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armchairquarterbac
 
 
 
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  • Review count
    14
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    1
  • First review
    November 3, 2015
  • Last review
    September 21, 2017
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  • Average rating
    3.6
 
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  • Answer count
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  • First answer
    June 10, 2016
  • Last answer
    June 10, 2016
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armchairquarterbac's Reviews
1 2 >>
 
Customer Rating
3 out of 5
3
Funner than the cynics would have you believe
on September 21, 2017
Posted by: armchairquarterbac
from NC
Verified Purchase:Yes
I grew up with Baywatch, though it was never much of a favorite, so I missed more episodes than I saw. I rarely miss anything starring The Rock though and was eager, though not hopeful, to see this. Hardly great, but I don't subscribe to the notion that all films should be A Beautiful Mind - which, by comparison, Baywatch is a LOT more fun to watch. Like most people, subjectively, there were parts I could have done without. But who wants to focus on the negative, in a world where there's plenty of that going around?
I do want to warn that, playing the extended cut, their were numerous slight audio hesitations throughout the film, likely related to disc branching. At one point the audio goes badly out of sync for about 2-5 minutes of the film. The problem won't affect everyone though. Reportedly those downconverting the audio for soundbar and TV speaker playback don't notice it - possibly because it doesn't effect lossy/stereo playback, or maybe their display sizes were much smaller or their seating distance much greater, where it was less noticeable. More likely, it's a growing pain of Dolby Atmos, where, combined with all the branching required for the extended cut, the disc authors failed to encode it correctly for those of us who don't have Atmos and are instead listening to TrueHD extracted from the Atmos track. We watched the film using a Marantz AVR and Oppo BD player.
For those who value content over packaging, Best Buy's exclusive is the one you want. Gratefully, the bonus content is actually on a physical disc, not just download vaporware. And it's an actual Blu-ray no less, not an outdated DVD. If Best Buy would have also commissioned a unique lenticular slipcover, like they often do, it would have been even better.
My Best Buy number: 2699457561
My Best Buy number: 2699457561
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Great to have everything in one package.
on July 28, 2017
Posted by: armchairquarterbac
Verified Purchase:Yes
Granted, one could argue that since it doesn't include the standard DVD too this isn't quite a complete package. But, they included BD, BD3D and UHD, which is a rather rare combo, in a premium metal case, that actually has artwork inside this time. The inclusion of both 3D and 4K in a Steelbook is no doubt the reason Warner made this release more pricey then usual. If we were less enthusiastic about seeing the film, the price might have given us pause. But we missed this in the cinema and as a family that doesn't support Hollywood's streaming agenda, we couldn't wait any longer to see it at home. The movie didn't disappoint and the Steelbook somehow survived Best Buy's ridiculous packaging.
My Best Buy number: 2699457561
My Best Buy number: 2699457561
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Customer Rating
1 out of 5
1
Universal desperately pushing it's digital agenda.
on July 21, 2017
Posted by: armchairquarterbac
Verified Purchase:Yes
Like the package. The film is probably as good as the last - not great, but highly entertaining, if you're capable of turning your brain off for a couple hours. But, I'm very disappointed that Hollywood is getting so desperate to take legal ownership of their properties away from the consumer that they've made a KEY feature of this product download/streaming only. That's just shameful to say the least. We purchased a physical product, and expected EVERYTHING on disc. We believe in investing our money in the tangible, not a glorified rental, that the studios, not to mention the US Supreme Court, has always upheld only the property owner (the studio) legally owns. Basically, we own the disc, but not what's on the disc. With Digital Copies, we own NOTHING. Even the use rights are subject to the whims of the property owner. If studios want to include a digital copy of any part of the physical product, fine. But NOTHING about a physical edition should be included as an unreliable, if not transitory, download only. NOTHING!
My Best Buy number: 2699457561
My Best Buy number: 2699457561
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
0points
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
All-star retelling of the classic Japanese epic.
on July 5, 2017
Posted by: armchairquarterbac
Verified Purchase:Yes
While I never got into Hollywood's original Magnificent Seven film series, I've always enjoyed it's inspiration, The Seven Samurai. This modernization was a lot of fun too, well worth the undertaking, IMHO. A couple of my guests were a little dismayed by all the swearing, for a PG13 film. It didn't bother me like it does them, but it's easy to understand their concern. Combined with the proliferation of not just violence, but death, it's hard to imagine how this didn't earn an R. I've seen far tamer films with an R rating. I wouldn't say the film has the depth and heart of The Seven Samurai. Still, I think everyone enjoyed it, as a more popcorn update for younger audiences and those who haven't come to appreciate black and white, much less having to read their movies.
