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.
Based on a true story, 'Casino' isn't an incredible movie, but it's better than average, and features some excellent performances. Fans will be happy with this recently released special edition, that features some bonus items not available on the previous dvd release.
It's about time that The Lost Boys got a two-disc special edition, delivered here by Warner Bros. in a packed release that truly lives up to the hype. With a brand-new digital transfer, the anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen image wondrously shows off Michael Chapman's photography, and the Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround track is full of the stuff your speakers are made to pump out. Bonus features are filled with high-class documentaries and innovative bonus features that will give even your most average Lost Boys fan enough to geek out about. The fun starts with a commentary by Joel Schumacher, a guy who deserved a bad rep for his crippling of the Batman franchise, but is still entertaining in his own right and, as the rest of the disc will tell you, is the main reason why this film is so greatly loved as a horror comedy classic. The track is pretty fun, as the director quips out his "Joelisms" on everything from Ms. Piggy to oral sex (though very thankfully not together!). Additional material includes the 24-minute "Lost Boys: A Retrospective" documentary and four more featurettes that make up the "Inside the Vampire's Cave" section. Both feature interviews from producer Richard Donner and others (Dianne Wiest, Jami Gertz, and Jason Patrick excluded) while covering the production's history through the long-rumored sequel -- which Edward Herrmann is all about, by the way! Add in another featurette on Greg Cannon's makeup effects that features a few cut creations that never saw the big screen and a photo gallery, and you're just getting to the really good stuff. Ten minutes of deleted scenes, an interactive map of vampire mythology from around the world, the original theatrical trailer, and a music video from Lou Gramm also grace the disc, though the big news comes with the return of Sam and the fabulous Frog brothers! That's right, first there's the obnoxiously titled "Haimster and Feldog: The Story of the Two Coreys," which finds the ex-stars looking like they're on the mend (even if one's a little less frazzled and bloated than the other) as they take the viewer through their incredible rise to fame and eventual separation under the spotlight. The second gets right to the goods and presents all three actors -- including the elusive other Frog brother, Jamison Newlander -- in their own selectable video commentaries played over an 18-minute compilation of all of their scenes together in the film. While it would have been nice to have had them all together, this is an interesting way to approach the material and is worth it to see more dead-eyed Corey Haim. Given the film's wide following, this edition is sure to be a moneymaker, and deservedly so. Extra credit goes to the studio for using the now-iconic cover art instead of the miserable Photoshop work that graced most re-releases during this time.
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 Lost Boys' has obtained quite a cult status over the years, which somewhat surprises me, because it's really not that great of a movie in my opinion. Still, for fans of the cast, and the films cool soundtrack, this special edition is well worth the buy, and features ample bonus materials that were not available on the previous dvd release.
This blend of teen comedy and vampire horror remains popular thanks to a willful placing of style over substance in making the vampires more cool than actually scary. Warner's DVD edition is pretty basic, but does at least emphasize director Joel Schumacher's visual flamboyance. The stylized lighting and shiny sets and costumes benefit from a seamless anamorphic widescreen transfer, and the Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track ensures the brooding '80s soundtrack is crisp and clear. The extra features are slick but limited, consisting of the original theatrical trailer and some mildly interesting production notes. Thoughts from Schumacher or his teen heartthrob stars might have been welcome, but since the film plays like an extended MTV video, perhaps there is little insight or background to be discussed. Though this disc is nothing special, the feature itself is certainly improved by DVD technology, making it an interesting edition for '80s nostalgists.
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 Lost Boys' has obtained quite a cult status over the years, which somewhat surprises me, because it's really not that great of a movie in my opinion. Still, for fans of the cast, and the films cool soundtrack, this one's well worth the buy.
George Miller's follow-up to the family favorite The Never Ending Story comes to DVD with two transfers. The widescreen anamorphic transfer preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and is preferable to the standard full-frame transfer. English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese soundtracks are rendered in Dolby Digital Stereo. Subtitles for all four of those languages are accessible as well. Supplemental materials include the theatrical trailer. This disc should please fans of the film, but there may not be enough here to interest casual DVD consumers.
