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- Review count33
- Helpfulness votes13
- First reviewJuly 9, 2019
- Last reviewJanuary 2, 2026
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.4
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![The Shawshank Redemption [UHD] [Standard] [4K Ultra HD Blu-ray]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/cdf740d0-0bf8-4437-acf4-11f8eed7f658.jpg)
Customer Rating
4
The Real Best Picture of 1994 Comes to UHD
on October 2, 2021
Posted by: spf781
Verified Purchase:Yes
One of the best films of the 1990s -and the film that should have won Best Picture at the Oscars back in early 1995- comes to the UHD format with a really handsome transfer that blows away the previous blu-ray release. The sound is the same as before, which is fine for a movie that is largely dialogue driven, but the color grading, black levels and picture detail are fantastic. Highly recommended.
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![The Thing (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray) [UHD] [Standard] [4K Ultra HD Blu-ray]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/ef58eee3-87e0-420f-9818-7e179c339d09.jpg)
The Thing (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray) [UHD]
Customer Rating
4
Great Transfer of a Modern-Day Classic
on September 19, 2021
Posted by: spf781
Verified Purchase:Yes
John Carpenter's 1982 sci-fi/horror classic makes its long-awaited debut in 4K UltraHD with this solid release from Universal Home Video. The picture looks fantastic and the sound is decent (it seems to be missing a bit of the "oomph" present on recent blu-ray releases from Shout Factory).
The extras, however, are a bit on the lacking side. There is a great audio commentary track with John Carpenter and Kurt Russell and the 84-minute documentary "The Thing: Terror Takes Shape" is also included along with a trailer and a few outtakes.
What is lacking, and this is probably because Universal didn't have the rights for them- are a ton of extras that were included in the blu-ray editions from Shout Factory. If you're a hardcore fan of the film, you probably already have a Shout edition of the blu on your shelf that makes a nice companion piece to the new Universal UHD. But if this is your one and only edition, at the very least you have the best transfer of the film on the market and two solid supplements.
Overall, this is a solid release and comes highly recommended.
Length of ownership: 11
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![Star Trek: The Original 4-Movie Collection - 4K Blu-Ray [4K Ultra HD Blu-ray]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/3a1494cb-6a95-4306-bd3f-f8d4f860a99c.jpg)
Eight-disc set includes Star Trek The Motion Picture (1979)Boarding the sleekly updated NCC-1701 starship, Admiral Kirk (William Shatner), Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy), and the rest of the Enterprise crew are reunited to stop an immense, destructive alien construct before it reaches Earth. InchThe human adventure is just beginningInch in this epic relaunch of the '60s TV sci-fi classic brought to the big screen by director Robert Wise. DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, Walter Koenig, Nichelle Nichols, George Takei, Persis Khambatta co-star. Theatrical version; 131 min. C/Rtg G Star Trek II The Wrath Of Khan (1982)A terraforming project code-named Genesis becomes the key to revenge for Kirk's old nemesis-the genetically engineered Khan-who hatches a plot to get even with the admiral for marooning him 15 years earlier. The big-screen follow-up to the classic TV episode InchSpace SeedInch also features the emotional (and permanent?) death of a crew member. William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Kirstie Alley, and Ricardo Montalban star. Theatrical version; 112 min./Director's cut; 117 min. C/Rtg PG Star Trek III The Search For Spock (1984)Kirk (William Shatner), McCoy (DeForest Kelley), and crew return to the Genesis Planet to learn the truth of Spock's (Leonard Nimoy) death, but a ruthless Klingon commander (Christopher Lloyd) wants the Genesis secrets. Exciting sci-fi adventure, directed by Nimoy, resolves whether or not the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few... or the one. With James Doohan, Walter Koenig, Nichelle Nichols, George Takei, Robin Curtis, and Merritt Butrick. 105 min. C/Rtg PG Star Trek IV The Voyage Home (1986)On their way home to face a host of criminal charges, the former Enterprise crew learns that a mysterious space probe is threatening Earth with certain destruction. Now, Kirk and company must travel back in time to the 1980
Customer Rating
4
A Good, But Not Great, UHD Debut for "Trek"
on September 19, 2021
Posted by: spf781
Verified Purchase:Yes
Paramount has released the first four Trek films on UHD in a set, and the results are overall rather pleasing. Gone is a majority of the DNR (digital noise reduction) that made the 2009 blu-ray transfers downright awful (don't worry, the blus included in this set are remastered). Each film has a nice layer of grain to them and picture detail is nicely improved.
So, why only four stars? Well, a couple of reasons. The first is Paramount only offering up the first four films in this set. While no one misses having "Star Trek V" in 4K, not including "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country" is just plain wrong.
