Inside DVD

Movie Rentals: Best Rental DVD And Blu-Ray Providers

admin — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

If you’re looking to rent DVD or Blu-Ray movies, there are many companies to choose from. Between online and traditional brick-and-mortar stores, finding the movie you are looking for is easier today than ever.

Most towns have independent video rental stores. If you live in a rural area, this might be your only option. They don’t always have the latest DVDs and not all stores have Blu-Ray discs. To their advantage, the prices are usually very reasonable.

Blockbuster is a nationwide video rental chain. They always have the newest DVD and Blu-Ray releases. Become a member and receive benefits from any Blockbuster store you visit to save money.

Sometimes gas stations and convenience stores offer DVD rentals through an automated vending machine. It’s cheap and convenient but they don’t offer Blu-Ray discs. The videos must be returned the next day.

Netflix is an online DVD and Blu-Ray rental service. You can rent videos from Netflix for as long as you want for a flat monthly fee. They will mail the videos directly to your home. Netflix has an enormous DVD and Blu-Ray rental selection. The disadvantage with renting DVDs and Blu-Rays from Netflix is you don’t receive the movie instantly.

Top Five Chick Flicks On DVD And Blu-Ray

admin — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

With so many great movies it can be hard to decide which are worth owning as both a DVD and as a Blu-Ray. Here are my five top chick flicks that anyone will love.

“Hitch” A self-appointed love coach, Hitch claims he can help any man get the girl of his dreams. He however, is a complete mess when it comes to his own heart.

“50 First Dates” Getting a girl who won’t remember you in the morning to fall in love with you over and over isn’t easy but that’s what will take for this duo to make it in the end.

“How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days” Andie a magazine how to writer must prove herself worthy of becoming a serious journalist by writing an article on how not to drive men away. Ben an advertising executive must prove how well he knows women by making one fall in love with him in the next 10 days. What happens when they choose each other for their experiments?

“Life As We Know It” Life changes when two single people who hate each other come together for the sake of an orphaned little girl. Watch them fall in love as their new little family blossoms.

“27 Dresses” Every girl dreams of being a bride, not the bridesmaid. With 27 weddings under her belt will the 28th finally be her day?

Home Theater: Will Blu-Ray Technology Overtake DVDs?

admin — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Many of my friends have been asking whether or not I think that Blu-ray will overtake the DVD for home theaters. My reputation as an AV geek precedes me I suppose. It is an interesting question, and one that I think has multiple answers.The short answer to this question is that yes Blue-ray discs will eventually be substantially more popular than DVD is now. Blu-ray discs have so many advantages over regular DVD’s,http://www.gizmocafe.com/tv-video/guide-blu-ray-pros.aspx. The adoption rate of HDTV’s is sending people to Blu-ray looking to get a better picture quality on their new televisions. The longer answer to the question is that Blu-ray’s probably won’t be around as long as DVD’s were. And the reason is digital distribution. Many people are now getting their movies from Netflix on Demand, or are getting them from things like iTunes or Amazon. Downloading movies legally is a great way to get content and get it faster than you have ever been able too. It seems like a strange assertion, that eventually we won’t be buying any discs at all. But I think that we are just a few short years away from something like that. I could be wrong though. Blu-Ray discs could go all the way.

Inside the “Inception” DVD and Blu-ray

www.insidedvd.com — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Direct TV (www.direct.tv) is all you’ll need for watching your favorite shows, but savvy moviegoers know that for their favorite movies, getting the DVD or Blu-ray is a must. That’s the only way to get behind-the-scenes special features, commentaries, and other goodies that help to extend the movie-going experience even longer.Christopher Nolan’s 2010 blockbuster hit Inception didn’t leave the national consciousness since its release, with millions of people weighing in with their thoughts on just what that ending meant. The director has refused to provide a definitive answer, but in the home media releases on December 3, 2010 did provide other fascinating glimpses into the film.The DVD release is actually somewhat sparse. One can only imagine that a more extensive edition is coming in the future to supplement this single-disc release. Amazon.com lists only four special featuresor “focus points”that delve into some of the stunts, imagery, and concepts for the film. There’s “The Inception of Inception,” where Nolan reveals the genesis of some of his ideas; “The Japanese Castle: The Dream is Collapsing,” where the “how” behind the building up and tearing down of the castle set is explored; “Constructing Paradoxical Architecture,” where you learn just how they got designed that infamous “staircase to nowhere,” and “The Freight Train,” which shows how the crew sent the train careening across a city street in one dreamscape.It’s the Blu-ray release, though, that really does the film justice, and may be the tipping point for those who have been wondering whether to upgrade. First, there are two Blu-ray discs. The first contains the movie and an “Extraction Mode,” which lets viewers delve into similar behind-the-scenes footage at certain moments. On the second disc, you’ll find plenty more to explore. Conceptual art and trailer galleries are just the tip of the iceberg. There’s also “Dreams: Cinema of the Subconscious,” which delves into modern-day dream research to find just where the “science/fiction” divide in the film lies, and a special fully-animated comic prologue, “The Cobol Job.” This story provides important information leading up to the events of the movie. Finally, there’s a series of features that reveal more information about the technology used in the film.Inception is a film that you’ll want to watch over and over again. With the DVD and Blu-ray releases, now you can. Will it help you figure out the ending? You’ll have to discover that for yourself.

