Home Audio Video Advisor

Sugar [Blu-ray]

Sure Gladiator and Braveheart come out this week but frankly I didn’t really care for either one. Not that they weren’t well done and entertaining enough but for me they suffer from being Dude Flicks which just happens to be the opposite of Chick Flicks. Both types of flicks are often enjoyable but you tend to remember them about as long as it takes my projector’s lamp to cool down (2 minutes).

So the obvious pick this week was M*A*S*H that is until we ran across a movie that is far more worthwhile catching than watching M*A*S*H once again. Sugar is a baseball themed movie but like all great sports movies it isn’t about sports. Rather it looks at the life of a young pitcher as we get a glimpse into his world. One so well written, directed and acted you’ll forget the balls and strikes and hope he comes out a winner in life.

Similar titles:

• Field of Dreams [Blu-ray]
• The Rookie [Blu-ray]
• The Wrestler [Blu-ray]

Every Tuesday we pick our favorite new Blu-ray release. When possible we spotlight lesser known titles as they are easily overlooked and often under-appreciated. Although occasionally a blockbuster becomes one for good reason and we won’t hold it against them. Our selections are based on entertainment value and takes into account the following weighted in the order listed.

• Story-line
• Acting
• Overall execution of the movie
• Our taste in movies
• Video image
• Audio mix

At times we will selection a concert, TV series or other material. The absolute deciding factor comes down to what we want to view in the theater on release day. If it tops that list it’s our pick!

Dexter: Seasons 1-3 [Blu-ray]

Unless you subscribe to Showtime you have more than likely missed a whole lot of killer episodes of Dexter. The first three seasons are now available on Blu-ray and if you have the stomach for the graphic theme you’ll be rewarded with an intense journey that will often have you questioning your own thoughts as much as Dexter’s.

I much prefer watching great series on Blu-ray (or DVD for that matter) than catching one episode a week even if commercials aren’t involved. It’s so much more entertaining to experience one episode after another until it’s almost 3 am and you realize you have seen them all! For the next few days you’ll be in withdrawal. If you can’t fight it I’d recommend Weeds – Seasons 1-3 [Blu-ray] (Amazon.com Exclusive). There are plenty of wonderful episodes available to feed your addiction.

Similar titles:

Weeds – Seasons 1-3 [Blu-ray] (Amazon.com Exclusive)
True Blood: The Complete First Season (HBO Series) [Blu-ray]
Sin City (Two-Disc Theatrical & Uncut, Extended, and Unrated Verisons) [Blu-ray]

Every Tuesday we pick our favorite new Blu-ray release. When possible we spotlight lesser known titles as they are easily overlooked and often under-appreciated. Although occasionally a blockbuster becomes one for good reason and we won’t hold it against them. Our selections are based on entertainment value and takes into account the following weighted in the order listed.

• Story-line
• Acting
• Overall execution of the movie
• Our taste in movies
• Video image
• Audio mix

At times we will selection a concert, TV series or other material. The absolute deciding factor comes down to what we want to view in the theater on release day. If it tops that list it’s our pick!

Starman [Blu-ray]

Similar titles:

• Close Encounters of the Third Kind (30th Anniversary Ultimate Edition) [Blu-ray]
• Ghost [Blu-ray]
• Contact [Blu-ray]

Every Tuesday we pick our favorite new Blu-ray release. When possible we spotlight lesser known titles as they are easily overlooked and often under-appreciated. Although occasionally a blockbuster becomes one for good reason and we won’t hold it against them. Our selections are based on entertainment value and takes into account the following weighted in the order listed.

• Story-line
• Acting
• Overall execution of the movie
• Our taste in movies
• Video image
• Audio mix

At times we will selection a concert, TV series or other material. The absolute deciding factor comes down to what we want to view in the theater on release day. If it tops that list it’s our pick!

Sling Blade [Blu-ray]

Another relatively quiet week so we were pleased when Sling Blade appeared on the list. You have had over a dozen years to see this character piece but only recently has a ton of worthwhile supplemental material been made available. The audio and video won’t disappoint but the reason to experience the movie is Billie Bob Thornton’s acting. He also wrote the screen play and directed.

There are many other strong performances including John Ritter, Robert Duvall and Dwight Yoakam. The story-line is simple yet powerful. Well worth a visit to this small quiet town.  The supplemental material is in SD but includes almost 2 hours of background information on Billy Bob Thornton and an over an hour not to miss round table discussion with cast members. There are several other short pieces and a full length commentary by Billy Bob Thornton.

Similar titles:

• Fargo [Blu-ray]
• One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Blu-ray Book) [Blu-ray]

Every Tuesday we pick our favorite new Blu-ray release. When possible we spotlight lesser known titles as they are easily overlooked and often under-appreciated. Although occasionally a blockbuster becomes one for good reason and we won’t hold it against them. Our selections are based on entertainment value and takes into account the following weighted in the order listed.

• Story-line
• Acting
• Overall execution of the movie
• Our taste in movies
• Video image
• Audio mix

At times we will selection a concert, TV series or other material. The absolute deciding factor comes down to what we want to view in the theater on release day. If it tops that list it’s our pick!

