previous version came with nothing. But you did get postcards, booklets and a certification exam.
VIDEO & AUDIO:
The first thing I noticed when watching "GUNBUSTER the Movie" is that for a digitally remastered film, the high-definition version looked clean and the colors are much more vibrant. I was literally in awe that this film created in the 1980s, looked so beautiful today in Blu-ray. The video is featured in 1080p High Definition and the majority of the film is in 4:3 but once you get to the final segment of the film (when it goes black and white), the film is presented in 16:9.But the video just looked phenomenal.
As for audio, you get Dolby TrueHD (5.1 ch surround) and if you thought Bandai Visual didn't skimp on audio on their DVD releases, the same goes with the Blu-ray version.
It also helps that many of the original cast members returned back to re-record their lines and thus GAINAX and rework the audio for modern times. But all in all, "GUNBUSTER the Movie" looks and sounds incredible in this Blu-ray Box Set.
As for "DIEBUSTER the Movie", since this film is only five years old, it's a newer, digital film as opposed to the handdrawn original. But again, the colors are vibrant and everything looks quite beautiful in the Blu-ray release and the video is presented in 16:9 (1080p High Definition) and also the audio is featured in Dolby TrueHD (5.1ch Surround).
Also, I found the clarity of the special features on the bonus disc to be very cool. I mean, you can see the skin pores and makeup so much clearly on the Blu-ray disc. The majority of the bonus features are featured in 16:9 (1080i High Definition). Audio is presented in Linear PCM (2.0ch Stereo).
SPECIAL FEATURES:
This is where the Blu-ray blows out the original DVD box set. The special features include:
* The GATTAI!!! Movie - Stage Appearance by Cast and Staff. This is a 31-minute portion where the staff of both films meet with the lucky fans who got to see the movie and the staff. This was pretty fun to watch as you learn how both staff admire each other especially DIEBUSTER actress Yukari Fukui (Nono) of Noriko Hidaka (Noriko), especially when it came to the Lightning Kick scenes.
* GUNBUSTER: Interview on Re-recording session - This 26 min. featurette was very cool as the seiyuu had the chance to talk about re-recording their lines or preparing for the role.It was cool to see the actual footage during the recording of the original "GUNBUSTER" film.
* From DIEBUSTER to THE GATTAI! Movie - This 30 min. featurette featured the DIEBUSTER staff talking about how they decided to make the DIEBUSTER OAV series to the movie and what they hoped to accomplish. Also, some insight to the characters and how Nono was based off of Yukari Fukui.
* The GATTAI!! Movie Trailer - A 2-minute trailer of both films
* WEB MESSAGE CAMPAIGN - This section is only available if you select the Japanese menu on the beginning of the disc. This allows you to hear A LOT of audio clips, in almost like a radio drama (short audio segments) featuring the characters of the film.
Also, included are the booklets of the two films and a fold-out informative print piece that is like a primer.
Of course, I'm very biased towards the OAV series because there was more time to focus on the character development. But with the series as a film and having to condense and pretty much eliminating certain episodes, you do miss a lot of the emotional storylines and watching how these heroines got from point A to to point B in becoming talented pilots.
But the overall goal of the film is accomplished by showcasing two cool storylines and fans of the original to the new fans of the anime series can definitely enjoy. As mentioned in my review for the films on the DVD box set, I saw this as an additional compliment to the OAV series.
But focusing on the Blu-ray Limited Edition of "The GATTAI!! Movie", this literally blows away the regular DVD box set. Not only is the quality and audio much better but for fans that wanted interviews and any footage of the talent from the movie premieres or interviews with the staff, this box set has all that!
For me, just to see the original 80s staff was just remarkable and to hear and see Noriko Hidaka again was just awesome! So, for me, this is truly an awesome 20th Anniversary box set. Seeing the past and present on stage together was a sight to behold for fans of GUNBUSTER and DIEBUSTER but to see how lengthy the footage for each featurette was, this box set is pretty awesome! You definitely feel you get your money's worth.
If you are a GUNBUSTER or DIEBUSTER fan, this limited edition Blu-ray disc box set is worth it! Highly recommended!

