Ice Age Triple Pack (Ice Age / Ice Age: The Meltdown / Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs) (2009)

Reason I removed this from my List, is that purchasing each separately is considerably cheaper than purchasing this triple pack. Usually its the other way around.

This triple pack is nearly twice the price of buying the movies separately. If you want these movies, buy them separately!!!!!

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Very good deal. The iceing on the cake is that the third movie comes with a blu-Ray disc, a DVD, and a digital copy. Very good deal.

Read Best Reviews of Ice Age Triple Pack (Ice Age / Ice Age: The Meltdown / Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs) (2009) Here

I am way old, [over 50] never had kids, but I love these movies, AND I DON'T CARE WHO KNOWS IT!

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The kids love these movies so I upgraded them to Blu Ray and they are amazing. Especially seeing Scrat. I don't have the need for the DVD in Dawn of the Dinosaurs so I'll be able to sell that at a yard sale or give to a friend along with all the other DVD's I have. Now I'm waiting on the Toy Story Trilogy to get them since they never seen them yet.

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The Man with No Name Trilogy (A Fistful of Dollars / For a Few Dollars More / The Good, The Bad, an

Sergio Leone's classic trilogy of films with Clint Eastwood arrives on Blu-ray (and also in a separate DVD release ) under "The Man with No Name" with varying results. All three films "Fistful of Dollars", "For a Few Dollars More" and "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" (the last film previously released on Blu-ray before this set)have their individual issues but, on the whole, all three films have more positives than negatives when it comes to their debut on HD.

I'm going to skip the plot summaries since others have already done a good job with that.

"Fistful of Dollars" clearly isn't the same transfer as the European edition; skin tones tend to be a bit red and the framing is a bit different than the European restored edition. I'm not sure if the original negative was accessed for this edition (I doubt it)but it could use a bit of restoration work.

Still, it looks pretty good with good detail. Overall the transfer looks quite good and digital noise reduction doesn't mar this one quite as badly as it does "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" (which still looks good even with that issue). Audio sounds quite nice as well.I'd also note that fans should be prepared--it looks quite grainy but this is the way the film was shot and originally shown in theaters.

We get all the extras from the previous edition on DVD that was released in "The Man with No Name Trilogy" and "The Sergio Leone Collection" (the only difference between those two DVD releases was that "Duck You Sucker" was included starring James Coburn was part of that package).

"For a Few Dollars More" looks exceptionally good with nice detail, colors that mirror the overseas edition of the film and, again, the extras from the DVD edition. This is probably the best looking of the bunch here. Again, the film is grainy but thats the intended look of the film.

"The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" looks extremely good even with occasional heavy handed DNR applied to the film (more to do with eliminating grain since all three films were shot on film stock that tended to be extremely grainy to begin with). The detail is still surprisingly strong this doesn't look as bad as, say, the latest edition of "Predator" where everyone has waxy skin completion but it isn't quite as strong looking as "For A Few Dollars More" either.

Part of this could be due to the fact that "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" underwent a restoration some years back and this could an older HD print for the film whereas the other two films received more recent transfers. The overuse of digital noise reduction (which tends to reduce detail, cause skin textures to look smooth like wax but smoothes out grain often eliminating it if overused)was pretty common as recent as three to five years ago. That's no excuse just the facts. I doubt given MGM's current financial crisis and Fox's recent trend towards overusing DNR ("Predator" again as an example for a recent catalog title or "Patton")that we were going to get a new HD transfer. It's not something that should prevent you from buying this set although you will notice it on TV sets 50 inches and above.

The video bit rate for all three movies is quite good with an average of 30Mbps ("Fistful" has the highest at 36 while "Good" which is the longest film of the three has the lowest at 26Mbps) which translates as a good, consistent picture.

Audio is strong for all three films. As previoulsy mentioned the extras from all three previously released DVDs are included as part of the set usually in standard definition though and on the same disc as the movie. We get multiple langauge tracks including English, Spanish, Hungarian, Italian and Turkish. Subtitles are available in English only.

All three films are packaged in a slimline 3 Blu-ray case with film credits printed on the inside of the outer sleeve. I would have liked to see Fox (which is handling MGM releases in the U.S.) include replicas of the lobby cards like they did with the previous single DVD sets and/or a booklet similar to the one that came with "The Sergio Leone Collection".

So is the transfer for "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" and the framing issue for "Fistful" a deal breaker? No. You'll enjoy these films and they really have never looked this good on home video before. Be aware however that there is a region free European edition that doesn't have the framing issue for "Fistful" and the skin tones are a bit more muted for that restored edition. It all comes down to if you have a fistful of dollars to spend.

Most fans won't notice these issues and for those that do there is an alternative should you want to pick up the European edition of the film.

So a total of 4 stars because of some minor issues with two films in the set. A note on the cover--for some reason Fox has chosen to reuse the cover from "The Sergio Leone Collection for the Blu-ray (and DVD) of "The Man with No Name Trilogy".Recommended.

1. In a nutshell:

Picture quality:

"Fistful": 4/5

"Few More": 4.5/5

"Good, Bad, Ugly": 3,5/5

Region Free!

Widescreen 2.35:1

Audio: English, Spanish, French (German/Italian also on "Good, Bad, Ugly")

Extras: seem to be the same as on 2-disc DVD sets.

NB: extraordinary audio commentary by Leone expert Christopher Frayling!

In my view this box set is a bargain (I ordered my copies for $29).

If you like these Leone films, then this 3-piece set should be a no-brainer.

2. For sprocket hole addicts (myself included):

All films of this "trilogy" (of course it wasn't intended as such) were shot in "Techniscope" (i.e. 2 perforation holes instead of 4, as in "Cinemascope" ) hence cutting stock costs in half unfortunately same goes for picture resolution. Therefore a slightly lesser picture quality than in usual Cinemascope Blu-ray transfers is the result. But this only adds to the intentional grittiness of Carlo Simi's production design. Much better prints are not likely in the future.

Still these Blu-ray prints of the three movies differ in their picture quality with "Few More" being the best (except some minor visible stain at TC 00:04:09-56, Chpt. 2) followed by "Fistful" and "Good, Bad, Ugly" (due to excessive DNR processing).

Alternatives for the 3-disc box set?

"Fistful" you can also look for the Italian BD release from RHV (Ripleys Home Video; Region Free) available from bol.it.

"Few More" this BD is available seperately (for the price of this entire set!)

"Good, Bad, Ugly" you could wait for an enhanced BD version, but who knows when this will be around? "Good, Bad, Ugly" of course could use some improvement...

Fox have put out a 4-disc BD set also including "Hang 'em High" available from amazon.co.uk (RC? / picture quality? / audio?)

Overall these BDs look great a definite improvement over DVDs and are great fun to watch!! Audio commentary by Christopher Frayling (author of: "Spaghetti Westerns: Cowboys and Europeans from Karl May to Sergio Leone", 1981) impressively marks the difference between informative vs. talkative (yes, Sir!) and provides you with everything you always wanted to know about these Leone films but didn't know whom to ask... brilliant!!

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The trilogy of westerns made by Sergio Leone during the early to mid-60's are among the best of the so-called spaghetti westerns produced. Leone's unique cinematic vision and his unusual use of the camera (a bit of trivia Leone never storyboarded his films. Unlike Hitchcock and other major directors he had it all in his head)make these films unique and powerful. Leone was the first foreign film director to make self reflective movies; i.e., his westerns were really about the classic western films he grew up loving with a post-ironic twist.

You can read about the plots elsewhere as I want to concentrate on the major drawback (and the benefits)of these DVDs; Both Fistful and more are presented in their widescreen aspect radio. Since Leone's films benefited from the widescreen format and vistas, seeing them in a pan and scan version doesn't do the films justice; it's like listening to a great piece of music through a portable radio with poor reception. You get the gist of the music and feel that's powerful but it lacks the full impact and range.

The films exhibit a high amount of analog artifacts. Portions of More also look quite faded. Both films deserve and require a restoration similar to that performed for The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (although the version included here is not the restored version). Both discs also include both pan and scan and widescreen versions of the films. There's also theatrical trailers and booklets with background on the making of both films. The soundtrack sounds flat and thin--given the way the original soundtracks were mixed and released that's not a surprise. Still, if the original elements still exist it would be worthwhile to revisit these films, restore and then remaster them with a commentary track (similar to that for Once Upon A Time in The West). They don't look horrible but it's clear that the negative is either in poor condition or the prints used were not pristine.

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly looks and sounds better than the other two films in the series. It also benefited from a much larger budget and shooting time which is to the benefit of the film. The acting is stronger (Eastwood returns as does Van Cleef joined by the scene chewing Eli Wallach in a marvelous turn as "the ugly"). THis version features a number of scenes cut for both the International and US version. While the scenes aren't restored (and my copy didn't even had the advertised "Italian" dialogue track but was silent), they provide an interesting background as to the motivations of the characters.