The other issue is not including the director's cut of the first "Trek" film in this set alongside the theatrical edition. I know Paramount is currently working on a 4K restoration and these things take time, but now you are asking fans of the series to fork out even more money down the road to own the eventual UHD release. It wouldn't surprise me if they issued it exclusively in new box set...along with films five and six. Bravo, Paramount.
Still, if you can get this set at a good price -and you don't care about the exclusion of the other films,- this is a solid set. Recommended, with a few reservations.
Length of ownership: 11
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Customer Rating
4
Great Movie, Frustrating Experience With BB Stock
on July 25, 2021
Posted by: spf781
Verified Purchase:Yes
The Cameron Crowe rock film classic from 2000 has made its 4K UHD debut, and the results are first-rate. The picture and audio quality are major improvement over the old DVD and Blu-ray editions, and there are plenty of extras to keep you entertained after the film. As for the film itself, it hasn't aged a bit. It's still my favorite movie of the 2000s by far.
So, why not give this five stars? Well, I have a defective copy. The second disc freezes up in several spots despite the disc surface being free of smudges/scratches/etc. Normally, that would mean a quick trip back down to Best Buy to exchange the disc. Problem (hopefully) solved.
However, Best Buy hasn't had new copies in since the disc streeted two weeks ago and my window to return it for a new copy is closing rapidly (as of this writing, 7/28/21). I know this is largely Paramount's fault for not pressing enough copies, but this short return/exchange window of Best Buy's is useless if you don't have additional stock! Now I'm stuck with one good disc, and one defective one. Thanks, Best Buy!
Length of ownership: 11
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![Indiana Jones: 4-Movie Collection (Steelbook) - 4K Blu-Ray [4K Ultra HD Blu-ray]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/304b2327-370a-41e7-956a-951dd4939472.png)
Relive the classic adventures of the world's most famous treasure hunter with this four-movie collection, featuring every entry in the iconic Indiana Jones franchise. Included here are Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
Customer Rating
5
Indiana Jones and the Awesome 4K UHD Transfers
on June 16, 2021
Posted by: spf781
Verified Purchase:Yes
It was a long time coming, but everyone's famous archeologist has arrived on the UHD format. The four Paramount Indiana Jones adventures have all been given new picture and audio transfers, and the results on all four are fantastic. Outside of owning 35mm prints of all four movies, I doubt they will ever look as great as they do now.
The only downsides? For one, I wish the artwork on the individual steels used the original poster art for each of the films. The artwork used here is okay, but the posters would have been so much better (the outer cardboard case housing the discs? Toss it. It's garbage.)
Second, while there is plenty of supplemental material covering "Raiders of the Lost Ark" on the accompanying blu-ray bonus disc, some sort of retrospective featurette to celebrate the film's 40th anniversary would have been nice to have. Alas...
I'm so happy to have these films back in my collection, and so will you.
Length of ownership: 7
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![The Sting (Limited Edition 4K Ultra HD Steelbook + Blu-ray) [UHD] [4K Ultra HD Blu-ray]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/d450462e-3913-42f7-bf38-8c0416d5aacb.jpg)
The Sting (Limited Edition 4K Ultra HD
Customer Rating
4
The 1973 Classic Hits UltraHD!
on June 16, 2021
Posted by: spf781
Verified Purchase:Yes
George Roy Hill's Oscar-winning 1973 classic finally hits the UltraHD market and the results are quite good. Much like another Universal title that recently hit the 4K format - "Animal House-, "The Sting" has had a rough go of it on home video. Digital noise reduction and a heavy amount of image sharpening have made the Robert Redford/Paul Newman comedy a blurry mess in the past. The new 4K UHD edition thankfully rectifies that. Gone is most (if not all) of the digital noise reduction and the artificial sharpening has been considerably toned down. The film still has its occasional softness, but that is now more the result of when the movie was shot as opposed to a technician trying to pretty up the image.
Like "Animal House," I wish Universal had offered up the original mono soundtrack as well as a few new extras. Otherwise, this is a nice release and a welcome addition to any 4K library.
Length of ownership: 28
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![National Lampoon's Animal House (Limited Edition 4K Ultra HD Steelbook + Blu-ray) [UHD] [4K Ultra HD Blu-ray]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/2fd7c4d2-5463-47a0-9dc8-bdd2d9aefab0.jpg)
National Lampoon's Animal House (Limite
Customer Rating
4
TOGA! TOGA! 4K! 4K!
on June 16, 2021
Posted by: spf781
Verified Purchase:Yes
Despite its rightful status as a classic comedy, I never thought I would see Animal House ever get a 4K Ultra HD release. Yet, here we are and the results are quite impressive. The John Landis comedy has always looked rather bland on previous home video formats, but the new 4K transfer finally gives the comedy some vitality. For the first time since its theatrical days, a home video release of Animal House looks like a really nice film print instead of an oversharpened, noisy mess.
