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( Max score: 100 )

70

A gang of small-time crooks botch a robbery and are on the run from the law. With the police on their tails, they take refuge in a seedy hostel owned by degenerate rednecks who have a lot more than cattle on their minds...

Alot of people are calling this the french "Hostel" and in some ways they would be correct. Although there are similarities this film takes that original idea and runs with it. After comminting what they beleive a perfect heist this group of friends decide to hold up in a seemingly tranquil bed and breakfast. Here they realize all is not what it seems in this idyllic retreat. The proprietors of this property seem to have a hidden sinister agenda and our group of friends realizes it all too late.

This film has been a subject of much buzz in the horror community for the last few months as it was deemed to shocking for a mainstream theatrical release. Correct me if I am wrong but I thought that was the selling point of all of the movies in the horrorfest series, but it seems this one was indeed too bad for the general public. We saw the same situation with Takashi Miike's episode of "Masters of Horror" , where it was deemed too controversial for the cable network and had to have a seperate DVD release.

This film is unrated and deservedly so as it contains some of the most brutal scenes of torture I have yet to witness on video. Not for the kiddies!

REFERENCE = 92-100 / EXCELLENT = 83-91 / GOOD = 74-82 / AVERAGE = 65-73 / BELOW AVERAGE = under 65

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The video presenation is decent but nothing any properly encoded DVD transfer should look like at the bare minimum. As I noted on the other horrorfest titles the black levels seem a notch or two too high as compared to other DVD releases. I am not sure what is happening at Lionsgate with these horrorfest titles but every last one of them exhibits this quirk. Nothing a few clicks lower on the brightness control won't cure but strange considering all 9 of them are affected. The colors were well produced and the blood flows quite red. I saw a bit of ringing throughout the presentation and some shimmering in the extremely saturated colors but as a whole this presentation looks head and shoulders better than the rest of the films in this series.

The French Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack served the film well, without any glaring problems to note. At times the voices seemed a bit strident, surround activity when there was any present was well done and the film had a very satisfying bottom end. Being a French language film there wee no options for an English dub which is fine by me as I have always preferred listening to the original actors voices over a dubbed version.

This disc has no special features to speak of except for a couple of trailers for upcoming movies.

I had been hearing about this film in the horror community for the last several months. The buzz it has created for itself is indeed well deserved and director Xavier Gens has done a bang up job creating 108 minutes of unrelenting horror. At times this film can be truly hard to watch as it pulls no punches in it's execution . This one can be classified in the torture porn category of modern horror. With the exception being that in it's delivery of shocks and scares it is also a very well crafted and well done horror movie. Horror fans will not be dissapointed by this ride as it is a very good one. This one gets my highest reccomendation and the horrorfan seal of approval.

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( Max score: 100 )

81

Five young New Yorkers throw their friend a going-away party the night that a monster the size of a skyscraper descends upon the city. Told from the point of view of their video camera, the film is a document of their attempt to survive the most surreal, horrifying event of their lives.

I had seen the trailer for Cloverfield while at the movies last year and I was intrigued. Unfortunately I never got the chance to get it at the theater. I did hear some feedback from those who had. Most claimed the film was good but that the way it was shot from the handheld video cam perspective made it hard to watch. I heard of some more extreme cases where people were suffering headaches and nausea (similar to motion sickness) due to the camera motion. Well I can’t speak for everyone but I watched it with my family and none of us had any problems. I will admit that you never get used to the constant movement of the camera but after a while it becomes less bothersome. I think that it helps drive the suspense filled story line.

REFERENCE = 92-100 / EXCELLENT = 83-91 / GOOD = 74-82 / AVERAGE = 65-73 / BELOW AVERAGE = under 65

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The 5.1 channel Dolby Digital soundtrack had a bit rate of 384 kbps and sounded great. The style of the film lent itself to a 1 dimensional viewpoint due to the “video cam” perspective. Early on I was afraid that this was going to be problematic in terms of getting the feeling of sounds being generated from anywhere but up front. Well that feeling went away when the initial explosion erupted within the city limits. The film opens with a black screen and the sound of deep (say 30 hz or so) thumps which later can be identified as the footsteps of the invading entity. Low frequency effects had excellent solidity, impact and extension. The mix made exemplary use of the surrounds to create an eery and sometimes frightening experience as the room was filled with a plethora of noise that seemed to emanate from all around. This was really effective during a scene where the main characters traverse a totally darkened subway tunnel as they are unknowingly pursued by……

This presentation delivered dynamics that had a visceral quality that made it feel more lifelike. The sound field was both immersive and unilateral at what seemed like the same time. I think that part of this was instinctive due to the nature of the photography. Dialogue perception was never a problem. Clarity and fine auditory interpretation were first rate. Overall this was an impressive soundtrack that will offer you system a chance to spread it’s wings.

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The bonus set offered here is good and provide some very good background on the film both in pre-production and during shooting. The making of features interviews with the cast, director and production staff. It delves into the conceptual background on the film and reveals that not even the cast knew what was going to happen in film as they began shooting. This was all kept very close to the vest to prevent it from getting out before the release of Cloverfield. The visual effects piece looked at how the camera work was done and the reason for it. The Clover fun feature was an adlib piece done by a few of the cast members using the camera which was pretty funny. The I saw it, its alive, its huge feature looked at the design of the creature and the special effects used in the film. The alternate endings were all similar and offered nothing different to the theatrical ending. The deleted scenes and commentary tracks were the same ole same ole. I enjoyed the featurettes and found them to be interesting for the most part.

Cloverfield is a quick paced thrill ride that excite your senses (literally). It is not your run of the mill monster attack type film due in large part to the way the story is told. This DVD presentation offers excellent sound quality that will put you right in the action and an attractive set of bonus features. Those who are more susceptible to motion sickness may want to keep in mind that this film has the potential to aggravate it. It didn’t bother me or anyone in my family. Recommended.

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( Max score: 100 )

69

"Borderland" (Synopsis) When three Texas University students travel to a Mexican border town on the eve of their graduation, the last thing they expect is to face their own deaths. Without warning, they fall prey to an ancient blood cult hell-bent on finding candidates for human sacrifice. Inspired by a true story, Borderland tells a story which blends the raw fear of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre with the stark reality of In Cold Blood, evoking a world soaked in paranoia, fear, and dread.

This low budget shocker fails to provide many shocks and is more of a dramatic thriller than anything supernatural. Not a film you would remember for much longer than the 15 minutes it takes you to forget it.

"Unearthed" (Synopsis) A vicious creature that's been trapped for 900 years gets unearthed during an archaeological dig in the middle of a desolate town. As the carnage escalates, the local sheriff and a group of stranded civilians must find a way to destroy the creature that only has one mission - complete annihilation.

This is one of the better entries in this collection with very well done special effects. There are true shining moments in this film . The CGI effects come off as cheesy due to the lower budget of the film but whenever they stick to old school latex and makeup effects the film shines as a good low budget shocker.

"Tooth and Nail" (Synopsis) A small group of survivors in a post-apocalyptic world take refuge in an empty hospital with plan on rebuilding society. They rescue a young girl who is the victim of a brutal attack, but soon discover that they were followed by a savage band of cannibals known as Rovers. The Rovers begin to kill them one by one, and the trapped survivors must find a way to outwit their stalkers.

