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Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Beauty and the Beast—Walt Disney Pictures (Blu-ray)
Kris Deering  |  Oct 06, 2010
Video: 5/5
Audio: 5/5
Extras: 4/5
Acclaimed and treasured like no other, Disney's beloved modern classic - the first animated feature film in the history of the Oscars nominated for best picture (1991) - is brilliantly transformed to a new level of entertainment through the magic of Blu-ray high definition. The music you'll never forget, the characters who will fill your heart and the magical adventure about finding beauty within all come to spectacular life in Blu-ray. Plus, all-new, immersive bonus features will transport you even further into Belle's enchanted world. So be our guest and join the beloved, independent Belle and the Beast with the soul of a prince as they cast an enchanting spell like never before.
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Blu-ray Movie Reviews
American Beauty—Dreamworks (Blu-ray)
Kris Deering  |  Oct 06, 2010
Video: 3.5/5
Audio: 4/5
Extras: 2.5/5
Kevin Spacey plays Lester Burnham, a man in his mid-40s going through an intense midlife crisis; he's grown cynical and is convinced that he has no reason to go on. Lester's relationship with his wife Carolyn is not a warm one; while on the surface Carolyn strives to present the image that she's in full control of her life, inside she feels empty and desperate. Their teenage daughter Jane is constantly depressed, lacking in self-esteem, and convinced that she's unattractive. Her problems aren't helped by her best friend Angela, an aspiring model who is quite beautiful and believes that that alone makes her a worthwhile person. Jane isn't the only one who has noticed that Angela is attractive: Lester has fallen into uncontrollable lust for her, and she becomes part of his drastic plan to change his body and change his life. Meanwhile, next door, Colonel Fitts has spent a lifetime in the Marine Corps and can understand and tolerate no other way of life, which makes life difficult for his son Ricky, an aspiring filmmaker and part-time drug dealer who is obsessed with beauty, wherever and whatever it may be.
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Other Tech
Hands On: Logitech Revue Google TV Box
 |  Oct 06, 2010

This afternoon, Google and Logitech gave press a hands-on look at the upcoming Google TV settop box and finally filled in some of the remaining info gaps that we have been wondering about for months. We got a chance to handle both the standard keyboard and mini keyboard controllers and test out a few of the apps including the anticipated Netflix app. But, perhaps more importantly, we finally found out how much it will cost. Unfortunately, the $299 price tag may be a point of contention if Google is really trying to get this platform in as many homes as possible.

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Home Theater Geeks Podcast
Podcast 36: Jeff Rona
Scott Wilkinson  |  Oct 06, 2010
Film and TV composer Jeff Rona talks about the difference between recording music for its own sake and music for movies and TV shows, the use of live musicians and electronic instruments, working in Hans Zimmer's studio, how audio-production technology has changed over the years, his own home-theater system, and answers to chat-room questions.

Run Time: 58:57

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Ask S&V
Soundbars, 60 vs. 120Hz, DVRs
Scott Wilkinson  |  Oct 06, 2010
Clutter Cutter
We have a budget of about $600 for a sound system to go with our new Panasonic TC-P54G25 plasma TV. We are looking for a system without a lot of clutter. Is there something with a subwoofer and just a couple of speakers, or do we need many speakers? Our TV room measures 22x22 feet.
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Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Beauty and the Beast (Blu-ray)
David Vaughn  |  Oct 06, 2010
Belle (voiced by Paige O'Hara) is a bright and beautiful young woman who finds escape from her ordinary life by reading books. When her father is taken prisoner by a cursed young prince (Robby Benson), Belle comes to the rescue and agrees to take her father's place. With the help of the castle's enchanted staff, she sees beneath the Beast's exterior and discovers the heart and soul of a human prince.

Beauty and the Beast was the first animated film to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture (plus five other nominations) and won two Oscars for Best Original Song and Best Original Score. The talent behind the voices includes Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Potts, Jerry Orbach as Lumiere, the candelabra, and David Ogden Stiers as Cogsworth, the mantel clock. The story is engaging and filled with adventure, but it's the score by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman that makes this film a classic.

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Audio Video News
Google TV Launch Nears
Mark Fleischmann  |  Oct 06, 2010
The launch of Google TV is drawing nigh. So far we know that the technology will be built into products including Sony TVs and Blu-ray players, a Dish Network DVR, and a Logitech set-top box. Now some other details are falling into place.
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Audio Video News
'Avatar' to get extended DVD/Blu-ray Disc release
SV Staff  |  Oct 05, 2010
Avatar made records as the top grossing film of all time in theaters. Unfortunately, the DVD and Blu-ray release of the film disappointed many viewers because it offered nothing but what they already saw in theaters; they were barebones releases...
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Premiere Design
Absoluta Janus Monoblock Power Amp
Scott Wilkinson  |  Oct 05, 2010
Among the seemingly infinite number of monoblock power amps available in the world is the Janus from Italian maker Absoluta. Its understated elegance bespeaks careful attention to looks as well as performance.
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Audio Video News
Toshiba Bows No-Glasses 3DTVs
Mark Fleischmann  |  Oct 05, 2010
Toshiba's glasses-free 3DTVs will make their Japanese debut at the end of December. Availability for the U.S. and other markets remains unknown at presstime.
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