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Dval
 
 
 
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    December 3, 2011
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    September 24, 2016
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    March 9, 2012
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Dval's Reviews
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4 out of 5
4
A lost classic
on September 24, 2016
Posted by: Dval
from Clarksville, TN
As any Godzilla fan knows, The Return of Godzilla is widely known as Godzilla 1985 to most of us. I've been looking for this to come out on something besides the ol' VHS for years and my prayers were finally answered! It's not quite the same, but it still enthralls nonetheless.
As the name implies, this film is supposed to be the direct sequel to Godzilla, King of the Monsters, taking place 30 years after the supposed death of G'man by the oxygen destroyer. Apparently Godzilla survived and has been holed up in a volcano all this time, but a violent eruption has set him free. After 30 years in slumber, he's headed back to Japan to feast on some nuclear reactors and return to Tokyo!
For anyone that's seen Godzilla 1985, the difference is immediate if you're watching it with the English audio. I was under the impression that the only real difference was going to be that there was no Raymond Burr, but nearly every single voice-over is different compared to 1985. It's been several years since I've whipped out the VHS tape, but I'm pretty sure that the only voices that stayed the same were the American and Russian ambassadors trying to get Japan to allow them to use nuclear weapons on Godzilla. The script is a bit different as well along with a few scenes that weren't in 1985. What stayed the same? Good ol' Super X getting crushed by that building!
In terms of the story, as others have mentioned, this film certainly has a darker atmosphere. There's no kung-fu or humanity-saving Godzilla to be found. This behemoth takes it upon himself to track down individual humans in Tokyo! Pretty sure that this movie induced quite a few nightmares back when I was a kid in the 80's as I would dream that he was watching me through the windows no matter what room I ran to!
Really want to rate this one 5 stars, but I just can't with the slightly disappointing English cast compared to 1985. The BD conversion actually holds up very well, though. While the film has that "older" look to it, the picture still comes in nice and crisp.
Lastly, I didn't buy from BBY :/ It wasn't carried in stores and it was on backorder when I tried to buy it.
My Best Buy number: 905388050
I would recommend this to a friend!
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This set serves up every episode of the anime series Coppelion.
 
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3 out of 5
3
Series with promise... if there's more.
on April 9, 2015
Posted by: Dval
from Clarksville, TN
Genre: Drama, Supernatural, Action
Length: 13 episodes
"In the not-so-distant future, a man-made catastrophic event has devastated a large region of Japan, forever changing the lives of its people. In the years since the incident, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force has genetically engineered humans to operate under the lethal conditions of the contaminated city. Today, three such humans set foot into the now forsaken city. The trio of girls are known as Coppelion, trained since birth to use all of their skills and resources to carry out their one and only objective, rescue those left behind."
Bought this series on a whim after finding one copy left at the local Best Buy. Was actually cheaper than Amazon and Rightstuf which was nice. It's hard to really put a rating on this one as you just know that it can be an excellent series if it was given a bit longer to work with, but it falls well short in 13 episodes. Time for a run down of what works and what doesn't.
Pros:
Graphics are top notch. Great CG, rich tones, and active backgrounds.
Plot: Intriguing story that just doesn't get to play out.
Cons:
Character development: It's virtually non-existent. The only characters that really change are the "bad" Coppelion.
Super powers: Once the electricity chick popped out, it just felt like A Certain Magical Railgun/Index.
Comedy/drama balance: it just wasn't there. The comedy is overused in dramatic moments that were supposed to make an impact. Hard to get involved in a series when it can't set the emotional tone.
Voice acting: I made it through the first 3 episodes listening to the dub, but I gave up after that and swapped to subtitles.
Plenty of other stuff I'd get into, but that would lead into a lot of spoilers. If anything, this is a good gateway to get people reading the manga as it's been going on for a while and is decently popular. Might check it out as I like the idea of the series; just not how the anime version ended up.
My Best Buy number: 905388050
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Whether you've been a long-time fan of the Atelier Dusk series or you're just entering its engaging realm for the first time, Atelier Shallie: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea delivers an engrossing role-playing experience that eases newcomers into gameplay or allows familiar players to enjoy more advanced gameplay. This final, dynamic chapter of the Atelier Dusk series is sure to impress, allowing you to choose between two main characters who will lead you on an unforgettable journey. Choose your character and face each challenge as it arises with strength, bravery and skill — it's up to you to shape how each scenario ends.Become reserved Shallistera, the daughter of a tribal leader who has fallen ill, staying focused and driven as you seek to find a cure to heal your ailing father at all costs. Take on the persona of Shallotte, an ambitious, energetic woman, who struggles to bring success to her alchemy workshop since her father passed away. Each main character features a wholly different personality, appearance and mission but shares the nickname "Shallie" — find out why as you learn more about their backgrounds and voyages. Thanks to the new Quest system you can personalize your experience by choosing to take on only necessary assignments or earn more points by taking on additional assignments along the way. With a 360° camera, it's easy to see the vast world map around you as you explore a host of new environments. Who will you be and what will your story be in the mysterious world of Atelier Shallie: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea?
 
