Family Guy Presents: Something, Something, Something, Dark Side - Blu-ray Disc Review

***SYNOPSIS*** - The story of The Empire Strikes Back is retold. Darth Vader (Stewie) is hunting the rebel Luke Skywalker (Chris) and his troops relentlessly across the galaxy. On the ice planet Hoth, Luke has a vision of his late mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi (Herbert), telling him to go to the Dagobah system to learn the ways of the Force under Jedi Master Yoda (Carl). Meanwhile Princess Leia (Lois) finds herself taking a shine to the scruffy pilot Han Solo (Peter) and, against all odds, the two soon fall in love. But an encounter with Han’s old friend Lando Calrissian (Mort) lands them in the clutches of the Empire. Envisioning this, Luke chooses to forgo his Jedi training to save his friends. It all comes to a head in a climactic confrontation with Darth Vader himself…


***MOVIE REVIEW*** - Being a life long Star Wars fan I have been looking forward to this home video exclusive release since it was announced earlier this year.In short my expectations were met and then some.A ton of great references to 'The Empire Strikes Back'.Kudos as well to the always great voice cast.The animators did a nice job in bringing across the Star Wars/Family Guy universe together with such aplomb.If you're not a fan of Family Guy's sense of humor then I would suggest a rental first.If you're a fan of both franchises then this is an easy recommendation.


***VIDEO QUALITY*** - Included here is a 1080p transfer in the original aspect ratio of 1.33:1 using the AVC MPEG-4 codec.For those who thought this was going to just be an upconvert I can now happily assure you that this presentation is from a high-def master.A superb amount of color is displayed with bold outlines.Blacks are deep.There were no annoying technical problems noticed other than animation issues.An excellent presentation. 9/10


***AUDIO QUALITY*** - Like the video, this DTS HD-MA 5.1 track is better than expected.Dialogue was clear throughout.John Williams' iconic score sounds great but didn't utilize the surrounds as much as I would have liked.Surround presence was really good though with effects, especially any scenes taking place in outer space.Bass was good but won't shake your room.A fine job by Fox Home Entertainment earns a solid 9/10


***SPECIAL FEATURES***

**DISC 1**

* Audio Commentary - Executive producers Seth MacFarlane, Mark Hentemann and David A. Goodman, Writer Kirker Butler, Director Dominic Polcino and Actor Seth Green.
* Family Guy Fact-Ups - During the film random pop up trivia will appear on screen.
* The Dark Side of Poster Art (HD,9min) - The concept and design of the poster art for this release.
* Animatic Scene-to-Scene (HD,7min) - Includes commentary by Director Dominic Polcino.
* "Family Guy:Something, Something, Something, Dark Side" Table Read (HD,50min) - A cast read through of both Acts 1 & 2.
* Sneak Peek of "Family Guy Episode VI: We Have a Bad Feeling About This" (HD,2min30sec)

**DISC 2** - A digital copy disc is included for use with your PC, MAC , or iPod.

(500) Days Of Summer - Blu-ray Disc Review

***SYNOPSIS***In this quirky romantic comedy about love and fate, a young greeting card writer (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is hopelessly, helplessly searching for the girl of his dreams...and his new co-worker, Summer Finn (Zooey Deschanel), may just be “the one.” But the 500 days of their offbeat relationship reveal (in no particular order) that the road to happiness can be unpredictable, uncontrollable—and unbelievably funny.


***VIDEO QUALITY***(500) Days Of Summer arrives on Blu-ray in a nice 1080p AVC MPEG-4 presentation.This is a faithful reproduction of the theatrical presentation I saw.Colors are decidedly muted until Summer is present with cool Blues.Fleshtones came across as natural throughout.Blacks were rock solid.Detail was very good with strong textures.There was the slightest hint of light film grain which is always a plus to me.A great job by Fox Home Entertainment was done here by leaving things unmarred by DNR or Edge Enhancement. 9/10


***AUDIO QUALITY***A front heavy DTS HD-MA 5.1 track is presented here.There was barely any rear channel presence at all.Being a dialogue heavy film everything was crisp and clear.The brilliant soundtrack that accompanies the film has good stereo separation and exhibited nice subtle bass notes.In conclusion this is an underwhelming mix but is perfectly suitable for the film. 8.5/10