Glad Best Buy still had some steelbooks available when it finally went on sale. This is a nice one. It's also impressive to see Best Buy's savvy enough to offer steelbook packaging for many UHD BD releases so soon. They're doing better than any other retailer in terms of UHD support. Kudos for that.
My Best Buy number: 2699457561
My Best Buy number: 2699457561
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Carries over the best of the animated classic.
on June 20, 2017
Posted by: armchairquarterbac
Verified Purchase:Yes
This was a worthwhile live-action update that carried over the best parts of the classic Disney animation: the music and atmosphere. We didn't expect it to follow the animated film so closely. But, while I was looking forward to something fresher, in a way I'm glad they did. The animation was pretty much perfect already. So updating in in the modern CG era, was a pleasant surprise. There have been a number of cinematic and television re-imaginings since, like the Christophe Gans's film, anyway. None of which has managed to capture our hearts as well as the Disney classic. Updating it for younger audiences seems the most prudent and delightful way to go.
BB produced a nice steelbook case and didn't excessively overcharge for it this time. Recommended!
My Best Buy number: 2699457561
My Best Buy number: 2699457561
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Bonus exclusive without a price hike.
on April 21, 2017
Posted by: armchairquarterbac
Verified Purchase:Yes
It's always encouraging when a retailer has sense enough not to charge extra for their exclusive edition. Which was the case with Best Buy's Blu-ray exclusive release of Hidden Figures. That's the sole reason we bought during the week of release rather than waiting for a better price, figuring the exclusive version would likely be sold out by then. We're far less compelled when the price is $5 to $10 more than the standard release, and usually buy elsewhere when that is the case or stick with the standard release.
True, it would have been SO much better if it was a real (physical) book that came with the Blu-ray, rather than an ebook. But production costs might not have permitted charging the same price as the standard release. So it's at least understandable that only an ebook was included, unlike the annoying download-only extras that Target exclusives so often come with.
My Best Buy number: 2699457561
My Best Buy number: 2699457561
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Customer Rating
3 out of 5
3
An ambitious exercise in vulgarity.
on February 10, 2017
Posted by: armchairquarterbac
Verified Purchase:Yes
The film gave us a few chuckles, but ultimately the humor was just too vulgar to enjoy for our personal sensibilities. Unlike similar crass comedies of yesteryear, this one never lets up. Beginning to end, it's one profanely obscene situation or line after another. The film is intelligent in it's own right. It doesn't just shallowly rely on juvenile obscenity. It's smart, but smart with an overridingly vulgar purpose. Profanity isn't a mere vehicle it uses on it's way to a more lofty goal, as was the case with the celebrated TV series Deadwood. The profane IS the goal. There's no underlying subtext to it. So be warned: The humor will no doubt be too offensive to many audiences, but may prove a surprising guilty pleasure to others. And then there are others, like myself, who find themselves somewhere in between.
My Best Buy number: 2699457561
My Best Buy number: 2699457561
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
0points
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Customer Rating
3 out of 5
3
Well told western from a forgettable script.
on January 16, 2017
Posted by: armchairquarterbac
Verified Purchase:Yes
Objectively speaking, I think this film merits recommendation in most regards. It was believably told and concise enough to hold your attention all the way through. The cast did a terrific job. Though, while I'm a fan of McGregor, I felt he was miscast in his role. But that's a subjective criticism that didn't seriously detract from enjoying the film; I almost didn't even recognize him at first.
My only complaint with this film and the reason I didn't find it very memorable, was the rather droll vernacular. The verbal portion, what was spoken, had little spark or poetic finesse. Compulsorily conveying what was essential is the most it offered or even attempted. Optimistically, my guess is that was the aim, maybe for authenticity's sake. Either that or the film's origins were no more fleshed out than an idea when it went into production and the writer(s) was/weren't allotted the time to really exploit their craft. The result: a solid western, without any real panache or inspired sense of purpose, but a well told, intriguing story none-the-less.
My Best Buy number: 2699457561
My Best Buy number: 2699457561
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Customer Rating
2 out of 5
2
GREAT BD and movie. POOR VALUE exclusive.
on December 6, 2016
Posted by: armchairquarterbac
Verified Purchase:Yes
The included activity book needs fewer blank note pages and more activities. Too many of the pages are monochrome as well. Considering the markup over the standard BD3D edition, I expected a book that a child wouldn't tire of so quickly. Sometimes Best Buy seems to forget that store exclusives are to get consumers to choose them over their competitors, rather than some excuse to bump the price far more than what the exclusive could have possibly cost to produce. This is one of those times.
My Best Buy number: 2699457561
My Best Buy number: 2699457561
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
-1point
0of 1voted this as helpful.
 
Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
1080p PQ good enough to make you forget about 4K
on August 26, 2016
Posted by: armchairquarterbac
Verified Purchase:Yes
I've spent some time drooling over the latest in UHD innovation for a while now. So, I'm no stranger to it's charms. But, viewing this film from a Mitsubishi DLP projector, broadcasting onto a 100 inch Vutec screen, in terms of raw detail, it looked as good as any of the 4K flat panels running their designed eye-catching built-in demo loops. A 3 year old 1080p projector can't quite compete in the realms of contrast and color of course, especially in terms of color, being the limitations of color-wheels with single-chip DLP. And don't get me wrong, I'm sure at 200 inches or something closer to the large venue screens that 4K was designed for, that actual UHD BD would veritably smoke 1080p BD. But with 4K size is a hugely limiting factor in the eyes ability to distinguish detail. And this BD looked blissfully crisp throughout. So much so, we've put aside our plans to downsize to a 65 or 70 inch 4K, and wait a while longer for 4K laser/LED projection to hit competitive pricing.
As for the film itself, it was fun. Like many Asian films, it might get a little too weird or hokey for western audiences at times. But probably less so, if you're into Asian cinema or Anime. And, I honestly didn't know they could do computer effects this lavishly detailed over there yet. None of the effects laden Asian films I've seen in the past had computer graphics of this caliber. With even the better ones, the effects have been at least slightly soft. But the CG in this one about rivals the clarity of just about anything coming out of Hollywood. At least that's how it looked at 100 inches. Maybe had I seen it in the cinema, I'd have noticed some shortcomings. But at 100 inches or smaller, you definitely won't. Recommended for fans of Asian cinema.
My Best Buy number: 2699457561
My Best Buy number: 2699457561
I would recommend this to a friend!
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armchairquarterbac's Answers
 
Stay in touch with loved ones with this Verizon Wireless Prepaid Samsung Gusto 3 SMB311VZPP cell phone that enables calling and text messaging and features 3G speed for Web access. A Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR interface allows pairing with select devices.
 

can I buy this phone and switch it for my existing phone keeping same contract with Verizon? cost?

We switched from a Verizon contract to prepaid recently. Prepaid and contract are very different. We were told on the phone that we could have kept our existing number if we wanted. But we'd already cancelled the service, so it was too late.
7 years, 10 months ago
by
armchairquarterbac
 
Stay in touch with loved ones with this Verizon Wireless Prepaid Samsung Gusto 3 SMB311VZPP cell phone that enables calling and text messaging and features 3G speed for Web access. A Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR interface allows pairing with select devices.
 

Is the reception good? Does it have a tendency to drop calls?

My present smart phone does drop calls often. My voice mail breaks up most of the time. I am completely dissatisfied with my Samsung Galaxy S4 mini
I've been all over the country and feel confident in saying that Verizon has the best network of any cell service. We get a fairly bad echo in the phone at times though. Not sure if it's related to signal strength or something else. It's my understanding that dropped calls has less to do with the phone than the service. Services that use others networks are the worst for dropped calls, because when a network is full, they tend to kick off the piggy backers to make room for their own customers. We've rarely had dropped calls with Verizon in the past with a contract service. I assume Prepaid will be the same way, but we just recently switched to prepaid, so time will tell.
7 years, 10 months ago
by
armchairquarterbac
 
Stay in touch with loved ones with this Verizon Wireless Prepaid Samsung Gusto 3 SMB311VZPP cell phone that enables calling and text messaging and features 3G speed for Web access. A Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR interface allows pairing with select devices.
 

what is the charge per minute to use this phone & also charges for text messages?

You get 300 minutes per month for $15, so about 5 cent per minute if I did the math right, unless you don't use all 300 minutes of course. We only use about 60 minutes per month, so it basically cost us about 25 cent per minute. Any text message counts as one minute.
7 years, 10 months ago
by
armchairquarterbac