According to Comcast, the SATA port on the back of my Motorola DTC3416 set-top box/DVR isn't yet active and there are no promises on when, or even if it will be activated. I have to admit I'm halfway considering testing this out for myself to make sure the info I got from Comcast is correct. I had a 500GB drive with a sleek case picked out already, and the entire rig would only cost about $170.
Video: 3
Audio: 4
Extras: 5
The magical world of Narnia gets even more enchanted with this massive four-disc set, available both alone and as part of a gift package that includes collectible bookends. The film itself is seven minutes longer than the theatrical release and the two previous DVD versions, but there’s nothing to call out the new material.
Video: 4
Audio: 4
Extras: 3
Michael Mann revisits the iconic ‘80s TV show he helmed with this humorless, straight-for-the-jugular film adaptation, which puts Colin Farrell’s Crockett and Jamie Foxx’s Tubbs deep undercover against a drug cartel. In his audio commentary, the director terms the DVD the “more extensive” cut—completed weeks after the release of the theatrical version—rather than the “extended” or “director’s” cut. In any case, this unrated version runs six minutes longer and, presumably, includes some violent moments not seen theatrically.
Video: 4
Audio: 5
Extras: 2
Val Kilmer gives a vastly underrated performance as Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s 1991 The Doors, a somewhat thin examination of the life of one of rock’s most admired and misunderstood front men. Awash in a mix of alcohol, drugs, and sex, Kilmer nails the Morrison persona. Although the material gives a less than three-dimensional view of the man, his performance is incredible.
We’ve all made mix “tapes” of our favorite tunes, and now the Beatles’ producer, Sir George Martin, has made his—Love was conceived for the Cirque du Soleil Las Vegas stage show. Or perhaps Love was inspired by the infamous Danger Mouse/Jay-Z mashup, The Grey Album, but, whatever the reason, I’m thrilled with Love, it’s all you need, after all.
Video: 3
Audio: 4
Extras: 3
Oddly enough, I’ve seen this movie a bunch of times, at least in its original form. Kneel before Zod! Most of this movie was shot concurrently with the original Superman, but the producers took it away from director Richard Donner and made it more comic-bookish by putting it into the hands of a new and mostly disliked director, Richard Lester. The punished trio from the beginning of the first movie break free and decide to take over Earth. Superman does what he does and makes Terrence Stamp cry.
Get Back
Would you believe that Get Smart has returned on DVD?
I don’t think we’ve ever reported on a TV title in the Reference Corner column before, and perhaps that’s because there are too few TV-on-DVD sets like this one.
Video: 4
Audio: 4
Extras: 4
Forget the two-dimensional superhero that Rocky became in the sequels. The guy we meet in this first installment is
a highly sympathetic character—an aging, likable loner with nothing going for him. He gets a title shot out of the blue and, in a touching moment, ultimately decides that all he can hope to do is go the distance. Then there’s the great supporting cast, highlighted by Burgess Meredith’s inimitable Mickey the trainer, Talia Shire’s sensitive Adrian, and the always underrated Carl Weathers as the larger-than-life but self-absorbed champ, Action Jackson...er, Apollo Creed.