Starring: Lindsey Buckingham
Studio: Eagle Rock Entertainment
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Running Time: 125 mins

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

Who does know and love Fleetwood Mac? Growing up I remember listening to them with my father, who still has a thing for Stevie Nicks. This concert was filmed in high-definition at The Saban Theater in Beverly Hills, California in April 2011 and is packed with amazing DTS Surround-Sound track. The sound was great and delivers some great new and old tunes. The video resolution was really great and very clear. It is hard when watching a concert on the TV then watching it live. This does a pretty good job and pulling you into the show and right into the action.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall Of Famer Lindsey Buckingham, male lead singer for Fleetwood Mac, delivers a fun concert and a great presentation on Blu-ray. Since he is solo, it is not unexpected that he performs his new songs (some which kick some ass) and he plays some hits from Fleetwood Mac days. The guy really knows how to play the guitar, both acoustic and electric. The concert was almost split into two different shows with Lindsey and his guitar alone for the first couple of songs then he brings in the the rest of the band. They definitely kick up the energy and deliver a fun show. Picking up this release is a real no brainer for fans of Fleetwood Mac and Lindsey Buckingham.

The concerts set list includes the following songs:
“Shut Us Down”
“Go Insane”
“Trouble”
“Never Going Back Again”
“Big Love”
“Under the Skin”
“All My Sorrows”
“In Our Own Time”
“Illumination”
“Second Hand News”
“Tusk”
“Stars Are Crazy”
“End of Time”
“That’s the Way Love Goes”
“I’m So Afraid”
“Go Your Own Way”
“Turn It On”
“Treason”
“Seeds We Sow”

Starring: Peter Gabriel
Studio: Eagle Rock Entertainment
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Running Time: 162 minutes

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

I grew up listening to Genesis before and after Peter Gabriel left the band. So I have always been a fan and this concert aims right at that fan in me and I am sure other. It was filmed at Hammersmith Apollo in March 2011. It features Peter Gabriel performing live with a 46 piece Orchestra. This concert covers versions from his “Scratch My Back” album and also touches on classic tracks from his solo career but in brand new orchestral arrangements. I think the orchestral arrangement really adds an interesting aspect his his songs. It reminds me of when Metallica went on tour with an orchestra almost makes it feel like new spin on classic music.

Of course I have to comment on the presentation of this disc. It looks really great in 3D and works well for this concert. I think they did a really great job with it. The video is really clear and the sound is extraordinary. The special feature includes on the disc is called “Blood Donors”, which is a documentary on the making of the “New Blood” concert. It is worth the watch as it shows how much really went into this event. If you are a fan of Peter Gabriel, this is a must purchase especially if you can experience this is 3D.

The concert’s set list features over twenty songs:
“Intruder”
“Wallflower”
“The Boy In The Bubble”
“Après Moi”
“The Drop”
“Washing Of The Water”
“The Book Of Love”
“Darkness”
“The Power Of The Heart”
“Biko”
“San Jacinto”
“Digging In The Dirt”
“Signal To Noise”
“Downside Up”
“Mercy Street”
“The Rhythm Of The Heat”
“Blood Of Eden”
“Red Rain”
“Solsbury Hill”
“In Your Eyes”
“Don’t Give Up”
“The Nest That Sailed The Sky”

Directed by: Sion Sono
Starring: Mitsuru Fukikoshi, Denden, Asuka Kurosawa
Distributed by: Vivendi Entertainment
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running time: 145 minutes

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

This has been one talked about film this year, especially in the horror genere. I am a big fan for an horror/thriller Asian films like “Audition” and “Oldboy”. This film tries to be in the same category but misses it by a little…but not much. “Cold Fish” is a very slow-burning (very slow) delve into madness for our lead, pressuring the point of how much can you take before losing it. The film delivers a fantastic climax in the last 20 minutes but really could have trimmed some of the middle.

This film is about a quiet tropical fish shop owner, Shamoto, whose life is turned upside down when his family meets fellow fish entrepreneur and his wife. The mysterious man turns out to be serial killer and slowly pushes Shamoto over the edge. The film is based on the true exploits of two Tokyo serial killers, who owned a pet shop and murdered at least four people.

