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- Review count10
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- First reviewMay 11, 2014
- Last reviewAugust 10, 2014
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- Average rating4.4
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Thom's Reviews
![The Amazing Spider-Man [3 Discs] [Includes Digital Copy] [Blu-ray/DVD] [2012]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/6836/6836663_sa.jpg)
Posted by: Thom
from NJ
MOVIE: The first act is awkward both in pacing and story, but it gives way to an emotional, well-acted story with engaging action sequences, that admittedly is still not without flaw.
VIDEO: While the cinematography is a bit dim, not so much in lighting and more in a, "did someone just turn the backlight on my TV down," way, this Blu-ray displays it beautifully. Detail is sharp and well defined, colors are accurate, contrast is punchy and detailed, and no notable compression artifacts are visible. There's a "Mastered in 4K," release that yeilds slightly stronger detail and better gradation, but on the whole it's not worth the upgrade if you already own this disc.
AUDIO: This DTS-HD MA 5.1 track is excellent, save one strangely mixed scene. Rear speakers are used frequently and beautifully, bass is strong, fidelity and dialogue are excellent. However, there's a scene toward the end of the movie, with Peter and Gwen having a conversation in the rain, that has some odd flaws. In this scene, dialogue is quiet to the point of being almost inaudible, rear speaker activity is minimal if not nonexistent, and dialogue is always accompanied by a weird hiss or high-pitched hum. That scene aside, though, this movie sounds amazing.
My Best Buy number: 2636084966
What's great about it: Likable characters, excellent acting, fun action scenes, great a/v quality
What's not so great: awkward first act
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![The Legend of Korra: Book Two - Spirits [2 Discs]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/490766a7-beeb-47a6-b028-f5d8ec3ef1ff.jpg)
This exciting release from the martial arts fantasy adventure animated series The Legend of Korra, a spin-off of Avatar: The Last Airbender that takes place later, includes all 14 episodes from the show's second season, following the story of Korra, an Avatar with the power to manipulate all four elements in the world, who joins a revolutionary group, hoping to finally capture a man who plans to rid the world of bending.
Posted by: Thom
from NJ
FEATURE: Excellent acting, animation and music bring a fantastic story to life.
VIDEO: Being a 1080i presentation, occasional compression artifacts are visible, but they're never distracting and you'll probably miss them if you blink. This aside, contrast is deep and punchy, colors are vivid and accurate, detail is well-defined and the image on the whole is engaging.
AUDIO: This DTS-HD MA 5.1 track is excellent. Bass is hefty, rear speakers are used well (though admittedly not as frequently as on bigger-budget shows like The Walking Dead), dialogue is well defined and fidelity is excellent.
EXTRAS: Meh. Your standard Nickelodian DVD extras.
My Best Buy number: 2636084966
What's great about it: visuals, music, acting, story, video, audio
What's not so great: few extra features, video's only 1080i
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Star Trek Into Darkness [Blu-ray] [2013]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/8912/8912344_sa.jpg)
Posted by: Thom
from NJ
MOVIE: This movie is poorly written and awkwardly structured, but fun to watch. I want to go into everything that's wrong with this movie, but I'm sure you've heard it before.
VIDEO: Perfect.
AUDIO: Perfect.
BONUS: Meh.
My Best Buy number: 2636084966
What's great about it: Beautiful cinematography and acting, excellent a/v quality.
What's not so great: Poor writing, not much bonus features.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug [Includes Digital Copy] [UltraViolet] [3D] [Blu-ray/DVD] [Blu-ray/Blu-ray 3D/DVD] [2013]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/4307/4307067_sa.jpg)
Posted by: Thom
from NJ
MOVIE: While An Unexpected Journey dragged along awkwardly for nearly three hours, The Desolation of Smaug speeds ahead at a breakneck pace, without glossing over nor dwelling too much on anything. The story has much of the same faults as the first movie, but remains strong and considerably more engaging than its predecessor. The best thing I will say about this movie, though, is that it is FUN. This movie is a blast to watch, whether it's because of an unexpected character beat or one of the film's many swiftly-helmed action sequences, this movie is enthralling from start to finish.
VIDEO: Perfect. Colors are vivid and convincing, contrast is accurate, definition is stellar, and no compression issues are to be seen. The barrel ride scene uses a few shots from a GoPro camera, which are lower in resolution than the RED cameras that shot the rest of the movie. So, know that the look of those shots is not the result of a poor transfer, but the source material. And personally, I adore those shots.
AUDIO: The Lord of the Rings trilogy made for some incredible audio experiences, from the DVD's standard DTS tracks to the Blu-rays DTS-HD MA tracks. And The Desolation of Smaug's DTS-HD MA 7.1 track just builds onto that perfect reputation. The soundstage is very well realized, the rear speakers in constant and aggressive use. The LFE output is hefty and loud, but controlled and tight. Fidelity is phenomenal, and pans are convincing. Dialogue is never lost, and is always pronounced and discernible.