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Studio: Infinity Resources IncRelease Date: 12/09/2008Run time: 124 minutesRating: R

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HD MOODS: AQUARIUM - Blu-Ray (2008) Review

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(More customer reviews)This product is exactly what it claims to be - a colorful, mostly high quality blu ray of a couple of aquariums. Of course it's no substitute for the real thing, but I have my 52" LCD built into a cabinet and it definitely gives the ambiance of having a built-in aquarium. It injects a sense of calm into the room while we're sitting around talking or reading.
The shots are all fixed - no panning, no zooming. Each shot is a portion of an aquarium that stays fixed for a few minutes, then it cuts to another portion of the same aquarium.
It's 1080p so it fills your 16x9 screen with no bars at the top or side.
There are 3 scenes to choose from:
Tank 1 - a colorful tank with various types of coral and a dozen or so tropical fish that make appearances at various times.
Tank 2 - a more natural setting with more muted colors. There are some flourishes of fish, but mostly the fish population is fairly sparse throughout most of this one. The camera cuts to a slightly different view after a few minutes showing more of a close up of the large sea anemone but putting the coral in the background pretty out of focus. It's probably intentional, but a little distracting if you're staring at it - certainly not a scene to use to show off your HDTV. Like the others, after a few more minutes it cuts to another view of the tank with quite a few colorful fish in this one.
Bonus Tank - a closeup on a conch shell in what appears to be Tank 1, with a few Nemo fish hanging out. It's ok, but I don't see myself using this much, if at all.
I find Tank 1 to be the best - very relaxing with lots of color, and fish on the screen at all times.
It automatically switches from tank 1 to tank 2 with about 5 seconds of black screen between the two, so if you want just one tank, you'll need to set your player to repeat the chapter you want.
As far as audio goes, there are 3 soundtracks available in either 5.1 surround or 2 channel stereo:
Natural - aquarium bubble sounds. This is for ambience so the sound is mixed way in the background.
Calm - relaxing spa type electronic music. Ok, except for the drone that enters and exits once a minute or so that sounds like an airplane flying through your media room - strange.
Slow - more spa type new agey music with a synthesizer loosely mimicking air bubbles.
The music is ok, but not my taste. Fortunately you can set it to natural and just listen to the bubbles or set your receiver or TV to play another music source.
All in all, especially considering the low price, I'm pleased with this one.

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HD MOODS:AQUARIUM - Blu-Ray Movie

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Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon Review