I get the point that this is suppose to follow Shamoto to the very limits of how much he can handle before breaking. I just felt that it ran very slow in the middle and the catch could have been sped up a little. If you have a queezy stomach there are a lot of scenes in this film that are not for the faint. It definitely delivers on the gore department. Overall it is totally worth a watch but not sure if I could sit through the whole film again just for the fantastic last 20 minutes.

Directors: Yelena Lanskaya
Actors: Greg Germann, Ione Skye
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Vivendi Entertainment
Run Time: 88 minutes

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

There is something about Hallmark Original Movies that just work over the holiday season. The films are cheesy and the acting is decent at best but we still watch them. Some are good and others are a waste of time. This one is cute and deserves a watch. The story is not terrible and the characters are relatively likable, except for Greg Germann’s character Erickson. If you can get past him, this is a cute holiday film for the family.

The story follows what happens when Santa’s sleigh is shot down while flying through restricted military airspace. Santa lands on Earth and is rescued by two kids and takes refuge with them and there mother from two Homeland Security agents. The agents believe that Santa and his “operation” are extraterrestrial. It is up the kids and Santa’s elves to help him return to the North Pole to save Christmas before it is too late.

Directed by: Brian G. Hutton
Starring: Elizabeth Taylor, Laurence Harvey, Billie Whitelaw
Distributed by: Warner Brothers Archive
MPAA Rating: PG
Running time: 99 minutes

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

This film is a slow burn psychological tale with a great ending reveal. Elizabeth Taylor is takes on this role of Ellen Wheeler with great success. She involved with a loveless marriage and she starts this obsession that their is murders going on in the house next door. The film is very suspenseful as we slowly fall into Ellen’s world of madness.

This DVD is a wonderful remastering and looks fantastic in its widescreen 16×9 1.78:1 transfer. It is the first time this disc is being released on DVD and it is definitely worth purchasing if you are a fan of this film. The colors are sharp and the sounds is great. There are no extras on this disc like most Warner Bros. Archive releases, but nonetheless they are releasing some great classics. I look forward to their next release.

Synopsis:
Elizabeth Taylor ventured but once into the scarified world of Grande Dame Guignol, and Night Watch is the striking result. Taylor’s matron in menace role is that of Ellen Wheeler, a lonely insomniac trapped in a loveless marriage and by an obsession with a creepy gothic manse next door. One night while indulging in her alcohol fueled ramblings, Ellen spots a corpse inside the vacant house. A corpse that resembles her deceased, two timing first husband…a corpse that no one else thinks exists. Adapted from a play by suspense mistress Lucille Fletcher (Sorry, Wrong Number, The Hitch-Hiker, Night Man), Night Watch re-teams Liz with her Butterfield 8 co-star Laurence Harvey, playing Ellen’s emotionally distant second husband in one of his final film performances. Genre stalwart Billie Whitelaw rounds out the cast.

best slot sitesCartoons: 14 shorts
Distributed: Warner Brothers
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 100 minutes

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

There is always something about the gags, hijinks and mischief of Tom and Jerry.  The unspoken duo have always managed to make me smile and laugh out loud.  The “Fur Flying Adventures” collections are a great have included some of the great episodes and this volume is no exception. The humor of Tom and Jerry is so timeless and can be enjoyable through many generations and will hopefully live on for many many years to come.

The 14 episodes included are “Ah, Sweet Mouse-Story of Life”, “Bad Say at Cat Rock”, Jerry, Jerry, Quite Contrary, “Beach Bully Bingo”, “A Life Less Guarded”, “Northern Light Fish”, “Doggone Hill Dog”, “Love Me, Love My Mouse”, “Sasquahed”, “Shutter Bugged Cat”, “Snow Mouse”, “The Unshrinkable Mouse”, “Spook House Mouse”, and “Don’t Bring Your Pet to School Day”.  All of the episodes are great.  There is a mix of the old classics and some new updated ones as well.  Overall it is a great collection.

Synopsis: Take one blue and white domestic cat. Add one small brown house mouse. Mix in a handful of chases, stir in a few falling anvils and top off with one brutish bulldog named Spike. Yields 14 delightful cartoons! This fast and funny collection rises to the occasion with a crazy camping trip (Sasquashed), a chase through a carnival?s haunted house (Spook House Mouse), an Alaskan adventure (Northern Light Fish Fight) and an encounter with an abominable snow rodent (Snow Mouse).  But the most outrageous moment of all comes when Tom and Jerry set aside their differences and join forces against beach muscleheads Spike and Butch in Beach Bully Bingo. If you are looking to compare the best slot sites, you can have some endless fun as the main course served up in this new all-family feast of animated fun.

