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- Review count19
- Helpfulness votes6
- First reviewAugust 23, 2013
- Last reviewMay 6, 2016
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- Average rating4.2
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![The Hallow [Blu-ray] [2015]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/2d9b8ce2-a469-47a1-82c4-4f133a1862db.jpg)
Customer Rating
4
Good, Not Wholly Original Horror Film
on May 6, 2016
Posted by: Screamz
Verified Purchase:Yes
A conservationist is sent to survey a forest in Ireland believed to be inhabited by demonic creatures who slaughter those unfortunate enough to lose their way. Of course, Adam Hitchens (Joseph Mawle) finds himself and his wife and child in that very situation and must fight against the creatures in order to save his family.
In terms of plot, there’s not a lot of new ground here. It’s a bit of a typical monster movie, but the acting is top-notch and the creature design is eerie and memorable. The underlying message is that deforestation is bad and we should all do our part to save the environment, lest we come face-to-face with Mother Nature herself in her most cruelest form.
On the special features front, there’s not a ton here, which is too bad since Scream Factory is involved and usually do a great job. What’s here is good, you just wish there’d been more. First up is “Surviving The Fairytale: Making The Hallow” which is, of course, a typical making-of featurette. Director’s Storyboards is, well, his storyboards for the film. “The Book of Invasions” features original illustrations from the film; Director’s Sketchbook displays the director’s original concept art; and, finally, Creature Concepts is pretty self-explanatory.
It is a fun, even creepy little horror film that will keep you watching, just as long as you don’t expect anything too new. Give a chance, though. The sad state that horror is in right now, the decent flicks need some love.
My Best Buy number: 0041678336
My Best Buy number: 0041678336
I would recommend this to a friend!
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A mysterious outbreak has left most of the population in the form of ravenous, mindless zombies. You are one of a mere handful of survivors, but in this environment, that survival is tenuous at best. Get ready to fight for your life against the relentless advance of hordes of rampaging enemies, using any weapon at your disposal to battle terrifying mutants hungry for your destruction. Will your desperate struggle for survival be enough to get you through the onslaught?Left 4 Dead 2, the sequel to the acclaimed Left 4 Dead, ratchets up the terror with intense melee combat, greater customization options and more. Play as four new Survivors in a compelling new story that will take you from Savannah, Georgia, through the shadowed world of the bayou country and concluding in New Orleans' storied French Quarter. Arm yourself with melee weapons, such as an axe, chainsaw, frying pan and baseball bat, as you get up close and personal with your vicious zombie attackers. Customize your gameplay experience with the AI Director 2.0, which expands your ability to change weather effects, world objects, lighting, level layout and more for a unique challenge every time you come face to face with your potential extinction.
Posted by: Screamz
Verified Purchase:Yes
Left 4 Dead 2 takes the approach of if-it-ain’t-broke-don’t-fix-it. The gameplay is pretty much the same as Left 4 Dead, with a few added creatures and weapons to use to exterminate them. This time out, you take on (if you choose to play single-player offline) one of four new characters trying to survive the zombie apocalypse. Along the way you’ll encounter (of course) zombies, smokers, chargers and the dreaded witches. Like the original, you’ll come across loads of weapons both the shooty kind and the melee in order to dispatch anything that attacks you.
The gameplay is simple. Point and shoot. Pretty straight forward. If you’re looking for plot, looks elsewhere. The only thing this game is concerned with is killing zombies. Lots and lots of zombies. This is the kind of game you play after a long, frustrating day at work and you just need to release some tension.
Bottom line is – like most things in life – don’t take this game seriously; you are running around shooting zombies. Just sit back and enjoy it. There is online co-op play is that’s more you’re style and lots of downloadable content, namely extras “levels” to run through and, what else?, shoot some zombies.
