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Reviewed
this month: The One, A.I.
Artificial Intelligence, Life As A House,
Cinderella II: Dreams Come True, Peter
Pan
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review format as featured on this page.
 The
One (Special Edition)
Movie A |
Video A | Audio A
| Extras B+ | Recommended!
Jet Li, Delroy Lindo, Carla Gugino, Jason
Statham
director James Wong | Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment
2001 |Martial Arts - Science Fiction | PG-13 | 87 minutes
Region 1 | DVD-9
anamorphic
widescreen 2.40:1 aspect ratio
|full screen
Dolby Digital 5.1
Summary: Jet Li continues his return to the
big screen as "The One". If you liked "The
Matrix", you're sure to like this science fiction martial arts action
film. Jet Li is finally teamed against the most formidable opponent of
his career - himself! Superb visual special effects are ingeniously
applied to portray awesome fight scenes where Jet Li fights against
himself in hand-to-hand combat. Actually, his character is
fighting against his character's counterpart from another universe, in a
concept fictionalized by the film as "Multiverse". While
the special effects are dazzling, the sound design is equally awesome (as can be
expected for a big budget action flick) and is well captured by the disc's
Dolby Digital 5.1
soundtrack. Home theater fans are in for a real treat. Highly
recommended for fans of action and martial arts films!
Special Features: director and crew
commentary; various making-of featurettes: "Jet Li is The One",
"Multiverses create The One", "About Face",
"Jet Li on his first
time in America" (Easter egg), "The Many Faces of Jet Li"; Mark Borchardt was
in "The One" with Jet Li (Easter egg), animatic comparison,
"The One" theatrical trailer, filmographies
DVD released as a Special Edition on 3/5/2002 | Reviewed
2/18/2002
List $27.96 | online $20.97 | order from Amazon.com,
Buy.com
Rent this DVD from NetFlix
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 A.I.
Artificial Intelligence
Movie B+ |
Video A | Audio A+
| Extras A
Haley Joel Osment, Jude Law, Frances O'Connor,
Sam Robards, Brendan Gleeson, William Hurt
director Steven Spielberg | DreamWorks & Warner Bros.
2001 | Science Fiction - Drama | PG-13 | 145 minutes
Region 1 |
2-disc set | DVD-9
& DVD-9
|
anamorphic
widescreen 1.85:1 aspect ratio
DTS 5.1 | Dolby Digital 5.1
Summary: "A.I. Artificial
Intelligence" is about one man's quest to make a robot that knows
how to love. This visionary inventor (William Hurt) makes a
prototype child robot David (wonderfully played by Haley Joel Osment) who
comes into the lives of a couple whose son is in a coma. David manages to win the heart of the mother, but things get complicated
when their human son awakens from the coma and comes home. David
wants to become a "real boy", very much like the fairytale Pinocchio. As hyped up as this film was, I was somewhat
let down by the movie's uncanny similarities with the classic fairy
tale. I also thought that the plot development was uneven,
frequently making jumps that I thought was rather abrupt. It's
still a wonderful movie nonetheless, as it touches on the future of
humanity as our natural resources dry up, and we resort to smart robots
for companionship. The visual special effects are nothing short
of astounding, as is the sound design which is presented in both DTS 5.1
and Dolby Digital 5.1.
The DVD is loaded with extras and is sure to please fans of the movie.
Special Features: creating A.I. on
disc 1; disc 2: acting A.I. (portrait of David and portrait
of
Gigolo Joe), designing A.I. (A.I. from drawings to sets and
dressing A.I.), lighting A.I., special effects, robots of A.I.,
special visual effects and animation: ILM (an overview, the robots, the
miniatures, the New York City sequence shot progression, animating A.I.),
the sound and music of A.I., Steven Spielberg: our responsibility
to artificial intelligent, A.I. archives (trailers, storyboards,
Chris Baker's portfolio, production design portfolio, ILM portfolio,
portrait gallery photographs by David James, Steven Spielberg behind the
scenes photography by David James), cast, filmmakers
DVD released on 3/5/2002 | Reviewed 2/25/2002
List $29.99 | online $18.99 | order from Amazon.com,
Buy.com
for $18.99
Rent this DVD from NetFlix
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 Life
As A House
Movie A |
Video A | Audio A
| Extras B+ | Recommended!
