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Euphoniumist
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- Review count8
- Helpfulness votes5
- First reviewDecember 18, 2016
- Last reviewDecember 18, 2016
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.4
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Euphoniumist's Reviews
![Ghostbusters: Answer the Call [4K Ultra HD Blu-ray/Blu-ray] [3D] [SteelBook] [4K Ultra HD Blu-ray/Blu-ray/Blu-ray 3D] [2016]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/5450/5450507_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
4
Excellent Presentation of an Average Film
on December 18, 2016
Posted by: Euphoniumist
Verified Purchase:Yes
The Ghostbusters reboot was always going to be facing an uphill battle, even before it was announced that the new leads would all be female, sparking a flame war. The original film, and even its less successful sequel, are now considered classics and many people grew up watching them over and over. Make no mistake, the original film is excellent, with solid jokes, great performances, memorable visuals, and some really strong elements of horror. However, chances are it can't live up to the lofty image of perfection most fans have in their heads, because quite frankly, I'm not sure any movie is as good as many people remember that film being. So this reboot was already up against impossible standards before the first trailer was even released.
For me, I walked in with a different standard, based on the more recent films of writer/director Paul Feig and lead actors Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy, which I have largely adored. Based on that standard, the film was a bit of a disappointment. I laughed a whole lot less than I expected to and the plot never felt like it hit a good pace, wildly jumping from moment to moment. Most of the characters were just not particularly interesting, relying too much on stereotypes and leaving a talented cast without much to work with. The cameos from the original team of Ghostbusters were even more perplexing BY far, the highlights were the performances of Chris Hemsworth, who was funnier than he has ever been, and Kate McKinnon, the film's MVP. McKinnon constantly gave her scenes an energy that made the film temporarily come alive and she easily had the biggest laughs. At times, she felt like she belonged in a different film, but that film looked a whole lot better than the one she was stuck in, so I didn't mind. In the end, I found the film to be decent, but not up to the standards of what we should expect from a cast and crew with such talent. It didn't deserve the hatred of angry sexists and purists, nor did it deserve the praise of critics scared of being lumped in with that crowd.
The reason this gets 4 stars instead of 5 is the presentation. This is just a fantastic package and it's the main reason that I ended up caving in and purchasing it. The artwork on the steel book is excellent and this is one of the first releases to include 4K, 3D, Blu-ray, and digital all together. It has been frustrating trying to decide what to do about other releases where buying both the 3D and 4K versions can set you back upwards of $70, so this was much appreciated. Also, while I haven't been able to sit down and watch the entire cut, what I've seen of the extended version is actually a noticeably more entertaining experience. I completely understand having to edit down a film for pacing and cohesion and understand that studios also prefer a shorter film that can be shown more times a day in the theatre, but this is a case where it seems as though much of the humor I expected was cut out in favor of a somewhat mediocre plot.
As I write this, the version I'm reviewing is listed as clearance at $19.99. All I can say is that if you're on the fence, debating the purchase, do it. Any doubts you might have because the film wasn't as good as you'd hoped will likely be overcome by a truly superb presentation.
My Best Buy number: 2954516842
My Best Buy number: 2954516842
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Samsung UBD-K8500 4K Ultra HD Smart Blu-ray Player: This HDR-compatible, 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player offers 4x the resolution of a standard Blu-ray player. The built-in UHD upscaling technology enhances the picture quality from standard Blu-ray discs and DVDs, and built-in Wi-Fi allows you to stream 4K movies and shows from your favorite services.Learn more about 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray ›
Customer Rating
3
The Early Adoption Experience
on December 18, 2016
Posted by: Euphoniumist
Verified Purchase:Yes
When I purchased this player, it was the only one on the market that could lay the new 4K UHD Discs. i often find myself being an early adopter of new technology and that can come with some benefits and drawbacks. My experience with the Samsung UBD-K8500 has certainly been no exception. Without a player and discs, 4K content is still very slow to come out with most of it available only through streaming services, which requires a fast, dependable internet connection to be any good. I realize that physical media is not as popular as it once was, but to me, I've always preferred to have physical copies, displayed in my home and not reliant on the health of my internet connection. The good news is that if you're looking for something to play true 4K UHD content with no compression or buffering, the player delivers and it's truly gorgeous. It's also great that the player includes support for 3D titles as I have grown quite fond of 3D at home. The 3D images are always brighter and crisper on my TV, making it preferable to what I usually get in the theatre.