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5 out of 5
5
Great follow-up to the Dusk series
on April 9, 2015
Posted by: Dval
from Clarksville, TN
Genre: RPG
Length: 30+ hours
Like with the other Atelier games, the main characters Shallistera and Shallote (the Shallies) aren't involved with the main characters of the other titles. Atelier Shallie begins with drought problems becoming more prominent and starting to wipe out villages in the area. The central town in the area is called Stellard and is known for its large supply of water. However, their reservoir has begun to diminish as well. Shallistera comes from the village of Lugion which is already facing peril with the water so far diminished. Now it's a race against time to find out what is causing the spread of the Dusk Sea and how to stop it.
Just beat the game on my first play through. Forgot to save after beating the last boss and heading back to Stellard so I have to redo the last boss to get the other endings. Bleh! Also, I cancelled my preorder from BBY and ordered straight from NIS since they offered a collector's edition exclusively :/
Been in love with the Atelier games for the past couple years now. This one definitely adds in some fun factors and continues to make the series a success. First off, the graphics seem to have gotten a nice polish and look very nice. The next, and biggest, is that there is no longer a time limit. It goes both ways here as you're free to do whatever you want for as long as you want. However, it takes the time management aspect out of the game and you don't feel the impending drought having any real effect. There's also a stat boost system in place once you get your characters past level 30. Kind of forgot about it and didn't start until about level 55 >.>
The game does have a few issues as well. The main one is an audio issue where the beginning of conversations is cut off. You generally don't catch the first word being said. Also, when you use Wilbell's ultimate move the audio cuts down to almost half volume until the end of the battle. Finally, the voice acting. I don't have a problem with any of the recurring characters, but I really couldn't stand the voices for both Shallies. The lack of emotion in their voices made it feel like they were just reading from a book.
I still thoroughly enjoyed the game and spent most of my vacation finishing it. Debating if I want to go back for a New game + or possibly try the Despair mode that unlocked.
My Best Buy number: 905388050
I would recommend this to a friend!
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5 out of 5
5
Thrilling conclusion
on February 12, 2015
Posted by: Dval
from Clarksville, TN
Genre: Mecha, Drama, Action, Sci-Fi
Length: 90 minutes
"The location of Laplace's Box, which has the potential to overthrow the Earth Federation government, has finally been revealed. The place is Magallanica at Industrial 7, where the whole incident began.
Martha Vist Carbine, the acting head of the Vist Foundation, is determined to protect the Foundation's interests. Together with her nephew Alberto Vist and Council on Colony Relations Chairman Ronan Marcenas, a central figure in the Earth Federation government, she heads directly for the Cheyenne base in order to resolve the situation.
Meanwhile, Banagher is hurrying to Industrial 7 in pursuit of Full Frontal who has gone ahead to seize the Box. But standing his way are Riddhe's Banshee Nom and Angelo's Rozen Zulu.
Who will reach Magallanica where Syam, the guardian of the Box, is waiting?"
Well, this one certainly is a conclusion to the UC series although it almost has the same feeling as the ending of Gundam 00. It does a lot of stuff right but, as with all Gundam series, there's room for improvement as well. By this point, pretty much all of the characters have grown on me and I no longer hate Audrey and Banagher's characters. The joys of maturing!
The plot: By now, the plot is pretty much set in stone and you don't really have to worry about any twists. The Vist Foundation and the Earth Federation want to destroy Laplace's Box to keep it a secret and maintain the status quo. Full Frontal's Zeon forces want to keep it a secret but use it as a bargaining chip to force the Earth into submission. And Banagher isn't really sure what he wants to do with it, but he wants to find a way to make sure that it can help everyone. All 3 forces rush into the final battle!
As per the usual with most Gundam series, some of the main characters are going to bite the dust in this final episode. They killed one of my favorites off in order to catapult the others onto the next level and deliver a message to all of humanity, though. I'm still a little bitter, but I pretty much knew that it was going to happen at some point.
Visuals: The animation quality of this series has been top-notch from the first episode to the last. Amazing visuals and detail no matter what's going on. At some point, I will repurchase all of these on Blu-ray, but it's just too expensive right now with them running $50-75 each and there being only one episode per volume. Will cost around $400 for all 7.
Music: Brand new ending song for every single episode costs a lot of money! Great variation and sound in all of them, too. Well-tuned soundtrack throughout each episode helps set the tone for what's happening as well.
Overall, Gundam UC just kept getting better and better as the series progressed. I have to highly recommend this one to any anime fans!
My Best Buy number: 905388050
I would recommend this to a friend!
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5 out of 5
5
The best Tenchi universe!
on January 21, 2015
Posted by: Dval
from Clarksville, TN
Genre: Comedy, Harem, Action, Sci-Fi
Length: 26 episodes
"In the beginning, there was Tenchi. Back when the only cure for an anime was a trip to the mall to load up on VHS tapes. Back when cable television first introduced this amazing new genre to American fans. The times may have changed since those good old days, but we're thrilled to be bringing Tenchi back! A true classic never goes out of style, and Tenchi is the original anime harem comedy that started it all.
Everyone's favorite luckless hero is back for more intergalactic hijinks in Tenchi Universe, an alternate universe retelling of the original Tenchi canon. Seventeen-year-old tenchi Masaki is a regular guy whose life takes a turn for the outrageous when Ryoko the stunning space pirate crashes at his grandfather's shrine. In the bat of an eye, Tenchi finds himself surrounded by a bevy of bodacious intergalactic beauties who'll do everything the ycan to make him late for class!"
It's been 22 years since this one came out and I still remember watching every episode on Toonami over a decade ago as well! Like the first reviewer put, I was worried that my nostalgia for the series had clouded how it really was, but I still love it just as much after watching it again. I will admit that the series does have a TON of filler episodes. What it lacks in the middle it more than makes up for at the end. The end of episode 24, "No Need for Ryoko" still put me on the verge of tears.
Pick this one up if you don't already own it. The Tenchi series are some of the original classics that never get old. Think I'll have to go through Tenchi in Tokyo next! Oh, and Kiyone is still the best girl!
My Best Buy number: 905388050
I would recommend this to a friend!
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This hard hitting release from the crime-thriller anime series Psycho-Pass includes episodes 12-22 of the show, following the story of thef detectives working in a future in which people are flagged and even prosecuted based on scientific analysis of their brains that claims to predict who will commit a crime and who won't.
 
