Lee & Grant - DVD Review

***SYNOPSIS***

Produced with the cooperation of leading Civil War historian Winston Groom, author of Forrest Gump, LEE & GRANT is a personal look at two iconic leaders of the Civil War. Surprising details reveal the bold choices and almost godlike power Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee summoned on decisive battlefields like Vicksburg and Gettysburg that, within days of each other, turned the tide of the war. Originally aired in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, this special features a unique perspective, exploring how these men changed the course of American history.



***VIDEO QUALITY***

Lee & Grant arrives on DVD with a 480p transfer in the original aspect ratio of 1.78:1. This being a new production the image is very pleasing overall. Colors are somewhat muted do to the tone the production chose. Fine detail on uniforms and weaponry was good with fabric textures coming through great. Black levels were consistently good. 8/10




***AUDIO QUALITY***

Audio is provided by a Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0 track. We are treated to a strong track that would have been allowed to breath with a 5.1 mix. Dialogue and narration was crisp and clean. Sound effects were good with some nice stereo separation. 8/10



***SPECIAL FEATURES***

* Additional Footage

Baseball's Greatest Games: 1991 World Series Game 7 - DVD Review

***SYNOPSIS***

There are games that transcend the season or era or generations and rise to the pantheon of baseball greatness. The 1991 World Series matched two surprising ball clubs as each rose from last place finishes the year before. Over seven games – including three extra-inning affairs and five contests decided by one run – these two clubs battled as champions.

Game 7 of this relentless thriller matched veteran ace Jack Morris of the Minnesota Twins against the Atlanta Braves young gun big-game pitcher John Smoltz. With the hankie-waving HHH Metrodome masses creating jet-engine audio and energy, the game amazingly remained scoreless into extra innings. The marvelous Morris set down the Braves in the 10th frame and the fates unfolded as Gene Larkin’s World Series-ending RBI-single capped the 1991 Fall Classic and stamped this as perhaps the greatest World Series.

Direct from the Major League Baseball archives, this extraordinary television broadcast includes the quintessential making of a Fall Classic hero, an iconic moment, and one unforgettable baseball game.


***VIDEO QUALITY***

91 World Series Game 7 arrives on DVD with a 480i transfer in the original aspect ratio of 1.33:1. One of the greatest games in MLB history is given a decent transfer. As other Greatest Games productions before the 00's the image is soft, fine detail is lacking. Colors though on this title were quite good with the reds of the Braves and Twins Patches. Nothing to hinder you're enjoyment of the conclusion to this all time classic World Series. 6.5/10


***AUDIO QUALITY***

Audio is provided by a Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0 track. A consistently crisp and clean track. The best option is to listen to the radio play-by-play due to their being so close to the team their commentating. 7/10

Baseballs Greates Games: 1986 World Series Game 6 - DVD Review

***SYNOPSIS***

Was this the greatest game in World Series history? A lead-changing contest for the first nine innings, the Boston Red Sox took a two-run lead into the bottom of the eventful 10th inning. The Red Sox faithful moved to within one out of a long awaited World Series championship. One more out and this would be their first title since 1918. One out.

The Mets World Series was kept alive by Gary Carter’s two-out single which was matched by Kevin Mitchell, then Ray Knight. For Mets fans in the blink of a teary eye the score was tied and the cosmic momentum was headed in one direction. The sequence of Mookie Wilson’s “a little roller up along first…” and the Shea Stadium-rocking delirium that followed is forever chiseled in World Series history.

Direct from the Major League Baseball archives, this extraordinary television broadcast includes the quintessential drama of a Fall Classic, an iconic moment, and one unforgettable baseball game.