***SPECIAL FEATURES***


**DISC 1**

* Audio commentary with director Marc Webb, the writers Scott Neustadter,Michael H. Weber and actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt
* Lost Days Of Summer:Deleted and extended scenes with optional audio commentary(HD 14min)
* Audition tapes (SD 7min) - Geoffrey Arend, Matthew Gray Gubler
* 2 Storyboards sequences with optional commentary
* Not a Love Story: Making (500) Days of Summer(HD 30min)
* Summer at Sundance (HD 14min)
* Six Conversations with Zooey and Joseph (SD 12min)
-Acting vs Reality
-Creative Process
-Favorite Parts of L.A.
-Karaoke
-Los Angeles
-Music
* Filmmaking Specials -
-Director Marc Webb on Casting Joe and Zooey
-Director Marc Webb on the Summer Effect
-Director Marc Webb on French Film References
-Director Marc Webb on the Color Palette
-Fox Movie Channel: In Character with Zooey Deschanel
-Fox Movie Channel: In Character with Joseph Gordon-Levitt
* Webb's Bank Dance short film (SD 5min)
* Mean's Cinemash: Sid and Nancy/(500) Days of Summer (HD 3min)
* Temper Trap's Sweet Disposition music video (SD 4min)

**DISC 2** - A digital copy disc is included for use on your PC, MAC, or iPod.

District 9 - Blu-ray Disc Review

***SYNOPSIS*** From producer Peter Jackson (The Lord of the Rings Trilogy) and director Neill Blomkamp comes a startlingly original science fiction thriller that "soars on the imagination of its creators" (Peter Travers, Rolling Stone). With stunning special effects and gritty realism, the film plunges us into a world where the aliens have landed... only to be exiled to a slum on the fringes of Johannesburg. Now, one lone human discovers the mysterious secret of the extraterrestrial weapon technology. Hunted and hounded through the bizarre back alleys of an alien shantytown, he will discover what it means to be the ultimate outsider on your own planet.


***VIDEO QUALITY***Presented in 1080p using the MPEG-4 AVC video codec and original aspect ratio of 1.85:1.District 9 looks as crisp and smooth as would be expected for a new film.First thing I noticed was the high contrast that replicated the theatrical experience.The exceptional black levels are rich and deep.Colors are pretty much cool and subdued.Detail is quite impressive with notable depth.The newsreel footage has a decidedly "video" feel to it which is the way it should look.A very strong transfer earns this title a 9/10


***AUDIO QUALITY***Presented in a very impressive DTS-HD MA 5.1 track, District 9 sounds perfect.When we are shown the mixed media footage the track is front heavy and when the action goes back to the "documentary" footage things really heat up quick.The surrounds almost constantly engaged with sounds emanating from all corners of my listening room.Bass will have your room shaking with anticipation of what is going to happen next.Dialogue was always crisp and clear.This mix is truly one of the most immersive I've ever heard on the format to date.Excellent job done all around. 10/10


***SPECIAL FEATURES***

**DISC 1**

* Audio Commentary with Director/Co-Writer Neill Blomkamp
* (Movie IQ)Joburg From Above: Satellite and Schematics of the World of District 9 – Interactive Map lets you take a closer look at the different types of technology and aliens in the film.This feature is accessed while watching the film.This is also called Movie IQ
* Deleted Scenes(HD, 24min) - The scenes add a bit more information and are worth the watching.
* The Alien Agenda: A Filmmaker’s Log (HD,34min) - An interesting look at how Peter Jackson and the director brought their vision to the screen.Interviews with cast and crew members are included as well.
* Metamorphasis: The Transformation of Wikus (HD,10min) - An informative featurette looking at the make-up special effects.
* Innovation: The Acting and Improvisation of District 9 (HD,12min) - A look at the improvisation and documentary style blend used in the making of the film.
* Conception and Design: Creating the World of District 9 (HD,13min) - A nice look at more of the creative decisions used for bringing the film to the screen.
* Alien Generation: The Visual Effects of District 9 (HD,10min) - Another look at the making of the film ,this time focused on the alien creatures.
* “God of War III Demo” - For Sony PlayStation 3 users only. This is the E3 demo from earlier this year.Once you complete the demo you will see a brief behind the scenes glimpse of the game.
* Digital Copy - A digital copy is included on the main feature Blu-ray disc for Sony PlayStation 3 owners to transfer a digital copy to their PSP (PlayStation Portable).
**DISC 2** - A digital copy is included for PC, MAC, or iPod users.