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5 out of 5
5
Secrets of the Sybil system uncovered!
on January 21, 2015
Posted by: Dval
from Clarksville, TN
Genre: Mystery, Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
Length: 11 episodes
"The SIBYL System was meant to grind all criminal activity to a permanent halt, but something's gone horribly wrong. A deranged genius known as Makishima has mastered the art of justifying his own heinous deeds, leaving the Dominator powerless to stop his reign of terror. At the first sign of the system cracking, thugs take to the streets, terrorizing the innocent while wearing special helmets that prevent their cruel intentions from being detected. With their futuristic weaponry powerless to stop the bloody rampage, Inspector Akane and her Enforcer, Kogami, must take an old-fashioned approach to the law. While Akane infiltrates the SIBYL System to discover how far the corruption has spread, Kogami doggedly tracks Makishima, setting the stage for a violent and shocking final showdown!"
Part one cast the bait and part two reeled me in; hook, line, and sinker. The conclusion to season one starts off right from the end of episode 11 with Akane trying to understand why she had to witness her best friend being murdered in front of her eyes and she was powerless to stop it. Makishima's insane journey to free people from the SIBYL system spares no one in its path and threatens to destroy the entire country! Get ready for an action-packed, blood-covered nail biter!
Gen Urobuchi's writing is as potent as ever in these 11 episodes. The story continues to unfold while answering the majority of the questions brought up so far. We now know just what the SIBYL system is as well as the secret of Makishima. And it looks like all the recent events have started Ginoza down the path that his father took. As usual, the violence is still over the top and brutal as ever. Don't forget about the Urobutcher as well. The main cast suffers a few shake-ups this time around!
I've loved this series since I first started it a few weeks back. Never been a huge fan of the mystery genre, but the awesome story-telling, character build-up, and grotesque violence just keeps me watching like an addict. You definitely need a strong will to watch through some of the grittier parts like where a thug with the jamming helmet assaults a woman in the middle of a hugely packed street with a hammer, beating her across the face over and over until she's dead; all-the-while, people are watching and recording on their phones. A few points where I didn't really want to watch what was happening. Despite that, I still highly recommend this series to all mature audiences. It's definitely one of the best to come out in the past few years.
My Best Buy number: 905388050
I would recommend this to a friend!
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5 out of 5
5
Story of Dreams
on January 4, 2015
Posted by: Dval
from Clarksville, TN
Genre: Drama, Romance
Length: 127 minutes
"Jiro dreams of flying and designing beautiful airplanes, inspired by the famous Italian aeronautical designer Caproni. Nearsighted and unable to be a pilot, he becomes one of the world's most accomplished airplane designers, experiencing key historical events in an epic tale of love, perseverance and the challenges of living and making choices in a turbulent world.
Bring home the film that has dazzled fans and critics around the globe. Bursting off the screen with spectacular picture and sound and featuring fascinating bonus material, Miyazaki's masterpiece, The Wind rises, is breathtaking on Blu-ray!"
The description for this one is pretty spot on. Was kind of disappointed that none of the prior 31 reviews really said much more than 2-3 sentences on the movie and most just focus on it being from Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli. This one was a 2013 Academy Award nominee, but it should have won. Doubt we'll ever see an anime-title win besides Spirited Away which is such a shame as it's hard to argue that American films have better stories.
The Wind Rises is a movie about the life of Jiro; and it covers his life in most of its entirety from his dreams of flying as a kid to going through the great Kanto earthquake, falling in love, and building the plane of his dreams. The story covers a LOT and moves at a break-neck speed. But, though-out it all, I never felt that it was rushed. With the backdrop of Japan jumping into World War II with Germany, there's an ominous air at times, but the movie doesn't let that take hold as Jiro's dream is at the forefront. While The Wind Rises might not end on the note that most would want, it is what it is. It played out perfectly in my mind. The Wind Rises has become my favorite Ghibli film to date!
My Best Buy number: 905388050
I would recommend this to a friend!
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This hard hitting release from the crime-thriller anime series Psycho-Pass includes episodes 1-11 of the show, following the story of a couple of detectives working in a future in which people are flagged and even prosecuted based on scientific analysis of their brains that claims to predict who will commit a crime and who won't.
 
