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- Review count8
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- First reviewApril 13, 2013
- Last reviewApril 14, 2013
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- Average rating4.4
- Review comment count1
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- First review commentApril 13, 2013
- Last review commentApril 13, 2013
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rha409's Reviews
![South Pacific [50th Anniversary Edition] [2 Discs] [Blu-ray] [1958]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/9296/9296852_sa.jpg)
Posted by: rha409
from NJ
I watched the movie for the first time last week. Much of the production is solid, but I never felt the story, songs, or emotions reached the heights of the very best musicals (The Sound of Music, West Side Story, Singin in the Rain). Overall, an entertaining but relatively light 2 and a half hours. Mitzi Gaynor is cute and Rossano Brazzi and Ray Walston are good in their roles. I guess I was expecting a little more from a musical set during WWII. The story also touches upon racial issues, but never in compelling or a hugely important way.
Picture quality is absolutely stunning and gorgeous. It's Blu-ray perfection. Wonderfully shot and beautifully mastered, though I admit I didn't really dig the color filters used during some of the film's big emotional moments and songs. Extras are also very well done. They're informative and plentiful. Though unfortunately the Road Show version of the film is only in SD.
My Best Buy number: 2015008651
What's great about it: Video quality, extras
What's not so great: Story was a bit light
I would recommend this to a friend!
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West Side Story [50th Anniversary Edition] [4 Discs] [With Book] [Blu-ray/DVD/CD] [Blu-ray/DVD] [1961]
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Singin' in the Rain: 60th Anniversary Collection [Blu-ray]
(89)
The Sound of Music [45th Anniversary Edition] [3 Discs] [2 Blu-rays/DVD] [Blu-ray/DVD] [1965]
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![To Rome with Love [Blu-ray] [2012]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/7113/7113101_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
4
Pretty good Woody Allen movie
on April 14, 2013
Posted by: rha409
from NJ
Despite Woody Allen's late career resurgence with great films such as "Match Point", "Vicky Cristina Barcelona", and "Midnight in Paris", "To Rome with Love" falls under his decent-but-forgettable tier of films. The movie continues Allen's travelogue movies, this time set in Rome. As expected, Darius Khondji's cinematography is gorgeous and shows off the city's famous locales and scenery.
Altogether, the film is another pleasant movie from Allen. It never becomes anything particularly special, but it amuses for its 112 minutes and never really outstays its welcome. Overall, the cast does well. In particular, Jesse Eisenberg fits the neurotic Allen-like character like a glove. Ellen Page and Greta Gerwig would have been better served had they exchanged roles as Page is never convincing as the sensual and soulful (though ultimately vapid) type. Penelope Cruz is wonderfully sexy and gorgeous in her role. The Italian actors do good work as well, notably Alessandro Tiberi doing an Italian take on Allen's characteristic physical comedy. Also, it's nice seeing Woody Allen on screen again (his first acting role since 2006's "Scoop"). Judi Davis makes a welcome return to Allen's films (her last film with Allen was 1998's "Celebrity").
The video is as wonderful as you'd expect from a recent Sony release, showing off Khondji's great photography imbued with Allen's characteristic slight yellow tint. I'm not much of an audiophile but have no complaints. Extras are as light as one comes to expect from Allen. There's a short 9 minute featurette that's dominated by the producer Letty Aronson (also Allen's sister) and also features comments from Alec Baldwin and castmembers at the film's premiere. The Blu-ray also includes the film's theatrical trailer in HD.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Other Best Buy Products I Recommend
Midnight in Paris [Blu-ray] [2011]
(20)
Vicky Cristina Barcelona [Blu-ray] [2008]
(7)
Scoop [DVD] [2006]
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![Excalibur [Blu-ray] [1981]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/2095/2095365_sa.jpg)
Posted by: rha409
from NJ
There are better movies out there, but few are as awesome as John Boorman's "Excalibur". Growing up a fan of Arthurian legend, I remember watching this for the first time and and being a little put off by its 1980s bombasticity. But getting deeper into its story of Pagan magic, gleaming armor, epic chivalry, and trippy visuals, it was easy to be absorbed by it all. I was captivated by its sheer epicness, it's timeless story, and I was in awe by the time the credits rolled. Since then, the movie has only gotten better. Nicol Williamson, perhaps one of the most underrated actors in history delivers a terrific performance as Merlin. It'd be so easy for an actor today like Ben Kingsley or Liam Neeson to come in and sleepwalk through the role of Merlin, or even ham it up for a paycheck. Nicol Williamson does something else. His performance is remarkably varied. It's both big and subtle. He can play funny, threatening, and warm all at once, and it's thrilling to watch. Nigel Terry is also wonderful as Arthur. His work early in the film seems strange because it's not how we usually think of King Arthur. But by the film's end, he fully embodies the nobility, age, and weariness of this great character. Terry convincingly portrays the growth of Arthur from a 15-year-old boy to a 50 year old man. Other lead performers include Cherie Lunghi as Guenevere, Nicholas Clay as Lancelot, and of course Helen Mirren as the villainous Morgana. The rest of the cast is rounded out by a veritable who's who of future acting greats - Liam Neeson, Patrick Stewart, Ciarin Hinds, Gabirel Byrne and more, all in what were their first big movie roles. The movie features a brilliant soundtrack of powerful classics by Wagner and Orff.
