Category: Movie DVDs (Page 90 of 100)

DVD shuffle: 05/02/06

May 2, 2006 /

Out on DVD this week:

1) Family Stone – RENT: For those who were expecting a family comedy, I feel your pain, but that doesn’t make this movie bad. In fact, it’s one of the better family holiday films out there.

2) Last Holiday – PASS: Queen Latifah has made ONE good movie. This isn’t it.

3) Delicatessen – RENT: Before Hollywood went all nuts on making sick and twisted films like “Saw” and “Hostel,” the French were already doing it… except they find it funny!

Also out this week is a re-issue of “Wyatt Earp,” season six of “King of the Hill,” a whole slew of classic shows on DVD (including “I Love Lucy” and “Leave it to Beaver”), and the made-for-TV version of “United 93.”

Movie DVDs, Movies, Reviews

DVD shuffle: 04/25/06

April 25, 2006 /

Out on DVD this week:

1) Aeon Flux – PASS: When a studio doesn’t want a new film to be reviewed the weekend of its release, they’ll typically screen it for critics on Thursday at 7:00. This movie was screened at 10:00. Any questions?

2) Casanova – RENT: Billed as a comedy, I don’t remember laughing a single time throughout the length of this period piece. Then again, resident BE critic David Medsker loved it, so I have to imagine someone else will too.

3) Shopgirl – PASS: Disappointment doesn’t even begin to explain my feelings for this film, but if you must see it because you read the book, then don’t say I didn’t warn you.

4) Match Point – RENT: I haven’t had a chance to see this one yet, but if the award buzz is any indication, this is one to definitely check out. The lack of any special features turns off to a purchase, however, no matter how good the film is.

5) Tristan + Isolde – PASS: Do you really need a reason not to see this movie?

Also out this week are quite a few special editions, including new releases for “The Wedding Singer,” “The Patriot,” “Windtalkers” and “The Replacement Killers,” as well as the first season of “American Dad” and the Final Fantasy VII film “Advent Children.”

Movie DVDs, Movies, Reviews

HD-DVDs hitting stores

April 18, 2006 /

Universal released “Serenity” on HD-DVD today; it represents the studio’s first title in the new high-def format. The studio will release “Apollo 13” and “Doom” next week.

Warner Home Video released three HD-DVD titles as well, with “Million Dollar Baby,” “The Phantom of the Opera” and “The Last Samurai” hitting shelves today. Warner plans to release a dozen more titles in May. The first titles in the format have a MSRP of $29-$35.

But before you rush out and buy one of the $500 HD-DVD players, be warned that there is a format battle brewing, and it’s not unlike the Beta/VHS war in the ’80s. Blu-ray is HD-DVD’s main competitor and it’s unclear which format will win out. Sony and Pioneer have backed Blu-ray, and once the Playstation 3 hits shelves, the format will get a big boost. The two formats are identical in picture quality, but Blu-ray boasts 67% more capacity and that may put the format over the top. If you remember, Beta actually had a better picture quality, but was limited to two hours of recording time. VHS tapes were capable of recording up to 6 hours, and the picture quality was “good enough” for consumers, allowing the format to ultimately win out.

One thing hindering Blu-ray’s progress is the lack of available players and the initial cost of those players once they are available. Toshiba has a HD-DVD player for $499 but the first Blu-ray player from Samsung will cost $1000. It is doubtful that the PS3, which will double as a Blu-ray player, will have a price tag this high. LG and Samsung each plan to release a player that will play both formats.

These HD discs will be an improvement over current DVDs, but with the uncertainty in the marketplace, I’m going to stick with my trusty progressive-scan DVD player for now.

Movie DVDs, Movies, News

DVD shuffle: 04/18/06

April 18, 2006 /

Not a whole lot going on in DVD Land this week, with only one major release (“Hostel“) hitting store shelves. Other titles making their way into stores include special editions of “Moonstruck” and “Event Horizon,” as well as the award-nominated “Mrs. Henderson Presents” and the indie transgender flick “Breakfast on Pluto.” Next week looks to fair much better, with five major releases, five reissues, a handful of straight-to-DVD features and even some nice collections.

Movie DVDs, Movies

DVD shuffle: 04/11/06

April 11, 2006 /

Out on DVD this week:

1) The Greatest Game Ever Played – RENT: Okay, so Disney may be getting a little out of hand with these true-story sports underdog movies, but I’ll be damned if every single one isn’t entertaining. Plus, it’s always nice to see Shia LeBeouf proving his talents in a creditable role. This kid’s got future Oscar winner written all over him.

2) Fun With Dick & Jane – RENT: Probably the funniest Jim Carrey comedy of the past decade. It’s not perfect, and the DVD doesn’t offer much in the way of special features, but it’s worth seeing atleast once.

3) Mission: Impossible/Mission: Impossible 2 – BUY: I don’t care how much of a loser Tom Cruise may be these days, the “Mission: Impossible” films are good fun, and the upcoming third film will be a nice trilogy topper. With that said, the first film is far superior when compared to John Woo’s follow-up, but both are necessary additions for any DVD enthusiast.

Also out this week is the Aussie horror flick “Wolf Creek,” the little-seen drama “An Unfinished Life,” the Naomi Watts vehicle “Ellie Parker” and the fifth season of “In Living Color.”

Movie DVDs, Movies

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