Are there drawbacks? Only a couple. It would have been nice to have the original theatrical mono sound (only a 5.1 DTS track is included) and there are no new extras included, only the legacy one from previous blu-ray and DVD editions.
Still, if you love the film -as do I,- this is a must have for your 4K UHD library.
Length of ownership: 28
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![Speed - 4K Blu-Ray [Standard] [4K Ultra HD Blu-ray]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/1662858f-292e-41fd-b031-b6a5d390a794.jpg)
Electrifying action thriller starring Keanu Reeves as Los Angeles SWAT team officer Jack Traven, who must rescue the passengers on a bus booby-trapped by deranged bomb expert Howard Payne (Dennis Hopper). Payne's rigged the vehicle to explode if it drops under 50 mph, so now it's up to Traven and courageous commuter Annie (Sandra Bullock)-who's forced to hop behind the wheel-to save the day. With Jeff Daniels, Joe Morton, and an amazing array of wild stunts. 116 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack English. Two-disc set.
Customer Rating
5
27 Years On, "Speed" Still Delivers
on May 16, 2021
Posted by: spf781
Verified Purchase:Yes
A film that was made for the 4K UltraHD format, 1994's "Speed" makes its long-awaited debut in an edition that should more than please fans. The movie still retains the level of fast-paced (no pun intended) thrills and excitement it had when it hit theaters 27 years ago, and the 4K restoration done a few years back -by the studio formerly known as 20th Century Fox- is a thing of beauty. And, for the first time since its DVD edition, "Speed" now has a healthy amount of supplemental material on the accompanying blu-ray (which is also remastered from the 4K restoration).
My only question for Disney/Fox now is this: when can we expect more catalog titles? And will they all have the same care applied to them as this one? Just...don't include "Speed 2: Cruise Control." Please.
Length of ownership: 11
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Customer Rating
5
The Beloved HBO Series Is a Knockout in 4K
on January 16, 2021
Posted by: spf781
Verified Purchase:Yes
The new UHD set from Warner Home Video of the acclaimed HBO fantasy drama is a thing of beauty, especially in this limited edition steelbook set. The packaging on Season Eight is a bit frustrating (did you guys run out of multidisc trays?), but overall the steelbooks look great, as does the outer case that houses them.
As for the series, what can I say that hasn't been said yet? Yes, the last two seasons aren't up to the level of the first six and yes, you have to wonder what they were thinking when they came up with some of the conclusion to the story arcs of the main characters. But even diminished seasons of "Game of Thrones" are still better than most other shows are during their height of creativity.
The transfers are fantastic, looking and sounding better than ever. Free of the horrible compression issues that plagued the series during its run on HBO, the episodes really shine in 4K. And if you have the time for them, most of the extensive selection of supplemental material from the previous home video release are here as well.
It's a pricey set, but it is well worth it -especially if you can find it on sale- for diehard fans of the series. Winter is coming, you might as well have something worthwhile to watch.
Length of ownership: 26
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![The Hobbit: Trilogy (4K Ultra HD) [UHD] [Standard] [4K Ultra HD Blu-ray]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/fedba80f-98ed-440d-a913-4698e1bb9cb9.jpg)
The Hobbit: Trilogy (4K Ultra HD) [UHD]
Customer Rating
3
Jackson's Return to Middle Earth is a Mixed Bag
on January 16, 2021
Posted by: spf781
Verified Purchase:Yes
If only they stuck with two films.
Peter Jackson's second Middle Earth trilogy is one that is the working definition of a mixed bag. Originally envisioned as a two-part film series that was to be originally directed by Guillermo Del Toro, the "Hobbit" series wound up being a trilogy that simply didn't have enough material to cover three films (blame studio greed for the decision, not Jackson).
But even if they stuck with the two film plan, the "Hobbit" films would still have to deal with Jackson's perchant for bloat. "An Unexpected Journey" and "The Desolation of Smaug" are both good films (the third act of 'Smaug' is the best of this trilogy). But they are also ones that could have used another pass in the editing bay (a Goblin musical number and a shoehorned love triangle should have been first on the list for deletion).
The third film in the series, "The Battle of the Five Armies," might be Jackson's worst movie to date had he not made "The Lovely Bones." It doesn't matter whether you watch the theatrical or extended cut, "Five Armies" is like watching cut scenes from a videogame with the volume cranked up too high. Whereas "Return of the King" was a phenomenal conclusion to the "Lord of the Rings" saga, "Five Armies" was the complete opposite. Rather sad, actually.
Warner's UHD box set offers solid transfers of the three features, and contains the theatrical and extended cuts of each film. As with the "Lord of the Rings" UHD set, there are no extras to be had. If you want those with your 4K discs, you'll have to wait until the upcoming deluxe set. If you don't care about such things and you are a fan of the trilogy, this set comes recommended if you can find it on sale.
Length of ownership: 22
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