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(More customer reviews)Review of the Uncut HK version.
Amid the beloved historical epic tales of the "Battle or Romance of the Three Kingdoms", arose three movies in 2008. The very mediocre "Empress and the Warriors" with Donnie Yen, and late last year came the first chapter of John Woo's "Red Cliff". Daniel Lee's (Dragon Squad) "Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon" was released a few months earlier in Asia than Woo's star-studded film (which I will review later), and has Hong Kong's Andy Lau (Running on Karma) in the lead as the famous General Zhao Zhilong--yes the same guy in the video game named Zhao Yun in "Dynasty Warriors". The film has massive commercial appeal, and the film is beautifully shot. However, purists of the tales of the Three Kingdoms will be annoyed and repulsed, as the film does feel a little empty in regards to an intricate storyline and full of historical inaccuracies. (Hint: John Woo's overly exaggerated film about the three kingdoms isn't much better)
228 A.D, before the rise of the Jin Dynasty. The kingdoms of Shu, Wei and Wu are divided. Zhilong (Andy Lau) is a simple soldier from Changsan who becomes a legendary warrior under the employ of Liu (Yueh Huah) who rises from the ranks of the Shu forces to become one of the "Five Tiger Generals". Zhilong becomes famous for his many campaigns against Cao and the last surviving general of the "Five Tigers". Now, after many years of war, Zhilong is set to make his last stand against Cho's granddaughter--who has become a beautiful, cold and stoic warrior woman; Cao Ling (Maggie Q, Live Free and Die Hard).
The film is narrated by Pingan (Sammo Hung), Zhilong's oldest friend who joined the Liu army with him many years ago. The film is supposed to cover thirty years, Zhilong was a simple soldier who ascends to become a simple general and so the film feels a little too short. There are a lot of plot holes and several important parts missing, but then as a tale being narrated by Pingan who remained a simple soldier in the ranks, I can accept its shortcomings. Pingan never became a part of Zhilong's military unit until his final campaign. The viewer is privy to Zhilong's achievements through the musings of humble Pingan and it is rather hard for Sammo Hung to carry this burden, and purists will undoubtedly become disconnected. Zhilong is a renowned general in the Shu kingdom, he may be remembered as the "Spartan" of the Liu army--truly legendary and whose name struck fear in the hearts of his enemies.
Thankfully, Andy Lau does turn in a great performance and I am happy to say he isn't miscast. This may well be his best performance since his role in "The Warlords" with Jet Li. The plot may be a little too simple and doesn't reach Zhilong's epic grandeur, but Lau does the best of what he's got; Lau is playing a larger-than-life character and despite the simple plot, he manages to project the character competently. Maggie Q. is alluring as Cao Ling, and despite her limited screen time, she was exciting and enchanting to watch. The rest of the supporting cast isn't so bad, but we all have to remember that this is a film with Zhilong as its central focus.
Aside from the Pingan narrations, the real problems begin when the film has some "add-on" characters played by two lesser known performers in the persona of Vanness Wu, and Andy On; they seem to be mere attempts to give the young stars some exposure. (Maggie Q. is just so hot, I don`t mind her at all) A lot of folks would be interested to see this film because of truly iconic characters played by accomplished actors such as Sammo Hung, Yueh Hua, Ti Lung, Chen Zhihui; but sadly the film does nothing with them. Zhilong may be the center of the film but all others, disappear after the first half. This film definitely needed to be longer and the significance of the other four "Tiger Generals" to Zhilong a little more fleshed out.
The action sequences have the usual style of Chinese epics and reminiscent of other films of this kind. The choreography by Yuen Tak is fairly good, although it looked too flashy for my tastes. (as with Woo's "Red Cliff') The shots are cool and well-choreographed, a blend of the usual wire-fu, wild slow-mo and blood and some gore. Highlights include Zhilong rescuing Liu's son, (which was fairly exciting) and the fight between Cao Ling and Zhilong were very cool to watch. The fights provide great eye candy, but that's all they were; pure eye candy. The film does have a lot of action, it feels more like an action drama and abandons the contemplative nature of the horrors of war.(although it does touch on this idea a little in the final act) Writer/director Daniel Lee does an average job in mixing in emotions and action, but it felt that it reduced its visceral effect. The film has colorful, elaborate costumes and some beautiful cinematography that it will no doubt attract mainstream audiences.
"Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon" isn't a bad film, and I rather thought that this may be Daniel Lee's best work. It is a lot better than the abysmal "Empress and the Warriors" and I've seen John Woo's "Red Cliff" and believe me, Woo's first take on the "Three Kingdoms" period was better but only by a tad. The lore and legend of the Three Kingdoms isn't fully fleshed out, and the film does resort to flashy camera tricks and choreographed action sequences. While this may not be exactly be a bad thing, and will no doubt give the non-meticulous viewer a good diversion, purists of its historical significance will be very disappointed since it isn`t as intricately compelling as I wished it to be. The film never does delve into wartime strategy that much and falls to the usual epic trappings of honor, betrayal and fate. This film has massive commercial appeal but quite respectable in its quality. "Three Kingdoms" is indeed an entertaining experience, but not outstanding and manages to exude coolness throughout--but isn't war supposed to be "un-cool"?
Another one for the overindulgent International audience for beautiful Chinese epics.
Recommended! [3 ½ Stars]

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Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007) Review

