The Matrix came along at just the right time in the history of the DVD format. With its incredible action scenes and futuristic plot, it proved to be a tremendous boost for sales of DVD players and proof of the power of DVD to present a movie accurately. The 2.35:1 widescreen presentation is a crystal clear translation of the movie's dark imagery. While there may be a lack of resolution in background images, the stylish visuals in the foreground draw all of the attention, along with the powerful, seat-rocking sound effects of Dolby Digital mix. Special features are mildly entertaining. The cast/crew commentary is by Carrie-Anne Moss, visual effects supervisor John Gaeta, and editor Zach Staeberg, and often leans toward the technical side of the production. The music-only "Audio Track" is for fans of the soundtrack only, and the making-of documentary is 25 minutes of hyperbole. "Taking the red pill" leads to a six-minute overview of the technical sides of "bullet-time," a special-effect element found in the film. The "Follow the White Rabbit" feature brings a rabbit icon to the screen during scenes of heavy special effects; hitting "enter" leads to behind-the-scenes footage of the scene in question and then places viewers back into the scene of the movie. Filmographies of cast and crew are also present. Instant access to all of the DVD's 38 chapters is available via the "Scene Access" menu, making this disc an entirely successful presentation of a fun film.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me is presented in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio, already a step ahead of the original. The full-length screen-specific audio commentary continues along the lines of the first film's disc, with director Jay Roach and Mike Myers joined by co-writer Michael McCullers. The track is adequate and the participants joke around enough to keep it appealing. The 25-minute behind-the-scenes documentary consists mostly of cast and crew interviews and on-set footage. The 21 deleted scenes have some humorous improvisational moments but all seem worthy of their cutting-room-floor status. Three music videos by Madonna, Lenny Kravitz, and Mel B are also included, as well as all of the film's worthwhile trailers and extensive DVD-ROM features. Finally, a "hidden" Dr. Evil menu appears on the special features menu after a few minutes. The best selection here is a parody of A&E Biography called "The Dr. Evil Story" that features interviews and recollections with the entire cast in character and has plenty of laughs. Links to Dr. Evil's musical numbers and "Classic Evil Schemes Gone Awry" are also a part of the hidden menu. Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me keeps in the tradition of the original film's DVD by offering a good amount of extras presented in the same quirky and humorous style as the movies.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Tim Dey's entertaining, quirky Western comedy Shanghai Noon comes to DVD with a widescreen anamorphic transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1. English and French soundtracks are rendered in Dolby Digital 5.1. Spanish subtitles are accessible, and the English soundtrack is closed-captioned. Supplemental materials include a commentary track recorded by director Dey and co-stars Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson, deleted scenes, making-of featurettes that take a closer look at the stunts and special effects, and a video by Uncle Kraker. This is an excellent release from Disney/Buena Vista.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
William Dear's remake of Angels in the Outfield comes to DVD with a widescreen transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1. The English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital Surround. French and Spanish subtitles are accessible, and the soundtrack is closed-captioned. Although there are no supplemental materials of any consequence, this Disney/Buena Vista release should provide any family with solid viewing entertainment.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Only a decade after reuniting for the hugely successful Hell Freezes Over tour, The Eagles once again announce their dissolution, but not before playing another tour together. Winkingly referred to as the Farewell One Tour, Eagles: Farewell Tour -- Live From Melbourne captures one of the Australian stops on this tour. The set list contains most every song any fan would expect, including "Desperado," "Hotel California," and "Lyin' Eyes."
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
I was never really into The Eagles but I bought this for my Dad for his birthday and ended up watching it with him and they weren't too bad. They are better to watch than to listen to on the radio.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery features both widescreen and pan-and-scan versions of the film; however, the original theatrical aspect ration of 2.35:1 has been changed by director Jay Roach to a 2:1 aspect ratio, perhaps to better accommodate its widescreen enhancement. The commentary track allows Roach and Mike Myers to tell what is improvised and what is scripted in the film, specifically to point out the different inspirations and homages, and joke around some as well. The deleted scene menu features two original endings and five scenes that were either cut for time or because they were expendable. One of the original endings is particularly hilarious and at least two of the deleted scenes ("The Henchman's Wife" and "Fendi Briefcase") could have been left in the film. The "Spy Genre Retrospective" is disappointing, just a series of pages to read about the movies that inspired the film instead of a featurette. Meanwhile, the animated "Music to Shag To" sequence, a celebrity cameo menu, and the "Swedish-Made Penis Enlarger Pump" features aren't exactly substantial but do add to the zany feel of the DVD. The theatrical trailer is also included. Austin Powers can't compete with current special editions, but it is nonetheless a fun disc for an enjoyable film.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Adam Sandler's gridiron comedy The Waterboy comes to DVD with a widescreen transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1. A closed-captioned English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital 5.1, while a French soundtrack has been recorded in Dolby Digital Stereo. There are no subtitles on this release. Supplemental materials are limited to a pedestrian production featurette and a theatrical trailer. Fans of Sandler's comedic style will be thrilled with this disc, but there is nothing compelling about it for anyone else.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Yes!! It is very much worth it. They make your tv look the very best that it can in your setting. I would recommend anyone doing this with a tv 42" or larger.