My Best Buy number: 0041678336
My Best Buy number: 0041678336
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Batman: Bad Blood [Includes Digital Copy] [Blu-ray/DVD] [Only @ Best Buy] [2016]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/4793/4793602_sa.jpg)
Posted by: Screamz
Verified Purchase:Yes
The DC Animated Universe (DCAU) has been putting out films for years now, beginning with their adaptation of The Death of Superman aptly titled Superman: Doomsday. Now, that first outing was not their best, but it was their first and they've learned a lot since then.
Batman: Bad Blood is the third chapter that began with Son of Batman and continued with Batman vs. Robin. Here, Batman goes missing and it's up to Robin and Nightwing to keep up appearances that the Dark Knight is still out and about fighting crime, while also trying to solve the mystery of just what happened to the Caped Crusader.
If you're not a fan of these animated films, this one won't win you over. But if, like me, you are, you'll love this one. It's based on the New 52 storyline, Court of Owls. We're introduced to new characters that have their own agenda that clash not only with Batman and Co., but also the trademark villains of Gotham.
It's a fast-paced (only 72-minutes) thrill-ride that will leave you wanting more. Especially, like all the previous films they've done, with the preview for the next DCAU, Justice League vs. Teen Titans.
My Best Buy number: 0041678336
My Best Buy number: 0041678336
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![The Last Dragon [Blu-ray] [1985]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/4364/4364401_sa.jpg)
Posted by: Screamz
Verified Purchase:Yes
Leroy Green "Bruce-Leroy" (Taimak) is on a quest to find The Master and obtain the elusive Glow. During his search he saves a beautiful singer and host of a dance show (hey, it was the 80's, they were all the rage) Laura Charles (Vanity) from some thugs sent by a record producer bent on getting his flavor-of-the-month on her show. Of course, things only get more complicated when the "Shogun of Harlem" Sho'nuff (Julius J. Carry III) sets his eyes on fighting and destroying Leroy.
What follows in pure 80's gold with decent fights sequences - Carry III knew no martial arts whatsoever during filming, so it's interesting how he's "The Master" of kung-fu when he clearly knows none. There is also some singing and dance numbers, though nowadays they're more tongue-in-cheek, though at the time they were meant to give more high-quality to the picture, setting it apart from standard martial arts movies.
You'll also find yourself laughing quite a bit, both intentionally and not as the amusement that was the 1980's unfolds before your eyes.
The 30th Anniversary Blu-Ray sports an impressive picture and, of course, sound quality. You'll hear every punch, crack and synthetic drumbeat throughout with crystal clarity. On the Special Features front, there's not a whole lot. We get "Return of the Dragon" which is a retrospect on the film from Barry Gordy, director Michael Shultz, writer Louis Venosta and Leroy himself, Taimak. You also get the theatrical trailer and a commentary from the director.
All in all, not a bad little package for a cult favorite.
My Best Buy number: 0041678336
My Best Buy number: 0041678336
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![The Walking Dead: The Complete Third Season [5 Discs] [Blu-ray]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/e52145ad-248a-442e-9702-c643c1dc1665.jpg)
The third season of The Walking Dead finds former police officer Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and his ragtag group of Zombie-apocalypse survivors hopeful that a prison will offer true protection from the masses of undead. Though the fortified walls do, indeed, provide them with a certain level of security, the group faces a very real threat from the living. Though Andrea (Laurie Holden) and Michonne (Danai Gurira) find temporary shelter within a seemingly Utopian community led by a man who refers to himself as "the Governor", time reveals he is a control-obsessed sadist hiding many secrets of his own.
Customer Rating
4
A Step up from Season 2
on November 14, 2015
Posted by: Screamz
Verified Purchase:Yes
After a rather slow season, the third season picks up exactly where Season 2 left of (of course). Rick Grimes and his small band of survivors quickly find themselves seeking shelter in, of all places, a prison. Once again they believe they’ve found their sanctuary, but when a helicopter crashes Rick and a few others go to investigate. They find a small community of survivors who’ve band together, put up a wall and are living peacefully. However, the town is run by someone nicknamed The Governor, whose polite exterior belays a deadly dark side that soon turns to Rick and his friends. Now, not only do they have to worry about the dead, they must also battle with the living…who may prove to be deadlier than any biter.
