LATEST ADDITIONS

Anton van Beek  |  Jan 31, 2013  |  0 comments

You really have to wonder what the thinking was behind this particular remake. It certainly wasn't to get back to the basics of the original Philip K Dick short story that both are based on.

Anton van Beek  |  Jan 31, 2013  |  0 comments

To say that Pixar's latest film Brave doesn't quite reach the same heights as the studio's best films is to do it a disservice. Pixar has set the bar so high with some of its earlier animations that very few films will ever measure up. So, while Brave might not be as good as, say, Toy Story or Ratatouille, it's a smart, witty and exciting tale that is streets ahead of pretty much anything that the animation house's rivals have ever cooked up.

Anton van Beek  |  Jan 31, 2013  |  0 comments

Fans of swordplay and wire-fu will find plenty to love in this cracking Asian blockbuster. Directed by the legendary Tsui (Zu Warriors…) Hark and starring Jet Li, this period action flick delivers some of the most breathtaking use of stereoscopic filmmaking we've seen, making it a must-buy for those with 3D setups. The MVC 2.40:1 1080p 3D encode is joined by a deliciously aggressive Mandarin-language DTS-HD MA 5.1 track (an English Dolby 2.0 mix is also included for those who struggle to read subtitles). The set's 2D platter also houses a selection of interviews and featurettes.

Anton van Beek  |  Jan 30, 2013  |  0 comments

The best and worst of Hitchcock's extraordinary body of work comes together in this new boxset. Spanning the years 1942 to 1976, it includes Saboteur, Shadow of a Doubt, Rope, Rear Window, The Trouble with Harry, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Vertigo, Psycho, The Birds, Marnie, Torn Curtain, Topaz, Frenzy and Family Plot.

Anton van Beek  |  Jan 30, 2013  |  0 comments

There was clearly something in the water in Hollywood last year, with several of the US TV networks launching new shows based around fairy tales. NBC's Grimm takes the police procedural route with a cop finding out that he comes from a long line of monster killers, but comes a cropper with its appalling CGI and uneven tone. And while this four-disc set's 1080p encodes (a mix of VC-1 and AVC) only serve to highlight the show's abysmal visual effects, they also make the most of the crisp and detailed digital photography. Deleted scenes and an interactive bestiary are among the many extras on offer.

Anton van Beek  |  Jan 30, 2013  |  0 comments

While men might have the title to themselves, it's the women who remain the driving force of this engaging TV series. Sure, Don is as enigmatic as ever and watching Lane and Pete get into a punch-up is fun, but its witnessing Peggy, Joan and Megan adjusting to their changing roles in society that provides the real meat for this latest batch of 13 episodes. As always, the AVC 1.78:1 1080p presentation is mouthwateringly good, as is the DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio. Superior extras are split between behind-the-scenes material (such as the two commentaries for every episode) and that with a more historical/educational leaning.

Anton van Beek  |  Jan 30, 2013  |  0 comments

Despite being straight-to-video efforts, both of these horror sequels come across well in hi-def. Indeed, the AVC 1.78:1 1080p encodes exhibit plenty of finely textured grain and rich colours that noticeably improve on that of the original film. The native DTS-HD MA 2.0 audio is cleanly rendered and Puppet Master III also gets a DTS-HD MA 5.1 remix. Fan-pleasing extras include a commentary for each movie and a host of archival goodies, including toy commercials and Making of… footage.

Anton van Beek  |  Jan 30, 2013  |  0 comments

This tenth outing for the crew of Red Dwarf was a ratings hit for broadcast channel Dave, and it's sure to be picked up by fans on Blu-ray. While the HD transfers make the most of the RED camera photography and Howard Goodall's score jangles nicely, the best thing here is the behind-the-scenes Making of... documentary on Disc 2, which is surprisingly candid and offers an exhaustive look at the making of each episode. Dwarfers can also chuckle at the obligatory 'Smeg Ups' reel of outtakes.

Anton van Beek  |  Jan 30, 2013  |  0 comments

While it doesn't get off to the best of starts (pretty much all of the episodes on Disc One are geared towards kids), this Star Wars spin-off soon finds itsfeet again. Highlights include Obi-Wan going undercover as a bounty hunter and the return of Darth Maul – which might have had slightly more impact if they hadn't given the game away by plastering his face all over the Blu-ray sleeve. The set's 2.35:1 HD encodes make the most of the show's gorgeous CG-animation and are supported by surprisingly powerful and nuanced DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio. There are also some fascinating extras to get stuck into including some split-screen video commentaries for selected story arcs.

Anton van Beek  |  Jan 30, 2013  |  0 comments

Two seasons on from what would have been its natural conclusion, Supernatural is struggling to find a reason to still haunt the airwaves. While far from unwatchable, this latest batch of 23 episodes is the weakest season to date, with too many clunky episodes and a shockingly weak central story arc and 'big bad'. On the positive side, the 1080p 1.78:1 hi-def imagery and DTS-HD 5.1 audio is as good as ever, and this four-disc BD set also packs some high-quality extras.

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