Blu-ray Review “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure”

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Alex Winter, George Carlin, Dan Shor, Tony Steedman, Rod Loomis
Director: Stephen Herek
Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: MGM
Release Date: November 13, 2012
Run Time: 90 minutes

Film: 5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars

I remember seeing this film in the theaters and going crazy.  Well nothing has really changed in over 20 years.  Every time that watch this film it just seems to get better and more funny.  This is the first time that this film has been been released on Blu-ray and I highly recommend it.  I can’t wait to share this film with my daughter (in a few years since she’s only five months now).  Overall, it is totally excellent and will satisfy all fans of the film.  One question though…where is “Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey”? Hint-Hint!

Official Synopsis: Bill (Alex Winter) and Ted (Keanu Reeves) have spent so much time forming their rock band that they’re flunking history. Ted’s dad threatens to send him to military school if he doesn’t pass. Luckily, Rufus (George Carlin), a guardian angel from the future, has a time-traveling phone booth to take them into the past to learn about the world. Their journey through time turns out to be a blast…but will they learn enough to pass their class and keep their rock band together?

The Blu-ray looks and sounds great.  The 1080p transfer with its widescreen 2.35:1 aspect ratio holds up well and deliver the goods. The film also sounds great since a lot of the film is music based.  This is given an excellent DTS-HD-MA 5.1 surround track. The special features are decent but nothing new for this release.  They are extras from the 2005 DVD release which have been ported. First, we have a featurette focusing on the writers Ed Solomon and Chris Matheson.  I think this was the film (music inspiration was from Rush) that made me want to air guitar, so the tutorial here is always fun. There is an episode of the animated “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventures”, which is a nice features.  Lastly there are some radio spots and also a theatrical trailer.  All around decent.

Click here for a totally excellent Bill and Ted infographic!

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: adventure, bill, bluray, excellent, review, teds, ...

Blu-ray Review “Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp’s Adventure”

Directors: Darrell Rooney, Jeannine Roussel
Starring: Scott Wolf, Alyssa Milano, Chazz Palminteri, Jeff Bennett, Jodi Benson, Bill Fagerbakke
MPAA Rating: G
Distributed by: Walt Disney Video
Release Date: August 21, 2012
Running Time: 69 minutes

Film: 3 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars

When it comes to Disney’s direct-to-video titles, I give them a certain leniency since they are good for what they deliver. They don’t trump the previous films in quality but they also don’t try to either. “Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp’s Adventure” delivers a very fun and cute film that is filled with colorful characters and non-stop songs. This story picks up with Lady and Tramp’s mischievous pup, Scamp (Scott Wolf), who runs away after getting fed up with rules and restrictions and longs for a wild and free lifestyle. It is notable to say that this film does have some great voice talent including Scott Wolf, Alyssa Milano, Chazz Palminteri, and Disney voice legend Jodi Benson. Fans of “Lady and the Tramp” and the Disney animation will enjoy this release but it is definitely aimed to please the kiddies.

This isn’t the only film released out of the vault though. Besides this film, August 21st saw the release seven animated films over five different Blu-ray, including “The Aristocats”, “The Rescuers & The Rescuers Down Under”, “Pocahontas & Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World” and “The Tigger Movie”. Disney if you are reading this, I still want to see a Blu-ray release for films like “Robin Hood” and “The Sword in the Stone”…(hint-hint).

Disney released this film as a two-disc set, including a Blu-ray disc and a DVD disc. “Scamp’s Adventure” looks beautiful on Blu0ray with its 1080p video transfer. Even for its standard direct-to-video Disney sequel, it looks just as good as theatrical features. Same goes for its DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track. Even though the songs are not the best, they still sound amazing.

The special features are impressive as well. Firstly we have an audio commentary with director Darrell Rooney, animation director Steve Trenbirth and co-director/producer Jeannine Roussel, which is worth checking out for parents. “From Tramp to Scamp” is the only extras presented in standard definition. IT is a making-of feature that runs just under 20 minutes and is a pretty in depth look a the production. There is a cute pop-up animal fact trivia track aimed for kids as well as five songs delivered with karaoke-style subtitles. Lastly (and my favorite) there are three classic Walt Disney Shorts in HD “Pluto Junior,” “Bone Trouble” and “Pluto’s Kid Brother.”

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: adventure, bluray, ii, lady, review, scamps, ...

DVD Review “Adventure Time: Complete First Season”

 Starring: John DiMaggio, Jeremy Shada, Tom Kenny
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Distributed by: Cartoon Network
Release Date: July 10, 2012
Running Time: 286 minutes

Season: 5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 4 out of 5 stars

Not to complain about it…but what took some long? This show is such a cult classic already and loved by both kids and adults a like. I cannot believe there has not been a complete season DVD sooner. “Adventure Time” is Cartoon Network’s #1 hit comedy show and is also an Emmy nominated. This DVD includes all 26 episodes from season one and is packaged with a collectible slipcover that is super cool for all fans of the show. I hope that Cartoon Network plans on releasing season two-four of this show as well. More importantly where is the Blu-ray release?

