This Month's Featured Equipment Reviews |
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Past DVD Hardware / Software News |
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Animation
Tuesday, 26 November 2002 |
Written by
Mel Odom
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title:
Ice Age (2-Disc Special Edition)
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studio:
20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
MPAA rating:
PG
starring:
Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary
release year:
2002
film rating:
Four Stars
sound/picture:
Four Stars
reviewed by:
Mel Odom
The action-packed opening of Scrat the saber-toothed squirrel trying
desperately to bury an acorn he has found, only to trigger an avalanche
of ice, seizes us and doesn't let go. Scrat launches the story and
maintains a presence throughout the film that ties so many things
together and reminds us that nothing can be taken for granted. Chapter
1 delivers a senses-shattering attack as the ice cracks and rips
through the surround sound system, exploding loud enough to fire
through the subwoofer. Scrat's nervous eye twitching shows the lengths
the animators went to in order to bring their story to real life in an
animated world. The thud of the shattered ice shards, falling like
deadly shrapnel in the wake of Scrat's run for his life, ...
Tuesday, 17 September 2002 |
Written by
Mel Odom
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title:
Monsters Inc. (Collector's Edition 2 Disc Set)
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studio:
Walt Disney Home Entertainment/Pixar
MPAA rating:
G
starring:
John Goodman, Billy Crystal, Mary Gibbs, Steve Buscemi, James Coburn, Jennifer Tilly, Bob Peterson, John Ratzenberger
release year:
2001
film rating:
Five Stars
sound/picture:
Five Stars
reviewed by:
Mel Odom
Without fail, year after year, Disney puts out great movies for kids
and for adults who are kids at heart. "Monsters, Inc." is another one
of those heart-warming and fun cinematic experiences. Joined by Pixar
for this new film, Disney succeeds in delivering an absolute gem of
computer graphic storytelling, just as the Disney/Pixar pairing did
with the "Toy Story" movies. Sully (voiced by John Goodman) and Mike
(voiced by Billy Crystal) are two hard-working monsters trying to get
scream power from kids in the human world by frightening them while
they are sleeping. The monster world is totally dependent on the power
of these captured screams. The monsters also have their own fears: the
primary ...
Monday, 06 May 2002 |
Written by
Mel Odom
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title:
Waking Life
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studio:
20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
MPAA rating:
R
starring:
Wiley Wiggins, (voices) Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Steven Soderbergh, and Adam Goldberg
release year:
2001
film rating:
Four Stars
sound/picture:
Five Stars (Emphasis on the visual)
reviewed by:
Mel Odom
"Waking Life" is not a DVD that lends itself to light viewing. During
the course of the animated film, concepts of life and death,
philosophies on how to live, and biology and chemistry come into play.
The discussions also include presentations regarding the responsibility
one has to one’s society and the responsibility one has to oneself.
Tuesday, 23 April 2002 |
Written by
Tara O'Shea
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title:
Batman Beyond: Return Of The Joker (uncut)
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studio:
Warner Home Video
MPAA rating:
PG-13
starring (voices):
Will
Friedle, Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill, Angie Harmon, Dean Stockwell, Teri
Garr, Arleen Sorkin, Tara Strong, Mathew Valencia, Melissa Joan Hart,
Don Harvey, Michael Rosenbaum, Frank Welker, Henry Rollins, Rachael
Leigh Cook, Ryan O'Donohue, Lauren Tom
release year:
2000
film rating:
Four-and-a-Half Stars
sound/picture:
Four Stars
reviewed by:
Tara O'Shea
When Paul Dini and Bruce Timm announced they were producing a third
“Batman” animated series set in the future, many fans of the ‘90s
definitive “Batman: The Animated Series” were aghast and appalled. Some
punk kid inside the suit? Bruce Wayne as some old geezer? Ace the
bat-hound? Blasphemy!
Needless to say, many of those same fans not only ate crow -- they
embraced the series whole-heartedly. And when Warner Bros. pushed back
the release date of "Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker" in September
2000 and rumors immediately surfaced regarding cuts and changes, fans
petitioned for the original ...
Tuesday, 12 February 2002 |
Written by
Mel Odom
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title:
Peter Pan (Special Edition)
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studio:
Walt Disney Home Entertainment
MPAA rating:
G
starring (voices):
Bobby Driscoll, Kathryn Beaumont, Paul Collins, Tommy Luske, Bill Thompson, Hans Conried
release year:
1953
film rating:
Five Stars
sound/picture:
Four Stars
reviewed by:
Mel Odom
Just the name Peter Pan evokes restlessness in children everywhere, a
need to go adventuring. Children who see the show become enamored of
flying around rooms and homes, and pick up sticks and brooms to use as
swords to fight evil pirates. The boy who would never grow up has
become an icon in American life, and there has never been as grand a
place invented as Never Land or a villain as black-hearted as Captain
Hook.
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