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(More customer reviews)The Pirates of the Caribbean series has been enjoyable from the very beginning. With the incredible non-stop action and good acting. The third in the series is an epic of a movie running over two and a half hours long. If you have not watched the previous two in the series don't bother watching this movie until you have seen those.
The movie starts off with a rather grim intro. Just when you think a hero will get involved they don't. It seems as though the world is doing everything to get rid of pirates. As the journey begins we are then reintroduced to all the wonderful actors that have been involved in this series.
For the pirates to continue on they need their ultimate hero, Captain Jack Sparrow. Although this movie is filled with an all star cast that can't just rely on the heroic antics of Sparrow. I would have to say this movie is filled with action and a lot of violence although not a lot of gore. The movie probably would not be good for small children. So saying this movie is for families is probably a misnomer.
What sets this version apart from the DVD version is the beautiful picture quality and wonderful sound. I was totally impressed with the breath taking picture in this film. Watching it on a big screen t.v. makes it very worthwhile. The movie also comes with uncompressed sound which helps create a lifelike environment that you can only find in the theatres.
In the end I would have to say this movie is not for everyone. The action is non-stop and the violence is continuous. If you haven't watched the other two movies you probably shouldn't view this first since there are a lot of details in the story you wouldn't know otherwise. This is a great film that should be viewed by everyone who has enjoyed the series.

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Just when he s needed most, Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), that witty and wily charmer of a pirate, is trapped on a sea of sand in Davy Jones Locker. In an increasingly shaky alliance, Will Turner (Orlando Bloom), Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) and Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) begin a desperate quest to find and rescue him. Captain Jack s the last of the nine Pirate Lords of the Brethren Court who must come together united in one last stand to preserve the freedom-loving pirates way of life. From exotic Singapore, to World s End and beyond, from Shipwreck Island, to a titanic battle, this adventure s filled with over-the-edge action, irreverent humor and seafaring myth and magic. Everything has led to this twisting, turning, wild swashbuckling ride in this final chapter of the Pirates Of The Caribbean trilogy.

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Spider-Man 3 (2007) Review

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(More customer reviews)While I may not have the credibility of some of the other reviewers listed (this is the 1st review I've ever done for ANYTHING) I do know what I like (The Spidey Series, X-men Series, and Blade 1 and 2) and dislike (Daredevil, Ghost Rider and Friggin Cat Woman, OH. MY. GOD.).
With the amount of character content that was introduced in this latest installment, I think Sam Raimi did an outstanding job. He gave the fans exactly what they had been looking and asking for. Of course, any one of the villains this time out could have had their own Spidey film (and perhaps should have) but again, the fans had spoken and to me, it was handled marvelously.
The character and story progression was handled very well. The action was just what you've come to expect from Raimi (and he didn't disappoint!)and the pacing was just enough that I didn't find myself restless at anytime due to the length of the film. I think that Raimi presented us with one of the truest presentations of comic-to-film adaptations possible, and no one can take that away from him (THE most true to date - TO ME - was SIN CITY, Rodriguez just dumped the film straight from the comic to the screen with that one). I loved the Goblin upgrade. I loved the Sandman CGI and battle sequences with our hero. I loved Venom (although, admittedly, wished that there could have been more time with him) and the over-all satisfaction and relief I felt after 1st hearing that there was even going to BE an S3 (you kind of get a little worried about sequel disappointment - "awww maaann, they should have stopped at 2" Blade 3 anyone?).
Of course it was far from a flawless film but the things that I would pick on that I didn't like would probably be glossed over by someone else (I LIKED the little dance number Peter had and the Travolta, 'Saturday Night Fever' shout out Raimi added)so I won't bore you with what I felt were shortcomings and let you make your own decisions.
What it boils down to is Yeah, I'd recommend this film to my pickiest friends with a cheese eating grin on my face and two thumbs way the heck up. I could get into some of the other unfolding story and character points but honestly feel that you'd like to see what they are for yourself (and hope you won't think me a sucky reviewer after seeing it). Go. There's nothing stopping you...

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Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) finally has the girl of his dreams, Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst), and New York City is in the throes of Spider-mania! But when a strange alien symbiote turns Spider-Man¿s suit black, his darkest demons come to light changing Spider-Man inside as well as out. Spider-Man is in for the fight of his life against a lethal mix of villains - the deadly Sandman (Thomas Haden Church), Venom (Topher Grace), and the New Goblin (James Franco) - as well as the enemy within himself.

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Sengoku Basara: Samurai Kings - The Complete 1st Season Review

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(More customer reviews)Based on the world of the Sengoku Basara videogames which are [loosely] based on the infamous Sengoku Period in Japanese history, Sengoku Basara is a mish-mash of explosive action, slapstick comedy, and romance caught in a whirlwind war for supremacy. In the words of a reviewer on ANN, it's "JAPANESE HISTORY MAXIMUM". And I loved every second of it.

