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ragnar
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- Review count10
- Helpfulness votes2
- First reviewApril 20, 2008
- Last reviewFebruary 6, 2015
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.3
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ragnar's Reviews
![Gravity [3 Discs] [Includes Digital Copy] [3D] [Blu-ray/DVD] [Blu-ray/Blu-ray 3D/DVD] [2013]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/3200/3200101_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
5
Smart sci-fi in glorious 1080p HD 3D!
on February 6, 2015
Posted by: ragnar
Great reference quality disc with generous bonus features including a feature length "making of" documentary and a short film by the director's son that is connected to Gravity's narrative.
Script, direction, performances and technical aspects are all top tier and come together to make for a compelling viewing experience. One of my favorite films of 2013.
My Best Buy number: 0393981900
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure [Blu-ray] [1989]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/6868/6868458_sa.jpg)
Posted by: ragnar
Fun film that still holds up. Hope that MGM gets around to releasing the sequel on blu-ray.
Really nice HD transfer but missing many of the supplements that were offered on the Excellent Collection DVD set.
My Best Buy number: 0393981900
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Westworld [Blu-ray] [1973]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/8812/8812672_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
4
Classic Crichton presented with minimal fanfare
on February 5, 2015
Posted by: ragnar
I was hoping for a better set of supplements for this sci-fi classic, but I guess that we should be thankful that the film even got a wide blu-ray release. What we do get is a short "making of" featurette and the pilot episode for the TV series, Beyond Westworld.
Now that this film has been released on blu-ray, I'm hoping that Warner will get around to releasing another Michael Crichton film, Looker, on the format in the near future.
My Best Buy number: 0393981900
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Pee-Wee's Big Adventure [Blu-ray] [1985]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/3551/3551036_sa.jpg)
Posted by: ragnar
Fun supplemental materials with a commentary from director Tim Burton and co-writer / star Paul Reubens and another with composer Danny Elfman (Elfman's commentary includes an isolated score track as an extra added bonus!). There's also some deleted scenes and a featurette with the production designer.
While the audio and video are not what one would consider demo-worthy, it is still an upgrade from the previous DVD release.
This movie is one of my childhood favorites and I am thrilled that it is available on blu-ray.
My Best Buy number: 0393981900
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![THX 1138 [Director's Cut] [Blu-ray] [1971]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/1171/1171219_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
5
Great HD release of a George Lucas sci-fi classic!
on February 5, 2015
Posted by: ragnar
This blu-ray is feature packed with hours of bonus features including the original student film that THX-1138 is based on. The audio and video of the are both noticeable upgrades over the 2-disc DVD release. Missing from this set, although also absent from the DVD release, is the original 1971 theatrical cut of the film which would have been a nice archival inclusion to see the progression of this film from it's origins as a low-budget student film to a complete bells and whistles final cut, much like what was presented in the multi-disc set of Blade Runner that was also released by Warner Brothers.
The film itself is a dark, dystopian sci-fi film very different from the Star Wars films that Lucas is most known for. It's thrills are far more cerebral than the serial inspired Skywalker Saga. If you are looking for something different than the usual sci-fi blow-em-ups, you could do worse than to give this one a spin.
The film itself is a dark, dystopian sci-fi film very different from the Star Wars films that Lucas is most known for. It's thrills are far more cerebral than the serial inspired Skywalker Saga. If you are looking for something different than the usual sci-fi blow-em-ups, you could do worse than to give this one a spin.
My Best Buy number: 0393981900
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![The Rookie [Blu-ray] [1990]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/9902/9902586_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
4
Eastwood and Sheen do the buddy cop thing in HD!
on February 5, 2015
Posted by: ragnar
One of my personal favorites of Eastwoods. While not in the league of Unforgiven, MIllion Dollar Baby or Gran Torino, it's a well done action flick that features some great stunt work and has some pretty snappy one-liners. It doesn't reinvent the buddy cop genre by any means but it's a nice textbook example of the genre.
