Select a month

Back to The Archives

Academy Award Archive

Beauty and the Beast, Blu-ray (1991/2016)

by Audiophile Audition | Sep 20, 2016 | DVD & Blu-ray Video Reviews

The 25th anniversary edition of a classic widescreen animation from Disney. Beauty and the Beast, Blu-ray (1991/2016) Cast (Voice-overs): Paige O’Hara, Robby Benson, Richard White, Jerry Orbach Directors: Brian McEntee, Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise Music: Alan Menken Studio: Walt Disney Collection 136699 (9/20/16) Video: 1.78:1 for 16:9 screens, 1080p HD Technicolor Audio: English DTS-HD MA 7.1, English, French or Spanish DD 5.1 Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish Dubbed In: French or Spanish 3 Versions: Orig. theatrical, speclal edition and sing-along Extras: Sneak peak at new version; “Always Belle” – Paige O’Hara, the voice of Belle; Menken & Friends: 25 Years of musical inspiration!; The Recording Sessions; #1074: Walt, Fairy Tales & The Beauty and the Beast; 25 fun facts about Beauty and the Beast/ More… Length of feature: 92 min. Rating: ***** Beauty and the Beast has the reputation of being the finest animated feature Disney has ever done, and that may be right. The story is full of unforgettable characters and the music won the Academy Award for Best Song and Best Score in 1991. Belle is not your usual Disney female, being brave and independent, and she has the adventure of a lifetime rescuing her father and being […]

The Hateful Eight, Blu-ray (2016)

by Audiophile Audition | Mar 19, 2016 | DVD & Blu-ray Video Reviews

A typical bloody Tarantino film, but a good story, fine acting and lovely widescreen 65mm cinematography make it a great experience. The Hateful Eight, Blu-ray (2016) Director: Quentin Tarantino Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Bruce Dern, Jennifer Jason Leigh Studio: The Weinstein Company/Anchor Bay 8063848, 2 discs (3/29/16) Video: Shot on 65mm film at 2.76:1 for 16:9 display, 1080p HD color Audio: English DTS-HD MA 5.1, Spanish DD 5.1 Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish Extras: “Beyond the Eight” – Behind the Scenes, “Sam Jackson’s Guide to Glorious 70mm” Length: 187 min. Rating: ****1/2 If you didn’t already get it, this is the eighth feature film by Tarantino. For the story’s winter Wyoming landscape, the film was shot using 65mm lenses and cameras which hadn’t been used since the 1970s, around Telluride, CO. And it was presented in 70mm as a Road Show Attraction at the few special theaters equipped for it, such as the Hollywood here in Portland. It has five chapters and is set around a decade after the Civil War. The film got three Academy Award Nominations but was aced out by The Revenant. The film opens with bounty hunter John Ruth (Russell) trying to get his handcuffed-to-him […]