Friday, June 25, 2010

Dark City (Director's Cut) [Blu-ray]

Dark City (Director's Cut) [Blu-ray]


Excellent Dark Sci-Fi Question-Reality Film,
The trailers for Dark City suggested a film so complex and impeneterable to leave the viewer rather confused at its conclusion, yet in execution the film makes far more sense than the intriguing montage in the trailer.
Set in a dark world--literally dark, as no one seems to remember being out during the day--the film focuses on John Murdoch (Rufus Sewell), a man who awakens amnesiac to find a murdered woman nearby. Soon thereafter pursued by the police (led by William Hurt), he must solve the mystery of his missing memories and eerie pursuers.
Helped along the way by a woman claiming to be his wife (Jennifer Connelley) and a pendactic psychiatrist (Kiefer Sutherland), Murdoch learns that his pursuers are a race of aliens with the power to warp reality with their minds who continually change the city and the memories and even lives of the people inhabiting it in an experiment designed to save their lives. Murdoch has developed their same power to "tune" and save humanity from the aliens' machinations.
The film's theme of questionable reality--carried across on two levels as both human memories are manipulated and the physical world itself changed on a nightly basis--is done fairly well if somewhat less successfully than the in the Matrix.
Replete with dark imagery suiting the film noir genre and quite at home in Blade Runner, the movie makes for a stunning visual performance. The aliens are masterfully done as frightening and eerie outsiders. My only complaint is that I was able to grasp the film's actions and meanings on a first viewing with little difficulty; I had expected to come out with the sense of, "What the heck?!" that would require two or three viewings to fully digest the film's depth. Yet that aside, the film is still a definite watch for any fans of film noir or reality-questioning sci-fi.
The DVD includes a number of special features to sweeten the deal, including two commentary tracks, the theatrical trailer (whose music unfortunately didn't make it into the film), an isolated score track, and more. The video and audio transfers are crisp and clean. read more....

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Terminator 2: Judgment Day (Skynet Edition) [Blu-ray] (1991)


Terminator 2: Judgment Day (Skynet Edition) [Blu-ray] (1991)


Terminator 2: Judgment Day (Skynet Edition) [Blu-ray]
List Price:$29.99
Price:$10.00 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
You Save:$19.99 (67%)
After he pushed the envelope of computer-generated special effects in The Abyss, director James Cameron turned this hotly anticipated sequel to Terminator into a well-written, action-packed showcase for advanced special effects and for one of the most invincible villains ever imagined. Terminator 2: Judgment Day is a legitimate sequel: there's more story to tell about a hulking, leather-clad android (Arnold Schwarzenegger) who arrivTerminater 2 Blu-Rayses from the future to protect a rebellious teenager and future leader (Edward Furlong) from being killed by the tenacious T-1000 robot (Robert Patrick), whose liquid-metal construction makes him seemingly unstoppable. The fate of the future lies in the balance, with Linda Hamilton (who would later marry her director) reprising her role as the rugged woman whose son will change the course of history. --Jeff Shannon

Monday, June 21, 2010

True Blood: The Complete Second Season (HBO Series)

True Blood: The Complete Second Season (HBO Series)


