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    June 18, 2008
  • Last review
    June 28, 2008
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kebmaster's Reviews
 
A touching tale of a son who sets out to find the truth about his adventurous father, Tim Burton's Big Fish arrives on DVD with an abundance of features that will no doubt have Burton devotees flocking. Presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen, the image is near perfect -- with bright, vibrant colors, even skin tones, and no sign of edge-enhancement. Burton has always been known as a flamboyantly visual filmmaker, and this disc offers a truly fantastic view of his skills behind the camera. The English Dolby Digital 5.1 audio mix is bold without being overwhelming, saving directional effects for just the right moments and offering a great showcase for the film's wonderful sound design. An alternate French Dolby Digital Surround mix is also included, along with optional English and French subtitles. Though it's not being touted as a "special edition" of any sort, the features presented on this disc put most so-called comprehensive releases to shame. Beginning with an insightful commentary track that is co-hosted by Burton on Burton author Mark Salisbury, Burton truly opens up while discussing the film. If at first the inclusion of Salisbury seems somewhat intrusive to fans, as the film progresses, the probing interviewer draws details from the director that may have otherwise been left unexplored. From childhood inspiration to technical information, the commentary track reveals a Burton that the casual viewer as well as the dedicated fan will surely find compelling. "The Character's Journey," separated into three parts -- "Edward Bloom at Large," "Amos at the Circus," and "Fathers and Sons" -- expounds on each eponymous subject with insight and clarity while never ceasing to entertain, with "Fathers and Sons" offering a touching look at the familial bond that drives the film. Fans of Burton will get plenty of insight from "The Filmmaker's Path," which is divided into four parts: "Tim Burton: Storyteller," "A Fairytale World," "Creature Features," and "The Author's Journey." From discussing the origins of Burton's career in "Tim Burton: Storyteller" to offering a revealing look at how fairy tales and mythology influenced the film in "A Fairytale World," this segment explores the foundations of the film in a way that will capture viewers' imagination as well as their attention. "The Author's Journey" talks with Big Fish author Daniel Wallace and screenwriter John August, exploring the roots of Wallace's career as a writer while addressing the difficulties of adapting such an imaginative tale for the screen. The adventurous viewer can explore the film itself by opting to enable a pop-up feature that offers revealing facts about the characters and filmmakers, and for viewers who wish to test their knowledge about the director, a Tim Burton trivia quiz offers an opportunity to flex their brains with the promise of a hearty reward.
 
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Excellent story, or shall I say, stories
on June 28, 2008
Posted by: kebmaster
from Texas
Big Fish is another of my favorite movies. It has a great storyline, following the often mythical life of a father, and his son's search for the truth. The script is superb, and the dialogue never corny or lame. The acting is also very well done. Overall, an excellent movie.
Like many other of my favorites, Big Fish has great rewatchability, too. I have already seen it half a dozen times, and I could keep on rewatching it!
What's great about it: Wonderfully scripted, acted, and put together movie
What's not so great: none
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The Right Stuff, Philip Kaufman's adaptation of Tom Wolfe's ode to the U.S. space race, is a beautiful collection of sights and sounds on DVD. The print used for the digital transfer is a bit dirty at times, with specs and black lines making appearances, but the 1.85:1 widescreen transfer is an entirely winning affair. Cinematographer Caleb Deschanel's elegant earth tones and stylish period photography shine. The movie also sounds incredible, with dynamic remastered Dolby Digital Sound that allows Bill Conti's evocative score to soar. Whether Ed Harris' John Glenn is struggling not to use profanity, or a government official is claiming "our Germans are better than their Germans," the dialogue comes across swimmingly. The humor and emotional undertones of the film have never seemed as personally affecting as they do on this DVD. As for supplemental features, things are a little bleak. Outside of the letterboxed theatrical trailer and the "Jump to a Scene" feature, the "Gallery" is where the supplements reside. The "Gallery" is a difficult-to-navigate hodgepodge of text and endless screens of information containing profiles of the cast and the actual Mercury astronauts, as well as pilot lingo, space terms, important space flight dates and events, behind-the-scenes facts, and awards. The information presented is worthwhile, but the interface is boring and static. Outside of the supplemental material, the DVD excels, providing a worthy home-theater experience of The Right Stuff.
 
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Good story of America's pioneers of space flight
on June 25, 2008
Posted by: kebmaster
from Texas
As an aerospace engineer, I am required by law to like this movie.
Actually, I enjoyed it, and I think it is a good movie for a non-aerospace engineer to watch as well. The story follows the pioneering pilots of early supersonic aircraft through space flight. The story focuses on some historical basis, the obstacles of becoming test pilots, as well as the affect of the space training and flight on the families of pilots. Throughout the story humor is infused at certain points to lighten the mood. I especially like the rocket montage scene. Pop!
The drawbacks to the movie are length and that certain sections of the movie drag.
What's great about it: Good acting and interesting storyline
What's not so great: Long movie that drags in some sections
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Always looking for action, five over-enthusiastic, but under-stimulated Vermont State Troopers raise hell on the highway, keeping motorists anxiously looking in their rear view mirrors. Between an ongoing feud with the local cops over whose you-know-what is bigger and the state government wanting to shut them down, the Super Troopers find themselves patrolling the boundaries of good taste as they hilariously and unwittingly skid towards solving the crime of their lives.
 
