Sesame Street: Monster Magic DVD Review

“Warner Bros. Home Entertainment provided me with a free copy of the DVD I reviewed in this Blog Post. The opinions I share are my own.”

**SYNOPSIS**


There's all kinds of magic brewing on Sesame Street! Abby, Rosita, and Zoe celebrate the amazing number 7 by conjuring up "The Dance of the 7 Chickens," some spell-binding tricks, and even 7 Elmos! Then Abby poofs Leela into the perfect party outfit with a magical game of dress-up.





**SERIES REVIEW**


Sesame Street: Monster Magic is a really adorable collection that will be a nice addition to the family DVD library. Pop it in the morning on these chilly October mornings and let the little ones learn, be engaged and ready to start the day. 9/10


**VIDEO QUALITY**


Sesame Street: Love to Learn - Colors are nicely saturated and primaries look lush. Black levels were solid. Fine detailing in the sets and the textures of fabric on the puppets was sharp.No problems to speak of. 8.5/10


**AUDIO QUALITY**


Audio is provided by a Dolby Digital 2.0 track. - Dialogue was clearly presented and voices were easily discernible. The two channel presentation has good stereo separation. Music numbers exhibit nice dynamic range. 8/10


**SPECIAL FEATURES**


* Song: "Just Like Magic" with Sara Bareilles
* Classic Clip: "Amazing Mumford Rabbit Trick"
* Claymation: "Bert & Ernie's Great Adventures: Magicians"
* Printable Storybook: "Elmo's Magical Mix-up"

Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates Blu-ray Review

**SYNOPSIS**


You are cordially invited to the comedy event of the year! In order to avoid embarrassing their family, hard-partying brothers Mike (Adam Devine) and Dave (Zac Efron) place an online ad to find “respectable” dates for their sister’s Hawaiian wedding. Instead, the boys find themselves out-hustled by an uncontrollable duo (Anna Kendrick, Aubrey Plaza). Based on hilarious true events, Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates is the perfect marriage of over-the-top humor and outrageous fun!


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**MOVIE REVIEW**


Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates is a fun and breezy watch that has some good laughs but not enough to put it in a memorable category. The main draw for me was the cast that includes Anna Kendrick, Aubrey Plaza, Adam Devine and Zac Efron. Kendrick is adorably quirky while Plaza has a devil may care attitude with a sweetness that is hidden until the end of the film. Devine is zany and plays kind of the same type he has in Workaholics. Efron has become a solid actor compared to his High School Musical days.

The best comedy moments come from a misunderstanding at the spa of the resort that will have laughing out loud. So if you like the cast I would pick it up otherwise maybe a rental would be best first. 7.5/10


**VIDEO QUALITY**


Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer in the aspect ratio of 2.40:1. - The color palette is vivid with brilliantly saturated blues, reds, yellows and lush greens really pop. The Hawaii setting brings on some gorgeous visuals, especially during a movie locations tour the group takes at Kualoa Ranch. Black levels deep. The overall image is sharp and fine details in the Hawaiin wardrobe look excellent. No issues with edge enhancement or banding to speak of. 9/10


**AUDIO QUALITY**


Audio is provided by a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track. - I was surprised by how active the rear channels were and glad that Fox chose to include a 7.1 track. Very smart use of directional and environment effects. Dialogue was crystal clear even when several voices are yelling at the same time. Music gets support from thumping LFE performance and solid dynamic range. b>9/10


**SPECIAL FEATURES**


* Director Commentary - Jake Szymanski

* 14 Deleted Scenes (HD, 23:48)

* 16 Extended Scenes (HD, 39:12)

* Alternate Storyline Pig Sequence (HD, 07:45)

* Bits on Bits on Bits (HD, 06;21)

* Line-O-Rama (HD, 10:02)

* Gag Reel (HD, 05:27)

* Funny Or Die Shorts (HD, 06:40)

* Gallery (HD)

* Theatrical Trailers

Central Intelligence Blu-ray Review

**SYNOPSIS**


The story follows a one-time bullied geek, Bob (Johnson), who grew up to be a lethal CIA agent, coming home for his high school reunion. Claiming to be on a top-secret case, Bob enlists the help of former “big man on campus,” Calvin (Hart), now an accountant who misses his glory days. But before the staid numbers-cruncher realizes what he’s getting into, it’s too late to get out, as his increasingly unpredictable new friend drags him through a world of shoot-outs, double-crosses and espionage that could get them both killed in more ways than Calvin can count.



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**MOVIE REVIEW**


Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson brings his megawatt charm to a decent buddy flick that is elevated due to his likeable performance. Kevin Hart seemed a bit toned down and more relatable from his usually crazy high pitched act of someone who reacts like a spoiled kid to everything. The action comedy mix is good though it does take close to an hour of set up before things get more exciting. Central Intelligence is worth a watch due to the two leads. The supporting cast includes fine talent such as Aaron Paul and Amy Ryan. 7.5/10


**VIDEO QUALITY**


Central Intelligence arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer in the aspect ratio of 2.40:1. - The color palette is well balanced with beautifully saturated blues, yellows and greens really popping. Black levels were solid. Fine details in the clothing and "The Rock's" muscles are revealing. The overall image is sharp with no inherent signs of softness. No issues with edge enhancement or banding to speak of. 9/10


**AUDIO QUALITY**


Audio is provided by a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. - The track is quite aggressive with LFE performance. Deep , throaty bass accompanies memorable jams from the 90's. Gunshots and crashes pack a powerful punch. Dialogue is presented crisp and clear through the center channel. Surrounds come alive during a few action beats that exhibit smooth pans and environmental effects. No problems to report. 9/10


**SPECIAL FEATURES**


* Theatrical Cut (HD, 1:47:37)

* Unrated Cut (HD, 1:56:26)

Theatrical Special Features

* Audio Commentary - Commentary with Rawson Marshall Thurber and Mike Sale Rated

* Alternate Scenes Rated (HD, 18:07) - "Maggie Leaves in the Morning", "In Van", "Harris Sees Maggie Leave Dr. Dan's", "Airport", "Airport/Boston", "Garage", "Boston", "Reunion", "Under the Bleachers"

* Line-O-Rama Rated (HD, 02:27)

* Dance Off (HD, 02:26)

* Gag Reel Rated (HD, 05:38)

* Couch Time Lapse (HD, 00:41)

Unrated Special Features

* Alternate Scenes Unrated (HD, 1:09:51) - "Restaurant", "Bar", "Smoking Pot in the Gym", "Maggie Leaves in the Morning", "Calvin's House", "In Car/Building", "In Van", "Dr. Dan's Office", "Harris Sees Maggie Leave Dr. Dan's", "Trevor's Office", "Safe Site", "Airport", "Airport/Boston", "Garage", "Boston", Scene 103B "Reunion", Scene 103R "Reunion", "Under the Bleachers"

* Line-O-Rama Unrated (HD, 02:31)

* Gag Reel Unrated (HD, 06:18)