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.
As its own element, 'the Neverending Story II' is an ok movie. However, compare it to the first film and what you have is one of the most disappointing sequels in motion picture history.
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Adrian Lyne's stylish tale of extramarital affairs, Indecent Proposal, comes to DVD with a widescreen anamorphic transfer that does a fabulous job of capturing the film's dark noirish colors. English soundtracks are rendered in Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Surround, and Dolby Digital Stereo. English subtitles are accessible. Supplemental materials include a commentary track recorded by director Adrian Lyne. Paramount has done a solid job with this disc that should greatly satisfy fans of the 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.
'Indecent Proposal' isn't a bad movie, but I didn't really enjoy it because it doesn't contain a single character of moral decency. First, you've got the slimy billionaire (Robert Redford) who wants to buy another man's wife for a night, then you've got Demi Moore's character (the wife), who is at first hesitant, but later willing to participate, and finally you've got the worst in Woody Harrelson's character (the husband), who agrees to allow this to happen. I'm sorry, but I don't care how much money someone offered me, if I were married, there's no way I'd give my wife away, ever.
Based on the classic novel by John Steinbeck, the 1992 drama Of Mice and Men comes to DVD in this special edition disc from MGM. The image is presented with a widescreen anamorphic transfer. The Dolby Digital Surround soundtracks are rendered in English and French. Closed captions are accessible and subtitles are offered in English, Spanish, and French. Director/star Gary Sinise provides an audio commentary track for the film and for several deleted scenes. Special features include a short making-of featurette and a conversation between Sinise and screenwriter Horton Foote. Also contains screen tests, makeup tests, and the original theatrical trailer. This special edition disc is preferred over the original MGM disc released in 2001.
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 early 1990's remake based on the John Steinbeck novel, is almost as good as the original 1939 version. Highly recommended, especially to fans of the book.
Oscar-nominated for Best Picture in 1939, this classic cinematic adaptation of John Steinbeck's reflective literary masterpiece arrives on DVD courtesy of Image Entertainment. Featuring the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.33:1 accompanied by an English PCM audio track, the film as presented in this release is taken from a new film-to-tape transfer from the original 35 mm source elements, preserving this remarkable experience for future generations. See riveting performances by Lon Chaney Jr. and Burgess Meredith in director Lewis Milestone's touching tale of friendship, presented on DVD for the first time in this fine release.
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The best film adaptation of John Steinbeck's classic novel in my opinion. Excellent performances, especially that of the young Burgess Meredith. Highest recommendation!
Ron Howard's kidnapping thriller Ransom 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 5.1. The film has neither looked nor sounded better on home video. Spanish subtitles are accessible, and a French soundtrack has also been included. The extensive supplemental materials include a detailed commentary by Howard. He discusses many elements of the production and is full of praise for his cast. Those who like insider gossip will greatly enjoy the story of what happened the day Mel Gibson was nominated for an Oscar for directing Braveheart. Numerous deleted scenes have been included, and two behind-the-scenes featurettes allow the actors to talk about the process of making the film. This disc was released simultaneously with a number of Ron Howard films that have all been outfitted with quality extras.
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Throw Momma From the Train gets re-released on DVD with this edition from MGM Home Entertainment. Carried over from the previous release is the 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen picture and the English and French Dolby Digital Stereo tracks, along with the collection of four deleted scenes and the original theatrical trailer. While the thought of the cut scenes might be tantalizing, the scenes themselves are anything but. You get a few throwaway moments with Danny DeVito stalking Billy Crystal, while another part finds Crystal doing an uneven comedy bit that nearly demanded the cutting room floor's attention. Those who already own the previous 2001 disc need not upgrade to this one, while the rest of the film's fans should be happy to own the film in a nice presentation with some extra tidbits thrown in.
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.