This is another one of the better films in this collection . This post apocalyptic world is not brought on by nuclear destruction or anything of that nature but just because we run out of gasoline. I found this to be a funny anecdote on today's fuel crisis. This is a splatteriffic movie full of bloody mayhem and you haven't seen anything until you have seen Michael Madsen in post apocalyptic regalia lopping off heads. Too bad more movies in this collection weren't half as good as this one.

"Crazy Eights" (Synopsis) Six people are brought together at the funeral of a childhood friend. While settling the estate, they discover a map, which leads them on a search for a long-forgotten time capsule, at the request of their dead friend. What they discover reawakens repressed childhood traumas and leads them on a journey through their long-abandoned childhood home: a home with a terrible secret and a mysterious dead girl who will lead them to their strange fates.

This one starts off very promising but soon delves into snoredom with very long periods of time where people wander about wild eyed for what seems like an eternity almost trying to will something interesting into happening onscreen. Sadly the best part about this film was taking the DVD out of my machine for good.

"Nightmare Man" (Synopsis) After receiving a mysterious mask, Ellen Morris believes she was attacked by an evil being she calls "Nightmare Man". Her husband, Bill, believes she is crazy. On their way to the mental hospital their car breaks down and Bill goes to get gas, leaving Ellen alone. When Nightmare Man appears, Ellen takes off into the woods, unsure whether she is hallucinating or not. She stumbles upon a cabin filled with friends who unknowingly become prey the moment Ellen steps inside.

Nightmare man indeed. This one was truly excruciating to watch as it had all of the characteristics of a bad soap opera with none of the entertainment value . The Nightmare man himself is an almost laughable excuse for a scary being. Even Freddy Krueger at his campiest (circa Dream warriors and all subsequent entries) was scarier than this. There were some really cute ladies in this though so I guess it wasn't all that bad.

The Deaths of Ian Stone (Synopsis) On an otherwise ordinary night, the young Ian Stone encounters a mysterious creature and is forced into the path of an oncoming train. Rather than facing certain death, Ian finds himself reborn into a new life that feels strangely familiar. After his second death, it becomes apparent that Ian is being hunted by an evil presence, and will be forced to die every day until he can solve the mystery of his own life.

This film was produced by creature effects guru Stan Winston and is one of the better entries in the collection. The makeup effects were very well done and there were some moments of near greatness. Problem is anytime the creature was shown full body it was done with some embarrassingly bad CGI effects which sadly tear you right out of the experience.

Lake Dead (Synopsis) Three beautiful sisters learn of a long-lost grandfather, but only make this discovery upon the news of his grisly death. Enticed to visit grandpa's old home after hearing of an inheritance, the sisters head to the back country with some friends. We quickly follow the group of friends through the gates of a redneck-infested hell. The psychotic family occupying the inherited property goes on a long awaited, and much enjoyed killing spree. As the family's twisted motives unravel, the sisters discover a terror worse than death.

This one was one of the worst of the lot. I usually watch such lower budget fare with low expectations firmly intact as forgetting to do so leaves me with the incredible urge to yell expletives at the screen . Even with low expectations engaged I was extremely disappointed in this film and found myself longing for the credits to roll. The makeup effects were substandard at best and as hard as I tried to find some redeeming qualities in this film I was left almost comatose from boredom.

Mulberry St. (Synopsis) The city that never sleeps may shut its eyes for good when a deadly infection turns its residents to savage creatures. There is only hope for a small few, including six recently evicted tenants who must protect their crumbling apartment complex as the city around them is thrown into chaos...

This one is hands down my favorite film of the entire collection. Imagine your favorite gangster movie characters suddenly thrust into a bloody zombie movie. That’s about the gist of this film. The characters are very well developed and utterly ooze NYC attitude. The dialogue is very well written and is akin to what most people talk like instead of the useless assemblage of sentences that pass for a script that you usually see in most lower budget fare. I can only imagine what this director could have done with a Hollywood sized budget. The monster effects in this film are great and the zombies themselves are totally unique in that they are rodent based in nature and from this horror fans standpoint a very welcome addition to zombie lore. Parental Concerns:

These films are Rated R and Unrated, deservedly so as they are riddled with scenes of gratuitous violence ,adult language and situations. Some scenes of drug use and brief nudity.

REFERENCE = 92-100 / EXCELLENT = 83-91 / GOOD = 74-82 / AVERAGE = 65-73 / BELOW AVERAGE = under 65

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The video presentations on these films are just a notch above VHS quality and have a almost furry look to the saturated colors. The black levels are much higher than they should be and had me checking my Pioneer Kuro plasmas settings to assure that nobody in my household had mucked around with my settings. It was not the case as only these films exhibited this higher black level . After adjusting the brightness control to compensate I was able to achieve a image with better depth but still did not look quite right to my eye. Compression artifacting reared it‘s ugly head on every film and constantly reminded me that I was watching a pretty bad DVD transfer by anyone‘s yardstick.

The 5.1 Dolby Digital sound tracks were competent at best but never once did they sound like a good 5.1 soundtrack is supposed to sound. Most films had great dialogue reproduction but deep bass was almost non-existant. With the exception of Mulberry Street which had some wall shaking bass at times. Funny thing was that they were heavy handed on scenes which really wouldn‘t sound bassy in real life, but they elected to put little or no bass in scenes that would expect there to be some..

Features: Borderland - Rituales de Sangre - The True Story Behind the Cult Murder Investigation - Audio Commentary with Directory Zev Berman, Actor Brian Presley, Director of Photography Scott Kevan and Producer Lauren Moews - Inside Zev's Head: A Filmmaker's Diary

Unearthed Features Not Specified

Tooth and Nail Features Not Specified

Crazy Eights Features Not Specified

Nightmare Man - Commentary with Actor Tiffany Shepis, Director Rolfe Kanefsky and Producer Esther Goodstein - Extended Scenes - "Creating a Nightmare" The Making of Nightmare Man - "Flubbing a Nightmare" Gag Reel - Tiffany's Behing the Scenes - Stills Gallery

The Deaths of Ian Stone Features Not Specified

Lake Dead Features Not Specified

Mulberry St. - Storyboards - Deleted Scenes - Outtakes - Early Director Sketches - Behind the Scenes - The Rats - Makeup Test - Visual Effects Test

Lionsgate went to great lengths to promote these films as being too terrifying to be seen by the general public citing this as the reason that they elected to show them in their annual Horror fest . Being a fan of all things horror I was really expecting more from these films than they actually delivered . Even our modern Pinocchio ( Mr. wooden himself ) Keanu Reeves would be aghast at the marionette show most of these films fall victim to. None of these films are particularly good , I would say that 5 out of the 8 were just terrible. The remaining three although passable would never be considered good horror films .

It seems the life of a modern horror fan is rife with disappointment. The only films in this series worth watching are Mulberry Street, The deaths of Ian Stone , and Tooth and Nail. Whether or not they are worth the price of the rental is ultimately up to you .

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America’s own backyard becomes the most brutal battlefield yet for the iconic creatures from two of the scariest film franchises ever when Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem descends onto DVD and Blu-ray disc. Picking up immediately after 2004’s Aliens vs. Predator, the Predator gives birth to the crossbreed ‘PredAlien’ shortly before the ship crashes into a small Colorado town. Caught in between the invasion of the Aliens and a new ruthless and methodical Predator, a group of towns people must join forces to stop the infestation before the military obliterates the town to contain the outbreak.