Unfortunately, alll of these capabilities are found in a very expensive unit that I find to be just terribly clunky in its design. The unit itself opts for a curvy frame that sticks out like a sore thumb and can be challenging to fit in a cabinet. The remote control is, frankly, pretty terrible. Despite being very small and having a small number of buttons, the design is so far from intuitive that it feels foreign and I constantly have to look to try and figure out where everything is. Far worse, the responsiveness of the buttons is terrible, so it's difficult to know when you've successfully hit the button. The design issues extend to the interface as well, where everything just has a messy, unattractive look. Maybe I'm just used to the Sony interface found on nearly all their products, or the Roku interface, but Samsung could definitely have done a better job.
If you've waited this long to pick up a player, I'd recommend perhaps waiting a bit longer for models from other manufacturers, or at least a new Samsung model. It does what it's supposed to do, but it's quite slow and the whole process feels awkward. As early adoption goes, this was one of my less satisfactory purchases.
My Best Buy number: 2954516842
My Best Buy number: 2954516842
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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![Hunt for the Wilderpeople [DVD] [2016]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/5498/5498305_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
5
A Singular Mix of Absurdist Humor and Heart
on December 18, 2016
Posted by: Euphoniumist
Verified Purchase:Yes
Hunt for the Wilderpeople is one of the best films of 2016. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics and extremely good word of mouth from average viewers. It is a perfect example of the sleeper hit, a film that was largely ignored upon its initial release, but is likely to develop a loyal following in the years to come. No description could truly do the film justice, so you owe it to yourself to watch it regardless of any preconceived notions. To me, the thing that makes it special is that it marries the kind of ridiculous absurdist comedy of the director's previous work with Flight of the Conchords and in What We Do in the Shadows with grounded, affecting, human drama. At any given moment, I might be laughing uproariously at something that would be more at home in a cartoon and then, quite suddenly, I would feel some tears welling up as I felt deep affection for thew characters. That's a unique balance and I'm still not quite sure how it was attained. It's unfortunate that a film this good and with a strong visual style received only an official DVD release with the Blu-ray being generated on demand with questionable quality. Regardless, it's a great film; one most would be happy to own and share with unsuspecting friends and family.
My Best Buy number: 2954516842
My Best Buy number: 2954516842
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Game of Thrones: The Complete 6th Season [Includes Digital Copy] [Blu-ray]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/66c7a931-a118-4233-aa72-b6b51b496b01.jpg)
This release features all ten episodes from the sixth season of the smash hit HBO fantasy drama Game of Thrones. After the events of season five, new questions arise about the death of Jon Snow (Kit Harrington) as Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead Wright) continues his training with Three-Eyed Raven (Max von Sydow), and Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) continues her quest to rule the Seven Kingdoms. Included in this set are bonus content and behind the scenes footage.
Customer Rating
4
Outstanding Season, Unfortunate Move by Best Buy
on December 18, 2016
Posted by: Euphoniumist
Verified Purchase:Yes
Season 6 of Game of Thrones marks the point where the show fully moved past the events of he currently published books and, as such, had a lot riding on its shoulders. For fans of the books, could the show succeed in continuing the narrative without the benefit of existing pages to flesh out the details and provide background? Would the long suspected twist of R + L = J be confirmed or proven wrong? With the season complete and available to re-watch, I think most people agree that the producers, cast, and crew hit this one out of the park. From Hodor's emotional big reveal, to Cercei's desperate and explosive fight to save herself and her son, to the harrowing Battle of the (REDACTED), the season totally delivered on everything fans have come to love.