Story:
While the Japanese audience are very familiar with the Sengoku period and its many players, us foreigners might have a bit of a rough time recognizing the famous samurai and battles that pepper the Sengoku Basara universe. With a large cast, SB works quickly to familiarize viewers with the varied generals and their respective heavily-named territories, focusing especially on Masamune Date, the Big Boss of Oshu [an utter badass] and Lord Shingen and his (servant? protege?) Yukimura Sanada of the Takeda Clan. Main villain Oda Nobunaga (he has one HELL of a theme song) explodes onto the scene in episode 2 leaving a wake of blood, fire and lightning in his path and forcing the generals of Japan into a somewhat uneasy alliance to try and take him down. I don't want to give away too much, but essentially the series revolves around the east, west, and Nobunaga fighting eachother. While this seems like moody and heavy stuff, SB manages to balance its relatively dark material with hilarious character interaction (I never get tired of Shingen punching the hell out of Yukimura), stirring drama and a refreshingly modern sensibility. Fans of the series (or of the sengoku period) will be able to follow the series kinetic pace easily as it reflects the games' pace, however new-comers to the series may be lost in a swirling vortex: utterly confused but dazzled at the same time. While prior knowledge is not necessary to enjoy the show, it certainly helps to know who the characters are ahead of time, else you'll be confused just who that old guy bein shot on the beach is [Yoshihiro Shimazu, if anyone is wondering].
Characters:
While there are a lot of them, luckily each is easily recognizable due to interesting character design and memorable personalities. You'll definitely find a handful of characters that you just adore, and even the ones you don't like very much have some worthy quality to them that makes them intriguing. Each character has a signature style and the voice actors portray their roles exceptionally well. The generals are utterly over the top in terms of fighting strength (they blow up MOUNTAINS) but it is just so much fun to watch and seems believable within the context of the universe. There are some inside jokes about the characters that pop-up that might not be recognizable to an audience not familiar with the Sengoku Period, but a quick trip to wikipedia fixes that up in a jiffy.
Animation:
I ordered the Blu-Ray and WOW does this series look good! Almost movie-quality animation that is awe-inspiring to behold, particularly the lightning fast fight scenes that roar off the screen. Simply gorgeous!!
Music:
Epic pulse-pounding rock music and war drums is this series bread and butter, and it serves well to the overall intense atmosphere and adds a dramatic flourish to the fight scenes. The OP and the ED fit the mood of the show and, I daresay, make your spirit soar with passion!! hell yeah! PUT YA GUNS ON!!!
Final Verdict:
Great for hardcore anime vets, great for fighting game fans, fans of samurai or Japanese history, fans of giant robots (yes, there is a giant robot character), great for even non-anime fans who need a gateway drug- man, this show is awesome. A fantastic choice for a viewing in an anime club or just about anywhere. While newbies to the show may be confused story-wise, but the story is not the main focus of the show: awesomeness is. No matter who watches it, you'll find something to like about SB. And for 35$? You can't go wrong people!! BUY IT.

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Based on the brutal world created by the masters at Capcom.
Sengoku Basara drops you directly into the burning battlefields of feudal Japan, where rival warlords hack and slash their way to total domination. Each conqueror wields a special attack that boosts their powers of devastation, and each commands a horde of relentless warriors. But when a supreme evil - the Demon Lord - threatens the land, these fierce generals launch a co-op campaign of annihilation and build an army of armies to obliterate their common foe. As the front line grows crowded with gun-toting, mechanized samurai and mystical ninja, some will say that war is hell - Sengoku Basara proves it can also be kick ass.

