"Weird Al" Yankovic makes his starring debut in the wacky 1989 comedy UHF. MGM has done a fine job on this 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer. While some of the colors appear slightly washed out, overall, this is a well-produced transfer with solid black levels and bright fleshtones. The audio is presented in Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround in French and English as well as Dolby 2.0 Mono in Spanish. The 2.0 mix works well within the confines of the film, though in all actuality, it's a fairly weak and flat soundtrack. All aspects of the dialogue, effects, and music are free and clear of any distortion or hiss. Also included on this disc are English, French, and Spanish subtitles. MGM has gone the extra mile with this cult classic by producing a nice array of extra features. Starting off the disc is a commentary track by Yankovic, director Jay Levey, and actors Michael Richards, Victoria Jackson, and Emo Phillips. This is a very funny commentary which includes all the participants poking fun at themselves and the film. A collection of deleted scenes with introductions by Yankovic are a hoot while the music video for the song "UHF" features parodies of rock stars like Billy Idol and Prince. Finally, there is a gallery of promotional materials (including stills, trailers, and posters) and a short behind-the-scenes montage with interviews that should please fans. All in all, this is a fun disc that was given the appropriate amount of love and work.
Customer Rating
3
Liked It as a Kid
on May 12, 2008
Posted by: kevman79
I loved 'U.H.F' as a kid, however, watching it as an adult fails to ignite a spark for the charisma I once had for the film. Still, I know this movie has a huge cult-fan base, and I'm sure this dvd is worth the buy for them.
Steve Buscemi, Brendan Fraser, and Adam Sandler are true Airheads, rockers destined to get airplay of their new single -- even if it means taking a hostage or two at a local radio station. Fox has done nice work on this 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer, making sure that all aspects of the picture are even and clear. The colors, black levels, and flesh tones all look natural and well-preserved with only the slightest amount of edge enhancement present. Audio is presented in Dolby Digital 4.0 in both English and French. While this track is certainly not as expansive as a Dolby 5.1 mix might be, overall it has a nice range of directional sound with no distortion present in any of the dialogue, music, or effects. Also included on this disc are Spanish and English subtitles. Airheads features a few well-done special features, including a 15-minute featurette that is sort of a "news report" on the radio station takeover, as well as two music videos: Motörhead's "Born to Raise Hell" and White Zombie's "Feed the Gods." Finally, there are two TV spots, a trailer for Airheads, and a few other Fox theatrical trailers. Fans of this film or heavy metal should get a kick out of this above-average edition of Airheads.
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.
'Airheads' is an inconsistent comedy that ultimately comes up more than a little short. However, the few scenes that are humorous, are really quite good, which is the only thing that keeps this picture from getting a lower rating from me. Widescreen.
Hart Bochner's college-set comedy PCU arrives on DVD with a pair of transfers. The Widescreen anamorphic transfer preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1, preferable to the standard full-frame image. English and Spanish soundtracks are rendered in Dolby Digital Surround. Subtitles are accessible in these two languages as well. Supplemental materials include a commentary track recorded by Bochner and star Jeremy Piven, a making of featurette, the theatrical trailer, and a music video for Mudhoney's cover of the classic Elvis Costello song "Pump It Up." This is a solid release from 20th Century Fox.
Customer Rating
2
I Thought It Would Be Better
on May 12, 2008
Posted by: kevman79
'P.C.U.' presents an accomplished cast, so I don't know what it was about the movie that I just didn't really care for, but I think it's probably that I just didn't find most of the material humorous. Widescreen and full-screen with plenty of bonus features.
The DVD release of John Woo's best Hollywood film is sadly lacking in the special features department; in fact, there is absolutely nothing here aside from the original theatrical trailer. Woo's approach to action filmmaking is radically different than the standard Hollywood formula, and this disc would have benefited greatly from a director's commentary, or at least a "making of" featurette. Technically, however, the disc is superb: the film is presented in anamorphic, widescreen format in the theatrical ratio of 1.85:1, and the transfer is very crisp and clear. There is little to no pixellation, the light colors do not bleed over, and the blacks are deep and rich. The soundtrack is a well-balanced 5.1 Digital mix, and the action sequences give the Surround properties an excellent workout. The .1 track has a good, solid presence that perfectly accentuates the frequent gunshots and explosions. There is a strong focus on the center channel which does a great deal to keep the dialogue separate from the background sounds. Viewers who pick up this disc looking for extras will be disappointed; what they will get is simply a nice transfer of an excellent action 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.