October/November Best of Criterion

www.insidedvd.com — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 13:27:06 +0000

It’s that time againanother look at just a few of the classic, obscure, and experimental films getting the gorgeous Criterion treatment. Bet you can’t watch just one!Paths of Glory (dir. Stanley Kubrick, 1957)Oct. 26: Kubrick’s fourth film is a war-film with a twist: the soldiers refuse to carry out orders, and the major conflicts take place in a courtroom. Starring Kirk Douglas and Ralph Meeker. Special features: commentary by critic Gary Giddins, 1966 interview with Kubrick, 1979 interview with Douglas, and more.House (dir. Nobuhiko Obayashi, 1977) Oct. 26: No connection to the American cult horror/comedy, this strange slice of Japanese experimental horror features 7 students who visit one girl’s aunt. Trouble arises when it turns out that the aunt is an evil spirit who preys on young girls: the type who have just walked in the door. Special features: a 1966 film by the director, new interviews with the director, screenwriter, and plot creator, and more.Night of the Hunter (dir. Charles Laughton, 1955) Nov. 16: This one-of-a-kind horror noir has long been acknowledged as a unique cinema classic, but it’s only just now getting the Criterion attention it deserves. Robert Mitchum plays a serial killer masquerading as a preacher, with the infamous “LOVE” and “HATE” tattooed on his knuckles. Sadly, the director never made another film. Special features: New documentaries, interview with cinematographer Stanley Cortez, sketches by author of the source novel David Grubb, and more.Modern Times (dir. Charlie Chaplin, 1936) Nov. 16: And now something completely different. While Chaplin’s final Little Tramp film seems light at first glance, it captures the spirit of the Great Depression in a way few other films from that time can. Weary but never defeatist, the film remains a cinematic marvel after more than 70 years. Starring Charlie Chaplin and Paulette Goddard. Special features: commentary by Chaplin biographer David Robinson, deleted segments, a 1916 Chaplin film, and more.

Upcoming Criterion Collection films

admin — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:18:06 +0000

Since 1984, the Criterion Collection has been releasing acclaimed films, often from foreign or independent directors, in beautiful gift sets. The company began publishing in the DVD format in 1998, although they also offer titles now in Blu-ray and video-on-demand. The company has a number of important films coming out in the next few months.The Red Shoes (1948) is being released on July 20^th. The film is directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. Moira Shearer stars as a ballerina who becomes involved in a triangle between a composer and a ballet impresario. The Red Shoes is the central ballet which proves to be the young ballerina’s downfall. For those worried this is too sentimental, gritty director Martin Scorsese has called it one of his favorite films.Also on July 20^th is the release of Powell and Pressburger’s Black Narcissus (1947). Deborah Kerr, Kathleen Byron, and Flora Robson star as a group of nuns who meet a British agent in the Himalayas. The charismatic agent disrupts the harmony of the group and causes hidden tensions to come out. The film has been recognized for its use of visual metaphor and the erotic subtext of the film, with some comparing it to classic British novel Clarissa. Both works deal with the difficult quest for feminine virtue.Marcel Camus’s 1959 French film Black Orpheus comes out August 17. This reimagining of the classic myth of Orpheus translates the story to Rio de Janeiro, setting the story during the festive season of Carnival. Most notably, the film features a soundtrack by Antonio Carlos Jobim, a pioneer of the bossa nova musical style. The film also has a connection to President Barack Obama, who says it was his mother’s favorite film.

TV shows coming to DVD

admin — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:08:35 +0000

DVD seems to be made for television fans. Rather than waiting a week or more between episodes, it gives you the option of watching entire seasons in a matter of days (if you’ve got the time and energy). The upcoming months will see more releases than ever, both in new series and new seasons of old favorites.One set that will please fans of ’90s cartoons is the just-announced Dexter’s Laboratory: Season One. This will be the first time that a full set of episodes has been available, although individual ones have showed up on other Cartoon Network releases. The new release is part of a Cartoon Network “Hall of Fame” series and contains episodes from 1996-1997.More big animated news involves the fan favorite show Reboot. This was the first computer-animated half-hour TV series, and concerned the virtual-reality adventures of a group of Sprites in a computer called Mainframe. There is currently a rumor that all three seasons and both TV movies will be collected together into a single set, making a great gift for the computer or science-fiction nerd in your circle.In sitcom news, the first season of popular new show The Middle is coming to DVD August 31. The show stars Patrician Heaton in her first sitcom role since Everybody Loves Raymond, with Neil Flynn (the janitor from Scrubs) as her husband. Together , they struggle to raise three children while struggling with middle-class dilemmas and everyday disasters. The set will include deleted scenes and a documentary about the making of the show.Finally, the third season of The Big Bang Theory is coming on September 14, with 23 episodes and bonus features. In this season, the romance between Penny and Leonard blossoms, and fan-favorite character Sheldon has to deal with the resulting complications. For fans of smart and sweet comedy, this is a can’t-miss set.

