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- Review count4
- Helpfulness votes10
- First reviewDecember 30, 2008
- Last reviewApril 2, 2009
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.8
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- First answerJanuary 23, 2009
- Last answerJanuary 23, 2009
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variable303's Reviews
![Slumdog Millionaire [Includes Digital Copy] [Blu-ray] [2008]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/9172/9172361_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
5
This movie has it all!
on April 2, 2009
Posted by: variable303
from Huntington Beach, CA
Often times, when movies are hyped this much, they end up falling short of my expectations. This was not the case with Slumdog Millionaire.
The premise is straight forward. Jamal Malik, a poor boy from the slums of Mumbia (formerly Bombay) goes on the show, "Who Wants to be a Millionaire", not to win money, but because he hopes to reunite with his long lost childhood love. With each correct answer, the nation becomes enthralled and rallies behind him, while the show's creator is shocked at how an uneducated 'slumdog' can possibly know all the answers. However, Jamal is not a genius. While those who are educated might draw answers from knowledge accumulated through books, Jamal must rely on his own life experiences. In essence, the hardship Jamal experiences in his youth gives him knowledge and insight that can't simply be learned by reading.
Overall, this movie is takes the basic elements of the human experience; love, friendship, betrayal, loyalty, profound happiness, and extreme sadness, and combines them in a way that is so creative, yet simple and accessible to everyone. Moreover, the photography is gorgeous, and captures humanity of the city and its inhabitants. Throughout the movie, you'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll cheer!
What's great about it: Beautifully captures all the elements of life in a way each of us can personally relate to
What's not so great: Nothing
I would recommend this to a friend!
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0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
![Lakeview Terrace [WS] [Blu-ray] [2008]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/9180/9180281_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
4
Conventional, but still exciting and entertaining
on January 28, 2009
Posted by: variable303
from Huntington Beach, CA
Lakeview Terrace focuses on the progressive volatile relationship between an interracial couple that moves into a middle class neighborhood, and their neighbor who happens to be a police officer (Samuel Jackson). What starts off as a typical next-door-neighbor relationship progressively spirals out of control. Race plays a central thematic role throughout their conflict as this movie examines a more tenuous form of racism that is arguably still pervasive in our society.
Some may feel this movie is a bit on the preachy side, but nevertheless, it still does a solid job in maintaining a high level of action and excitement. What really makes this movie enjoyable are the believable performances by the cast, particularly Samuel Jackson. The gradual escalation of tension between the neighbors is also portrayed in a believable way that many people can probably identify with.
Overall, this movie follows a fairly conventional format that many may like, while others will argue that it's too banal, formulaic, and predictable (if you prefer more original, artsy independent films, look elsewhere). Regardless, solid performances by its cast make this movie worth watching. Enjoy!
What's great about it: Very believable performances, solid pacing, blu-ray live ready
What's not so great: Some might say this theme has been done better in the past, extras are so-so...
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
![Dexter: The First Season [4 Discs] [Blu-ray]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/b93523fc-1a3c-496b-8f62-435a48a71161.jpg)
Customer Rating
5
Smart, Suspenseful, and Thought Provoking
on January 15, 2009
Posted by: variable303
from Huntington Beach, CA
Dexter is a dark comedy/drama that follows the life of the a serial killer/vigilante, who also happens to work as a blood spatter technician in the Miami Police Dept. Furthermore, Dexter is a sociopath incapable of feeling the range of normal human emotions, particularly love. One might wonder how the audience can embrace a protagonist that kills without sympathy, but I assure you he is extremely likable. However, despite the fact that he is indeed a killer incapable of empathy, he does follow a strict code of honor which was instilled by his father.
Throughout the show, Dexter uncovers a range of wicked characters that don't deserve to live, many of whom he methodically disposes of. Along the way, he finds the delicate balance of working in a police department by day, while killing at night.
The rest of the cast features a range of colorful characters. His clumsy, foulmouthed sister, Deb (played by Jennifer Carpenter) also works in the police department in the homicide division. They couldn't be more different, yet they seem to compliment each other so well. Doakes, another dectective on the force is a brutish, intense, man....and the only person who seems to know that there just isn't something right about Dexter. His boss, LaGuerta is constantly (although unsuccessfully) trying to get into his pants. The only character that is somewhat boring is Rita, Dexter's damaged girlfriend (played by Julie Benz). However, she is somewhat limited by a formulaic script.
This show works largely due to the great dialogue, much of which is simply Dexter's inner monologue that serves as a narrative for viewers. It's both smart and thought provoking. Because Dexter is a sociopath, he views the world in a way that allows us to see the things we take for granted. Simply having the ability to love another person is a luxury he doesn't have.
Overall, Dexter is extremely funny, suspenseful, and in a twisted way, a feel good show :)
What's great about it: Likable characters, great plot development, surprising twists
What's not so great: somewhat short (12 episodes), only English subtitles
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+3points
3of 3voted this as helpful.
