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- Review count96
- Helpfulness votes3
- First reviewFebruary 14, 2014
- Last reviewMay 13, 2017
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating3.8
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![Lee Daniels' The Butler [2 Discs] [Includes Digital Copy] [Blu-ray/DVD] [2013]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/2978/2978271_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
4
A fly-on-the-wall look at American history
on February 14, 2014
Posted by: Gaspode
from Park Ridge, NJ
Verified Purchase:Yes
Director Lee Daniels adapts the story of a White House butler (Whitaker) who observes American history through several presidencies, while the civil rights movement takes place outside. It's an interesting story, although one wishes that things would slow down long enough for the viewer to learn more about the time period in question.Whitaker is superb, although Oprah Winfrey has trouble to escape her larger-than-life media persona. Some interesting White House cameos (including Robin Williams as Eisenhower, and a surprisingly good but briefly-seen Jane Fonda as Nancy Reagan). The one exception is John Cusack, who neither looks nor acts like Nixon, but that's a small objection. If you want a real hard-hitting look at racism in America, you probably want to see 12 years A Slave, but The Butler comes in a worthwhile second.
My Best Buy number: 0022374677
My Best Buy number: 0022374677
What's great about it: Forest Whitaker delivers an Oscar-worthy performance
What's not so great: Oprah, who can't escape being Oprah
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Carrie [2 Discs] [Blu-ray/DVD] [2013]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/2978/2978394_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
3
Remake fails to break new ground
on February 14, 2014
Posted by: Gaspode
from Park Ridge, NJ
Verified Purchase:Yes
The third adaptation of King's debut novel (including the better off forgotten 2002 TV movie) stars Chloe Moretz as the eponymous telekinetic teen; and Julianne Moore as her bible-thumping mother. While the film is perfectly acceptable, it suffers from two big problems. Number one, while Moretz turns in a reasonable performance, she is totally miscast as Carrie White, who is supposed to be a complete outside. But more important, there seems to be no compelling reason for this particular remake, which follows most of the beats of Brian De Palma's 1976 film. Making a movie purely to re-make just isn't a good enough reason to waste all that time, talent and money.
My Best Buy number: 0022374677
My Best Buy number: 0022374677
What's great about it: Moretz
What's not so great: A badly-cast Moretz
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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![Riddick [Unrated] [2 Discs] [Includes Digital Copy] [Blu-ray/DVD] [2013]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/2978/2978716_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
4
Film #3 puts the Riddick series back on track
on February 14, 2014
Posted by: Gaspode
from Park Ridge, NJ
Verified Purchase:Yes
The story goes that Universal declined to do another Riddick film until Vin Diesel agreed to do another 'Fast and Furious' film in return. It was the best deal he ever made. As the superhuman antihero Riddick, Diesel totally dominates the film, which is full to the brim with testosterone, thanks to competing bands of mercenaries out to bring Riddick back dead not alive. Director David Twohy returns as director, creating a stark landscape that is easily as unforgettable as the one he created for Pitch Black. Here's hoping a fourth installment will prove equally successful.
My Best Buy number: 0022374677
My Best Buy number: 0022374677
What's great about it: The look, the effects, the creatures
What's not so great: A few too many mercenaries
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Runner Runner [DVD] [2013]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/2978/2978561_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
2
Timberlake and Affleck not enough to save it
on February 14, 2014
Posted by: Gaspode
from Park Ridge, NJ
Verified Purchase:Yes
On the face of it, the plot of Runner Runner sounds like a winner, and in fact the first act is well plotted out and executed, but halfway through, the film pretty much falls apart, as though the writers just didn't know how to resolve it. That's certainly true of the ending, which feels trite and tacked on. Justin Timberlake turns in a reasonable performance, as does Ben Affleck as the smarmy villain, but unfortunately neither actor is able to rescue this film.
My Best Buy number: 0022374677
My Best Buy number: 0022374677
What's great about it: First half hour
What's not so great: The rest of it
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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![Moulin Rouge! [DVD] [2001]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/4896/4896526_sa.jpg)
Although a deluxe two-disc set is available, this one-disc edition of Moulin Rouge will do for those who want just the film. This DVD boasts a widescreen anamorphic transfer that preserves the original broadcast aspect ratio of 2.35:1. English soundtracks are rendered in both Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Digital Surround, and a French soundtrack has also been recorded in Dolby Digital Surround. Supplemental materials include a commentary track recorded by director Baz Luhrmann and co-screenwriter Craig Pearce, and a second commentary track recorded by Luhrmann, costume director Catherine Martin, and cinematographer Donald McAlpine. A behind-the-scenes featurette rounds out this strong release.
Customer Rating
4
One of Baz Luhrmann's best
on February 14, 2014
Posted by: Gaspode
from Park Ridge, NJ
Verified Purchase:Yes
This is the kind of movie that Baz Luhrmann (Australia, The Great Gatsby) was born to do. It's a breathtakingly beautiful piece of work; so much so that you can easily forgive some of the weaker points in the story and acting (Nicole Kidman's performance being possibly the weakest link). It's also an interesting transitional film for Luhrmann, bridging the gap between his earlier works such as Strictly Ballroom and more recently, The Great Gatsby. Well worth a look.
My Best Buy number: 0022374677
My Best Buy number: 0022374677
What's great about it: A visual extravaganza
What's not so great: Overall story could be a bit stronger.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Fringe: The Complete Fifth and Final Season [4 Discs]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/d80d7482-8abe-4221-89b1-ab10ac31ca80.jpg)
This set contains the final thirteen episodes of the sci-fi series Fringe, a run of shows set in 2036 when The Observers have taken control of the planet.
Customer Rating
3
An uneven finish to a great series
on February 14, 2014
Posted by: Gaspode
from Park Ridge, NJ
Verified Purchase:Yes
As a long-time and loyal viewer of Fringe, I was sorry to hear that the series was coming to an end, but happy about the fact that the producers knew about that end in advance so they wrap up the story accordingly. Unfortunately, you sometimes wouldn't get that from the pacing, which varied wildly from episode to episode, not to mention a somewhat less-than-satisfying series conclusion. Definitely a must-see for loyal fans, but casual viewers would find it virtually impossible to jump on at any point in the final season.
My Best Buy number: 0022374677
My Best Buy number: 0022374677
What's great about it: The characters, especially the Observers.
What's not so great: Too much story thrown into too few episodes.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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