Weirdness abounds in the horror thriller Donnie Darko. Fox has done a great job on this 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer. This is a very clear image that sports dark black levels and evenly saturated colors. Only a small amount of edge enhancement is spotted in a few scenes, though it won't interfere with the viewing. The audio is presented in DTS Surround in English, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround in English, and French. Both the DTS and Dolby 5.1 soundtracks are very full and bombastic. Both soundtracks utilize rear and front speakers to maximum effect. Also included on this disc are subtitles in English. Donnie Darko includes a wide array of extra features, starting with two commentary tracks, the first by director Richard Kelly and actor Jake Gyllenhaal, and the second with multiple cast and crew members. Both of these tracks are very informative and interesting. "The Philosophy of Time Travel" is page-by-page look at the book prominently displayed in the film. The "Art Gallery" features production photos from the film, as well as conceptual art and promotional materials used for the marketing campaign. "Cunning Visions" is a collection of infomercials from the movie by Patrick Swayze's film character. An optional infomercial is available with commentary by Fabian Van Patton and Linda Connie. Twenty deleted scenes feature optional commentary with the director. Some of these are interesting, while others had validity for being cut. Rounding off the extra features are some TV spots and theatrical trailers, a music video for the song by Gary Jules, and some information on the cast and crew.
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.
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.
Roland Emmerich's science fiction blockbuster Independence Day comes to DVD with a widescreen anamorphic transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1. Closed-captioned English soundtracks are rendered in Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Digital Surround, while a French soundtrack has also been recorded in Dolby Digital Surround. English and Spanish subtitles are accessible. Supplemental materials include a smattering of commentary from Emmerich and producer Dean Devlin, as well as commentary from the special effects crew. This is a solid disc from 20th Century Fox that should be appreciated by fans of the film.
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.
For years people had been clamoring for the release of the '80s classic The Goonies on DVD. Featuring a cast of crazy and kooky characters, director Richard Donner's fantasy-filled children's tale comes to DVD in an edition worthy of One Eyed Willie's gold. Warner has done a spectacular job cleaning up the anamorphic 2.35:1 print, making colors look exciting and alive. Sloth and Chunk have never looked so clean and concise! Black levels are solid and there is a minimum of edge enhancement. To say the least, this is the best The Goonies has ever looked, and Warner gets high praise for doing a terrific job on the transfer. Audio is presented in a new Dolby Digital 5.1 remix, and although it's not as impressive as other remixes, this one does a great job of enveloping the viewer in the world of The Goonies. All the speakers are used during many action sequences, and dialogue, effects and Dave Grusin's hyperactive music score are all crisp and clear. Also featured are Dolby Surround 2.0 tracks in English and French, as well as a Dolby Mono 1.0 track in Spanish. Finally there are subtitles in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French. Many fans will be happy to know that Warner has put much time and effort into including some great supplemental features. A video/audio commentary track with all seven original Goonies plus Richard Donner is both amusing and nostalgic. Warner splices scenes from the movie with images from the recording session to bring fans a unique and interesting commentary track by the stars of the movie. "The Making of the Goonies" is a 1985 promotional documentary that includes interviews with cast and crew, as well as behind-the-scenes glimpses of the production. A two-part Cyndi Lauper video for the song "The Goonies 'R' Good Enough" entertains with guest stars such as pro wrestlers "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and the Iron Sheik. Directed by Richard Donner, this video is a riot to watch, and the song is unexpectedly catchy. Finally there is an anamorphic theatrical trailer along with some deleted outtakes featuring the infamous "Octopus" scene, mentioned in the film but rarely seen by fans. Drooling fans of this classic kids film will be ecstatic to get their hands on some great extra features, a nice transfer, and finely mixed audio tracks. In the words of Cyndi Lauper, The Goonies certainly 'R' good enough!
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.