I have owned quite a few editions of this film.From VHS to BD and now the 4k release of the film.
It's a Shane that the film received such a mediocre transfer.
After reading reviews and seeing screen shots of this 4k disc.
I swore I would never buy this release of the film/but after noticing that this release has more detail.I decided to buy it and see it in motion for myself.
There is definitely a lot of DNR and the color timing was messed with/but it did not look like the disaster that I feared it was.And since James Cameron DNR's all of his films I don't know how much better we will get of this film on Disc or any home Video release.They did say that they intend to re visit the film and give it a proper transfer/but we don't know when.Shame on Lionsgate for releasing this transfer !!!!! If a better transfer of this film ever happens I will be happy to buy it.I guess for now we are stuck with this mess very sad !!!

I have owned quite a few editions of this film.From VHS to BD and now the 4k release of the film.
It's a Shane that the film received such a mediocre transfer.
After reading reviews and seeing screen shots of this 4k disc.
I swore I would never buy this release of the film/but after noticing that this release has more detail.I decided t... display full review

NOTE: This review was originally published Dec. 3, 2024.

Tech Specs:
Rated R. CHV Rating of PG. 1987/COLOR/92 Mins approx. 4K UHD HDR10/Dolby Vision 2160p 16x9 1.85:1 Matted Widescreen, DTS-HD MA 5.1 English surround. 4K encoded HEVC/H.265 HDR/DV enabled presentation on a Dual-layered BD-66 with extras. AVC SD and HD SDR encoded special features encoded on a Single-layered BD-25 disc of bonus materials.

The movie:
I can’t believe it is that time of year again, but here we are: Thanksgiving. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles is one of my favorite comedies of all time and might be my favorite seasonal movie (although it is neck-in-neck with Christmas Vacation). It is a must watch every Thanksgiving and I look forward to it every year. Steve Martin does an excellent job playing the uptight and pretentious Neal Paige while John Candy is legendary as the big-hearted, lovable yet exceedingly inconsiderate Del Griffith. The shenanigans that these two get into during their road trip back to Chicago provide gutbuster after gutbuster. You would wonder if after seeing the film for 10+ times if the same jokes would become flat, but instead they age even better like a fine wine. I pick out new little hilarious details each time I watch it. If you have not yet seen this classic, now is the perfect time. 5.0.

PQ:
The movie was shot spherically on 35mm and finished with a 4K Digital Intermediate restoration/remaster (if you can call it that) in 2022. This 4K master was then graded in Dolby Vision and HDR10 where it is finally presented in 1.85:1 on the 4K Blu-ray disc (which happens to be the first time the film is presented in its OAR on physical media to my knowledge). I will get this out of the way, this is a disappointing 4K UHD image at many points. It is very flat, pasty, and texturally smooth for large portions of the movie. However, with that sentiment out of the way, I will say that it is not quite as bad as I was expecting. It is still bad, don’t get me wrong, it is just not quite as pervasively bad as I had heard. Most of the movie has moderate DNR and a few portions have EXTREME DNR. All of it looks on varying levels of bad, but some scenes fare worse than others. Only a handful of scenes actually look “filmic” to me and digital tinkering and processing runs rampant on this one. A decent portion of scenes still have decent detail, but there is a waxy artificial look to it and detail disappears with smeared motion. In these scenes, there are still details such as skin texture including pores and wrinkles as well as decent texture on hair strands. I will say that clothing consistently looks pretty good in this with decent fibrous detail on stitches on Neal’s suit or Del’s gloves. Environments can look halfway decent in some shots such as the gritty New York street when Del steals Neal’s cab. You can make out decent detail on the asphalt as well as the grimy puddle with one of Del’s shower curtain rings bobbing on the top. Another scene which I thought looked pretty good was when Neal gets dropped off by the Marathon bus. Not only does the ground, the cars, and the bus itself all look nicely detailed and sharp with minimal DNR (although it is still slightly present), but his trek back to the Marathon headquarters reveals some very good detail on snow and mush (especially right when he walks into the building and begins his R-rated tirade). I think what is important about this UHD image is that while fine detail is not always consistently impressive (and many scenes are about the opposite of impressive), clarity and depth are overall improved (for the most part). What I mean by this is that this 4K always looks better than the DVD version. In the scene with Doobie’s adult taxi cab, there is a shot of the car from the outside as it is on the road and you can see fingerprints and blemishes which I have never seen on DVD. I don’t have the Blu-ray and I have never seen that version, but I would suspect that it offers similar strengths and weaknesses. However, I doubt it is able to provide the same clarity in these same scenes. On the flip side, I bet it is able to hide the worst of the DNR shots applied to that master a little better. There are a few shots which look absolutely atrocious in this with some good examples being when Neal wipes his face with Del’s undergarments or when Neal finally makes it home. I would rate both of these scenes probably about a 1.0 from a visual standpoint. Outside of clarity and sharpness, the other problem is film grain. It is usually present in most scenes, but not in a natural way. Sometimes it looks like it is artificially put on top, other times it looks like it is just a bit of residual that did not get erased away, and other times, it swarms kind of like noise. In one or two scenes (really when Neal and Del get into conflict with each other at the room they have to share at the Braidwood Inn), there is a strange aliasing/moire/stairstepping effect on hard edges like the edge of the bed, Steve Martin’s nose in a closeup, or Del’s tie. I noticed it in both HDR formats which makes me think it is a part of the “restoration” process. In regards to color and contrast, there is definitely better news even if it is not perfect. The disc features Dolby Vision and HDR10 and I chose DV. Once again, I have not ever seen the film on Blu-ray and I do not have that disc. Furthermore, that disc is NOT included in this set and the Blu-ray disc here is for special features only. Going back to HDR, I have seen the film several times on DVD and once or twice on VHS. While the Dolby Vision is not incredibly intense and probably won’t knock your socks off, I found there were several scenes where it helped color and contrast. In some scenes, black levels are very deep almost to the point of crush (although not completely; you can still make out individual fibers and detail on Del’s sock unlike what the main review says). When the duo are heading the wrong way, the night sky is truly black and extremely deep. Another great example is when Del tries to turn out the light and he burns his hand. On the DVD, the screen appears to cut to black and you don’t see anything else. On the 4K disc in Dolby Vision, you can actually see Del fall backwards in the darkness before the image cuts out. I never noticed this before. Highlights can get surprisingly bright in the opposite direction with some scenes of snow featuring nice brightness beyond what SDR can provide but also with a brilliance and crispness that only HDR can create. The scene where Neal tumbles down the slope and into the highway where his hat proceeds to get run over by a semi truck is a decent showcase of HDR as the snow is surprisingly bright. The movie doesn’t look incredibly different from the other times I had seen it, but the extra stops of dynamic range from HDR are noticeable from time to time. I felt the bigger upgrade came from color reproduction. Once again, the vast majority of scenes looked pretty similar. However, the blue sky in many shots (including the shot with Neal discussed above), the brilliance of white snow here and there, the orange fire when the car ignites (in particular the warm glow it casts on the main actor’s faces), the red brake lights on said exploding car, and Del’s blue coat or red glove are great standouts and feature considerably deeper, truer, and more vivid color. It is not radically different, but I noticed an added brilliance which I certainly did not notice in SD SDR on the DVD disc. I can’t give this disc top marks because it looks very artificial way too frequently. It is a novel thing whenever a decently detailed and filmic scene does come on even though there are a few present, Film grain never looks normal and has a sort of shimmering effect along edges and detail is way below where it should be. All of this is true. However, I still think that this 4K disc is at least a substantial upgrade from the DVD (I can’t speak for the Blu-ray) and its Dolby Vision is at least effective for a few things. At the end of the day, this UHD presentation is far from perfect and is far from the best of what 4K can offer. However, I was expecting it to look even worse and so I was pleasantly surprised with how it looked in some parts. It doesn’t get as consistently bad as T2, but some scenes probably match it. 3.25.

As I mentioned previously, there is no Blu-ray for the film included. 0.0.

AQ:
The same DTS-HD MA 5.1 English surround track from the previous Blu-ray release has simply been ported over here and that is all that is really necessary. The movie probably could have gotten away with just a 2.0 stereo mix as there is not really a huge glut of surround type effects present due to the fact that it is primarily a dialogue-driven comedy. Dialogue is generally very crisp and clear and it always comes from the center channel. It could stand to be just a wee bit louder and it does have a bit of that 1980s thin mono sound to it, but it always sounds authentic and it overall sounds fine. The various cheesy and awesome ‘80s music selections are presented with excellent size, depth, and clarity. In a few scenes, music will spill into the rear channels but it is more front-focused. Sound effects are mainly limited to ambient effects like the sound of airplanes landing although the screeching halt of the rental car which sends Del’s luggage flying, the grinding gears of the train engine as it shuts down, and the visceral crunch as Neal is picked up by his nethers are all presented with decent detail. The track is extremely front-heavy and there are very few discrete channel effects although when Neal goes to get his car in the Marathon parking lot, the sound of a plane landing in the rear channels is well imaged. When Neal and Del pass in between two semitrucks, the screeching of metal and the sound of the trucks zooming by does pass through the rear channels as well. Bass is obviously not too intense due to this being a dialogue-driven comedy, but the bass notes and low-end of music and some sound effects are presented well with solid depth. It serves the material well even if it is not a demo 5.1 mix. 4.0.

Extras:
This is the saving grace for this entire set and is the reason why you should still upgrade to this 4K Blu-ray even if you already have the film on DVD or Blu-ray (or not at all). Not only is everything from the Blu-ray and “Those Aren’t Pillows” edition DVD presented on the 4K disc itself (with a total runtime of around 77-78 minutes), but there is around 80 minutes of brand new and exclusive bonus content on a bonus features Blu-ray included as disc two on this set. 75 minutes of this are never-before-seen deleted scenes sourced from VHS archive tapes from the Hughes estate. They are all in VHS-quality SD upscaled to HD AVC (although the “Airplane Food” scene from the previous releases is presented in native HD and it is presented on the bonus Blu-ray and not the 4K). These scenes are surprisingly still hilarious mostly (there are one or two duds which is to be expected) and provide a lot of interesting context to some of the events not seen in the movie. They are absolutely worth the cash by themselves. There is also an audition tape for Dylan Baker who plays the redneck guy, Owen. It is presented in the same VHS-quality SD upscaled to HD format. The total runtime across both discs is around 156-157 minutes. The supplemental package on this 4K edition makes this the most definitive edition on the market and it should be in every fan’s collection for this one reason alone. 4.5.

Total Package:
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles is one of my favorite comedies of all time and I think it might be my favorite seasonal movie period. The jokes, the timing, the acting, the sarcasm, I love everything about it. It feels so pure and real and the premise is so simple. I personally think it is John Hughes' best movie and I look forward to every Thanksgiving because of it. Here comes the bad news, just like the previous Blu-ray, the 4K is sub-standard. Many large stretches of the movie are heavily filtered and cleaned with DNR or some other nastiness. The majority of the movie looks glossy, flat, and artificially smooth. There are some decent parts and it does look a tiny bit better than I was expecting, but overall it is a disappointment. The Dolby Vision does help here and there, but it doesn’t radically alter how the movie looks (luckily). The DTS-HD MA 5.1 track from the previous Blu-ray is ported over (which is fine because a dialogue driven comedy is not going to get a lot of use from an Atmos upgrade) and there is no standard Blu-ray copy included. HOWEVER, there is still one saving grace to this release which makes it worthy of upgrading EVEN if you have the movie on Blu-ray: the bonus features. Around 75 minutes of recently unearthed deleted scenes can only be purchased exclusively through this set as of writing this. The 4K is probably the best the movie has ever looked but it all depends on your tolerance towards processing/DNR. The special features save the day. 4.25.

NOTE: This review was originally published Dec. 3, 2024.

Tech Specs:
Rated R. CHV Rating of PG. 1987/COLOR/92 Mins approx. 4K UHD HDR10/Dolby Vision 2160p 16x9 1.85:1 Matted Widescreen, DTS-HD MA 5.1 English surround. 4K encoded HEVC/H.265 HDR/DV enabled presentation on a Dual-layered BD-66 with extras. AVC SD and HD SDR encoded special feature... display full review

Tech Specs:
Rated PG. CHV Rating of PG. 1990/COLOR/135 Mins approx. 4K UHD HDR10/Dolby Vision 2160p + HD 1080p 16x9 2.35:1 Letterboxed Widescreen, Dolby TrueHD 5.1 English surround on both discs. 4K encoded HEVC/H.265 HDR/DV enabled presentation on a Dual-layered BD-66 disc. AVC HD SDR encoded presentation on a Dual-layered BD-50 disc with extras.

The movie:
The Hunt for Red October is a very tense, at times claustrophobic, and well-crafted political thriller. Sean Connery and Alec Baldwin play their respective characters quite well (even if Marko Ramius never actually sounds Russian). While the movie doesn’t feature constant white-knuckler action sequences, there are some angst-ridden moments involving submarine underwater warfare that are performed expertly. The actual underwater submarine props in addition to the undersea canyons and trenches look great. I am not super familiar with the Jack Ryan book series but I have seen a few of the movies and of the ones I have seen, this is probably my favorite of the bunch. 4.5.

