Dval's stats
- Review count279
- Helpfulness votes474
- First reviewDecember 3, 2011
- Last reviewSeptember 24, 2016
- Featured reviews1
- Average rating4.5
- Review comment count9
- Helpfulness votes28
- First review commentMarch 9, 2012
- Last review commentMarch 17, 2015
- Featured review comments0
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- Featured questions0
- Answer count2
- Helpfulness votes3
- First answerSeptember 10, 2014
- Last answerOctober 6, 2014
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- Best answers1
![Gunslinger Girl: The Complete First Season [2 Discs] [Blu-ray]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/304b2327-370a-41e7-956a-951dd4939472.png)
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.
Customer Rating
4
Killer girls from...
on January 3, 2013
Posted 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.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Customer Rating
4
Ninja blood bath
on January 1, 2013
Posted by: Dval
from Clarksville, TN
Genre: Action, Supernatural, Mature
Mature due to some nudity and nonconsentual acts.
"Swords shatter, blood sprays and demons suck the life out of dying men as the wildest samurai adventure ever made is unleashed to tear your senses asunder! Jubei Kibagami has always been the master dealer of death, but in rescuing a ninja woman from a monster he sets loose a chain of events that puts death in his own veins and sends them on a nightmarish odyssey through a surreal and devil infested ancient Japan. How do demonic possessions, an annihilated village and a man Jubei thought safely buried in his past all connect? If Jubei can't piece the blood-soaked clues together, his only consolation will be that he won't live to regret if for very long! Prepare your mind and steel your gut for the insanely gore-packed o.r.g.y. of violence that still stands alone and unchallenged as the ultimate anime action feature: the epic milestonein animation that is the legendary NINJA SCROLL."
Ninja Scroll is one of the old ninja action movies that's been updated by Sentai Filmworks into the modern HD age. Being in Blu-ray really does wonders for the quality versus the original programming. However, the movie is still in the old 4:3 format that is designed for your old tube TVs. Tons better than VHS, though!
I still have the old DVD release of this one and even though I hadn't watched it in a long while, getting a Blu-ray release for any anime is awesome enough to warrant the purchase especially for only $20.
Don't expect anything out of the extras. About 5 trailers which are just clips with some music playing to them. Sentai doesn't invest much on extras :/
What's great about it: Tons of action
What's not so great: Rushed story
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Customer Rating
3
Smut
on January 1, 2013
Posted by: Dval
from Clarksville, TN
Genre: Adult
Pure and simple, the Cool Devices series are smut. You've got 2 30-minute episodes and the last 18 minutes is broken into 3 short clips. The majority have a feel for S&M and/or exhibitionism. Would say that it could be decent, but the censoring is just too awful. Nothing like a black cloud or light saber effect.
It is a pretty old title and the graphics show it. 4:3 format with a decent amount of pixelation.
Overall, it's a cheap thrill for only $9.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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This sweet release from the romantic anime series Clannad: After Story includes all 22 episodes of the show, following up the story of Tomoya and Nagisa, dropping in just a few months after Tomoya declared his love, with their relationship catapulting them into a whole new world.
Customer Rating
5
Anime for all
on January 1, 2013
Posted by: Dval
from Clarksville, TN
Genre: Drama, Romance, Slice of Life (School life), Comedy
One of the best dramatic series (if not the best) that I've ever seen, Clannad After Story continues to build onto the characters from the first season. The cast is nearing the end of their senior year, and each one of them must make a decision on what they will do after school.
After Story primarily focuses on the relationship between Tomoya and Nagisa. Their relationship built really slowly in the first and was just as slow here. However, that slow build-up leaves a huge impression as the emotions they exhibit are immensely impactful. So many ups and downs going on that I had to wipe the eyes a few times...it was just the lights!...
The musical score is amazing and you can just feel what's about to come whenever a certain track starts to play. Definitely have to find the soundtrack and purchase it as well.
The musical score is amazing and you can just feel what's about to come whenever a certain track starts to play. Definitely have to find the soundtrack and purchase it as well.
Ushio has become one of my favorite characters of all time. So incredibly cute and she resembles Nagisa spot-on.
After watching the original series with subtitles only, I couldn't bring myself to watch this one with the English voicing. Was decent, but the Japanese voices are just too dynamic and enthralling.
Only one extra on all 3 discs and that's a commentary by the two main English voice actors for episode 16. With it being such a tragic and powerful episode...their commentary made me want to smack them. They didn't even know about the origination of Clannad and that it came from a visual novel.
Everyone should watch this entire series at least once. It's immensely powerful and will definitely leave you with some moist eyes. Came in with high expectations and they were blown away.
