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    December 3, 2011
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Dval's Reviews
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This romantic release from the dramatic anime series Elf: A Tale of Melodies includes all 12 episodes of the show, following the story of a young man named Mizuki Hayama, who has contracted a fatal illness and decided to spend the rest of his short life alone - until his friend Shuichi confesses that she is in love with him.
 
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5 out of 5
5
Beautiful series about love
on April 21, 2014
Posted by: Dval
from Clarksville, TN
Genre: Drama
Length: 12 episodes
"Shuichi Kuze's been spending time with Mizuki Hayama and as they've been getting to know each other, they've been growing closer. Sadly, Kuze discovers that he's contracted a fatal illness and decides to break all romantic ties for the little time left to him. Before he can break things off, however, Mizuki tells him that she loves him. Will her declaration change Kuze's mind?
In another city, in the not so distant past, Yuu Himura meets a girl who seems to know him, but he doesn't know her. Soon enough, however, he remembers Yuko Amamiya, a girl he met long ago, and begins to rediscover the depth of their feelings for each other. Will Yuko's love reach across time to find her true love once and for all?
Kuze and Mizuki, Yuu and Yuko... Intertwining fate, tragic, bittersweet and beautiful - ef - a tale of melodies."
Ef - a tale of melodies is the follow-up to ef - a tale of memories and is as much of a sequel as it is a prequel. Ignore the synopsis listed by BestBuy as it's incredibly inaccurate. The first season introduced Yuu and Yuko to us, but Kuze and Mizuki are new additions. A lot of the cast from the first season make brief appearances here as well. If you've not careful, you can easily get lost in the story as it jumps back and forth between two time-lines.
I loved the first series and didn't have any doubt that I'd love this one just as much...even if it took me a couple years to get around to watching it! The characters aren't your typical stereotypes of a blonde klutz, the tsundere, the loli, etc... Instead, they all have their own realistic personalities and problems. The love triangles continue here although they aren't near as prominent as from Memories. Melodies did a number at tying the knots in my stomach; especially when Yuko reveals what's happened with her foster family and practically everything that happens after that point. Neither tale will end *happily ever after*, but perhaps there might just be some light at the end of the tunnel for them.
While the storyline was wonderful, the amazing graphics and music play just as big of a part in building this series. The series had contribution from Makoto Shinkai #5cm/second, Garden of Words, Place Promised in our Early Days# who is an amazing director and makes arguably the most stunning and gorgeous movies out there. The level of detail is truely great as well with a special emphasis placed on the hair and eyes. The production crew at SHAFT always delivers a beautiful product. The music is just as wonderful as well. From wistful melodies to lovely openings, I think I'll be looking to get the soundtracks for this series. Watched through all of the opening themes instead of skipping ahead because I enjoyed it so much.
Ef - a tale of melodies is an amazing series that touches on aspects of love, abuse, death, and god. Stunning visuals and a great soundtrack lend to its appeal. Really wish that I had watched it sooner, but I'll rewatch it again in the future even if parts of it are pretty sad. This should be a part of everyones collection.
My Best Buy number: 905388050
I would recommend this to a friend!
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5 out of 5
5
Clash of the titans
on April 19, 2014
Posted by: Dval
from Clarksville, TN
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action
Length: 96 minutes
"The two biggest monsters of all time battle in the thrilling adventure classic, King Kong vs. Godzilla. When an underhanded pharmaceutical company goes to a remote tropical island to steal King Kong for advertising purposes, they get more than they bargained for when the gigantic ape attacks an unsuspecting village and an enormous octopus. Meahwhile, far below the sea, a submarine crew unleashes reptilian terror when they melt a block of ice and release the ferocious Godzilla from his icy lair. When both destructive monsters descend on Tokyo, it's a fght that holds the future of mankind in the balance in this knock-out film that was the first theatrical release to bring its larger-than-life contenders to the big screen in glorious color."
Ahh, such a wonderful film! At least for those of us that grew up on Godzilla, that is. This movie is pretty much a brawl between the biggest and baddest monster from the East, Godzilla, and furriest creature from the West, King Kong. The two come together to produce an all-star fightthe likes of which the world has never seen!
