New DVD Reviews: Mad Monster Party, An American Werewolf in London
Some cool discs have been reviewed over the past week. Check out these recent entries: Mad Monster Party: Special Edition - this wonderfully odd stop-motion gathering of the famous monsters from cinema's past is a fun and kooky flick; An American Werewolf in London: Full Moon Edition [DVD review] , [ Blu-ray review ] - "the single best werewolf film ever made" according to reviewer Adam Tyner; and The Human Condition: Criterion Collection - one of the most resonant, deeply moving anti-warThe Blue Room: TMZSleaze Exclusive and Big Wet Asses 15
It's another blockbuster edition of The Blue Room , this week featuring an EXCLUSIVE early review of TMZSleaze ! From the folks who brought you Popporn: The Guide to Making Fuck comes a parody of the infamous tabloid television/web institution. TMZSleaze lampoons everyone from Britney Spears, Eminem, Lindsay Lohan, Jessica Simpson, Mel Gibson and the folks from American Idol. It's a great flick that we highly recommend. Also in this week's Blue Room we take a look at our spotlig2001 A Space Odyssey Blu ray
A space mission that could reveal man?s destiny is jeopardized by a malfunctioning shipboard computer. A dazzling journey that tops them all ? and showed the way for other effects-packed films that followed.
User Ratings and Reviews
4 Stars Great
Classic sci-fi flick. Still holds up well today, although reality seems to be a little behind…
3 Stars 2 stars out of 4
The Bottom Line:
2001 has 40 minutes of a good movie surrounded by lots of Fantasia 2001 (extremely slow scenes of incredible beauty set to classical music) and scenes not intended to make much sense by admission of the authors–it’s worth watching in the sense that you’ll never see anything like it again, but not for any other reason.
5 Stars Relax, open up your mind, and you’ll be fine with this great film
After 900-plus other Amazon reviews have been filed, there’s not much more for me to add about this movie. I’ll just say that “2001: A Space Odyssey” is an astonishing film, and will especially resonate with those who respond to awe, wonder, and mystery in their movies. But it’s not all mystery and ultimate questions. The tense little section featuring the Hal 9000 computer delivers a jolt of mainstream movie conflict for those who like a little grounding with their metaphysics.
And, hey, I have to say I was proud of myself several years ago when seeing the film for the second or third time. Before I read it anywhere else, I noticed the strange occurrence of characters wishing other characters happy birthday a couple of times throughout the movie, which of course are cleverly-placed signposts and underscores to the ultimate birthday at film’s end. In fact, I’m not sure if I’ve ever read of anyone else pointing out those “happy birthday” moments as an early revelation of theme, though I’m sure someone has.
My DVD of “2001″ (which I pulled out the other day and watched on a whim) is a few years old and only features the film’s trailer as a special feature. It looks very good, though, and is worth picking up inexpensively if you aren’t worried about having the very latest DVD version of a particular film.
4 Stars Blu-Ray Very Good, But Not Outstanding
f your’re looking at this review, you mainly want an opinion of what the Blu-Ray version looks like, because by now you’ve seen the film….perhaps many times. It’s a unique movie which seems to have attained “classic” status.
So how does this Blu-Ray look? Well, I’m going to write something you might not have read elsewhere: the transfer is good, but overrated. I read review after review on other high-def websites and they just rave about the sharpness, so I bought the DVD. Well, I found about half the movie looking really sharp – mainly the outside shots of the space vehicles – and the other half so-so to somewhat fuzzy. In other words, it’s okay but nothing spectacular despite what you’ve heard.
If you doubt what I’m saying, rent a copy and watch the first 20 minutes. It isn’t until the space ship scenes start where you get the sharp pictures. From that point it varies from good to great.
Whether it’s Blu-Ray or a regular DVD, the visuals in this movie have always been fascinating and the soundtrack is astounding, too, especially on a decent surround system. You’ve never heard Strauss’ “Blue Danube” sound any better! Played during many of the slower parts of the film, the dramatic music enhances the feel of the immensity of space itself. Then, audibly, we hear these eerie chants whenever the mysterious monolith appears, whether its on earth, out in space, or in Jupiter. In other words, this film offers a fantastic assortment of visual and audio “trips” for the senses…..high-def or not.
Story-wise, it’s all about HAL, the computer, and two astronauts who are under his leadership. The spacemen – played by Keir Dullea and Gary Lockwood – are good, but HAL steals the show. His “voice” is mesmerizing, a haunting monotone. In fact, Douglas Rain is the unsung “hero” of this movie, with his voice-work of “Hal.” .The more one sees this movie, the more cold and evil HAL becomes.
All in all, this is a movie I would think it would have be part of any movie fan’s collection of the memorable films of the 20th century……so why not have it in its best form?
5 Stars Tremendous Blu-Ray version
The beautiful picture and sound in this Blu-Ray edition are stunning. The movie has always been great, but to view it like this is almost like seeing it for the first time. It draws you in. You realize more than ever the brilliance behind the special effects. You feel like you’re in space. The great soundtrack is so much better, so much more powerful in this version than anything else on the market. It gives you chills. This a must buy for science fiction fans and Stanley Kubrick fans.