The Blu-ray features a very good transfer. It doesn't look like it was made yesterday, but nor should it. The film was often shot with filters to achieve a diffuse, dreamy look and the video transfer accurately reflects this. So don't expect razor sharp images. Otherwise, it's clean and film-like. The Blu-ray's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is accurate and faithful to the film.
As for extras, this disc includes a very good but old commentary by Director John Boorman. His comments are insightful and it makes for a good listen. Also included is the film's theatrical trailer in SD. That Warner Home Video has not given this film the special edition treatment yet is a cause for great shame.
My Best Buy number: 2015008651
What's great about it: Everything.
What's not so great: The movie deserves more special features!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Velvet Goldmine [Blu-ray] [1998]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/4033/4033411_sa.jpg)
Posted by: rha409
from NJ
This movie plays like Citizen Kane with glam rock, trippy visuals, a terrific '60s, '70s, and '80s soundtrack, and free love. Stylistically, visually, and sonically, this film plays on a whole 'nother level. Also interesting to see relatively younger versions of Ewan McGregor, Christian Bale, and Jonathan Rhys Myers before they went on to bigger things. Definitely recommended for anyone with an interest in the glam rock period, though some of the film's content may not appeal to more casual movie-goers.
Picturewise, the Blu-ray is far from impressive, which is a shame considering the film's amazing visuals. It looks like Miramax/Lionsgate went back to their old master created for the DVD. To be honest, it doesn't even look HD. It's rather mushy and undetailed. The texture looks unnatural and clumpy, and the image is riddled with edge halos. The transfer isn't an outright travesty and is still watchable, but the movie deserves much more.
The film's amazing soundtrack fairs well with the Blu-ray's 5.1 channel DTS-HD Master Audio track, and I have no complaints. Extras are sparse, but include a terrific commentary with the film's writer/director and producer, the film's theatrical trailer and bonus previews for other video releases.
My Best Buy number: 2015008651
What's great about it: It's the Citizen Kane of Glam Rock
What's not so great: Video quality looks like a 15 year old DVD master
I would recommend this to a friend!
Other Best Buy Products I Recommend
Boogie Nights [Blu-ray] [1997]
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I'm Not There [WS] [2 Discs] [DVD] [2007]
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Hedwig and the Angry Inch [DVD] [2001]
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![Willow [2 Discs] [Blu-ray/DVD] [1988]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/8166/8166069_sa.jpg)
Posted by: rha409
from NJ
I always had fond memories of this film from my childhood, but hadn't seen it in an age. The 25th Anniversary Blu-ray gave me to opportunity to revisit this childhood favorite. While never a truly great movie in the vein of Star Wars or Indiana Jones, it remains a fun and worthwhile fantasy film. Warwick Davis grounds the movie with his heartfelt performance as Willow. Val Kilmer is a roguish Han Solo/Indiana Jones type, only this time he's the greatest swordsman ever. The other characters are relatively forgettable and thin. The movie's highlight is some neat special effects that were state of the art 25 years ago. Still, it's a worthwhile movie and probably one of the better '80s fantasy films.
The Blu-ray's freshly remastered video is probably the best the movie's ever looked. The disc's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 sounds very good as well. Moving onto the extras, the disc is a bit light. It mainly repurposes extras from the old DVD with newly recorded intros by Ron Howard, Warwick Davis, and legendary visual effects creator Dennis Muren. It's a shame they weren't interviewed for for a full-length making of documentary as they sat for the intros anyway. What we get are some vintage featurettes and behind the scenes footage. The only real new extra is about 12 minutes of deleted scenes which will be worth the purchase for fans. The Blu-ray also unfortunately drops a commentary by Warwick Davis trailers & TV spots, and photo galleries from the older DVD. This package also includes a new DVD copy of the film (without the old extras).
