BIOGRAPHY: Barrack Obama: From His Childhood to His Presidency - DVD Review

***SYNOPSIS***


When he called himself “a skinny kid with a funny name” at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, his star was already rising. By the time he triumphed in the 2004 Illinois Senate race, he was the golden child of a Democratic party in desperate need of a charismatic leader. And in November of 2008, he was the first African-American to be elected President of the United States.

BIO® narrates the definitive story of BARACK OBAMA, from his childhood in Honolulu to his history-making presidential win. Follow Obama through his teenage struggles for self-identity, his student days at Columbia University and Harvard Law School, and finally, through his political career in Chicago, where he rose to fame through a focus on ethics and political reform. Go behind the scenes of Obama’s extraordinarily successful presidential campaign, his triumphant election, and his historic first term in the White House.

Featuring insightful interviews with friends and family members, as well as previously unreleased footage of Obama’s campaign and victory, BARACK OBAMA chronicles the uniquely American story of one man rising up to fight for what he believes in—and, the dawning of a new chapter in American history.





***VIDEO QUALITY***


BIOGRAPHY: Barrack Obama arrives on DVD with a 480i transfer in the original aspect ratio of 1.33:1. This was a very soft image with muted colors. The footage is a mix of vintage and somewhat new but taken from various sources which leads to an inconsistent mess. 5/10


***AUDIO QUALITY***


Audio is provided by a Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0 track. Dialogue and narration is crisp and clean. There really isn't much else to this track. 6/10

Essential Games of the Texas Rangers - DVD Review

***SYNOPSIS***
OUR ESSENTIAL RANGERS GAMES NOW AVAILABLE ON DVD!

Across more than four decades the Texas Rangers built a state-of-the art stadium, scripted new chapters in baseball’s history books, and established a championship franchise.

The four games in this remarkable collection are woven together thru a series of intertwined connection points. From Nolan Ryan’s historic 7th No-Hitter—to the Club’s first playoff win in the Bronx—to beating the Bronx Bombers for the pennant—to capturing back-to-back pennants each under the leadership of Nolan Ryan and manager Ron Washington.

Each of these four historic games is a mile marker for Rangers fans and each game is now showcased to be savored for the relentless excitement, unfolding stories and exhilarating finishes. Settle back, unfurl the Rangers red, white, and blue flags, and relive four glorious games of the Texas Rangers.

100% classic Rangers. 100% Texas baseball.

1986 ALDS GAME 1 vs. NYY, Oct 1, 1996: The Rangers rode into the first postseason game in franchise history and displayed their trademark power defeating the New York Yankees, 6-2.


NOLAN RYAN’S SEVENTH NO-HITTER vs. TOR, May 1, 1991: Almost 18 years after spinning his first no-hitter, Nolan Ryan punched out 16 batters to notch his record 7th no-no.

2010 ALCS GAME 6 vs. NYY, October 22, 2010: Rangers Ballpark in Arlington shook with a celebration three decades in the making – the Texas Rangers had won the American League Pennant!

2011 ALCS GAME 6 vs. DET, October 15, 2011: A history-making offensive outburst propelled the Rangers to their second consecutive American League Pennant.




***VIDEO QUALITY***

Essential Games of the Texas Rangers arrives on DVD with a 480p transfer in the original aspect ratio of 1.33:1 and 178:1. The first two games looked pretty good but suffer from inherent softness due to the tech at the time. Colors though were crisp. The last two games benefit form being filmed with modern HD tech and the colors pop , especially the lush green field and the Texas sky. Contrast was just right. Fine detail was solid with players jerseys clear and readable. The ballpark looked great. 8/10


***AUDIO QUALITY***

Audio is provided by a Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0 track. A consistently crisp and clean track. Some nice stereo separation was noticed during most exciting moments of the games presented here. 7/10

Dance Moms: Season 1 - DVD Review

***SYNOPSIS***


Set in Pittsburgh’s renowned Abby Lee Dance Company, owned and operated by notoriously demanding and passionate instructor Abby Lee Miller, Lifetime’s explosive new docu-series DANCE MOMS follows children’s early steps on the road to stardom and the doting mothers who are there for every rehearsal, performance and bow…all under the discerning eye of Miller. Presenting a powerful cast of characters sure to raise eyebrows, the series immerses itself in the highs and lows surrounding competition season to deliver an intriguing and dramatic look at the frantic pursuit of the ultimate National Dance title. Centered on the devoted Miller, who runs her school with an iron tap shoe as she instructs her young, talented students while dealing with over-the-top mothers who go to great lengths to help their children’s dreams come true, DANCE MOMS poses tough questions about what really goes on behind-the-scenes in the fast-growing and controversial sport of competitive dance.