'Face-Off' has some awesome action sequences, but the story itself is hoaky and completely unbelievable, even within the realm of fiction. Fans will most likely want to purchase the more recent special edition that has several bonus items that aren't available on this bare-bones dvd.
The first disc of Criterion's Armageddon DVD features Michael Bay's director's cut of the film, which adds about ten minutes of character development. The 2.35:1 non-anamorphic widescreen and Dolby Digital soundtrack are equally impressive, the 5.1 channel Dolby track an ideal test for any surround system. The two commentary tracks on the disc complement each other nicely and together provide a balanced analysis of the film. Bay's insistence on his film's factual authenticity on the first track is offset by asteroid consultant Ivan Bekey and NASA consultant Dr. Joe Allen's more scientific insight on the second track. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer, Bruce Willis, and Ben Affleck are also on the first track, Affleck's joking and questioning of the film's logic on the track making it immensely more entertaining. The second track also features cinematographer Joe Schwartzman. The second disc is entirely made up of supplements for the film. Michael Bay's personally edited gag reel is funny and the compilation of additional deleted scenes not included in the director's cut solves at least one gap in the film's logic. Visual effects supervisors Richard Hoover, Pat McClung, and Hoyt Yeatman and production designer Michael White have individual featurettes focusing on their work for the film, ranging from compiled effects footage with commentary to on-set interviews. Storyboards, trailers, television spots, and an Aerosmith music video are also included. Armageddon can be exhausting, but the incredibly balanced look inside the film is well worth it.
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.
Ghost scared up box-office business in its 1990 theatrical release, and just like the movie, Paramount's Ghost widescreen collection DVD doesn't do a vanishing act either. The disc contains several special features that enhance the enjoyment of this tragic/comic supernatural love story. The film catapulted stars Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, and Whoopi Goldberg to the top of the Hollywood food chain, and won two Academy awards: Best Supporting Actress (Goldberg as psychic Oda Mae Brown) and Best Original Screenplay (Bruce Joel Rubin). The DVD is presented in a widescreen version enhanced for 16 x 9 TVs with Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. The DVD contains "Remembering the Magic," a retrospective documentary about the film featuring many of its principals. There is also a frequently amusing audio commentary by director Jerry Zucker and Rubin that occasionally reveals how some of the film's special effects were performed.
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.
'Ghost' was a huge box office success, and if I remember correctly, the biggest moneymaker of the year it was released. For all it's worth, I just didn't enjoy the movie that much, but it's presented here nicely with some pleasant bonus material for those who did.
'Boondock Saints' is an interesting and enjoyable picture with some very thought provoking material. Excellent collector's edition here, with plenty of bonus material and both widescreen and full-screen viewing options. Recommended.
For those who don't know. This is the unrated director's cut that adds some footage back into the movie that wasn't seen in the original theatrical release. While I very much enjoyed this film, it's certainly not for everyone. Those who like it know who they are, and for them this dvd is well worth the buy. Widescreen, sparse bonus features.
Guy Ritchie's rough-and-tumble action comedy gets a sharp presentation in this DVD release. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels has been given a letterboxed transfer at the aspect ratio of 1.85:1; the transfer has also been enhanced for anamorphic playback on widescreen monitors. The audio, in English, has been mastered in Dolby Digital 5.1, with optional subtitles in French and Spanish. The disc also includes a short documentary on the production of the film, theatrical trailers from the American and British released of the film, biographies of key members of the cast and crew, and a dictionary of cockney slang for those puzzled by some of the dialogue.
Customer Rating
3
Will Only be Enjoyed By Certain People
on May 12, 2008
Posted by: kevman79
I very much enjoyed this film, but it's not for everyone. Those who like it know who they are, and for them this dvd is well worth the buy. Widescreen and full-screen.
Peter O' Fallon's tense crime thriller Suicide Kings comes to DVD with a widescreen anamorphic transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1. The closed-captioned English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital 5.1. Spanish subtitles are accessible. Supplemental materials include a commentary track by director and producer Wayne Rice, theatrical trailers, alternate endings with optional commentary from the director, production notes, and cast and crew information. This is a very good disc, made all the more appealing thanks to the inexpensive list price.
Customer Rating
3
Average
on May 12, 2008
Posted by: kevman79
Christopher Walken gives his usual great performance, and it's so weird looking at Henry Thomas all grown up. An average movie, with some interesting material, not a bad special edition either. Widescreen.