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Created by: Charles M. Schulz
Starring: Bill Melendez, Jeremy Schoenberg, Brad Kesten, Angela Lee, Victoria Vargas, Jeremy Miller, Brett Johnson, Heather Stoneman, Gini Holtzman
MPAA Rated: Unrated
Studio: Warner Home Video
Run Time: 47 minutes

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

The “Happiness is Peanuts” series of DVDs each contain specials along with “The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show” episodes.  “Snow Days” is the second in the series after “Snoopy’s Adventures” and will be followed by “Friends Forever”, which will be released December 27, 2011.  This DVD was cute but didn’t totally get me in the the season mood.  The idea of the disc is that is plays as holiday specials but really it is barely themed as so.  Overall though I would say that they are worth a watch to revisit the old “The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show” feel but not real re-watchable.

“She’s a Good Skate, Charlie Brown” follows Peppermint Patty as she pursue her ice-skating dream. This is the primary episode of the disc.  It is cute but I could see it working a lot better as a short.  I did in fact enjoy the three short stories the 1985 “The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show” series.  “The Play,” follows Charlie Brown as he reminisces about “the most interesting Christmas ever” for a school assignment. It was cute and really the only thing Christmas related on this disc.  The next short, I was literally laughing so hard I cried called “Sweet Babboo”.  It focuses on Valentine’s Day and the group worries about getting card.  Very funny!!! The last short is called “Snoopy’s Story” which features Peppermint Patty (again) as his writes an very ‘tall tale’ essay about Snoopy.  It is also cute.  Honestly I might go as far as to say that this set is worth it just for the “Sweet Babboo” short.

Synopsis: Everyone’s favorite Peanuts gang is at it again in Happiness is Peanuts: Snow Days. Follow Snoopy and gang in an episode from The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show and the newly remastered classic She?s a Good Skate, Charlie Brown TV special all on one DVD!

Available on DVD 10/18 at http://bit.ly/mW6xTY
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Created by: Greg Weisman, Brandon Vietti
Voices of: Bruce Greenwood, Crispin Freeman, Stephanie Lemelin, Jesse McCartney
Danica McKellar, Nolan North, Khary Payton, Jason Spisak
4 episodes
Running Time: 90 minutes

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Anything with anything related to Batman or Superman, or DC comics in general…count me in. I loved “Teen Titans” and this show reminds me so much of it. It is a little less slapstick and instead packs some great action. This DVD comes packed with four episodes from the first season. The DVD lands in the series between from episode 5 through 8. Overall this series is really fun and exciting. Since watching these four episodes, I have setup a season pass for the rest of season one, which is currently airing on Cartoon Network.

The episodes includes are “Schooled”, “Infiltrator”, “Denial”, “Downtime”. “Schooled” is centered around Super Boy and his relationship with Superman. He goes off on his own. The team faces Professor Ivo’s Amazo. In “Infiltrator” focuses on Artemis as she prove herself to the team while protecting Dr. Roquette from the League of Shadows. “Denial” is when the team is sent by Red Tornado to the Tower of Fate to prevent the helmet of Doctor Fate from getting in the wrong hands. “Downtime” focuses on Aqualad and his travels home to Atlantis after he gets blamed for letting the rest of Young Justice get taken down in battle.

Synopsis: Animated DC Universe cartoon series for a new generation starring ROBIN, AQUALAD, KID FLASH, SUPERBOY, MISS MARTIAN and ARTEMIS . Combined these six teenage heroes are YOUNG JUSTICE the JUSTICE LEAGUE?s secret weapon against the forces of evil. Based out of THE CAVE, the teen heroes will take on under-the-radar missions that would be impossible for the League proper (with its incandescent star-power) to handle covertly. In addition, these kids are in constant training to take their place alongside the great heroes. RED TORNADO will be their supervisor; BLACK CANARY will be in charge of their training, and BATMAN will hand out their assignments. And of course, Young Justice will push their missions, often turning a simple assignment from Batman into something much larger, often discovering that what they?ve been tasked to do is just the tip of the iceberg.