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5 out of 5
5
NCIS, anime style!
on January 4, 2015
Posted by: Dval
from Clarksville, TN
Genre: Science Fiction, Action, Drama, Mystery
Length: 12 episodes
"Welcome to a world where just thinking about a crime is enough to make your guilty. Bad intentions can no longer be hidden, and the police know exactly which Tainted Minds are about to cross over to the wrong side of the law. The great equalizer in the war on thugs is the DOMINATOR, a futuristic weapon that can read minds and assess the risk that a citizen will turn criminal. Cops work in teams made up of Enforcers and Inspectors. Enforcers take out the bad guys, Inspectors stop their partners from going rogue, and the all-powerful Sibyl System keeps a watchful eye on us all. Society is paralyzed by its deepest, darkest desires; and trial by jury has been replaced by the wrath of the DOMINATOR.
Welcome to the future. How guilty are you?"
Psycho-Pass is set in 2113. The Sibyl System is actively measuring the populace's mental states, personalities, and the probability that individuals will commit crimes, using a "cymatic scan" of the brain. The resulting assessment is called a Psycho-Pass. When the probability of a person engaging in crimes measured by the Crime Coefficient index exceeds a certain level in an individual, he or she is pursued, apprehended, and killed if necessary. ~From Wiki
Oh boy, I got onto this train a good deal later than most! After Madoka Magica, Fate/Zero, I'll have to watch any series that the Urobutcher is involved with! Phenomenal story-telling, intriguing characters, and an increasingly sinister plot keep you on the edge of your seat and wanting more and more! The way that episode 12 ends was just heart-breaking. I just KNEW that something like that was going to happen...but not in the manner of which it happened. Have to be vague or it'll give away spoilers!
You don't get many mystery anime series each season, and the amount of them that are note-worthy is even smaller. It's easy to see why this one has gotten so much fanfare after watching just the first 12 episodes. Part of me wants to run out immediately and find part 2 NOW! But, I'll wait until the next paycheck and try to watch some of the other series that I haven't seen yet! Also, I love the ending theme by Egoist!
My Best Buy number: 905388050
I would recommend this to a friend!
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This hard hitting release from the sci-fi anime series Mobile Suit Gundam UC Unicorn includes episodes 1 and 2 of the show, following the story of Banagher Links, a student of a space colony, who becomes the unlikely ally of a mysterious girl named Audrey Burne, who has made it her business to prevent an ensuing war.
 