The show centers around the post apocalyptic adventures of Finn, a human boy with a funny hat, and his friend Jake, a magic and mischievous dog. I have no idea what it is about this show that makes it so super cool but I absolutely love it. It is not just for kids and really aims to please adults as well. The humor is so over-the-top and zany that is leaves your head spinning with each episode. The characters are also so colorful and unique that I found myself wanting more of each one, especially Lumpy Space Princess.

The special features on the DVD are fantastic. There are commentary tracks included on various episodes, which is great to listen to if you are a fan of the series. There are a bunch of great behind the scene featurettes of the crew, the composers and more filmed by creator Pendleton Ward with his very own camera phone. There are also a bunch of animatics featuring commentary by Ward, Adam Muto, Pat McHale and Derek Drymon for the “Rainy Day Daydream,” “Slumber Party Panic,” “Dungeon” and “The Enchiridion!” episodes. There is also episode commentary tracks from cast members and special guests including: “Prisoners of Love” with John DiMaggio, Jeremy Shada, Tom Kenny and Ward; “Ricardio the Heart Guy” with George Takei, Hynden Walch, Kenny, Shada and Ward; “Tree Trunks” with Bettie Ward and Polly Lou Livingston; and “Trouble in Lumpy Space” with DiMaggio, Shada, Kenny and Ward. Lastly there is also music video included on this release.

Season one episodes include: Slumber Party Panic, Trouble in Lumpy Space, Prisoners of Love, Tree Trunks, The Enchiridion!, My Two Favorite People, Memories of Boom Boom Mountain, Ricardio the Heart Guy, Finn the Wizard, City of Thieves, The Witch’s Garden, What Is Life, Ocean of Fear, When Wedding Bells Thaw, Dungeon, The Duke, Freak City, Donny, Henchman, Rainy Day Daydream, What Have You Done?, His Hero & Gut Grinder.

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: adventure, complete, dvd, review, season, time, ...

DVD Review “The Smurfs: A Magical Smurf Adventure”

DVD Release Date: July 19, 2011
Number of discs: 2
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Warner Home Video
Extras: None

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Gearing up for their first feature film in theaters July 29th, this “super-Smurfy” collection features 10 episodes from the hit ‘80s Saturday morning cartoon series. If you ever watched Smurfs they you will love this “best of” compilation which everyone’s favorite Smurfs, including Lazy, Brainy, Smurfette, Hefty, Clumsy and of course, Papa Smurf. I grew up watching this show and it is great to see it on DVD. Hopefully this is only part one of many since I would love to see more best of collections releases.

The 10 “Smurftastic” episodes included are: “Smurf Van Winkle” – Lazy is tricked into believing he’s slept his life away, “Revenge of the Smurfs” – The Smurfs try to get even with an army that’s stormed their village, “Magic Fountain” – The Smurfs search for a magic fountain, “Smurf Me No Flowers – Lazy is led to believe he has only a few days to live, “The Cursed Country” – An evil master captures Smurfs to work in his diamond mine, “The Blue Plague” – Brainy gives the Smurfs a meal that makes them feel like chickens, “The Ring of Castellac” – The Smurfs return a drugged duke to his rightful place, “A Mere Truffle” – Tracker loses his memory while leading the Smurfs on a truffle hunt, “Gormandizing Greedy” – Greedy gains weight after a diet of sweets and desserts and lastly, “Sister Smurf” – Smurfette and a young girl are held captive by an old hag.

It would have been nice to see some extras on this set. Since it is not really a complete season and it is getting released to time with “The Smurfs” movie, it makes sense why it is bare.  It would have been cool to get some commentary as to what the “smurf” they were saying having all the time…or maybe some Smurf subtitles. Overall, if you are feeling nostalgic then this is a must.

Available on DVD: July 19th
Click here to purchase “The Smurfs: A Magical Smurf Adventure”

Synopsis: Get your Smurf on with this 2-disc set of 10 Smurftacular Episodes! In a hidden village dwells a clan of magical creatures, living in mushroom houses and taking showers with dewdrops. They’re those international celebrities known far and wide as the Smurfs — and they’re back on DVD. This itty-bitty powder-blue crew, including Brainy, Lazy, Vanity and Smurfette, is led by the wise, gentle and 542-year-old Papa Smurf. Gargamel, the local evil wizard, is forever scheming against the tiny team but our little friends outsmurf him every time! The Smurfs may only be three apples high, but they left miles of smiles on the faces of Saturday morning cartoon fans from 1981 to 1989!  Smurf it up again with this colorful collection of superior Smurftainment!

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: adventure, dvd, magical, review, smurf, smurfs, ...
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