Kevin Kline, Kristin Scott Thomas, Hayden
Christensen, Mary Steenburgen, Jena Malone, Jamey Sheridan, Sam
Robards, Scott Bakula
director Irwin Winkler | New Line Home Entertainment
2001 | Drama | R | 124 minutes
Region 1 | DVD-9
|anamorphic
widescreen 2.10:1 aspect ratio
DTS 5.1 | Dolby Digital 5.1
Summary: Kevin Kline is true to his role as
George Monroe, a loyal model builder for an architecture firm who suffers from
a serious illness and is desperately trying to re-build his relationships with his estranged son
and ex-wife by building his dream house with them. George's life is
personified by his tearing down of the old house in which he grew up in and his construction of a
strikingly handsome new house in its place. The movie is beautifully scored
with music that wonderfully conveys the emotions of
George, his family, and their changing interpersonal relationships. The
musical score and sound design are effectively presented in both DTS 5.1
and Dolby Digital 5.1
soundtrack.
This movie
is deeply moving and I have my soaked handkerchief to prove it.
Fans of family drama should not miss this film.
Special Features: audio commentary,
"Character Building: Inside Life As A House" and "From the
Ground Up" original documentaries, deleted scenes with optional
filmmaker commentary: A Visit from Kurt - with Scott Bakula, A Visit
from Kurt - with William Russ, Sam Gets Hosed, Sam Won't Go/Mad Dokos,
theatrical press kit (About the Production, About the Cast, About the
Crew), and theatrical trailer
DVD released on 3/26/2002 | Reviewed 3/20/2002
List $24.98 | online $19.49 | order from Amazon.com,
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 Cinderella II: Dreams Come True
Movie B |
Video A | Audio A
| Extras B+
voice talents of Jennifer Hale, Tress
MacNeille, Rob Paulsen, Corey Burton, Russi Taylor, Holland Taylor,
Susanne Blakeslee, Frank Welker, Christopher Daniel Barnes, Andre
Stojka
director John Kafka |
Walt Disney
Feature Animation (Buena Vista)
2002 | Disney - Animation - Family | G | 73 minutes
Region 1 | DVD-9
| anamorphic
widescreen 1.66:1 aspect ratio
DTS 5.1 |
Dolby Digital 5.1
Summary: As a fan of the classic fairy tale
and Disney's feature animation Cinderella, I
anxiously looked forward to this highly anticipated sequel only to be somewhat disappointed
because it actually consists of three short stories. As a parent of
younger children, I personally
did not like Cinderella's encouragement of Anastatia to disobey her mother in the last
short story,
Anastatia In Love, even if the stepmother was evil. Parents
should consider exercising parental guidance with younger and more
impressionable children. The classic theme song "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo"
is catchy and cool for audiences of all ages. The marvelous sound design is
nicely presented in both DTS 5.1
and Dolby Digital 5.1
soundtrack options. For
this direct-to-DVD sequel, I felt that the suggested retail price is
a bit expensive for what is basically a series of three short stories
strung together. As such, it's worth a rental, but probably not a
purchase except for the most die-hard Disney fans.
Special Features: Cinderella DVD
storybook "A Little Misunderstanding"; Cinderella's
Enchanted Castle game; theatrical trailers for Beauty and The Beast,
The Hunchback of Notre Dame II, and The Many Adventures
of Winnie The Pooh, Disney DVD, 101 Dalmations II: Patch's
London Adventure, Tarzan and Jane, Monsters Inc.,
Schoolhouse Rock: 30th Anniversary Edition, American Legends,
100 Years of Magic; "Musical Magic" Featurette,
"Cinderella's Dollhouse" preview (DVD-ROM required); Brooke
Allison music video "Put It Together"
DVD released on 2/26/2002 | Reviewed 3/20/2002
List $29.99 | online $21.49 | order from Amazon.com,
Buy.com
Rent this DVD from NetFlix
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rental program absolutely free!