I am a fan of both the Predator and Alien franchises as well as 2004’s AVP. I didn’t get the chance see AVP-R in the theater. This film takes place in a small and tight knit rural community in Colorado. It literally picks up where AVP left off. The creature that bursts forth from the belly of the Predator onboard the Predator ship is a hybrid and has features and characteristics of both an Alien and a Predator. Hence the ‘PreAlien” designation. It creates havoc onboard the Predator ship, and the ship, having not yet left earth’s orbit crashes on earth. The crash destroys the ship and sets what appear to be a dozen or so of the Alien face huggers free. Somehow the PredAlien survives the crash also. The face huggers immediately find two quick victims in the woods nearby and this begins the chain of events that ensue within the community. Back on the Predators home planet it is discovered that all hell is about to break loose on earth and a lone Predator is dispatched to quell the problem.

I thought that this film lacked strong character development. I liked the strong characters in AVP and thought that having that foundation made the film better than it would have been otherwise. Here that is not the case so the film needs to rely more on its screenplay and direction. The screenplay was just average in its originality and the cast performances were not memorable in the least. Where this film really shines is in the attention to detail regarding the creature effects, Predator weaponry, and the various encounters between the Predator, the Alien Drones, and the PredAlien. The entire film takes place in a 24 hour period most of which is at night in the rain. I look forward to checking this one out in high definition on blu-ray as I suspect it’s high resolution soundtrack is going to be quite good.

In the end I found myself feeling that this was not a sensational film but I did find it entertaining none the less. For fans of the franchise I think that seeing it is a must. The special effects and battle sequences between the Predator and Aliens alone are worth the price of admission.

** Fox forwarded us a single layered, watermarked, “special screening copy” for review which is not suitable for technical Audio/Video evaluation. According to the press sheet all other aspects appear to be what will be included with the final product.**

This unrated version contains graphic violence, sensuality, gore and language.

This unrated Two Disc Extreme Special Edition contains a comprehensive and in depth look at this film from pretty much every aspect of the production. Fox added a feature that is not mentioned in the press kit. There is an “Added Footage Marker” option in the features menu. When this is activated it will bring up an on screen icon indicating where additional film footage is inserted in the Unrated version versus the Theatrical version. I thought this was a nice touch. As a whole I enjoyed each of the features presented here. If I had to identify the feature that I enjoyed the least it would be the Still Design Galleries although they too were pretty interesting. Fans of the series will note that there are many references to the other Alien, and AVP films scattered throughout these features that offer interesting tidbits and background as well.

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Alien vs. Predator – Requiem Unrated is a fast paced, action packed and gore filled sequel to Alien vs. Predator that fans will more than likely appreciate. Personally I don’t think that it is as good as the original however from a technical perspective it looks to be quite entertaining. It is being released day and date on high definition blu-ray and DVD and will include Fox’s Digital Copy option disc. This will allow the film to be quickly loaded on to a PC for viewing or uploaded to a portable video device. I look forward to seeing and hearing it in high definition.

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Don’t miss the outrageously offbeat comedy hit that has everyone talking – and laughing! Explore the outrageous “Junoverse” of the year’s most talked-about comedy with this 2-Disc Special Edition of Juno – bulging with awesome special features to deliver hours of laughs and tons of feel-good fun! Juno MacGuff is a cool, confident teenager who takes a nine-month detour into adulthood when she’s faced with an unplanned pregnancy – and sets out to find the perfect parents for her baby. With the help of her timid boyfriend, supportive dad and no-nonsense stepmom, Juno sets her sights on an affluent couple longing to adopt their first child.

This film came highly recommended by everyone that I know (including my daughter) who saw it theatrically. I went into in with high expectations and after watching it came away feeling thoroughly entertained. I literally enjoyed every minute of Juno and thought that it brought a fresh and different perspective on a fairly serious subject in teenage pregnancy. Ellen Page’s performance was brilliant and easily deserving of her Academy Award nomination. The film uses witty and fast paced teenage vernacular which is delivered to perfection by Page. Allison Janey is wonderful in the role of Bren Juno’s step mom. The exchange between her and the women’s imaging technician during Juno’s sonogram is priceless. JK Simmons, Jason Bateman, and, Jennifer Garner round out the notables among the cast. Michael Cera and Olivia Thirlby portray Juno’s two best friends Bleeker and Lean, (with Cera actually being a bit more than that) both are convincing as they play perfectly off of Ellen Page. Juno is a movie that has so many great moments that it would not be practical to try and summarize them.

Juno is the brain child of writer Diablo Cody who won the Academy Award for Best Screenplay this year. I think that she was deserving of that acknowledgement as this is one of more original films that I have seen. The casting was an important element in bringing these characters to life and I think that the actors chosen were perfectly placed. Director Jason Reitman had a great script, and a talented cast to work with and he certainly made the most of it.

** Fox forwarded us a single layered, watermarked, “special screening copy” for review which is not suitable for technical Audio/Video evaluation. According to the press sheet all other aspects appear to be what will be included with the final product.**

The PG-13 rating is for Mature Themes, sexual content and language.

There is a plethora of special features that offers some great insights, fun, and background on Juno.

I loved the Cast and Crew Jam which is a fun “music video” featuring quite a few of the cast members jamming and having fun set to music. The Way Beyond feature looks at the three characters and how they were portrayed through the eyes of the young cast members who played them. The Director and Writer pieces feature a look at them individually and includes interviews with the cast and production staff. The Honest to Blog ! featurette looks at how Juno was conceived by writer Diablo Cody and what her thoughts and inspiration was for it’s creation. The deleted scenes and commentary are good but the Gag reels and takes are hysterical. All in all this is a great package and well worth the time spent watching it.

Juno is a wonderful film that is creatively inspired from the mind of writer Diablo Cody. It offers a fresh and witty reflection of just what can happen when young people get bored and decide to experiment. I loved it and I think that it is a movie that deserves a spin in your DVD player. Highly recommended.

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( Max score: 100 )

86

A sprawling epic of family, faith, power and oil, THERE WILL BE BLOOD is set on the incendiary frontier of California’s turn-of-the-century petroleum boom. The story chronicles the life and times of one Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis), who transforms himself from a down-and-out silver miner raising a son on his own into a self-made oil tycoon. When Plainview gets a mysterious tip-off that there’s a little town out West where an ocean of oil is oozing out of the ground, he heads with his son, H.W. (Dillon Freasier), to take their chances in dust-worn Little Boston. In this hardscrabble town, where the main excitement centers around the holy roller church of charismatic preacher Eli Sunday (Paul Dano), Plainview and H.W. make their lucky strike. But even as the well raises all of their fortunes, nothing will remain the same as conflicts escalate and every human value – love, hope, community, belief, ambition and even the bond between father and son – is imperiled by corruption, deception and the flow of oil.

I believe that There will be blood is an interesting film from a historical perspective as it does a superb job in providing what I would a call a realistic depiction of what life must have been like during those days in American History. The strong performances by the cast lent support to the story’s telling which is always a plus.