PQ:
The movie was shot anamorphically on 35mm and finished with a 4K Digital Intermediate restoration/remaster in 2020. This 4K master was graded in Dolby Vision and HDR10 and both formats are presented on this disc. Furthermore, the movie is presented in its original 2.35:1 widescreen on both discs in this set. The 4K image is overall pretty good but it is certainly not going to turn any heads. Fine detail is nicely sharp and crisp and the whole image has a natural filmic edge to it. Closeups offer a great look at skin texture and stubble with Sean Connery’s white goatee/beard looking almost tactile. Pores, wrinkles, and lines are presented with proper clarity. Hair strands look nicely distinct as do the golden tassels on the many Russian Captains’ jackets. The grimy interiors of the many submarines shown in the movie or the choppy waters look nicely clear and detailed. The underwater sequences look great with each sub and torpedo featuring decent clarity and depth. Contrast and color look overall pretty good too. I viewed the Dolby Vision grade and thought that it was overall fine. The image can be kind of gray, kind of dim, and kind of flat, but it appears that the original photography is the culprit in every case. The control panels, sonar screens, and various glowing buttons all look well defined, vibrant, and punchy with various shades of yellow, green, blue, and red. When the Captains/Commanders of the Red October hack the radiation sensors, the yellow glare that fills the hallways and passageways of the ship accompanied by red klaxon alarms is nicely saturated. I did briefly test the regular HDR10 grade and I didn’t find a huge difference in quality in the limited time I spent with it. The image doesn’t seem to suffer from outright egregious uses of DNR or filtering, but it does have its fair share of problems. In some shots (more towards the beginning), grain is very clumpy and smeary (not in an artificially clean way) and it doesn’t resolve super naturally. This is luckily not too much of an issue after this. While regular talking scenes inside the control hubs of the various submarines look fine with no serious problems, just about every single scene of the exterior of the submarines underwater feature frequent mild to moderate (to even perhaps severe in a few shots) banding. It never goes to the point of posterization, but it is still unsightly. These scenes are also extremely dark and sort of hard to make out (I was watching in a near pitch-black room and it still looked dark). Some scenes just have a bit of a smeary and soft look to them (like any scene where there is rain or sleet for instance). It doesn’t look completely like DNR or some kind of tampering, but it also doesn’t feature the highest quality UHD image either. Whether or not it is the original photography or the remastering process, I’m not sure. Overall, it is still the best I have seen the movie look compared to the DVD I watched over a decade ago or the Blu-ray included in this package. However, it is just not the absolute best demo-disc 4K transfer you will show off. 4.0.

The Blu-ray looks similar in some areas, worse in one or two, and better in a few. The image is nicely sharp and overall filmic. In fact, in some ways and in some shots, I found the Blu-ray to feature a superior grain structure and an overall more filmic look with tighter film grain. The best filmic shots in 4K still look better than they do in HD, but the scenes with swarmy, smeary, and soupy grain in 4K look a bit more natural in 1080p. Fine detail is overall pretty good with pores, lines, and stubble looking nicely sharp and clear. The control rooms of the submarines or the underwater shots of the submarines all look great with good fine detail on each button or module or undersea canyon. The 4K does overall have better sharpness, clarity, and overall depth. Scenes that looked great in HD have a new-found sense of clarity and sharpness in 4K. It is not a night and day improvement, but it is certainly present. Raw fine detail just leaps off the screen easier in 4K even if the regular HD transfer is still certainly very good. I found that underwater scenes were certainly brighter and easier to see in HD AND they did not feature any banding; two dings against the 4K. However, the Dolby Vision grading renders every color significantly deeper with the control panels featuring better color saturation on each button and knob, ocean scenes featuring a deeper blue color, green text for location changes retaining a much deeper and more saturated green hue, and gray scenes having a bit better contrast. The regular Blu-ray is not quite as smeary, but it also features nearly constant mild film damage in the form of lines, scratches, pops, and speckles. This can be kind of distracting at times and the 4K does not suffer from these problems. Raw fine detail, contrast, and color all look better in 4K Dolby Vision than the SDR HD 1080p transfer. There is also no film damage on the UHD master. However, the regular Blu-ray looks a bit less compressed in underwater scenes and the underwater footage is easier to make out. Furthermore, the image features a bit more natural film grain that is not as smeary. Tit for tat. If you are 4K and and/or HDR10/Dolby Vision equipped, I would ultimately recommend the 4K, but the regular HD version has its strengths as well. 4.25.

AQ:
Instead of giving it a Dolby Atmos or DTS:X upgrade, the Dolby TrueHD 5.1 mix from the original Blu-ray is simply ported over. However, with that being the case, I was frequently surprised with how good the track was/is. Dialogue is overall clear and easy to understand, but it is mixed a little too low compared to music and sound effects. It mostly comes from the center channel, but in a few scenes where the Russian soldiers sing, it can bleed into the surrounds to envelop the listener in the chant. The music in the movie is very well-orchestrated and presented with great depth and clarity. However, sound effects whether it be more ambient moments like the beeps and clicks of the submarines’ equipment or the sound of blowtorches and construction in the submarine hanger or more intense action sequences like shrieking homing torpedoes, groaning hull metal, firing shells, and deep underwater explosions feature great volume, ferocity, and power. Surround channel use is extremely frequent even though this is more of a cerebral political drama/thriller. Ambient effects like blowtorches and mechanical whirring surround the viewer in one scene, underwater ambience and gurgling is very deep, the sound of whistling wind in the opening scene puts you right onboard the Red October, the enormous weight of the submarines spreads through the sound stage whenever they pass by, and homing torpedoes shriek discreetly in the rear channels in search of their prey. The track features great size and movement with excellent directionality and precision that puts you in the middle of the action. Add in some heavy crushing bass from submarine engines or explosions and the track is much more immersive than I would have thought. 4.5.

Extras:
All extras are on the regular Blu-ray copy which is the same disc from 2008. There is an audio commentary track on both discs. In addition to this, there is a half-hour BTS featurette showcasing shooting locations, the transition from book to screenplay, and the process of casting. There is also a theatrical trailer. The featurette is in SD and the trailer is in HD. The total supplemental package runs for about 30-31 minutes. The Steelbook itself looks quite beautiful as well with intense contrasting shades of red and black with a mixture of English and Russian characters on the front and back and an exterior shot of the submarines on the inside with both discs stacked staggered style on the right. While the Steelbook is certainly not absolutely necessary for on-board supplements, it looks pretty cool. The regular score for the supplements would probably be about 2.0, but the Steelbook adds an extra star. 3.0.

Total Package:
While I am not usually into movies of this style, I think Hunt for Red October is an awesome action thriller. It helps that I really like submarines and naval warfare of the submarine persuasion, but the acting, story, and special effects are all first rate. The 4K UHD image overall looks nicely filmic and is certainly the better overall option between the 4K and HD images. The Dolby Vision grade renders color a bit deeper and truer but both the HDR and SDR enhanced versions feature varying flat, pasty, and gray shades which are inherent to the original photography. Overall clarity, sharpness, and color saturation are improved on the 4K, but there are some compression problems and swarmy grain that is not present on the Blu-ray. The Blu-ray looks a bit more naturally filmic but looks washed out in comparison, not quite as sharp, and features more film damage. Overall, the 4K is the better, but I could see how some might think the 1080p transfer on the Blu-ray is good enough. The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 mix on both discs rocks and the supplemental package is pretty light. I obviously wouldn’t recommend shelling out $200-$300 for this Steelbook when the discs can easily be purchased in a standard edition (for some reason, this Steelbook was going for $15 at my local Half Price Books store), but it does look pretty cool. 4.5.

Tech Specs:
Rated PG. CHV Rating of PG. 1990/COLOR/135 Mins approx. 4K UHD HDR10/Dolby Vision 2160p + HD 1080p 16x9 2.35:1 Letterboxed Widescreen, Dolby TrueHD 5.1 English surround on both discs. 4K encoded HEVC/H.265 HDR/DV enabled presentation on a Dual-layered BD-66 disc. AVC HD SDR encoded presentation on a Dual-layered BD-50 disc with extras.... display full review

Tech Specs:
Rated PG-13 for some terror/frightening images. 2013/COLOR/95 Mins approx. HD 1080p 16x9 2.35:1 Letterboxed Widescreen, DTS-HD MA 5.1 Norwegian and English-dubbed surround tracks. AVC HD SDR encoded presentation on a Single-layered BD-25 disc with HD extras.

The movie:
The movie is very enjoyable and offers some great creature action. However, it is also riddled with a host of clichés with probably the worst offender being the refrigerator wife syndrome that the movie quickly sets up at the beginning. Then there is the whole absent-minded father who forgets his daughter’s recital part. After you get through the first 20-30 minutes and things start to pick up, the movie definitely gets a bit better. The creature itself is really cool and the fact that it is based on a real mythological monster only adds to the total experience. It does kind of seem like the title Ragnarok is a bit misleading, however, as there is no way in H-E-double hockeysticks that this creature could bring about the end of the world. Furthermore, while the concept of Ragnarok is briefly discussed in the beginning of the movie, it is never really connected to the creature in any meaningful way. If you can look at it like a standard creature feature, you should have a great time with it because the monster action is pretty good, the CGI effects are respectable for a low-budget movie, and the acting is fine enough. I really appreciated the fact that the monster was left alone at the end and that immediately made me enjoy it that much more. 3.75.

PQ:
I am not sure what the movie was shot on or what it was finished with, but I expect that it was at least 2K. The movie is presented in its original 2.35:1 widescreen with overall good results. The image is super sharp and detailed, and during day-lit scenes, it looks great. The image has kind of a sharp, digital sheen but many scenes look like they have artificial grain added on top to give it kind of a filmic look. Closeups on human characters reveal pores, lines, wrinkles, and stubble. Hair strands are distinct as are stitches on clothes. The CGI creatures at times look a little artificial and other times decently realistic, but regardless, every scale or jagged tooth is presented with palpable texture. The grimy cave where the creatures live looks great with the muddy bone-strewn ground featuring almost tactile detail on each chewed up skull or ribcage. Contrast overall looks great too with super deep and inky black levels and nicely crisp highlights. The image is not insanely vibrant or bright but it looks as it should. There is a bit of a desaturated edge to the film’s color tone, but greenery in the forests, the aqua blue of the lake water, or the orange glow of torches look good enough to provide some pop. As good as the transfer is, it also struggles with some significant and at times extreme compression problems. Banding is a frequent offender to a significant degree. In dark sequences such as when the characters are in the cave and the only light source are flashlights or later in the bunker with the torches, there are thick, significant problems with banding halos around light sources. Many scenes feature such extreme constant banding that it completely devolves into full-blown posterization. It is the only real problem that holds it back and it most likely would have looked better had the studio encoded this on a BD-50 with a higher bit-rate. As such, 3.5.

AQ:
Luckily, the audio track, presented in DTS-HD MA 5.1 in either English or original Norwegian is pretty killer. I listened to the Norwegian track and was pleasantly surprised by the power, force, and ferocity. Dialogue is crystal clear and comes from the center channel with no problems. Music, such as many of the rousing adventure themes or some of the horror-themed stings feature decent clarity and depth. Sound effects, such as gunshots (or particularly) the creature’s roar are presented with extreme presence, force, and power. This is single-handedly the best aspect of the track and it puts it above many other similar low-budget movies. Surround channel use is well-implemented as well with gentle ambiance and discrete effects. Towards the beginning of the movie during a rain storm, the sound of falling rain surrounds the viewer. Later in the movie when the son unintentionally steals the egg and it hatches, the infant serpent can be heard crawling and chittering discreetly in the rear channels with a great pan effect. When you first hear the mother creature’s roar, it comes from the back left. Bass is super deep and impactful for tense music, creature roars, crumbling debris, and general sonic chaos. It is a very good track that is better than I was expecting. 4.75.

Extras:
There are a handful of extras on the disc in HD. There is a very brief 4 minute look at visual effects with before and after shots and a quick theatrical trailer, and a trailer gallery for other Magnolia Pictures Blu-ray releases. There is also technically BD-Live functionality as well. The total package for featurettes runs for about 6 minutes plus the additional trailers. 1.0.

Total Package:
Ragnarok is a fun albeit cliché-ridden monster movie that features decent acting and even better special effects. The film offers a decently intense look at Midgard Serpent and it is a fun way to spend 90 or so minutes. The HD 1080p image is very sharp and detailed with good color reproduction and even better contrast. However, it suffers from at times extreme banding and moderate posterization in darker sequences which gives the image a compressed look. The DTS-HD MA 5.1 track is incredible, however, but the supplemental package is very small. I would imagine the Blu-ray is probably the best way to experience this film, but understand what you are getting beforehand you can adjust expectations accordingly. 4.0.

Tech Specs:
Rated PG-13 for some terror/frightening images. 2013/COLOR/95 Mins approx. HD 1080p 16x9 2.35:1 Letterboxed Widescreen, DTS-HD MA 5.1 Norwegian and English-dubbed surround tracks. AVC HD SDR encoded presentation on a Single-layered BD-25 disc with HD extras.

The movie:
The movie is very enjoyable and offers some great creature acti... display full review

Tech Specs:
Rated PG. CHV Rating of G. 1980/COLOR/114 Mins approx. HD 1080p 16x9 2.35:1 Letterboxed Widescreen, Dolby TrueHD 5.1 English surround and Dolby Digital 2.0 English dual-mono. AVC HD SDR encoded presentation on a Dual-layered BD-50 disc with extras.