Now available on DVD at http://bit.ly/oWEcyF
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Directed by: Frank Henenlotter
Starring: Patty Mullen, Louise Lasser, James Lorinz
Distributed by: Synapse Films
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running time: 85 minutes

Overall Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

I am a huge fan of the film’s “Frankenstein” and “Re-Animator”. This movie steal from both of them and does a really good job of it. This was honestly my first time viewing this film and it was a great way to experience it for sure. This movie is both creepy and funny, more of the latter. I think why this film succeeds is that it has some decent special effects and a funny take on a classic story with an interesting twist.

The Blu-ray presentation of this film is outstanding especially since the film is over 20 years old and was not filmed in high definition. Synapse Films is really becoming one of my favorites and the leader in bringing classic horror films into the high definition world. The 1080p video is super clear and looks fantastic. The sound on the film kicks some major ass displaying a very impressive DTS-HD MA surround track.

The high definition release also includes some great special features another reason why Synapse Films is amazing. The first feature is a great and funny commentary from director Frank Henenlotter and make-up effects designer Gabe Bartalos. There is a great featurette on Patty Mullen called “A Salad That Was Once Named Elizabeth”. There is a very cool featurette on the make-up effects in the film, which are great, called “A Stitch in Time”, Jennifer Delora talks about “Frankenhooker” in the featurette called “Turning Tricks”. I really enjoyed the funny feature “Jennifer Delora’s Frankenhooker Scrapbook”. Lastly there is a theatrical trailer. Great features overall for a very impressive high definition release.

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Directed by: Dante Lam
Starring: Leon Lai, Richie Jen, Wang Baoqiang, Vivian Hsu, Liu Kai-chi, Michelle Ye, Wilfred Lau
Distributed by: Vivendi Entertainment
MPAA Rating: R
Running time: 105 minutes

Overall Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

This is packed with some really great no-holds barred action. I love me a good action film and director Dante Lam really delivers a good one. The fighting scenes in this film is very explosive…literally. Leon Lai known best for his film “Bodyguards and Assassins” really kick ass and takes names. The story was strong with only a small dip in the middle and a wicked strong ending. If you are a fan of John Woo-like action, this is a must for you.

The story follows Captain Manfred (Leon Lai) who is a crossroads in his life when he is assigned to the case of a lethal car accident and the death of a prostitute. He is assigned to work with Inspector Lee, in which they are complete opposites. They have to work together to get to the bottom of this case as they get swept up into the world of crime. The unlikely team finds that they have themselves dug very deep in it and need to find a way out…alive.

The special features include five great behind the scenes featurettes, which take us into the making of the action packed film. They are very interesting and totally worth watching, especially if you like the behind the scenes for an action film. There is also an international trailer included. What I like most about Vivendi Entertainment’s films is that they really support the QR scanning codes and they provide additional mobile features by scanning the code. It is really a neat feature that a lot of people are not doing yet.

Director: Marvin Kren
Starring: Michael Fuith, Theo Treb
Studio: The Collective
MPAA Rated: Unrated
Run Time: 64 minutes

Our Score: 2.5 out of 5 stars

I love myself any zombie movies that I can get my hands on but this one really fails to deliver the goods. This film also only runs barely over an hour and it doesn’t quite feel like a film more like an extended short. I think the development of the characters and the story really take a hit due to this. The zombies are cool and kick some ass but once it starts to get good it ends. The film origins from Germany and maybe something is lost in there.

The film focuses about a virus that rapidly spreads and turns people into mindless homicidal maniacs. Our focus is with the character Michael who tries to visit this ex-girlfriend in Berlin but ends up with much more to deal with. He doesn’t meet up with his ex but he meets Harper from her apartment and together they manage to hold themselves up against the hordes of the infected around the building. It up to Michael find his ex-girlfriend Gabi and more importantly survive.

I may have been a little hard on this film since overall it is somewhat entertaining. I liked the zombies but just the story didn’t do it for me. Overall the production values were good and felt bigger than what they were. The DVD also lacks any special features at all which is also very disappointing. All in all, there are so many better zombie-infected films out there, so this is worth the skip and doesn’t reinvent the zombie genre.

