I enjoy this film a great deal. It's intense, well-acted, and the art direction/costumes/general design feel accurate and real. My only complaint is the love story jammed into it. It's really the only uneven aspect. The love story is minor and could easily be removed without leaving any plot holes—it doesn't drive the film. In fact, it distracts a bit from the already-engaging story.
The Casablanca BluRay usually costs $15–$20. The African Queen BluRay usually costs $10–$20.
I got this 2-pack (2 discs, not 2 films on one disc) for $5. An absolutely incredible deal. I would have paid $15+ for this package.
As for the films, these are absolutely classic films for a reason—they do not need to be considered "great for their time" as they stand just as powerfully today. The quality of these films make me question that argument altogether—can we really blame a time period's lack of technology and technique development for weak films when movies like "Casablanca" and "On the Waterfront" were created at the same time.
The film/sound transfers are solid; no complaints after viewing.
Admittedly, I have not watched the Dirty Dozen yet. However, given that I bought this Blu-Ray 2-pack (2-discs, not both films on one disc) for $7, this is a steal. I'd pay $10 for Stalag 17 alone, which was brilliant! I love director Billy Wilder—he never seems to disappoint, pulling off every story I've seen him present onscreen. Stalag 17 isn't the intense drama that I expected, but more of a WW2 prison camp satire (think a cross between MASH and Hogan's Heroes, but directed by Billy Wilder—"Sunset Boulevard", "Ace in the Hole", "Double Indemnity").
Even if "The Dirty Dozen" is a bomb (which I've been assured by film friends that it isn't), buying the Stalag 17 BluRay on its own is usually between $15 and $20, so buying this 2-pack would be the way to go if you're in the market for that film.
Rob Reiner is a more impressive director than he is given credit for. He has such range (A Few Good Men, Spinal Tap, Princess Bride) and puts out solid storytelling in whatever genre he tinkers in.
This courtroom drama may feel sometimes formulaic, but that may just be due to the fact that it helped to create the formula courtroom dramas tend to employ since its release. It is filled with memorable lines and memorable performances—hard not to enjoy.
An aging film, but still pretty creepy. Not so much due to the psychokinetic nerd vengeance it builds to, but due to the realness of the awful treatment of the lead character. Especially between her and her mother. Some of the heavier effects scenes toward the end could have been shot more realistically, but the human aspects of the film still hold true and are plenty effective to anyone empathetic to the world of the emotionally abused nerd/geeks, especially those who also love Stephen King-style vengeance stories.
Terror abounds in the made-for-TV miniseries event Stephen King's It. The film is presented in a newly matted 1.85:1 widescreen edition that is modified from its original form (in other words, black bars have been inserted onto the top and bottom of the original full frame transfer). The image appears to be in better-than-average shape with colors and black levels all solid and well defined. While there appears to be some softness in the picture, overall this transfer should please horror fans everywhere. The soundtrack is presented in an apt Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo mix in English. Since Stephen King's It was originally produced for TV, it's no surprise to find this audio track flat and somewhat boring. However, what this mix lacks in directional effects and fidelity it makes up for with crystal clear dialogue, music and effects. Also included on this disc are English, French and Spanish subtitles. The sole extra feature on this DVD is a commentary track by director Tommy Lee Wallace and actors John Ritter, Richard Thomas, Tim Ried and Dennis Christopher. Filled with some funny asides about the production and witty banter (especially from Ritter), this commentary track is worth the listen for any true Stephen King fans.
This movie freaked me out as a kid, but much of what made it great hasn't held up with time. It still has some spooky and effective scenes, and Pennywise will always be creepy, but the presentation's slow pace and cheesy effects at the end keep the fear at bay. There is still a lot to enjoy, but I'd stick with the book if you're looking for a scare. This film is a solid introduction to the world of horror for adolescents, though.
Given that you can buy it for a few bucks, it is worth it for the nostalgia alone.
If you love Tarantino, you'll most likely love this film. If you love the inventive ways many directors have been toying with the western genre in the past 10-15 years, you'll also probably love this film. And, surprisingly, if you love John Carpenter's "The Thing", you'll probably love this movie (both films were scored with similar themes by Ennio Morricone, both are about isolation and paranoia, both take place in similar environmental conditions causing for similar situations, both sets of characters are attempting to figure out which among them are bad).
That being said, if you dislike Tarantino, you should probably stay away from this film.
Regardless of subject matter and style, the film is beautifully shot/scored/directed/acted. The release is fine—no noticeable problems with the film transfer or sound. No glitches (visual or sonic) when playing the film.
Unless it is a Criterion release (which this is not), I won't pay more than $10 for a BluRay. I was lucky enough to pick this disc up for $4 on Black Friday.
Enjoy.
But seriously, for film nerds like me, watch this back to back with "The Thing" for some fun analysis and conversation. Plenty to chew on.
Bring your favorite tunes anywhere with this blue Sony portable wireless speaker. The 1.65-inch-diameter speaker uses an embedded magnet and light diaphragm to create loud, well-defined bass lines. This Sony portable wireless speaker also includes a double mode, letting you connect two of these speakers to a single smartphone or media device.
Admittedly, I would not pay full price for this item. It lists for $100, but is usually on sale for $70. I would not pay more than $55 plus tax in the given market.
That being said, the XB2 isn't terrible and for the right price in the right circumstances, it may be perfect for you.
I bought a couple of different speakers and tested many others before settling on this one as a gift for my 13-year-old son. He wanted something light and portable that he could easily take with him and connect to his and his friends' devices to listen to music when hanging out, doing homework, etc.
Although I always want to buy higher quality items, especially in the audio/visual department, my son reminded me that I am an audiophile (his words, but his point is well-taken: I'm a musician/producer), not him. He said he would be satisfied with something smaller and less impressive than me and would rather have me use the difference in price for another gift he wanted—logical kid. And he does seem satisfied with the item. He wasn't looking to blast music out of it or fill the house, so the clarity and volume is fine for his purposes.
- Physically, the unit is solidly built; heavier than expected - Although smaller than many Bluetooth speakers, it is well balanced and with little suction cup-like feet, it stays put well enough - Unlike many speakers in this price/quality range, this unit is water-resistant (a significant feature depending on how/where the speaker will be used)
- The sound is pretty clear, though it isn't a wonderful representation of the recordings, it is clear and tonally balanced well enough not to be distracting to sound nerds like me, and plenty well for most listeners - As you push to the volume's upper limit, it does get buzzy, especially music that is mastered to be louder (a lot of new music, especially) - The "extra bass" feature is about the same as on any other: although the bass seems more present in the mix, it tends to make the overall tone "muddy"—but it isn't terrible and most people will still appreciate it who love bass
- Bluetooth functionality works great—no dropouts or unexplained disconnects; connects quickly and easily