The movie:
This is the cinematic equivalent of taking mushrooms. The whole movie from the first big song and dance number up to the end credits is just really, really bizarre and hard to figure out. The blatant and obvious ADR problems add a whole new level of disjointedness that perhaps adds to the incredibly strange atmosphere of the movie. The songs are decently constructed and performed and I do overall like the film well enough. There are several pretty funny parts and Robin Williams and Shelley Duvall are just perfect for their respective roles. Probably the funniest part to me is that Popeye and his father have picture frames with paper that just says, “Me Poppa” and “Me Son” respectively. If the movie was a bit shorter, had a few less songs, and maybe involved a bit more Spinach (and more runtime for the octopus at the end of the movie), it would almost be imperfectly perfect. However, I am a huge “sucker” for movies with monster octopi and that addition to the movie makes me like it about a billion times more than I otherwise would. The movie is filled to the brim with an uncontrollable, chaotic, cartoon tone that sort of works. I don’t know how, but it works. 3.5.

PQ:
The movie was shot anamorphically on 35mm and given some kind of 2K or 4K restoration/remaster at some point in the past. The movie is presented in its original 2.35:1 widescreen and the results are pretty dang good. The image is super filmic and faithful with good to great fine detail in most scenes. Film grain is always present and always resolves organically and naturally. Closeups offer a decent look at skin texture such as stubble and wrinkles. Popeye’s large arms look super hairy, rubbery, and properly cartoonish. Stitches on many of the dense fabrics, sailor outfits, and large cartoon shoes look nicely tactile. The worn down town of Sweethaven and all of its rusted ships and wood houses look super filmic and natural. The giant octopus at the end of the movie is incredibly rubbery and fake but looks great in HD. The image is very natural, completely authentic, and nicely sharp; it looks exactly like it should. Contrast is also pretty good with incredibly deep and inky black levels, good shadow detail, and very bright and crisp highlights. The hot sun beating down on the wooden planks and rock faces of the various islands and shorefronts is fantastically rendered. Color is also very vibrant and intensely saturated at many points. Olive Oyl’s various red articles of clothing throughout the movie or the scene where Bluto sees Olive Oyl with Popeye and his vision turns red features extremely deep red. The various aqua and blue shades present from the ocean or when Bluto “turns yellow” at the end of the movie after getting blasted by Popeye are also good examples. The image is very high quality and the only real problem is a bit of semi-frequent mild film damage in the form of the occasional scratch, pop, or speckle. 4.5.

AQ:
Audio is presented in the form of Dolby TrueHD 5.1. While I would imagine that the movie probably originally featured a mono mix, this 5.1 track does a great job in preserving the movie’s intended sound design while also opening things up. Dialogue, which almost always looks and sounds artificial due to the ADR methods used for production (which can’t be helped and is also a part of the movie’s original mastering methods) sounds pretty clear even through many of the thick accents or Popeye’s kind of gravely yet nasally way of speaking. It mostly comes from the center channel but will bleed into the rear channels on a few occasions. Music, such as every song performed on-screen (because it is a musical after all) sounds great with full-bodied depth and proper detail. Sound effects such as thunder in the very beginning or cartoon shenanigans, boings, bangs, pops, crashes, and meaty octopus growls are all presented with proper detail, impact, and force. When Pap crashes the ship into Bluto’s during the beginning of the final battle, the resultant crash is accompanied by significant power and clarity that fills the soundstage nicely. Surround channel use is overall more sparing, but there are a few good exceptions including music numbers, large crowds, or rumbling thunder in the beginning. Directionality is pretty good in a few spots and there are a few good discrete effects as well as well-implemented ambience. Bass is nicely tight and aggressive and it adds weight to the ominous growls of the octopus at the end, Bluto’s voice when he yells, or the low-notes to music. All told, it is a solid 5.1 mix that captures the zany, chaotic, random, and cartoony atmosphere quite well. 4.25.

Extras:
There are a handful of extras on the disc. There is a featurette which looks at the legacy of the film along with its decisions for costumes, make-up, locations, and general shooting style/tone; a look at the cast and how each person prepared for their role; a quick image gallery showcasing photos of the theatrical premiere for the film in 1980; an option to jump to each of the main songs in the movie; and a theatrical trailer for the movie. Everything is in HD and the total package runs for about 63-64 minutes. 3.25.

Total Package:
Popeye is one of the most bizarre musicals I have seen (I don’t overall like musicals, but I am willing to tolerate this one). I am not overly familiar with the original cartoon although I have always found it to be very entertaining whenever it was on (the real trick is just obtaining it somehow). Why they chose to make a live-action movie version with singing, I am not sure. Furthermore, the movie just features an incredibly strange overall tone that can make the movie a bit hard to follow. Combine that with the very strange ADR problems and the movie just leaves you scratching your head. I also think no one else would be able to play a live-action Popeye and Olive Oyl than Robin Williams and Shelley Duvall. The octopus at the end helps too. Luckily, the movie looks and sounds great in HD 1080p with bold colors, great contrast, good fine detail, and an authentic filmic image. The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track sounds overall great with all problems baked in from the original sound/production design. A nice handful of extras is included as well. This is the best way to currently experience this peculiar entry in Hollywood filmmaking. 4.0.

Tech Specs:
Rated PG. CHV Rating of G. 1980/COLOR/114 Mins approx. HD 1080p 16x9 2.35:1 Letterboxed Widescreen, Dolby TrueHD 5.1 English surround and Dolby Digital 2.0 English dual-mono. AVC HD SDR encoded presentation on a Dual-layered BD-50 disc with extras.

The movie:
This is the cinematic equivalent of taking mushrooms. The whole movie fro... display full review

Tech Specs;
NOT RATED (technically IIB on the back of the case). 2015/COLOR/120 Mins approx. HD 1080p 16x9 2.35:1 Letterboxed Widescreen, DTS-HD MA 7.1 Cantonese surround + Dolby Digital 5.1 Cantonese and Mandarin surround options. AVC HD SDR encoded presentation on a Dual-layered BD-50 disc with one HD extra.

The movie:
Despite two of the actors from the original Kill Zone returning, it doesn’t seem like there is any actual connection between the two (because the two respective characters in the original both died). Furthermore, while the original involved the lengths that a good terminally ill cop would go to put away a criminal big boss (who cleverly was able to avoid creating evidence for his crimes), this sequel moves things to Thailand and deals with the illegal organ trade. Tony Jaa is added to the fold and the martial arts sequences are just as intense and action packed as the first movie. At times, the movie is super gritty and dark but it ends on a much more positive note than how the first film did. The two movies are both excellent martial arts action thrillers with intense brutal fight scenes, incredible choreography, and overall pretty good acting. Having just watched the first movie again on DVD, I don’t think I can choose which one is better. The first one has Donnie Yen and the other has Tony Jaa, two of my favorite action stars. Unfortunately the third and final film in the series (at least for now), Paradox, sucks epically and I would avoid it at all costs. For this film, 4.25.

PQ:
According to IMDb, the movie was shot spherically in Redcode RAW at 4K and 5K resolution and finished with a 2K Digital Intermediate. On this disc, the movie is presented in its original 2.35:1 widescreen. The image is frequently very impressive and super sharp but it is also held back by some significant problems (a few of which are inherent to the source and/or stylistic in nature). A majority of the time the image is extremely sharp and crisp while offering a startlingly clear look at intimate skin texture in the form of pores, lines, wrinkles, and stubble (especially in closeups). Hair strands and stitches on clothes are nicely tactile and clear. The extremely grungy prison where Kit is wrongly placed or the creepy facility where people get hacked up both look appropriately dingy, tactile, and gross. There are a few softer shots that look sort of flat and there are a whole host of compression problems which we will discuss in a bit, but the image overall looks really crisp and detailed. Contrast overall looks good with mostly deep black levels which can look a bit elevated at times (sometimes on purpose) and generally clear and crisp highlights. It is nothing eye-searing, but it looks as it should for the most part. The image is overall more desaturated with cool grays and blues, but some of the prison sequences can feature a warmer push towards yellow and orange. Red blood pops quite well in many scenes. There are a few scenes which feature a strong anamorphic fish-bowl effect and are accompanied by little fine detail, severely elevated black levels, and thick swarming noise (that in one scene pulses on and off quite distractingly). However, it is very obvious that this is a stylistic choice. Regular scenes also feature a lot of thick unsightly video noise in shadows that does not look like it is supposed to be there. The noise swarms and smears across the image in a very unnatural way. I think it gets worse towards the end as well. A few scenes feature very mild and overall unobtrusive aliasing on some hard edges. However, probably the worst offender is semi-frequent and somewhat significant banding. In the final scene where the Warden is killed, and Kit is holding onto the Warden’s necktie while Chai is pulling him up, there is such severe banding in the night sky that it devolves into posterization (this is also accompanied by thick unsightly video noise and lacking definition). Many day-lit scenes are as sharp as a tack, but there are frequent and significant problems with the HD transfer that can be distracting. I am not sure if the U.S. Blu-ray features tighter video or if these are all problems inherent to the original 2K source, but regardless, it doesn’t always look too hot. 3.5.

AQ:
While the U.S. release features a DTS-HD MA 5.1 mix for the original Cantonese (although multiple language-spoken) track, this Hong Kong disc features a DTS-HD MA 7.1 track along with two Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks: a Cantonese original language and a Mandarin dub. I listened to the DTS-HD MA 7.1 mix folded down to 5.1 on my system. I am not sure what the Cantonese track sounds like on the U.S. Blu-ray, but on this disc, the audio track is also kind of a mixed bag. It features great surround channel support and decent depth, but it lacks clarity and sounds muffled a lot of the time. Dialogue can be somewhat clear but it can also sound thick and muffled. It mostly comes from the center but will bleed into the surrounds in a few scenes. This same sentiment applies to sound effects with constant punches, kicks, and swipes lacking precise detail. Gunfire, shattering glass, and revving motorcycle engines fare a bit better but they too are lacking the precision and clarity of the best lossless tracks. Music is at least a bit better with many of the more intense action songs or more gentle emotional music choices sounding pretty good. Surround channel use is well implemented. Gunfire in some of the bigger action scenes spills into the surround channels. Grunts, punches, kicks, shattering glass, and other sonic mayhem during intense fight scenes like the prison riot completely surrounds the viewer. Milder ambient effects and big action scenes alike feature discrete effects and great directionality. Bass is also nicely deep and reinforces action elements like punches and kicks. However, the lack of total clarity renders all sound effects a bit cheap and unrealistic. It is a fun track, but I don’t know if I would say it is a great track. 3.5.

Extras:
Only a deleted scene in HD is included on the disc. 0.5.

Total Package:
Kill Zone 2 is a pretty good martial arts film filled to the brim with high-stakes action, pulse-pounding fight sequences, a well-written story, and decent acting. The main bad guy does frequently look like he is on wires which is a little goofy, but overall, the movie is appropriately gritty and bleak. This Hong Kong Blu-ray offers at times excellent HD quality and other times severely compressed, soupy visuals. The DTS-HD MA 7.1 mix is decently immersive and impactful but sounds very muffled and lacking with clarity or sonic detail. The supplemental package is pretty much non-existent with only a deleted scene available. I mistakenly got this version when I should have gotten the Well Go USA version (which surprisingly only offers a DTS-HD MA 5.1 track). Regardless, while this is a perfectly acceptable English-friendly release, I would stick with the U.S. release if you are a U.S. consumer. 3.0.

Tech Specs;
NOT RATED (technically IIB on the back of the case). 2015/COLOR/120 Mins approx. HD 1080p 16x9 2.35:1 Letterboxed Widescreen, DTS-HD MA 7.1 Cantonese surround + Dolby Digital 5.1 Cantonese and Mandarin surround options. AVC HD SDR encoded presentation on a Dual-layered BD-50 disc with one HD extra.

The movie:
Despite two of the act... display full review

NOTE: This review was originally published Mar. 9, 2024.

Tech Specs:
Rated PG-13 for frightening adventure violence and some disturbing images. CHV Rating of 14A. 2005/COLOR/187 Mins approx. DIRECTOR’S CUT: NOT RATED. CHV Rating of 14A. 2006/COLOR/200 Mins approx. 4K UHD HDR10 2160p + HD 1080p 16x9 2.35:1 Letterboxed Widescreen, DTS:X (DTS-HD MA 7.1 core) English surround + 2.0 English DTS: Headphone X audio on 4K disc and DTS-HD MA 5.1 English surround on Blu-ray. 4K encoded HEVC/H.265 HDR enabled presentation on Triple-layered BD-100 disc with both cuts of the movie and an audio commentary. VC-1 HD SDR encoded presentation on a Dual-layered BD-50 disc with both cuts of the movie and an audio commentary. MPEG-2 SD encoded special features on a Dual-layered BD-50 disc of special features.

The movie:
I have grown up with this movie and watched it countless times. In my opinion, this is probably the best King Kong movie ever made. The VFX are still pretty impressive (he looks a bit fake at times, but that is expected from a 2005 movie). The scope and scale of the movie is enormous, and it builds the relationship between King Kong and Ann Darrow in a way the original never did. It does have a few changes from the original 1933 movie, but I think it enhances the story. I also think its incredibly long runtime adds the proper amount of story to really seal the deal. The story is great, the acting is superb, the VFX are still pretty good, and when King Kong dies, it really tugs my heartstrings. The original King Kong is always going to be hard to top due to its impact on the monster movie genre as well as its (at the time) ground-breaking special effects, but this is my personal favorite King Kong movie. The only question I have now is, why the $@%& is the original King Kong not on 4K yet? 5.0.

