This two-disc set contains the first of Peter Jackson's adaptations of The Lord of the Rings books. The disc contains a standard full-frame transfer that fails to preserve the original theatrical aspect ratio of the film. Closed-captioned English soundtracks are rendered in Dolby Digital EX 5.1 and Dolby Digital Surround. English subtitles are accessible. Supplemental materials include close to a dozen featurettes that provide a great deal of information about every aspect of the production, a preview of the second film in the series, a music video, television promotional spots, and trailers. This is an excellent disc, but the same features can be found on a disc with a widescreen transfer. That disc is superior to this one, but this disc serves its purpose.
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this full-screen dvd version alters the original theatrical aspect ratis of the movie from 2.35:1 to 1.33:1, giving a picture in which you lose almost 50% of the image on each side in every scene. Buy the widescreen version instead.
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this full-screen dvd version alters the original theatrical aspect ratio of the movie from 1.85:1 to 1.33:1, giving a you a picture that is different than what was originally seen in the theater.
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Based off the Roald Dahl childrens book, This twisted and bizarre remake of the 1971 classic film is extremely poor. A relatively good cast and production team goes to waste here. Stick with the infinitely better 1971 version starring Gene Wilder and titled 'Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.'
Long resistant to film adaptations of her Mary Poppins books, P.L. Travers finally succumbed to the entreaties of Walt Disney, and the result is often considered the finest of Disney's personally supervised films. The Travers stories are bundled together to tell the story of the Edwardian-era British Banks family: the banker father (David Tomlinson), suffragette mother (Glynis Johns), and the two "impossible" children (Karen Dotrice and Matthew Garber). The kids get the attention of their all-business father by bedevilling every new nanny in the Banks household. Whem Mr. Banks advertises conventionally for another nanny, the kids compose their own ad, asking for someone with a little kindness and imagination. Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews in her screen debut) answers the children's ad by arriving at the Banks home from the skies, parachuting downward with her umbrella. She immediately endears herself to the children. The next day they meet Mary's old chum Bert (Dick Van Dyke), currently employed as a sidewalk artist. Mary, Bert, and the children hop into one of Bert's chalk drawings and learn the nonsense song "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" in a cartoon countryside. Later, they pay a visit to Bert's Uncle Albert (Ed Wynn), who laughs so hard that he floats to the ceiling. Mr. Banks is pleased that his children are behaving better, but he's not happy with their fantastic stories. To show the children what the real world is like, he takes them to his bank. A series of disasters follow which result in his being fired from his job. Mary Poppins' role in all this leads to some moments when it is possible to fear that all her good work will be undone, but like the magical being she is, all her "mistakes" lead to a happy result by the end of the film. In 2001, Mary Poppins was rereleased in a special "sing-along" edition with subtitles added to the musical numbers so audiences could join in with the onscreen vocalists.screen vocalists.
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Julien Temple directs Mickey Rourke and Tupac Shakur in the action film Bullet, which comes to DVD with a pair of transfers. The widescreen transfer preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1, and is preferable to the standard full-frame image. The closed-captioned English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital Surround. English subtitles are accessible. This disc contains both the "R" rated version of the film as well as an unrated cut. Supplemental materials include interviews with the cast. Additional extras are available to those with a DVD-ROM drive. This is a fine release from New Line Home Entertainment that will appeal primarily to genre enthusiasts.
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I'm not really one who tends to enjoy or watch movies about gangsters or criminal lifestyles. However, 'Bullet' is an exception, and is a film in which the story deals not so much with excessive violence and brutality, but much more with the shattered soul and dreams of the main character and his family. 'Bullet' actually presents a very good story, that sadly I'm sure all too many Americans can relate to. Excellent acting overall with exceptional performances by Levine and Rourke. Highly recommended, not to be confused with the 1970's film starring Steve McQueen.
Mark Pellington's domestic terrorist thriller Arlington Road gets a fantastic DVD treatment on this release. The disc boasts a widescreen anamorphic transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1. English soundtracks are rendered in both Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Digital Surround. English subtitles are accessible. Supplemental materials include a commentary track featuring the first-time director as well as lead actor Jeff Bridges, production notes, a "making of" featurette, an alternative ending, talent files, and theatrical trailers. This disc will please the film's fans and offers the best way to introduce the film to the uninitiated.
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.
While probably not the type of movie one would tend to watch over and over, 'Arlington Road' is still exceptional entertainment that is sure to keep your attention. Great cast and performances. Widescreen with ample bonus features. Recommended.
Bob Sagat directs Norm MacDonald in his first leading man role in Dirty Work, which comes to DVD with a widescreen transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1. English and French soundtracks are rendered in Dolby Digital 5.1. Subtitles are accessible in both of those languages as well. Supplemental materials include the original theatrical trailer, and a booklet containing information about the film's production. This is a fine release from MGM/UA.
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'Dirty Work' was an utter disappointment to watch, not because it was the worst movie I've ever seen, which it wasn't. It's just that after having watched him on 'Saturday Night Live' for several years, I feel Norm MacDonald has so much more talent than was utilized in the film. Widescreen.
Rowan Atkinson stars in Bean: The Movie on this DVD from Polygram Entertainment, presented with both widescreen and full-screen transfers. The Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround soundtrack is in English and French. Spanish subtitles and English closed captions are also available. Special features start off with biographies and filmographies of director Mel Smith, screenwriter Richard Curtis, and stars Rowan Atkinson and Peter MacNicol. Also included are the original theatrical trailer, two short teasers, and an "I Love L.A." music video featuring New Zealand-based pop group OMC (creators of the 1997 dance-pop hit "How Bizarre").
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.
'Bean' is not a movie that everyone will enjoy, but those who can appreciate its offbeat humor will find themselves in for some good laughs. Widescreen and full-screen viewing options.
This box set consisting of the supernatural comedies Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters 2. Each is presented in the original broadcast aspect ratio. Supplemental materials include a wealth of behind-the-scenes materials and a collectible scrapbook that documents the two films.
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The best thing about this set is the price. The re-mastered high-def transfers on these new versions seem a bit too light to me, and also seem to be missing some of the extras from the original collector's dvd release. Still though, a good buy for two great films. Recommended.
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.
'Ghostbusters 2' is a really good sequel in my opinion. I recommend this movie, but the re-mastered high-def transfer on this new version seems too light to me, and I still prefer the original dvd release. Nonetheless, still highly recommended.