What's great about it: Incredible character build-up
What's not so great: Slow-paced
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Customer Rating
4
Old-school perv
on December 25, 2012
Posted by: Dval
from Clarksville, TN
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Mature
25 year old Oe Kintaro is your typical college drop-out jumping from job to job. Or so you would believe. In reality, he dropped out of law school because he completely mastered the curriculum in the first semester. Now, he rides his trusty bicycle across the country in search of work and education. If there's a cute or sexy girl around, you can bet he'll be there.
Golden Boy is actually a nice feel-good story about overcoming adversity and pushing on with your life. There are a few boob shots throughout the 6 episodes and Kintaro is not one to pass up the opportunity to go where no man should ever go. That aside, each episode is completely separated except for the last one where everyone repays him for helping them out.
Graphics are what you'd expect for a remastered 80's/90's show. It is in full-widescreen which was very nice. Looked pretty good except for a few spots of pixelation which I didn't mind much being so old.
Had to turn off the English voices just because the guy that did Kintaro sounds way too feminine. Can't seriously take a manly guy who sounds more like a girl.
Extras were cuty and dry. Clean opening and closing along with episode previews. Pretty blah.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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This wild and wacky release from the fantastical anime franchise Tenchi Muyo! includes all four full length feature films from the series, following the story of a shy, unlucky guy named Tenchi, who becomes the center of much unwanted female attention when he accidentally frees the beautiful space pirate Ryoko from her 700 year imprisonment.
Customer Rating
4
Remastered Tenchi movies
on December 23, 2012
Posted by: Dval
from Clarksville, TN
Genre: Action, drama, comedy.
After finishing up the OVA series, I jumped into the 3-movie set. Remembered a good bit from Tenchi in Live and Daughter of Darkness, but Tenchi in Love 2 was new to me. I may have seen it in the past, but there was very little I remembered. Would have to say that it was my favorite, though.
Disc 1 contains Tenchi in Love as well as Daughter of Darkness. Disc 2 has Tenchi in Love 2 as well as trailers. Trailers are pretty standard. Funimation should consider putting trailers for some of their older series on these as you've/I've seen the exact same trailers on every release for the past couple months.
Tenchi in Love is about an instellar villian named Kain breaking loose from the Galaxy Police headquarters and going to Earth. He possesses the power to warp time and is after Tenchi's mother's life.
In Tenchi in Love 2, Tenchi runs off into the mountains after another fight between Ayeka and Ryoko. Six months have passed and there is still no clue to be found as to his disappearance.
Daughter of Darkness begins with a young girl appearing on the mountain shrine steps one day who calls Tenchi "Daddy." Somehow, she is his daughter who has been sent from the future but what secrets does she hold? And who is the mother?
Great thing about these movies is that they're actually all in 16:9 widescreen format unlike the OVA series. Was nice not watching this like a tube TV picture. Visuals were very good. There was a definite difference between TiL and DoD compared to TiL2. All 3 had more of a drama aspect compared to the series and even left off a lot of the comedy. TiL2 was my favorite as you really got to feel the emotions from every character #especially Ryoko and Ayeka#. With every failed attempt to find Tenchi, you can feel the hope slipping further out of their heart. Aside ffrom the supernatural, it had the most realistic emotions. Part 2 also featured a different art style compared to the other two. Backgrounds had a darker theme. Character faces had a slightly different look as well.
In parting...I like Kiyone the best. Needs more screen-time!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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This wild and wacky release from the fantastical anime series Tenchi Muyo! includes all 13 OVA releases from the franchise, following the story of a shy, unlucky guy named Tenchi, who becomes the center of much unwanted female attention when he accidentally frees the beautiful space pirate Ryoko from her 700 year imprisonment.
Customer Rating
4
Anime classic
on December 21, 2012
Posted by: Dval
from Clarksville, TN
Genre: Comedy, Action, Drama, Harem, Fantasy
If you grew up with the Toonami block on Cartoon Network, then most likely you saw Tenchi Muyo! at some point. Had been over a decade since I last saw this one. Stuff looked great back then, but you realize just how dated it is nowadays. Best Buy has the pictures for this one and the video collection (SKU: 6870174) mixed up. Can be a bit confusing.
The OVA series is essentially the first 13 episodes of the main storyline. Hoping that at some point we'll see the rest released in Blu-ray as well.
Tenchi Muyo! is about a young buy named Tenchi who is a country boy living with his dad and also trains with his grandfather. After being repeatedly warned by Gramps not to go into a sealed shrine that supposedly contains a demon, Tenchi manages to steal the keys and breaks inside. Unwittingly, he frees the demon who then sets out to get her revenge on those who imprisoned her. After Tenchi subdues the demon, she begins to live in his home and soon enough all sorts of space heroines descend on his home.
Really, the series is about lots of space chicks after Tenchi's love...and body. By today's standards, Tenchi Muyo would be your average run-of-the-mill show. However, it was one of the first "harem" series and pretty much set the tone for how the future would handle it. While comedy is a huge part of the series, there's also a lot of drama and action that really keep you drawn to it.
