Clark Griswold and his family get to celebrate the holidays in digital splendor in this DVD release of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. The film has been transferred to disc in its original widescreen aspect ratio of 1.85:1, which has been enhanced for anamorphic playback on 16 x 9 monitors. The original English language soundtrack has been remixed in Dolby Digital 5.1, while an alternate track dubbed in French appears in Dolby Digital Mono. The movie also features optional subtitles in English, French, and Spanish. No bonus materials have been included.
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This special edition re-release of Gremlins is a vast improvement over the original disc. To begin with, the image, which is framed at the original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, shows clear signs of the new digital transfer. Colors are sharp and vibrant (though maybe a little over saturated at times) with blacks that are solid. Overall the immediate impression of the picture is better than would be expected. The sound, which uses the same 5.1 English track from the original release, is certainly good, but never takes advantage of the entire sound field. It's generally centered up front, but is distortion free and produces clear audio. The main difference between releases is obviously the supplemental features. Whereas the first disc was basically movie only, this one has a number of nice features. At the top of the list would have to be two new commentary tracks. The first is enthusiastic and informational with director Joe Dante and actors Zach Galligan, Howie Mandel, and the less heard Phoebe Cates and Dick Miller. The second is a little more technical, but nevertheless entertaining with Dante again, producer Michael Finnell, and special effects artist Chris Walas. The rest of the extras, while good, are less spectacular. Along with ten minutes of deleted scenes with optional commentary is a six-minute featurette with behind-the-scenes shots and interviews, a photo/storyboard gallery, and cast and crew biographies. Rounding this nice package out are three trailers, two for this film and one for the sequel, Gremlins 2: The New Batch.
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This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Not scary in the way The Exorcist is scary, scary in the way that you jump back because a super-adorable little critter suddenly grows pointy teeth and a mean stare. A slice of 80's life along with the storyline, much fun.
This user is a My Best Buy® Elite Member, who has spent $1,500 on eligible purchases and is now getting 1.10 points per dollar. They may have received My Best Buy® bonus points for submitting reviews.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
It's hard to imagine anyone who knows nothing about this movie, and would require a review to determine if he should watch it. That said, let me say that this is one of those MUST SEE movies, if you consider yourself a fan of horror, thrillers. It's simple yet brilliant, the special effects are primitive compared with the CG masterpieces possible today, BUT you won't find anything that roots you to the couch, eyes unmoving from the screen the way this one does. The little girl changes from a, well, little girl, to a horrifying image of a demon, you can practically feel the chill in the air and the dank smell of the room. Anyone with a modicum of imagination will be scared and it's a fabulously enjoyable scare. MUST SEE.
Celebrate the 25th anniversary of this beloved masterpiece starring Johnny Depp and directed by Tim Burton. Depp delivers the performance that launched his career, as Edward, an irresistibly charming creation with razor-sharp metal hands and a heart of gold. Edward's lonely life in a Gothic castle changes forever when he meets a kindhearted Avon Lady (Dianne Wiest), who takes him to a pastel paradise known as Suburbia. Thanks to his fantastic talents, Edward becomes a neighborhood sensation, but when he falls in love with Kim (Winona Ryder), he must go to extraordinary lengths to protect her.
This user is a My Best Buy® Elite Member, who has spent $1,500 on eligible purchases and is now getting 1.10 points per dollar. They may have received My Best Buy® bonus points for submitting reviews.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
It's a Tim Burton movie so you'd have to expect strange and dark. It's a romance, it's sad and sweet and twisted. Johnny Depp gives a poignant feel to this character that I don't know many actors could have done. His chemistry with Ryder is apparent; there is a reason this is a cult classic!