The Proposal Blu-ray Review
October 2, 2009 by Admin/Neil
Filed under 2009 Blu-Ray Reviews, Blu-ray Clips
October 13th, the much anticipated romantic comedy, The Proposal, starring Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock, and a brilliant supporting cast, releases on Blu-ray (in a special combo pack with Digital Copy) from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.
Margaret (Bullock) is one of the shrewdest and most respect publishing managing editors in New York. Andrew (Reynolds) has been her personal assistant for over three years and puts up with her incessant demands and lack of appreciation because he aspires to be her one day.
Things change dramatically when Margaret, a Canadian, is informed she has to leave the country because of an expired Visa. Reluctant to leave the US, and her position of power, Margaret hatches a plan to marry Andrew. He is obviously not enthused at first, but Margaret plays off his ambition.
Threatened with the possibility of legal action by an over-aggressive immigration agent, Margaret and Andrew must be on top of their game as a couple to avoid fraud charges, as well as Margaret’s deportation. They fly to Alaska to meet Andrew’s family, which is headlined by his parents (Craig T. Nelson and Mary Steenburgen) and a zany grandmother (Betty White).
Andrew now realizes he has hold the power card in the relationship and his ability to assert himself contributes to a witty, clever, and often funny romantic comedy. Reynolds is always great and has a nice mix of charm and humor. Bullock isn’t a personal favorite, but she and Reynolds do have a nice chemistry.
The entertainment value of The Proposal would not be nearly the same, though, were it not for a great supporting cast. Craig T. Nelson is solid as the overbearing and successful father. Mary Steenburgen always manages to deliver a vulnerable, yet standout performance. Betty White is the perfect “crazy old woman”. The Proposal is funny and entertaining and there are some nice subtle moments that are mixed into the plot to enhance the overall comedic effect!
The Proposal Blu-ray special features are:
- Alternate Ending
- Deleted Scenes
- Set Antics: Outtakes and more
- Feature Audio Commentary
- Digital Copy
- Actors: Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, Betty White, Mary Steenburgen, Craig T. Nelson
- Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen
- Language: English
- Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
- Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
- Number of discs: 2
- Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
- Studio: Touchstone Home Entertainment
- DVD Release Date: October 13, 2009
- Run Time: 108 minutes
Blu-ray Review by Neil of Movie Room Reviews
The Greatest Game Ever Played Blu-ray Review
June 16, 2009 by Admin/Neil
Filed under 2009 Blu-Ray Reviews, Blu-ray Clips
On June 16th, get ready to be inspired as Shia LeBeouf (Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and Transformers) stars as amateur golfer Francis Oiumet in Walt Disney Studio’s Hi-Def Blu-ray release of The Greatest Game Ever Played.
The son of a laborer, Francis Oiumet spent much of his childhood and youth serving as a local caddy for well-to-do members of the country club. After a couple club members spotted Francis’ talent for the game, they encouraged him to practice and to sign up for the US Open that was coming around.
Despite his passion and natural gift for the game of golf, Francis faced a couple uphill challenges in his quest to become one of golf’s great amateurs. His status in society was not typical of a golfer, which ultimately contributed to his glory. His father was also not supportive his his interest in golf, preferring that his son accept his “position” in life as a working-class man.
With the chance to compete against his hero, the greatest golfer of the time, Britain’s Harry Vardon, Francis set out against many professional and more experienced amateur players. By his side for the entire tournament was his 10-year old trusted caddy, Eddie.
Francis Ouimet went onto become a two-time US Amateur Golf champion, and is still recognized as one of the best ambassadors for the gentleman’s game in its history. Disney does a nice job presenting this inspiring story of perseverance, determination, and heart. At times, the movie does lack a bit of depth from a story perspective, but sports enthusiasts will enjoy The Greatest Game Ever Played. There are some attempts at a romantic angle, and family pressure comes into play, but this story is really about one man and his love for golf.
Special features of his Hi-Def Blu-ray release include:
- A View from the Gallery: On the Set of The Greatest Game Ever Played
- Two Legends and the Greatest Game
- From Caddie to Champion: Francis Ouimet
- Audio Commentary with Director Bill Paxton
- Audio Commentary with Author, Screenwriter and Producer Mark Frost
- Actors: Shia LeBeouf, Stephen Dillane, Elias Koteas, James Paxton
- Directors: Bill Paxton
- Format: Anamorphic, Color, Dolby, HiFi Sound, Surround Sound, THX, Widescreen
- Language: English
- Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only)
- Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
- Number of discs: 1
- Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
- Studio: WALT DISNEY VIDEO
- DVD Release Date: June 16, 2009
- Run Time: 121 minutes
Blu-ray Review by Neil of Movie Room Reviews
Miracle Blu-ray Review
June 6, 2009 by Admin/Neil
Filed under 2009 Blu-Ray Reviews, Blu-ray Clips
Do you remember where you were in 1980 when Al Michaels asked the classic question, “Do you believe in miracles?” Of course, he was referring to the consensus greatest upset and moment in sports history – the US Olympic hockey team’s defeat of the overwhelming favorite Russian team. Now, you can relive the glory and embrace the patriotic spirit of the moment with the June 16th Blu-ray release of Miracle, from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.
Kurt Russell stars as Coach Herb Brooks, the determined coach who never let his team believe they could’t do the impossible. While captivating the spirit and drama of this very real life sports classic, Miracle also tells a story of discipline, practice, heart, conviction, perseverance and more great lessons. Brooks takes a team of undisciplined and “green” international players against a Soviet team that beat the NHL All-Star team prior to the Olympics in 1980.
Many of us likely recall the excitement surrounding the 1980 hockey team that captured the spirit of the nation. With Miracle, you can go behind the scenes and experience the hard work and dedication the players and coaches had to give in order to achieve the pinnacle of sports glory.
The Miracle Blu-ray release includes several great special features:
- The Making of Miracle
- From Hockey to Hollywood: The Actors’ Journeys
- The Sound of Miracle
- Miracle ESPN Roundtable with Linda Cohn
- First Impressions: Herb Brooks with Kurt Russell and the Filmmakers
- Audio Commentary by Director Gavin O’Connor, Directory of Photography Dan Stoloff and Editor John Gilroy
- Outtakes
- Actors: Kurt Russell, Patricia Clarkson, Noah Emmerich
- Directors: Gavin O’Connor
- Format: Color, Widescreen
- Language: English
- Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only)
- Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
- Number of discs: 1
- Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
- Studio: WALT DISNEY VIDEO
- DVD Release Date: June 16, 2009
- Run Time: 136 minutes
Blu-ray Review by Neil of Movie Room Reviews