REFERENCE = 92-100 / EXCELLENT = 83-91 / GOOD = 74-82 / AVERAGE = 65-73 / BELOW AVERAGE = under 65

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The Bonus features are slightly above average and offer two trailers, 2 deleted scenes and a segment entitled “15 Minutes“ which looks at the film through a series of cut ins that mix in real life photographs of miners, oil men etc. from the period and similar scenes from the film that depict them. Lastly there is a B/W silent film entitled “The Story of Petroleum” that chronicles the 1920’s oil business.

I liked There will be blood. I didn‘t think that it was a terrific film but I thought that it told it‘s story extremely well through great acting performances and excellent visuals. I suspect that viewers will find it to be entertaining in that regard as well. Recommended.

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( Max score: 100 )

90

In 1955 a tough skinny kid with a guitar walked into the soon to be famous Sun studios in Memphis Tennessee. With his driving freight train chords , steel eyed intensity and voice as deep and black as night . Johnny cash kicked off his career...and forever changed the face of American music and culture. 50 years later filmmaker James Mangold was called upon to make the story of Cash's historic life. Mangold spent alot of time with Cash and his wife June to get a glimpse of this legend and to delve into what exactly made the man in black the man he was.

It is Joaquim Phoenix who is called upon to channel the spirit of this music legend and conjure he does. From the way the man walked and talked to the haunting drawl in his soulful singing Joachim has it down. Joaquim studied for 6 months with a vocal coach undergoing intenense training to become not only the actors eqivelant of the man but also the singers eqivelant. I spent many days of my happy youth listening to the man myself as my father had a great affinity for country music with his favoritie singer being Cash himself.

Reese Witherspoon also does a bit of spirit channeling of her own as the woman Cash loved and the ultimate savior of the man from his own inner demons. Ranging from the guilt of his young brother's untimely demise , the lack of love from his own father, and his struggle with drug addiction.

This extended cut is unrated and should be noted that is has adult language and situations. Some scenes of drug use and brief nudity.

REFERENCE = 92-100 / EXCELLENT = 83-91 / GOOD = 74-82 / AVERAGE = 65-73 / BELOW AVERAGE = under 65

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The video presenation is very good, with a mostly detailed picture that sometimes had a bit too much softness which was more than likely the directors' intent. Black levels were deep as a chasm, with the shadows themselves almost becoming a character in the movie. This is a deeply emotional journey from darkness into light and it is portrayed well here. There is very little to complain about in this video transfer and even after being spoiled by HD media it is amazing how good well transferred DVD can look.

The 5.1 DTS soundtrack is in a word amazing. I for one was not expecting a movie with this subject matter to compress my listening area with such incredible use of the LFE effects channel. The performance sequences throbbed with that toe tapping bass that is usually resolved for live concert performances. Dialogue reproduction was clear and consise and the surround really sprand to life in the afforementioned musical sequences. All these years in and DTS still has chops.

This two dvd set is packed with an entire disc of special features fans of this film with no doubt relish.

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( Max score: 100 )

66

Following the departure of both Eric and Kelso, the fun-loving friends of Point Place, Wisconsin are forced to recognize times are a-changing. Hyde returns from Chicago a married man while Jackie and Fez explore their relationship and move in together. Donna starts a new relationship and Jackie lands a job at a television station as an assistant to a psycho boss. The whole gang manages to reunite for a final bittersweet farewell to the decade that has brought such hysterical hi-jinks and overall mayhem.

What a wonderful send off for a great TV series. I did not faithfully watched the show in it’s final season but it didn’t take long to for me to catch up after watching this set. All 22 episodes are presented here and spread out over 3 dual layer and 1 single layer discs. As a fan of the show I enjoyed this set but became apparent that it may have been time to wrap things up. The finale was great and offered a perfect finish with the gang ushering in 1980. I also appreciated how they brought everyone back for the final episode as I think it lent a feeling of distinct closure.

That 70’s show now falls into a very prestigious class of TV shows that was able to go out on it’s own terms, and it did so with style.

The collection is not rated however I would think that a TV-14 rating would be appropriate.

REFERENCE = 92-100 / EXCELLENT = 83-91 / GOOD = 74-82 / AVERAGE = 65-73 / BELOW AVERAGE = under 65

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A nice bonus features package is offered on That 70’s Show Season 8. Fans will indeed be pleased with the great content presented that looks not only at the show’s last season but at the series in general.

Fox has given That 70’s Show a deserving send off with this four disc set. Fans will find it’s bonus features to be fun and nostalgic. The audio/video presentation was average and seemed to closely replicate what the show looked like when it aired. Recommended for fans.

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( Max score: 100 )

71

Amir is a young Afghani from a well-to-do Kabul family; his best friend Hassan is the son of a family servant. Together the two boys form a bond of friendship that breaks tragically on one fateful day, when Amir fails to save his friend from brutal neighborhood bullies. Amir and Hassan become separated, and as first the Soviets and then the Taliban seize control of Afghanistan, Amir and his father escape to the United States to pursue a new life. Years later, Amir – now an accomplished author living in San Francisco – is called back to Kabul to right the wrongs he and his father committed years ago.

Kite Runner is based upon the book by Khaled Hosseini. This is a very powerful story that will elicit various emotions as it progresses to it’s climax. I have not read the book but have spoken to several people who have. All of them agree that the book is excellent. Adapting a film based upon a book almost always results in a somewhat compressed variation. From what I understand this film is no different. How successful the screenplay is in capturing the essence of the book is key and I believe that Kite Runner manages to do so.

I really enjoyed this film. It offers a different yet in some ways similar perspective on life, family, relationships and friendship.

The rating is for strong thematic material which include the sexual assault of a child, violence, and brief strong language.

REFERENCE = 92-100 / EXCELLENT = 83-91 / GOOD = 74-82 / AVERAGE = 65-73 / BELOW AVERAGE = under 65

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This was not an overly impressive presentation from a technical stand point. I would like to point out that there was nothing contained herein that detracted from the story which was the real star here. It delivered clear dialogue and satisfying overall picture quality. The poignant story line will keep viewers focused more on that than any of the minor shortcomings associated with the audio or video.

The features on Kite Runner offered two featurettes a commentary track with the director, author of the book, and the writer of the screenplay. There is a public service announcement from author Khaled Hosseini and the theatrical trailer included as well. The “Words” feature is a documentary on the background of the book that offers interviews of the film’s director and author Khaled Hosseini. The “Images” feature is a “making of” that documents the film’s production which includes location footage and production crew interviews. I found both pieces to be interesting especially if you liked the movie. The commentary was not particularly entertaining. The public service announcement can be viewed at the beginning or you elect to watch it from the features menu. It offers a brief synopsis of the story and introduction to the author of the book.

The Kite Runner is a film worth seeing. It delivers a message that is based deeply in cultural heritage, tragedy, loyal friendship, and the realization that some wrongs can be righted. Recommended.