In conclusion, a fun movie. The Blu-ray is well worth owning for fans of the film with great picture and audio. But hold onto your old DVD copies for the extras that weren't ported over.
My Best Buy number: 2015008651
What's great about it: Good family fun!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Les Miserables [Blu-ray] [SteelBook] [2012]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/8419/8419041_sa.jpg)
Posted by: rha409
from NJ
I went into this film without having seen the musical. Ultimately, what I found was a strong, very moving motion picture with some terrific songs. Performances are strong, especially from Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, and Russell Crowe (I thought his singing was fine).
The biggest quibbles I have of the film are over its direction and constant singing. Nearly the entire movie is sung through, which can make for a trying experience, especially during the film's slow spots. As mentioned constantly in the film's press and marketing, the film had the actors singing live on set as the cameras rolled. This works to underlie the emotions of the characters during the big musical numbers, but it works less well for when the actors have to sing their dialogue. It's often tuneless and flat, even from a great singer like Jackman! The film's director Tom Hooper likes to shoot his movies with fish-eye lenses and unconventional framing. Personally, I felt these were often distracting and distasteful, again, especially during the slow moments of the story. As things get going though, they're less of an issue.
The movie presents a deeply moving story of one man's journey of redemption, which unfortunately gets sidelined during the second half for a thin love story. Still, it comes together quite nicely. The last hour or so is terrifically stirring and many of the big musical numbers are well done.
Picture quality is solid and the the DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 audio is very dynamic. Both accurately reproduce the theatrical experience. Extras aren't plentiful but solid. There's a good hour-long documentary, an additional featurette on Hugo's original novel, and a commentary from the director which I chose not to listen to. The Blu-ray set includes a DVD and digital copies (iTunes and Ultraviolet). Best Buy is also selling the discs in exclusive Steelbook packaging that is quite nice.
My Best Buy number: 2015008651
What's great about it: Hugh Jackman's performance, great songs
What's not so great: The cinematography is distracting
I would recommend this to a friend!
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West Side Story [50th Anniversary Edition] [3 Discs] [Blu-ray/DVD] [1961]
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![Life of Pi [3 Discs] [3D] [Blu-ray] [With Ereader Cash for Life of Pi Book] [Blu-ray/Blu-ray 3D] [2012]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/8324/8324099_sa.jpg)
Posted by: rha409
from NJ
Ang Lee's film "Life of Pi" is a technological marvel, perfectly blending 3D and state of the art digital effects with a great adventure story which is also remarkably spiritual. It all comes together for a deeply moving motion picture experience.
The Blu-ray is stellar as well. The film features some of the best usage of 3D since James Cameron's "Avatar" and Martin Scorsese's "Hugo". It's perfectly replicated on this 3-disc collector's edition. This set also includes a standard 2D version of the film which also looks amazing. Audio is fully immersive and perfectly replicates the film's sonic power.
The extras are spread over the 2D and 3D Blu-ray discs. These include deleted scenes, a detailed hour-long "making of" documentary, and additional features which explore the film's Oscar-winning visual effects. Also included in this version is a DVD copy of the film and digital copies (iTunes & Ultraviolet). For a limited time, this set even includes an $8 off coupon for other Fox titles and if you can find it, Best Buy has an exclusive version offering $10 towards the eBook for the novel upon which this movie was based. Overall, a great value and a great Blu-ray package!
My Best Buy number: 2015008651
What's great about it: Terrific 3D Blu-ray picture and audio.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Life of Pi [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] [CD]
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Planet Earth [Special Edition Gift Set] [6 Discs] [Blu-ray]
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![Lincoln [4 Discs] [Blu-ray/DVD] [2012]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/8105/8105041_sa.jpg)
Posted by: rha409
from NJ
I was surprised to see some professional critics remark that the film was nothing but a dry historical lesson. When I went to the theater, I found myself fully immersed in the film for all of its 150 minutes. Like any great movie, it tells a story very much worth telling in a fashion that's completely absorbing and gripping even if we know the outcome. Daniel Day-Lewis' performance is as terrific and deserving of all the awards he won for the part. He creates a performance that feels so lived in and real that he completely embodies our 16th President for all of the film's running time. His Lincoln is a sort mischievous storyteller who has both a folksy charm and a commanding presence, and it's easy to see why the nation loved him. Supporting performances are equally strong, and include Sally Field as Mary Todd Lincoln, Tommy Lee Jones as abolitionist Thaddeus Stevens, David Strathairn as Lincoln's secretary of state, and Joseph Gordon Levitt as Robert Todd Lincoln. The cast is filled with one remarkable performer after another. Scene stealers include Lee Pace, Michael Stuhlbarg, Walton Goggins, and of course, James Spader who creates a remarkably funny character. Spielberg doesn't get enough credit for his masterful direction and Tony Kushner's screenplay is a fascinatingly well constructed work. I could go on discussing the wonderful jobs by all of the film's crew but I won't. Needless to say, each of the film's 12 Academy Award nominations were well deserved and the film deserved more wins that it had on Oscar night.