The graphics are definitely a ton better than the old 480i or less of the original series with it being redone in Blu-ray quality. Loved the crispness and detail. Can really see the difference when paying attention to the scenery and backgrounds. However, the series is still in a 4:3 format. Quality was increased, but I'm not a big fan of watching a tube TV picture on an HDTV.
Still all of the original voicing from the original series...which I realize isn't the best by any stretch of the imagination. English voices are great for those like me who saw it before, but if you're new to the series, I might recommend watching it with subtitles.
The extras were pretty much non-existent. Have one omake trailer and about 8 previews. Although I did enjoy the omake theater.
What's great about it: Great series
What's not so great: 4:3 format
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Customer Rating
5
Anime classic
on December 18, 2012
Posted by: Dval
from Clarksville, TN
Genre: Action, Comedy
Hard to believe it's been 26 years since this title came out...was all of 2 years old! Project A-ko was recently remastered and that's where we get this lovely title from. Glad I bought mine last week off of bestbuy.com because it may have been the last. Title is now sold out!
Project A-Ko really doesn't even have a plot. It's good old fashioned fun that has three main characters: A-Ko, B-Ko, and C-Ko. Really, it's Eiko, Biko, and Shiiko which were all derived to be plain-Jane names for girls. Luckily, it's extremely easy to remember even after just seeing the VHS versions back in the 90's. A-Ko and C-Ko are best friends and B-Ko is a rival for C-Ko's affections from elementary school. A-Ko possesses monstrous strength and B-Ko is a genius that can create giant mechs in a single day which she'll need as A-Ko destroys them every day as they fight it out over C-Ko. Toss some aliens and insterstellar battles into the movie, and you've got a potluck of awesomeness.
Gracing us in marvelous 480i resolution...it's nothing like a modern day movie/series, but it stil isn't bad. The remastered version allows us to at least enjoy it in widescreen rather than the tube TV 4:3 aspect ratio. You can tell that several of the artists had worked with the Macross series by the designs of the aircraft, explosions, and missile streaming. A classic will always still look good regardless of the resolution. Just have to realize how it looked back in the era of production it was in.
Voice acting was pretty good. I kept on swapping between the English and Japanese audio just to see which I might prefer. Ended it with the Japanese voicing but I like them both. The theme songs for Project A-Ko were actually recorded entirely in English. Great 80's fangirl songs.
Tons of extras included in this one. 20 minutes worht of different language previews. 50 minutes of "making of..." Director and staff interviews and more.
Definite must-see for any anime fan.
What's great about it: Loads of fun
I would recommend this to a friend!
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This wacky release from the fantastical romantic comedy anime series Is This a Zombie? includes all 13 episodes of the show's first season, following the story of Ayumu, a boy who is murdered by a serial killer, but resurrected by a super cute, very enthusiastic necromancer - who proceeds to move in with him.
Customer Rating
5
Yes, it is a zombie!
on December 17, 2012
Posted by: Dval
from Clarksville, TN
Genre: Comedy, Action, Harem
"Some guys have no luck! HE'S GOT NO PULSE.
That's the life for poor unfortunate, undead Ayumu. First, he was murdered by a serial killer. Total bummer. Then he was resurrected as a zombie by a cute little Necromancer. That seemed pretty cool until she moved into his house, refused to speak, and forced his rotting carcass to do all the cooking. After that, a magical girl in a pretty pink dress used her matching chainsaw to chop his corpse in half. Luckily, the Necromancer's powers of resurrection trumped those of the chainsaw chick, so instead of dying (again), Ayumu became the world's first magical girl zombie. There's also a voluptuous vampire ninja who thinks zombie boy's a pervert - and a hideous crayfish demon who wants to devour him. Confused? All you gotta know is this: zombies, frilly dresses, demons, and moe chainsaws."
That's the life for poor unfortunate, undead Ayumu. First, he was murdered by a serial killer. Total bummer. Then he was resurrected as a zombie by a cute little Necromancer. That seemed pretty cool until she moved into his house, refused to speak, and forced his rotting carcass to do all the cooking. After that, a magical girl in a pretty pink dress used her matching chainsaw to chop his corpse in half. Luckily, the Necromancer's powers of resurrection trumped those of the chainsaw chick, so instead of dying (again), Ayumu became the world's first magical girl zombie. There's also a voluptuous vampire ninja who thinks zombie boy's a pervert - and a hideous crayfish demon who wants to devour him. Confused? All you gotta know is this: zombies, frilly dresses, demons, and moe chainsaws."