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( Max score: 100 )

91

I usually try and use the plot synopsis provided in the press jacket to outline the plot synopsis before I add my take on the film. The one provided just didn’t offer enough of a foundation. I found much better description provided by Wikipedia as outlined below:

This movie is about a bee by the name of Barry Bee Benson who just graduated from his three days of college and finds out he has only one chance of picking his lifelong job. He is going to go outside the hive before he makes his big career choice. He breaks the most important bee rule "Never talk to a human", who happens to be a New York City florist named Vanessa Bloome. He is shocked to discover that the humans have been stealing and eating the bees' honey for centuries, and ultimately realizes that his true calling in life is to set the world right by suing the human race for stealing their precious honey. Barry wins the lawsuit, and all honey in the world is confiscated and returned to the bees. But now, Barry and Vanessa realize that although all the honey in the world is back, every bee has been put out of a job, and thus have nothing to do, since working was the only thing bees did all these years. Barry also realizes that without bees pollinating the flowers, all plant life was dying. To set things right, he and Vanessa find a way to save all the flowers by going to the rose parade in California, and bringing back with them all the pollen-filled flowers to re-pollinate the world. Barry and Vanessa fly the flowers as luggage on a flight from Los Angeles International Airport to John F. Kennedy International Airport. During the flight, Barry and Vanessa take control of the plane from the pilots and land safely in Terminal 4. Afterwards, the bees get all their jobs back and give the honey back to the humans, realizing that without their jobs they were not truly happy when they had all their honey, though the humans and bees treat each other better now. Barry becomes a member of the Bee Brigade, helping to pollinate the plants while running a law firm inside Vanessa's flower shop.

I am a fan of Jerry Seinfeld and looked forward to seeing Bee Movie. There is a certain level of charm that accompanies animated films and the Bee Movie is no exception. DreamWorks did a phenomenal job in creating these characters. The cast was equally up to the task in lending their vocal talents. Patrick Warbuton is no stranger to voice over work and he is priceless here as “Ken”. Seinfeld indeed has the largest part as Barry the Bee and he pulls it off with excellent comedic timing which is definitely vintage Jerry. I wasn’t blown away by the story and character development as I felt that it lacked the depth of Shrek 1 & 2. I mean Barry and Adam were certainly not the equivalent of Shrek and Donkey. The idea of Bee successfully suing the human race over their “stealing” of honey seemed a little preposterous. Having said that, I understand that it’s not always important that a film be logical, but that it be entertaining. Entertaining is definitely a great way to describe The Bee Movie. It featured some funny dialogue, exciting moments, and offered an interesting spin on what insect life might be like.

The PG rating is for mild suggestive humor. This is appropriate for all ages.

REFERENCE = 92-100 / EXCELLENT = 83-91 / GOOD = 74-82 / AVERAGE = 65-73 / BELOW AVERAGE = under 65

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I had high hopes that this film would look and sound great on video. After viewing it I am happy to report that it excelled in both regards. Image quality was pristine and free from artifacts like edge enhancement or compression noise. Resolution was well preserved and offered three dimensional depth and fine rendering of detail. Colors were deeply saturated and vibrant which gave the photography warmth and character. Blacks had plenty of dynamic range with fair extension. Levels were elevated just slightly which made them lighter than I would have liked. The audio presentation was of reference quality and could easily be used as demo material. I wouldn’t describe the 5.1 Dolby Digital mix as overly aggressive however it makes ample use of the entire system to provide an aurally pleasing soundscape. Directional and spatial cues are spot on with the onscreen action. Sound field envelopment felt seamless going from front to ear and left to right. Dialogue was delivered with clear, concise and deliberate authority. Low frequency effects were executed with tight, deep and room filling extension. Bass heads will love the thunder clap delivered in the third act while the gang is in the airplane approaching the airport.

I was very happy with this presentation and I suspect that viewers will be as well.

This two disc set offers a comprehensive and complete look at the production. It also offers some very original concepts and lots of fun video clips, interactive games, and features aimed strictly at young viewers. For the adults there are numerous featurettes that look at the production from it’s concept, technical, performance aspects. Jerry Seinfeld must have spent days, weeks, and months filming and recording these bonus features. He acts as host for most of them and acts in all 16 Juniors shorts, the Live action Trailers, and does all the voice work for Barry’s parts within the staged sequences. There is enough content here to keep viewers busy for hours. I have to say that with the exception of the Lost/Alternate scenes piece I really enjoyed all of these special features.

Disc 2:

DreamWorks Kids:

DreamWorks has put together a wonderful package in this two disc A very Jerry Bee Movie DVD release. What a great way for fans to enjoy this film and to get an insider look into what went into it’s making as well as having lots of fun with it’s plethora of fun filled extras. Highly recommended.

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( Max score: 100 )

80

Acclaimed filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen deliver their most gripping and ambitious film yet in this sizzling and supercharged action-thriller. When a man stumbles on a bloody crime scene, a pickup truck loaded with heroin, and two million dollars in irresistible cash, his decision to take the money sets off an unstoppable chain reaction of violence. Not even west Texas law can contain it. Based on the novel by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Cormac McCarthy, and featuring an acclaimed cast led by Tommy Lee Jones, this gritty game of cat and mouse will take you to the edge of your seat and beyond - right up to its heart-stopping final act.

I was very excited at the opportunity to review this film. It has received 8 Oscar nominations and as well as created an incredible amount of media buzz. After watching it I can see why. No country for old men is a really powerful movie. I am hesitant to say that it is a great movie because I don‘t think that the term applies in this case. Where this film succeeds is in the WAY it tells its story. It does so with a startling and often brutal visual style which is strong enhanced by superb acting. After watching the film I was left with several questions that were never answered. Its ending was rather abrupt and while it may have seemed poignant at that moment it felt disconnected from the rest of the film.

Javier Bardem was truly brilliant as the cold, collected and brutal Anton Chigurh. There is a scene that takes place in a local gas station. The verbal exchange between Chigurh and the store owner is priceless. His performance alone makes this film a must see, period. Josh Brolin has once again proven himself to be a splendid and accomplished actor. He truly makes Llewelyn Moss such a believable character that it totally lends credibility to everything that he says and does. I think it is fair to say that Tommy Lee Jones is one of the best actors of his generation. I remember Kelly Macdonald when she was in “The girl in the café”. I saw that movie but really wasn’t moved in any way by it. Her performance here as Carol Jean was solid though.

I am a fan of the Coen brothers as several of their films are favorites of mine. The pacing and visual style used to tell this story was simply amazing. I have not read the book so I can’t comment on how well they adapted the screenplay from it. The way the story flowed definitely states vintage Coen brothers style. Make no mistake, No country for old men is one of the most powerful, thought provoking , violent, and beautifully told films of the year (and perhaps ever).

Strong graphic violence, some language. Definitely not for younger viewers.

REFERENCE = 92-100 / EXCELLENT = 83-91 / GOOD = 74-82 / AVERAGE = 65-73 / BELOW AVERAGE = under 65

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After reviewing the blu-ray disc which was reference quality for both audio and video it was a little disappointing watching the DVD. The audio presentation is quite good and retains many of the aspects that made the high resolution audio on the BD so good. The chase scene in the desert and the altercation on the streets outside the hotel sounded excellent. Here is a quote from my blu-ray disc:

” At times the entire soundstage was used to bathe the listening position in richly textured and sometimes finely detailed sounds. Spatial cues were spot on and never drew unnecessary attention away from what was happening onscreen. Low frequency effects were punchy and extended which was especially notable during the various exchanges of gun fire and the desert chase scene in the first act.”