It takes a few things to really enjoy this film to its fullest.
a. You need to enjoy monster/kaiju films.
b. Have an imagination and don't ask why something happened because you won't get an answer.
c. Try not to pay attention to detail in scenes that are super-imposed. You'll notice a lot of flaws in the video.
I'm extremely thankful for a Blu-ray release as this will finally allow me to get rid of the VHS version that I've had for the past 20 years! Blu-ray does make this film look a good bit more updated, but there's a limit to what you can do with something that was originally made 51 years ago! What was state of the art movie production at that point is anything but that now. The updated picture also exposes several errors and inconsistencies in the footage which caught my eye, but I got over it and just enjoyed the film. Now, just have to wait until next month when even more of the films are re-released on Blu-ray!
My Best Buy number: 905388050
I would recommend this to a friend!
+2points
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This release from the dramatic anime series Kanon includes all 24 episodes of the show on four discs, telling the story of a young man named Yuuchi, who returns to his childhood town for high school after years abroad, only to find that his relationships with the girls in his neighborhood have become extremely complicated. Extras with the release include textless songs and trailers.
 
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5 out of 5
5
Bring tissues!
on April 18, 2014
Posted by: Dval
from Clarksville, TN
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Length: 24 episodes
"Can the future exist without the past? Yuichi hasn't seen his cousin Nayuki in years. Now that he's back, all knowledge of ever visiting has vanished. He tries to adjust to the vaguely familiar surroundings, but the gaps in his memory haunt him as time grows short. The pieces of the puzzle have appeared - an eerily silent beauty with blazing tresses, the mysterious girl with the winged backpack, and the sword-wielding demon slayer - but it's up to Yuichi to discover how they fit together."
Like the first reviewer stated, this one is first and foremost, an emotional roller-coaster. All you need to know is that it was made by the great folks at Key/Visual Art who are the same ones that put out Clannad, Air, and Angel Beats. It will do everything in its power to make you want to curl up and cry in the corner. However, there's also a good dose of comedy to help keep the mood from making you want to slit your wrists the entire time.
Kanon is a very solid anime series that you just love to hate. You love it because it's so engrossing and has incredible character development. You hate it because you honestly don't know if they're going to try to kill off someone that has captured your heart. You can break the series down into arcs that deal with the ladies in Kanon and how Yuiichi's interactions with them help to restore his memories. If you want to be really judgemental, the plot is pretty standard with a lot of plot tiwists thrown in to keep it fresh. Young man used to visit a town and met several young girls there; comes back after several years but can't remember anything about the place; amnesia caused by a traumatic event; solid harem build up but one is actually chosen in the end. You're not enjoying the series if you break it down like that, though.
Kanon was based off of a visual novel/eroge from 2000 like all of the series that Key has been a part of. How each female in the series builds up their relationship with Yuichi is a testament to this. In the games, he can end up with any of the heroines, but there's just one that he's focused on in the anime. I much prefer the non-harem ending as it actually gives a sense of closure whereas the other leaves it wide open.
Something that is done very well here is the overall animation and music. Just having something sad happening isn't always enough to cause you to burst into tears, but when it's combined with excellent facial animations and a sorrowful song, then it usually does. Every character has their own face with unique characteristics and virtually every scenes has its own musical score. Everything ends up in a wonderful anime series.
Like with most of the highly emotional series, I had to watch this with the original Japanese audio and subtitles. I appreciate the hard work the English voice actors put in, but they just can't match the emotion that's in the original audio. Also, don't expect much out of the extras. There are about 8-9 trailers and that's it.
There's no overall about this series for me; Kanon is a fantastic anime series that had me enthralled from the very beginning. Even as I felt my heart being pulled up my throat, I couldn't stop watching. The story might not be completely unique, but it's orchestrated in such a way that I would label it a must-own series. Bring a box of tissues with you and enjoy!
My Best Buy number: 905388050
I would recommend this to a friend!