Directed by John Lasseter, Brad Lewis
Starring: Owen Wilson, Larry the Cable Guy, Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer, Jason Issacs, Thomas Kretschmann
Distributed by: Walt Disney Pictures
Rated G
Running time: 113 minutes

Overall Score: 4 out of 5 stars

Since the release of “Cars 2”, a lot of bad press has been surrounding this film and Pixar’s decision to make it. I agree that it wasn’t their best film but I enjoyed it quite a bit. The film might not have spoken much to parents but it did it job well…it entertained the kiddies. The world of “Cars” is so popular amongst today’s kids from toys to clothes to electronics. The film and its merchandise has easily grossed Disney/Pixar a few billion dollars. So I think in their eyes everyone doesn’t need to be a classic. This one was for the fans of the franchise aka the kids and that is all. The 3D presentation on the disc is yet another win for Disney and I think again like “Toy Story” series, it surpassed the theatrical experience. The 3D adds so much to this film and its experience. The video is so clear and colors are just bursting out in this film. Disney’s DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 is used to its fullest on this release especially since this film is so intense and non-stop action. Fans of the “Cars” franchise this is a no-brainer.

The extras on the disc jammed packed but are mostly exclusive to this 5-disc 3D release, which stinks for everyone else that doesn’t purchase this 3D set. Like all Disney/Pixar releases there is an amazing audio commentary with directors John Lasseter and Brad Lewis as they discuss the amazing world of “Cars”. My favorite feature on this is the Toy Story short called “Hawaiian Vacation”. so amazing and able to be watched over and over. Mater is known for his short tales and there is an animated short called “Air Mater”, funny funny. What is unique about these special features is that it is an interactive tour of the globe starting with, of course, Radiator Springs. Included there is an alternate four-minute opening scene, a great featurette about “Origins of Cars 2” and really cool virtual tour of the Radiator Springs set. Next up on our world tour is “The Pacific”. In there we have a feature on the film’s amazing opening scene called “Somewhere in the Pacific,” background on the creation of the villains in “Making Lemon-Aides,” and fully virtual tour of the “Oil Derrick Set”.

On our next stop we visit “London” and obviously you are seeing a pattern with the extras. The first feature a look into the films development with “Brawl at Big Bentley”. Since the film is basically an animated James Bond, we check out the film’s amazing gadgets in “Spyified”. There is a deleted scene called “Spy Training: London” and it is definitely worth a watch. Like the others we also have a virtual tour of London and its sights from the film. “Paris” is the next visit on the world tour. There is an deleted scene, called “Paris Race”, there is a featurette called “Streets of Paris”, another “Spy Training” short like in London and lastly a virutal set visit of Paris. Next stop is “Munich” is not very packed but we get a two deleted Scene, a German trailer and an art slidshow. The briefest stop is “Prague” which includes an alternate Prague Chase Opening and an art slideshow.

“Porta Costa” includes two interesting featurettes called “Finding Porta Costa” and “Heart of Italy”, which focus on the countries production. There is a short called “International Insurance” and of course the virutal set from Porta Costa. Easily my favorite stop on the world tour is “Tokyo”. There is an extended scenes called “Tokyo Race” with optional filmmaker commentary. There are two featurettes called “Mater Takes Tokyo” and “Many Nations, One Race”. There is also a third “Spy Training” short, There is a virtual set for the museum. Also included is a great Japanese theatrical trailer. The last stop on the map is “Emeryville”. We get to visit the annual Pixar car show in “Motorama”. There is a behind-the-scenes of toy creation for McMissile called “He Lives! Making the Finn McMissile Toy”. There is also series of character animations for “Animation Pit Stop” and lastly the theatrical trailers. There is also a great feature on called “The Nuts & Bolts of Cars Land” which showcases the upcoming Summer 2012 12-acre attraction, Cars Land.