PQ:
The movie was shot spherically on Super 35mm and finished in 2K. This 4K disc is an upscale with an HDR10 grade and the movie is presented in its original 2.35:1 on both discs in this set. When I first watched this UHD disc, I did notice some DNR problems but I was overall blown away by the level of sharpness and clarity as well as brightness and contrast of the HDR10 grade. I have since re-calibrated my display a bit more accurately and revisited it. There are many scenes that still look great, but on the whole, it doesn’t quite look as good as I remembered. In many scenes, the image is extremely sharp and crisp, at times to an artificial level. In closeups, you can count every pore, line, and wrinkle. Even King Kong looks really good. I expected him to look really out of place and fake, but I thought he still looked great and even though his VFX shots are probably only 2K, he was a real standout with the 4K resolution. There is so much fine detail in his fur and skin and eyes. The terrifying creatures who live around Skull Island such as the V-rex, the giant insects in the trench, or the large lizard-like dinosaurs all look pretty sharp and detailed and the CGI effects still hold up pretty well after 20 years. The many jungle environments, the ship itself, or New York in the final battle all feature pretty good clarity and depth. However, the same sort of processing that appears to affect The Lord of the Rings Trilogy appears to be used here. The image frequently has a very waxy and artificial appearance that occasionally erases fine detail altogether. Some aspects like the jacket or clothing on the characters actually looks sharper and clearer here but the character’s faces look smoother. Some scenes feature a light bit of grain that remains, but it is more in specific spots in the image and it looks more like video noise than it does natural film grain. A significant amount of digital sharpening is also present which can create edge halos and strange artifacts on the image. The HDR10 grade also might be just a bit too intense in a few points, but it overall does add to the experience. Black levels are super deep and inky and highlights can be almost blindingly bright. Color saturation is certainly more potent than the SDR grade on the Blu-ray with golden sunlight, blue sky, dense green forests, orange fire, and red blood featuring decent prominence. The image can look downright excellent in a few closeups and it overall is still a bit superior to the Blu-ray (more on that in a bit). As mentioned previously, all of the visual effects were most likely finished in 2K which causes a bit of aliasing. This can be noticed slightly on Kong’s fur in most shots as well as a couple of shots on the Empire State Building’s top in the final battle. It is pretty mild, but still noticeable. Other than that, there are also some noticeable compression problems in a few spots. Because both the 187-minute theatrical and the 200-minute Director’s Cut are presented on one disc (I’m guessing via seamless branching), the average bitrate is usually around 44-45 Mbps. This is a little low for my tastes, but I understand that it is necessary. The downside is that there is some mild to moderate banding in a few shots with one of the worst parts being the sequence right before they crash land on the island. The billows of fog are varying shades of gray which is any transfer's worst enemy. Banding is also noticeable a little bit in the sky and in sunsets. The other moment where it looks pretty nasty is the closing credits where the orange and black backdrop has some VERY noticeable banding artifacts. I originally rated this 4.25 and while overall I think the 4K is probably the best option due to the HDR, raw sharpness, and tightness compared to the Blu-ray, it doesn’t look as good as I remember. 3.75

The standard Blu-ray looks very good too. I remember thinking how dim and flat it looked in comparison to the UHD disc. However, re-evaluating it again, I found it to almost feature a superior image compared to the 35mm source. Detail is crisp and clean, colors are decently poppy, and it is by no means a poor transfer. It is significantly dimmer than the HDR transfer on the 4K, but it is not dim or overly flat in a vacuum. Film grain is also always present and it gives the image a much more natural and authentic appearance. The image is also a bit less gray and flat and has a bit of a warmer push with more yellow in the image. The reason that I still think the 4K looks better has to do with compression. The 200 minute Director’s Cut and the 187 minute Theatrical cut are both presented on the same disc (I’m guessing with seamless branching like the 4K) in VC-1 format with a really, REALLY low bitrate which routinely drops below 20 Mbps. I saw it hitting around 13-14 Mbps quite frequently. While many day-lit scenes hold up super well and look tight, filmic, sharp, and natural, a majority of the scenes (especially low-light scenes like the Trench) feature somewhat significant macroblocking. The grain in the image devolves into looking like a HD YouTube video at times. The 4K also struggles a bit with compression, but it is super tight and firm in direct comparison. Not every scene looks terrible and the image is certainly more natural to the source, but compression is a significant problem on the disc. 3.75.

AQ:
The DTS:X audio track is pretty killer. I listened to the DTS-HD MA 7.1 core folded down to 5.1 on my system. Dialogue was perfectly crisp and clear and mixed well with no problems. It mostly comes from the center but will bleed into the surround channels when characters are yelling and shouting for their lives in some of the more intense action scenes. Music, such as the ominous main King Kong theme or many of the creepy ambient stings or the emotional strings during some of the bonding moments between Kong and Ann are all presented with great presence, clarity, and depth. Sound effects are rendered with excellent ferocity, power, depth, and size. It really feels like the big ape is hopping around your living room at many points and every snap of V-rex jaws, crackle of thunder, groundpound, growl/roar, and crash is accompanied by great presence. Gunfire does sound a bit weak in many scenes, but that is the only thing strangely missing force. Everything else is excellent. The track features very aggressive surround channel use as well with many discrete effects, perfect directionality, and a few reference-class pans with equal care given to realistic ambient effects as well as intense action. In the opening with New York, the sound of rumbling cars, chattering bystanders, and city ambience trickles through the rear channels as does the sound of chittering insects, softly falling rain, and lapping waves and water later in the movie once the action shifts to Skull Island. When Kong first appears, the sound of him approaching through the trees discretely comes from the back right channel. In the Director’s Cut, there is a scene where a strange large flightless bird can be heard running through the thick jungle underbrush from the rear channels and it pans back and forth from left to right and back again. At the end of the movie, the planes perform an excellent pan fly-by that swings from the front of the sound-stage through the back left and then to the back right. To top it all off, bass response is super deep and hard-hitting where it needs to be. Kong’s grunts, growls, chest pounds, and ground slams are accompanied by enormous weight as is the intense pounding of the dinosaur stampede. The track is big and bold and nuanced and it is definitely demo material. There is also a 2.0 DTS:Headphone X track on the disc, but I did not sample it. 5.0.

Extras:
This is a case where the “Ultimate Edition” truly is an Ultimate Edition. There was an enormous DVD set released around 2006 that had tons of exclusive special features as well as the brand new “Director’s Cut” of the movie when it first came out. Many of those special features went OOP and disappeared when they stopped making the set. I believe all of those old special features as well as every special feature ever have been collected onto disc three of this set in SD resolution for a grand total of 13 hours of bonus content. 13 HOURS!!! I didn’t have time to check through them all, but this is an extremely easy decision to make. One of the easiest ratings to give and I can’t imagine a better or fuller set ever being released. 5.0.

Total Package:
The movie is absolutely incredible. It is touching and emotional, dark and unsettling, extremely intense in moments, really long, and extremely epic. The scope and scale of the movie makes this feel like the largest King Kong movie ever even if King Kong himself is no larger than any of the other versions of him. This is my personal favorite version of King Kong and it receives an excellent “Ultimate Edition” that does truly feel like the best edition one could buy. The 4K Blu-ray receives an imperfect, but overall decent UHD presentation with excellent HDR with both cuts of the movie equipped for DTS:X. A standard VC-1 Blu-ray is recycled from its previous BD release, and every special feature ever produced (I think, but I don’t know for sure) is presented with hours upon hours of previously OOP content collected onto a separate BD-50 disc for extras. I don’t think a bigger or better set will ever be released and this set earns my highest recommendation. 5.0.

NOTE: This review was originally published Mar. 9, 2024.

Tech Specs:
Rated PG-13 for frightening adventure violence and some disturbing images. CHV Rating of 14A. 2005/COLOR/187 Mins approx. DIRECTOR’S CUT: NOT RATED. CHV Rating of 14A. 2006/COLOR/200 Mins approx. 4K UHD HDR10 2160p + HD 1080p 16x9 2.35:1 Letterboxed Widescreen, DTS:X (DTS-HD M... display full review

This is an inconsistent set that leaves a lot to be desired. I know lots of people love to sing the praises of grain, but seriously some of these episodes have so much noise and/or grain going on that you may find yourself struggling to see anything else - and I'm not kidding. I know DNR gets a bad rap, but seriously sometimes you need at least a little help especially when dealing with old scans...and this set proves it! On the other hand, some episodes look pretty good. But it's a mixed bag that is not at all consistent (even within the same seasons sometimes or even same episodes in some cases). This set needed love to produce a higher-quality good looking and consistent set, and it didn't get it and it shows. By contrast, the blu-rays of The Dick van Dyke Show from the same basic time period of television look stellar. This set is pitiful when compared to that one and once you do that, you find there is no way this set could ever remotely garner above a 2.5 (or 3 if one's feeling super charitable) for PQ.

Compared to the old DVD's, for me when watched on a 55" screen, some episodes on this blu look notably better, some look just a tad better, and some look worse. I have done back-to-back comparisons with the DVD's and it definitely appears to me to use the same scans that were used for the DVD's, which means those scans have likely been around for literal decades now and is probably a big reason for the very noisy image - these are very likely early HD scans and would probably look a lot better if newer scans were done on modern equipment. Sound quality is improved over the DVD's (not that the DVD's were bad). There are at least some special features, including the Return to Mayberry movie in HD, an around 8 minute color on-set home movie, the pilot from the Danny Thomas show, a colorized Pickle episode, and the sponsor spots for seasons 1-3 which are fun to see as they often tied in theme-wise to each episode. But other than a couple other minor things, there's not much else and almost nothing post season 3. This iconic show deserved a good retrospective or interviews or something further. But in comparison to the DVD's, there are more special features than were on the DVD's so the Blu wins in that department.

Overall, I personally think how much you'll like it comes down to how much you can tolerate some of the noisy images. Do you just want a sharper picture at all costs and/or have the technological means in your TV etc to deal with the excessive grain and noise? Then this is likely the set for you. But if not, or you are watching on a smaller-sized screen where DVD's can still really shine, you might find the DVD's are more pleasing to you.

This is an inconsistent set that leaves a lot to be desired. I know lots of people love to sing the praises of grain, but seriously some of these episodes have so much noise and/or grain going on that you may find yourself struggling to see anything else - and I'm not kidding. I know DNR gets a bad rap, but seriously sometimes you need at least a ... display full review

When a widowed mother goes out on a blind date after a number of years things turn for the worst when she begins to get threatening texts that her son is being held hostage and will be killed unless she follows each text to the letter. Things get more intense as she begins to question her blind date as he is the target at hand. Drop is an intense thriller from go. The use of modern technology in a threatening manner is very believable and this movie dares to prove that. The intimate setting of a high-rise restaurant adds to the mood. Universal's 4K features a strong Dolby Vision and Atmos presentation and a few extra's to make this a worthy look.

When a widowed mother goes out on a blind date after a number of years things turn for the worst when she begins to get threatening texts that her son is being held hostage and will be killed unless she follows each text to the letter. Things get more intense as she begins to question her blind date as he is the target at hand. Drop is an intense t... display full review

In the written pages of Stephen King came the Long Walk which tells the tale of 50 young men selected to walk as far as they can to win a cash prize and granted one wish. The context of which this walk is designed is what makes it all that more grueling and disturbing. With a ruthless Major hell bent on failure then success, these young men put up a fight for themselves and for each other until only one man is standing. UHD disc specs feature an outstanding Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos presentations in this limited edition Steelbook package. Images are sharp and detailed, while audio is robust and active when the bullets fly. Extra's cover some ground to round out this release.....

In the written pages of Stephen King came the Long Walk which tells the tale of 50 young men selected to walk as far as they can to win a cash prize and granted one wish. The context of which this walk is designed is what makes it all that more grueling and disturbing. With a ruthless Major hell bent on failure then success, these young men put up ... display full review

Kung Fu Panda 4 sees Po the Dragon Warrior at a moment in which he must find a successor and become a mentor for the Valley of Peace. But before that happens he is tested yet again by an evil sorceress who summons all the villains Po sent to the spirit realm to fight him once again so she can dominate the Valley upon Po's demise. From the plot point we get the usual goofy, fun and martial arts fights that made the first three Panda movies a success. KFP4 disc specs feature a lovely Dolby Vision and Atmos presentation as colors are smooth and bright. Audio is clean and clear with a small bundle of extra's included.

Kung Fu Panda 4 sees Po the Dragon Warrior at a moment in which he must find a successor and become a mentor for the Valley of Peace. But before that happens he is tested yet again by an evil sorceress who summons all the villains Po sent to the spirit realm to fight him once again so she can dominate the Valley upon Po's demise. From the plot poin... display full review

The Shape of Water is a very different kind of film. In essence its a love story between two 'creatures' to whom share a common connection of silence. But that's not the whole story. Writer/Director Guillermo Del Toro takes you on a simple story of a mute women who works at a military plant on the maintenance crew. At some point she is asked to clean up a pool of blood to which she has no idea but her curiosity leads to a water tank that holds a human like fish creature. The events that follow feature an overzealous G-man played by Michael Shannon hell bent on killing this mysterious "fishman" while the mute girl falls finds an unnatural connection with the creature and vice versa. Disc specs feature a stunning UHD presentation. Both the visuals and audio are superior in every way from the smooth pop of colors to the spot on 5.1 DTS track. A few extra's are included on the blu to round out this excellent beautiful movie!

