Horatio Hornblower: The Further Adventures - DVD Review

***SYNOPSIS***

He is the ultimate high-seas hero: a man of unshakable courage, unwavering principles, and extraordinary skill. Joining the Royal Navy at the outset of the bloody Napoleonic Wars, Horatio Hornblower rises quickly from raw recruit to seasoned sailor, and his exploits become the stuff of legend.

A&E’s lavish adaptations of C.S. Forester’s classic novels charmed millions of viewers with their swashbuckling action, broadside battles, and below-decks intrigue. This set brings together two feature-length chapters in the Emmy®-winning Hornblower saga: THE DUCHESS AND THE DEVIL and THE WRONG WAR.

Ioan Gruffudd (The Fantastic Four, Titanic) gives a star-making performance as the dashing hero, and the stellar supporting cast includes Robert Lindsay (Me & My Girl), Jamie Bamber (Band of Brothers), and Paul Copley (Queer as Folk).

*DISC ONE* The Duchess and the Devil / Bonus: Behind-the-Scenes Making of HORATIO HORNBLOWER

*DISC TWO* The Wrong War / Bonus Program “England’s Royal Warships” Hosted by Edward Winsor



***VIDEO QUALITY***

Further Adventures arrives on DVD with a 480p transfer in the original aspect ratio of 1.33:1. An okay presentation with above average detail for a miniseries over a decade old. Colors were well represented here and the coats worn by the various men had good shading. Black levels were decent. Nothing overly great here but no major damage or anomalies were exhibited. 6/10



***AUDIO QUALITY***

Audio is provided by a Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0 track. A solid job has been done here with crisp dialogue reproduction and a valiant score sounding well bodied. 7/10



***SPECIAL FEATURES***

Behind-The-Scenes Making of HORATIO HORNBLOWER
England’s Royal Warships hosted by Edward Winsor

Latest Trailer for Star Wars: The Complete Saga coming to Blu-ray September 16th

Lucasfilm has released a new trailer that shows some very brief looks at more deleted footage and vintage behind-the-scenes documentaries. For any fans of the DVD extras it looks like it would wise to save them as these are new features or vintage ones that have never been released for home viewing. Star Wars: The Complete Saga Blu-ray is set to release on September 16, 2011. The packaging looks very similar to the excellent Alien Anthology release. Love the collage of characters on the back panel.

"Do or do not, there is no try"

Only In America With Larry The Cable Guy: Volume 1 - DVD Review

***SYNOPSIS***

HISTORY breaks comedic ground as Larry the Cable Guy takes a zany spin around the U.S. From the Oregon Trail to the Grand Canyon, from crossing the Delaware to searching for California’s gold, Larry’s signature persona delivers offbeat America, with stories of real history and loads of down-home fun. Larry “gits-r-done,” as he visits iconic sites, engaging people along the way. ONLY IN AMERICA WITH LARRY THE CABLE GUY brings fun-loving “country” to an historic level.

*DISC ONE* Larry Makes Moonshine / Larry Goes to the Swamp / Larry Shoots Guns (half-hour) / Larry Gets the Horns (half-hour) / Larry Breeds Mules (half-hour) / Larry Races Dogs (half-hour)

*DISC TWO* Larry Gits a Gator / Larry Goes Trucking / Larry is an Astronaut / Larry Rides with the Hells Angels


***MOVIE REVIEW***

"Git-R-Done", if this phrase makes you cringe then this show isn't for you but for anyone that is willing to dip their toe in this shows waters will be pleasantly surprised. Larry The Cable Guy is a fun host who has a humble and kind southern attitude and really seems to enjoy discovering the many great things our very own country has to offer. You will learn some history and see some beautiful on location scenery sometimes as well. 8/10


***VIDEO QUALITY***

Only In America arrives on DVD with a 1080p transfer in the original aspect ratio of 1.78:1. The show airs in HD but this is a fine standard def presentation. Color reproduction is solid with Larry's wardrobe of flannel coming across well. Contrast and detail is above average. The show is shot on location at the various places the host visits and it looked very natural. 7.5/10


***AUDIO QUALITY***
Audio is provided by a Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0 track. The fun country music cues are well represented and Larry's narration and the natural on location dialogue was consistently crisp and clean. 7/10

EXCLUSIVE PRE-RELEASE VIDEO WWE: Randy Orton Evolution of a Predator 3-Disc DVD

Here is my exclusive video preview of the package contents for the September 6, 2011 release of WWE: Randy Orton Evolution of a Predator 3-Disc DVD set.