The disc, while not reference quality, features a DTS-HD MA 5.1 remix with a very wide front soundstage. However, surround sound effects are not as enveloping as the current crop of action films. Visually the disc has a decent 1080p widescreen transfer that is serviceable and a decent upgrade from the DVD. Unfortunately, like most of the Eastwood blu-rays from Warner, special features are nonexistent except for the theatrical trailer.
My Best Buy number: 0393981900
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Miami Vice [Original Soundtrack] [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/7936/7936772_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
4
Another solid Michael Mann soundtrack
on September 20, 2008
Posted by: ragnar
There are a few missteps, such as Nonpoint's dreadful cover of "In the Air Tonight" and an alternate version of "Anthem" from the one played in the film, but, all in all, the typical music melding genius of Michael Mann ("Heat", "Ali", "The Last of the Mohicans") still shines through on this CD.
The re-mix of "Sinnerman", the Moby/Patti LaBelle collaboration and Goldfrapp's "Strict Machine" are just a few of the standout tracks on this disc.
Although the TV theme is still nowhere to be found, the music score has some similarity to Jan Hammer's stylistics. Give "A-500" a listen and you'll recognize a bit of "Crockett's Theme" in there.
Lastly, for some reason, the Jay-Z/Linkin Park track most associated with this film is not present on this CD. Not too big of a loss I guess, as that track is so readily available.
The re-mix of "Sinnerman", the Moby/Patti LaBelle collaboration and Goldfrapp's "Strict Machine" are just a few of the standout tracks on this disc.
Although the TV theme is still nowhere to be found, the music score has some similarity to Jan Hammer's stylistics. Give "A-500" a listen and you'll recognize a bit of "Crockett's Theme" in there.
Lastly, for some reason, the Jay-Z/Linkin Park track most associated with this film is not present on this CD. Not too big of a loss I guess, as that track is so readily available.
What's great about it: Great music to take with you on a late night open air drive.
What's not so great: Where the heck is Jay-Z and Linkin Park and Phil Collins when you need them?
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Chain Reaction [Blu-ray] [1996]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/8260/8260357_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
3
My Reaction to "Chain Reaction"
on September 15, 2008
Posted by: ragnar
Andrew Davis' "Chain Reaction" stars Keanu Reeves and a pre-Oscar Rachel Weisz in a topical thriller that borrows a bit too heavily in it's plot structure from Davis' previous blockbuster, "The Fugitive". As such, it lends itself to constant comparison to the superior Ford and Jones starrer and, unfortunately, nothing in "Chain Reaction" can compete with their iconic work. Regardless, the film is still a servicable evening's entertainment.
"Chain Reaction" was one of Fox's initial BLU-RAY offerings and it shows. The video transfer appears to be the original DVD's M-PEG 2 model repurposed for BLU-RAY. While it does boast a better image than the DVD, one can only imagine how much better this movie could look given a new VC-1 or AVC transfer.
Audio-wise, the BLU-RAY offers a lossless DTS-HD MA 5.1 track. While not always immersive, the film's many action sequences offer just enough aural stimulation to make the upgrade to BLU-RAY worthwhile for fans of the film.
Also of note, "Chain Reaction" features a post-end credits coda. While not totally important to the film's plot, it offers a nice little home theater moment in it's own right.
"Chain Reaction" was one of Fox's initial BLU-RAY offerings and it shows. The video transfer appears to be the original DVD's M-PEG 2 model repurposed for BLU-RAY. While it does boast a better image than the DVD, one can only imagine how much better this movie could look given a new VC-1 or AVC transfer.
Audio-wise, the BLU-RAY offers a lossless DTS-HD MA 5.1 track. While not always immersive, the film's many action sequences offer just enough aural stimulation to make the upgrade to BLU-RAY worthwhile for fans of the film.