The video was another matter. The biggest difference other than the apparent loss of detail going from high definition to standard definition was the poor shadow detail and black crush. Detail within dark and low light sequences was almost non existent. Ringing was present and there was some minor compression artifacts visible in light backgrounds. Detail was respectable and at times very revealing. Overall I expected more after seeing this in high definition. I guess it goes to show how much we can look forward to when (hopefully) high definition media becomes the norm.

The bonus features on No country for old men consisted of three featurette segments. I found them as a whole to be just average.

A shot segment which looks at working with and collaborating with the Coen brothers from the perspective of the cast and crew.

This was your basic making documentary and was the longest segment of the three (24 minutes or so). It was just fine and featured interviews with the cast, production crew and the Coens.

This 7 minute piece looked at the contrast between the compassionate character played by Tommy Lee Jones versus the brutal and cold one played by Javier Bardem.

No country for old men is not the type of film that will appeal to everyone. It tells a story that is graphic and sometimes brutal in nature. I think that the telling of the story is where its strengths lie and not so much in the story itself. Often when films get such a build up in the media viewers feel somewhat let down after watching them. If you go into this one with the wrong mind set you will more than likely fall into the aforementioned group. I believe no matter how you go into this you will probably feel some level of disappointment in the film’s ending. What makes it great it what happens prior to that. This is a film worthy of your time.

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( Max score: 100 )

81

Academy Award winners Halle Berry and Benicio Del Toro give two of the years most brilliant performances in the cirtically acclaimed drama Things We Lost In The Fire. Audrey (Berry) is reeling after a terrible loss, and impusively invities a troubled life long friend Jerry (Del Toro) to stay with her and her two children. With each other's help, Audrey and Jerry discover hope and happiness in their new lives. Directed by Oscar nominee Susanne Bier (After The Wedding), produced by Academy Award winner Sam Mendes, and also starring Golden Globe winner David Duchovny (The X Files), Things We Lost In The Fire is a truly moving and emotionally honest film.

The above description was taken from the press jacket and really doesn’t delve too deeply into what happens in the film. Brian (Duchovny) is happily married to Audrey (Berry) and they have two beautiful children. On a regular basis Brian makes visits to his friend Jerry (Del Toro) who he has been best friends with since childhood. The problem is that Jerry is a heroin addict who has gone from being a person with a future to one whose future is out of focus. Brian is loyal and looks past Jerry’s “issues” and supports him. Audrey has a problem with this which leads to some tension in their relationship.

After a tragic incident both Audrey and Jerry are left to try and pick up the pieces of their lives. After seeing the trailer for Things we lost in the fire I was looking forward to seeing it. I am a fan of all three of the lead characters and saw good potential in the story. After watching it I felt that it was good but not as good as I had hoped. Del Toro is such a fine actor and his portrayal of the fallible Jerry is superb. I think that Halle Berry is a good actress however her role here at times felt forced to me. Her onscreen chemistry with both Duchovny and Del Toro didn’t always feel genuine. I like David Duchovny. I have yet to see him in a cinematic role that I have not liked. He always seems to create charismatic and believable characters. He gelled quite well with both of the young actors who portrayed his children in the film, as did Del Toro. These establishment of these relationships is where the film excelled.

There was point in the second act that I found myself checking to see how much time was left to the film. To me that is a clear indication that it is dragging a bit. At just under two hours, with a film like this that should not be the case. Things did pick up though and the ending, while not what some would hope for, was solid and fulfilling.

The R rating is for language and drug content.

REFERENCE = 92-100 / EXCELLENT = 83-91 / GOOD = 74-82 / AVERAGE = 65-73 / BELOW AVERAGE = under 65

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This was solid presentation on both the audio and video fronts. I suspect everyone will find it looks quite good regardless of their display size. As a dialogue based drama it didn’t offer consistent use of the entire system however it delivered crystal clear audio with fine detail and articulation throughout.

The bonus features offered here are just average in quantity and content. The Discussion piece is more of a making of documentary and features discussions with the writers, producers, and director predominantly. There are 7 deleted scenes and the theatrical trailer is included as well.

Things we lost in the fire is a touching film which may affect everyone slightly differently. I enjoyed it overall but felt that was not all that I expected. This is certainly not a complaint but just an observation. I believe that most will enjoy it as the performances from the cast were solid and make it worth seeing for that alone. Recommended.

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Teen-age master sleuth, Nancy Drew, is on her way to Los Angeles to accompany her father on a business trip. Unbeknownst to Dad, Nancy has arranged for them to stay in a home once owned by the famous Dehlia Dracott, a super starlet who was mysteriously found dead in the pool in 1981 and the mystery to this day is unsolved. So much for a restful vacation!

This one is targeted at the pre-teen audience, and although I was rolling my eyes quite a bit during the show, my 11 year-old daughter was laughing quite a bit. But in the end, it was a decent production that was carried by the young star, Emma Roberts, who just happens to be Julia Roberts niece. The story reminded me a lot of Scooby-Doo, but I really liked how they took a classic book character from the 1930’s and modernized her to the 21st Century without losing the spirit of the character.

A couple of scary moments in this one, but generally suitable for any kid from Kindergarten and above.

REFERENCE = 92-100 / EXCELLENT = 83-91 / GOOD = 74-82 / AVERAGE = 65-73 / BELOW AVERAGE = under 65

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The audio on the disc is slightly above average for the genre, which is catering towards the kid in all of us. The use of the surrounds added some nice effects in the overall mix, especially in the house that Nancy and her father were renting.

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It really is getting difficult grading standard definition DVD’s after watching so many HD presentations over the past 22 months, the flaws in the lower resolution format just jump right off the screen. My biggest complaint in this presentation was the low bitrate encoding, which had backgrounds crawling with MPEG-2 errors. It didn’t help that both the full screen and widescreen presentations were on the same side of the disc which really pushed the limits of what the encoder could do with the space available. But in spite of the space limitation, the disc will please those on smaller screens and the intended audience for the film will never even notice its flaws.

There are a few featurettes, a gag reel and a music video included on the disc.

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( Max score: 100 )

72

Daniel Hillard (Williams) is no ordinary father, so when he learns his ex-wife (Field) needs a housekeeper, he applies for the job. With the perfect wig, a little makeup and a dress for all occasions, he becomes Mrs. Doubtfire, a devoted British nanny who is hired on the spot.? Free to be the “woman” he never knew he could be, the disguised Daniel creates a whole new life with his entire family.

Mrs. Doubtfire is in my opinion a timeless classic that can be enjoyed by everyone. Robin Williams is at his best as he literally transforms into his elderly female alter ego. This role called for him to pull from his dramatic side as well and he pulled it off beautifully. I do think that his true char min this one has to viewed from his comedic side. There are so many great scenes that for me to try and come up with my favorite would be tough. Sally Field is such an accomplished actress. She adds such credibility and depth to the characters she plays and her portrayal of Miranda was no different. Her reaction when she discovers that Daniel (Williams) is Mrs. Doubtfire is one of my favorite moments not only in this film but ever.

The actors that play the Hillard children were perfectly cast and all did a tremendous job in their roles. Mara Wilson who plays the youngest Daughter “Nattie” is definitely a scene stealer. The remainder of the cast, Harvey Fierstein, Pierce Brosnan, and Robert Prosky were all solid and credited with helping to make this film such a success. Mrs. Doubtfire is a film that can be watched over again as it never seems to lose its appeal. Personally, it is one of my all time favorites.