TGTBATU looks still has a fair amount of analog artifacts but not quite as bad as the first two. The sound is slightly better although still thin (again, it was recorded and shown in mono. Remember, this was the early 60's). Leone's direction and visual flair are more in evidence on the third film of the series. Here's hoping that MGM will get around to re-releasing the restored version that showed earlier in the year. Reportedly, Eastwood and Wallach re-recorded their dialogue (which might explain why the tracks are silent--it's clear that the dialogue tracks must be missing or incomplete)and they had a sound alike for the late Van Cleef.

While all three films are essential western classics, all three are marred by a variety of analog flaws. Their still worth having but I'm hoping with the advent of reissues like Once Upon a Time in The West, that all three will get a face-lift and second chance on DVD. It also wouldn't hurt to provide some interesting background on the making of all three films. Eastwood and Wallach are still around as are various crew members/actors from the original productions. Let's hope it gets done!

Oh, and by the way, the Man with No Name did have a name in at least two of the three films here. That Man With No Name aspect was a marketing ploy dreamed up by the original studio (United Artists) to sell the films later on down the line.

Read Best Reviews of The Man with No Name Trilogy (A Fistful of Dollars / For a Few Dollars More / The Good, The Bad, an Here

My low rating does not apply to the movies themselves. In a period when most Hollywood westerns were becoming predictable and formulaic, Italian director Sergio Leone broke the mold! This trilogy, along with his last western, "Once Upon A Time In The West" (not included in this set), are the four greatest westerns ever made, and yet were not produced by Hollywood. The greatest of the Hollywood westerns, such as "The Magnificent Seven", "The Big Country", "The Alamo", "The Three Godfathers"; and south-of-the-border westerns like "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" and "Guns For San Sabastian" (to name but a few of the greats) all fall in behind the Leone westerns. If you are a fan of westerns and have not seen the movies in this trilogy, watch them as soon as possible, but be prepared for something different than you are used to. They are not slick, but instead portray an accurate grittiness of the old west. They are not gimmicky like the Hollywood westerns of more recent vintage (say from about the mid 1970's to present). The greatest western ever made has to be "The Good, The Bad And The Ugly". This is the mother of all westerns! The acting in all three movies is superb, but the performance of Eli Wallach as Tuco in "The Good..." is extraordinary, and ranks as one of the greatest performances by any actor on film. Clint Eastwood also gives the greatest performance of his career in "The Good...". It is interesting that Clint tried to recapture the magic of the Leone films in his own productions such as "Pale Rider", Hang 'Em Hign", etc., but never even came close.

Now on to the problems with these discs. The transfers are not particularly hign quality, and appear not to be remastered. The first two trilogy movies are merely letterboxed rather than enhanced widescreen. But the biggest bummer of all is the sound quality. The sound quality on "The Good..." is about as good as any of the versions I have heard. The sound quality of "Fistful..." is rather poor. But it is the obnoxious sound of "for A Few Dollars More" that is really a crime. The dialog is too far in the background, and the overall sound on this disc is so harsh that if you turn the volume up to a level where you can hear the dialog clearly, the hard, treble-heavy, distorted sound will bore a hole in your head! I'm not kidding. I love these movies so much that I will have to find an alternative version of "For a Few Dollars More" to replace the one that came with this trilogy. If I had it to do over again, I would purchase the best individual versions I could find, rather than waste money of this set. It's too bad that MGM didn't put just a little bit more TLC into these masterpieces!

Want The Man with No Name Trilogy (A Fistful of Dollars / For a Few Dollars More / The Good, The Bad, an Discount?

A good series to own, if you like westerns or Eastwood. I'll just comment on the DVD features. The video reproductions of "A Fistfull of Dollars" and "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly." are excellent. The reproduction of "For a Few Dollars More" left a lot to be desired. This one must have been reproduced from an imperfect source because a lot of dust floaters are present which is only really distracting during nighttime scenes. Not a lot of extras included, a few trailers and for the "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" some extra minutes from deleted scenes.

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Saw III (Unrated Edition) (2006)

I'm not even going to bother going over a synopsis of the plot. All you horror fans need to know is that this movie surpasses the first film, but in my opinion, it doesn't stand up to the second film in terms of suspense. Saw 3 is the goriest, most disturbing of the films. It seems like 2006 was the year of gore! First came Hostel, with it's torture and blood, then came The Hills Have Eyes, with it's rape, animal killings, parent killings and brutality, and now comes Saw 3...With it's flesh tearing, bone breaking, head twisting, gore splattered shock-fest. I have NEVER, in all my years of watching horror, had to actually cover my own ears and close my eyes while watching more than one scene in a movie before this one. The opening scene had me squirming in my seat with my lids tightly shut (after 15 seconds into the scene I had to mute the tv because I was so grossed out by the noises) and the scene involving a victim trapped in a device that "TWISTS" every limb on his body until the skin tears and the bones break made me want to literally vomit. But, still, the movie was very suspensful and horrifying. It kept you watching and interested. If you can stomach extreme gore and terror then you might enjoy this film. I have to admit that I REALLY hated the ending though. I can't even explain how upset it made me, but overall, the movie was very scary and disturbing. Better than the first, not as good as the second...give it a try...but do it on an empty stomach!!

Not being an avid fan of the first Saw and disliking a lot the second one, I nevertheless was very surprised in a good way about the third installment. Yes, it's utterly relentless and gory, I saw people covering their eyes with hands in a theater, even I winced a couple of times although I had seen many of the films alike. But what I liked the most here was not the brutal nature of Saw III (and it's quite important for the fans when a movie lives up to its R-rating, so that they can say money was spent wisely) and not even the intricate story-line that keeps you surprised and on the edge of your seat all the time. Not the final twist which was expected of course but surely you didn't know what it would be exactly.

The main merit of the third part is that it doesn't appear to be a usual stupid sequel that lacks ideas, it brings some new sense into the series, glues all the three films together making a perfect trilogy out of it which now can be watched as a one big 5-hour film. There's plenty of flashbacks here that explain a lot from the second and even the first part, and some things become clear that were not in the ends of previous series. It really takes talent to make a movie that not just stands alone, but adds a lot to the other parts and completes them. Guys that were making it are true professionals and real maniacs :)

And apart from being as it seems overly gory and graphic Saw III can boast of being rather thoughtful too. The evil genius of Jigsaw (and of the makers of the film) made the characters (and us along with them) think about rage and its manifestations, about revenge and people's insatiable urge to punish those who took their beloved ones. By quite simple examples inclusive of flesh-ripping, bone-crushing, joint-wresting etc. the killer himself shows us killing is bad. Those will survive who don't succumb to the desire of payback. Only forgiving can grant forgiveness for ourselves. And that's the rule for everyone, even for the evil manipulator's apprentice, and it can't be broken. Otherwise death awaits you as well as your victims. In this movie Jigsaw is seen not as an ordinary killer maniac, but as some kind of a teacher if you will. So this time his puzzles must be solved not only using strength, keen wit and will to live, but also by testing your own virtue and that's something new for this kind of flicks, don't you agree?

I don't know what they will do with Saw IV, because the third part wrapped it all very nice making a perfectly neat structure of a trilogy. I'd leave it like that. You can top previous parts in respect of blood and guts, but it'll be pretty hard to keep the same level of thoughtfulness the third part established.

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To start, let's review the film itself.

The Jigsaw Killer is back, and he's got new test subjects to toy with. With the help of Amanda, his new apprentice, she sets the stage for their two unwilling participants in his twisted game: Dr. Lynn Denlon and Jeff Reinhart. Before the night is over, one will have the chance at life, another will have a chance at revenge, and another will have the chance for redemption. There's not much else I can say without spoiling the plot, and since this review is geared towards why this 2-disc DVD treatment is superior to the previous versions, let's move on.

Saw III has more plot twists than you can shake a broken arm at, and this film doesn't have too many characters to bog down the action as in the previous film. With a running time of 120 minutes, the Director's Cut of Saw III has more gore and violence than the last two treatments. If you think the directors have run out of trap ideas, believe me when I tell you that there are plenty of moments that caused seasoned horror movie fanatics to cringe and wince at the tortures unfolding before them on the silver screen. If you have already been introduced to the 'Saw' universe, Saw III is required viewing.

As for the DVD treatment of the movie, it's common knowledge these days that the first version of a DVD release is typically not the one with the best features, or the most complete version of the film. The most complete version comes later. The best example I can think of is the Blade Runner (Five-Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition) I had to wait 25 years for that.

Thankfully, Saw III got the best DVD version (so far) within a year.

When you open the DVD, you're treated to a certificate allowing you to see Saw IV in the theaters for free. However, the ticket was only good until November 10th of 2007. Even if you buy this DVD after that time, the certificate makes a nice collectable for Saw fans.

When you put in the first disc, you have to wade through 5 movie advertisements before getting to the main menu.