The Shape of Water is a very different kind of film. In essence its a love story between two 'creatures' to whom share a common connection of silence. But that's not the whole story. Writer/Director Guillermo Del Toro takes you on a simple story of a mute women who works at a military plant on the maintenance crew. At some point she is asked to cle... display full review

Dwayne Johnson continues to churn his filmography from one CGI fest to another. Red One is his Christmas Adventure movie in which his is the head 'ELF' in charge of Santa's security but has grown tired of the loss of human interest in the festiveness of that season. Until Santa is taken hostage from an evil witch who wants to rob him of his magic to then punish and detain all the naught folks in the World. Enter Chris Evans who is a non-believer hustler who by happenstance is needed to assist Johnson into saving Santa and Christmas forever. The movie tanked at the box office and did so so streaming numbers but alas the movie isn't a total disaster. UHD disc specs feature a nice Dolby Vision and Atmos presentation with no extra's at all.

Dwayne Johnson continues to churn his filmography from one CGI fest to another. Red One is his Christmas Adventure movie in which his is the head 'ELF' in charge of Santa's security but has grown tired of the loss of human interest in the festiveness of that season. Until Santa is taken hostage from an evil witch who wants to rob him of his magic t... display full review

When a young boy experiences the loss of his mother, he must relocate and live with his father who has remarried. Upon arrival he discovers a magical tower which has ties to the living and dead to which he begins to search as is befriended by a heron along the way. The Boy and the Heron is the latest venture from the famed Studio Ghibli and this is nothing short of goodness. The animation is superb with this 4K-UHD making for a beautiful picture quality presentation. The Atmos audio track is clean and clear with no bonus features included on the UHD save for a few tidbits on the included BD. Final thoughts is another winner for Studio Ghibli purists and newcomers.....

When a young boy experiences the loss of his mother, he must relocate and live with his father who has remarried. Upon arrival he discovers a magical tower which has ties to the living and dead to which he begins to search as is befriended by a heron along the way. The Boy and the Heron is the latest venture from the famed Studio Ghibli and this is... display full review

Nobody features an ordinary guy (Mitch) who just goes through the paces of everyday life until that day comes that he is pushed to the brink and then all hell breaks loose. As the plot unfolds we learn that Mitch has a secret past that explain his 'skills' and why he's so good but essentially a 'Nobody'. Disc specs feature a good Dolby Vision presentation and solid Atmos audio track. A few extra's to round out this surprise box office hit!

Nobody features an ordinary guy (Mitch) who just goes through the paces of everyday life until that day comes that he is pushed to the brink and then all hell breaks loose. As the plot unfolds we learn that Mitch has a secret past that explain his 'skills' and why he's so good but essentially a 'Nobody'. Disc specs feature a good Dolby Vision prese... display full review

Nightmare Alley takes you on a journey of a drifter (Bradley Cooper) who essentially finds himself part of a close-nit group of Carnival performers as he comes into his own, falls in love with one of them (Rooney Mara) and branches out to the big city where his 'act' gains the attention of a beautiful psychologist (Cate Blanchet) and a recluse (Richard Jenkins) to whom pays handsomely and demands Stanton (Cooper) to summon his dead daughter to redeem his own soul for his wrongdoings. Writer/Director Guillermo del Toro weaves a very intriguing film noir from beginning to end with excellent performances by the entire cast. This Criterion presentation is a big plus from the previous Disney UHD release as this features the new Director's Cut in glorious Black and White to further the mood and tones of the film with the added Dolby Vision making it near perfect. The theatrical cut is presented in its original color but as of this writing I have not screened that. The Atmos track is clean and clear with a nice amount of bonus content spread across 2 discs. Final thoughts is a must own upgrade for fans and newcomers.

Nightmare Alley takes you on a journey of a drifter (Bradley Cooper) who essentially finds himself part of a close-nit group of Carnival performers as he comes into his own, falls in love with one of them (Rooney Mara) and branches out to the big city where his 'act' gains the attention of a beautiful psychologist (Cate Blanchet) and a recluse (Ric... display full review

In the mid 90's a movie called Surviving the Game centered on a few well off rich pricks who kidnap a homeless man and set him loose in the wilderness only to be hunted for sport. The Hunt used this same concept but amps it up with a more radical tone with a company of wacko's randomly capturing folks to become the hunted and the one who can survive it all. UHD disc specs feature a good Dolby Vision presentation with a pulse pounding Dolby Atmos mix. Extra's are all found on the included blu. Bottom line a balls to the walls flick to keep you on the edge!

In the mid 90's a movie called Surviving the Game centered on a few well off rich pricks who kidnap a homeless man and set him loose in the wilderness only to be hunted for sport. The Hunt used this same concept but amps it up with a more radical tone with a company of wacko's randomly capturing folks to become the hunted and the one who can surviv... display full review

It is fantastic!
I own over 100 5.1 album mixes and this is a classic must own.

It is fantastic!
I own over 100 5.1 album mixes and this is a classic must own. display full review

With a sick family, I've been home and not doing much over the last three days so got to watch the entire French Noir II collection.

Rhine Virgin is basically Jean Gabin being a bad ass for 90 minutes and come back into the lives of those that though he was dead and handling business. Not exactly a noir film, but still very entertaining.

The Beast is Loose was easily my favorite of the set. Lino Ventura plays a former gangster that gets pulled back into the life and things spiral out of control. A few very tense moments, especially in the rocky beach scene.

Trapped By Fear was the only one in the set that I didn't like. It's mostly a romance film with a bit of a man on the run film, so keep your expectations in check with this one. Belmondo is good as always.

The Passion of Slow Fire is a murder mystery and just when you think you have it sorted out, well, you really don't. A lot of twists and turns, and we get a main character narration that gives this film heavy noir feel.

Overall, a great set with all the films looking good. Hopefully the wait for a third volume isn't too long.

With a sick family, I've been home and not doing much over the last three days so got to watch the entire French Noir II collection.

Rhine Virgin is basically Jean Gabin being a bad ass for 90 minutes and come back into the lives of those that though he was dead and handling business. Not exactly a noir film, but still very entertaining.
... display full review

No modern Western in memory juxtaposes the attempt to civilize the West against the most brutal savagery imaginable. The town of Bright Hope becomes terrorized by a band of Troglodytes who kidnap the settlers including the wife of a major citizen of the town. A posse is formed by the sheriff, his deputy, an out of towner and the injured husband nursing a bad leg wound. What sets this apart from the typical Western is the level of the macabre that rivals the most grotesque savagery that you would find in a full blown horror flick. Also the dialogue from screenwriter/director S. Craig Zahler with its atypical use of vocabulary brings the movie back from the brink of unbridled savagery. This is a great movie filled with suspense as the rescue mission increasingly becomes the struggle for survival against all odds. It's a wonder that Mr. Zahler hasn't been better utilized by Hollywood in the years since.

No modern Western in memory juxtaposes the attempt to civilize the West against the most brutal savagery imaginable. The town of Bright Hope becomes terrorized by a band of Troglodytes who kidnap the settlers including the wife of a major citizen of the town. A posse is formed by the sheriff, his deputy, an out of towner and the injured husband nur... display full review

Take a little David Lynch and a LOT of 'PHANTASM' with about 1/5 of that budget, and you have this film...

I must admit I agree with Mr. Orndorf's review in the sense that it is VERY Abstract! That's honestly what I really like about it and why it reminds me of 'PHANTASM' so much. There are many non-sequitur moments in the movie where really strange, totally Way Out There scenes don't really have anything to do with a primary 'Story' in any way. But still, unlike Mr. Ordorf, I don't think it becomes 'Wearisome' at all, of course in all honesty it will depend on your mind set.

The Abstract nature reminds me of Lynch, but without the deep, atmospheric tweaking of the subconscious that he does so well and with a HELL of a lot less money. The cinematography and editing remind me a Lot of 'PHANTASM' where it constantly keeps you off balance with what is actually happening, but again likely with still a lot less money. But, the way the director crafts it I feel really should be admired. In my lowly and wretched opinion it is ORDERS OF MAGNITUDE better than about 90% of the dopey Horror films out there as far as straight craftsmanship with such a low budget and I truly found it very effective.

One thing in addition to what I feel is a very creative film, is the way the director and creator takes the movie VERY seriously. If he approached this story with the way a lot of low budget B-movies do with intentional Schlockiness and campiness, it just would not have worked at all. Instead, he quite seriously focuses on the creative movie-making aspect of it, which Mr. Orndorf kinds of dismisses as just a means to show off his directorial skill. I don't agree... Like I say, IF you have the proper mindset and you like this kind of rather rare, offbeat Horror film that clearly has a lot of thought put into it, then you should find a lot to enjoy here...

Most definitely recommended for those who enjoy really observing the filming and editing and all around creative ability of low budget filmmaking.

Take a little David Lynch and a LOT of 'PHANTASM' with about 1/5 of that budget, and you have this film...

I must admit I agree with Mr. Orndorf's review in the sense that it is VERY Abstract! That's honestly what I really like about it and why it reminds me of 'PHANTASM' so much. There are many non-sequitur moments in the movie where real... display full review

I think they did an excellent job with the transfer. Watched on a Dolby Vision television, and the movie was gorgeous. I couldn't see any DNR, thankfully. The audio was fine, but it felt a little, I don't know, restrained in some places.

As an aside, I had always watched this on VHS, and was amazed this time around - the English and Irish countryside they filmed in are gorgeous! I mean, they were fine before, but I had no idea how vibrant so many of the scenes were. Phenomenal work done, here.

I think they did an excellent job with the transfer. Watched on a Dolby Vision television, and the movie was gorgeous. I couldn't see any DNR, thankfully. The audio was fine, but it felt a little, I don't know, restrained in some places.

As an aside, I had always watched this on VHS, and was amazed this time around - the English and Irish countr... display full review

movie is great ! video and audio are reference quality ! buy and stay heavy !

movie is great ! video and audio are reference quality ! buy and stay heavy ! display full review

movie is ok. picked up for 9.99 at walmart. video and audio are good. rent before buy. stay heavy and enjoy.

movie is ok. picked up for 9.99 at walmart. video and audio are good. rent before buy. stay heavy and enjoy. display full review

Tech Specs:
Rated G. CHV Rating of G. 2009/COLOR/84 Mins approx. HD 1080p 16x9 2.40:1 Letterboxed Widescreen, DTS-HD MA 5.1 English surround. AVC HD SDR encoded presentation on a Dual-layered BD-50 disc with extras. NTSC MPEG-2 SD 720x480 16x9 Anamorphic Widescreen + Dolby Digital 5.1 on a Dual-layered DVD-9 disc SD extras.

The movie:
Oceans is an awesome documentary that focuses on many of the fascinating and beautiful creatures that live underwater on our planet. Pierce Brosnan does an excellent job narrating the feature-length documentary and he guides it from one scene to another quite well. The photography is stunning and offers an excellent look at many different creatures such as birds, whales, various species of fish, crustaceans, mollusks like octopi, sea turtles and Dugongs to name just a few. The documentary is very informative, offers the usual important talking points about environmental degradation, and finishes things off with a hopeful tone. If you are into nature docs, definitely consider adding this one to your collection even if it is just for the visuals! 4.5.

PQ:
According to IMDb, the movie was shot in HDCAM in 1080p as well as on Super 35mm and finished with a 2K Digital Intermediate. The movie is presented in its original 2.40:1 and the image looks great for the most part. The HD resolution really brings textures on coral reefs, lumps and bumps or scales on fish and sharks, blubber and wrinkles on whales and walruses, and dust and dirt on the ocean’s sandy bottom. Above water shots such as when the gannets, sharks, and whales all converge on a school of sardines, the shots of ships passing through choppy and stormy waters, or for the sea lions sunbathing on rocks with crabs skittering about looks super sharp, crisp, and clean. In just about every shot, you can clearly make out chunks of floating debris and specks of detritus. Overall, it seems like about half of the movie is/was shot in HDCAM due to the super clear, clean, and sharp appearance and the other half was shot on 35mm. Many scenes (such as many of the underwater sequences) feature light yet natural film grain that gives the image a nicely filmic and organic look to it. The photography looks stunning in HD 1080p. Contrast looks great too with super inky yet tight black levels and nicely bright and clear highlights. Color overall doesn’t really pop with extreme saturation, but it looks completely authentic and faithful to the intended photography. As such, the movie is filled to the brim with blues, grays, aquas, and greens. The various fish and coral reefs are overall nicely punchy with varying shades of red, green, and yellow. A few scenes feature just a bit of banding and some of the most tricky scenes for compression feature just a little bit of macroblocking in some of the grain patterns. It is very light and not overall a significant problem. There is some mild and brief ringing on some hard edges as well. All told, this is an excellent HD transfer that really brings the creatures to life. 4.5.

AQ:
Perhaps even more impressive than the video is the DTS-HD MA 5.1 sound mix which is equal parts nuanced and aggressive. Narration from Pierce Brosnan is perfectly balanced, crisp, and clear and it never sounds drowned out from music or sound effects. It always comes from the center channel. Music is super full, clear, and rich and it can also be subtle. Regardless, it is perfectly mastered. Sound effects such as the various underwater foley effects of skittering crabs, crunching shells, gurgling bubbles, and swishing fins are rendered with excellent depth, detail, and clarity. The sheer force of churning water or crashing and rolling waves is oftentimes staggering. The track is super huge and completely immersive and it makes you feel like you are standing in the middle of the ocean. Subtle atmospheric effects like whistling wind, lapping water, crashing and rolling waves, and surging and swelling schools of fish feature excellent directionality and precision. Bass is crushingly deep and heavy and it will certainly rattle your bookshelves and floorboards in a few scenes. The rocket taking off towards the beginning or the crashing of waves in the scene with the ships traveling stormy waters are both great sequences. All together, it is a reference-class 5.1 track. 5.0.