Mrs. Doubtfire is rated PG-13 for some sexual references. I agree that there may be some language and sexual references that might be inappropriate for young viewers. I believe that they are minor and would more than likely go over their heads.

REFERENCE = 92-100 / EXCELLENT = 83-91 / GOOD = 74-82 / AVERAGE = 65-73 / BELOW AVERAGE = under 65

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The Dolby Digital 5.1 channel audio presented on this two disc special edition sounded fine overall. It’s strengths lie in the areas of the most importance for a film like this which is articulate reproduction of voices and finely textured detail. The video presentation was solid as well. Ringing was visible but not detrimental and fleshtones were a little on the rosey side. Other than those minor complaints it looked great. I have the original letterboxed non-anamorphic DVD release and this one is a definitive improvement in every way.

If I had to describe the bonus features offered on this Behind the seams edition of Mrs. Doubtfire I would call them comprehensive. This is the kind of treatment that a film like this deserves. Fans have the option of looking at the production of Mrs. Doubtfire from a wide variety of aspects which goes fairly deep. I was anxiously looking forward to the deleted and extended scenes. I found that most were just extensions of scenes already in the film and really didn’t add much to the story. There were several scenes that were more on the serious side and showcased more of the animosity in Daniel and Miranda’s relationship. Two of them directly involved the children and how the breakup was negatively effecting them. I feel that these scenes were appropriately removed from the film. Had they remained it would have given the story too much of a serious feel and interrupted the wonderful balance that it had between it’s comedic side and it’s serious one.

There is enough content to keep those interested busy for hours. As a fan I appreciate the attention to detail offered and took advantage of the opportunity to sit through it all. I expect that you will also.

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Animation Studio:

STAGE A - The Improvisation of Mrs. Doubtfire (Select Individual Takes or Play All) :

PUBLICITY DEPARTMENT:

Mrs. Doubtfire is a heart warming, funny and poignant film that earned a place among other time less classics. This Behind-the-seams Edition gives fans an excellent and comprehensive package that features good audio/video and hours of great bonus features. Kudos to Fox on another superb upgrade for film fans. Highly recommended.

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Edward Magorium (Dustin Hoffman) owns the most amazing store in the world – a tantalizing toy haven in which everything inside literally comes to life. But when the boss decides to retire, the shop throws a tantrum and all its wonders begin to cease. Now his reluctant manager (Natalie Portman), skeptical accountant (Jason Bateman) and most loyal customer (Zach Mills) must work together to save the emporium . . . by finding a little magic within themselves.

Mr. Magorium’s wonder emporium reminded me of another movie about a chocolate factory. This one was not good but it definitely had something to offer and at times was very charming. The film uses over the top and deeply saturated colors to help tell its story. The setting in the emporium is grandiose and beautiful. Dustin Hoffman, who is a great actor, came across as a bit campy in his persona as Mr. Edward Magorium. As a matter of fact it reminded me of when he was Raymond in Rain Man. I find Natalie Portman to be stunning and I like her as an actress. She was solid in the role of Molly. I was particularly impressed by Jason Bateman as the “mutant” (or accountant for short). He had a great scene with Zach Mills where he was pretending to be a court jester that was priceless. Speaking of Zach Mills, he absolutely stole the show Eric Applebaum.

The story didn’t flow as smoothly as I would have liked and the screenplay moved too quickly and too slowly at the same time. To me it played out like a kids story which had been taken directly from the book without being tweaked so that it didn’t come across that way. Perhaps that was the intention but either way it made for an average movie. I do think that kids will love the emporium and all of the great toys and gadgets within.

** Fox forwarded us a single layered, watermarked, “special screening copy” for review which is not suitable for technical Audio/Video evaluation. According to the press sheet all other aspects appear to be what will be included with the final product.**

The film is rated G however there is a scene at a gravesite after the death of one of the characters that might upset younger viewers.

The special features presented here were quite good. Those who like the film will find these to be very enjoyable.

Mr. Magorium’s wonder emporium is a family film that has roots that tie it to other classic family movies. It is targeted at younger audiences and I suspect they will probably find it lots of fun. I enjoyed it overall and suspect that most will find it’s hidden charm appealing.

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Maya Dolittle (Kyla Pratt) is back in a heartwarming adventure of presidential proportions! Maya’s dream of going to vet school is put on hold when she gets a call from the President of the United States. It seems the First Dog is out of control and the President needs her help. It’s up to Maya and her own dog, Lucky, to stop a canine catastrophe from becoming a national crisis!

This is the 4th installment in the Dr. Dolittle series that began with 1998’s Dr. Dolittle starring Eddie Murphy which is a re-make of the original which starred Rex Harrison. This one and the one before it didn’t feature Murphy but instead his onscreen daughter Maya (Kyla Pratt) who can also talk to animals. I have seen the first two films and liked them. This one doesn’t have their charm and the screen play seems to lack depth. The premise, in my opinion, borders on absurdity. Kyla Pratt reprises her role just fine and the talking animals retain their onscreen charm however that is pretty much the best that this one has to offer.

** Fox forwarded us a single layered, watermarked, “special screening copy” for review which is not suitable for technical Audio/Video evaluation. According to the press sheet all other aspects appear to be what will be included with the final product.**

This film would be appropriate for younger viewers.

The bonus features are par for the course. I found them to be mildly entertaining with the exception of the Endangered Animals piece which was better than the rest.

Dr. Dolittle: Tail to the chief is a film targeted at a younger audience. Its trite storyline leaves something to be desired which will make it difficult for adults to find appealing. I would recommend it as a rental at best.

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The best-selling videogame, HITMAN, roars to life with both barrels blazing in this hardcore action-thriller starring Timothy Olyphant (Live Free or Die Hard). A genetically engineered assassin with killer style and deadly aim, known only as "Agent 47", eliminates strategic targets for a top-secret organization. But when he's double-crossed on a mission, the hunter becomes the prey as 47 finds himself ensnared in a life-or-death game of international intrigue and violent retribution.

In looking at this as a film I would say that it falls into your more A typical action movie. By that I mean it moves quickly, has a fairly basic story, and there is lots of stuff blowing up. Believe me that is not a criticism because as an action/adventure movie fan I love films that contain all of the above. Some films are more successful at integrating those themes into something worth watching than others. I think that pulls it off in that it really doesn’t try to make you believe that what you are seeing is based in any way in reality. It just wants you to sit back and enjoy the ride. Take it from me it provides a pretty good one too.

** Fox forwarded us a single layered, watermarked, “special screening copy” for review which is not suitable for technical Audio/Video evaluation. According to the press sheet all other aspects appear to be what will be included with the final product.**

There is strong violence, language, nudity, torture, and sexuality. Not for younger viewers.

The bonus offered on this special edition unrated cut are not the most comprehensive I have seen but they are pretty decent. The making of feature is standard fare and offers a look at the production through the eyes of the cast and crew. It covers some interesting aspects though and was worth it. The Digital Hits feature was great as it looked at the Hitman game from it‘s development through to concept. Unbeknownst to me, the inspiration for the game came from Hollywood movies. The instruments of Destruction featured a look at the weaponry (6 total) used by Agent 47 in the film. Within this feature were 6 individual segments, one for each weapon, that included live demonstrations of them in use. The last featurette Settling the Score looked at the musical score for Hitman and it‘s importance in telling the story.