At the main menu, there is an endless one minute loop of "Killer Inside-Messed Up World" playing in the background. It's my belief that DVD menus shouldn't have music playing, and this is a perfect example: The song is WAY too loud. I'm sure it was put there to direct viewers to the music video on the second disc but it's simply an annoyance.

Some of the features on the first disc include:

-Audio commentary by Leigh Whannell, the co-creator of SAW.

-Audio commentary by Director Darren Lynn Bousman

-Audio commentary by Tobin Bell (Jigsaw) and Shawnee Smith (Amanda)

There's one choice in the special features section for "D-Box, Mastering Motion" this is a shameless promotion for a company that offers a new way of experiencing motion in movies with special chairs/helmets/etc.

On the second disc, there's a mixed bag of special features.

First, we start with "Jigsaw's Plan", a trivia game that tests your knowledge of the three Saw films to date. However, the questions are not randomized and if you get one question wrong, you have to start all over; making the replay value of this feature almost non-existent.

Nest, we have "Choose the Death" which allows us to view the scenes of 10 Saw traps from Saw 2 and Saw 3 with commentary from the director. Not a bad feature.

The next feature is "Looking Tortured" I'm not sure who came up with this idea, but it was a pleasant little surprise. 4 people are chosen to have makeup applied to emulate their 'Saw' counterparts. The viewer is shown from start to finish how to create & apply the makeup to look like the perfect Saw victim. Anyone who wants to spend $25 on a Halloween costume can watch this and make a better one themselves.

Hydrovibe offers us a music video of "Killer Inside-Messed Up World" with Shawnee Smith offering additional vocals. This video wasn't bad, but it felt like it was tacked on at the last minute. You'll probably find yourself saying "Hey, isn't this that annoying song playing in the background on the first disc?"

"Filmmaker Faves": This feature is totally unnecessary. Do you lay awake at night wondering about Leigh Whannell's favorite line/scene/trap of the Saw series? This is good for trivia night, but it's really not needed. Plus, the font of the lettering is hard to read here.

The last feature is a "Sneak Peek at Saw IV". This scene is mainly to wet the appetites of those folks eagerly awaiting the next Saw movie to come out on DVD, and they will not be disappointed.

The first batch of SAW III DVD's were out in January of 2007, The "Unrated Edition" and the standard edition. Both of these DVD's had features that did not make it to this version, such as some deleted scenes, commentaries, and trailers.

If you are looking for the longest running, most complete version of Saw III, this is the version for you.

Gift Card or Credit Card...make your choice.

Read Best Reviews of Saw III (Unrated Edition) (2006) Here

I am not usually attracted to this type of film...slasher/horror flicks, that is. I find most of them a waste of money and time, to be honest. This is why I was genuinely shocked at how I truly loved the first two "Saw" films, realizing they exercised absolutely brilliant examples of film-making, acting, and special effects. Both films had a genuinely awesome screenplay with well-written, realistically portrayed dialogue...and of course, forgetting the almost-too-intense amounts of suspense both films lavished upon its viewers would be criminal. Some of the scenes in those films brought on the nail-biting suspense I hadn't felt since Ridley Scott's "Alien." I remember being sick with jealousy after watching the first film that novice filmmakers James Wan and Leigh Whannell could create such a brilliant, intricate, breathtaking horror film that had just the right amounts of blood & guts mixed with a truckload of otherworldly suspense. I remember after watching the second film that Darren Lynn Bousman seriously has got a future on his hands with an exquisitely directed "Saw II." So, naturally, I felt more than compelled to view the third installation of the "Saw" franchise before the fourth film hit theaters. Described as "staggeringly violent" and "sadistically horrific," along with the true incidents of audience members vomiting and fainting in the theater, I felt less and less excited about the third Saw film, and began thinking it was nothing more than a Halloween horror film face-off between Saw III and Hostel to see which film could possibly be more sickeningly violent. In addition, I began to think "How could a third film possibly live up to the caliber of the first two?" After viewing the third film, I really wasn't sure what to think of the theory of the film being violent just to be violent. But here's what I generally thought of the third installation to the brilliant "Saw" franchise. The interlocking two-part story deals with a fatally ill Jigsaw capturing a doctor who must keep him alive for however long it takes for a man, who is psychologically insane with his lust for revenge for the drunk driver who killed his son, to maneuver through a series of Jigsaw's infamous "traps." Jeff, the man, is not actually in the traps, though--it's the people who he's been vengeful towards regarding the death of his son--for instance, the judge who locked away the killer for only a short period of time, and witnesses who didn't do anything. Jeff has the power to stop these traps--find it within himself to forgive them. Either that, or watch them get slaughtered in ways too shocking to write about in this review.

That said, Saw III is definitely a step up when it comes to the gore meter compared to the first two films. Some of the traps are so sickening you feel compelled to turn away from the screen. People vomiting in theaters, though, is a gross overreaction. I ate pizza while watching and I wasn't really nauseated or anything. Don't let that fool you, though--Saw III is extremely violent and the violence in the first two films is pale compared to it. There are plenty of moments where I cringed and thought to myself, "Holy crap, that's just wrong." While a part of me wants to condemn the film for being so excruciatingly violent, I can't help but think the violence was a necessary aspect to the story. You'd really have to see the film to know what I'm talking about here, but anyway, Saw III might've competed with Hostel for "most violent award" but the gore wasn't extremely over-the-top or too intense to watch.

Which brings me into my next point--the storyline. As I said in the first paragraph, the story lines for the first two film blew me out of the damn water with their brilliance. This is where the third film declines--and steeply, at that. The development of new characters is handled extremely poorly and in the end, you really don't give a flying crap who dies and who is left living (extremely unlike the second film). The acting is both up and down at different times. Shawnee Smith (Amanda) and Tobin Bell (Jigsaw) are absolutely top notch, as always. Smith's performance, especially towards the end of the film, sent chills down my spine and Bell never fails to disappoint. Yet, literally every single other actor/actress in the film didn't deliver, and that for me was major point loss.

I liked the directing, editing, and cinematography. Especially the cinematography, which reminded me immensely of the 2004 Denzel Washington action flick "Man On Fire," also dealing with the human spirit's lust for revenge at the loss of another. Fortunately, Darren Lynn Bousman's above-average skills as a film director manage to balance a close-to-falling Saw III and keep it shakily on its feet. Again, I blame this on the weak story. Yet, it is hardly fair for me to completely condemn the story. The screenwriters did a very good job incorporating flashbacks into the film, and explaining elements from the first two films that may have been considered plot holes in the past. This aspect to Saw 3 was immensely enjoyable and made for a good film.

Though, the ending was also very poor, in my opinion. It is very depressing, unhealthy, and unsatisfying like a Big Mac. You almost feel at a complete loss--the events building up from the beginning of the film (and, for that matter, the other two films as well) end up--like this? Bleh. Been there, done that. There also is no shocker at the end, unlike the first two films which each had shockers that pretty much blew the brains out of your ears and left you speechless and unable to move.

Still, though, Saw 3 is a decent film. But it should be understood that unless you are EXTREME fans of the first two films, as I am, you should stay away from this movie. You'll be revolted and disappointed, to say the least. But for hardcore Saw fans, it should be rather pleasing. I don't think "Saw 3" was a great film, But it certainly is decent and I've seen FAR worse. I have hopes for the fourth film that it may redeem the third film and restore the hopes of me and a million others that a great movie--turned into just a decent one--can be brought back to greatness.

3-Stars

Want Saw III (Unrated Edition) (2006) Discount?

The original "Saw" was everything a horror film should be. It had gore both implied and explicit, twists and turns in the plot, and characters that the audience didn't particularly want to see die. Then came along Saw II, which ramped up the gore factor considerably, and while it had its moments, it was obviously only there to make money off of the success of the original. Now the horror genre has been graced with the third offering in the series, which is firmly in Friday the 13th and Nightmare on Elm Street territory. The series is now officially a parody of itself, and its continued existence is only assured as long as it remains a cash cow (which it will).

The main problem with Saw III is that Jigsaw and his apprentice Amanda are no longer believable villains. They exude no sense of terror or aura of fear, as they are creatures that simply could not exist in reality. Jigsaw has essentially become the God of the universe. He knows every minute detail of every person's life. He knows where everyone sleeps, how they take their coffee, how long it takes them to drive to work, when the best time to break into their house to plant cameras would be, how their relationships with their spouses and children are, what color underwear they buy, etc. Both Jigsaw and Amanda are also expert locksmiths, pharmacists, and engineers. With no funds at all, they can craft any torture device of any size in minimal time. These devices are also so expertly crafted that they can be deactivated and removed with one small padlock, even if the device is fully covering a person's entire body. These villains are no longer scary because there is obviously no hope of survival at all. No matter how physically strong or prepared a person is, they cannot avoid being captured by Jigsaw, and they have no chance of escaping his traps alive.

