A quick-witted loan shark (John Travolta) ends up in showbiz after pitching a script to a down-on-his-luck filmmaker (Gene Hackman) in this hilarious satire of Hollywood dysfunction from director Barry Sonnenfeld. Viewable in either the original 1.85:1 widescreen theatrical version or standard 1.33:1 full-screen pan-and-scan, and featuring a closed-captioned English Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack, this release also offers alternate Spanish Dolby Digital Surround and French Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtracks in addition to optional English, Spanish, and Korean subtitles. Extra features offer nothing more than a theatrical trailer.
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.
Here is a film that just knocked my socks off! I was initially skeptical upon venturing into the theater to see this, but the top-notch cast came through like gold. 'Get Shorty' is a really good time, with some genius dialogue. Highly recommended, die hard fans may want to purchase the 2-disc special edition as this disc offers both widescreen and fullscreen viewing options, but is bare bones as far as extras are concerned.
Simon Wincer's family-friendly science-fiction film D.A.R.Y.L. arrives on DVD with a widescreen anamorphic transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1. An English soundtrack has been recorded in Dolby Digital Surround, while a French soundtrack has been recorded in Dolby Digital Mono. English subtitles are accessible. There are no supplemental materials of any consequence, but this is an inexpensive release from Paramount.
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D.A.R.Y.L. stars child actor Barret Oliver, who gives a good performance in the film. This movie is ok, but its nothing spectacular, and the decision to purchase will depend on how much you like it. For those who do like it, at least the dvd is 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.
One of the more historically inaccurate presentations of the 1912 Titanic tragedy, this 1953 version still sports an exceptional cast with great performances all around. This dvd is nicely done with ample bonus features, including commentary, but as somewhat of a Titanic buff myself, I still recommend the much better 1958 film titled 'A Night To Remember.'
Adapting the themes of the 1948 film Mr. Blandings Builds his Dream House, this comedy stars Tom Hanks as Walter Fielding, who with his love Anna (Shelley Long) decides to buy a suburban New York home for next-to-nothing. Both Anna and Walter are willing to fix what ails the house and since they are both successful professionals, that should not be too difficult. Unfortunately, what ails the house might be terminal as the rest of the film chronicles the battle between the couple and the disintegrating structure. Construction workers come in to make matters either worse or better -- or both.
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.
As far as acting is concerned, 'F.I.S.T.' displays one of Sylvester Stallone's more memorable performances. The movie was apparently loosely based on the life of Teamster leader Jimmy Hoffa. Widescreen, but nothing in terms of bonus.
Fans of bodybuilding rejoice, the pumped-up DVD release of this remarkable cult classic has finally made it to DVD in fine form thanks to the efforts of HBO/Rysher Entertainment. Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.33:1, the image as viewed here is just about as good as one could hope for given the limited budget and age of the film. Though slightly grainy at times (a result of the 16 mm film stock on which the film was shot), the colors are bright and vivid and the transfer clean and virtually flawless. This is a film that has been a long time coming on DVD, and it's obvious that great care was taken in ensuring the best transfer possible. With sound options including both Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Digital Stereo, both tracks are clean and free of distortion, with the Dolby 5.1 track coming in a bit more boldly than the Dolby Stereo. It likely goes without saying that, while the Dolby 5.1 track does indeed carry a bit more weight, it certainly lacks in the directional effects and dynamics of recent tracks originally recorded in that particular format. As pleased as fans will be to see the respect that was given to the transfer of the film, though, it's the extras that truly make this disc worth the purchase. More than simple bonus features, these extras offer a continuation of the story of Pumping Iron. "Raw Iron," in particular, is a special treat. In addition to updating viewers as to what the bodybuilders have been up to since the original docudrama was released back in 1976, this newly produced featurette brings them together for a warm reunion. "Iron and Beyond," while mostly serving as a promotional piece for Arnold Schwarzenegger, does also offer some interesting background information on the sport and spectacle of the bodybuilding culture. An interview with Schwarzenegger, entitled "Iron Insights," clears the air on the many rumors surrounding the film in a humorous and entertaining manner, with the relaxed bodybuilder-cum-star happily knocking down rumors and reminiscing on some of the film's most memorable moments. "Comments from Arnold" discusses the origins of bodybuilding as a sport and the "Pumping Iron Premiere Party" offers interviews with both the original cast and the newest faces in bodybuilding. Lastly, a video biography for Schwarzenegger presents his life story through voice-over narration, still images, and video clips. Overall, this disc is both a great package for longtime fans and a spectacular introduction to the film for newcomers.