Quite an introduction, isn't it? "Is This a Zombie", also known as Korewa Zombie Desuka, isn't your typical zombie series. This zombie doesn't die...and it's not for a lack of trying. The horrified screams are usually his as his free-loading companions beat him to a pulp every day along with all the bad guys, too. The series is for all intents and purposes, a comedy. It has its serious moments and actually delivers on them fairly well. Fanservice is a little over the top, but the only thing you ever get to see is Ayumu's butt...bleh. I actually enjoyed the plot...if you can call it one. Came together in each episode slowly.
Graphics were good. Would have been great if there was a Blu-ray version. Funimation had a BD version listed on their website, but I haven't seen any retailers that have any for sale. Such a shame :/
I didn't mind the English voice acting, but I turned the original Japanese audio on early in episode one. Voices weren't bad, but I wasn't feeling it.
And the Extras were pretty lack-luster. For a 2-disc, 12 episode series at the RSP of $70, you'd expect a bit more in terms of extras. First disc has 2 episode commentaries. Second disc has textless songs and about 5 trailers. Pretty mediocre there.
Best Buy's price of $45 is by far the best value I've found anywhere. No clue what the other $65 version is and the phone operators didn't, either. Perhaps the initial store stock is at a discounted price and once it's gone, they'll have a secondary stock at a higher amount...dunno.
And lastly, I give this series 5/5 because I enjoy some lecherous comedy. If you don't, then this series would probably only rank as a 3/5.
What's great about it: Very funny and best price around
What's not so great: Fanservice doesn't suit everyone
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Learn moreabout Magnolia PremiumInstallation This Panasonic TV supports images up to 1080p. To build a complete 3D home theater system, we recommend you purchase 3D glasses designed for this TV, a 3D Blu-ray player, high-speed HDMI cable and an A/V receiver that is compatible with 3D products. Smart TVGet a world of instant entertainment on this smart TV. Connect to the Internet and stream movies, listen to music and access a wide variety of other content on your HDTV.Learn more about smart products.CinemaNowNetflixPandoraSkype Facebook VIERA / 55" Class / Plasma / 1080p / 600Hz / Smart / 3D / HDTV
Customer Rating
5
More than just a TV
on December 17, 2012
Posted by: Dval
from Clarksville, TN
Internet Connectable?Yes
Connected to the Internet:No
What is hooked up:
Gaming PC
XBOX 360
Wii U
DirecTV HD
Sony 3D Blu-ray player
Boston Acoustics Soundware XS 2.1
Gaming PC
XBOX 360
Wii U
DirecTV HD
Sony 3D Blu-ray player
Boston Acoustics Soundware XS 2.1
Purchased this unit back on November 13th from the store I work in. Had initially went in with the idea of going a lot lower in price - had a cap of $1500 on the TV not including GSP and accessories. Had always wanted a VT30/50 but the price was a bit out of my shopping range. Thanks to Capitol One giving me a card with a much better limit than HSBC, I was finally able to get one!
Jumping from an LCD to a plasma is a huge adjustment, but anyone looking at a TV of this calibre should already be aware of what you're getting into. Much darker picture, but once you've adjusted it looks so much better. Color tones are fantastic and the motion control is unmatched. The picture is so crisp and clear...makes me tear up!
Due to placement of my TV compared to the router in the house, I haven't been able to make use of the Smart features. Know they work awesome as I've used them in the store before, but I'll end up buying one of the Monster powerline adapters (200/300 series most likely) so that i can have everything with a solid connection and still get surge protection.
Bought the TV for 3D capability as well, but mainly just because the better processor gives a superb 2D image. Works good, but it's not something I can watch extensively. The buzzing noise when 3D is active is a bit annoying even if the surround sound drowns it out.
Sound quality is par for the course. But, let's be real: If you're paying this much for a TV, then you're going to invest something into a sound system of some sort. Whether it's a soundbar, 2.1 system, or even a 5.1/7.1, you don't mix an awesome TV with cruddy sound.
My Best Buy number: 0905388050
I would recommend this to a friend!
Picture Quality
5
Sound Quality
3
Features
5
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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 5
5 out of 5its 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
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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![Hide and Seek [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/2066/20661297_sa.jpg)
Overall4 out of 5
4 out of 5Throwback 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.
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 5
5 out of 5Gore 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.
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.
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 5
4 out of 5Killer 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.
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.
0points
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Overall3 out of 5
3 out of 5meh...
By lobb152
I just didnt like this movie as much as the other two.
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 5
4 out of 5Supernatural prison
By Dval
from Clarksville, TN
Genre: Supernatural, Action, Drama
Length: 12 episodes + OVA
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!
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 5
5 out of 5Good 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.
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.
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!
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 5
5 out of 5Not 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.
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 5
3 out of 5Great 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.
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.)
• 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 Questions
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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.
10 years 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.
10 years, 1 month ago
by
Dval
Clarksville, TN