Also of note, "Chain Reaction" features a post-end credits coda. While not totally important to the film's plot, it offers a nice little home theater moment in it's own right.
What's great about it: Lossless DTS-HD MA audio track, informative trivia track
What's not so great: Repurposed M-PEG 2 transfer, packaging error states that the film is in 2:35 but is actually 1:85
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Justice League: The New Frontier [Blu-ray] [2008]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/8699/8699955_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
5
Super High-Def Heroics
on May 3, 2008
Posted by: ragnar
While Darwyn Cooke's original graphic novel spanned almost the entire DC Silver Age Universe, the animated adaptation focuses on the heroes of the Justice League. While it would have been great to see the whole storyline, the film does make mention of many of the aborted story arcs and stands on it's own as a compelling piece of entertainment.
The video quality is superb with stable and sharp imagery and eye-popping color.While the animation is done in a traditional Saturday morning style, it fits the comic-book origins of the story and doesn't detract with over-the-top CG stylistics.
The audio is offered in lossless Dolby TrueHD and it is very involving and immersive, especially during the film's many action scenes.
Supplements are generous and cover much of the history of DC's stable of characters. Two audio commentaries, one by Darwyn Cooke himself, offer up information on the film and it's source material. Even some bonus episodes of Justice League are on the disc, although, oddly, they don't look as good as the SD versions already out on DVD.
The video quality is superb with stable and sharp imagery and eye-popping color.While the animation is done in a traditional Saturday morning style, it fits the comic-book origins of the story and doesn't detract with over-the-top CG stylistics.
The audio is offered in lossless Dolby TrueHD and it is very involving and immersive, especially during the film's many action scenes.
Supplements are generous and cover much of the history of DC's stable of characters. Two audio commentaries, one by Darwyn Cooke himself, offer up information on the film and it's source material. Even some bonus episodes of Justice League are on the disc, although, oddly, they don't look as good as the SD versions already out on DVD.
What's great about it: eye-popping color, great lossless sound, generous supplements, great superhero team-up story
What's not so great: slightly spotty visual presentation of the bonus Justice League episodes
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Revenge [Blu-ray] [1990]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/8650/8650104_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
4
Revenge 2.0
on April 20, 2008
Posted by: ragnar
I have always been a fan of this film and it is great that the Director's Cut has been released and on Blu-Ray to boot. The film now feels leaner and less bloated in this shorter version. Even with the truncated running time, Tony Scott has managed to raise the levels of sexuality and brutality in the film.
The Blu-Ray version looks great for a 17 year old catalogue title. The overtly stylized look of the film befits the benefits brought on by the 1080p AVC transfer. It also comes with 5.1 sound, which the standard theatrical version lacked. The opening sequence with Costner's character taking his last flight around Mexico showcases some seamless audio pans and deep bass.
The only trouble to be found with this release is the lack of the theatrical version or any of the deleted scenes. So if you are interested in those you still have to hang on to the original DVD release. Still the disc has some special features such as a fairly blunt commentary by Scott and a short featurette that features new interviews with all of the principles. It would have been nice had the featurette been longer, but it manages to cover most of the points of interest.
The Blu-Ray version looks great for a 17 year old catalogue title. The overtly stylized look of the film befits the benefits brought on by the 1080p AVC transfer. It also comes with 5.1 sound, which the standard theatrical version lacked. The opening sequence with Costner's character taking his last flight around Mexico showcases some seamless audio pans and deep bass.
The only trouble to be found with this release is the lack of the theatrical version or any of the deleted scenes. So if you are interested in those you still have to hang on to the original DVD release. Still the disc has some special features such as a fairly blunt commentary by Scott and a short featurette that features new interviews with all of the principles. It would have been nice had the featurette been longer, but it manages to cover most of the points of interest.
What's great about it: Nice a/v upgrade from the original theatrical version DVD, film flows much better than the theatrical cut
What's not so great: Lack of the theatrical cut or the deleted scenes
I would recommend this to a friend!
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