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Dark City (Director's Cut) (2008) Review

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(More customer reviews)I noticed the 440+ reviews here are for the film - not the Blu so I at least wanted to answer some common questions about this cut.
The director's cut is 111 minutes with the already mentioned changes listed here and everywhere - including the removal of the beginning narration, more character development scenes, etc. The transfer looks phenomenal (compared to how I saw it prior - even upscaled). I played the title on both a Panasonic plasma and a Bravia via a 80 GB PS3 and Sony BDP301. I paused the film in over 34 spots of action, dark contrasts, bright colorings and various hue changes. Virtually every frame looked excellent, especially the scenes with Jennifer Connelly singing; the majority of the colorings were in her scenes until those last beach sequences.
The special features are the same between the DVD and Blu with the exception of one of the commentaries. The 7.1 DTS HD sound was enjoyable, even though two of the channels were primarily used in the large machine sequences only.
A worthwhile Blu addition and I did not see too many failings in the grain reduction/transfer issues I had read about.

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The critically-acclaimed triumph from visionary director Alex Proyas (I, Robot, The Crow) is back with a brand new directors cut featuring enhanced picture and sound, never-before-seen footage and three commentary tracks that take you deeper than ever before into the world of one of sci-fis most exciting and revered tales. When John Murdoch (Rufus Sewell) wakes with no memory at the scene of a grisly murder, he soon finds himself hunted by the police, a woman claiming to be his wife and a mysterious group of pale men who seem to control everything and everyone in the city. Starring Rufus Sewell (The Illusionist), Jennifer Connelly (A Beautiful Mind), William Hurt (A History of Violence) and Kiefer Sutherland (TVs 24).

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Planet of the Apes 40th Anniversary Collection (Planet of the Apes / Beneath the Planet of the Apes / Escape From / Conquest of / Battle for) (1968) Review

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(More customer reviews)I have loved this series ever since I was a young boy who saw the original movie on TV. When the TV series came out, I was glued to the set for every episode, and then the cartoon series became a part of my regular Saturday morning viewing. This is one of the few movie franchises that I loved growing up that has not lost any of its charm with me now as an adult. I first bought the Limited Edition Evolution collection on DVD a few years ago, and followed up with my purchase of the Ultimate Collection that came enclosed in a bust of Caesar. When I first heard of the arrival of this series on Blu-ray, I thought they would simply transport the DVD versions I already owned onto a Blu-ray platter. BOY was I wrong!!!!!
I will not go into the details of the story line for this series, since so many have already done a great job at that. What I will focus on is the Blu-ray 40th Anniversary Collection.
I had seen pictures of the collection, and was very excited to get my own copy, but I had never actually seen a copy of it in the stores. Because of that, I wasn't quite sure what to expect with regarding the quality of the set. I had just recently been MAJORLY disappointed with Fox's horrible Blu-ray box set of the Omen series (another favorite of mine). The packaging for that set was one of the worst I have ever seen on any format. But I digress....this is not a review of the Omen set. Let's start with the outer box. It is of very sturdy construction with the spaceship on the cover in textured relief. The box serves what appears to be a hard bound book. You slide that out of the cover, and it opens to reveal a detailed timeline of the entire Ape film series. Each gatefold of the timeline then opens to reveal the discs which are attached to the backboard with these clear rubber hubs. I will admit that the hubs proved to be frustrating at first, because I could not get the discs back onto the hubs to secure them before closing the package. While this is my only complaint about the entire set, I found that instead of trying to force the discs straight down onto the hubs, it works MUCH better to place the disc on the hub and then give it a gentle twist which easily secures it. While I have some reservations about the choice to use these rubber hubs to hold the discs, I have to admit that it really does look great when the package is all together. The only other thing included in the package is a book that chronicles the entire film series. But wait....this is no typical listing of special features with a brief synopsis of each film. This book is a substantial 200 page overview of this timeless series. The production value of this book is top notch!!! It is the best I have ever seen in a movie set. What makes this book truly special, is that it was produced exclusively for this Blu-ray collection. You may browse the book with it still attached to the package, or you can easily slide it out to look at it on its own. All of the packaging for this set is constructed from very sturdy cardboard and it all works together to serve as an excellent means of presenting the true star of the set, the 5 Blu-ray discs that comprise the film series.
If you have ever had doubts about jumping into the Blu-ray high def pool, this set serves as an example for what this format is capable of. The wealth of information on the first disc alone is truly staggering!!! Not only does it include all of the special features that were included on the 2-disc DVD, it also adds some fantastic special features that are unique to the Blu-ray format. One of those features is the ability to watch the feature long documentary as it was originally presented or you may choose to watch it in Interactive Mode where you are presented with extra text and video features. You also get the Science of the Apes Bonusview which is a picture-in-picture feature that can be viewed while watching the first film. One of the other cool features was the ability to actually read newspapers which served as props in the original movie. You first get to see the paper as seen in the movie, then you use your remote to choose which article you would like to read. Finally the entire text of the article is presented in an easy to read text format. This may not be for everyone, but as a longtime fan, I enjoyed it. I could go on and on with all the special features of the 1st disc, but you can get that information elsewhere. While the first film does deservedly get the royal treatment with special features, Fox did not simply slap the previous DVD version of the other 4 films on a new format, and throw them together. It is amazing that Fox took the time to present these other 4 Ape films in what I consider the best video and audio I've ever experienced them in. Each film also gets its own documentary, while not as extensive as the original, each one is more than just a puff piece of each film. As a longtime fan, I have been dying to see some nice extra features for the other films in the franchise. In addition to some nice extra features, you also get the opportunity to watch "Conquest" and "Battle" in either the original theatrical version, or an expanded version. While there was an extended version of "Conquest" in the Ultimate Collection DVD set, this is the first time we have been given the opportunity to see the extended version of "Battle". It has been mentioned in previous releases, but it was thrilling for me to finally get to see it.
BOTTOM LINE: I will concede that the sound on these discs cannot compare to those of such blockbusters as Transformers or Iron Man, but if you are an Ape fan and have been looking for a definitive collection of the franchise, then I wholeheartedly recommend that you get this collection on Blu-ray. These films have never looked and sounded better, and I am thrilled with all of the extra features that are available for each film. This is hands down the greatest Blu-ray collection yet created, and I think it will stand the test of time as other studios follow suit. Even with the little complaint about the rubber hubs holding the discs, I have no reservations in recommending this to any Ape fan who has recently jumped into the Blu-ray pool of high definition movie viewing.