There were 4 deleted scenes and an alternate ending included. The theatrical ending was much better in my opinion. The Gag reel and 6 trailers rounded things out for a very nice bonus features package.

I enjoyed Hitman a lot more than expected. Timothy Olyphant did a credible job in the title role which helped bring Agent 47 to life. It‘s due to be released day and date on blu-ray disc and I suspect this will look and sound superb in high definition. Fans of the genre will be pleased with this one.

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( Max score: 100 )

67

Immortals, they have secretly dwelt among us for thousands of years but their origins have been shrouded in mystery. The answers, Prophets say, are to be found in The Source. The last band of eternal warriors, lead by Duncan MacLeod, the Highlander, have set out on a treacherous quest to find the origin of their immortality. But to learn the truth, they must first defeat The Guardian of the Source, a powerful killer and ruthless killer who will stop at nothing to bring them all to a painful end.

Beyond the original Highlander film I have not followed the series in any of its incarnations. This made for TV movie which originally aired in September 2007 on the Sci-fi network is the latest installment in the franchise which has spawned multiple TV series, novels, comics, and an upcoming video game. After watching this film I was left feeling unimpressed. The plot was simple enough in that a group of immortals are seeking the locate the Source and that within the group none of them knew which of them was the Chosen one whose destiny would take him there. There was also a mortal woman who was the ex-wife of the lead character Duncan MacLeod, who has begun to have visions and is being drawn to the Source. The last piece of the puzzle is the Guardian who is supposed to protect (I guess) the Source.

The film is pretty short at 86 minutes and it’s a good thing. The screenplay is a bit disjointed and very little is explained regarding who the characters are and why there is the need for this quest. Early on characters begin to get killed off and with no real connection to them having been established it was like “who cares?” There were some fight sequences mixed in but they played out very much like a video game and the story’s pacing felt the same way. In the end I found it hard to care about the outcome of the story and I suspect that fans of the series will feel disappointment with this 5th installment in the Highlander franchise.




Parental Concerns:

This film is not rated however I suspect that a TV -14 rating would be appropriate as there is some violence and mild gore.

REFERENCE = 92-100 / EXCELLENT = 83-91 / GOOD = 74-82 / AVERAGE = 65-73 / BELOW AVERAGE = under 65

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Overall I was pleased with the audio presented here. It had some moments were it provided solid dynamics and a punchy low end. The video was another story. Resolution was a mixed bag in that it went from good to poor from a clarity perspective. Sometimes it appeared to be downright blurry. The color palette was reserved and lacked variation (although this was probably intentional) and fleshtones didn’t appear delineated at all. Shadow detail was fair but blacks were not very deep which negatively impacted dimensionality in the many dark scenes used throughout the film.

The bonus features offered here were good and from my perspective better than the film itself. Fans will enjoy the Tribute piece.

Highlander – The Source was not what I would consider a good movie. Anyone going in who had no prior knowledge of the series will have to try and catch up because very little background is provided. Aside from that the screenplay moves along pretty quickly and doesn’t give the viewer a chance to bond with the characters or care what happens to them. Fans will more than likely be disappointed with what will probably be the final installment in the Highlander series.

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( Max score: 100 )

83

When two young private detectives (Casey Affleck and Michelle Monaghan) are hired to take a closer look into the mysterious disappearance of a little girl, they soon unravel a multitude of twists and turns where nothing is what it seems. Ultimately they must risk everything - their relationship, their sanity, and even their lives - in the search to find her.

Gone baby gone is a gripping film in that it portrays the abduction of a young child. Within the scope of the investigation that follows lies several layers that spin a web of deceit, malfeasance, and abuse that will leave you shaking your head. I didn’t read Dennis Lehane’s book and did not see this film theatrically. I have heard a number of people rave about the book so this review came to me with great interest. The story at times seemed to branch off in directions that left me trying to figure out the association with the original scenario (the abduction of the little girl) however things seemed to come back full circle and provide the answers. Ben Affleck in his directorial debut did a fine job with the film’s pacing. He painted an excellent visual element of Boston’s Dorchester section, it’s people and life there. This had a definite impact on the acceptance and believability of the film and it characters.

As the film unfolds and the layers of it’s story are peeled away the true nature of what happened is revealed. The film’s protagonist is left in a quandary with a very interesting decision to make. There are times where doing the right thing comes at a price. Gone baby Gone provides a thought provoking look at just such an occasion and will leave you with something to ponder. I know what I would have done….

The R rating is for pervasive language, violence and drug content. This is not one for younger viewers.

REFERENCE = 92-100 / EXCELLENT = 83-91 / GOOD = 74-82 / AVERAGE = 65-73 / BELOW AVERAGE = under 65

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The Dolby Digital 5.1 surround mix presented here was quite good. It wasn’t the most enveloping surround mix however it made up for that with excellent dynamics and superb overall detail crisp sonics. There are several gun fire exchanges in the film which came across with potent realism. The score primarily was the only use of the LFE channel and other than ambience detail the surrounds were fairly quiet. The latter is certainly not a complaint as I was very satisfied with this audio presentation.

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The 1.85:1 anamorphic video was solid and consistent throughout. From a resolution perspective this was not the sharpest however it provided respectable detail in Boston cityscapes and in the many close up shots of the actors and building interiors. Colors were natural and maintained a more subdued color palette which struck a great balance with the subject matter. Blacks were slightly crushed but looked really deep while shadow detail was excellent overall. This one should look good on larger displays as well smaller ones.

The bonus features offered on this single disc edition were above average but not by much. I gave it that rating because of the quality of content. The two features were about the same length and provided some decent insights on the casting and overall production of the film. Interviews with cast and production team were scattered throughout and were interesting. The commentaries were standard fare and didn’t offer much more than the features. I can’t comment on the extended ending as I didn’t see the theatrical version and there was no option to see both. The deleted scenes presented really didn’t provide anything useful to the film and were probably appropriately cut.

Gone Baby Gone was an entertaining film that elicited some powerful emotions. It deals with subject matter that everyone will have definite feeling about. It‘s ending will leave you wondering why? Recommended

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A dignified funeral ceremony erupts in uproarious chaos when a family is forced to come to terms with each other’s bad behavior, outrageous faults and hidden secrets.

Death at a funeral is really funny. There were a couple of moments that literally had me in stitches. Where I think it succeeds is in its realistic feel when it comes to family gatherings and the sometimes unspoken issues that lie unaddressed. It also takes that dynamic and throws in some outrageous moments that really strike a fun balance between realism and disbelief.

** Fox forwarded us a single layered, watermarked, “special screening copy” for review which is not suitable for technical Audio/Video evaluation. According to the press sheet all other aspects appear to be what will be included with the final product.**

The R rating is for language, drug use, and nudity.

The bonus features offered consist of two commentaries and a gag reel. The gag reel was pretty entertaining while the commentaries were just okay.

Death at a funeral is lots and fun and well worth the 91 minutes it runs. I recommend that you put it in the Queue or better yet give it a purchase. You won’t regret it!