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4 out of 5
4
Newest entry into the Gundam universe
on January 4, 2015
Posted by: Dval
from Clarksville, TN
Genre: Mecha, Action, Science Fiction, Drama
Length: 2 episodes (1 hour each)
"Three years after the last conflict between Neo Zeon and the Earth Federation Forces, the tentative peace of the Earth Sphere is about to be shattered again. Cardeas Vist, the head of the powerful Vist Foundation, has decided to hand over "Laplaces's Box," the secret of the Foundation's prosperity, to the supposed enemy, Neo Zeon.
Banagher Links, a student at the space colony Industrial 7, rescues a mysterious girl who calls herself Audrey Burne. Audrey is seeking to prevent a war, but it seems she has come too late. As Banagher's home colony is devastated by the attacks of the enemy mobile suit Kshatriya, he finds his strange destiny and is forced to fight in the formidable weapon system known as the Unicorn Gundam.
Based on a best-selling novel by the famed writer Harutoshi Fukui and animated with theatrical quality, this new chapter in the Gundam saga is a cutting-edge anime series for all coming generations. The complete episodes 1 and 2, each a full hour long, are included in this feature-length DVD release."
This has definitely been a harder Gundam series for me to get into compared to Gundam 00, 08th MS Team, Wing, and others. You need to have a solid understanding of the Gundam universe to really know what's going on and even then it can be pretty confusing. With how both sides are portrayed, you really can't call one good and one bad.
Thus far, I'm not a big fan of Audrey or Banagher's characters. Banagher is too similar to Amuro from the original Gundam who I despised. Hopefully he builds his character up soon and isn't begging for someone else to need him. The secondary characters are much more interesting to me in UC.
REALLY wish that we got a Blu-ray release as this looks stunning already and would be mind-blowing in full HD.. Sadly, Japan is still afraid of reverse-importing from the US so I doubt we'll get a BD release for years. Still, this is a great release and I recommend it for any Gundam fan. Those not familiar with Gundam should really check out the other series first.
My Best Buy number: 905388050
I would recommend this to a friend!
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5 out of 5
5
Great CD with a unique sound
on January 4, 2015
Posted by: Dval
from Clarksville, TN
It's time for another great album from The Birthday Massacre! I think this is the only group to put out multiple CDs where I can't pick out a song and say "I don't like that one." The unique music coupled with Chibi's amazing vocals just have me looking forward to anything that they put out. The entire album still has that 80's feeling going on which just brings the nostalgia back.
It's hard to pick out a best song from this one, but I think I have to go with Destroyer. It has the most distinct sound of any song in my opinion. A little dark, heavy, and slightly haunting are the words that come to mind when trying to describe it. Love all the other songs as well, but it just stands apart the most to me.
Was a little ashamed as I forgot when this CD was coming out :/ Didn't get it until mid-December after seeing the group posting on Facebook about it! Sadly, you won't find this in any stores so make sure to order it ASAP!
My Best Buy number: 905388050
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Dval's Review Comments
 
Eliminate your unwieldy collection of remotes and start using one device. A Geek Squad Agent will program your new learning remote control (such as a Logitech Harmony remote) for easy operation of your TV and home theater components. Perform commands like Watch a DVD or Listen to Music with the push of a single button.* This service takes about an hour to complete. After completing your order, you will receive a confirmation e-mail that contains a redemption code. You can then schedule your appointment by calling 1-800-GEEK SQUAD (1-800-433-5778) and following the prompts for Home Theater and Installation.** Please print your Geek Squad confirmation e-mail and be ready when the Agent arrives at your chosen location.
 
Overall5 out of 55 out of 5
its work for reciver by wifi bettween 2flooer
By saadcitystar from nashville
its work for reciver by wifi bettween 2 flooer my reciver in 2 flooer and my tv is doween stires,so its work doween stirs in tv samsung by wifi
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Dval
Clarksville, TN
Interpreting
March 9, 2012
I try not to be a grammar-junkie, but I think "saadcitystar" is trying to say that he/she's happy with their remote programming. It sounds like he/she purchased a Harmony remote with RF (radio frequency) instead of IR (infrared) that is capable of sending signals over about a 50' range and can even go through walls, cabinets, etc...
If purchasing a remote programming by itself, the service is $99.99, but if you're having other services done as well (audio setup, wall-mounting, calibration, or networking), the service actually drops down to $59.99.
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Overall4 out of 54 out of 5
Throwback album
By Dval from Clarksville, TN
Album came out back on Tuesday and it arrived on Wednesday. Love the quick shipping here.
Hide and Seek isn't quite the same as previous albums from The Birthday Massacre. Couple of the songs have a little bit darker feeling to them, but the overall sounds took me back to music from the 80's and early 90's. Really loving it.
Wouldn't really say that there's any songs that just jump out at you, but it actually works out good for this CD. Really enjoying every single song so I can just keep the entire thing going on repeat. Would be nice to have a killer hit like "Blue" or "Red Stars" thrown in, but the whole thing more than makes up for it.
There's also a Vinyl version available as well, but you'll have to order that through other means if you want it. Definitely recommend this one to any fans.
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Dval
Clarksville, TN
Update
December 4, 2012
Have to update this as I've had this CD going for the past month in my car. Truely great CD. Very little pops out because all of the songs are so good. Should have given this one 5 stars.
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This haunting release from the psychological sci-fi anime series Elfen Lied includes all 13 episodes of the show, following the story of a telekinetic girl named Lucy, who breaks free from the torment and torture of a government research facility and is taken in by two kindly strangers - who have no idea that the sweet girl they've discovered harbors a split personality brought on by years of abuse, along with unfathomable powers toa ct on her rage.
 