The only reason I give the season a 4 instead of a 5 has to do with the actual product as sold by Best Buy. Every year, since season 1, Best Buy has released the seasons with an optional slip cover depicting the sigil of one of the central houses of the show and I have enjoyed collecting a new house every year. They're really well designed and give my collection a little something extra. So it was somewhat heartbreaking to discover that Best Buy had abandoned the entire concept after 5 seasons, with no explanation. Customers could purchase a steel book version for more money that matches re-releases of previous seasons, but for those of us hoping to one day have a personalized collection of all 8 seasons, each with a unique sigil, we're just out of luck. Instead, I'll have to stare at a bizarre collection of one of my favorite TV shows that randomly converts from collector's items to generic packaging more than half way through. It's a shame.
My Best Buy number: 2954516842
My Best Buy number: 2954516842
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![The Quiet Man [Olive Signature] [Blu-ray] [1952]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/d23fbfda-09a9-4f86-a206-ecbeb204a621.jpg)
Customer Rating
5
Beautiful Presentation of a Timeless Classic
on December 18, 2016
Posted by: Euphoniumist
Verified Purchase:Yes
When most people think of John Ford and/or John Wayne, chances are it's in the context of the Movie Western, but for me, I always end up thinking of The Quiet Man. In many ways, I think this film represents the high water mark for both of their careers.
John Wayne plays a boxer who, after a freak accident resulted in his opponent dying in the ring, has returned to his ancestral home in Ireland to retreat from society. He soon finds, however, that doing so in a country where everyone seems to speak their minds and deal with conflict head on is easier said than done. He soon falls in love, but when her brother denies her the dowry she is owed, Wayne finds himself being pushed into a confrontation that will force him to face thew demons he was trying to escape.
Out of context, some material may seem dated and even offensive, with the Irish characters often playing like stereotypes and everyone having an oddly casual attitude towards the use of physical force against women. In context, however, everything works like gangbusters and serves the central conflict found within Wane's character.
It's wonderful to have a copy of the film that has been treated so lovingly. The copious special features are stellar and the film hasd never looked better on a TV screen. It's a perfect opportunity for people to revisit, or discover, one of the great films in history.
My Best Buy number: 2954516842
My Best Buy number: 2954516842
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![The Nice Guys [Blu-ray] [2016]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/5530/5530001_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
5
An Underappreciated Gem of a Film
on December 18, 2016
Posted by: Euphoniumist
Verified Purchase:Yes
The Nice Guys received outstanding reviews, features a couple of top-notch actors, and was written and directed by a man with some huge box office successes, but for whatever reason, it never seemed to find an audience in theatres. That is most certainly a shame. Fortunately, the film is now available in a package that conveniently includes copies on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital and it's an excellent purchase.
The film follows two men who work different angles in the private detective world. One largely uses his muscle to intimidate undesirables while the other relies on his deductive reasoning. Both exhibit a fair amount of talent, but their personal lives are a mess. The mystery is interesting and it unravels at a decent pace, but the real highlights are the tone and the main characters. A number of Shane Black's previous films have also featured a whole lot of dark comedy framed within an action mystery narrative (Lethal Weapon and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang in particular) and this film easily lives up to the high bar he has set. For me, the true highlight is Ryan Gosling's performance as he spends much of the film channeling Lou Costello of Abbott & Costello fame.
The Nice Guys is an excellent addition to any decent-sized film collection. Chances are you'll know some people who haven't seen it and they'll thank you for introducing them to such a great movie. It also holds up quite well to repeat viewings. The presentation itself is a bit light on extras, but the film is so excellent that it's still great purchase.
My Best Buy number: 2954516842
My Best Buy number: 2954516842
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Store up to 5TB of media on this Seagate Backup Plus STDT5000100 external hard drive, which features Protect, Save and Share features that enable simple integration with social networking sites and provide comprehensive data management.
