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Blu-ray Movie Reviews
The Town—Warner Bros. (Blu-ray)
Kris Deering  |  Dec 16, 2010
Video: 5/5
Audio: 5/5
Extras: 3.5/5
There are over 300 bank robberies in Boston every year. And a one-square-mile neighborhood in Boston, called Charlestown, has produced more bank and armored car robbers than anywhere else in the U.S. One of them is Doug MacRay, but he is not cut from the same cloth as his fellow thieves. Unlike them, Doug had a chance at success, a chance to escape following in his father's criminal footsteps. Instead he became the leader of a crew of ruthless bank robbers, who pride themselves on taking what they want and getting out clean. The only family Doug has are his partners in crime, especially Jem, who, despite his dangerous, hair-trigger temper, is the closest thing Doug ever had to a brother. Everything changes on the gang's last job when Jem briefly took a hostage: bank manager Claire Keesey. When they discover she lives in Charlestown, Jem gets nervous and wants to check out what she might have seen. Doug takes charge and seeks out Claire, who has no idea that their encounter is not by chance or that this charming stranger is one of the men who terrorized her only days before. As his relationship with Claire deepens into a passionate romance, Doug wants out of this life and the town. But with the Feds, led by Agent Frawley, closing in and Jem questioning his loyalty, Doug realizes that getting out will not be easy, and worse, may put Claire in the line of fire. Any choices he once had have boiled down to one: betray his friends or lose the woman he loves.
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Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Salt—Columbia Pictures (Blu-ray)
Kris Deering  |  Dec 16, 2010
Video: 4.5/5
Audio: 4.5/5
Extras: 3.5/5
Before becoming a CIA officer, Evelyn Salt swore an oath to duty, honor, and country. She will prove loyal to these when a defector accuses her of being a Russian sleeper spy. Salt goes on the run, using all her skills and years of experience as a covert operative to elude capture, protect her husband, and stay one step ahead of her colleagues at the CIA.
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Blu-ray Movie Reviews
The American—Universal (Blu-ray)
Kris Deering  |  Dec 16, 2010
Video: 5/5
Audio: 4/5
Extras: 2.5/5
As an assassin, Jack is constantly on the move and always alone. After a job in Sweden ends more harshly than expected for this American abroad, Jack retreats to the Italian countryside. He relishes being away from death for a spell as he holes up in a small medieval town. While there, Jack takes an assignment to construct a weapon for a mysterious contact, Mathilde. Savoring the peaceful quietude he finds in the mountains of Abruzzo, Jack accepts the friendship of local priest Father Benedetto and pursues a torrid liaison with a beautiful woman, Clara. Jack and Clara's time together evolves into a romance, one seemingly free of danger. But by stepping out of the shadows, Jack may be tempting fate.
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Blu-ray Movie Reviews
The A-Team—20th Century Fox (Blu-ray)
Kris Deering  |  Dec 16, 2010
Video: 4/5
Audio: 5/5
Extras: 3/5
The A-Team follows the exciting and daring exploits of a colorful team of former Special Forces soldiers who were set up for a crime they did not commit. Going "rogue", they utilize their unique talents to try and clear their names and find the true culprit.
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Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole—Warner Bros. Pictures (Blu-ray)
Kris Deering  |  Dec 16, 2010
Video: 5/5
Audio: 5/5
Extras: 4/5
Young owl Soren marvels at tales of the Guardians of Ga'Hoole, mythic winged warriors who battled to save all owl kind from the evil Pure Ones. When he and brother Kludd fall into the talons of the Pure Ones, it's up to Soren to make a daring escape with the help of other brave owls and seek out the Great Tree, home of the Guardians.
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Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Despicable Me—Universal (Blu-ray)
Kris Deering  |  Dec 16, 2010
Video: 4.5/5
Audio: 4/5
Extras: 4/5
Vying for the title of "World's Greatest Villain", Gru - along with his hilarious crew of mischievous minions - plots to pull off the craziest crime of the century: steal the moon! But when Gru enlists the help of three little girls, they see something in him nobody else has ever seen: the perfect dad.
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The Big Picture
Tron: Legacy Ultimate Preview
Scott Wilkinson  |  Dec 16, 2010
It's nice to have connected friends. Last night, I got to attend a SAG (Screen Actors Guild) screening of Tron: Legacy, which opens in theatrical release tomorrow, as a guest of member Nina Goldin, a talented voice actress and singer/songwriter. The screening was held at the Main Theater on Disney Studios' backlot in Burbank, CA, where security was pretty tight—metal-detector wands to prevent any cell phones or cameras (or sound-level meters) in the theater.
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Audio Video News
Comcast STB Combines TV and Net
Mark Fleischmann  |  Dec 16, 2010
Another day, another Comcast story. While the cable giant has been attracting headlines over its controversial net-neutrality stance, it's also quietly trying out new things, one of which is a set-top box that handles both television and internet content.

The Xcalibur box can search live TV, on demand, and recorded material including web material. No, it doesn't offer the same broad selection of web video that you'd get on a PC or other browser-equipped device. But Comcast people say the selection will broaden over time as the device moves from the current testing stage to more widespread use.

The Wall Street Journal describes the interface as "fluid and graphical. A menu displays a strip of images representing recently watched channels and programs, which expand when selected. A redesigned 'guide' displays a cleaner grid of programs by network and airtime so that it's possible to watch TV on part of the screen while browsing."

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Custom Installation How-ToHome Movie Theaters
French-Influenced Theater
Kim Wilson Photography by Robert Fox  |  Dec 15, 2010

When the client didn’t have anything specific in mind, while providing the directive of something unique, stylish and cutting edge, Mike Fox of Fox Audio Video in Springfield, IL. Immediately suggested a column design he’d seen in Paris in the Montparnasse Tower’s observatory floor (56th) in Paris, France.

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Home Theater Geeks Podcast
Podcast 46: Kevin Wines
Scott Wilkinson  |  Dec 15, 2010
Kevin Wines, Image Technology Director for THX, talks about the history of THX and its commitment to preserving the content creators' artistic intent, what's involved in THX certification of 2D and 3D displays, the variability of measurements in THX mode, 3D technology at home and in the commercial cinema, how to optimize the 3D experience at home, THX Optimizer on discs and in set-top boxes, and answers to chat-room questions.

Run Time: 58:22

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