The Blu-ray looks amazing, as should any recent production. Janusz Kaminski's cinematography is perfectly replicated on this Blu-ray disc which is sharp, detailed, and very film-like. The film's soundtrack is equally well replicated in 7.1-channel DTS-HD Master Audio.
As you can probably tell, I loved the film enough to spring for the pricier 4-disc edition which includes a bonus disc of special features. In total, they run about 80-minutes. As always, the supplements on Spielberg's films are well produced, but I was disappointed there wasn't more. For a film dealing with such great historical significance and what I imagine was a huge production, the extras could and probably should've gone on for another two hours. They could have explored the real life Lincoln and passing of the 13th Amendment, and taken a more detailed approach to documenting the film's production. But what we get is great stuff and worth the purchase for fans of the film.
In summation, an excellent film. One of the very finest of 2012 and an excellent Blu-ray.
My Best Buy number: 2015008651
What's great about it: Great picture and audio quality!
What's not so great: Extras are well done but the movie deserves more!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Glory [Blu-ray] [1989]
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rha409's Review Comments
Overall
2 out of 5
2 out of 5Great Movie but Unfortunate Blu-Ray version
By noisea
from Scottsdale
I'm not going to review the movie because that information should be available all over the internet. This review is going to be concerning this version of the blu-ray which is different from the other version which was also released today because this version has a digital copy and the other version does not. Based solely on that difference, this version is not worth paying extra for.
The standard for new releases on blu-ray for at least the last 6 months has been to include a digital copy of the movie. Normally you get an Ultraviolet copy but sometimes you get both an Ultraviolet copy and a copy that can be used in itunes or windows media player. The itunes versions are clearly inferior, however, because they have extremely restrictive DRM and are restricted on what types of devices they can be played on. For example, while an ultraviolet copy can be streamed through Vudu on a blu-ray player, xbox 360, PS3, Android phone, iphone, ipad, android tablet, and other devices without even needing to be downloaded to your device - the itunes version can only be used in devices that can play itunes movies like apple TV, iphone, or ipad.
The major problem with the Lincoln blu-ray is that it defies the industry standard and ONLY has the itunes/wmp version. This was a big disappointment when I got home and opened the package. If this version hadn't cost more money than the other version then I wouldn't complain because there's no reason to look a gift horse in the mouth, but this was NOT a free feature. Although I do realize that some people might be thinking that I should have remembered the phrase "buyer beware" the packaging was not as clear as you might think. The bar at the top of the package said "Blu-Ray + DVD + Digital Copy" and this is the same thing that all of the blu-rays in my collection that come with Ultraviolet say.
The standard for new releases on blu-ray for at least the last 6 months has been to include a digital copy of the movie. Normally you get an Ultraviolet copy but sometimes you get both an Ultraviolet copy and a copy that can be used in itunes or windows media player. The itunes versions are clearly inferior, however, because they have extremely restrictive DRM and are restricted on what types of devices they can be played on. For example, while an ultraviolet copy can be streamed through Vudu on a blu-ray player, xbox 360, PS3, Android phone, iphone, ipad, android tablet, and other devices without even needing to be downloaded to your device - the itunes version can only be used in devices that can play itunes movies like apple TV, iphone, or ipad.
The major problem with the Lincoln blu-ray is that it defies the industry standard and ONLY has the itunes/wmp version. This was a big disappointment when I got home and opened the package. If this version hadn't cost more money than the other version then I wouldn't complain because there's no reason to look a gift horse in the mouth, but this was NOT a free feature. Although I do realize that some people might be thinking that I should have remembered the phrase "buyer beware" the packaging was not as clear as you might think. The bar at the top of the package said "Blu-Ray + DVD + Digital Copy" and this is the same thing that all of the blu-rays in my collection that come with Ultraviolet say.
rha409
NJ
Please look more carefully next time
April 13, 2013
As mentioned, Blu-rays with Ultraviolet always have the UV logo either on the front or back cover. This Lincoln Blu-ray only specifies for use with iTunes or Windows Media Player. Disney, which released this Blu-ray, seems to be the only major company that hasn't adopted Ultraviolet.
Also, the other reason for consumers to purchase this edition is for the 2nd disc of bonus features not on the 2-disc set.
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