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5 out of 5
5
Final chapter in the Berserk movies
on April 15, 2014
Posted by: Dval
from Clarksville, TN
Genre: Action, Mature, Supernatural, Gore
Length: 107 minutes
"The horrifying conclusion to the Golden Age unfolds in a magnificently violent nightmare, signifying the birth of a new era. It's been a year since Griffith's imprisonment by the Kingdom of Midland. Once praised as the saviors of Midland, the Band of the Hawk has been on the run and is on the brink of breaking apart. Much to everyone's surprise, Guts returns to the Hawks, and the earch for Griffith begins!"
Two warnings here: One, if you haven't seen the first two movies in the series, then read this at your own risk. I'll try to minimize any spoilers, but you should watch "The Egg of the King" first and then "The Battle for Doldrey". Second, this title is absolutely not for children. Very explicit s.e.x.ual and violent content.
Just like with the other Berserk movies, it's hard to find a place to begin with this one. "The Advent" starts off a year after the end of "The Battle for Doldrey" with the remaining members of the Band of the Hawk trying to find and rescue Griffith. Casca is leading the group until Guts makes a last minute entrance to save her from a shadowy assassin. However, they're still being pursued by the Midland forces and mercanaries out to kill them for treason. They find Griffith in the darkest depths of an underground prison and aren't prepared for what they see inside his cell. Upon escaping, Griffith has to decide if he wants to fulfill his dream or if he will stay with his comrades.
"The Advent" continues with everything that we've seen from the first two movies which includes tons of action, loads of gore, more supernatural developments, and a lot more s.e.x. Any complaints I had early on about awkward CG animation are gone as it was done great in the last film and even better in this one. Every scene is meticulously done and looks amazing. The level of gore has taken another notch up especially towards the end when it turns into a rain of blood. Gods, demons, and angels make their appearance here including the 2nd largest naked woman in anime, I believe *hard for anyone to beat the size of Rei Ayanami from the End of Evangellion*! The s.e.x.ual aspect is jumped up as well with two major scenes of which one isn't so pleasant.
The extras for this one are great as well. Viz usually is pretty bad about extras, but I give them kudos here. First off, you've got an 8 minute interview with the film's producer which talks about challenges adapting this from the manga, scenes that had to be cut from final production, and tackling the extreme violence and adult aspects of this series. Then you've got 40 minutes of outtakes from the 2nd and 3rd movies. They were really fun to watch and listen to.
Overall, I loved this movie and the entire series. If you don't like seeing loads of people getting sliced in half, then this isn't your cup of tea. There are a few things, such as the pacing, that could be better, but such high production values easily outweigh any deficencies in my mind. A must-have title in my book!
My Best Buy number: 905388050
I would recommend this to a friend!
+2points
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5 out of 5
5
Great fusion album
on April 10, 2014
Posted by: Dval
from Clarksville, TN
Before a few weeks ago, I had never heard of Lindsey Sterling. Happened to hear some amazing music from my Yuki Kajiura channel on Pandora and immediately loved it. Went ahead and ordered this CD as well as preordered the other one coming out at the end of this month.
If you can't tell by the cover, her music is primarily based around the violin, but it makes great use of a techno/pop mix to greatly expand the sound. The violin is great by itself, but it's amazing when paired with some bass and a rock feel. "Transcendence" and "Moon Trance" are my favorites off of the album but they all sound great. Really looking forward to the next one.
My Best Buy number: 905388050
I would recommend this to a friend!
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5 out of 5
5
Solid CD with great rock
on April 10, 2014
Posted by: Dval
from Clarksville, TN
Last week was a good one with the release of this album and the new CD from Lacuna Coil. However, I have to say that Chevelle did an amazing job with their newest one. Very little change from their overall sound which is something that I love. Some might argue that it needs to change to keep it fresh, but I'm perfectly fine with "if it ain't broke, then don't fix it."
I don't think I could say this album is as good as Sci-Fi Crimes, but it still sounds great. "Choking Game" is the track that I enjoy the most. "Hunter Eats Hunter" and "An Island" are both excellent as well. HEA feels more like something off of their previous CD. Would love to have another huge hit like "Jars", "The Red", or "Send the Pain Below", but I can forgive that since all the tracks are pretty good.
Also, all of the shirts are in an XL size for anyone wondering. There aren't any with smaller/larger sizes. Had some customers looking for other sizes.