Overall5 out of 55 out of 5
Gore and horror at its best
By Dval from Clarksville, TN
A deadly disease has somehow formed in the human genes resulting in humans with horns called diclonius (sp? Been a while since I saw it). In addition to the horns, these mutants also have supernatural powers in the form of invisible arms called vectors. What's to stop these mutants? Locking them up in a government test facility; testing, torturing, and mutilating them, right...?
Elfen Lied starts out with one of the diclonius, Lucy, escaping from her heavily fortified prison by slicing and dicing her way through waves of armed guards who are powerless against her vectors which can also deflect bullets (from a certain range#. A sniper's bullet to the head doesn't manage to kill her, but it is enough to create a 2nd personality in the form of Nyu who washes up on the nearest beach. There, she's discovered by Kohta and Yuka who had met Lucy many years before but are unaware of her identity.
The series then progresses through gallons of blood, truckloads of body parts, and the battle to stop the spread of the diclonius. Gore, horror, supernatural, and action are the main genre of this anime. You run into a bit of romance (Could refer to Lucy as a tsundere and Yuka is close enough to a yandere) with nothing really ever developing.
Not much in terms of extras besides a few trailers. However, I love the textless opening and closing themes. The opening, "Lilium" is one of my all time favorite songs with its haunting and beautiful melody. Greatly enjoy the closing theme "Be Your Girl" as well.
Despite only being 13 episodes, Elfen Lied has managed to be quite a controversial series. The amount of killing and nudity in the first episode rubbed some people the wrong way. This is one of my favorite series even if it was a bit gorier than I'm used to. Recommend it to anyone who wants a good horror anime.
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Dval
Clarksville, TN
January 3, 2013
It is in English. Can choose from Japanese w/ English subtitles or English audio.
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This release from the chilling anime series Gunslinger Girl includes all 13 episodes of the show's first season, following the girls of the Social Welfare Agency, who appear from the outside to be orphaned schoolgirls, but are actually trained to be cold blooded killers. Extras with the release include voice director commentary, textless songs, and more.
 
Overall4 out of 54 out of 5
Killer girls from...
By Dval from Clarksville, TN
Genre: Action
"Officially, the social Welfare Agency is a government sponsored corporation that's in the business of saving lives. At least, that's the ruse. In reality, it's an agency on the fringe of technology. They give terminal patients another shot at life using cybernetic implants. This conditioning process then shapes the patient into an effiecient machine for handling all of the goverment's dirty work. They've been given a second change at life, but at what cost?"
Basic plot: Little girls that were about to die have been given a second shot at life, but in return they're basically assassins for the government. The first season here doesn't really do much more than give us a character intro for 6 different girls. The story takes place in Italy which is a huge change of pace for most anime. Plot only got an average score because of the lack of one thus far.
Cinematography: The graphics are very visually appealing. Seeing everything out in the Mediteranean is a good change from the streets of Japan. The character designs themselves aren't very well done, though. They're really kind of normal. However, there's a ton of detail put into the outfits, guns, and scenery. Found it kind of odd, but the Blu-ray version is definitely nice and crisp. No jagged edges around the faces like on DVD versions.
Acting: Loved the English voice-acting and didn't touch the original Japanese. Kind of want to just to hear they're versions of each girl.
Extras: Non-existent. Not a single trailer, commentary, or even a textless opening or ending. Bare bones.
As the first reviewer posted, the story is a little disturbing. If you can get around little girls being used as military dolls, then the action is quite nice and I really enjoyed it. Just not the best series out there. Should definitely pick it up if you like anime, though.
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Dval
Clarksville, TN
Part 2
January 3, 2013
Completely forgot about the extras on disc 2. There are actually quite a few. The voice-actor commentaries about their own characters are really enjoyable. Would bump the Extras up to 4 stars, but it wouldn't change the overall rating.
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Overall3 out of 53 out of 5
meh...
By lobb152
I just didnt like this movie as much as the other two.
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Dval
Clarksville, TN
February 13, 2013
Any particular reasons why? Story, cast, etc...?
+1point
1of 1voted this comment as helpful.
 
This mind-bending release from the psych-horror anime series Deadman Wonderland includes all 12 episodes of the show, following the story of a high school boy who is unjustly jailed for the murder of his class in a prison system that fits him with a collar constantly injecting him with poison. The poison can be neutralized if he can take regular doses of the antidote often enough, though these can only be obtained through prison work.
 