Season 3 is a step up in plot and character from Season 2. AMC once again extended the season even further to 16 episodes, but there are fewer duds this season than last. Fan favorites from the comics and seasons past make welcome appearances. My biggest problem was the infamous Governor. Having read the comics he was a little too sentimental. Instead of a man who has lost all sanity and compassion for life, he’s more misunderstood which takes away from what made the Governor in the comics so deliciously evil. David Morrissey does a fine job portraying what was written. It’s just too bad he wasn’t written just a bit better.
This season also served as eliminating more characters we thought were untouchable. Of course, with Frank Darabont leaving the show midway through Season 2, it was inevitable that Darabont regulars would soon follow suit. What is taken from us, though, is made up for by having some fan-favorites from the comics make their debut on screen, like Michonne (Danai Gurira) and has become a series favorite.
As usual, the blu-ray comes packed with extras that will give you hours of insight into the making of this ground-breaking series. At this point if you’re a fan I need not tell you to run out and pick this bad boy up for your collection. If, however, you’re undecided, go back to the first season and give it a look. If you like what you see – and you probably will – you’ll be hooked.
My Best Buy number: 0041678336
My Best Buy number: 0041678336
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![The Walking Dead: The Complete Second Season [4 Discs] [Blu-ray]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/e85ef200-e1d4-4f2c-b26b-afee7e2bfaee.jpg)
This release compiles every episode from the second season of AMC's highly-rated zombie series The Walking Dead. The show follows a group of human survivors, led by onetime police officer Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) attempting to outrun the undead.
Customer Rating
4
Season 2 Stumbles a Bit, but Stays Strong
on November 14, 2015
Posted by: Screamz
Verified Purchase:Yes
Season 2 of “The Walking Dead” finds our group of heroes on the road looking for someplace not crawling with Walkers. Of course, being out on the open road, danger lurks everywhere. It’s not long before a horde of zombies forces our heroes to hide and in the process Sophia goes missing. Rick and Company find sanctuary on a farm led by Herschel. They think they’ve found the peace they’ve been looking for. However, secrets abound as alliances are tested, friendships pushed to the edge and even jolly farmer Herschel may have a few skeletons in his closet.
While Season 2 is not as strong as the first season, it still manages to keep you watching. Some may find the lengthier season a bit of a chore to get through as there are several quiet episodes filled mostly with speeches. One thing the second season does well is just as you think it has run out of steam you’re hit with a wicked twist that makes you keep watching.
Like with the first season, Season 2 is loaded with special features that will guarantee you’ll be popping this in more than once. We have audio commentaries on five key episodes from various cast and crew. Deleted scenes from 8 episodes. And, of course, the ubiquitous behind-the-scenes featurettes that leave no stone unturned.
Though the longer season means a little more downtime, it still manages to stay fresh and interesting with a season finale that fans of the comics will just (pardon the pun) eat up.
My Best Buy number: 0041678336
My Best Buy number: 0041678336
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Shocker [Collector's Edition] [Blu-ray] [1989]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/2866/28666438_sa.jpg)
Posted by: Screamz
Verified Purchase:Yes
Wes Craven was a prolific filmmaker. Most directors can only hope to make a small splash with their films, let a lone redefine a genre. Craven did it no less than three times in his career: “Last House on the Left” in 1972; “A Nightmare on Elm Street” in 1984; and finally “Scream” in 1996. With “Nightmare” in order to get it made, Craven had to sell off all of his ownership. He would see very little residuals from his most famous film, which, understandably, irked him a bit. So, in 1989 he released what he hoped would be a new franchise he could keep control of.
