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Thomas J. Norton  |  Dec 28, 2006  |  Published: Dec 29, 2006

Batman Begins is not only the best Batman film ever produced, and arguably the best superhero movie ever, but it was one of the best films of 2005.

Thomas J. Norton  |  Dec 28, 2006  |  Published: Dec 29, 2006

Animated features are well represented in these early days of HD DVD and Blu-ray discs (though nothing yet from Pixar). This CGI –animated sequel to Ice Age may not have quite the audience appeal of that first adventure with Manny the Mammoth, Sid the Sloth, Diego the sabre-toothed tiger, and, not to forget, Scrat, the acorn-obsessed squirrel-rat, but it's still appealing, funny, and beautifully animated.

Thomas J. Norton  |  Dec 28, 2006  |  Published: Dec 29, 2006

This witty take on the fashion industry, with its dedicated, nearly obsessed careerists, should appeal to anyone who can get over the idea that it's just a chick flick. In fact, there are parallels here to any industry that demands total dedication. When I first saw the scenes of the big annual fashion gathering in Paris, I thought "CES!" OK, Vegas isn't Paris (not even at the Paris), and CES parties don't have as many gorgeous, skinny women. But you get the idea.

Thomas J. Norton  |  Dec 28, 2006  |  Published: Dec 29, 2006

I haven't seen director Peter Jackson's extended cut of this movie, now available on ordinary DVD. And I don't plan to do so until Universal sees fit to release it in high definition. After viewing this gorgeous HD DVD release of the original, theatrical version, I don't think I ever want to see the film again in standard definition.

Thomas J. Norton  |  Dec 28, 2006  |  Published: Dec 29, 2006

The story of a well-intentioned but ultimately failed U.S. 1993 military mission in Somalia, where American Rangers and Delta Force troops tried to capture a savage warlord who was ravaging and starving his own people into submission, is not a pretty one. Nor is Black Hawk Down an easy film to watch. But while it's often gritty, depressing, and filled with violent, bloody imagery, it also paints a very positive, uplifting image of American troops and what they're willing to risk for the mission and for each other. It's hard to imagine mainstream Hollywood producing such a film today, five event-filled years after Black Hawk Down first hit the screens.

Thomas J. Norton  |  Dec 28, 2006  |  Published: Dec 29, 2006

Tim Burton loves the bizarre, and his Corpse Bride (he shares director credit here with Mike Johnson) is nothing if not that.

Thomas J. Norton  |  Dec 28, 2006  |  Published: Dec 29, 2006

Stop me if you've heard this one. Wild animal breaks out of a New York zoo to return to the wild. Other animal friends follow to bring him back. They travel by boat to a strange, jungle environment.

Thomas J. Norton  |  Dec 28, 2006  |  Published: Dec 29, 2006

The 1978 story of the comic hero Superman was far from the first live action realization of that character, but it has become a classic. Christopher Reeve, in the title role, was an appealing actor. While he was never a great one, he was a good choice for the Man of Steel. It's no accident that Brandon Routh, a Reeve near look-alike, was chosen for the lead role in the new Superman Returns.

Thomas J. Norton  |  Dec 17, 2006

It’s hard to believe but I now live in a two Bose household. My first Bose was a car stereo that came as part of a package deal in the Mazda 3 that I bought nearly two years ago. I had to take it to get the whole shebang. It wasn’t really a bad deal. Dissing Bose may be a spectator sport among heavy-duty audiophiles, but apart from a little bass heaviness (not exactly rare in car stereos), it’s a more than respectable piece of work. It I had wanted to buy a car for the stereo, I would have gone with an Acura TL.

Thomas J. Norton  |  Dec 17, 2006

A casual glance at the Samsung HL-S5679 rear projection television might suggest that it is just another new 1080p set. Not that this is necessarily a bad thing, but the market is now flooded with them. Some are indifferent, some are good, and a very few are outstanding. But another television with a screen, lens, small imaging chip of some sort, and projection lamp isn't exactly news, particularly in our current, flat-panel-happy marketplace.

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