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Disc 1: Planet of The Apes, The 40th Anniversary WS **Commentary by Actors Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter and Natalie Trundy, and Makeup Artist John Chambers **Commentary by Composer Jerry Goldsmith **Text Commentary by Eric Greene, Author of "Planet of the Apes as American Myth" **BD- J Beyond the Forbidden Zone Adventure Game **HD- Beyond the Forbidden Zone Game Pay-offs by the Ape Guide **HD- A Public Service Announcement from ANSA **HD- The Evolutin of the Apes **HD- The Impact of the Apes **Behind the Planet of the Apes Documentary **THE ARCHIVES OF THE APES: *Original Makeup Test with Edward G. Robinson (1966) *Roddy McDowall's On-Set Footage *Dailies and Outtakes (no audio) *N.A.T.O Presentation (1967) *Vintage Planer of the Apes Featurette (1968) *Teaser Trailer *Original Theatrical Trailer **THE GALLERIES OF THE APES: *The Ape Newspaper *Interactive Pressbook *Advertising *Lobby Cards *Makeup *Costume Design Sketches *Props *Behind-the-Scenes Disc 2: Beneath the Planet of the Apes WS **HD- From Alpha to Omega: Building a Sequel **SD- Original Theatrical Trailer **"The Ape News" Gallery **Interactive Pressbook **Advertising Gallery **Lobby Card Gallery **Behind the Scenes Gallery **Skippable Trailers **Disc Introduction by the Ape Guide **"Content Loading" ANSA Graphic **D-Box Logo **BD- Live Portal Disc 3: Escape From the Planet of the Apes WS **HD- The Secret Behind Escape **SD- Don Taylor Directs ESCAPE FROM THE PLANET OF THE APES **SD- Original Theatrical Trailer **Advertising Gallery **Behind-the-Scenes Gallery **"Content Loading" ANSA Graphic **D-Box Logo **TBD- Live Portal Disc 4: Conquest of the Planet of the Apes WS **HD- Riots and Revolutions: Confronting the Times **SD- A Look Behind THE PLANET OF THE APES (1972) **SD- J.Lee Thompson Directs CONQUEST OF THE PLANET OF THE APES **SD- Original Theatrical Trailer **FUTURE NEWS Gallery **Interactive Pressbook **Advertising Gallery **Lobby Card Gallery **Behind-the-Scenes Gallery **Skippable Trailers **SPLASH PAGE **"Content Loading" ANSA Graphic **D-Box Logo **BD- Live Portal Disc 5: Battle for the Planet of the Apes WS **HD- End of an Epic: The Final Battle **SD- Original Theatrical Trailer **SAN SIMIAN SENTINEL Gallery **Interactive Pressbook **Advertising Gallery **Behind-the-Scene Gallery **Farm Trailers **Splash Page **"Content Loading" ANSA Graphic **D-Box Logo **BD- Live Portal