“Shocker” tells the story of Jonathan Parker (Peter Berg) who has nightmares about a serial killer stalking his town by the name of Horace Pinker (Mitch Pileggi). Pinker murders Parker’s girlfriend, Alison (Camille Cooper) and is quickly apprehended. He’s sent to the electric chair and put to death. However, things go horribly wrong and the once-thought dead killer is out stalking again with the power to invade people’s bodies and use them like marionettes.
Craven was experimenting with his craft at this point in his career. He spent most it trying to break away from the horror genre and one way, he thought, was to inject a lot of humor into his horror films to sort of drift away, at least for a while. While Craven would prove to be a master at combining comedy and terror in films like “Scream” here it was apparent he wasn’t quite sure how to do it. Several parts come off as goofy and downright cheesy (the lips coming out of the TV and saying, “You got it, baby,” in order to give Pinker his powers is particularly cringe-inducing). However, it’s this goofiness that gives the movie its overall charm. You can’t help but smile and even laugh at it, even though you’ll be doing it for the wrong reasons.
Berg puts in a decent performance as our hero who must overcome his supernatural enemy, but let’s face it, this is Pileggi’s movie. He chews up all the scenery in every scene and relishes the role. This is someone having a grand time playing the big baddie. A lot of Wes’ cornball dialogue actually works when it’s coming from Pileggi’s mouth.
The new blu-ray comes from the great folks over at Scream Factory, a division of Shout Factory, which means this thing is so loaded with special features it nearly bursts. First and foremost we get an older commentary from Craven that seems to have been ported over from possibly a U.K. release as he spends a lot of time clarifying the differences from British terms and slangs to American. A second commentary features Director of Photography Jacues Haitkin (who also shot Craven’s “A Nightmare on Elm Street”), producer Robert Engelman and composer William Goldstein. From there we get several interviews from Pileggi, Cami Cooper, and executive producer Shep Gordon. A featurette on the music, theatrical trailers, vintage interviews and still/storyboard galleries round out the features.
Shout Factory has once again proven to be masters of bringing older, cult classics to blu-ray. If you’re a fan of this little gem, this is definitely the edition to pick up.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Spy [Includes Digital Copy] [Blu-ray] [2015]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/7930/7930027_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
4
Hilarious Action-Comedy
on November 14, 2015
Posted by: Screamz
Verified Purchase:Yes
Paul Feig and Melissa McCarthy once again team-up for a hilarious spy/thriller comedy whose main focus is lampooning James Bond.
McCarthy plays Susan Cooper, a CIA analyst who priority it is to keep her CIA operative, Bradly Fine (Jude Law), alive while he’s out in the field. When an arms dealer, Rayna Boyanov (Rose Byrne), gets the upper-hand on Fine, it’s clear she has intel on the CIA. The only option is to send Cooper into the field, something she’s always wanted and feared at the same time.
McCarthy gives her usual bumbling, but charming performance that’s become her signature. Her character doesn’t quite grasp the nature of things, yet she’s never stupid, causing you to hate her. She’s very likable especially given the situation she’s in. We do get some other great performances from Byrne as the central villain and Jason Statham in the role of an over-confident CIA agent that nearly steals the show from McCarthy.
The blu-ray comes packed with special features, namely of which is the unrated, extended cut that runs nearly 10-minutes longer than the R-rated theatrical cut. From there we get several deleted and alternate scenes, gag reels, making-of’s and a commentary. Overall, not a bad little package for a very funny film.
My Best Buy number: 0041678336
My Best Buy number: 0041678336
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Poltergeist [Blu-ray] [2015]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/4397/4397226_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
1
Weak Blu-Ray for a Really Weak Film
on November 14, 2015
Posted by: Screamz
Verified Purchase:Yes
First, let’s clarify. The original Poltergeist released in 1982 was rated PG. By today’s standards it would probably be PG-13 at most. So, with this 2015 remake (reboot, whatever) we’re going to steer clear of yet another horror movie being rated under an R.