FEATURES: Like the first movie, the theatrical release comes only with some Production Diaries.
My Best Buy number: 2636084966
What's great about it: excellent pacing, good acting, impressive effects, wonderful a/v quality
What's not so great: Story is still far from perfect, little-to-no bonus features.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Godzilla [Criterion Collection] [Blu-ray] [1954]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/bec2fca4-c721-486a-8672-e3328f78309c.jpg)
Posted by: Thom
from NJ
MOVIE: There's not much to say about this movie that hasn't already been said. Now, the main feature on this disc is the original Japanese-language 1954 cut of the movie, as opposed to the 1955 Raymond Burr version (which is included as a bonus feature). It's a darker movie than many would think, not so much a giant monster romp as a powerful allegory for the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings. This movie is deeply upsetting and even frightening, with haunting cinematography, excellent acting, an incredible musical score and a script that's complex at its core but executed with graceful simplicity.
VIDEO: This movie was previously released on Blu-ray by Classic Media--avoid that release and go for the Criterion version. The film print may not be in great shape, with a fair deal of scratches, but Criterion has still done a wonderful restoration. Detail is extremely strong and vivid, contrast is perfect and there's a very good sense of depth throughout. This is the best the movie has ever looked on home video, and will likely remain the definitive release for a long time.
AUDIO: This LPCM mono track provides more depth than one would expect from a 1.0 track. It sounds fantastic. Clarity and fidelity are outstanding, dialogue is well-pronounced and the score sounds fantastic.
BONUS FEATURES: As per usual, Criterion have provided a wealth of features.
My Best Buy number: 2636084966
What's great about it: Excellent acting, great cinematography, writing and music.
What's not so great: ???
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey [Extended Edition] [Blu-ray] [2012]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/2203/2203007_sa.jpg)
Posted by: Thom
from NJ
MOVIE: The theatrical cut of An Unexpected Journey is, to be frank, boring. Not bad, but very very boring. It's uneven pacing made the story difficult to get into, which is especially problematic given its length. The extended cut, however, mostly corrects this issue. A few scenes, new and old, are still very much not needed, and some of the dwarves still deliver a few lines kinda awkwardly and Peter Jackson still shows some rust, but it's a far better experience.
Rather than just dragging things out, the extended edition expands on what was glossed over in the theatrical cut and makes for a far more immersive movie, with a fantastic sense of time and place. For example, the Rivendell scenes now have a real presence to them, you feel like you and the characters are actually there as opposed to just kinda seeing it on the way to the next action scene.
Rather than just dragging things out, the extended edition expands on what was glossed over in the theatrical cut and makes for a far more immersive movie, with a fantastic sense of time and place. For example, the Rivendell scenes now have a real presence to them, you feel like you and the characters are actually there as opposed to just kinda seeing it on the way to the next action scene.
VIDEO: Identical to the Theatrical cut, which is to say, perfect.
AUDIO: A 7.1 DTS-HD MA track that's mostly identical to the excellent track included with the theatrical Blu-ray, with the exception being that LFE output has been given some extra heft here, but not to any point to become overbearing or out of control. It's heavy and loud, but tight and controlled.
BONUS FEATURES: Soooooo good. Over 9 hours of bonus features are included, all of them heavily entertaining and informative.
My Best Buy number: 2636084966
What's great about it: More evenly paced with a better sense of place and scope
What's not so great: A few scenes, new and old, are still heavily superfluous
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![The Walking Dead: The Complete Third Season [5 Discs] [Blu-ray]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/e52145ad-248a-442e-9702-c643c1dc1665.jpg)
The third season of The Walking Dead finds former police officer Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and his ragtag group of Zombie-apocalypse survivors hopeful that a prison will offer true protection from the masses of undead. Though the fortified walls do, indeed, provide them with a certain level of security, the group faces a very real threat from the living. Though Andrea (Laurie Holden) and Michonne (Danai Gurira) find temporary shelter within a seemingly Utopian community led by a man who refers to himself as "the Governor", time reveals he is a control-obsessed sadist hiding many secrets of his own.
Customer Rating
5
Season 3 Delivers Despite Some Missteps
on May 22, 2014
Posted by: Thom
from NJ
SHOW: Season 3 of The Walking Dead is, on the whole, the best season yet (that's available on Blu-ray, season 4 is even better). It steps up the pacing and allows the show to grow, stretching out of season 1 & 2's comfort zone to make for a fresher, better, faster, and more brutal show. Acting is perfect, the cast does a marvelous job of making the charater's interesting arcs seem completely natural. There are a few awkward bits, though: the earlier episodes try to hard to be ambiguous about a character that's very obviously evil, and it just ends up awkward and clunky. And it has the world's least climactic season finale ever, topped off the killing of a vital character for shock value and no other reason. Despite this, though, it is a really phenomenal show, some excellent television that I wholeheartedly recommend.