![Band of Brothers [Blu-ray]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/9078/9078936_sa.jpg)
This 10-part collaboration from Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks follows a group of soldiers as they lean on each other for support while traversing the battlefields of World War II.
Customer Rating
5
A Truly Epic Story
on December 30, 2008
Posted by: variable303
from Huntington Beach, CA
After reading, "Band of Brothers", by Stephen Ambrose, I had to see whether this movie did the book justice. Seeing how I usually favor books over movie portrayals, I was simply floored after watching "Band of Brothers" for the first time. This is one of the few instances where I actually enjoyed the film more than the book. Here's why:
Many have already pointed out that "Band of Brothers" follows in the tradition of "Saving Private Ryan". The action and filming style of both have a viceral, gritty feel to them, which adds to the authenticity of its battle scenes. Both pay impeccable attention to detail. And both stories are told in a realistic, yet tasteful manner that respects and honors everyone involved. However, that's where the similarities end. While "Saving Private Ryan" is a wonderful movie, "Band of Brothers" explores the lives and experiences of soldiers with far more detail, and in my opinion, paints a more complete and emotionally moving story. There is no way this story can be told in a 2 hour movie.
The series begins with the conception of Easy Company, an Army Airborne Unit whose training beginning at Curahee. From the beginning, viewers get a clear picture of where these soldiers come from: their personalities, flaws, dreams, and the hardship they must endure together that ultimately strengthens the bond of friendship in a way most people will never experience. Its easy to become attached to these personalities, Winters, Nixon, Guarnere, Luz, Percante, Malarky, Toye, Randellman Shifty, etc...each of whom is so different.
As their training comes to a close, the film follows the unit through different phases of the conflict in Europe, from their first combat experience taking out artillery in near Normandy, to holding the line in Bastogne, to finally taking Hitler's Eagle's Nest. Throughout each of these conflicts, the action is fast-paced, and very realistic. Viewers get a clear picture of how each tactical decision plays out on the battlefield. In fact, we learn that Lt. Winter's assault on the guns at Brécourt Manor is still taught today as a textbook example of an assault on a fixed position (episode 2).
While "Band of Brothers" is action-packed, what really sets it apart from other depictions of World War II is how well it tackles the less tangible aspects of the war, such as emotion, loyalty, and morale. Its portrayal leadership is simply astounding. "Band of Brothers" is able to illustrate how good leadership can turn a unit from an unorganized mess, to precision strike force. It equally shows how poor leadership can lead to needless deaths on the battlefield, and loss of unit morale. Throughout the series, its depiction of how NCOs are the 'glue' that holds the unit together is second to none.
Simply put, "Band of Brothers" is one of the most expansive and moving portrayals of war I have ever seen. Because of its longer length, we can become more attached to each soldier, and gain a deeper and more meaningful understanding of their experiences. The film is beautifully shot and the musical score does the entire series great justice. Highly recommended.
A NOTE ABOUT ACCURACY:
Many of the men of Easy Company were still alive during the production of this film. Stephen Ambrose, along with the actual men of Easy served as consultants to ensure the highest degree of accuracy was maintained. In fact, each episode opens with the candid interviews of the actual men of Easy Company telling viewers about the experiences they are about to see on that particular episode. Here's an example of how accurate this film's details are: In the book, Ambrose mentions how one of Easy's machine gun units lost their tripod (I forget who it was), and in the actual film, they show that same unit, shooting out of a window toward an open field without a tripod. Of course, this isn't anything that would make or break a film, it's simply a testament to the kind of detail the producers wanted to achieve.
Many of the men of Easy Company were still alive during the production of this film. Stephen Ambrose, along with the actual men of Easy served as consultants to ensure the highest degree of accuracy was maintained. In fact, each episode opens with the candid interviews of the actual men of Easy Company telling viewers about the experiences they are about to see on that particular episode. Here's an example of how accurate this film's details are: In the book, Ambrose mentions how one of Easy's machine gun units lost their tripod (I forget who it was), and in the actual film, they show that same unit, shooting out of a window toward an open field without a tripod. Of course, this isn't anything that would make or break a film, it's simply a testament to the kind of detail the producers wanted to achieve.
What's great about it: Accurate, expansive, stirs both heart and mind
What's not so great: Only that some of the men it honors will never get to experience watching it
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+4points
5of 6voted this as helpful.
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variable303's Answers
Which player has a resume feature?
I recently bought an Insignia player, hdmi, and it doesn't resume movies. It's the biggest hassle. I can not turn off the player but have to leave it in pause mode to pick up where i left off. Who knows which blu-ray player has a resume feature?
From what I know, this problem lies more in the discs, not the player. Older blu-rays discs often auto resume, newer ones, however, do not. What new discs do tend to have is a "bookmarking" feature that basically works much like auto resume. Hope that helps! Good luck with your player :)
15 years, 3 months ago
by
variable303
Huntington Beach, CA