Blu-ray Movie Reviews

<IMG SRC="/images/archivesart/grinch.jpg" WIDTH=200 BORDER=0 ALIGN=RIGHT>The Grinch (Jim Carrey) doesn't have the Christmas spirit, but why? Cindy Lou Who (Taylor Momsen) is determined to find out and befriends the Whoville outcast in order to spread her holiday cheer. But as the title suggests, the Grinch has plans of his own.

Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) is a young Viking who marches to the beat of his own drum and is an embarrassment to his father (Gerard Butler). One night while the village is under attack from a swarm of dragons, the young boy shoots down a deadly Night Fury with one of his inventions and discovers it lying in the jungle the next day. Wanting to make his father proud he brandishes his knife and moves in for the kill, but there's something about this dragon that changes his mind and this decision will not only change his life, but those of his people.

DreamWorks animation is best known for Shrek and its numerous sequels but after spending an evening with Dragon, the studio has another hit franchise to exploit. The story is very heartwarming about an underdog misfit who finds his way in the world by developing a most unusual friendship.

Based on Brian Selznick's book, "The Invention of Hugo Cabret," Hugo is one of the best films from 2011 and it certainly deserved its 11 Academy Award nominations (winning five). Acclaimed director Martin Scorsese brings the magic back to filmmaking and in the process gives the viewers a history lesson on one of the early pioneers in movie making. Going in, I had no idea what this film was about, but was blown away by the reference-quality audio and video presentation as well as the engaging story, believable characters, and exquisite set design. The film was shot on an Arri Alexa digital camera and the level of detail is out of this world. Every shot is razor-sharp in both the foreground and background and I only wish I was sent the 3D version from Paramount because I've read that it has some of the best 3D effects available on Blu-ray. Not to be outshone is the DTS-HD MA 7.1 soundtrack that features stupendous dynamic range, pinpoint accuracy with its discrete effects, and astounding frequency response.

By the mid-1960s, it was estimated that 90 percent of the humpback whales were gone from the Earth when a moratorium was put in place throughout most of the world. Fortunately, the population started to grow again, and there’s now an estimated 80,000 throughout the world. I’m old enough to remember the “Save the Whales” campaign in the mid-1970s as well as George and Gracie from Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home in 1986 where it took the songs of the humpbacks to save Earth from sure destruction by an alien vessel.

<IMG SRC="/images/archivesart/403legend.jpg" WIDTH=200 BORDER=0 ALIGN=RIGHT>In the year 2012, virologist Robert Neville (Will Smith) is the last human survivor in New York City. An outbreak of a lethal virus in 2009 wipes out 99% of the human population, leaving most of the remaining 1% as mutants, with the exception of Neville, who is immune to the virus. Along with his loyal canine, Samantha, Neville hunts for other survivors by day, and in his spare time&mdash;which he has lots of&mdash;he works on an antidote for the virus utilizing his own blood as the source.

<IMG SRC="/images/archivesart/iamlegend.jpg" WIDTH=200 BORDER=0 ALIGN=RIGHT>In the year 2012, virologist Robert Neville (Will Smith) is the last human survivor in New York City. An outbreak of a lethal virus in 2009 wipes out 99% of the human population, leaving most of the remaining 1% as mutants, with the exception of Neville, who is immune. Along with his loyal canine, Samantha, Neville hunts for food and other survivors by day, and in his spare time&#151;which he has a lot of&#151;he works on an antidote for the virus utilizing his own blood as the source.

<IMG SRC="/images/archivesart/loveyou.jpg" WIDTH=200 BORDER=0 ALIGN=RIGHT>Peter Klaven (Paul Rudd), a successful Los Angeles real-estate agent, is engaged to the girl of his dreams (Rashida Jones). When he overhears her talking with some friends about his lack of any male friends to be his best man, Peter goes in search of a "bromance" in order to alleviate his fianc's concerns.