* DISC ONE - The Competition Begins / Wildly Inappropriate / Cheerleader Blues / Stealing the Show

* DISC TWO - When Stars Collide / Dying to Dance / She’s a Fighter

* DISC THREE - Love on the Dance Floor / From Ballerinas to Showgirls / Cathy Brings It On!

* DISC FOUR - It All Ends Here / There’s Only One Star / Most Outrageous Moments





***VIDEO QUALITY***


Dance Moms arrives on DVD with a 480p transfer in the original aspect ratio 1.78:1 - The bold leotards and dance uniforms were richly saturated. Detail was about average. Contrast was well balanced with solid black level performance8/10


***AUDIO QUALITY***


Audio is provided by a Dolby Digital 2.0 track. - Dialogue was crisp and clean. The flops and bounces of the girls came across wells as did Abby Lee Millers shouting. Music exhibited decent stereo separation.7/10


***SPECIAL FEATURES***

* Most Outrageous Moments

* Additional Bonus Footage

James Cameron's Avatar 3D Limited Edition coming to Blu-ray Ocotber 16th

I Have a very exciting announcement for you all this morning. Our friends at Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment have let it be know that for the first time ever James Cameron's Avatar will be available in a Limited Edition 3D as a Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray + DVD combo pack on October 16,2012. Now for those of you who may say "I already have Avatar in 3D" , please remember that that was a very limited disc included with a 3d glasses kit a couple years ago. This will be the first time it has been released for all fans to enjoy at an affordable price. Below is the official press release:




PANDORA COMES TO LIFE LIKE NEVER BEFORE WITH
THE ULTIMATE HOME VIEWING EXPERIENCE

AVATAR
ON BLU-RAY 3D
Over 33 Million Facebook Fans Receive Exclusive
Global Announcement as the Film That Became a Worldwide
Phenomenon Arrives on Blu-ray 3D in October

LOS ANGELES, CA. (August 14, 2012) – The world of Pandora has never looked better as over 33 million AVATAR Facebook fans were the first to learn of the upcoming release of the AVATAR Blu-ray 3D Collector’s Edition, debuting globally beginning October 15, releasing in North America October 16, from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. A home entertainment experience like no other, for the first time ever, fans will be able to welcome James Cameron’s global box office sensation into their homes in stunning 3D high-definition.

“3D television is the future of home entertainment,” said James Cameron, the Oscar® winning Director. “I’m a huge proponent of the technology and very pleased that AVATAR can be viewed in the living room the way it is meant to be seen.”

“As the number of homes with 3D televisions continues to grow, we thought it was important to bring the biggest 3D film ever right into your living room,” continued Jon Landau, Academy Award® winning Producer of Avatar. “This is the only way fans should experience the world of Pandora and this release offers the highest picture quality possible. ”Previously only available to consumers through an exclusive deal with Panasonic, the two-disc AVATAR 3D Blu-ray Collector’s Edition will feature the original theatrical release and be available in all-new collectible packaging. Seen by more than 310 million people worldwide, the Oscar and Golden Globe winning epic is the highest grossing film of all time, taking in more than $2.7 billion in worldwide box office. It is also top-selling Blu-ray disc of all time.

Essential Games of the Philadelphia Phillies - DVD Review

***SYNOPSIS***
Since their formation in 1883 the Philadelphia Phillies have played more than 19,000 games. This DVD collection celebrates four remarkable games spanning four decades of Phillies pennants, champions, and spectacular victories.

The four games showcase powerful batting lineups, stellar pitching, and the energizing spirit of Philadelphia’s passionate, full-throated fan base. This time-capsule salute begins with the Phillies 1980 National League pennant clincher accomplished by one of the most decorated teams in history, and eventual World Series winners. The second, more than a decade later, showcases the relentless and colorful 1993 pennant-winning club which pummeled the National League. Then, with the start of a new century the Phillies found a new home and were crowned champions again in 2008, with the final World Series game preserved in this set. The closing game is an extraordinary, historic performance—Roy Halladay’s no-hitter in the 2010 NLDS—only the second postseason no-hitter in history.