My Best Buy number: 905388050
I would recommend this to a friend!
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4 out of 5
4
New album
on April 8, 2014
Posted by: Dval
from Clarksville, TN
Picked this CD up last week along with the new one from Chevelle. Had no idea that both bands had another album coming out this year. Had to get the deluxe edition with extra songs. I might watch the DVD at some point, but I usually ignore them.
Honestly, this CD falls in the middle of the pack for me. Vocals are great as I love hearing male/female cosinging in songs. The music sounds good, too. However, nothing is truely awesome and nothing is poor. It felt like they just played it safe and went for a single overall feel without taking any risks. It's an enjoyable album, just not the best thing out there.
My Best Buy number: 905388050
I would recommend this to a friend!
-1point
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This release from the period-adventure anime Rurouni Kenshin: New Kyoto Arc offers both parts of the series OVA, re-imagining the story from the original Rurouni Kenshin series, following sixteen year old Misao Makimachi, the youngest member of the Oniwabanshu ninja clan, who stumbles into a conspiracy to overthrow the Meiji dynasty.
 
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3 out of 5
3
Compressed Kyoto Arc
on April 6, 2014
Posted by: Dval
from Clarksville, TN
Genre: Action
Length: 90 minutes
"Although she's only sixteen and looks even younger, Misao Makimachi is already a skilled and competent member of the Oniwabanshu ninja clan. Which is a fortunate thing for Misao, as her onimitsu talents may be all that keeps her alive when a journey in search of the leader of the clan, Aoshi Shinomori, leads her instead into a face-to-face encounter with an even more dangerous man and a plot to overthrow the Meiji government! Quickly enmeshed in the affairs of the legendary assassin Hitokiri Battosai, now known as Kenshin Himura wielder of the reverse-blade sword, Misao finds herself pulled into the middle of a deadly intrigue against Makoto Shishio, who is orchestrating the conquest of all Japan, beginning with Kyoto! Get ready for blades to flash and blood to flow as Nobuhiro Watsuki's acclaimed Rurouni Kenshin returns at long last to the world of animation in an epic masterpiece: Rurouni Kenshin - New Kyoto Arc!"
For all intents and purposes, this is an extreme condensation of the entire Kyoto Arc of Rurouni Kenshin which comprised about 35 episodes. Fitting so much into so little is incredibly hard to do with it maintaining any resemblance or cohesion. And it shows. Fights last less than 1-2 minutes. Character interactions are even shorter. You just can't get "hooked" on something when it's constantly changing so quickly.
To its credit, this OVA does at least spit out the basics to the story rather than assuming that you know it already. Kenshin used to be a brutal killer but ended up taking an oath to never kill again. Misao...she's there but doesn't really do anything. And Shishio is seeking to overthrow the government of Japan and take it over.
The animation is actually pretty solid here. It's hard to believe that the original series is over 18 years old! The original English release is still about 14 years old as well. Sadly, the English voice cast was not reassembled for this release. Honestly, the English dub for this one is terrible. The lack of emotion from the characters was extremely hard to listen to. Read the subtitles if you want a more enjoyable experience.
Overall, it's a nice refresher on the series if you want that nostalgic feeling, but I won't recommend this to others. Too much compressed into just so little time that it's hard for me to enjoy.