Customer Rating
5
Dependable Hard Drive
on December 18, 2016
Posted by: Euphoniumist
Verified Purchase:Yes
I have purchased a number of external hard drives over the years, very often Western Digital as they tend to be very affordable. I picked up this Seagate model when I needed a new, larger drive and I've been very pleased. Unlike the WD drives, I never have issues with the drive being recognized by my computer. File transfers are speedy and never seem to freeze up. I have a media server set up in my home and a lot of the media lives on this drive, so it's important that it's dependable and fast. So far, it's the best drive I have purchased and the next time I'm in need of more storage, I will likely look at another Seagate model.
My Best Buy number: 2954516842
My Best Buy number: 2954516842
I would recommend this to a friend!
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0points
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Play games or stream videos with the expanded capabilities of this Insignia 4K Ultra HD TV, and enjoy the sharp images of four times full HD. This 50-inch television offers clear views from any angle, and Smart technology lets you connect to the Internet with ease. Personalize the home screen on this Insignia 4K Ultra HD TV for custom viewing.
Customer Rating
4
A Very Good Option for Non-HDR 4K TVs
on December 18, 2016
Posted by: Euphoniumist
Verified Purchase:Yes
I bought this television earlier in the year and have been very happy with it. I was looking for an affordable option to add 4K to a smaller room and did a fair amount of research ahead of time trying to find the best option. I considered going with a model that offered HDR, but at the time, the only ones in the price range I was looking at seemed like gambles. The general consensus was that while they could play HDR content, they didn't quite meet the standards of the format. I ultimately decided on a TV that offered a larger screen, better features, and excellent reviews without the HDR.
PRO: The picture quality is very good. Non-4K images look excellent and 4K looks tremendous as it should. Those looking for access to dozens of settings to tweak will be disappointed, but I've been very happy with the quality and have had no issues with flaws. The highlight is probably the integrated Roku interface. It's very simple to navigate, offers all the major streaming services, and allows a fair amount of customization, making it very simple to get to whatever service or input you're looking for.
CON: My only significant gripe has been with the audio, which found to be very soft using only the built in speakers. Even in a small room with the TV close to a wall, I often had to raise the volume to near or at maximum to understand dialogue. A lot of factors can affect sound, but after trying to tweak every setting available, I needed to hook up an external sound system to get satisfactory sound. One minor complaint is about the remote control. I love the simplicity and it takes very little time to get comfortable with it, but for a remote with only 21 buttons, dedicating 4 of them to specific services, all of which cost money, seems odd, especially when you can't edit the settings to assign them to different services. I would also complain about the positioning of certain buttons. The audio options are on the side of the very small remote, so before I bought the sound system, I found myself accidentally muting the sound when picking up the remote on a regular basis. I have also interrupted a number of programs I was watching by accidentally hitting the buttons assigned to specific services, which is an annoyance.
PRO: The picture quality is very good. Non-4K images look excellent and 4K looks tremendous as it should. Those looking for access to dozens of settings to tweak will be disappointed, but I've been very happy with the quality and have had no issues with flaws. The highlight is probably the integrated Roku interface. It's very simple to navigate, offers all the major streaming services, and allows a fair amount of customization, making it very simple to get to whatever service or input you're looking for.
CON: My only significant gripe has been with the audio, which found to be very soft using only the built in speakers. Even in a small room with the TV close to a wall, I often had to raise the volume to near or at maximum to understand dialogue. A lot of factors can affect sound, but after trying to tweak every setting available, I needed to hook up an external sound system to get satisfactory sound. One minor complaint is about the remote control. I love the simplicity and it takes very little time to get comfortable with it, but for a remote with only 21 buttons, dedicating 4 of them to specific services, all of which cost money, seems odd, especially when you can't edit the settings to assign them to different services. I would also complain about the positioning of certain buttons. The audio options are on the side of the very small remote, so before I bought the sound system, I found myself accidentally muting the sound when picking up the remote on a regular basis. I have also interrupted a number of programs I was watching by accidentally hitting the buttons assigned to specific services, which is an annoyance.
My Best Buy number: 2954516842
My Best Buy number: 2954516842
I would recommend this to a friend!
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1of 1voted this as helpful.
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