Inglourious Basterds - Blu-ray Disc Review

***SYNOPSIS*** Brad Pitt takes no prisoners in Quentin Tarantino’s high-octane WWII revenge fantasy Inglourious Basterds. As war rages in Europe, a Nazi-scalping squad of American soldiers, known to their enemy as “The Basterds,” is on a daring mission to take down the leaders of the Third Reich.


***VIDEO QUALITY***Presented in the original aspect ratio of 2.39:1 using the AVC MPEG-4 codec 'Inglorious Basterds' looks absolutely stunning.Tarantino pulled out all the stops in making this his most visually beautiful film to date and it comes across perfectly with this transfer.Detail is pure perfection all around with the sumptuous period settings and details such as the gorgeous costume work pulling you ever closer into the world portrayed on screen.Colors are dialed back for a good part of the film but have startling pop to them whenever the color red splashes across the screen, such as any of the Nazi flags or clothing accessories, Shosanna's blush and lipstick, and the violent moments of bloodshed.

Black levels are deep and inky.Skintones are accurate.There were no signs of compression artifacts, DNR, or edge enhancement.A fine grain of layer was appreciated and made me feel like I was watching film instead of the usual plastic sheen that most films exhibit nowadays.This transfer is perfection and earns a 10/10


***AUDIO QUALITY***Just as impressive is the DTS-HD MA 5.1 track presentation.The film having a wealth of memorable dialogue is served well with voices always coming across clear and with the right amount of timber or pitch to the accent.Dialogue was at all times audible and never subdued by the crazy events during the film that could have overpowered the dialogue.Surround usage is utilized to perfection , especially during a chapter like "Operation Kino".There is a great sense of atmosphere and ambiance.Voices are heard form the foreground and background giving you a feeling of being in the middle of the tavern.When things get heated you can hear bullets whiz by, blood splash, and all forms of debris scatter across the room.

The soundtrack that Tarantino has assembled is among his very best and they sound marvelous on this track.My favorite selection was the use of David Bowie's song from the film "Cat People".Overall this is a wonderful presentation and perfectly compliments the stunning video. 10/10


***SPECIAL FEATURES***


**DISC 1**

* Extended and Alternate Scenes (HD,12min)- There are three scenes included, and they really don't differ much from their original theatrical version.
* Nation's Pride (SD,6min)- The full version of the Eli Roth directed movie within a movie, black & white Nazi film that plays during the end of the film in the movie theater full of Nazi's. Great stuff.
* Roundtable Discussion (HD,30min)- This is a wonderful, in depth conversation between Brad Pitt and Quentin Tarantino.This superb extra is hosted by former New York Times film critic Elvis Mitchell.
* Making of 'Nation's Pride' (HD,4min)- This is an amazingly fun 'making of' doc about the made up movie-within-a-movie.Includes interview with the cast and director Eli Roth in character.
* The Original 'Inglorious Bastards' (SD,8min)- A brief look at the Italian B-movie that Tarantino loved so much that he conveniently borrowed the title.
* Conversation with Rod Taylor (HD,7min)- A great conversation with Rod Taylor discussing his role as Winston Churchill in the film.He also discusses his work on Alfred Hitchcock's 'The Birds'.
* Rod Taylor on Victoria Bitter (HD,3min)- Another fabulous Rod Taylor anecdote.This time he revels in Quentin Tarantino bringing him his favorite beer and talking about his love of movies.
* Quentin Tarantino's Camera Angel (SD,3min)- A short but sweet look at Quentin Tarantino's adorably foul-mouthed clapboard girl.Absolutely hilarious.
* Hi Sallys (SD,2min)- A collection of the cast and crew saying hello to the editor of 'Inglourious Basterds,' Sally Menke.
* Poster Gallery Tour (SD,11min)- Elvis Mitchell takes us on a tour of the posters seen in the film.Very interesting and a must watch extra.
* Trailers -

- Original Teaser Trailer (HD,1:45)
- Original Theatrical Trailer (HD, 2:23)
- International trailer (HD, 2:08)
- Japanese trailer (HD, 1:07)

**Blu-ray Exclusive Special Features**

* Killin' Nazi Trivia Challenge - A very boring trivia game.
* Pocket Blu Interactivity- A new technology that will let you control aspects of the Blu-ray disc, as well as receive additional content, on your iPod Touch or iPhone device.
* D-Box - Requires compatible D-Box motion chair.

**DISC 2** - A digtial copy is included for download of the the film to your PC, MAC , or iPod.