Overall4 out of 54 out of 5
Supernatural prison
By Dval from Clarksville, TN
Genre: Supernatural, Action, Drama
Length: 12 episodes + OVA
"Ganta is the only survivor after a mysterious man in red slaughters a classroom full of teenagers. He's framed for the carnage, sentenced to die, and locked away in the most twisted prison ever built: Deadman Wonderland. And then it gets worse.
At Deadman Wonderland, convicts are forced into brutal deathmatches for the amusement of the masses, the cheers of the crowd drowning out the screams of the dismembered. Even when Ganta befriends Shiro, an unusual female inmate, his dark fate crushes all hope – until he discovers the strange ability to wield his spilled blood as a weapon. Ganta learns his new skill might be related to the murderous man in red and uncovers disturbing secrets that could expose those who stole his freedom. He's determined to see justice served – but first he'll have to fight for his life in a prison that holds a million ways to die."
Deadman Wonderland is a decent series that gained attention in America after Cartoon Network aired it on the Toonami animation block when it was reincarnated back in 2012. I caught the first 2 episodes, but never got around to watching the rest. The series is filled to the brim with blood, gore, and action. The English dialogue is pretty racy as well. It does an excellent job with the shock factor. You just know someone is about to die, but it can be a little hard to predict how it's going to happen. Sadly, the series is quite rushed and a ton of knowledge is never made known. There also isn't really a true ending. Red Man remains a mystery, sort of. What relation does Shiro and Ganta have? Don't want to spoil any of the ending, but it pops up just as many questions and doesn't really answer anything. It leave tons of room for a 2nd season, but I haven't seen anything in the works, yet.
I enjoyed the series overall even with the rushed ending and lingering questions. My brother was also a fan and admitted that he was a little confused with the entire thing. This is a great value on a pretty good series. Pick it up!
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Dval
Clarksville, TN
Reply
August 7, 2014
That's correct. First two black discs are the DVD version while the last 2 light blue discs contain the BD versions.
+1point
1of 1voted this comment as helpful.
 
Sony XBR-55X850B 4K Ultra HD TV: This TV ushers in the future of high-definition with 4K — 4x the resolution of Full HD. Catch every stunning detail of the big game, and enjoy your favorite movies and shows with outstanding clarity. Plus, take advantage of Smart TV features like Web browsing, streaming video and social network integration.
 
Overall5 out of 55 out of 5
Good entry level 4K TV
By Dval from Clarksville, TN
Bought this TV in late June after having originally gotten the 65W950B model instead. There are a few things that could be improved upon, but it's excellent for its price range. Here's the round up:
Pros:
Great picture quality. 4K resolution is truely amazing when you have 4K content playing on it.
4K Xreality Pro: Upscaling works out quite well. I only have basic cable set up and it honestly made the picture look like it was HD quality. Sure, it didn't look like 4K, but you can't expect to make a 480p image look close to 4K resolution.
TriLuminous display: This is the big point for me when picking the Sony over the Samsung models. Sony gives better colors than Samsung which tries to focus too much on aesthetics and brightness.
Smart features: Easy to use and navigate. Had it connected to the internet in under 5 minutes after setting up and was streaming 4K videos off of YouTube and Netflix.
Cons:
Audio: Sadly, this model doesn't feature any improved sound qualities. If you want better sound, then you need a separate sound system or you'll want to step up to the X900B series which starts off at 65".
Search feature: Using the search feature within the TV is a pain in the butt. Type something in and it's likely to pull up a few million hits off of YouTube rather than searching for what you wanted on the TV. Had to go to the very end of all the apps just to find the web browser option.
While I count audio as a con here, if you're spending this much on a TV, then you shouldn't be in a stretch just to add some form of external speakers. Decent soundbars run as cheap as about $200 while the better quality ones range from $350-$600. If you want some great audio, then you save $300 off of the Sony ST7 soundbar with the purchase of this TV. Usually $1300 for it as it's a premium soundbar option.
I really wanted the X950B model, but alas, $8k is a bit outside of the realm I want to spend on a TV. Aside from the lower quality audio and lower contrast range, this model is a great alternative for almost 1/4 of the cost. Definitely can't go wrong with it!
Customer Avatar
Dval
Clarksville, TN
August 7, 2014
In regards to the W950B, I have to place it as the best-looking non-UHD TV on the market (not counting the Samsung F8500 plasma). I prefer the picture quality, color, and contrast that it provided instead of the X850B series. The speakers are pretty good and the built-in subwoofer actually rumbles nicely, too. The sheer amount of calibration settings is insane compared to any other TV I've gone into as well. Aside from the 4K display capability, the W950B beats it out in pretty much every department in my opinion. In the end, I was looking for a 4K TV, and the 65W950B was a bit too large for my space, so that's why I settled on the X850B instead.
+15points
20of 25voted this comment as helpful.
 
Keep your air clean and healthy with this Therapure 90TP50RM01 mini air purifier that is designed for areas up to 5 sq. ft. Stainless-steel collection blades allow easy cleaning and ultraviolet light destroys airborne viruses.
 
Overall5 out of 55 out of 5
Not what I was looking for, much better
By kakky from Houston
Came in looking for a new portable radio. Salesman guided me to a blue-tooth speaker to connect to my phone instead. Can also use this with my MP3. Works much better than the radio would have and great sound. Helpful salesman did a bit of technology training to help me get it set up.
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Dval
Clarksville, TN
Wrong item?
August 18, 2014
Hey there. I think you may have gotten the wrong item for your review. Sounds like you purchased a bluetooth speaker instead of an air purifier.
+5points
5of 5voted this comment as helpful.
 
This set serves up every episode of the anime series Coppelion.
 