Jigsaw is portrayed as a sort of avenging angel in this movie. Out of all the characters, he is the most rational and detached from emotion. The overall tone of the movie almost implies that he is correct and that everyone should just submit to his will and change their lives according to his system of beliefs. The problem with this logic is that if Jigsaw's beliefs are applied to his own life, he should be the one stuck in a deadly trap. His whole point in capturing and torturing people is to show them that they have been wasting their lives and they need to start living and being happy with their lot. He states that one character was chosen because she spends her life doing nothing but trying to save the dead, while her family life is dying. However, this exact same sentence could be applied to Jigsaw. He spends his life trying to save others from emotional death, and this obsession has obviously killed him inside.

Even with all these problems, Saw III does have some merit. The gore in this entry of the series is simply out of control, and exceedingly well done. The tone of the gore has become even more sadistic than in Saw II. An early scene involving chains that have been run through a man's flesh, including his jaw, is absolutely stunning. Pretty much everyone will cringe or look away when he starts ripping the chains out of himself. The final major trap, dubbed "the rack", is one of the most diabolical devices put on film in recent memory. The script is also better than anticipated, and it neatly brings the series full circle, connecting several events that didn't appear to be connected before.

The parallels between Friday the 13th and Saw are occurring with increasing frequency. Jigsaw and Jason both kill in retribution for people not agreeing with their view of how the world should work. While Jason punishes those who do drugs or have pre-marital sex, Jigsaw punishes those who have squandered their lives. Both are unstoppable, invincible whirlwinds of death who can sneak up on anyone, no matter how implausible the situation. Like every Friday the 13th movie ever made, even though the ending of Saw III completely ruined any option for a sequel, Saw 4 is currently in production. Obviously Jason, I mean Jigsaw, will rise again to continue torturing those who don't agree with his world view.

I'll be skipping that one.

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Memorial Day (2010)

This movie is a poignant characterization of the conflict that combat veterans live with, during and after their experiences. Focused on a WWII U.S. Paratrooper and his grandson it gives us a sense of the emotions that many combat veterans of all eras may go through having to make a decision during a war that you know is going to end badly for someone and then having to live with your decision or in having friends be killed or injured. Anyone who has had a family member or friend who has seen combat can recognize the defensive wall that many veterans erect as their way of dealing with the experience. Hopefully this movie will encourage at least some of those veterans to allow their friends and family to try to understand.

I was lucky enough to see a screening of this film, and was blown away. To echo the reviews below, it's more than a war movie, it's a family movie. The movie crosses multiple generations, and encompasses stories from two wars. For those from the WWII generation this will bring back their own memories from a time with the war was very much part of their daily life. For those with loved ones serving now it gives a real face to what is happening. For everyone else it's a solid reminder that memories are stories that need to be shared, that burdens can't be carried alone and that all generations have something to give to one another.

Additionally, it teaches us that Memorial Day is more than a time for picnics and BBQ, more than just a free day off and a parade but that it's a day when we honor and remember.

I strongly recommend this for anyone, not just those with military ties

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As a Marine veteran and grandfather, this film touched me on both counts. As a veteran, the meaning/importance of those small "souvenirs" one acquires during their time in service can be both cherished and guarded. This film approaches that importance with reverence without the carnage usually found in "military movies".

The closeness between the grandfather and his grandson was also touching and special. I am lucky to be very close to the only grandchild I have, a boy of 5 1/2. We have, since his birth, had a special relationship that continues to grow each day. I too have things to share with him someday.

Sometimes fathers, because of their role and lack of experience/wisdom, cannot share with their son, daughter, or other family members. With the years comes a realization of the memories tucked away which those "souvenirs" represent. This film helped in my confirmation of that.

I recommend this film to all Vet's and their families, and everyone else. I hope I have/will not be the only veteran/grandfather that is touched in this way. I also hope that it helps all who view it to share, respect, and understand those "things" that may never be spoken of by the veteran.

The "story" is 5 star. Own the DVD/Blue-Ray; share it with all who will sit still long enough to watch it. Lord knows we sit and watch allot less deserving films.

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This movie gives renewed meaning to why we celebrate Memorial Day.

This movie is realistic in its war scenes without unnecessary blood and gore.

I admit that this holiday used to be a reason to have a "3 day weekend".

Now I will remember the sacrifice that all of our soldiers have made through the years.

I hope this encourages all veterans to tell their stories so that we and future generations will understand and appreciate their experiences.

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The worst part of movies dealing with war or soldiers during a specific time period is that they often feel like recruitment videos. Either that or they shove patriotism down your throat. "Memorial Day" isn't like that at all, which is a relief. What really balances out the entire movie is the time Kyle spends with his grandfather. James Cromwell's heartfelt performance is really fantastic. His emotion gives much needed heart to a story like this. The thing about grandfathers is that they're supposed to always have a story to tell and have words of wisdom. Bud is the epitome of that, but he waits to reveal that until somebody makes him talk.

The time Kyle and Bud spend together inspires Kyle to start a collection of his own once he becomes a soldier as an adult and has a family of his own. This is the other big intriguing aspect of the war drama. Seeing Kyle collect things throughout the movie only makes you realize what he's eventually going to tell his son one day, which is kind of heartwarming. The last five minutes of the movie are also its bread and butter. It's as if the entire movie was written to give those few scenes more impact and it works so well. It's just a series of really passionate performances along with perhaps the most memorable scene to take place on that porch in the entire movie.

Many of the other performances feel uninspired. Maybe it's just the way Hollywood writes soldiers, but most of them are pretty forgettable here other than Kyle. John Cromwell is pretty exceptional in his full length feature film debut though. Everyone else outside of the main cast just feels like filler. Ho-hum is an acceptable way to describe the majority of the movie as things like the score, battlefield sequences, and lines of dialogue will be a distant memory at best. Although roaming shots of the countryside are extremely colorful on the Blu-ray edition of the movie.

"Memorial Day" is mostly watchable thanks to the performances of John and James Cromwell. The story does its best to reel you in and feel for these characters, but may feel like it's stringing you along with no pay off in sight at times. There are certainly worse war related movies you could spend your hard earned money on.

Special features include Audio Commentary with Director Sam Fischer, Writer Marc Conklin, and Actor John Cromwell and a less than two minute Behind the Scenes featurette.

"Memorial Day" is being released as a single disc DVD and a single disc Blu-ray starting tomorrow, May 29. The movie is not rated, is presented in 1.85:1 widescreen aspect ratio in 1080p High-Definition and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and Dolby Digital 5.1 audio. It is approximately 104 minutes in length. "Memorial Day" will be available in most retail outlets and online stores.

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My Life in Ruins (2009)

Why are there so many critics in this world? This is a sweet, fun movie that opened up a chance for many to see places in Greece that can not be filmed for commercial reasons. Kudos to Nia for gaining approval to film in such fantastic places as Delphi, Olympia and at the Acropolis. This is the perfect movie for a light, summer night or for when you just need a "pick me up." See for yourself. Greece is a magical place and it was a delight to see it on the big screen. Nia is charming on and off screen and I think she is terrific. You go girl!

The 2009 release 'My Life in Ruins' turned out to be a totally unexpected surprise. The scenery is magnificent, the storyline and dialogue sharp and the cast of uniquely quirky characters will keep you throughly entertained from beginning to end. The budding romance between tour guide Georgia (Nia Vardalos) and bus driver Nico (Alistair McGowan) was really quite charming and tourist and self-designated funny man Irv (Richard Dreyfuss) was clearly the secret ingredient that made it all work so well.

I particularly enjoyed the way the film incorporated an ongoing subtext suggesting that the Greek Gods may be subtly interacting with the tour and tourists. It was just the right touch of whimsy and depth to supply an added dimension to this delightful romantic comedy.

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I saw this movie a few weeks ago at the theater. I found it very entertaining and informative. It took me to places in Greece that I would love to visit. Nia is funny, sexy and believable. In the year 2000 I went on a tourist bus tour of Europe and this movie surely brought back many fond memories. Every bus tour includes many diverse characters, with a believable love story, this makes it very entertaining. I have recommended this movie to all my friends.They should own it.The filming is exquisite showing the sites of Greece like a travelogue.I left the theater feeling as I had been thoroughly entertained.

Read Best Reviews of My Life in Ruins (2009) Here

My wife and I missed this great movie when it came out in theaters in 2009 probably because it did not have a very large promo budget compared to the high tech blockbusters but we caught it by chance on a flight home from Europe this summer and I immediately ordered the DVD. With a talented international cast including Richard Dreyfuss this movie optimizes both the humorous and serious side of life. The chemistry between all of the characters is just wonderful and relies on real human interactions combined with the spectacular scenery of Greece rather than special effects how often do you see that these days? Noting some of the negative comments it is admittedly something of an 'inside joke' to those who are into travel and there are a few Greek tourist clichés and other stereotypes. However all of the jibes are sensitively done, by and large accurate to my experience, and will resonate with anyone who has ever toured Greece 'economy' class! I would hope that this film gets at lease a nod at Oscar time this year, and in any event would recommend it for any movie collection as a feel good / date movie.

