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Harry Potter and the Complete Collection on Blu-ray

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  • Title: The Complete Harry Potter
  • Wikipedia: link

harry-potter-complete-blu-raySeven books, eight films, spanning an entire decade. The complete Harry Potter collection is available for the first time on Blu-ray and it’s definitely worth picking up (even if it is definitely lacking in terms of extras).

For the first time I sat down and was able to watch the entire Deathly Hallows in one sitting, and I’ve got to say it holds up well. From glancing through the collection the other titles also work well on Blu-ray. Warner Bros. has a larger set ready to hit stores next year, but, unless you’re a total Harry Potter maniac, having all eight films on Blu-ray in one slim case is all you really need.

The set is listed at $140, but with not too much searching you should be able to pick it up for about half that price (a little less than $10 per Blu-ray isn’t too shabby). The series has its highs (The Prizoner of Azkaban) and lows (The Order of the Phoenix), but it’s a great collection to own, especially at this price.

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Doctor Who – Series Six (Part Two)

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  • Title: Doctor Who – Series Six (Part Two)
  • tv.com: link

doctor-who-series-six-part-twoBy Silencio Lake, on the plane of Sighs, an impossible astronaut will rise from the deep and strike the Time Lord dead. The two-disc set collects the final six episodes of Series Six including The Doctor (Matt Smith) facing his death at the hands of River Song (Arthur Darvill).

Although the collection doesn’t include a great stand-out episode there are several good episodes including “Let’s Kill Hitler” and “The Wedding of River Song” which wraps up River Song’s story arc and gives us the conclusion of the series cliffhanger. Craig (James Corden) returns for “Closing Time” and Rory (Arthur Darvill) is forced to make an impossible decision in “The Girl Who Waited.” We also get a spooky hotel, and the somewhat less spooky insides of of terrified child’s cupboard.

Even if the extras include only a couple of Monster Files, Part Two a good wrap-up to Series Six and a nice compliment to Part One. Aside from the upcoming Christmas episode it’s the only Doctor Who we’re going to get for awhile.

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Cars 2 on Blu-ray

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  • Title: Cars 2
  • IMDB: link

cars-2-blu-rayAlthough far different in tone and story than the first film (which I love to no end) Cars 2 moves from themes of small town life to take its characters overseas for the World Grand Prix. And the most unlikely one of the bunch will find himself in the middle of a spy adventure. For more on the film check my the original review.

The movie works as well on DVD and Blu-ray as it did in the theaters. The look of the World Grand Prix is terrific and the spy story (even if it does center around one of my least favorite characters) provides some great moments.

The two-disc set includes Blu-ray and DVD copies of the film, commentary by director John Lasseter, and a pair of animated shorts, “Hawaiian Vacation” and “Air Mater.” The five-disc set also includes a 3D disc, digital download, and a few extra features including deleted scenes, documentaries, and a world tour exploring the various cities used in the film.

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Captain America: The First Avenger on Blu-ray

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  • Title: Captain America: The First Avenger
  • IMDB: link

captain-america-first-avenger-blu-rayMarvel’s first big budget Captain America film gives us the origin of  Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) through he days in WWII and even his reappearance in present time. Evans is terrific in the role and Captain America: The First Avenger provides just the right mix of action, earnestness, and cheesy sentiment. For more the film itself check out my original review.

The film worked slightly better for me on Blu-ray. The CGI effect of skinny Steve Rogers was more believable and a couple of the sequences I had slight problems with felt more natural the second time around. I still have a few issues with the film including the awkward slow motion jumps Cap makes in front of explosions, the lack of Nazis, the clumsy sequence where our hero gets captured by the Red Skull‘s (Hugo Weaving) men, and the costume still has far too many unnecessary straps.

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Batman: Year One

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  • Title: Batman: Year One
  • IMDB: link

batman-year-one-dvdThe latest straight-to-DVD animated release from DC Comics and Warner Premiere is extremely faithful adaptation of Frank Miller‘s retelling of Batman’s origin and the early days in the careers of Batman (Ben McKenzie) and Jim Gordon (Bryan Cranston).

Batman: Year One is a good, not great, entry into the DC Animated universe. It isn’t a success in terms of Batman: Under the Red Hood or Justice League: The New Frontier. However, it works better than the Superman/Batman animated films or Wonder Woman. In terms of a mixed success I’d compare it to Green Lantern: First Flight, and Green Lantern: Emerald Knights.

The film does a good job and capturing the look of David Mazzucchelli‘s art from Frank Miller’s Batman: Year One, although it does have a decided Japanese animated look and feel. With a couple of exceptions, including the opening shot of Bruce Wayne returning to Gotham and Gordon unburdening himself to Essen in the diner, the film follows the comic nearly as closely as Sin City.

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