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.
'Pumping Iron' is a documentary that will most likely only entertain people who are involved in, or enjoy the sport of 'Bodybuilding.' The documentary is quite informative, at least about how the sport was in the late 1970's and early 1980's, and this dvd features exclusive bonus content that will be appreciated by fans of Schwarzenegger.
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.
Charlton Heston gives an excellent performance in this film based on the Holy Scriptures of the Bible. But the real star of the film is the incredible visuals, which for the time were just uncanny! Highly recommended!
Package Description: Deep in the heart of turn-of-the-century India a young mongoose is adopted by a British family "Every well-bred mongoose hopes to be a house mongoose someday." Narrates Orson Welles - and indeed, bushy-tailed RIKKI-TIKKI-TAVI! does that (and more) in this exciting Rudyard Kipling classic. Proetecting his "family" to the death. Rikki battles Nag and Nagaina - two hideously evil cobra snakes who want to kill the humans in order to safely hatch their eggs. Miles ahead of ordinary cartoon fare. RIKKI-TIKKI-TAVI is a very special animated film that will be a welcomed addition to any home video library. Meet Chester the cricket, Tucker the mouse and Harry the cat and their fanciful account of what really happened during the Revolutionary War. YANKEE DOODLE CRICKET is a playful patriotic salute to both our nations heritage...and humor.
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.
Who would have expected a special edition for '80s cult film The Adventures of Buckaroo Bonzai Across the 8th Dimension? That is exactly what MGM has delivered with this DVD, and the results are exceptional. The special features for this disc are rather unique, as they present this film like Bonzai actually lived. A nice documentary, with vintage interviews from the cast, and new material with director W.D. Richter doesn't go into great detail, but is still informative and amusing. A real plus is a commentary track with Richter and writer Earl Mac Rauch. Also, on a subtitle track, information is presented as fact about the history of the characters. Knowing the movie is obviously fiction makes this track all the more entertaining. In addition, there are character profiles, information about the "jet car," a photo gallery, an alternate opening (with Jamie Lee Curtis), a tease trailer, deleted scenes, and much more. As for the picture and sound, care has been taken there also. The 2.35:1 anamorphic image is the best this film has seen since the theaters. Though not without some problems, such as moments of grain, it looks far better than would be expected for such a relatively unknown movie. The sound is also good, but not necessarily strong. The 5.1 English track is primarily centered upfront, with only limited use of the surrounds. The front right and left speakers do get some use, creating a little directional effect. Also available is a mono track in French, as well as subtitles in French and Spanish. While there is no question this isn't a film that will ever appeal to a wide audience, fans will be highly grateful that so much work went into this disc.
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 much as I dislike this cult-classic film, I'll be forever in its debt, as writer W.D. Richters script for its intended sequel eventually became the basis for John Carpenter's 'Big Trouble In Little China' (my all-time favorite movie). Unfortunately, for 'Buckaroo Bonzai,' the bizarre and muddled story casts a heavy shadow on the excellent cast and lavish production design. For those who did like the film though, here's a superb special edition featuring a beautiful anamorphic widescreen transfer.
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.
Jim Carrey gives the best performance of his career in my opinion, and Jeff Daniels is equally as funny, in this comedic tale about two not so bright guys traveling cross country to return a suspicious briefcase to its rightful owner. This unrated version adds some extra, and somewhat raunchy footage to the film, but I still find the theatrical release better. Nonetheless, die hard fans will want to check this one out just for the bonus features that weren't available on the original dvd.