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what FUN! this is a romantic comedy that is not just about a boy and girl getting together: it is an ensemble piece about the joys of being true to who one is. nia vardalos never looked better and her wardrobe, for a change, is complimentary; acting chops are better tuned, as well. the on-screen chemistry between nia and alexis georgoulis is combustible: no wonder the greek tabloids touted an off-screen romance between the two; and did everything they could to prove it, too. casting directors should cast georgoulis in more flicks in this country; he's a real screen presence. the rest of the ensemble are pitch-perfect; what a joy to watch them all.

yes, this flick is full of stereotypes; what romantic comedy isn't? afterall, stereotypes are stereotypes because they are recognizable characters from time immemorial: we KNOW these people. so, drop your defenses, relax, and enjoy this romp through greece.

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Austin Powers Collection (International Man of Mystery / The Spy Who Shagged Me / Goldmember) (2008)

I enjoyed this series of films very much. The "Goldmember" film a bit less but overall a very creative and funny pop culture feast! One of the big bonus's for me anyway is to finally have the original Austin Powers movie in the proper 2:4 aspect ratio after years of having to watch it on 1:85 on normal DVD. This may not mean much to some viewers but to those interested in seeing what they did at the theater it does. The other two films came out in proper 2:4 aspect ratio on DVD previously so why the original was formatted a bit off was always a mystery to me. The films look great on Blu-ray ...and while they don't have any NEW bonus features to my notice..at least they did import all the old ones and music videos (some blu-rays are coming out WITHOUT the previous bonus features).

I picked the set up for a price that came to about $15 per film so I think its a very good value.

Finally, there are subtitles for "Austin Powers In Goldmember" as I could not get Closed-captioning to work on the DVD version.

Note: Be careful opening the package as the set is shrink wrapped very tight and might cut the loose page on the outside that you might want to keep. (The real box has Austin Powers & Dr. Evil on each side.)

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It's hard to believe almost 10 years have gone by since we first saw Mike Myers' Austin Powers character for the first time. These are among the funniest films made at the close of the 20th Century. For the most part, they are chock full of sightgags and silly puns and give Mike Myers ample opportunity to wear funny costumes and try out as many joke accents as possible. Myers rises to the occassion each time out, eventually playing 4 characters at once ala Peter Sellers.

As introduced in the first film (International Man of Mystery), Austin is swinging 60s' superspy who thinks he's a lot hipper than he really is. Think Sammy Davis Jr trapped in Davy Jones' body and you'll have an idea of what Austin is like before seeing him. Also introduced in the first film is Dr Evil (also played by Myers), a cross between Blofeld and Ed Sullivan. If anything, Dr. Evil has even better lines and gags than Austin himself.

The three films primarily spoof the James Bond series. The first film has strong overtones of both 'Diamonds are Forever' and 'Casino Royale' but Myers goes totally bonkers in the second film (Spy Who Shagged Me), in which 'Star Wars' and 'Moonraker' are yanked in for a well-deserved ribbing. The second film doesn't break as much ground as the first, but is arguably the funniest of the three as leading lady Heather Graham is the perfect partner in crime to Mike Myers' Austin character. Graham is the funniest of Austin's three leading ladies. Unfortunately, the third film (Goldmember) declines after a very strong start, coming across as a stitched-together effort to wring the last bucks out of the Powers franchise. If the series has a flaw, it's that few of the characters seem drawn from life, rather than pieced together as parodies.

If you like one Austin Powers movie, you'll like all three to various degrees. At this price, this is a good time to replace your battered VHS copies with nice, fresh DVDs.

Read Best Reviews of Austin Powers Collection (International Man of Mystery / The Spy Who Shagged Me / Goldmember) (2008) Here

This trilogy is worth your money and will give you one hell of a good time. There isn't really much for me to say about them though. The plots are very simple and pointless but the movies are absolutely hilarious.

Mike Myers is genius and makes the movies funny because he plays Austin Powers, Dr. Evil and Fat Bast***. That's lots of talent!

Beware because if you didn't know, these movies are very silly and dumb but will definitely make you laugh your head off.

This is how I rate the three:

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery4 stars

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me4 and 1/2 stars

Austin Powers: Goldmember3 and 1/2 stars

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I purchased the "1-3 Collection" on DVD. I know enough about the other versions that I can compare/contrast. If you're looking for information about the movies themselves, look elsewhere I'm not going to mention the plots, the cast, etc. in this review.

First, the "Austin Powers 1-3 Collection" on DVD. You get two DVD's. The first and third movies are on a 'flipper' disc, with the second movie on its own disc. A little strange, perhaps, but no biggie.

Comparing it the the Blu Ray collection, other than packaging difference (3 blu rays in their own slim cases instead of two dvd's) the contents are identical. All movies are in 2.4:1 aspect ratio. Each movie features commentary, deleted scenes, etc. And while the DVD transfer is perfectly acceptable, I can see how these movies would really "pop" in HD. If you like these movies enough, spend the extra $ for blu ray.

Comparing it to the first release of individual DVD's, note that (1) the first movie is presented in its proper 2.4:1 aspect ratio here, but not on the individual DVD (I don't know what aspect ratio was used, but it was wrong) and (2) that the extras on the individual discs are less. Since you can easily find the "1-3 Collection" for about $8 shipped, I recommend purchasing the "1-3 Collection" if you choose to buy on the DVD format.

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Is It Just Me (2010)

So many of the gay films that get labeled "romantic comedy" should, more accurately, be called "sex farce." They're all about giving viewers a glimpse of skin and hot sex scenes, but they're not so great at showing the truly warm, romantic side of gay relationships.

Is It Just Me bucks that trend. This is an extraordinary film in that the characters are not broadly painted stereotypes, but nuanced and interesting individuals. You may think you know what to expect from each character, but, happily, you'd likely be wrong. Not one of these characters is simple or stereotyped, and all are likable. Gay viewers will see themselves in these characters, but unlike many modern gay movies, they'll see the best parts of themselves reflected on the screen.

Surprisingly for a film of this genre, one of my favorite characters was Ernie, Xander's older roommate (played by Bruce Gray), who is both witty and truly kind. Ernie feels very real and very sweet, and you'll wish you had a gay roommate just like him.

Adam Huss also turns in a solid performance as Cameron, our protagonist's, ahem, very popular and very hunky roommate. The screenwriter could easily have painted Cameron as a cad, and the fact that he did not do so is testament to the interesting artistic choices this movie makes.

The writing and direction in this film are both spot on. This movie avoids the campy/bitchy/cynical humor that's so common in gay films these days in favor or a warm humor that makes me feel happy to be gay.

If you're looking for a warm, wise, heartwarming romantic comedy (that just happens to be gay), this is it. It's the kind of gay film you can show to your mother and not be embarrassed. I can't recommend this film highly enough.

Blaine on dating in West Hollywood: "Being just average in a world of physical perfection is the worst kind of gay purgatory."

Blaine (Nicholas Downs) is an old-fashioned guy in Los Angeles, a sweet and cute gay twenty-something who is sensitive, honest, hardworking and looking for a guy with whom he can share his life. Not into bars, casual sex and game playing, he channels his loneliness and angst into his column for a newspaper. His roommate, Cameron (Adam Huss), is a shallow, sex-obsessed gym-bunny who acts in bad movies and works as a go-go boy at a WeHo gay bar, exactly the type of guy Blaine tries to avoid. But when Blaine meets Xander (David Loren) online, a guy who seems to be perfect for him, he accidentally sends him Cameron's photo by mistake, and is convinced that Xander only wants to meet him because he looks like that. Cameron agrees to pose as Blaine at their initial meeting, to which Blaine (posing as roommate Cameron) also attends, and things go horribly wrong from here.

The "used someone else's image online" bit has been used before (most recently in a gay comedy that was very forgettable), but strikes the perfect balance here in testing Blaine to be more self-assured and confident in seeking a relationship. Also loved the inclusion of an older gay "mentor" (played by character actor Bruce Gray) for Xander. Overall, a charmingly positive and realistic story, produced and acted very well by talented professionals. A definite "keeper" for my DVD collection; plentiful extras include commentary, deleted scenes, auditions and "dating advice." Don't miss this one! Five big stars out of five!

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I wish this film had had the budget to raise the production values above that of a low budget gay film for this is a light-hearted gay romantic comedy where everything works. The characters are not caricatures and after my first viewing of this film last night it is lingering in my thoughts and I can't wait to watch it again. It is very true that self doubting Blaine (Nicholas Downs) is indeed a cutie but in the mainstream gay culture, especially the clubs, if that handsome face doesn't come with a gym well muscled bod often the nicest guys can get overlooked. It makes perfect sense when Blaine meets a Texan hottie Xander (David Loren) on line and they bond on all things that matter, not the superficial, that he gets insecure when he sees that Xander thinks he is indeed his roommate Cameron who is a muscle stud stripper for his pic was accidentally on his facebook page.

