There have been so many HD DVD releases to come through RopeofSilicon in the past few weeks that I was overwhelmed, but that doesn’t mean I am going to neglect to give each and every single one of them some attention. Granted there are three movies listed below that I did not watch, but the rest got the proper attention necessary for this recap.
So browse around and see if there is anything you like, and remember these titles are all available on DVD as well so if they sound good you can also look for the DVD version.
Enjoy!
SPECIAL FEATURES: This one comes packed with numerous featurettes, 17 minutes of deleted scenes, gag reel, rehearsal footage, a Comedy Central special and a look at Knocked Up. This is also the only HD DVD on this list that comes with an HD DVD exclusive feature, Universal’s U-Control feature which this time includes only the picture-in-picture feature so you can pretty much watch this and skip the featurettes and go straight to the deleted scenes and gag reel.
MY THOUGHTS: I think everyone should own this movie, I hadn’t watched it in a while and forgot just how funny it actually is. If you already own it on DVD I don’t think this is a worthwhile upgrade to HD DVD since it isn’t effects driven, but owning it on DVD or HD DVD is pretty much a requirement for any fan of good comedy.
BUY FROM AMAZON: CLICK HERE
SPECIAL FEATURES: This one includes both the HD DVD and DVD versions of the film on a flipper disc. The special features include two featurettes, a photo gallery, a look at one of the world premieres, press conference footage and the trailer.
MY THOUGHTS: Don’t buy this movie and unless you are a war buff or extremely interested in being depressed. This is one of the three movies I did not watch out of this batch and I don’t think I will ever watch it again. Once in the theater was enough for me.
BUY FROM AMAZON: CLICK HERE
SPECIAL FEATURES: For a movie as mediocre as this one was there are quite a few features including an audio commentary with director Iain Softley, a ghost story told by Kate Hudson, a mini look at voodoo and hoodoo, more featurettes and even a recipe for gumbo.
MY THOUGHTS: This movie is certainly more enjoyable in the comfort of your own home than it was in the theater, but ridiculous movies always seem to work out that way. I will say this film definitely benefits from HD DVD as the Louisiana landscape looks amazing in high definition.
BUY FROM AMAZON: CLICK HERE
SPECIAL FEATURES: A making of featurette, a commentary with director Rob Cohen, outtakes and trailers.
MY THOUGHTS: This is a terrible movie from top to bottom. Considering it was made in 1996 the dragon effects actually aren’t that bad, but the acting is with Dennis Quaid pulling out his rough and tough voice and David Thewlis playing the pathetic yet semi-immortal king. Do not buy or watch this movie.
BUY FROM AMAZON: CLICK HERE
SPECIAL FEATURES: This is Peter Jackson’s director’s cut so you get 14 minutes of new footage, an intro by Jackson, a commentary by Jackson and a feature length documentary on the making of the film.
MY THOUGHTS: I love how after a director makes one good movie his/her previous movies seem to get more attention. The Frighteners is in no way a good movie and far from deserving of a director’s cut, an audio commentary and a feature length making-of documentary. This is a silly commentary biting off of Ghostbusters and failing everywhere that movie succeeded.
BUY FROM AMAZON: CLICK HERE
SPECIAL FEATURES: None.
MY THOUGHTS: Even though it stars Mel Gibson, Sissy Spacek and Scott Glenn I didn’t watch this one so I have no idea if it is any good. Honestly I had never heard of this movie until this HD DVD showed up in the mail and I can’t help but wonder what possessed Universal to include this in their early wave of HD DVD titles. I am sure they have their reasons though.
BUY FROM AMAZON: CLICK HERE
SPECIAL FEATURES: A making-of featurette and the trailer.
MY THOUGHTS: This is the only other movie on this list I have not seen, but unlike The River I do plan on giving it a watch even though it is another HD DVD title that I don’t really think was the best decision to lead the way in these early lists of titles being released. I understand going for consumers with different tastes, but I never hear anyone saying, “Man, I can’t wait to get Midnight Run on HD DVD!”
BUY FROM AMAZON: CLICK HERE
SPECIAL FEATURES: A deleted scene, various featurettes, a music video, a conversation with Bill Murray and writer/director Sofia Coppola and the trailer.
MY THOUGHTS: This is a fantastic film and one everyone should see at least once. My recommendation for this one is to certainly rent before buying because I think it does have a specific audience, but I think it will also surprise a few people. On HD DVD it does look really good as Sofia Coppola used mood, atmosphere and the city of Tokyo to tell her story just as much as she used her characters. This is a great movie.
BUY FROM AMAZON: CLICK HERE
SPECIAL FEATURES: A making of featurette and a lesson in using the CB radio.
MY THOUGHTS: This is a classic ’80s style comedy and a must own for a lot of comedy lovers out there. This is just one of those comedies that doesn’t get old as the jokes are not the gut-busting kind that soon wear on you, instead it is a lesson in subtle comedic dialogue and it works.
BUY FROM AMAZON: CLICK HERE
SPECIAL FEATURES: Commentary with director Mark Rydell, a cast/director reunion feature, an old school making-of doc and the theatrical trailer.
MY THOUGHTS: I am typically not a “home on the range” western lover. If a western takes place in a town you can pretty much sign me up, Tombstone for example, but when it is more about the wild west and taking place on the plains I never get all that interested. However, The Cowboys is much more than just life on the range, there are some twists and turns to this story including a fantastically evil performance by Bruce Dern that makes this a movie I am certain to watch again. This was only the third John Wayne movie I have seen and the second is next, but it certainly has me wanting to see more.
BUY FROM AMAZON: CLICK HERE
SPECIAL FEATURES: A commentary with director John Carpenter and film historian Richard Schickel, two new featurettes, a look at the career of director Howard Hawks and a John Wayne westerns trailer gallery.
MY THOUGHTS: Rio Bravo is a fantastic western very much in the same style as Tombstone. Dean Martin’s character being named Dude is a little comical but for the most part this is a great in-town western that feature Angie Dickinson looking extremely hot, we need more girls like her now days. However, her character’s name being Feathers is just about as funny as Martin’s Dude.
BUY FROM AMAZON: CLICK HERE
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