Extras:
The supplemental package on this release is sort of interesting. There is a PiP commentary track while you watch the movie, a quick conservation featurette showcasing Disneynature’s efforts, a quick music video for a song used in the film, and a trailer for another Disneynature film coming out at the time (almost 15 years ago). However, the main menu features an interactive element where there are important “spots” that reveal a tidbit of textual information or a brief video segment on each section of the planet. You can access the other continents and sides of the planet by clicking the arrows. In total, the main menu runs for about 105 minutes with over 200 chapters and some of these video segments (which can be blown up to the full-size of the screen by clicking the “+” button) count as some of these chapter segments. However, if you have one side of the planet up, it will only loop the content and music from that one side (i.e. if you have North America/South America up, it doesn’t play all of the chapters from the North/South America section and then move to Africa, it just loops North/South America). In regards to the actual or “traditional” supplements, everything appears to be in HD and the total runtime is around 12 minutes (plus the feature-length PiP track). It took me a little while to figure out the main menu interactive element but it is pretty cool once you do. A DVD copy is included as well. Normally, I would probably give this like a 1.5 to a 2.0, but all of the other materials and interactive elements bump it up to a 3.0.

Total Package:
Oceans is an incredibly interesting and very well-crafted documentary about our wondrous blue planet. It showcases a wide variety of peculiar creatures and offers an excellent look at life below the waves. The narration is well-spoken and mixed and the photography is oftentimes stunning. Equally stunning a lot of the time is the HD 1080p visuals with crisp detail on the ocean floor and its many denizens and naturally well-saturated aqua blue vibrance. Combine that with a floor-rattling, mesmerizing DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround track, and interesting interactive bonus materials, and this Blu-ray is certainly the best way to experience this movie. 4.5.

Tech Specs:
Rated G. CHV Rating of G. 2009/COLOR/84 Mins approx. HD 1080p 16x9 2.40:1 Letterboxed Widescreen, DTS-HD MA 5.1 English surround. AVC HD SDR encoded presentation on a Dual-layered BD-50 disc with extras. NTSC MPEG-2 SD 720x480 16x9 Anamorphic Widescreen + Dolby Digital 5.1 on a Dual-layered DVD-9 disc SD extras.

The movie:
Oceans i... display full review

NOT RATED. 2013/COLOR/22 Mins approx. HD 1080p 16x9 1.78:1 Widescreen, DTS-HD MA 5.1 English surround. AVC HD SDR encoded presentation on a Dual-layered BD-50 disc with ~240 minutes of HD and SD content.

The short:
You can probably tell if you would like this short based on the title. It is indeed a holiday special about Valentine’s Day with the Madagascar characters. It has a few mildly humorous parts (with most of them involving The Penguins) and it adds to the total series a bit. I would say that it is probably my least favorite of the three holiday specials with the original Penguins theatrical short being the best. Madly Madagascar does ring a bit flat in a few parts but you could certainly do much worse. Just like with Merry Madagascar, just about all of the original voice cast returns and everyone does a good job. The raw animation quality is as good as the main feature films as well so there are no problems from a quality control standpoint. Overall, give it a spin if you like the other movies. 3.5.

PQ:
The short was animated digitally and I’m guessing it was finished with a 2K Digital Intermediate. It is presented in its original broadcast 1.78:1 widescreen on this disc. Overall, it looks very similar to the other animated Madagascar shorts as well as the feature film movies. The image is nicely and naturally sharp with Gloria’s leathery skin; the Penguin’s sleekly shiny and reflective feathery bodies; or Alex, Marty, and Melmen’s fur and coats featuring nice detail and clarity. The Preserve where the characters live features excellent depth and great sharpness on every rock face, bark on every thick tree trunk, or on each individual blade of grass. It is not the most abundantly detailed animated HD image ever, but it looks exactly like it should with proper and pleasing sharpness. The image also doesn’t suffer from the same significant banding and compression problems that Merry Madagascar or some of the TV episodes struggle with for some reason on the Ultimate Collection bonus disc. Contrast looks fine with nice black levels and crisp bright highlights that are not eye-searing but effective. Color is nicely bold with the blue Africa sky or green and brown vegetation around the Preserve featuring decent saturation. Probably the single best element is the various shades of the perfume with the first batch being a super intense cotton-candy pink. Other shades of blue and green are present as well. All told, it is a solid HD debut for this holiday short and it certainly looks better here than it does on the stand-alone DVD edition. 4.0.

AQ:
The DTS-HD MA 5.1 track follows suit to the visuals as the presentation is overall front heavy but is still at times immersive and fun. Dialogue is crystal clear and crisp and comes from the center channel with surprising volume and authority. It doesn’t drown out other parts of the mix, but it is always easy to follow. The main Madagascar themes are presented with nice depth, clarity, and richness. Sound effects such as slaps, gurgling potions, and explosions (almost all of these instances from The Penguins) sound nicely detailed, clear, and punchy. Surround channel use is overall infrequent, but there are a few good moments where the track opens up and features rear channel engagement for ambient effects, music, or a few of the action scenes. Bass output is also more reserved due to the subject matter but it doesn’t sound like it is lacking for any reason. It is an unremarkable yet solid 5.1 mix that pairs well with the video. 4.0.

Extras:
Just like with Merry Madagascar (one of the other shorts on the same disc with this short), there are no extras for the short because the short IS the extra. It is located on a BD-50 disc with around four hours of HD bonus content. 0.0.

Total Package:
The short is a mildly entertaining holiday adventure that overall features similar quality to the other holiday Madagascar shorts (although I think both of the Christmas specials are a bit better). The majority of the cast returns just like with Merry Madagascar and it does feel like an actual entry in the movie series. The animation quality, voice-acting, and overall presentation of the short matches its feature film equivalents even if the story is a brisk 22 minutes (including credits). Just like how Merry Madagascar offered a peek between the events of the first two movies, it offers a small bridge in-between the second and third films and is worth a watch at least once. However, unlike its holiday short-film brethren, this HD transfer on this Blu-ray is the ONLY way to on the film on disc in high definition. The two other shorts were presented on an older OOP “DreamWorks Holiday Collection” Blu-ray set with Dolby TrueHD 5.1 audio. This Madagascar: Ultimate Collection Blu-ray version is the Blu-ray debut of this short. As such, I would definitely recommend picking up the main 5-disc set if you want to experience all of the shorts as well as the main films in the best quality (minus the new 4K edition for the first and the Blu-ray 3D disc for the third film and the Penguins movie). 4.5.

NOT RATED. 2013/COLOR/22 Mins approx. HD 1080p 16x9 1.78:1 Widescreen, DTS-HD MA 5.1 English surround. AVC HD SDR encoded presentation on a Dual-layered BD-50 disc with ~240 minutes of HD and SD content.

The short:
You can probably tell if you would like this short based on the title. It is indeed a holiday special about Valentine’s Day with th... display full review

Tech Specs:
Rated PG-13 for sci-fi action violence. CHV Rating of PG. 2015/COLOR/138 Mins approx. 2D + 3D HD 1080p 16x9 2.39:1 Letterboxed Widescreen, DTS-HD MA 7.1 English surround on both discs. 3D MVC HD SDR encoded presentation on a Dual-layered BD-50 disc. 2D AVC HD SDR encoded presentation on a Dual-layered BD-50 disc. AVC HD SDR encoded extras on a Dual-layered BD-50 disc. NTSC MPEG-2 SD 720x480 16x9 Anamorphic Widescreen + Dolby Digital 5.1 surround on a Dual-layered DVD-9 disc.

The movie:
I saw the seventh Star Wars in theaters when it originally came out in 2015, and outside of a few problems, I really liked it. Seeing it again 10 years later hasn’t radically altered my opinion towards it, but I will say it is not quite as good as I remember. While the special effects are still incredible, the acting is performed well, and the story is fine (it is essentially a remake of A New Hope and it is certainly not as good), the decision to kill off one of the most important characters in filmmaking history is just such a terrible, terrible decision on the part of Disney. Furthermore, I overall like Rey as a character and I don’t find her particularly annoying but I do find it grating that they portray it like she would somehow know more about the Millennium Falcon than Han and Chewie. The need to introduce new characters and push out the old is really the Achilles Heel to the whole sequel trilogy. Most fans are not willing to forgive and I don’t blame them (I can’t for the second two). I do overall like the action, creatures, and continuation of the story in this entry (although I was not fond of where things went after this), but it still pales in comparison to the best of the series. 4.0.

PQ:
The movie was shot anamorphically on 35mm and spherically on IMAX 65mm (for the “Escape Jakku Sequence”) according to IMDb. The movie was converted to 3D and finished with a 4K Digital Intermediate. The movie is presented in its original 2.39:1 (technically 2.40:1 according to this site) widescreen on all three discs in the set. The 3D image, however, is absolutely stunning and is a reference-class transfer. The image features incredibly effective depth, perfect shape and volume for every character, and natural yet very effective pop-outs. The 3D image is very aggressive but not in a way that feels overly showy. Space sequences or dogfights with the TIE Fighters and X-Wings look fantastic with incredible depth deep into the image and spacecraft which fly out of the frame and into the viewer’s living room. One of the best shots of the movie features a shot of a Star Destroyer in space with the nose of the ship poking super far out of the screen. Some of the more intense lightsaber fights follow suit with blades of plasma shooting into the viewer’s face. There are practically zero flat or unconvincing shots in the movie and there is constant separation of layers whether it be the way characters are placed in the frame along with objects and backgrounds. Depth is often extremely deep and super convincing (look at the scene where you first see Rey in the ruins of the Star Destroyer; it is one of the most impressive scenes in the whole movie which is saying a lot). Narrow hallways, alleys, and tunnels benefit greatly from the three dimensional imagery. The layering of objects and characters is super realistic and adds greatly to the experience and every object or character features very realistic shape and volume. In addition to this, the 3D image is nicely sharp and crisp with great texture on skin or clothes, good detail on giant spacecraft, and overall a great sense of texture and depth on environments. Contrast looks pretty good and the image is nicely bright and clear. Color is decently bold (even under the 3D glasses) with many of the red, blue, and green bolts of energy from blasters, Rey’s (Luke’s) blue lightsaber or Kylo Ren’s red blade, or the red energy beam from Starkiller Base featuring great saturation. The 3D image is extremely high-caliber and should be in every 3D fan’s collection. 5.0.

2D:
As mentioned previously, the movie was shot anamorphically on 35mm and the 4K Digital Intermediate translates beautifully to the 1080p image on this Blu-ray. The movie is still presented in 2.39:1/2.40:1 and the results are very impressive. The image is exceedingly filmic, natural, and organic with excellent sharpness and clarity. In closeups, you can count every pore, line, wrinkle, and stubble on human characters; every bump, tendril, and scale on alien creatures; and every dent, scratch, and scuff on each Stormtrooper’s armor. The various planets such as the dusty surface of Jakku or the icy forest of Starkiller Base look super crisp and realistic. The various spacecraft such as the imposing Star Destroyers and TIE Fighters, or the Millennium Falcon and the X-Wings look super sharp, crisp, and detailed with every single edge and ridge featuring great definition. Contrast looks equally good with extremely deep and satisfyingly inky black levels and super bright, punchy, and crisp highlights. Color is very saturated and vibrant in a natural way as well. The image has a bit of a warmer golden tint to much of the proceedings (during the sequences on Jakku for instance), but the various red, green, yellow, and blue buttons of the Millenium Falcon’s control panel; the red, blue, and green laser bolts from many of the guns and spacecraft; or the dueling red and blue blades of lightsabers are presented with extreme vibrancy. If I didn’t know any better, I would have thought it was HDR. Despite featuring anamorphic lenses, the image is extremely sharp and looks fantastic. If you are just HD equipped, this Blu-ray will service any high definition cravings perfectly. 5.0.

AQ:
Both the 3D and the 2D discs are armed with the same excellent DTS-HD MA 7.1 mix. I listened to the track folded down to 5.1 on my system and I was very impressed with the results. I found it to be a bit quiet at normal listening levels and I had to adjust the volume just a little. However, once I did that, I was very pleased with the results. Dialogue was crystal clear with no problems and it came from the center channel. Music, such as the main Star Wars themes, featured great depth, size, and clarity. Sound effects such as whooshing ships, roaring Quarren, intense blaster fire, explosions, humming lightsabers, and marching soldiers all sounded clear, crisp, full-bodied, and detailed. There are nearly constant uses of the surround speakers with excellent directionality, immersion, and discrete effects for both ambient effects like shifting sand on Jakku or voices on intercoms on the First Order’s Star Destroyers or intense action sequences like many of the dogfights or battle scenes with crashing lightsabers, laser beams, and explosions. Bass is very tight, deep, and adds serious depth and weight to the on-screen action (particularly lightsaber swipes) provided the volume is adjusted. I found it to be an excellent track that matched the 3D video perfectly. 5.0.