100% classic Phillies. 100% Philadelphia baseball.

FOUR ESSENTIAL PHILLIES GAMES NOW AVAILABLE ON DVD!

1980 NLCS GAME 5, vs. HOU, October 12, 1980: The Phillies captured their third pennant and first since 1950 led by Mike Schmidt, Steve Carlton, and deep roster of stars.

1993 NLCS GAME 6, vs. ATL, October 13, 1993: Powered by a relentless lineup and remarkable team spirit the Phillies captured the pennant with power, swagger, and style.

2008 WORLD SERIES GAME 5 vs. TBR, October 27, 2008: Forced to wait a few extra hours it was all the sweeter as the Phillies held the World Series trophy once again.

2010 NLDS GAME 1, vs. CIN, October 6, 2010: A masterpiece performance for the ages as Roy Halladay spun a no-hitter, only the second ever in the history postseason play.





***VIDEO QUALITY***

Essential Games of the Philadelphia Phillies arrives on DVD with a 480p transfer in the original aspect ratios of 1.33:1 and 1.78:1 As expected the first two games are okay but suffer from image softness. Colors though were quite nice. The last two games benefit form being filmed with modern tech and the colors pop , especially the lush green field. Contrast was just right. Fine detail was solid with players jerseys easily readable and crowds weren't blurred into the background. 8/10



***AUDIO QUALITY***

Audio is provided by a Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0 track. A consistently crisp and clean track. Some nice stereo separation was noticed during more lively moments of the games. 7/10

Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers - Blu-ray Disc Review

***SYNOPSIS***

MICHAEL LIVES. AND THIS TIME THEY’RE READY! Now remastered in HD and featuring an all-new audio commentary! Because Hell would not have him, Michael Myers survived the mine explosion thought to have killed him. One year later, his traumatized young niece Jamie (Danielle Harris of HALLOWEEN 4) is horrified to discover she has a telepathic bond with her evil Uncle…and that Uncle Michael is on his way back to Haddonfield. But Dr. Loomis (the late, great Donald Pleasence) has a new plan to destroy The Boogey Man in his childhood home using Jamie as bait. Tonight, the carnage begins again: Michael Myers is back witha vengeance! Ellie Cornell and Beau Starr return for this hit sequel that features grisly gore by K.N.B. EFX Group (ARMY OF DARKNESS, SCREAM, HOSTEL), and is now fully remastered in DiviMax™ for the ultimate Michael Myers mayhem!






***VIDEO QUALITY***

Halloween 5 arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer in the original aspect ratio 1.85:1 - Now this is a really nice presentation. Shame that this sequel is the one that shines on it's Blu-ray debut over the superior movie that precede it, Halloween 4. Colors were lush with no smearing or bleeding. Fine detail took a nice step up, could see individual stitches in clothing and the makeup effects on Loomis don't hold up as well cause you can see the prosthetic clearly now. Shadow detail was great and added to the tension when you see glimpses of Michael Myers from a distance.

Black levels were consistently deep. Contrast was just right on this one. There was some noticeable grain sometimes which adds to the viewing in my opinion. No compression artifacts that I could see and a lot less print damage than Halloween 4. This was a pleasant surprise. 8.5/10



***AUDIO QUALITY***


Audio is provided by a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track. - This track was a solid performer with deep bass and scary surround usage that made me feel like I was in the town of Haddonfield. Dialogue was crisp and clean throughout. Teh more scary and tense moments benefit from well placed sound effects in the rear speakers. Knife slashes, doors closing, a light breeze whispers past your ear naturally until the attack comes and your jolted out of your chair from the hefty bass that compliments the moody score. This is a strong presentation that draws the listener into the on screen action. 8.5/10



***SPECIAL FEATURES***
* Audio Commentary with Director (Dominique Othenin-Girard) and (Author Justin Beahm)

* Audio Commentary with Actors (Don Shanks),(Danielle Harris), and (Jeffrey Landman)