Directed by: Lee Unkrich
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Ned Beatty, Don Rickles, Michael Keaton, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Blake Clark, Estelle Harris, Jodi Benson
Distributed by: Walt Disney Pictures
MPAA Rating: G
Running time: 103 minutes

Overall Score: 5 out of 5 stars

Growing up with the “Toy Story” franchise, it has become a part of our life and we feel that we have grown with them. This third film excelled as the best in the franchise easily. I think it has the most heart, the best action and the best cast. This film was actually released in 3D in theaters and IMAX. I saw the film in IMAX and it was an experience unlike an other. When this film was released on Blu-ray, I was met with much disappointment that the 3D version was not included. Luckily now I was able to relive that experience and from my home. The 3D on this film is probably the best that Disney has ever released. What I liked most about this film is that it doesn’t even act like it is in 3D and uses it just to enhance the experience of the wonderful film. The Blu-Ray video presentation is obviously flawless and looks so crisp and clear. If you are wondering how this film can improve on the sound from the first two films it is very simple…DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1. That’s right the sound is superb. Overall to date it is my favorite Pixar film and most definitely my favorite 3D release.

Also unlike the first two films 3D Blu-ray release all of the extras are in HD. The first disc of extras include the very cute “Day & Night” short. “Buzz Lightyear Mission Logs: The Science of Adventure” like in the second film is an education short aimed for kids. “Toys!” is a short feature with the filmmakers and animators about working on creating the characters from their childhood toys. Disney is never one to skimp on the sneak peeks with over ten minutes of trailers, including “Cars 2”, “Tangled”, “The Incredibles”, “Mater’s Tall Tales”, “The Search for Santa Paws”, “Bambi” and a few more 3D titles. These are obviously dated since these trailer are from the previous Blu-ray release and are a little dated.

This film has so many extras that they are split over two disc. The commentary is even more intense with a picture-in-picture feature that needs its disc with director Lee Unkrich and producer Darla K. Anderson. They dissect the whole film and really give you an very immersive experience into the film. “Beyond the Toybox” is another commentary track with the supervising animator Bobby Podesta, supervising technical director Guido Quaroni, production designer Bob Pauley, supervising animator Mike Venturini and story supervisor Jason Katz. After being spoiled with the picture-in-picture commentary, it is good but doesn’t compare. “Film Fans” Featurettes is a 40 minutes set of production featurettes, including “Roundin’ Up a Western Opening”, “Bonnie’s Playtime: A Story Roundtable”, “Beginnings: Setting a Story in Motion”, “Life of a Shot”, “Making of Day & Night” and “Paths to Pixar”. These are all amazing and so worth a watch. Like the first two films there are shorts from Pixar including “Where’s Gordon,” “Cereal Bars” and “Clean Start”. If all those aren’t enough for you we have many many more featurettes. Then there is “Toy Story Trivia Dash” is a fun interactive game for the kids. Lastly there are many extra shorts from the publicity, including a series of “Ken’s Dating Tips”, Lots-o-Hugging Bear Commercials” and “Dancing with the Stars at Pixar” and also five domestic and Japanese theatrical trailers and more.

Directed by: John Lasseter
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, Annie Potts, John Ratzenberger, Joe Ranft, John Morris, Laurie Metcalf, Jodi Benson, Joan Cusack, Kelsey Grammer, Estelle Harris, and Wayne Knight.
Distributed by: Walt Disney Pictures
MPAA Rating: G
Running time: 92 minutes

Overall Score: 5 out of 5 stars

I still remember going to the movies with my wife (then girlfriend) and her family on Thanksgiving 1999 to see this film. This film was so highly anticipated and delivers such a great cinema experience. This sequel took what was great about the first film and really amped it up to the 10th degree. This film was released in Disney Digital 3D in 2009 ten years later and I got a chance to see it again. The experience was so enhanced as this film is so epic. This 3D Blu-ray is such an amazing transfer to Blu-ray disc. I would go as far and say that this is a flawless release. The video on the film is again fantastic and surpasses the first film in many ways. The sound is also very impressive with its DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, especially since this film is so action packed. Overall it is such a great experience and a truly fantastic way to view this film.

The special features are in depth but are a little lighter than the first film. Of course first includes is an audio commentary with director John Lasseter, co-directors Lee Unkrich and Ash Brannon, and co-writer Andrew Stanton. The commentary is very entertaining and delivers some really great information. The next is a second featurette continuing from the first called “Toy Story 3 Sneak Peek: The Characters” and explores the new characters. Like the first disc as well they have more shorts including “TS2 Sleep Deprivation Lab”, “Pinocchio” and “The Movie Vanishes”. Always great to watch. “Buzz Lightyear Mission Logs: International Space Station” is an virtual tour aimed to entertain the kids. “Paths to Pixar: Technical Artists” chats with the artists about their personal experiences with Pixar. “Pixar’s Zoetrope is a quick three-dimensional zoetrope, inspired by Studio Ghibli. “Celebrating Our Friend Joe Ranft” is a very great feature on the tribute to story artist Lasseter calls “the heart and soul of Pixar.”