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8 Mile (2002) Review

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(More customer reviews)Well as much as I enjoyed his cds before the movie I didn't really think much of the movie. I was there the first day with a bunch of friends thinking "Hey this movie is gonna be terrible" the trailers were decent but it made it seem eminem was just going off this poor white boy story.
However the story shows growing up poor, the rap game underground, battling, love, betrayal, and hell it was even funny. Everyone came through with acting, even eminem, which really surprised me. It wasn't a Oscar awarding performance but it was good enough that he didn't hurt the film, he played his character well even though he stated he only lived in trailer park for two days in his life in the movie he played a kid who's lived there years.
Overall with the final battle being great for rap fans it's an enjoyable movie for all looking for a good kickback rap in the 90's type of film with a decent story following.

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Pixar Short Films Collection: Volume 1 Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a perfect DVD for kids and families alike. Pixar's theatrical shorts are some of the best -- if not THE best -- cartoons produced in the past two decades. This DVD has all 12 of them released to date, as well as an early short by John Lasseter from his days at the Lucasfilm Computer Graphics Project. Here's the list:
1. "THE ADVENTURES OF ANDRE AND WALLY B." (1984, Lucasfilm). After blue humanoid André is awakened in a forest by a pesky bee, he tries to escape. But the bee (named Wally B.) chases after him, and both characters run off screen. Finally, Wally reappears with a bent stinger. Interesting only for its historical value
2. "LUXO JR." (1986). When a large desklamp watches a smaller, younger desklamp play with a ball, he can't quite manage to do it himself.
3. "RED'S DREAM" (1987). Propped up in the corner of a bicycle store, Red the unicycle dreams about a better place.
4. "TIN TOY" (1988). When a wind-up one-man-band toy sees just how destructive a baby can be, he does everything he can to flee -- until the baby gets hurt.
5. "KNICK KNACK" (1989). A snowglobe snowman wants to join a party of other travel souvenirs in a hot party, but his glass dome gets in his way. (This is the well-known version with the less-endowed bathing beauty.)
6. "GERI'S GAME" (1997). A man plays a game of chess against himself, 'becoming' each player by moving to the other side of the chessboard and taking his glasses on and off.
7. "FOR THE BIRDS" (2001). A group of small birds perched together on a telephone wire reject a larger, awkward-looking bird, and pay the price for it.
8. "MIKE'S NEW CAR" (2002). When Mike (from "Monsters Inc.") shows Sulley his new six-wheel drive car, everything that can go wrong does.
9. "BOUNDIN'" (2003). A shearing leaves a dancing sheep humiliated until a jackalope passes by and demonstrates that it's what's inside that counts.
10. "JACK-JACK ATTACK" (2005). Baby Jack-Jack is thought not to possess the superpowers of his siblings or parents (Mr. and Mrs. Parr of "The Incredibles") until an outsider is hired to watch him.
11. "ONE MAN BAND" (2006). Two one-man bands vie to win the attention of a young peasant girl.
12. "MATER AND THE GHOSTLIGHT" (2006). A mysterious blue light haunts the "Cars" town of Radiator Springs and its residents.
13. "LIFTED" (2007). A bumbling young alien student tests the patience of his instructor as he attempts to abduct an innocent farmer.
Bonus features include a terrific documentary featurette on Pixar and some brief segments the company produced for "Sesame Street."

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Studio: Buena Vista Home VideoRelease Date: 11/06/2007Run time: 54 minutes

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