If the story line sounds silly believe me as it unfolds it makes perfect sense. Blaine is portrayed perfectly but for me the heart and soul of the film rests in Xander. David Loren takes this Texan stud and gives him the purest romantic heart and soul that any person would seek in their mate. Through Xander we see someone seeking romance, trust and sincerity. He wears his heart on his sleeve and it is a necessary reminder that there are still people like this around. Cameron, Blaine's roommate, played by Adam Huss also perfectly shows how a guy can truly be happy seeking sexual encounters, nothing serious and still have the capacity to be a good and sincere person.

All the characters here are well thought out and for the first time even the insightful older gay (played by Bruce Gray) is not over the top and very believable as a person a little jaded with age but filled with wisdom. This movie shows that romance is still a possibility, though sometimes you need to fight hard. Please ignore the low budget film work and judge it by its heart and talent involved. The blu ray is fine. The picture doesn't pop like a mainstream film. The video is in 720P and not the norm 1080p. Audio is great with a DTS HD Master audio 5.1 track. Dialogue is strong and music blends in perfectly. There are tons of extras as well. The blu ray ends up presenting itself just fine. I highly recommend this film for the romantic in you. It will touch you with these characters you can relate to. A very touching and romantic film.

Read Best Reviews of Is It Just Me (2010) Here

Is It Just Me? is a gay romantic comedy, that is light on the comedy but heavy on romance. The romantic leads, Blaine and Xander, are so cute and I'd take both of them over that beefcake Cameron any day. And this film really shows that honesty is the best policy. Blaine lied and almost missed out on love. If he would have told the truth in the beginning, he could have Xander much sooner. But then we wouldn't have had a movie.

As most romantic comedies are, Is It Just Me? is pretty predictable. There are two people who we think will never get together, but in the end...well, if you've seen just one romantic comedy you know what I'm talking about. There's really only one thing that I didn't like about Is It Just Me?, which isn't the fault of the filmmakers because it is realistic. And that is many gay men are shallow and would rather date a hunk with muscles than a guy who is sweet and "average" in appearance. I'm not one of those men, as I've already stated that I would take Blaine over Cameron any day. Of course, I'm "average" too.

Any way, Is It Just Me? comes recommended to anyone who is looking for a gay romance. And that ending is so sweet it took my breath away!

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Shy boy, Blaine, meets hot nice guy, Zander, online. A couple of guys who who actually want romance instead of just sex. They seem perfect for each other. Then comes the mix-up. His roommate, Cameron, by accident, put his own picture on Blaine's profile. Ergo Zander (horrible fake-southern accent btw) thinks this wonderful guy, Blaine is stereo-typically hot. (Blaine isn't exactly ugly, kinda cute actually, just not gay-porn-star hot) Then, as anyone would expect, they are going to meet in person. Blah, blah, blah...

But seriously, Zander couldn't tell right away by Cameron's voice, diction, and overall shallow attitude that he wasn't the same guy on the phone? Plus, Zander actually meets Blaine at the same time and talks to him...

Is Zander stupid, hard of hearing, or just really oblivious? We all sound a bit different on the phone, but come on writers, few people are that stupid. It seriously bugged me throughout the movie and I am one to forgive some things where gay cinema is concerned. (Really good "gay" cinema is almost non-existent frankly.)

Also, Blaine's best female buddy sucked. I wasn't even sure why they were friends, she was about as supportive as a stranger. Hell, even his shallow roommate had more compassion and sense than her (don't remember her name...no wonder). If your're bored and want something to pass the time, rent this, stream it, whatever, just don't expect much. With a bit more filming money, a few script and direction tweaks it would have been much better.

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NEW Escape From New York - Escape From New York (1981) (Blu-ray)

Hailed as a cult classic by many, John Carpenter's "Escape from New York" is finally available in a more-than-appropriate DVD edition that does the film justice. A dark movie filled with danger, action, suspense, and even humor, this is the classic that gave birth to the ultimate outlaw and anti-hero; Snake Plissken. Now, you can relive the movie like never before.

In a post-apocalyptic world filled with crime and violence, the entire city of Manhattan has been transformed into a prison--a death sentence to most. Here, the prisoners are sent once they are banned from society and are forced to stay a life sentence to fight on their own. A crisis is before the people who are in charge of the prison, as the President has been kidnapped and is being held hostage by the very people they dedicated their lives to lock up. The only chance they have is a former war hero turned outlaw, Snake Plissken. They make him a deal that if he can bring back the President alive, all of the charges against him will be dropped. However, there's yet another catch; the main man in charge of the prison has injected Plissken with an explosive device that will be the end of him in less than 24 hours should he not be successful, insuring that he won't "flee" the scene. All of this leads to an exciting and thrilling cult classic that is loved by many.

John Carpenter has done a terrific job of painting a dark and bleak picture of law enforcement as we know it. At the same time, he does an excellent job of creating a successful and subtle satire of law and authority. The script is always clever and surprising. While the movie might be a little dated, it still does not take away anything from the raw effect the movie has on us. Kurt Russell is fantastic as the mono-toned "Snake Plissken." He makes the role his own and stands out as one of our favorite anti-heroes in film. All of the right ingredients to make a successful and exciting film are there.

This new DVD edition is a lot better than the previous one. The picture has been remastered in high-definition, which truly stands out as an accomplishment. The sound is decent, but we must keep in mind that this is an old movie and the sound can only be restored so much. Extras included are commentaries, photo galleries, an exclusive comic book, featurettes, trailers, the deleted scene of the original opening; the bank robbery, and more. I can tell you for sure that I am much more pleased with this edition of the film.

"Escape from New York" is definitely one of those films that stands out from the rest. It is a cult classic for a reason, and that reason is undeniable. While it may be overlooked by some, the ones who really appreciate it for what it is benefits a great amount of deal from it. If you're looking for an exciting thrill ride with action, suspense, and humor, this is the one to check out. A superb film on every front.

The film itself is three and a half stars (out of five): yet another entertaining "B" thriller from cult film director John Carpenter, this sci-fi/action romp is lots of fun in every sense of the word: great characters populated by a great cast, led by Russel's iconic take on "Snake Plissken", the love child of Clint Eastwood and Jim Morrison; a delicious, cheese-tastic premise that maintains a sense of humor while playing it serious (unlike its lesser, overly-campy sequel); production values that sporadically waver between solid and chintzy, somehow only adding to the film's gritty, dark (and fun) comic book-like tone; and a classic (albeit corny) John Carpenter synth score.

As a point of acknowledgment, I'm a big John Carpenter fan... but if truth be told, while Carpenter is terrific with atmosphere and suspense, he is somewhat challenged when it comes to shooting action sequences. That point is underscored once again with this film, as the action sequences are fairly unmemorable; fortunately, the film's creepily weird atmosphere and colorful characters more than make up for it.

While the film ultimately does not live up to its potential, it has more than enough attributes to cement its place as a minor genre classic. This is not Carpenter's best work by a long shot (for my money, "Halloween" and "The Thing" are tied for that honor); nevertheless, this is still a must-see for those who dig the 1970's-early 1980's era of "B" movie sci-fi/action flicks.

Now, on to the Blu-Ray review: the 1080P widescreen picture quality of this Blu-Ray is a decent step-up from the special edition DVD released a few years back. Released in the correct aspect ratio of 2.35:1 (Amazon incorrectly listed this release at 1.85:1), colors are punchier, contrast is good, sharpness is increased, and grain is at a minimum for a picture this age. Blacks are solid, if a little grayish at times. Thankfully, the original look of the film is preserved, meaning the green hue of some previous home video releases is gone. Also, there are no obvious signs of edge enhancement or DNR manipulation... always a good thing. However, all's not perfect; the film's original cinematography alternates inconsistently between being soft, hazy and reasonably sharp. That fact, coupled with the film's inherently dark and murky look (the film was shot almost entirely at night on a fairly low budget) means that this film is hardly Blu-Ray demo material. That being said, fans should be pleased, as this is the best the film has ever looked on home video (and that includes the green-hued Optimum U.K./Canadian Blu-Ray release from a few years back, which was so artificially touched-up, it barely looked like the same film that was released in 1981).

The audio quality is also a decent step-up from earlier DVD iterations. The 5.1 DTS-HD soundtrack makes use of surround sound for much of the picture, with good bass and nice aural ambience. However, dialogue from the center speaker was mixed a tad too low at times, making it necessary to raise the volume on occasion; fortunately, it was not enough to ruin the overall aural experience. To sum up, while hardly demo-quality (this is a 30-year-old film, after all), unquestionably this is the best the film has ever sounded on home video.