WORLD EXCLUSIVE PRE-RELEASE PHOTOS WWE: Randy Orton Evolution of a Predator 3-Disc DVD

Good afternoon everyone. I just got in WWE: Randy Orton Evolution of a Predator 3 -Disc DVD set to release on September 6, 2011. WWE has been random in their choice of listing DVD Disc content or not, but thankfully this time we have full content listing on the left panel of the set. This is some of the nicest packaging in quite awhile, the front cover has a ton of embossing and even the individual snake bones are embossed. Nice work on this set. Review to follow shortly.

The Thomas Hardy Collection -DVD Review

***SYNOPSIS***

Prepare to be swept away by the romance and drama of two masterpieces from one of the greatest figures in English literature – Thomas Hardy.

TESS OF THE D’URBERVILLES
Her luminous beauty blazing against the bleak background of rural Victorian England, Tess Durbeyfield is one of literature’s best-loved and most memorable heroines. Violated by one man and forsaken by another, she refuses to remain a victim. But her struggle to endure despite the abandonment of her true love–and her desperate attempt to attain happiness–propel Tess toward a tragic end.

THE MAYOR OF CASTERBRIDGE
Destitute and drunken, Michael Henchard is an itinerant farmhand who sells his wife and daughter to a sailor in a moment of alcohol-fueled desperation. So begins THE MAYOR OF CASTERBRIDGE, Thomas Hardy’s enduring classic. Ciaran Hinds (Road to Perdition, Jane Eyre) stars as the tragic, tormented Henchard. Decades after his fateful decision, now reformed and respectable, he is offered a chance at redemption when his wife re-appears with her daughter. But the reunion’s promise is soon tarnished by a web of jealousy, deceit and wounded pride.

*DISC ONE* Tess of the D’Urbervilles
DISC TWO* The Mayor of Casterbridge



***VIDEO QUALITY***
Thomas Hardy Collection arrives on DVD with a 480i transfer in the original aspect ratio of 1.33:1. These made for TV miniseries were actually shot on film and considering they were filmed up to 13 years ago they look consistently pretty good. They were inherent signs of print damage but besides that colors came across well, though muted. Contrast was average for this vintage of tv film presentation. 6/10


***AUDIO QUALITY***
Audio is provided by a Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0track. A very pleasing audio presentation with crisp dialogue and a well represented musical score. Stereo separation was good. 6.5/10


***SPECIAL FEATURES***

Thomas Hardy Biography and Bibliography

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO PREVIEW WWE: OMG Top 50 Incidents In WWE HistoryDVD

Here is my exclusive video preview of the package contents for the August 23rd release of WWE: OMG The Top 50 Incidents In WWE History 3-Disc DVD set.

EXCLUSIVE FIRST LOOK PHOTOS WWE: OMG The Top 50 Incidents in WWE HistoryDVD

Hello all. I just got in WWE: OMG The Top 50 Incidents In WWE History 3 -Disc DVD set to release on August 23, 2011. WWE doses not have content listing on the first left flap of the fold out case this time.UGH!(see photo below).

EXCLUSIVE FIRST LOOK PHOTOS WWE: Money In The Bank 2011 DVD

Hello all. I just got in WWE: Money In The Bank 2011 DVD set to release on August 16, 2011. This is without a doubt the best PPV that WWE booked in several years and the crowd in Chicago makes this worth the purchase alone. I'll review the DVD of CM Punks' biggest night of his career in full detail by tomorrow night.