July 29, 2011

Magic In Minnesota: Remembering the 1991 World Series Championship - DVD Review



***SYNOPSIS***


In more than 100 years of World Series play there have been many that could be considered memorable and a handful that might be classified as unforgettable. But only one can be called the best ever – and for many the 1991 World Series between the Atlanta Braves and Minnesota Twins was just that. Consider:

*FIVE GAMES DECIDED BY ONE RUN
*FOUR GAMES WON IN THE LAST AT-BAT
*THREE EXTRA-INNING GAMES WERE THE MOST EVER
*AND THE FINAL TWO GAMES–JUST INCREDIBLE

MAGIC IN MINNESOTA revels in the mesmerizing masterpiece of Jack Morris’ 1-0, 10-inning Game 7 and Kirby Puckett’s unbelievable heroics in Game 6. This celebration salutes the contributions of superstars, support players, and the deafening, intimidating Minnesota Twins fans who electrified the Metrodome like never before and includes: Interviews with two-time World Champions manager Tom Kelly, Kent Hrbek, Gene Larkin, Dan Gladden, and John Gordon; Extensive game highlights, exclusive footage, and more!

MAGIC IN MINNESOTA is more than just another film about just another championship team. It’s about the Twins – your Twins – and perhaps the greatest World Series of all time.



***MOVIE REVIEW***


This is a fast paced and entertaining look back at what many consider the greatest fall classic ever. If you have already purchased MLB: 1991 World Series Collection this will make an excellent companion piece.


***VIDEO QUALITY***

Magic in Minnesota arrives on DVD with a 480i transfer in the original aspect ratio of 1.33:1. A clean if sometimes soft image is what you should expect from this presentation. The vintage game footage is pretty good with nice color saturation. 7/10


***AUDIO QUALITY***

Audio is provided by a Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0 track. A basic but well rendered track that exhibited crisp and clean dialogue as well as game commentary clips. 6.5/10


***SPECIAL FEATURES***


Final outs from Twins four 1991 ALCS victories
Celebrtion footage after winning the 1991 American League Pennant
Vintage 1991 Minnesota Twins commercial
1991 Twins meet the President at the White House
Kirby Puckett’s Hall of Fame Induction Speech

LEGO Star Wars: The Padawan Menace coming to Blu-ray (Walmart Exclusive) September 16th



20th Century Fox Home Entertainment will be releasing a Walmart Exclusive Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack of the animated 24 minute special LEGO Star Wars: The Padawan Menace on September 16, 2011. No technical specs or special features have been detailed so far. But for certain there will be an Exclusive Young Han Solo LEGO minifigure. Below is the trailer:

George Lucas' Red Tails Official Trailer

The first trailer for the George Lucas Executive Produced film Red Tails has been released. The film follows the Tuskegee Airmen as they make history serving in World War II as the first all African American aviation squad. The cinematography is gorgeous in this trailer. Red Tails is due to debut theatrically on January 20, 2012


July 26, 2011

Fast Five coming to Blu-ray Combo Pack October 4th



Universal Studios Home Entertainment has announced their plans to release the Vin Diesel and Paul Walker action flick Fast Five on a Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy Combo Pack on October 4, 2011. The film will be presented in full 1080p in the original aspect ratio of 2.35:1 and will be accompanied by a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. Special features will include the following:

* Audio commentary - Director Justin Lin
* Dom's Journey - Featurette examining Vin Diesel's character
* Brian O'Conner: From Fed to Con - Featurette examining Paul Walker's character
* Enter Federal Agent Hobbs - Featurette examining Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's character
* Deleted Scenes
* Gag Reel

**BLU-RAY EXCLUSIVE FEATURES**

* Dom vs. Hobbs - Featurette on the showdown
* On Set with Director Justin Lin - Behind-the-scenes of Fast Five with director Justin Lin
* Inside the Vault Chase
* Tyrese TV - Behind-the-scenes of Fast Five with Tyrese Gibson
* Take Control 2.0 - In-depth look at how the movie was made with director Justin Lin
* Virtual Car Garage Get an up-close inspection of the cars, moving models of the cars in a 360 degree view and tech specs
* Scene Explorer - Select various progressions of the same scene from storyboards to daily cuts
* Picture in Picture - Cast and crew share stories about the movie from your tablet or computer, in synchronization to the scene being played
* The Music of Fast Five - Tap your fingers to find out what song is playing, create your own playlist, and purchase songs right from your device
* Universal's Second Screen App Feature

Quentin Tarantino's Jackie Brown coming to Blu-ray October 4th



Lionsgate has announced their plans to release Quentin Tarantino's Jackie Brown for the first time ever on Blu-ray October 4, 2011. The film will be presented in the form of a newly remastered full 1080p tranfer in the original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and will be accompanied by a DTS-HD Master Audio track. The technical aspects of the disc are being overseen by Quentin TarantinoSpecial features will include the following:

* Critic's Corner: Then and Now **NEW FEATURE**
* Jackie Brown: How It Went Down
* "A Look Back at Jackie Brown" – Interview with director Quentin Tarantino
* Chicks With Guns Video
* Siskel & Ebert "At the Movies" - Jackie Brown movie review
* Jackie Brown on MTV
* Theatrical Trailer and TV Spots
* Stills Gallery

Pulp Fiction coming to Blu-ray October 4th



Lionsgate has announced their plans to release Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction for the first time ever on Blu-ray October 4, 2011. The film will be presented in the form of a newly remastered full 1080p transfer in the original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and will be accompanied by a DTS-HD Master Audio track. The technical aspect of this release are being overseen by Quentin Tarantino himself. Special features will include the following:

* Retrospective Cast Interviews **NEW FEATURE**
* Critics Corner: Then and Now **NEW FEATURE**
* Pulp Fiction: The Facts
* Deleted Scenes
* Behind the Scenes Montages
* Production design featurette
* Siskel and Ebert "At the Movies" – The Tarantino Generation
* Independent Spirit Awards
* Cannes Film Festival – Palm d'Or Acceptance Speech
* Charlie Rose Show – Interview with director Quentin Tarantino
* Theatrical Trailers and TV Spots
* Stills Gallery

Smallville: The Complete Tenth Season coming to Blu-ray November 29th



Warner Bros. Home Entertainment have announced their plans to release Smallville: The Complete Tenth Season on a 4-Disc Blu-ray set November 29, 2011. The show's final season will be presented in full 1080p in the original aspect ratio of 1.78:1 and it seems likely to be accompanied by a DTS-HD Master Audio track. Special features will include the following:

* Commentaries for 2 episodes
* Deleted Scenes
* Smallville: Coming Home - A featurette that showcases the 200th episode
* My Fathers, My Son - A featurette focusing on Clark's fathers/son relationships
* "How Do We Do" - Music video

The Crow coming to Blu-ray October 18th


Lionsgate has announced their plans to release the 1994 cult classic film, The Crow Blu-ray October 18, 2011. No technical specs or Blu-ray cover art has been detailed so far. Special features are set to include the following:

* Audio commentary with producer Jeff Most and screenwriter John Shirley.
* Behind-the-Scenes Featurette
* Extended/Deleted Scenes
* Storyboards
* Photo Galleries