As for the rest: MGM continues its desperate attempt to stay afloat and raise cash... at the expense of both the good will of its customer base and the reputation of future releases of its formidable library of catalog titles. As is the case with its recent release of "Kalifornia", the quality of this release reeks of cheapness in every sense of the word. Absolutely no special features come with this Blu-Ray, unless you count the film trailer and the DVD copy of the film that is included with this set... and unlike earlier MGM Blu-Ray/DVD combo releases, where the included DVD had special features the Blu-Ray lacked ("Misery" and "Bull Durham" come to mind), the included DVD on this set has zero special features; this means that all of the special features from the fine 2003 special edition two-disc DVD set are nowhere to be found on this release.

The included DVD is in fact a flipper, which has an anamorphically-enhanced widescreen version of the film on one side of the disc and a fullscreen copy on the other. Really? Is "fullscreen" considered a bonus feature in 2010? Since MGM included a flipper DVD disc, why not have offered the two-disc special feature edition as a flipper?

Also, a careful comparison on my part found that the quality of the included DVD is of lesser quality than the 2003 special edition DVD, with colors and sharpness looking duller. From what I can tell, the included DVD is the same as the inferior 2000 DVD release with one puzzling difference: the audio on the 2000 DVD was in 4.0 Dolby Surround, and this included DVD has a 5.1 Dolby Digital track! It seems that MGM did put some effort into this combo release after all... just in the wrong places.

Even the case that houses the Blu-Ray is a disappointment, as MGM didn't even bother to package it in the standard small Blu-Ray case, but rather opted to release the combo set in a larger-sized standard DVD case. This may seem like nitpicking to some, but I, with my large video library, appreciate the smaller size of the Blu-Ray case.

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So, it boils down to this: for casual viewers and those on a budget, if you already own the 2003 special edition DVD of "Escape From New York", this Blu-Ray upgrade is probably not worth your time, as the picture quality on that DVD looks very good upconverted, and the special features on that two-disc set really make the 2003 special edition DVD the one to own. For fans and/or videophiles who don't particularly care about special features, the visual and audio uptick is good enough to warrant a purchase, albeit at a discounted price. Of course, true fans will be forced to pick up (or hang on to) the 2003 special edition DVD with its terrific set of special features, including: a mini-graphic novel, two fine audio commentary tracks, a making-of doc, and (perhaps most intriguing) the original opening for the film (complete with restored audio), which consists of an eleven-minute bank robbery sequence that explains how Snake Plissken got caught (by the man!) in the first place.

I understand that MGM is in a financial rut at the moment, but releasing this obvious cash-in at a sticker price of $24.99 is poor form, no matter how you cut it (fluctuating sale prices on Amazon.com, notwithstanding). Seeing as how they just released "Kalifornia" in the exact same fashion, I'm going to think twice before making another MGM Blu-Ray purchase in the future, as I have no interest in supporting MGM's new trend of top-dollar, no-frills Blu-Ray catalog releases.

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Back in 1981, John Carpenter released a film, set in 1997, that depicted a somewhat bleak future for the United States in that the crime rate had risen to the point where it was necessary to turn New York City into a maximum security prison by enclosing the island in giant, concrete walls, installing landmines on the access bridges, and providing constant surveillance with the threat of death for any that try to escape. Felons convicted and sent to this prison are given the option of execution rather than being forced to try and survive in this hellish, nightmare environment. Truly only the strongest and most ruthless survive behind these walls. The female narration, done by Carpenter favorite Jamie Lee Curtis, at the beginning ends with the ominous line, "Once you go in, you never come out."

After this is set up, we learn that, while en route to an extremely important conference, the president's plane has been hijacked, and is crashed inside the prison. The inmates recover the president, and threatening to kill him if any attempt is made to release him. A plan is formulated, one including the recently captured, ex-military, now convicted, criminal Snake Plisskin (Kurt Russell) to send him in, alone, and try to bring the president out alive, offering him a full pardon should he succeed. Only problem is, due to time constraints, of the conference, Snake only has 24 hours to complete this mission, if he accepts it. Another minor glitch...without his knowing it, microscopic implants are inserted into Snake's neck in case he decided to skip out, and are set to go off unless Snake can recover the president and return him safely within the time allotted.

This has always been one of my favorite movies. It brings to life the perfect anti-hero, the outlaw. We've seen and loved this type of character before, like in the Clint Eastwood western movies of the 60's. America loves an outlaw, and John Carpenter has brought the character into the future. Escape From New York is an excellent example of a low budget movie that is really well made, from the realistic sets and scenery, characters, casting, scripting, direction, and music, all of which was composed by John Carpenter himself. Kurt Russell plays Snake so perfectly that you'll never picture anyone else in the role. Other actors that provide wonderful performances, many of which Carpenter uses in his later films, are Harry Dean Stanton, Donald Pleasance, Adrienne Barbeau, Ernest Borgnine, Lee Van Cleef, and Tom Atkins. And let's not forget Isaac Hayes as The Duke of New York, leader of the most powerful gang within the prison, and the one holding the president in hopes of using him to escape. Another thing is that this movie moves. There is no plodding, the plot is clearly defined and drives the movie to its' satisfying conclusion.

The special features included in this special edition DVD are many, and listed thoroughly on the product page. Included is the eleven-minute sequence involving Snake, a bank robbery, and subsequent capture that led him to be sentenced to the prison. This was only available before on the laserdisc version, so I am really glad it made it here. After watching it and listening to the commentary, you'll understand why it was cut from the movie, but the gist is that it humanized the character of Snake too much. Also included from the laserdisc version is a full-length commentary by John Carpenter and Kurt Russell. Many commentaries I watch tend to be dry and boring, but it was wonderful listening to these two talk about scenes and reminisce. They go into great detail, all while keeping it interesting. Some of the other extras are nice, but probably not for everyone, like the mini comic book and the additional commentary by producer Deborah Hill and production designer Joe Alves. It's a bit dry and boring, and probably only would appeal to the more hardcore fans. And last but not least is the quality of the picture. It looks beautiful and crisp, better than I have ever seen it. All in all, this release is truly befitting of the title 'Special Edition'. This movie was followed up in 1996 by a somewhat disappointing sequel called Escape From LA. The elements were pretty much there for that one, but the gritty edginess that made Escape From New York so wonderful just wasn't. Maybe too much time had passed between the movies.

Cookieman108

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Ok. So I'm a HUGE fan of Escape from New York. Obviously that's going to make me a little demanding of any treatment of the film. Just from examining the packaging, though, you can tell this DVD release doesn't do the film justice. Here's how:

1. The only 'extras' on this DVD are the theatrical trailer. Well, the recent VHS release of the movie has a complete documentary on it along with footage that was edited out of the original film. This footage does the setup for Snake Pliskin getting sent to prison. Why wasn't this on the DVD? Probably because it's being saved for a future 'collector's edition' DVD. Any fan who bought this will have to then buy a copy of the good one.

2. The cover illustration depicts Pliskin with a snake tattoo on his arm. He has a snake tattoo on his stomach, not on his arm. If you flip the box over, there's even a photo from the movie where you can see he doesn't have a tattoo on his right arm.

3. In the synopsis on the back, the text says "Kurt Russell (Stargate) plays ...." Whoah! If you're going to make a parenthetical reference describing Kurt Russell by a movie he's been in, THIS IS THE MOVIE to use. Not Stargate. I'm not bashing Stargate, but I bet Escape from New York is Kurt Russell's best-selling movie on DVD. Having seen it in the theater, I instantly became a Kurt Russell fan. When he came out with The Thing, Stargate, and Soldier, it was Snake Pliskin that made me want to see those movies.

Ok. So I've been ranting. The last comment I have to make is that if you're sick of buying DVD's that later get trumped by the 'collector's edition' being released, then don't buy this. Hold out for the inevitable 'Special Edition' of Escape from New York.

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I'm sick and tired of Amazon lumping DVD reviews together with Bluray reviews. This gets really annoying when I'm trying to learn about improvements made for a Bluray release. And now we have 2 different Bluray options for this movie, Escape From New York. One is a combo pack from MGM and is $15 and change and the other is from Canalstudio, priced about $10 higher. What am I supposed to do? Which one looks better? Which one has the correct aspect ratio? Amazon (I have read) has the wrong aspect ratio listed on one of these releases making this problem even worse! Which one has more bonus features? Does either of these releases have the deleted scene included in the deluxe 2 disc DVD? ARE YOU LISTENING AMAZON? I know someone has to check this review for curse words, unless they have an automated system doing that.

Also, how about listing the bonus features for every movie? All you have to do is read the back of the cover and enter the information.

Amazon is still my favorite place to shop. They have the biggest selection, and with Amazon Prime I get free 2 day shipping. But the problems I have mentioned is really making my life difficult.

Oh and by the way, my 5 star rating is for this movie. It is one of my all-time favorites, in any format. As far as which edition you should buy, well, good luck. Amazon has left it to be a guessing game.