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Excellent Comedy
on June 22, 2008
Posted by: kebmaster
from Texas
Super Troopers is one of my favorite comedies. It's jam-packed with great gags and funny banter. I cracked up for most of the movie the first time I saw it. The plot, as with many such comedies, is a bit lackluster, but the comedy is excellent, so that doesn't matter.
Syrup anyone?
What's great about it: Hilarious
What's not so great: Well... not the best plot... but that's not what you watch it for
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Bill Murray is having one of those days -- over and over and over again -- in the comedy hit Groundhog Day, released a second time by Columbia in a new "special edition" DVD. The 1.85:1 anamorphic transfer looks very good with only minor imperfections hindering the picture. A small amount of edge enhancement and grain show up during a few scenes, though overall this is a very nice-looking picture with bright colors and even black levels. The audio is presented in a newly created Dolby 5.1 mix as well as a DTS 5.1 Surround soundtrack (in French, Portuguese, English, and Spanish). Both of these soundtracks feature some nice surround utilization by both the front and back speakers, as well as clear and distortion-free dialogue, music, and effects. Also included on this disc are subtitles in English, French, Chinese, Korean, Thai, Spanish, and Portuguese. Whereas the original DVD release of Groundhog Day only included a few scant extras, this new Groundhog Day: Special Edition DVD features a few more substantial extra features. Included on this disc are the typical theatrical trailers, cast and crew filmographies, and production notes. Newly produced for this disc is a 25-minute documentary titled "The Weight of Time," which includes new retrospective interviews with director Harold Ramis, actors Andie MacDowell and Stephen Tobolowsky, writer Danny Rubin, and producer Trevor Albert. This is a very nice documentary that includes funny anecdotes and stories about the production. Finally, there is a new commentary track by director Harold Ramis, which features the director chatting about the difficulties in making the movie, how it was working with star Bill Murray, and other tidbits about the movie. Taken as a whole, this new Groundhog Day: Special Edition DVD is a great disc for fans of the movie to own (though Bill Murray's non-participation in the new extra features is a bummer).
 
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Good Comedy
on June 21, 2008
Posted by: kebmaster
from Texas
Groundhog Day is a funny movie, but not very funny; however, it makes up for it by delving deep into the dramatic reaction one may take when confronted with repeating the same day over and over again. The dark, brooding sections of the movie color the comedy that pervades the rest.
Overall, I give the movie a four. It delivers the comedy you expect plus gives better plot development than the average comedy. Alas, the romance was a bit cheesy. At least to me...
What's great about it: Funny and explores interesting time travel like effect
What's not so great: Not as laugh out loud funny as many other comedies
I would recommend this to a friend!
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  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
My 2nd Favorite Movie
on June 19, 2008
Posted by: kebmaster
from Texas
From the first time I saw The Princess Bride, this movie has been a favorite of mine. It delivers a wonderful movie on many levels: action, adventure, romance, and comedy. The acting is good, particularly Mandy Patinkin as the inimitable Inigo Montoya, and I can think of no one better to play vizzini than Wallace Shawn.
This movie has the quality that lifts it from simply a good or great movie to one of my favorites: repeatability. I have watched this movie at least a dozen times, and I'm still not bored of it. Plus, it has immense quotability! There are so many good qualities to this movie, it's inconceivable!
What's great about it: "Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles... ", what's not to like!?
What's not so great: none
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Frank Darabont's critically acclaimed, quietly popular 1994 debut The Shawshank Redemption comes to DVD in a simple presentation that features a widescreen, anamorphic transfer, Dolby Digital 5.1 Audio, a stills gallery, and the theatrical trailer. With an understated, well-crafted film like this one, the focus should be on the finished work, but a Darabont commentary, filmography, "making of" featurette, and other extra features would make a nice counterpart to the film's restraint. Hopefully, Warner Home Video will see fit to release a deluxe version of The Shawshank Redemption that gives the film the treatment it deserves.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
My favorite movie!
on June 18, 2008
Posted by: kebmaster
from Texas
Shawshank Redemption is my favorite movie. Morgan Freeman's stubborn and cynical character plays an excellent second to Tim Robbins' brooding yet hopeful and resilient character. The other supporting characters are all believable, and draw the viewer into the world of the repentant criminals trying to do their time and build some level of normality in their lives. Not only are the characters and acting excellent, but also the storyline is superb. This movie is a great adaptation of Stephen king's novella.
Some good or great movies I can only watch once, but to become one of my favorites, the movie must have repeatability. Shawshank Redemption is one of those movies that I can watch many times and still not be bored.
What's great about it: Great acting and great storyline
What's not so great: Morgan Freeman narrating is such a cliche
I would recommend this to a friend!
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