Watchmen (Director’s Cut) (Amazon Digital Bundle + Digital Copy and BD-Live) [Blu-ray]

This week the pickings are slim although 12 Monkeys certainly deservers a viewing. However we decided to break the rules and pick Watchmen which was released last week. Since we have a personal attachment to last week’s pick it seems only fair to get this release a second chance.

You certainly know whether you typically enjoy this genre of film and if so you are good to go. The story-line is solid and the audio and video won’t disappoint. For true enthusiasts it’s one of those can’t miss films. The video is so pristine it brings about that all so desired 3D look and the audio easily matches its performance the entire time. Sit back and enjoy being transported to another place and time!

Similar titles:

• The Dark Knight (+ Digital Copy and BD Live) [Blu-ray]
• Iron Man (Ultimate Two-Disc Edition + BD Live) [Blu-ray]
• Sin City (Two-Disc Theatrical & Uncut, Extended, and Unrated Verisons) [Blu-ray]
• V for Vendetta [Blu-ray]

Every Tuesday we pick our favorite new Blu-ray release. When possible we spotlight lesser known titles as they are easily overlooked and often under-appreciated. Although occasionally a blockbuster becomes one for good reason and we won’t hold it against them. Our selections are based on entertainment value and takes into account the following weighted in the order listed.

• Story-line
• Acting
• Overall execution of the movie
• Our taste in movies
• Video image
• Audio mix

At times we will selection a concert, TV series or other material. The absolute deciding factor comes down to what we want to view in the theater on release day. If it tops that list it’s our pick!

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow [Blu-ray]

This week is dominated by older releases. There are quite a few very good movies to pick from and it was getting harder and harder to decide until we came across one of our all-time favorites. Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow is a pure joy with virtually everything going for it as it scores a check mark on each of our selection criteria. Throw in the non-stop homage to the Saturday matinee and the picture show becomes even more enjoyable as you remember one great film and actor after another.

Every Tuesday we pick our favorite new Blu-ray release. When possible we spotlight lesser known titles as they are easily overlooked and often under-appreciated. Although occasionally a blockbuster becomes one for good reason and we won’t hold it against them. Our selections are based on entertainment value and takes into account the following weighted in the order listed.

• Story-line
• Acting
• Overall execution of the movie
• Our taste in movies
• Video image
• Audio mix

At times we will selection a concert, TV series or other material. The absolute deciding factor comes down to what we want to view in the theater on release day. If it tops that list it’s our pick!

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon / Curse of the Golden Flower / House of Flying Daggers Trilogy [Blu-ray]

This Trilogy is far from our favorite genre however one needs to view Curse of the Golden Flower if for no other reason than its cinema-photography. It along with breath taking interior and exterior locations are well worth appreciating on your ISF calibrated display. The other movies are rather well known and we’ll let you decide if you would like to see them again. Here’s a shot we took of Curse of the Golden Flower.

Every Tuesday we pick our favorite new Blu-ray release. When possible we spotlight lesser known titles as they are easily overlooked and often under-appreciated. Although occasionally a blockbuster becomes one for good reason and we won’t hold it against them. Our selections are based on entertainment value and takes into account the following weighted in the order listed.

• Story-line
• Acting
• Overall execution of the movie
• Our taste in movies
• Video image
• Audio mix

At times we will selection a concert, TV series or other material. The absolute deciding factor comes down to what we want to view in the theater on release day. If it tops that list it’s our pick!

Knowing [Blu-ray]

This week there are very few releases as it appears the studios took time off over the holiday. But we did manage to find a winner. It stars Nicolas Cage who we have always like even before he married Elvis’ daughter. Throw in 5 star audio, video and even the not so loved by all story line won’t detract from your enjoyment. Frankly anything by Alex Proyas we’ll recommend since he has never ending goodwill after giving us Dark City (Director’s Cut) [Blu-ray].

Every Tuesday we pick our favorite new Blu-ray release. When possible we spotlight lesser known titles as they are easily overlooked and often under-appreciated. Although occasionally a blockbuster becomes one for good reason and we won’t hold it against them. Our selections are based on entertainment value and takes into account the following weighted in the order listed.

• Story-line
• Acting
• Overall execution of the movie
• Our taste in movies
• Video image
• Audio mix

At times we will selection a concert, TV series or other material. The absolute deciding factor comes down to what we want to view in the theater on release day. If it tops that list it’s our pick!

Two Lovers [Blu-ray]

This week it wasn’t even a contest. Two Lovers aces the first three items in our weighted list and there wasn’t another release even close. A quick check at IMDB.com (7.5) and rogerebert.suntimes.com (3 1/2 stars) confirmed we had a winner.

Every Tuesday we pick our favorite new Blu-ray release. When possible we spotlight lesser known titles as they are easily overlooked and often under-appreciated. Although occasionally a blockbuster becomes one for good reason and we won’t hold it against them. Our selections are based on entertainment value and takes into account the following weighted in the order listed.

• Story-line
• Acting
• Overall execution of the movie
• Our taste in movies
• Video image
• Audio mix

At times we will selection a concert, TV series or other material. The absolute deciding factor comes down to what we want to view in the theater on release day. If it tops that list it’s our pick!