***VIDEO QUALITY***

86 World Series Game 6 arrives on DVD with a 480i transfer in the original aspect ratio of 1.33:1. The image is quite soft. Colors are muted. Detail was lacking and the overall image had a fuzziness to it. It is a shame that MLB hasn't taken as much care with their vintage film footage compared to other sports. 6/10



***AUDIO QUALITY***

Audio is provided by a Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0 track. The audio presentation was fine with a clean broadcast commentary and crowd atmosphere. The optional radio play-by-play was enjoyable as well. 7/10

Baseball's Greatest Games: 2004 ALCS Game 4 - DVD Review

***SYNOPSIS***

BASEBALL’S GREATEST GAMES * 2004 AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES * GAME 4 * THE BOSTON RED SOX WIN THIS ALL-TIME ALCS MATCHUP FEATURING DAVID ORTIZ’S HISTORIC HOME RUN

Exactly one year and a day prior, Boston had fallen to New York in a crushing and decisive ALCS Game 7. Fast forward and the Bronx Bombers, having won the previous game 19-8, were on the verge of sweeping the Red Sox. Entering the bottom of the 9th inning down a run with the greatest closer in postseason history on the mound — all signs pointed to another chilly autumn in New England.

But the fates and Terry Francona’s Red Sox had a different tale to write. The history-changing revolution began with a harmless 9th inning walk and ended with an explosive 12th inning walkoff game winner. No baseball team had ever clawed back to win a series after losing the first three games until the fall of 2004 when the Red Sox rewrote the record books.

Direct from the Major League Baseball archives, this extraordinary television broadcast includes the quintessential making of a Fall Classic hero, an iconic moment, and one unforgettable baseball game.


***VIDEO QUALITY***
ALCS Game 4 arrives on DVD with a 480i transfer in the original aspect ratio of 1.78:1. While the image is to a default a bit soft the colors have nice saturation and really show the green monster. Detail is average with some close ups bringing notice to individual patches and stitching. 7/10


***AUDIO QUALITY***

Audio is provided by a Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0 track. A solid track overall. The broadcast commentary is crisp and clean. Crowd din and atmosphere had some decent stereo separation. The highlight of course is the radio play-by-play, it is a treat to hear their call when David Ortiz homered and began the Red Sox's path to the World Series. 8/10

Baseball's Greatest Games: Derek Jeter's 3,000th Hit - DVD Review

***SYNOPSIS***

At some shining point after his stellar 1996 Rookie of the Year Award-winning season, and at some point as he accumulated five World Series championships with the New York Yankees, at some point after he became the all-time hit leader of the Bronx Bombers, it was clear that 3,000 hits was not a matter of “could he” but “when will he” reach the milestone.

On a picture-perfect afternoon in Yankee Stadium, before a capacity crowd energized with expectation, “the Captain,” “Mr. November” carved his name into the record books. With his usual flair for the dramatic, Jeter stroked hit #3,000 with a solo home run to ignite a wondrous celebration with his teammates and his adoring fans. But the exceptional day went beyond the mile marker of 3K as Jeter ended the affair 5/5–five hits in five at bats, the last producing the game-winning run.

Direct from Major League Baseball, this historic and extraordinary television broadcast includes a career milestone, a salute to achievement spanning three decades, and one unforgettable baseball game.


***VIDEO QUALITY***
Derek Jeter's 3,00th Hit arrives on DVD with a 480p transfer in the original aspect ratio of 1.78:1. This is a pleasing standard def downgrade of the HD shot game. Colors were strong with crisp whites. Detail of the Yankees pinstriped uniforms was good. No major signs of edge enhancement or compression were noticed. 7.5/10


***AUDIO QUALITY***

Audio is provided by a Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0 track. There is some decent stereo separation to bring you into the game. The broadcast commentary is crisp and clean. The highlight of the track is to listen the radio announcer play-by-play that is joy to hear as a Yankee fan when watching this milestone. 8/10


***SPECIAL FEATURES***

* A special DVD audio feature allows fans to watch the television broadcast and listen to the radio play-by-play!

* Post-Game Interview Footage with Derek Jeter and Jeter’s Milestones.