Excellent DVD players to fit your budget

admin — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:01:51 +0000

A good DVD player doesn’t have to break your bank. Companies are producing better equipment at better prices than ever, and with a little research, you can find the player that’s right for you. You can even get big names like Sony and Toshiba with their newest cost-effective models.Sony’s DVP-SR200P/B is the right choice if you don’t have a high-definition TV. Reviews have given the playback a thumbs-up, and the player has the latest technology for playing damaged discs. The device also has the option for progressive output in compatible TVs. The major things missing are connections for optical digital audio and HDMI, but without a HDTV, you’ll hardly notice. The DVP-SR200P/B is in fact one of the only players in its price class without many negative reviews. While it might be one of your only budget choices, that doesn’t mean it’s not also one of the best. Priced at 40, you can hardly go wrong.The Toshiba XDE600 offers all this plus HDTV features. The XDE stands for Extended Detail Enhancement and improves picture detail to take advantage of HTDVs. It doesn’t compete with Blu-Ray, but for the price of 70, it’s a bargain. The player also has more connectivity options than Sony’s model. Again, there aren’t many similar choices for consumers in this price range, and Toshiba’s model also doubles as a CD player with solid quality.If you’re interested in transferring existing VHS tapes to DVD, you might be interested in the Toshiba DR420, which retails at around 100. It isn’t packed with extras, but there is the option for skipping commercials when recording from TV. Other features include time-slip recording and chasing playback, which let viewers watch portions of a TV show currently being recorded.

DVDs released June 29

admin — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:55:17 +0000

It’s the first official week of summer, which means the heat is probably just starting to get to you. What better way to cool off than with an ice-cold drink, some snacks, and a fresh new DVD? Here are some of the finest new releases of the week.

The Closer: The Complete 5^th Season contains all 15 episodes of the latest season. Kyra Sedgwick plays Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson, who uses her unique skills to get the confessions she needs. The 5^th season saw storylines shifting from a focus on murder-related crimes to stories involving grand theft and fraud.
Hot Tub Time Machine was one of the surprise hits of the summer, starring John Cusack, Rob Corddry, and Craig Robinson as slacker party dudes who find a way to revisit their glory days via the machine of the title. The film avoids some of the more sentimental aspects of The Hangover in its all-out hilarity.
Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief is a fantasy adventure for the whole family. The film is based on the popular series of books by Rick Riordan, which follows the life of the half-mortal son of Poseidon. The real draw here is the strong supporting cast, which includes Pierce Brosnan, Uma Thurman, and Rosario Dawson. All do their part to bring this exciting story to life.
The Crazies is a remake of a 1973 horror film about a small town driven to violence by a mysterious virus. The film has gotten better reviews than most horror remakes, perhaps thanks to original director, George Romero, serving as executive producer. The stars of the film include Timothy Olyphant, Radha Mitchell, and Joe Anderson.

A look at the biggest DVD box sets

admin — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:46:36 +0000

Big things are just plain cool. Think of Godzilla, or Moby Dick, or Tom Cruise’s ego. When you’re talking about DVD box sets, things don’t get any better. Here is a list of some of the largest to pass through the market.

The 2007 United Artists 90^th Anniversary Prestige Collection features an astounding 110 films from the company on an equal number of discs. The films are arranged by decade and include classics like 12 Angry Men, Carrie, and Rocky. 8 of the films won Oscars for Best Picture, and the set comes with an exclusive art book showing never-before-seen looks at the movies. The collection is now obviously out of print, but you can still find copies on sites like Amazon. Original retail price? 869.98.
The Australian women’s-prison soap opera Prisoner (known as Prisoner: Cell Block H in the US and UK) ran from 1979 to 1986, with a total of 692 episodes. The series was controversial during its run and focused on the way the women dealt with the sentences and the separation from their families. All 692 episodes have been collected in Shock Records’ 174-disc box set. The suggested retail price? Over 1500.
The 2005 Star Trek Ultimate Collection did Trekkies the world over a favor by collecting every series and movie into one massive pack. That means the original series, the motion picture collection, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise. The entire set contains 212 discs and still leaves out the animated series and the two documentaries, Trekkies and Trekkies 2. And can we have a drum-roll for the suggested retail price of the whole set? It comes out to 2499.99, but you’ll have to search auction sites nowAmazon is all out.