Extras:
There is a substantial collection of extras found on the bonus features BD-50 Blu-ray disc with a few exclusives to this 3D edition as well as the 4K edition (as the 3D edition’s bonus disc is ported over to the 4K edition). In addition to this, a DVD copy of the film is included as well. For the non-exclusive extras, there is a four-part 69 minute in-depth making-of that covers everything from pre-production, filming, editing, interviews, and post-production. After this, there is a look at the table-read for the movie, a featurette focusing on the practical creature effects used in the movie, a closer look at the BB droid type with a specific emphasis on BB-8, a look at the lightsaber duel at the end of the movie, a look at how the filmmakers blended practical effects with CGI with a special emphasis on the spacecraft, a look at John Williams as a composer as well as the incredibly iconic main Star Wars theme and the new material produced for this movie, a quick deleted scene gallery, and a quick featurette showcasing charity work that was implemented due to the movie’s production. This package present on the original 2D release runs for around 114 minutes and everything is in HD. This 3D release (and the 4K as well) also features an additional 40 minutes of HD content. There is an audio commentary track, a few more deleted scenes, a look at weapons and props in the movie (previously only available digitally on the Target exclusive Blu-ray but not on the disc), interviews with the actors who play Rey and Fin (also exclusive to the Target release but also not on the Blu-ray), a look at recording and mixing foley sound effects, an interview with the crew where they discuss the impact of the original movies’ sound design and how they tried to implement that into this new entry, and a look at costume design while featuring interviews with cast and crew. All told, the supplemental package on this disc features everything from the standard 2D, the Target-exclusive 2D, and a few brand new exclusive to this release bonus features all in HD all on physical disc. The total package runs for about 154 minutes. In addition to this, the packaging is absolutely beautiful with a fantastic 4-disc, 3-panel Digipak featuring several wonderful important images from the movie accompanied by a beautifully large and thick slipcase with an excellent lenticular 3D image on the front. The beautiful slip-box package brings the score from a 4.5 to a full-fledged 5.0.

Total Package:
Overall, the seventh Star Wars captures some of the magic of the originals, builds on the aftermath of the Empire quite well, and features great acting and incredible special effects. However, it also kills some of the magic (particularly by killing off one of the most iconic characters in science fiction and film in general). That left a bad taste in my mouth then and it still does now. Furthermore, while I overall still do like the movie, it is not quite as good as I remember. However, the Blu-ray 3D offers an exceptionally well-rendered and converted 3D image that beats some native 3D transfers I have seen. The image is always bright, well-saturated, nicely detailed, and overall excellent. The transfer features equally good pop-out and exceptional depth. The regular 2D 1080p HD transfer is extremely vibrant, filmic, and nicely detailed to an impressive degree. The DTS-HD MA 7.1 mix needs a little boost in raw volume, but offers a super immersive and very full soundstage. The 3D edition (and the 4K) offers the most comprehensive supplemental package with everything from previous releases as well as a few exclusive materials present here. Combine that with beautiful and deluxe packaging, and this is the way to go. I am sure the 4K UHD HDR10 version also looks awesome, but the strength of the 3D as well as the package itself is so good, I just can’t imagine the 4K being better. 4.75.

Tech Specs:
Rated PG-13 for sci-fi action violence. CHV Rating of PG. 2015/COLOR/138 Mins approx. 2D + 3D HD 1080p 16x9 2.39:1 Letterboxed Widescreen, DTS-HD MA 7.1 English surround on both discs. 3D MVC HD SDR encoded presentation on a Dual-layered BD-50 disc. 2D AVC HD SDR encoded presentation on a Dual-layered BD-50 disc. AVC HD SDR encoded ext... display full review

Tech Specs:
Rated R for strong bloody violence, language throughout, sexual references, and brief drug use. CHV Rating of 14A for violence, coarse language. 2020/COLOR/124 Mins approx. 4K UHD HDR10 2160p + HD 1080p 16x9 2.39:1 Letterboxed Widescreen, IMAX-Enhanced DTS:X (DTS-HD MA 7.1 core) English surround on 4K disc, DTS-HD MA 5.1 English surround on Blu-ray. 4K encoded HEVC/H.265 HDR enabled presentation on a Dual-layered BD-66 disc with a few 4K HDR trailers. AVC HD SDR encoded presentation on a Dual-layered BD-50 disc with HD extras.

The movie:
Finished and completed 17 years after Bad Boys II, Bad Boys For Life introduces elements like Marcus wanting to retire and becoming a grandpa. I liked this sequel a lot; perhaps even more than the second movie due to the fact the original tone and humor of the series is unchanged yet some of the trashy and unnecessary elements of the Michael Bay movies are toned down. Don’t get me wrong I love all of the Bad Boys movies quite a bit, but I thought this was the perfect blend of humor and action without being gratuitous. Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are just as funny as a duo as they were originally and the story follows a natural progression of events. Does it need to exist? No, Bad Boys II finished things up nicely. HOWEVER, the story was left in a way that another sequel is not a bad thing per se. If you liked the first two, the third is a pretty good entry as well and I would definitely check it out! 4.25.

PQ:
According to IMDb, the movie was shot in ARRIRAW at 2.8K and 3.4K, Redcode RAW at 4K, X-OCN ST at 4K, and CinemaDNG RAW at 4K and finished with a 4K Digital Intermediate. However, for the longest time, IMDb listed the CinemaDNG RAW format at 2K as well as a 2K Digital Intermediate (and on this site, it says that it is an upscaled 4K presentation). The image is sharp enough to the point where I would not be surprised if it is indeed a native 4K presentation. Regardless, this 2K/4K master was graded in Dolby Vision and HDR10 but only HDR10 is available on the disc. On both discs in the set, the movie is presented in its original 2.39:1 widescreen despite featuring the “IMAX-Enhanced” moniker (more about that slightly deceiving marketing in a bit). The good news is that regardless of how the movie was finished, this is a reference-class 4K transfer. Fine detail is absolutely gobsmacking in almost every scene. Close-ups, medium shots, and even a few wide shots offer extreme razor-sharp detail on skin texture revealing intimate pore, line, stubble, and pock definition on the characters. Many scenes allow you to count every single stitch and seam on clothes and hair strands on characters’ heads. Environments such as the streets of Miami, distant towering skyscrapers or grungy abandoned warehouses feature extreme clarity, definition, and depth. During the funeral of a very important character, you can see finger-prints, wear-and-tear, and grime on the characters’ police caps or on Mike’s fancy car. It is an absolutely stunning image that is extremely sharp, extremely clear, and extremely tight. The image is as clean as a whistle with almost no video noise or significant problems. Even though there is no Dolby Vision on the disc, the basic HDR10 grade is awesome to the point where it is debatable if a dynamic HDR grade would really add that much. Contrast is awesome with naturally deep black levels and super bright yet crisp highlights. Color packs serious punch with a nicely warm push to the image with seriously bold colors. Fire, muzzle blasts, and explosions add heat to the image along with the naturally golden tint to the image which looks great. The various club sequences feature intensely saturated neon blue, red, pink, purple, and green lighting which pop with great vibrancy. One of the big shootouts towards the beginning half of the movie features bursts of gas/smoke that erupts across the screen with intense pink and mustard yellow color. Red blood also features good prominence. The image is very tight with no significant encode problems or banding (despite being encoded on a BD-66; the only Bad Boys 4K to do so). A few low-light scenes feature a bit of video noise inherent to the recorded footage but this is overall light and rare. One scene features a very brief yet noticeable stuck pixel on one of the cameras, but the shot only lasts for a few seconds. Overall, I thought this was an absolutely stunning 4K image. 5.0.

The regular Blu-ray is also insanely detailed, colorful, and sharp like its 4K counterpart. However, the 4K offers some noticeable upgrades to overall clarity, sharpness, color saturation, and depth. In close-ups and even some medium shots, the regular HD image is still extremely crisp and offers a highly detailed look at skin texture, clothing, and environments. If you are just HD equipped, you are still getting an awesome 1080p transfer. However, the 4K just features sharpness on a new level and the regular HD version can almost look kind of glossy in comparison. The image is still crisp and clear in almost every shot, but most of the intensely detailed medium and wide shots in HD don’t allow you to see the same level of intimate clarity like the same shots on the 4K disc. Color is still intensely saturated and punchy in SDR, but the HDR10 grade renders color even deeper and even more life-like. Contrast is roughly about the same and looks similarly good. The disc’s encoding is still very good, but it is not quite as firm as the 4K and video noise is noticeably more apparent (even if it is still mild). Just about every shot features some video noise rather the 4K was overall as clean as a whistle. Banding is overall infrequent but does rear its ugly head a few times here and there. The 4K disc is tighter, cleaner, sharper, more colorful, more impactful, and overall superior in just about every shot even if the regular Blu-ray is still a reference-class disc in its own right. 4.75.

AQ:
Here is where the IMAX gimmick comes into play. The 4K UHD video transfer is not IMAX-Enhanced, but the DTS:X track is due to the fact that it was constructed based off of the IMAX mix shown in IMAX theaters. This is the only Bad Boys film to feature a DTS:X track as this was how Sony was releasing their movies in late 2019-early 2020. They pretty quickly switched back to Dolby Atmos for their 4K discs after this. I listened to the DTS-HD MA 7.1 core folded down to 5.1 on my system. The disc does sound absolutely awesome with extremely crisp, clean, and clear dialogue that comes from the center channel. In a few scenes of intense action or during the club sequences, dialogue can spill into the surround channels. Music, such as the main Bad Boys action theme that plays throughout the series or for some of the rap music, features great clarity, spread, depth. Sound effects such as knife slashes, squirting blood, constant gunfire, crashing glass, roaring engines, thundering helicopters, and explosions feature great impact, size, depth, and richness. The track is filled to the brim with constant and intense surround channel support. Discrete effects, precise directionality, and excellent pans add greatly to the immersion which puts you right in the middle of every gunfight, action sequence, and car chase. Music, gunfire, barking orders, and just general sonic mayhem surround you from every direction. To supplement this, bass is extremely tight yet super deep, thick and low, and perfectly measured to add just the right amount of intensity and weight to the on-screen action or music. I don’t really know how much the IMAX-Enhanced aspect of the track actually impacts the experience. I think overall, it is just an awesome track by itself. I am not sure if the regular DTS-HD MA 5.1 mix on the Blu-ray is also IMAX-Enhanced. 5.0.

Extras:
There are trailers for Morbius and Ghostbusters: Afterlife in 4K with HDR on the 4K disc. They play on disc boot-up and can be accessed from the main menu. Trailers before 4K discs is such a rare thing that it was unexpected and appreciated. There are even more trailers that play before the Blu-ray copy. Furthermore, all of the regular extras are on the standard Blu-ray disc. The supplements include a handful of deleted scenes; a blooper reel; a brief making of featurette featuring interviews with the directors and a look at the cast; a featurette which looks at the series as a whole while celebrating the original film’s 25th anniversary (at the time); a three-part featurette that focuses on the two main characters along with the supporting cast, the antagonists, and the direction the directors took the series; a closer look at the action and stunts present in the movie; a look at a few of the references to the previous movies embedded in this film; an audition tape; and a collection of previews. Everything is in HD and runs a little over 60 minutes. 3.5.

Total Package:
Bad Boys For Life is a worthy continuation of the series that delivers the laughs and action without sacrificing the core magic which makes the series great. In fact, while I did like Bad Boys II pretty well, I overall liked this third entry a bit more. Sure, it doesn’t need to exist, but there is no reason for it not to exist either. It is not like Bad Boys II completely sealed off the series for any reason. Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are just as funny and quick-on-their feet in this third entry as they were in the two previous films. The 4K Blu-ray offers a reference-class UHD image that is everything one would want from a digitally-shot movie. The image is extraordinarily sharp and clean, super vibrant and colorful via HDR10, and visually very tight. It offers that almost 3D-looking sense of clarity. The IMAX-Enhanced DTS:X mix sounds incredible and puts you right in the middle of the action, and the supplemental package is appreciable. Consider the 4K the way to go. 4.5.

Tech Specs:
Rated R for strong bloody violence, language throughout, sexual references, and brief drug use. CHV Rating of 14A for violence, coarse language. 2020/COLOR/124 Mins approx. 4K UHD HDR10 2160p + HD 1080p 16x9 2.39:1 Letterboxed Widescreen, IMAX-Enhanced DTS:X (DTS-HD MA 7.1 core) English surround on 4K disc, DTS-HD MA 5.1 English surrou... display full review

PLEASE NOTE: This review is entirely my opinion and thoughts. If you didn't like the release I'm reviewing then that's mostly down to your preferences which is totally fine.

A few weeks ago, I decided to pick up a Blu-ray of Chicken Run not only because I really like the film but also because I've heard through the grapevine about the sleugh of Blu-ray releases (mostly through Europe) and it's particular querks. I initially wanted to go for the Studiocanal German release but instead I chose this French Pathe Blu-ray mainly because it was the first physical release of the film in this HD master which was then followed up by Tobis Film's German Blu-ray which I've heard has audio playback problems on the English 6.1 DTS HD soundtack.

When this arrived a week later, I went through the disc and I was pleasently surprised about how good this release is. One interesting thing to note when I got this was that it had the French DVD in a stock standard disc sleeve inside (due to this copy being part of Pathe's Blu-vip line) but for some reason the DVD was rotten and degraded probably from staying in the sleeve for years. However, the Blu-ray was perfectly fine so I guess that must have been a rot problem during the manufacturing of my copy, but I digress. This Blu-ray release really is quite nice especially considering that it was the first release of the film in HD. But at the same time there are a few minor caveats which we'll get too later.

Video:
The PQ on this disc is really good for being on a single-layer BD-25 disc. It's probably not going to blow your socks off but it's still an impressive transfer and there is still a great amount of detail presented here on such a small file size. The film grain is there which is noticeable most of the time and one interesting querk is that they have decided to use a US print for this transfer because of the Dreamworks logo at the start. Personally, the change doesn't bother me that much considering that Dreamworks was the main company that oversaw Aardman's whole production process while Pathe was there as the EU support for the production process and then later the initial distributors for the European releases. Anyways, this video transfer is quite impressive in terms of detail and quality.