VIDEO: Perfect transfer. Shot on a mix of digital and 16mm film, season 3 appears sharper and more vivid than previous seasons. Contrast is punchy, color is accurate, and detail is well-resolved. Grain structure is fine, untampered with and generally gorgeous.
AUDIO: This Dolby TrueHD 7.1 track is absolutely lovely. Everything sounds incredibly natural, the rear speakers are constantly alive with Georgia's energetic ambiance, music and vocals are well-resolved, as are sound effects. Fidelity is excellent, and bass is perfect. A+
EXTRAS: Pretty plentiful and informative.
My Best Buy number: 2636084966
What's great about it: acting, cinematography, story (mostly), video/audio quality
What's not so great: A few story elements are handled awkwardly, but only a few
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey [Blu-ray] [2012]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/8212/8212129_sa.jpg)
Posted by: Thom
from NJ
MOVIE: While its sequel is fun and beautifully paced, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey struggles to find its footing. Not a bad movie by any means, but the script has far too much in the way of filler, and it takes its toll on the pacing. What should be a snappy, fun ride is more just kinda there. That being said, these flaws are at least partially compensated for by a talented batch of actor, some lovely cinematography and visuals, music by Howard Shore and otherwise incredible sound design. The story, when focused and not distracted by filler, is actually quite good. So, I recommend watching this one, even if it is only so that you can see its far superior sequel.
VIDEO: Shot digitally on the RED Epic cameras, this makes for a gorgeous video transfer. Colors are bright and accurate, contrast is beautiful and detail is well-resolved and plentiful. A sharp, vivid viewing experience. Even if it is apparent that digital photography isn't Andrew Lesnie's first language--his work on Lord of the Rings is far more attractive.
AUDIO: Rear speakers are in constant, engaging use. The soundscape here is beautifully realized, and fidelity is excellent. Bass is powerful but tight. A fantastic listen.
BONUS FEATURES: WB saves all the features for the extended release, so all we've got here is some short production diaries.
My Best Buy number: 2636084966
What's great about it: Solid acting, gorgeous visuals and music, perfect AV quality
What's not so great: Awkward/slow pacing, script is somewhat clunky, disc is light on features
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Pacific Rim [Includes Digital Copy] [Blu-ray/DVD] [2013]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/1770/1770055_sa.jpg)
Posted by: Thom
from NJ
MOVIE: A simple plot does not equal a simplistic movie. Guillermo del Toro builds a fully developed world and layers it with symbolic significance. The storytelling is succinct but effective, moving the character development and plot along at a brisk pace without ever rushing. Visuals are obvious astonishing, sound design and score are top-notch, and acting is excellent.
VIDEO: Color is vivid and accurate, contrast is punchy without being overblown, detail is plentiful and extremely well-defined, no compression artifacts to be seen, just generally it's flawless.
AUDIO: The main audio tracks are a DTS-HD MA 5.1 track and a DTS-HD MA 7.1 track. The 7.1 track is slightly quieter, but has better rear speaker activity (even on my 5.1 system) and, that one thing aside, is identical to the 5.1 track when volume is matched (just turn it up). Bass is room-shakingly powerful but tight and accurate, fidelity is perfect, everything sounds very real, The soundscape is fully realized, with all speakers active at all times and convincing cross-channel panning sounds.
BONUS FEATURES: Entertaining and plentiful, moderately informative but not as in-depth as I'd like, and they don't last particularly long--I saw them all within 2 days.
OVERALL: Excellent movie with incredible A/V quality, and a good set of bonus features.
My Best Buy number: 2636084966
What's great about it: Excellent movie, beautiful video and audio quality, good amount of special features.
What's not so great: Special features, while decent in quantity, don't go into much detail and don't last long.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![28 Days Later [Blu-ray] [2002]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/8588/8588735_sa.jpg)
Posted by: Thom
from NJ
If you're looking for a movie to keep you up for a few nights but also keep you enticed with a well-developed dramatic narrative, this is the movie you're looking for--riveting horror at a breakneck pace that serves an excellent story.
Video-wise, the movie was shot on store-bought DCLR cameras, so there's frankly not going to be a huge leap in visual quality, save the very few 35mm-filmed shots--but those are very few and far-between. However, that's not a bad thing: this Blu-ray accurately represents the movie's visuals.
The audio is where it's at. The included DTS-HD MA 5.1 is big and immersive. Voices carry light background fuzz to keep with the movie's low-fi tone, but they're always legible, and bass is extremely powerful. In keeping with Danny Boyle's thing for excellent sound design, use of the surrounds is frequent and impressive, and fidelity is more impressive than that of it's DVD counterpart.
Special features-wise, it's all the same as the DVD, but that's not a bad thing: while note amazing, it's a decent array of featurettes.
My Best Buy number: 2636084966
What's great about it: Exciting direction from Danny Boyle, Excellent acting, beautiful cinematography and a suitably creepy score.
What's not so great: Megan Burns' performance is a little dry, Blu-ray video is only as good as the movie will let it-shot on cheap DCLR cams
I would recommend this to a friend!
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