True Blood's second season, with episodes involving a new cast of monsters invading Louisiana swamp town Bon Temps, is notably gorier and more camp than the first season. While thematically the central focus in these 12 exciting episodes still revolves around faith and loyalty, these questions are complicated by displays of pagan ritual and obsession. Though the vampire/human relationship dilemma continues, spearheaded by lovers Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin) and vampire Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer), there is less emphasis on addiction to V, or vampire blood, and more time dedicated to outsiders whose supernatural talents make some episodes feel like superhero battles.Episode 1, "Nothing but the Blood," sets the gory example with a brutal opening scene in which the local shaman has been eviscerated. While gruesome murders continue throughout the season, we become familiar with a new femme fatale, Maryann Forrester (Michelle Forbes), who hosts bacchanalia, such as the one in episode 4 ("Shake and Fingerpop") that gives Bon Temps a collective hangover. Also developing in this season are relationships between Sookie and Bill's vampire colleagues Eric (Alexander Skarsgård), Eric's master Godric, and a vampire queen who plays Yahtzee throughout episode 11 ("Frenzy"). The ever-increasing vampire interest in Sookie leads to her questioning her own supernatural psychic identity, especially in the final episode ("Beyond Here Lies Nothin'"), a semi-ridiculous, over-the-top segment that is more humorous than scary. Also corny but funny are the episodes featuring Fellowship of the Sun zealots Steve and Sarah Newlin (Michael McMillian and Anna Camp), and Jason Stackhouse's evangelical dedication to them (with Ryan Kwanten as Stackhouse). Perhaps the best episodes are those dedicated to the endangered plights of Sam Merlotte (Sam Trammell), Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis), and Tara (Rutina Wesley). New characters, like Tara's lover, Eggs (Mehcad Brooks), and the young, tempestuous vampire Jessica Hamby (Deborah Ann Woll), also add greatly to an already fabulous cast. Though the extras in this DVD set, "The Vampire Report (Special Edition)" and "Fellowship of the Sun: Reflections of Light," offer lighthearted, pseudo-documentary fun, they feel quaint next to the many wonderful episodes of this horror serial. --Trinie Dalton

Stills from True Blood: The Complete Second Season (click for larger image)















Product Description

When we last checked in with Sookie Stackhouse, the mystery surrounding a Bon Temps serial killer had finally been solved, to the town’sinfinite relief. Sookie is thrilled that her vampire soulmate, Bill Compton, has escaped with his life (or is it death?) after coming to her daylight defense. On other fronts, Sookie’s pal Tara Thornton sets downnew roots with an affluent benefactor, Maryann Forrester; Sam Merlotte resolves to get in shape-shift shape after a forest foray; roguish brother Jason finds new purpose with an anti-vampire sect; and detectiveAndy Bellefleur licks his wounds after being proven wrong about Jason’s guilt. But just as things are settling down, some deadly new twists threaten to ratchet up the saga of Sookie Stackhouse to bloody new heights!

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

James Bond (11-Movie Collection) [Blu-ray]

James Bond (11-Movie Collection) [Blu-ray]

In Stock.This collection includes 11 of the 14 James Bond Movies released to date on blu-ray. The first four and most highly rated of Sean Connery' films as JB, The only films not previously released on blu-ray are 'Never Say Never Again', which MGM does not own and consequently is not available in this collection and Casino Royale. Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace are available now in blu-ray from MGM and are not included. These movies are both selling very well and can be expected to do extremely well with Father's Day coming up. MGM is not required to sell these movies as a part of a $99 bundle. Their shareholders would be entitled to kick out management if they did that.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.
 




I cannot say that I have seen the entire collection. I have seen several of them on blu-ray (thank you Netflix) and find the video and audio Incredibly good for their age- Dr. No was released nearly 50 years ago and the transfer to blu-ray in 2008 won a 4.5 stars out of a 5.0 possible from High Def Digest - to quote the introductory sentence "Wow. Just wow". HDD has the toughest and most knowledgeable critics on blu-ray transfers. See [..] I have ordered this collection from Amazon and look forward to many hours of enjoyment. For those of you who complain that it does not contain all 22 movies - grow up! This is a tremendous collection at a great price. Those who pass it up are the same people who would not purchase The Lord of the Rings trilogy because it did not include the extended edition as well as the theatrical edition. Pleasure delayed may be pleasure thrown away.