The rest of the extras arre taken from the past DVD releases. “Making Toy Story 2” is a behind-the-scenes featurette diving into the sequels development. In “John Lasseter Profile”, we dive into the head of Pixar’s leader and it’s future. “Cast of Characters” focuses on the new character appearing this sequel. I think some of the best features is “Toy Box” which includes outtakes, easter egg and other great suprises including “Riders in the Sky Music Medley”, and Tom Hanks and Tim Allen arguing over “Who’s the Coolest Toy?” Definitely some good stuff. There are three unfinished scenes including a “deleted animation intro,” “Godzilla Rex,” and an early version of the “Crossing the Road” scene. Also like the first film, there are features about the “Design”, focuses on the effects and “Production” which has five more features describing the behind the scenes. The next featurettes chat about the sound and music including “Designing Sound,” “Making the Songs,” “Woody’s Roundup Music Video,” and a Randy Newman demo for “Jessie’s Song.”. Lastly there are promotional videos including two trailers, over ten TV spots, twenty domestic and international posters and more. Great features less than the first but still great.

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Directed by: John Lasseter
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen,Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Annie Potts, John Morris, Laurie Metcalf, Erik von Detten
Distributed by: Walt Disney Pictures
MPAA Rating: G
Running time: 81 minutes

Overall Score: 5 out of 5 stars

Pixar has changed the way that people watch animated films. With “Toy Story”, it was the first time a animated film was done in completely made with computer graphics. The first is epic and created the franchise loved by everyone. Woody and Buzz are some of the most notable characters from any film and has nudged it way into everyone’s hearts. This Blu-ray contains the coverted 3D presentation of this film. Since the film was originally released in 1995. It is before this new 3D technology existed. The conversion is really great and adds some good depth to the film. When I saw the “Toy Story 1 & 2” theatrical release, I enjoyed it but I wasn’t blown away. This was a real improvement from that experience for sure. The video is crystal clear and really pops the colors in the film. The sound on the film is a terrific DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. Disney is known for their Blu-ray video and sound and they have yet to disappoint.

The special features are similar to the first release of “Toy Story” on Blu-ray. Included is an audio commentary with director John Lasseter, co-writer Andrew Stanton, art director Ralph Eggleston, supervising animator Pete Docter, supervising technical director Bill Reeves, and producers Ralph Guggenheim and Bonnie Arnold. It is one packed house and it is great hearing about the production and work from their film. The featurette “Toy Story 3 Sneak Peek: The Story” is a short sneak into “Toy Story 3”. “Buzz Lightyear Mission Logs: Blast Off” is a fun animated/live-action short. “Paths to Pixar: Artists” takes a look with the animators on their experience. “Studio Stories” is consisted of three animated shorts “John’s Car”, “Baby AJ”, and the “Scooter Races”. “Buzz Takes Manhattan” features John Lasseter talking about the Macy’s Day Parade balloon. “Black Friday: The Toy Story You Never Saw” talks about the version of the film that we never saw…and it is a good thing for sure.

The rest of the features are from the past DVD releases and are in standard definition. The first is called “Filmmakers Reflect” featuring a roundtable discussion between John Lasseter and his Pixar crew about the film. “Making Toy Story” goes in depth on the development, design, and animation. I have always enjoyed this feature. “The Legacy of Toy Story” looks at the film and its legacy on animation genre. “Designing Toy Story” talks about the design of the film. Short but sweet. There are ten unfinished deleted scenes and alternate versions. It is always great to see raw footage from Pixar. There are three in depth features looking at the “Design”, chats about the 3D, the “Story”, features a story-to-film comparison and “Production” talks about the tricks used to make the film. The next featurette is about the sound and music, which is the best part of the film, with “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” music video and “Designing Sound” with Randy Newman’s audio tracks. Lastly here are many promotional spots includes, two theatrical Trailers, four TV spots, twenty-five domestic and international Posters, merchandise photos and more. If you have never owned this film this is the set you need to pick up.