My Best Buy number: 905388050
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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5 out of 5
5
Amazing OST
on April 5, 2014
Posted by: Dval
from Clarksville, TN
If you've seen the Guilty Crown anime series, then you know how great the soundtrack is for it. The quality of the series might be in question, but definitely not the music. I loved it so much that I knew I had to get all of the music that I could. Here's a list of the tracks that are on here:
1. BIOS / Mika Kobayashi
βios <feat.Mika Kobayashi> / Mika Kobayashi
2. ALPHA
α
3. OMEGA
Ω
4. READY TO GO / David Whitaker
Ready to Go <feat.David Whitaker> / David Whitaker
5. FRIENDS / mpi
friends <feat.mpi> / mpi
6. VOID
VOiD
7. GHQ
gエ19
8. TEOI
θεοι
9. CLOSE YOUR EYES / Michiyo Honda
close your eyes <feat.Michiyo Honda> / Michiyo Honda
10. BASILEUS
Βασιλευζ
11. PIE
π
12. RELEASE MY SOUL / Aimee Blackschleger
Release My Soul <feat.Aimee Blackschleger> / エイミー・ブラックシュレイガー
13. KRONE
κrOnё
14. HILL OF SORROW / mpi
Hill Of Sorrow <feat.mpi> / mpi
15. APOCALYPSE
Αποκσλυψιζ
16. HOME -IN THIS CORNER- / Leina
Home ~in this corner~ <feat.Leina> / Leina
17. GENESIS
Genesi§
18. BIOS DELTA / Mika Kobayashi
βιοζーδ <feat.Mika Kobayashi> / Mika Kobayashi
19. REAL / Cyua
Rё∀L <feat.Cyua> / Cyua
You've got a wide range of sounds from fast techno to slower melodies that keep you loving it all. I think Genesis has to be my favorite from here as it just has one of those epic-sounding opera intros and sounds great. Sadly, you don't have either the opening or closing themes, and Best Buy doesn't sell them. Search for albums by Supercell and Egoist if you want those. I highly recommend them as well!
My Best Buy number: 905388050
I would recommend this to a friend!
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This sexy and silly release from the comedic anime series MM! includes all 12 episodes of show, telling the story of a hapless guy named Sada, who realizes he gets an erotic kick out of being made miserable. He joins a group to try and overcome his "perversion," only to discover that he's not alone, and that with other people of a similar mind, being miserable can make him downright happy.
 
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4 out of 5
4
S&M Heaven
on April 4, 2014
Posted by: Dval
from Clarksville, TN
Genre: Comedy
Length: 12 episodes
"There are twisted tales and twisted tails, but few are as twisted as poor Sado's..who's just realized that he LIKES being made miserable. Of course, knowing that only makes him more miserable, which in turn... Well, you get the idea. Desperate to break the perverse cycle, Sado volunteers for a special club where he hopes he can work through his issues. And though he probably should have expected as much, imagine his consternation when he discovers that the other members have equally... complex... issues to deal with. For example, the hyper-aggressive club president Isurugi not only has a violent fear of cats, but also believes herself to be a god! Then there's Yuno, who's terrified of men, the nurse who forces other people to perform cosplay; and Hoyama, Sado's best friend and a compulsive cross-dresser, who's also the girl that Sado is infatuated with. (We did say it was complex, remember?# If you think you've seen EVERYTHING that can happen in an anime, prepare to have your eyes opened to FULL anime size as you enter a whole new paradigm with MM! #It's pronounced "Emu Emu!")!"
"It's a perverted show for perverts made by perverts." The Japanese voice actors for Mio and Yuno said this best and I have to wholeheartedly agree! "MM!" is loads of fun to watch if you've got the right frame of mind. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the entire series, but I noticed that I was a little sad when I started thinking about an actual plot. The plot is supposed to focus around finding a way to cure Sado of his super masochism... but that never really happens. It's pretty hilarious though when they try hypnosis on him. Just wait till you're introduced to his mother and sister, too!
The world can be divided into 2 categories: S's and M's. While Sado might be a Masochist, the majority of the cast ends up being sadists. The believability factor is pretty much gone from the get-go when he's kicked out of the 3rd floor window at school, takes a baseball bat to the jewels, and has his head used as a place mat for a tin of scalding water. But that's okay beause I don't think anyone came in expecting that of this title. We got what we came for which is fanservice and comedy.
Blu-ray graphics are nice and pretty to look at, but don't expect a ton of detail; just more vibrant and rich colors. Really loved the English voice-acting in this one. Monica Rial is amazing as Mio whether she's being sweet or cursing the heck out of Sado while beating him with a baseball bat. Tatsukichi is actually voiced by females in both versions as well.
Very fun series to watch if you're not offended by S&M, physical abuse, attempted incest, and raunchy humor. If you pay attention during the opening and closing songs, you'll see a S or a M beside a lot of the names which is kind of fun to see. Give it a whirl and I think you'll enjoy this one!
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, 7 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, 8 months ago
by
Dval
   Clarksville, TN