Broadcast News (The Criterion Collection) (1987)

Of all James L. Brooks' films, Broadcast News is the most successful at merging his T.V. sitcom sensibilities with his cinematic aspirations. His film is not only chock full of truisms about network news but is also an incredibly entertaining and witty romantic comedy that is unafraid to sprinkle moments of compelling drama throughout.

The first disc includes an audio commentary with writer-director-producer James L. Brooks and editor Richard Marks. Rather appropriately, Brooks starts off with talking about the genesis of the film and how the success of Terms of Endearment affected it. He points out the bits in the film that came from his extensive research and touches upon the casting of the lead roles for example, Holly Hunter was a last minute addition. Brooks is refreshingly candid and tells all kinds of fascinating filming anecdotes.

Also included is a theatrical trailer.

The second disc starts off with a 36-minute documentary entitled, James L. Brooks A Singular Voice, with past collaborators singing his praises. It starts off with his trailblazing work in T.V. with 227, The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Simpsons and how he helped change the medium. It also examines his transition into film and the success of Terms and how it led to Broadcast News.

There is an alternate ending and 19 minutes of deleted scenes with optional commentary by Brooks. The ending is quite visceral and emotionally raw but is fascinating alternative to what is in the final film. For the deleted footage, Brooks talks about why it was cut and puts it into context. Interestingly, an entire subplot involving Tom and his news source was cut out.

Also included is an interview with Susan Zirinsky, a veteran CBS News producer, one of the models for Jane in the film, and an advisor and associate producer. She talks about meeting Brooks for the first time as well as telling amusing and engaging anecdotes that really shed light on how truthful the film is about journalism. This is a fantastic extra and one of the highlights of this edition.

There is a promotional featurette done at the time of the film's release that, at times, plays like an extended trailer only with perceptive interview soundbites from Brooks and the cast. Still, it is interesting to watch. Even better is additional interviews and on-set footage not included in the featurette that runs an impressive 18 minutes. It provides quite a bit of insight into Brooks' intentions and how the film got made.

A crackerjack of a movie, it's an intelligent and very funny look at TV broadcast news and the people who bring it to us. William Hurt is the pretty face/no brains anchor, Albert Brooks the smart writer who wants to be an anchor but doesn't have the talent, and Holly Hunter is the hyperactive producer who falls for both guys and loses both. So much is going on in this movie that repeated viewings reveal new insights and are always enjoyable. Great acting by all, and the script is terrific. The only fault, and it's a minor one, is the epilogue: it's superfluous. To me, this is one of the best, if not THE best, movies of the 80's.

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While this is without question a 5-star film, the dvd leaves MUCH to be desired. Let me begin with the widescreen framing. I was happy to finally see this arrive on dvd in its proper wide format. Out of curiosity I took out my oft-played VHS copy and compared the compositions. Understanding that many 1.85:1 pictures are merely 1.33:1 aspects with mattes placed on the top and bottom of the frame, I wasn't expecting to be too disappointed with the missing, albeit unintended, visual information. But I have to say not only is the top and bottom masked off, but the SIDES are zoomed in and cropped as well. In other words you lose information on ALL FOUR SIDES, and it does NOT look good. This CANNOT be what James L. Brooks had in mind...could it?!?! Sorry to say, but this has to be one of the most RARE examples where the "full-frame", that is, full aperture is preferred over the letterboxed edition. Which brings me to my next point: somebody PLEASE re-issue this as a Special Edition, replete with commentaries, and any extra footage. Finally, whoever, please, PLEASE re-frame this into a 1.78:1 anamorphic transfer. Widescreen is preferred, but on the existing dvd the framing is just too tight.

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The accuracy of Criterion's new blu-ray version of BROADCAST NEWS is evident the minute the 20th-Century Fox logo is displayed: it is rich in the kind of grain that dominated film stock of the eighties. The color timing is superb and topples all previous video releases in richness and detail. The video extras are indulgent promotional pieces crass for Criterion; but the commentary by Brooks will be of interest for those that want to delve deeper.

The film is a pinnacle in Brooks' career he never did anything better, before or since, and all his experience in the tacky world of sitcom television really pays off here and he successfully avoids making a pastiche of Chayefsky's cynically brilliant NETOWRK in favor of his own perceptive humanist view. Brooks rightfully and continually praises his marvelous BROADCAST NEWS cast; it's a picture dependent on their perfectly pitched performances.

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The media as purveyors of sensational 'news' in the spirit of good 'salesmanship' and entertainment as opposed to actually reporting unbiased, important events and issues to inform the public, that is journalism, as it was meant to be, is represented in this charming and witty film from the genius of James L. Brooks. (Terms of Endearment, As Good as it Gets) To be fair, some television news organizations attempt to report important events as they happen, avoiding sensationalism, the need to entertain, and maintain a modicum of integrity. But television news is more and more about the dazzling visual, the shocking threeminute sound bite between the all-important advertisements. This film cleverly addresses the question on what is 'real' news and what 'sells'. In the past we sort of had a clue or at least a choice as to what news source was credible, i.e., tabloid-ism and/or serious journalism. It all seems now to be blurred sensationalism, gossip, opinion, selling and the so-called 'facts' of an event or issue has now appeared to all have melded together in the pursuit of market share and the almighty dollar.

The character, Tom, (William Hurt) is a striving newsreader, and after reading sports at a local station, manages to land a job at one of the big networks. He is a little slow, can't write, and wouldn't know a real story if it dropped on his head, but he's good looking, personable, can at least read, and above all, has the innate ability to sell the birds off the trees. Here is the new force in television journalism news anchor as television star. Then there is Aaron, (Albert Brooks) the reporter's reporter brilliant, serious, idealistic and wholly uncharismatic in the popular sense. Although a writer with Pulitzer Prize ability, he attempts to read the news one Sunday night and almost drowns in his own flop sweat. Aaron is not a newsreader but a true writer and investigative journalist, a man who believes in the integrity of his profession. Then, of course, there's Jane, (Holly Hunter) a highly-strung, also brilliant, obsessive news producer, who shares this same idealistic integrity about journalism as her co-worker and best friend, Aaron. The film is about these three diverse and colourful individuals, who are drawn together for the same reasons, ambition and the news, but whose ideas about the news, their values concerning integrity, at least for one, are so different. This film is also about love, relationships and how the passionate desires of the heart do not necessarily match the logic of the head.

At the time of it release, this film was acclaimed as the best romantic comedy to come out in years. It continues to be enormously entertaining and the issues it raises are relevant today. The film truly depicts the world of television news, how its standards have slowly dropped from reporting the events and issues to entertaining us with gossip, sensationalism and that all-important dazzling visual news is now about entertainment and selling. This is a film that should be pulled from the shelf occasionally and watched to remind us about integrity, maintaining a high standard in our values, and what great movie making is all about. Five Stars.

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Alpha & Omega (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy) (2010)

Despite all the poor reviews online, my 6-yr old daughter loves this movie. Although I have not had the opportunity to sit down with her to watch the entire film, I will admit there is a lot of adult humor (like most children's movies nowadays... Look at Toy Story 3 and SpongeBob.) No matter... picture quality good, and my daughter really wanted to add this movie to her collection. At Target's unbeatable sale price of $9.00, it was a good buy too.

I am a 23 year old male and im usually into action and comedy but one day i was on Facebook when i saw the page for Alpha and Omega i watched the trailer to it and it looked pretty good then it was on ondemand so i decided to watch it and it turns out i really loved this movie it has some corny kids scenes but all in all a great movie for everyone to enjoy its one of the few movies i would watch over and over again

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Alpha and Omega has all the features of a good film. It has endearing characters, a classic plot, and lots of humor mixed in too. I'm 16, and I really enjoyed the film. You'll find yourself laughing one minute and "aww-ing" the next. I actually felt that the animation was fairly good, and the plot, while certainly not original, was a classic winner. As long as you still haven't lost connection with your inner child, I guarantee you that this movie will be a good buy.

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Certainly not the coolest animation movie I've seen, ... but certainly not the worst either. Actually it was reasonable good I suppose. Watched it with our 6 year old son, ... and he did like it. One of the scenes he liked most was those poor birds dropping from the sky, when ... (well I won't spoil it). Me... I liked the Canadian turkey with his caddy.

The story on its own was I suppose ok, ... a bit too cute, too sweet perhaps,....puppy love. But,... I don't know, somehow they pull it together after all. I mean,... I enjoyed it, laughed,.. most of all, I loved my sons reaction to it. He was entertained and laughed a lot.

I think I appreciate the makers effort in trying to use a different type of animal then usual in the leading role. Wolves! And usually wolves would be in the `bad/evil' role. I remember wondering at the beginning of the movie how they were going to pull this off I mean, weather they would succeed in portraying the wolves as "good". Because next to being in the "good" role, they also had to show the "strong" and "meaner" character of the wolves. I think they succeeded pretty well.

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this is a well made animated movie. this movie was entertaining and it was funny. this movie is for kids and kids at heart. great famliy film

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