The plot is similar to the original. A family moves into a new home only to start experiencing strange occurrences that can only be explained by the supernatural.
Granted that there wasn’t much more plot in the original, but you had powerhouses like Tobe Hooper and Steven Spielberg behind the scenes. The remake was directed by Gil Kenan. Yeah, I don’t know who that is either. As far as the family is concerned, we have the mother, father, brother and two sisters just like the original, but for some reason the names have all been changed. We still get the little girl talking to the TV, but it’s not nearly as compelling. And when we get the famous line, “They’re Here” the girl says it almost as though she’s bored. Of course, having read the script ahead of time and knowing what was to come, perhaps it was her way of letting us viewers know that only boredom was to come.
None of the characters are fleshed out at all. We only get the tiny hint of what these people might be, but not enough to remotely care about them. (One thing you may notice in this review is my lack of names, it’s because there isn’t a single memorable character in the entire flick.) Even the great Jared Harris can’t save this meandering snoozefest. He shows up way too late in the film (nearly two-thirds through) and is given next to nothing to do other than spout the trite David Lindsay-Abaire wrote in his lurid script.
The set-pieces, you know the stuff we came to see, are boring, predictable and just plain uninteresting. There are moments from the original recreated here, but again they’re done without any flare. It was as thought he filmmakers realized they’d gone a few minutes without homaging the original and threw something haphazardly. Which brings me to my other problem with the film. It tries to be different, but not really. All the names are changed from the original, yet it’s the same family with the same siblings as the original. Jared Harris is the Zelda Rubinstein of the film without any of her charm or wit. We get the clown attack that isn’t remotely scary and even the tree makes an unwanted CGI-laden appearance.
The most important role of the film is the little girl, Carol-Ann from the original. Some child actors are great and what the late Heather O’Rourke did in the original was memorable and impressive. Would have been interesting to see what she may have become had she not passed at such a young age. The girl here couldn’t care any less about the role and does nothing to improve on the lazy writing. When she speaks the famous line, “They’re Here,” she’s nearly yawning (as are we). I expected a lot more from Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert. You know, the two producers behind the Evil Dead films and its rather good remake.
The blu-ray is just as disappointing as the film itself. I guess Ghost House Pictures and 20th Century Fox knew that adding special features to a terrible film wouldn’t help sales so they didn’t bother. All we get is an unrated cut of the film (the only version I’ve seen and can’t possibly begin to tell you what was added, i.e. gore, violence, since there’s none to be found). Then we get an alternate ending that might be worse than the theatrical ending; and a still gallery rounds out the features – not counting the previews, which I don’t.
It’s a disappointing blu-ray for a very disappointing remake. Don’t bother with this film, not even from Redbox. Instead, invest your money in the original. Perhaps one day we’ll get a special features-laden release of that far superior film.
My Best Buy number: 0041678336
My Best Buy number: 0041678336
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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![Hotel Transylvania [2 Discs] [Blu-ray/DVD] [2012]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/7117/7117116_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
2
Another misfire from Adam Sandler
on September 7, 2015
Posted by: Screamz
Verified Purchase:Yes
Years ago Adam Sandler was funny. It seems, though, that once he attained a certain amount of money he just gave up. He sleepwalks through all of his so-called "films" mustering only enough energy to cash his enormous, unearned paycheck.
Sadly, Hotel Transylvania, falls right into Sandler's laziness. While not as bad as his live-action bore-fests, there's still not much substance here. Dracula (Sandler doing a horrible Bela Lugosi impression) opens a hotel for monsters, no humans allowed. Of course, a human does show up and Dracula must keep him a secret or else the other monsters might revolt.
I'll be honest, I don't remember much of this film it is so forgettable. There's nary a laugh to be had - save from some of the supporting cast. It's one-note and never really finds its footing. It's a wonder how the producers managed to churn out a sequel coming out later this year.
My Best Buy number: 0041678336
My Best Buy number: 0041678336
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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