Eagle Eye Blu ray
Studio: Paramount Home Video Release Date: 12/26/2008
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Excellent Action Movie…Requires Imagination!
As I have said in previous reviews, this is a very entertaining movie that is not meant to be taken literally. We all know that “parts” of this movie are impossible. That is why it is in a movie. The point of watching a movie is to take a break from reality for a moment. If not, you should save your money and just walk outside. Shia Labeouf is a terrific actor in this movie (as he is in most movies). This is a great action movie for the open minded. If you think that you would take this movie for reality, you should probably go rent some history channel movies instead. I also think you could get a good deal on “Planet Earth” on Amazon. This is, in no way, meant to step on toes of those who enjoy the “true story” movies. I just do not think that movies should be bashed for having unrealistic aspects and ideas. Enjoy the movie…I know I did!
5 Stars Popcorn & drinks!!!!!!!
This is an AWESOME movie!!!! I rate this an Oscar worthy movie!!!
I think this is the second best of Shia’s films compared to Transformers. 
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If anyone likes alot of modern day action, this is the movie for you!!!!
2 Stars One time flick
I saw this movie in the theater. It was very predictable and is something that I would not purchase for a DVD collection.
5 Stars INCREDIBLE SOUND
IF YOU HAVE A HOME THEATER OF GOOD QUALITY, THIS IS THE PICTURE TO SHOW TO YOUR FRIENDS. EARTHQUAKE EXPLOSIONS, BULLETS THAT COMES FROPM YOUR BACK SURROUND SPEAKERS TO THE FRONT OR FRON ONE SURROUND TO THE OTHER. I SET LIKE ALWAYS, USING EXACTLY THE AUDIO AUTO CALIBRATIONS PERFORMED BY THE AUDYSSEY SYSTEM, WITH THE VOLUME AND CROSSOVER FREQ. AUTOMATICALLY SET AND IS THE FIRST TIME I HAD SUCH EXPERIENCE. OTHER PICTURE WITH REALLY GOOD SOUND EFFECTS ON BD, IS PEARL HARBOR. HIGHLY RECOMENDED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE GOOD SOUND AND HAVE REALLY GOOD SUBWOOFERS.
3 Stars Different compared to TRANSFORMERS and INDIANA JONES
I’m normally a sensitive guy when it comes to thrillers like these. Some are fun. Some are okay.
“Eagle Eye” stars Shia Labeouf playing Jerry Shaw. Instead of dealing with unarmed transformed robots or archeologists, he and his buddy (played by Michelle Monaghan) deal with terrorists who are trying to find the secret identity to his life. Jerry Shaw and his new friend Rachel must stop the whole situation to save their own risks.
I really enjoyed “Eagle Eye.” I thought it was very thrilling and a lot of fun. Shia Labeouf is somewhat himself again as he was in “Transformers.” What I didn’t like about it was that the plot was a bit confusing and most of it didn’t make too much sense. However, I tried to have some fun and I managed to have as much fun as possible.
I Am Legend Blu ray
Robert Neville is a brilliant scientist, but even he could not contain the terrible virus that was unstoppable, incurable, and man-made. Somehow immune, Neville is now the last human survivor in what is left of New York City and maybe the world. For three years, Neville has faithfully sent out daily radio messages, desperate to find any other survivors who might be out there. But he is not alone. Mutant victims of the plague — The Infected — lurk in the shadows… watching Neville’s every move… waiting for him to make a fatal mistake. Perhaps mankind’s last, best hope, Neville is driven by only one remaining mission: to find a way to reverse the effects of the virus using his own immune blood. But he knows he is outnumbered… and quickly running out of time.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Digital Copy
I thought the movie was great. One bit of information that isn’t listed though is that the Digital copy only works on Windows. I have a Mac and can’t access that or any of the other computer-only special features. Just a heads up.
5 Stars Looks great!
Good movies on Blu-ray are just such excellent keepsakes. I Am Legend looks super-good.
4 Stars A Great Movie
Will Smith is once more playing a role that can really suite him. While not a comedy, he does pull off the serious role required in I Am Legend.
While this movie does lose something the second time watched, the movie is still rewatchable and a good addition to any movie collection, whether you love Will Smith, Suspense, or just a movie buff.
5 Stars Very Interesting Movie…
Powerful performance, as expected, by Wil Smith. Original plot and great acting make it a must see horror/action movie. A must see of any Will Smith fan. I was very pleased with my purchase.
3 Stars Luney toons!
It would seem like a good idea to use CG for the monsters in this flick. I mean this way you can make them faster and do things guy’s in suits just can’t do. But to me they looked like lunatic cartoons, and it took me right out of the fantasy. I’ve seen cheesy movies based off VIDEO GAME’S with better effects. Will Smith is basically a national treasure at this point and deservedly so. The film has some very moody scenes and is shot beautifully. But didn’t we watch this film for the monsters? I did. And I thought they sucked.
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