I recommend this collection to any James Bond fan. These are 'fun-to-watch' films that requires a great deal of suspension of disbelief. If you are hunting for a great classic such as Citizen Kane or Schlinder's List, these are not your movies. These are popcorn movies that let you take a break from the grind of everyday life.
Amazon.com
Avatar (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo) [Blu-ray]
After 12 years of thinking about it (and waiting for movie technology to catch up with his visions), James Cameron followed up his unsinkable Titanic with Avatar, a sci-fi epic meant to trump all previous sci-fi epics. Set in the future on a distant planet, Avatar spins a simple little parable about greedy colonizers (that would be mankind) messing up the lush tribal world of Pandora. A paraplegic Marine named Jake (Sam Worthington) acts through a 9-foot-tall avatar that allows him to roam the planet and pass as one of the Na'vi, the blue-skinned, large-eyed native people who would very much like to live their peaceful lives without the interference of the visitors. Although he's supposed to be gathering intel for the badass general (Stephen Lang) who'd like to lay waste to the planet and its inhabitants, Jake naturally begins to take a liking to the Na'vi, especially the feisty Neytiri (Zoë Saldana, whose entire performance, recorded by Cameron's complicated motion-capture system, exists as a digitally rendered Na'vi). The movie uses state-of-the-art 3D technology to plunge the viewer deep into Cameron's crazy toy box of planetary ecosystems and high-tech machinery. Maybe it's the fact that Cameron seems torn between his two loves--awesome destructive gizmos and flower-power message mongering--that makes Avatar's pursuit of its point ultimately uncertain. That, and the fact that Cameron's dialogue continues to clunk badly. If you're won over by the movie's trippy new world, the characters will be forgivable as broad, useful archetypes rather than standard-issue stereotypes, and you might be able to overlook the unsurprising central plot. (The overextended "take that, Michael Bay" final battle sequences could tax even Cameron enthusiasts, however.) It doesn't measure up to the hype (what could?) yet Avatar frequently hits a giddy delirium all its own. The film itself is our Pandora, a sensation-saturated universe only the movies could create. --Robert Horton

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Sin City [Blu-ray]


Sin City [Blu-ray]
Actors: Jessica Alba, Bruce Willis
Studio: Dimension
Category: DVDList
Price: $35.99
You Save: $11.00 (31%)
With any luck Frank Miller's "Sin City" will inspire a new genre of filmmaking - a literal union between filmmaking and the world of comic books/graphic novels. I know, I know, there have been countless films inspired by the world of comic books which have attempted to recreate the chills and thrills. Not one of them - even the best (e,g,, Spiderman series, Tales from the Crypt, etc.) has been remotely as successful as the creative team that gives us this brilliant, jarring, vision. Rodriguez, Miller and company obviously put themselves (and the cast) through painstaking paces to assure every frame, every emotion emoted by an astonishing array of live talent is instilled with the gritty, graphic hyperrealism of the world of Frank Miller. It is a breathtaking achievement which, alas, will go unnoticed and be underappreciated by many who don't "get" this world. The cast is nothing short of remarkable: Mickey Rourke gives his finest performance since Barfly - maybe ever. Bruce Willis has never given a better performance than the retiring cop, Hartigan. Everyone involved is obviously relishing having the time of their lives. Outside of Shakespeare I can't imagine anything currently more theatrically over-the-top and satisfying than being associated with Sin City. For many the violence will be of too gory and graphic in nature (gorygraphic?). Others will enjoy the rough ride but also be appreciative of the often stunning beauty of so many of this film's images. The final tale in the trilogy of stories that make up the movie is shot with the cool and chill of winter bathed in a snow storm of such exquisite beauty that I don't find it difficult to say it is among the most beautiful images I've seen in any film. Ever.

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Iron Man (Ultimate Two-Disc Edition + BD Live) [Blu-ray]

Man (Ultimate Two-Disc Edition + BD Live) [Blu-ray]
Actors: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow
Studio: Paramount
Category: DVD
List Price: $39.99
Buy New: $15.94 !!
You Save: $24.05 (60%)
Buy Now at Bluray Store US
Customer Reviews:
The first disc features 11 deleted and extended scenes. There's more of the opening ambush with Tony Stark being more proactive. We also see more footage of Rhodes and it quickly becomes apparent that he was the character with the most scenes cut from the film. We also see Tony and Pepper Potts attend another party.
The second disc starts off with the impressive "I Am Iron Man," a 108 minute making of documentary that can be viewed in seven segments or altogether, taking us through various aspects of the production. For example, we are taken step-by-step through the construction of the Iron Man armor with Robert Downey Jr. cracking jokes while being fitted for it. It's amazing how much of the suit is practical and looks really good in person. This is due in large part to the genius of the late-great Stan Winston and his company. Also included is plenty of soundstage footage of scenes being filmed...