* Halloween 5: On The Set

* Halloween 5: Original Promo

* Theatrical Trailer

Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers - Blu-ray Disc Review

***SYNOPSIS***
TEN YEARS AGO HE CHANGED THE FACE OF HALLOWEEN. TONIGHT HE’S BACK. A decade ago, he butchered 16 people trying to get to his sister. He was shot and incinerated, but still the entity that Dr. Sam Loomis (the legendary Donald Pleasence) calls “Evil on two legs” would not die. Tonight, Michael Myers has come home again…to kill! This time, Michael returns to Haddonfield for Jamie Lloyd (Danielle Harris of HALLOWEEN 5 and THE LAST BOYSCOUT) – the orphaned daughter of Laurie Strode – and her babysitter Rachel (Ellie Cornell of HALLOWEEN 5 and HOUSE OF THE DEAD). Can Loomis stop Michael before the unholy slaughter reaches his innocent young niece?Michael Pataki, Sasha Jenson and Kathleen Kinmont co-star in this smash sequel that marked the long-awaited return to the original storyline and remains infamous for its startling twist ending and graphic violence.





***VIDEO QUALITY***

Halloween 4 arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer in the original aspect ratio 1.85:1 - I will start by stating that this looks in a lot ways like an upconvert of the Divimax DVD release. There are noticeable white specks that pop up once in awhile if you're looking for them, a line all the way through the left side of the picture during the opening sequence for a few seconds. There are moments of softness that hampers fine detail. There were some scenes where trees in the background looked mushed together instead of standing out from each other subtly.

All this being said if you can pick up this title on the cheap you will pleased by the stronger color reproduction, nice detail on closeups despite the inherent softness that rears it's head from time to time. Grain lovers will be happy , there are no signs of DNR as far as I can tell. Black levels wavered a few moments but on the whole were quite deep and exhibited good shadow detail. Contrast was a solid performer. Overall this isn't a shiny new transfer like some may have been hoping for but when in motion the image is a decent upgrade. 7/10



***AUDIO QUALITY***

Audio is provided by a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track. While not an overly aggressive track the musical score gets some nice heft from the LFE. Dialogue was crisp and clean except for the moments where it was clearly ADR and then sounded a little canned. Surrounds let the score breathe a little and some more tense scenes are subtly enhanced by the rear effects. Overall this lossless track is a good upgrade from the Divimax DVD


***SPECIAL FEATURES***
These are the same special features that were on the Divimax DVD version and while the commentaries are solid listens it would have been nice to have the over 30 minutes of extended and deleted scenes that were originally promised for this Blu-ray debut of the film.

* Audio Commentary with Writer Alan B. McElory

* Audo Commentary with Actors Ellie Cornell and Danielle Harris

* HALLOWEEN 4 & 5 Discussion Panel

* Theatrical Trailer

American Pickers: Volume 4 - DVD Review

***SYNOPSIS***


HISTORY’s ratings record-breaker is back for another installment!

In small towns, and along America’s back roads, treasures are waiting to be uncovered — valuable relics from our history that are hidden in junk piles, buried in barns and stacked in garages. It takes experts to find them — and turn rust to riches. American Pickers follows two of the most skilled “pickers” — Mike Wolfe, owner of Antique Archaeology, and his business partner, Frank Fritz— as they hunt down objects with historical, collectible and pop culture value. Along the way, they meet people whose own stories open a window into American lives and history. AMERICAN PICKERS: VOLUME 4 proves there’s no place Mike and Frank won’t go in search of hidden treasure as they pick through the hills of Malibu, California, go to a backcountry Alabama auction, and go on assignment for William Shatner.

* DISC ONE - Fairlane Fever / Too Hot To Handle / Trading Up / The Emu Chase

* DISC TWO - Keep Out! / They Boldly Go / The Possum Trot / California Dreamin’





***VIDEO QUALITY***


American Pickers arrives on DVD with a 480p transfer in the original aspect ratio of 1.78:1. I was pleased overall with the image on display here. Colors consist mostly of earth tones and browns due to the old dusty locations that Mike and Frank rummage through all day. Detail was quite good and helps in showing the items that Mike and Frankie are looking at with some nice close-ups. Black levels were pretty deep. A pleasing overall image.8/10


***AUDIO QUALITY***


Audio is provided by a Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0 track. The on location dialogue is crisp and clean. The theme music is upbeat with a fun and peppy country twang. Bass was subtle when the music kicked in. This audio presentation was fine. 7/10