Russell Mulcahy's adaptation of the classic radio drama The Shadow comes to DVD with this release. The essentially barebones disc features a 1.33:1 transfer that does not preserve the film's original apsect ratio but has been formatted to fit standard television screens. Along with Dolby Digital soundtracks in English and French, the DVD also features Spanish subtitles. Two years following this release, the studio put out a revised edition that replaced the foreign language tracks and subtitles with an optional English DTS soundtrack.
Customer Rating
3
Thought It Would Be Better
on May 11, 2008
Posted by: kevman79
Starring Alec Baldwin, I had hoped 'The Shadow' would be better than it turned out to be. Still, not bad, but the dvd is full-screen only, which is even more of a letdown.
Fans of this modern-day Bill and Ted-style film will delight in this DVD edition from 20th Century-Fox. Offering a raucous commentary and a smattering of notable extras, this is a substantial packaging for a rather unsubstantial movie. The picture is a solid 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer that effectively highlights the day-glo colors of the film's more garish locales. There's little use of sound here, but the Dolby Digital 5.1 format occasionally gets a chance to shine. As for extras, the viewers get a commentary track from director Danny Leiner and stars Ashton Kutcher and Seann William Scott. The track is certainly worth a listen, if only for the fact that the trio appears to be completely intoxicated. They trade anecdotes and observations about the filming, in speech that becomes increasingly slurred as the film progresses. It's definitely a change from the standard commentaries usually offered on DVD. Also included are a handful of extended scenes. While none of these are truly riotous, they're occasionally amusing. Additionally, the DVD includes a trailer and three TV spots, a promotional featurette, and a music video from the film's soundtrack. Those who love the type of moronic humor Dude, Where's My Car? showcases will certainly find much to recommend this DVD. All others will only find more of what kept them away in the first place.
Customer Rating
1
Dude, What's With This Movie?
on May 11, 2008
Posted by: kevman79
Pointless and dumb, 'Dude, Where's My Car?' is really one of the worst movies I've ever seen. Skip it. Widescreen.
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.
Allan Moyle's drama about a high-school pirate radio maverick, Pump Up the Volume comes to DVD with a pair of transfers. The widescreen anamorphic transfer preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1, and is preferable in every way to the standard full-frame image. Closed-captioned English soundtracks are rendered in Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Digital Surround. English subtitles are accessible. Supplemental materials include trailers, and filmographies for the cast and crew. This is a fine disc from New Line.
Customer Rating
3
Has Its Moments
on May 11, 2008
Posted by: kevman79
'Pump Up the Volume' is a movie I enjoy, but not one I can necessarily say is outstanding. The subject material caters to a very select audience, and while the film has developed cult-like status, I'm not surprised it never hit the big time. Bare bones dvd, but at least it offers both widescreen and full-screen viewing options.
Thomas Donnelly directs Kevin Bacon in the thriller Quicksilver, which comes to DVD with a standard full-frame transfer that fails to preserve the original theatrical aspect ratio of the film. English and French soundtracks are rendered in Dolby Digital Stereo. English, French, and Japanese subtitles are accessible. Supplemental materials include theatrical trailers. This is a bare-bones release from Columbia/TriStar.
Customer Rating
3
About Average
on May 11, 2008
Posted by: kevman79
'Quicksilver' is about average as far as films go. Its got some good material, but is inconsistent and never really digs deep enough into the love story between Kevin Bacon and the beautiful Jami Gertz. Still, I'm sure there are those who really like this one, unfortunately it's only offered in full-screen.
Jeff Bleckner's action-adventure film White Water Summer comes to DVD with a pair of images. The widescreen anamorphic transfer preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1 and is preferable to the standard full-frame transfer. Closed-captioned English soundtracks are rendered in both Dolby Digital 4.0 and Dolby Digital Surround, while a French soundtrack has been recorded in Dolby Digital Mono. English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Thai, Chinese, and Korean subtitles are accessible. Supplemental materials include theatrical trailers. This is a solid, if unexceptional release from Columbia/TriStar that will most likely appeal to hardcore Kevin Bacon fans.
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.
The one item that I will always remember about this film is how 'creepy' Kevin Bacon's character was, and how I'd really think twice before I ever sent my kid out for a summer adventure with a guy like that. Overall, nothing special about this movie except for its cast, which is decent. Widescreen and full-screen.
Wesley Snipes' Die Hard-on-a-plane, Passenger 57, comes to DVD with a widescreen anamorphic transfer that preserves director Kevin Hooks' original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1. A closed-captioned English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital 5.1, while a French soundtrack has been recorded in Dolby Digital Surround. English, Spanish, and French subtitles are accessible. Supplemental materials include production notes and nine theatrical trailers. This disc delivers the picture and the sound with high quality. Genre enthusiasts will certainly want to give this disc a look.
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 had high expectations for this Wesley Snipes film that was billed as an action-thriller. Much to my dismay, the film turned out to be really boring, and I actually couldn't wait until it was over. Skip it.
I never understood the praise this movie received, because it's just not that wonderful in my opinion. Another film I watched on high recommendation from a friend, I sat through most of this with a confused look on my face, wondering when it was going to get 'good.' Nevertheless, this anniversary edition should please fans, and ports over most of the extras from the previous special edition, plus some sparse new features.
Ron Shelton baseball comedy Bull Durham gets the deluxe treatment on this DVD release from MGM/UA. The disc contains both a widescreen anamorphic transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1, and a lesser full-frame image. The closed-captioned English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital 5.1, while French and Spanish soundtracks have been recorded in Dolby Digital Surround, and a Portuguese soundtrack is available in Dolby Digital Mono. Subtitles are accessible in all four of those languages as well. Supplemental materials include a pair of commentary tracks. Director Shelton's track is full of wonderful stories about the film and his days as a minor league baseball player. He shares his love of the game and it is infectious. The second commentary, recorded by male leads Kevin Costner and Tim Robbins is less insightful. For the most part, they compliment the film and each other. Costner relates a story about Mickey Mantle's reaction to the film that puts it into a new perspective. Robbins comes across as forever thankful to Shelton for casting him in this, Robbins' breakout part. A making-of documentary, a profile of Kevin Costner, a photo gallery, and trailers round out this fabulous package from MGM/UA.
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 never understood the praise this movie received, because it's just not that wonderful in my opinion. Another film I watched on high recommendation from a friend, I sat through most of this with a confused look on my face, wondering when it was going to get 'good.' Nevertheless, this special edition should please fans.
Ron Shelton's buddy-basketball comedy White Men Can't Jump comes to DVD with a widescreen anamorphic transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1. English and French soundtracks are rendered in Dolby Digital Surround. English and Spanish subtitles are accessible. Supplemental materials include a deleted scene that has been edited into the body of the feature, theatrical trailers, television advertisements, and a music video for Riff's "White Men Can't Jump." This is a solid release from 20th Century Fox.
Customer Rating
2
For A Select Audience
on May 11, 2008
Posted by: kevman79
I didn't think much of 'White Men Can't Jump.' Lots of foul language, and a relatively uninteresting story, help tank this basketball-hustling based production starring Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson. Widescreen.