Audio:
I'll just get my thoughts off my chest before I get into my nit picks with this Blu-ray which starts with the audio. Overall, the DTS-HD 5.1 is pretty solid. The standout bits for me in this soundtrack is the action segments like the Pie Machine rescue sequence which is nicely mixed and does have a bit of punch to it. I haven't listen to the French audio yet but I presume it's going to be relatively the same core but with French dub and being in a slightly compressed DTS High Resolution soundtack aside from the DTS Master Audio English soundtrack.

Now we get into the nitty gritty details with this disc. To start with, the only subtitles on this release are French and no English subs are present here. Personally, I don't mind not having the English subs but it may annoy some people who either want to watch the French audio and still have the English subs play out or if somebody's watching the film at a lower volume during night time.

The only other minor problem I have with this release is that the main feature and the end credits are split into two seperate files. But it gets weirder as they're are actually two files for the credits. The French version which starts off by listing the dubbing credits. And the English version which you can only play if you select the Original English DTS HD 5.1 option on the menu because the French audio is the default track whenever you boot up this disc. Regarding this in terms of playback, this shouldn't be seen as an issue with the only note being that you have to select the English audio before watching the film. The only real reason I can see it as a minor issue is that when you rip the main film file you get no credits which means you then have to rip the English credits file seperately and merge the two together with some editing software.

In terms of extras, it's mostly just ported over from the French DVD release. There's three English trailers and a French dubbed trailer. There is also two featurettes with the first one about the making of the film and the other about the Pie Machine contraption (please note that all of the English extras have French subtitles set as a default which you have to turn off). Plus, there is also a featurette about the French dubbing process but seeing as I don't speak French, I decided to skip it.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
This release is pretty good in terms of the PQ which is where my main points to this goes to. The transfer here is presented very nicely with very fine details noticeable at such a low file size of 15GB and the audio is also really well done. I'd highly recommend this mainly for the transfer presentation. Trust me, you won't be disappointed.

PLEASE NOTE: This review is entirely my opinion and thoughts. If you didn't like the release I'm reviewing then that's mostly down to your preferences which is totally fine.

A few weeks ago, I decided to pick up a Blu-ray of Chicken Run not only because I really like the film but also because I've heard through the grapevine about the sleugh of ... display full review

This film I first viewed on Tubi and was appalled by it, but at the same time something draw me to it again and I had to buy it and view it again. Why? I'll be damned if I know! For me it was like seeing a horrible accident on the road, you can't look at it and you can't look away.
The only thing I will say story wise is this: It opens up with this married couple who just became parents and are arguing in a furniture store over a coffee table. The rest must be seen and not told in written form.
It is a horrific movie, not in the gore, which there really is none, but in how the characters react to a certain something that happens within the telling of the tale. It is made to make you feel uncomfortable and in this sense it packs one hell of a wallop. It sends you on a whirlwind of emotions that will linger with you for some time to come. It is a movie that most viewers will never ever forget.
The picture and audio are very good. Overseas Second Sight was suppose to do a 4k of this release, but for some unknown reason they were only able to put out the blu ray.
Extras are fine including an interview with the director, but watch the film first or it will spoil the initial viewing for you.
Still cannot understand why I had to watch this again or even own it. Once you see it maybe you will come to understand my dilemma.

This film I first viewed on Tubi and was appalled by it, but at the same time something draw me to it again and I had to buy it and view it again. Why? I'll be damned if I know! For me it was like seeing a horrible accident on the road, you can't look at it and you can't look away.
The only thing I will say story wise is this: It opens up with thi... display full review

In this the second Ilsa outing we find the sultry mistress of torture running a harem for an oil wealthy sheik somewhere in The Middle East presumably. There is much torture and blood on hand but not quite as fun as She Wolf. They put in a sprinkling of comedy in this outing, but I would have preferred it to be absent. This does not quite meet the heights of the fist film in this series, though it is entertaining none the less.
The video is a bit less than in She Wolf and some small/minor damage in the original elements can be see from time to time.
Audio is fine and clear.
Extras include the continuing conversation with director Don Edmunds with the same cast members providing an interesting audio commentary.
All in all a solid entry in the Ilsa saga but not quite on par with the fist one.

In this the second Ilsa outing we find the sultry mistress of torture running a harem for an oil wealthy sheik somewhere in The Middle East presumably. There is much torture and blood on hand but not quite as fun as She Wolf. They put in a sprinkling of comedy in this outing, but I would have preferred it to be absent. This does not quite meet the ... display full review

When a young boy runs away from his troubled home, he makes his was to Tokyo where he will essentially meet a young gifted girl who has the ability to control the weather. What follows is a charming and compelling story of survival, magic and enduring love. Weathering with You features a perfect 4K-UHD presentation with sharp colorful images in animation while the English dub audio track in 5.1 DTS is robust and clean. No extra's on the 4K disc save for a few on the included BD. Bottom line a wonderful movie from GKIDS with outstanding specs!

When a young boy runs away from his troubled home, he makes his was to Tokyo where he will essentially meet a young gifted girl who has the ability to control the weather. What follows is a charming and compelling story of survival, magic and enduring love. Weathering with You features a perfect 4K-UHD presentation with sharp colorful images in ani... display full review

Lego's are one of the World's top selling toys of all time and the many incarnations of pop culture themes have been legalized on gaming, television and film platforms. The latest and most fun is the current Lego Batman Movie. A spin off of the massive Lego Movie blockbuster from a few years ago. Lego Batman dives right in with a whole lot of hijinks and nods to pretty much all things batman while serving up a touching (if you will) story of one needed the other and vice versa. Will Arnett provides the vocals along with a whole other set of great talent such as Zach Galifianakis, Rosario Dawson, Ralph Fiennes and Billy Dee Williams. 4K Disc specs offers up a nice looking picture and sound quality. Nothing leaps & bounds off the screen but worthy nonetheless. A good selection of bonus material is also on tap thus making this Lego selection a great piece to your collection.

Lego's are one of the World's top selling toys of all time and the many incarnations of pop culture themes have been legalized on gaming, television and film platforms. The latest and most fun is the current Lego Batman Movie. A spin off of the massive Lego Movie blockbuster from a few years ago. Lego Batman dives right in with a whole lot of hijin... display full review

writer, director Guillermo Del Toro continues to surprise his fan base and introduce viewers to his vast wonderful imagination. Crimson Peak is his 2015 offering set in the early 20th Century with a simple plot of a man who's intensions seem good, but he also keeps a disturbing secret. Filled with mysterious ghosts and gothic feel, Crimson Peak is well worth the price of admission. Arrow's 4K is simply breathtaking. The Dolby Vision quality is fantastic for all the darks and blood red colors whereas the DTS track is robust, clean and clear in all channels. A Lovely selection of extra's fills in for this otherwise excellent movie and UHD presentation!

writer, director Guillermo Del Toro continues to surprise his fan base and introduce viewers to his vast wonderful imagination. Crimson Peak is his 2015 offering set in the early 20th Century with a simple plot of a man who's intensions seem good, but he also keeps a disturbing secret. Filled with mysterious ghosts and gothic feel, Crimson Peak is ... display full review

The LEGO Movie proved to be a success so a few years later The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part came to be. Most of the voice talent from the first returns to this formula follow-up as it sees the city come under siege by an space invader in which they all must work together to save it from crumbling down. Disc specs feature an OK presentation on the visual front. The HDR-10 mix isn't going to pop much in colors schemes but overall the picture quality looks nice. Audio is robust and active throughout with the Dolby Atmos presentation while extra's are slim and found on the BD disc included. Bottom line a fun follow-up for those they love all things LEGO!

The LEGO Movie proved to be a success so a few years later The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part came to be. Most of the voice talent from the first returns to this formula follow-up as it sees the city come under siege by an space invader in which they all must work together to save it from crumbling down. Disc specs feature an OK presentation on the ... display full review

Well, I watched it this morning, and I can wholeheartedly say that this edition is day and night compared to the DNR fiasco by Universal.
This one features naturally resolved grain, solid colours, suitable contrast levels, and plenty of detail. There is kind of a soft, almost milky look to it in medium shots at times, but I assume this was intentional. I reckon it was shot anamorphically, since there is at least one instance where a face in the upper portion of the frame is distorted the way anamorphic lenses do.
I didn't see any decrease in resolution during the climax with VFX. There was one pretty grainy shot when they were climbing up to the booth on the tower, but that's it. It's a very even look. The opening credits don't suffer from the typical lack in resolution either.
Overall, this may well be the definitive release of this wacky flick, and I am perfectly fine with that.
The audio track is very good, too, with plenty of surround action and great fidelity. The music sounds wonderful. Absolutely nothing to complain about here.

Film: 3.5/5
Picture Quality: 4/5 Universal's editon is a 1.5/5 by comparison
Audio Quality: 4.5/5
Buy with confidence. This is the edition you are looking for.

Well, I watched it this morning, and I can wholeheartedly say that this edition is day and night compared to the DNR fiasco by Universal.
This one features naturally resolved grain, solid colours, suitable contrast levels, and plenty of detail. There is kind of a soft, almost milky look to it in medium shots at times, but I assume this was intent... display full review

This is a reformatted 1.78:1 version of the film, not the OAR of 2.39:1. It's opened a bit on the top and bottom and cropped on the sides. It uses a very old HD master, has a 5.1 English track and nothing else, no bonus features.

This is a reformatted 1.78:1 version of the film, not the OAR of 2.39:1. It's opened a bit on the top and bottom and cropped on the sides. It uses a very old HD master, has a 5.1 English track and nothing else, no bonus features. display full review

Movie:
Almost 20 years later and Christopher Nolan's "The Presrige" remains a magnificent movie and the one that, perhaps better synthesizes the themes and trademarks from its director. When I watched in 2007 when its release in video stores, I was amazed by the film and, of course, by its plot twists, which surprised me in all of them. But the best part of it is that with each new viewing I realized that the movie not only got better, but I was also fascinated by its structure, its polished and brilliant screenplay, as well as the cinematic construction that benefits from our knowledge of the plot twists and the pleasure of rediscovering the movie almost like the first time (after all, one of the pleasures of the movie is letting yourself be carried by the cinematic and narrative magic of the film itself). But what makes the movie fascinating is its narrative center between the magicians Borden and Angier, where they engage in a constant duel between themselves, in which, in trying to surpass each other, they become obsessed with the pursuit of a perfection they will never achieve, and in a rivalry where no one emerges victorious (and this is one of the points that makes the movie become tragic). Here, Christopher Nolan finds the perfect themes to deal with, along with his more rational and sober style. It's impossible not to be swept away by its storyline, which fascinates us while simultaneously destroying us along with its characters in this tragic rivalry, yet cinematically breathtaking and brilliant, a masterpiece that I easily place among the best movies I've ever seen.

Video - 4K:
I don't have the complete equipment to watch in 4K.

Video:
For someone who only watched the movie on DVD, watching "The Prestige" for the first time on Blu-ray is almost like watching it for the first time. The video quality is excellent, with great reproduction of the sober colors, and keeping a respectable presentation that is always pleasable to see and always cinematic.

Audio:
I watched the movie in English - DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and it's an excellent lossless track that surpasses easily the Dolby Digital 5.1 available on DVD. The sound mixing on Blu-ray is much more strong and loud, and while much more contained on the front channels, the surrounds are supportive and creates an immersive experience.

Extras:
I watched all the special features (available on a separate disc and the same from the DVD) and while it doesn't have nothing special, they're OK to watch and are very informative.

Overall:
An absolute masterpiece received excellent video and audio presentation with some good special features.
Overall, it's a great BD.

Movie:
Almost 20 years later and Christopher Nolan's "The Presrige" remains a magnificent movie and the one that, perhaps better synthesizes the themes and trademarks from its director. When I watched in 2007 when its release in video stores, I was amazed by the film and, of course, by its plot twists, which surprised me in all of them. But the be... display full review

The new Blu Ray 2025 from Rustblade looks Terrible. Where did they source this from? Looks like an AI Upscaled VHS. If you want a very Unnatural looking picture quality with NO-Grain (Smoothing) and very weird looking AI Digital Artifacting this is the Blu Ray for you. This is sad and most likely we will not have a proper release for a long time. I paid $18 bucks for this and still feel its unwatchable, I can't believe they release this in this condition

The new Blu Ray 2025 from Rustblade looks Terrible. Where did they source this from? Looks like an AI Upscaled VHS. If you want a very Unnatural looking picture quality with NO-Grain (Smoothing) and very weird looking AI Digital Artifacting this is the Blu Ray for you. This is sad and most likely we will not have a proper release for a long time. I... display full review

The new Blu Ray 2025 from Rustblade looks Terrible. Where did they source this from? Looks like the (AI Upscaled it from an old VHS). If you want a very Unnatural looking picture quality with NO-Grain (Smoothing) and very weird looking AI Digital Artifacting this is the Blu Ray for you. This is sad and most likely we will not have a proper release for a long time. I paid $18 bucks for this and still feel its unwatchable, I can't believe they release this in this condition.

The new Blu Ray 2025 from Rustblade looks Terrible. Where did they source this from? Looks like the (AI Upscaled it from an old VHS). If you want a very Unnatural looking picture quality with NO-Grain (Smoothing) and very weird looking AI Digital Artifacting this is the Blu Ray for you. This is sad and most likely we will not have a proper release ... display full review