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 Peter
Pan (Special Edition)
Movie A- |
Video A | Audio B+
| Extras A- | Recommended!
voice talents of Bobby Driscoll, Kathryn
Beaumont, Paul Collins
director Hamilton Luske & Wilfred Jackson
Walt Disney
Feature Animation (Buena Vista)
1953 | Disney - Animation - Adventure - Family | G | 77 minutes
Region 1 | DVD-9
| full frame (same as theatrical aspect ratio)
Dolby Digital 5.1
Summary: This is Disney's re-release of its fourteenth
full-length animated classic
"Peter Pan" on DVD, as a Special Edition DVD. This version
comes with a rich set of bonus features and includes a free child's admission to
Disney's theatrical release of
"Peter Pan: Return To Never Land" (see details
below). Obviously this Special Edition DVD release is timed to
coincide with its sequel's theatrical release. The
picture quality
is fully restored, to a brilliance that probably surpasses that of the original
film. If that is not enough to impress you, even the sound has been
cleaned up and re-mixed to a 5.1-channel
Dolby Digital soundtrack (though
the mix is conservative to maintain integrity of the original artistic
intent). And if that's still not enough then there's not enough pixie dust
to allow you to fly to Never Land with Peter Pan, Wendy, John, and
Michael. Sad to say, but you've grown up! If you haven't added "Peter Pan"
to your DVD library yet, then this
is the version to get.
Special Features: audio commentaries hosted by Roy Disney with animators Frank
Thomas, Ollie Johnston and Mark Davis, and film historian
Leonard Maltin; "You Can Fly! The Making Of Peter Pan"
featurette, "The Peter Pan Story" featurette, an exclusive look
at Walk Disney's "Return to Never Land" featurette; "Following
the Leader" sing-along song; "Peter's Playful Prank" DVD
storybook; Pirate Treasure Hunt game; Peter Pan still frame gallery; sneak
peeks of "Beauty and the Beast", "Cinderella II: Dreams
Come True", "The Hunchback of Notre Dame II", and "The
Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh", "Tarzan and Jane",
"101 Dalmatians II", and "Magic Happens"; free child admission at participating theaters for
"Peter Pan: Return To Never Land" - offer expires 3/31/2002
DVD re- released as a Special Edition on 2/12/2002 | Reviewed
2/24/2002
List $29.99 | online $19.49 | order from Amazon.com,
Buy.com
for $19.49 (33% off)
Rent this DVD from NetFlix
- Try the " Unlimited" DVD
rental program absolutely free!
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<< last
month | next month >>
More Quick Spins reviews: February
2002, January
2002
Additional Notes: Unless we specify otherwise, the
video and audio quality are very good when their grades are "A-"
or better. Only the highest number of channels of surround sound
format is listed (e.g., Dolby Digital 5.1). If there are both Dolby
Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1 soundtracks, then both are listed. All
DVD-Video discs are backwards compatible with stereo-only playback
systems.
Let us know what you think about our Quick Spins DVD
reviews, write to us at Editor@TimeForDVD.com.
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Associated equipment used in evaluation: Sony
DVP-S7700 reference DVD player, Sony
KP-61V45 61" rear projection TV (4:3 screen aspect ratio), Sony ES STR-V444ES A/V receiver, four
B&W CDM 9NTs as left/right main speakers
and left/right surrounds, B&W CDM CNT center channel speaker, Monster Cable M-series S-Video cable MSV-500, Monster
Cable Interlink LightSpeed 100 (Toslink) optical cable, Monster Cable
Interlink 400 MKII interconnects, Monster Cable
Original speaker cables in bi-wire configuration with Monster Cable twist-on gold-plated banana plug
connectors, Lovan Sovereign T HiFi audio
rack, and Sony MDR-V600 studio monitor headphones. Our home theater equipment was calibrated
with the Video
Essentials DVD.
Be sure to check out our Top 10 DVDs of the year
2001 and our list of this year's Oscar winners on DVD.
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United We Stand