Overall3 out of 53 out of 5
Great anime!
By ACEACE from CORONA
Picture and cgi excellent. Story excellent. But I gave it 3 stars because the sound is pcm only. That means stereo not 5.1 dolby digital much less DTS. Why they don't spend the money on the sound affect on Bluray is completely troubling.
Customer Avatar
Dval
Clarksville, TN
sound in anime
March 17, 2015
It'd be great to have more titles with full 5.1 or 7.1 dolby digital sound, but it's pretty rare outside of the big movies. Really long answer so I'll just paste the response from the animenewsnetwork for you.
Audio is important, and many fans are becoming more and more concerned with making sure that they're getting the best quality audio possible when they fork over the money for a shiny disc of their favorite show. But with so many different formats, which one is best? Which ones should you be asking for? Sometimes the difference is negligible or non-existant, other times it makes a huge difference.
Let's start with the easy one: why some shows have 5.1 mixes for the dub, but not for the original Japanese. I've answered previously on this column that most TV anime doesn't bother with anything more than a stereo (2.0) mix because the Japanese broadcast standard doesn't really support 5.1 audio, and given how big home theater systems aren't as common in Japan for a number of reasons, they generally don't bother remixing for 5.1 when it comes time to release the discs on home video. However, when making the dub, an American publisher might think 5.1 is worth the extra work. If they're already set up to do 5.1, the audio has to be remixed anyway, so it is an opportunity to have a nice added feature for dub fans.
5.1 mixes require special equipment, take a lot more time, and are harder to check for errors (and requires a lot more office space to do so), so it's often not practical to do 5.1 mixes for everything. They can also cost more money. The decision to make a 5.1 mix is made on a show-by-show basis, based on whether the Japanese is 5.1 (usually just movies and some high-end OAVs) and how much the show is predicted to sell.
As for what format in which they're stored on a disc, these days you generally see 4 different kinds of audio tracks:
• Linear PCM (Completely uncompressed, basically just a WAV file. Takes up a lot of space, especially in 5.1.)
• Dolby Digital (AC3) (Lower quality, like an MP3, but takes up a lot less space. Supported by DVD and Blu-ray.)
• Dolby TrueHD (Blu-ray only. The full quality of the WAV file, but compressed to a more manageable size. Still much bigger than AC3, however.)
• DTS Master Audio (Blu-ray only. For the end user, pretty much identical to Dolby TrueHD.)
When you make a DVD or Blu-ray, you are tasked with squeezing a lot of data onto a finite amount of space, so compression can be very important. Wasting too much bandwidth on audio means you might have to sacrifice video quality. The above compression formats are essential ways to get the most quality out of an audio track without having an unwieldy amount of data to contend with.
Audio quality obsessives swear that Dolby Digital AC3 audio has a lot of distortion and they can DEFINITELY tell a difference. I am skeptical. I've definitely heard bad AC3 encodes that definitely affected audio quality, particularly in very early DVDs, but there has never been a double-blind study that shows even audio experts can tell a difference at higher bitrates (and quite a few proving that nobody can tell at all). At any event, the presence of "lossless" audio (in either LPCM, DTS-MA or Dolby TrueHD) has become an important marketing bullet point for Blu-ray discs, so whether people can REALLY tell the difference or it's all a placebo effect, who am I to argue.
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Dval's Answers
 
Sony XBR-55X850B 4K Ultra HD TV: This TV ushers in the future of high-definition with 4K — 4x the resolution of Full HD. Catch every stunning detail of the big game, and enjoy your favorite movies and shows with outstanding clarity. Plus, take advantage of Smart TV features like Web browsing, streaming video and social network integration.
 

Transmitter

I wanted to know if i still need to hook up a 3d transmitter to the tv to get glasses to work with the 3d view? The transmitter that came with the glasses does not have the rite connection to hook up to the back of this tv. this is what the transmitter looks like http://images.highspeedbackbone.net/SKUimages/gallery/large/S190-0101-call04-mm.jpg
That's odd. I didn't get any piece like that in mine and never saw one like it when opening displays in the store either. However, you won't need that to enjoy 3D viewing. You can choose to do the 2D-3D conversion on the television or just make sure you have a 3D Blu-ray player (or PS3/PS4) and 3D content. WIth the TVs being Passive 3D instead of Active, there's no need to sync them with the TVs anymore either.
9 years, 5 months ago
by
Dval
   Clarksville, TN
 
Sony XBR-55X850B 4K Ultra HD TV: This TV ushers in the future of high-definition with 4K — 4x the resolution of Full HD. Catch every stunning detail of the big game, and enjoy your favorite movies and shows with outstanding clarity. Plus, take advantage of Smart TV features like Web browsing, streaming video and social network integration.
 

Are the television remotes compatible with my time warner cable box (Cisco 8742 HDC)?

The TV remotes will not be compatible with your cable box as they're not designed to be universal remotes. However, your Time Warner remote should be able to program to the Sony TV.
9 years, 6 months ago
by
Dval
   Clarksville, TN