November 15, 2012

Ancient Aliens: Season 4 - Blu-ray Review




***SYNOPSIS***



Could natural disasters really be the work of extraterrestrial forces? In 2011, after a 30-foot tsunami ravaged Tohoku, Japan, the local media reported more than 1,000 UFO sightings over the inundated shoreline. Did otherworldly beings that descended from the sky have anything to do with the abrupt disappearance of the Mayans?

Does the Mayan Long Count Calendar, in which the world ends on December 21, 2012, give credence to the Doomsday Prophecies? Are Grey Aliens real? Many have claimed to have been visited and even abducted by them. Is NASA sharing all that it knows about the universe? Or are they protecting us from the truth? ANCIENT ALIENS SEASON FOUR continues to examine 25 thousand years of the most credible alien evidence here on earth.

DISC ONE - The Mayan Conspiracy / The Doomsday Prophecies / The Greys / Aliens and Mega-Disasters

DISC TWO - The NASA Connection / The Mystery of Puma Punku / Aliens and Bigfoot / The Da Vinci Conspiracy

DISC THREE - The Time Travelers / Aliens and Dinosaurs


***MOVIE REVIEW***



***VIDEO QUALITY***



Ancient Aliens: Season 4 arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer in the original aspect ratio of 1.78:1. This transfer is a collage of various sources including vintage footage, newly shot HD location footage and interviews, CG effects,etc. The HD filmed sequences exhibit nice color saturation and strong black levels. Vintage film or video footage was sometimes soft and noisy, but nothing to mar the overall enjoyment of the image. A very nice presentation.8/10


***AUDIO QUALITY***



Audio is provided by a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track. Dialogue was crisp and clear throughout. There are some subtle pans between the front two channels providing good stereo separation. A clean if not very exciting presentation.7.5/10

November 14, 2012

History in 3D Set - Blu-ray Review




***SYNOPSIS***



WWII IN 3D:
WWII in 3D creates a fully immersive portrait of history’s largest and bloodiest conflict. From the rise of the Nazis and their sweep across Europe to the Allied counterattack and the fall of Nazi Germany, dramatic moments were captured in 3D and then shuttered away in secret archives. Compiled here for the first time, are 3D color photos from Allied reconnaissance, images documenting the rise and fall of the Third Reich, photos secretly taken by a civilian in occupied France and more.

TITANIC 100 YEARS IN 3D :
In 2010, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and RMS Titanic, Inc. undertook an unprecedented expedition to document the entire wreck site and capture it all with high-resolution optical video, sonar, acoustic imaging, and 3D-HD video. Titanic: 100 Years in 3D pairs this stunning imagery with powerful untold stories of passengers and crew.

HISTORY OF THE WORLD IN TWO HOURS IN 3D
From the formation of the earth and the emergence of life, to the advance of man and the growth of civilization, the CGI-driven History of the World in Two Hours in 3D offers viewers a rapid-fire view of 14 billion years of history.


***VIDEO QUALITY***



Titanic: 100 Years arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer in the original aspect ratio of 1.78:1. Not a knockout 3D image, but there are some solid effects like individual dirt particles, items that have been buried in the ocean deep for decades and more. The talking head interviews exhibit some nice depth. Color saturation was balanced well. Fine detail was solid with a very sharp image but there were instances of a somewhat dim and noisy scene due to the limitations shooting underwater. 8.5/10

WWII in 3D arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer in the original aspect ratio 1.78:1 A pleasing 3D presentation that really pops off the screen with the still photos. Blacks and grays are perfectly balanced. Detail is crisp. The highlight of the show is a rare Nazi propaganda film that was shot in 3D. While the 3D of this part isn't mind blowing it is cool to see such a piece of history. 8.5/10

History of the World in Two Hours arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer in the original aspect ratio of 1.66:1. While the low budget CGI distracts sometimes, the overall presentation is solid. Color saturation was beautiful without any bleeding. Black levels were consistently inky. Fine detail was above average with a couple instances of softness but nothing to mar the enjoyment of the image. The 3D version was one of the best I've seen in quite some time. There was nothing showy about it, just provided a gorgeous sense of depth. 9/10


***AUDIO QUALITY***



Titanic: 100 Years Audio is provided by a Dolby Digital 5.1 track. While it is disappointing we don't get a HD track what is provided is a solid performer. Narration and dialogue was perfectly crisp and clear. Surrounds were used to greatest effect when the events that led to the grand ships demise are dramatized. Bass was average. 7.5/10

WWII in 3D Audio is provided by a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. While not an overly aggressive track the LFE is deep but not wall rattling. Surround usage was subtle with this front heavy track. The narration was crystal clear from Tom Wilkinson. 8/10

History of the World in Two Hours Audio is provided by a DTS 5.1 track. Dialogue was crisp and clean. Good use of the surrounds added to being immersed in the show. LFE is deep and added to the overall listening experience. A great track that complements the superb video presentation.8.5/10

November 11, 2012

Storage Wars Texas: Season One - DVD Review




***SYNOPSIS***



The stakes are high and the drama intense in the Lone Star State as the hit A&E® show STORAGE WARS expands to Texas. The series follows five Dallas storage unit hunters in their quest for auction treasures. Self-employed Lesa Lewis is searching for items to sell at her brand-new Again and Again Resale thrift store. Her pockets may not be deep, but she is a doggedly determined bidder when she sees a unit she wants. No job is too big for her right-hand man Jerry Simpson, who is always there to lend a hand and share a few laughs. Seasoned bidder Ricky Smith has been in the business since the age of 14 and says he is here to stay. He has spent the past 20 years teaching the tricks of the trade to his nephew Bubba, who now attends auctions with him. New York native Victor Rjesnjansky moved to Dallas four years ago and now bids on storage auctions to fill the shelves of his two Texas stores. Teasing the crowd of high bidders is fast-talking auctioneer Walt Cade, who will do whatever it takes to move the units – and offer each bidder a shot at hidden treasure.


DISC ONE - Texas Sold ‘Em / Bounty Hunter Bubba Fett / Snake, Rattle, and Roll / Mo’ Money, Moe Prigoff / The Good, the Bad, and the Hungry / Remember the Alamo? / Home on the Strange / The Surgeon, The Witch, and the Wardrobe / Puffy in the Sky with Diamonds

DISC TWO - If I Were a Tibettin’ Man / Dallas Cowboys and Indians / Who Bought JFK? / High Tea Tighty / For a Few Lockers More / Fandom of the Opera / A Fistful of Auctions / Bonus


***VIDEO QUALITY***



Storage Wars Texas: Season One 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 of natural hues and also bold colors like Moe's odd but fun wardrobe choices. Detail was solid with all the junk inside the lockers clearly distinguishable. Black levels were well balanced. 8/10


***AUDIO QUALITY***



Audio is provided by a Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0 track. The on location dialogue is crisp and clean. The audio presentation is perfectly fine and what was expected for this type of program. 7/10