Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label review. Show all posts

Monday, July 11, 2011

DVD Review - RIO

About the DVD
As summer heats up, spread your wings and celebrate with the funniest birds in town! The all-new comedy-adventure RIO comes to Blu-ray and DVD from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. RIO brings together vivid characters and colorful backdrops amidst energizing Latin and contemporary tunes, creating the ultimate family-friendly music and dance experience for audiences of all ages. In addition to more than one hour of special bonus features and materials, consumers will have access to all-new exclusive levels of the smash video game hit Angry Birds Rio® that showcase your favorite characters from the film!

Captured as a young bird from the wild, Blu (Jesse Eisenberg, The Social Network) is a domesticated Spix Macaw living thousands of miles away from his homeland, Brazil. When his human owner Linda (Leslie Mann, 17 Again) discovers that he is the last male of his kind, they head south to Rio de Janeiro to meet the only other female. But it's far from love at first sight between the socially-awkward, flight-challenged Blu and the fiercely independent, high-flying female, Jewel (Anne Hathaway, The Princess Diaries). Shortly after Blu's arrival, the two rare birds are captured by greedy animal smugglers and find themselves lost in the Brazilian rainforest. Unexpectedly thrown together, they embark on a hilarious and clumsy adventure where they learn about friendship, love, courage and spreading one's wings to fly.

The creators of ICE AGE bring audiences a whole new tropical adventure in RIO featuring the most colorful cast of characters south of the Equator, including George Lopez (Beverly Hills Chihuahua), Tracy Morgan ("30 Rock"), Jemaine Clement (Despicable Me), Rodrigo Santoro (Che), will.i.am (Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa), Jamie Foxx (Dreamgirls), Jane Lynch "Glee"), & Wanda Sykes (Over The Hedge).

RIO will be available in a 3-Disc Party Edition, featuring the Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital Copy, as well as in a 2-Disc DVD Party Edition. It is available in the U.S. and Canada.


RIO Blu-ray (Catalog #2275626)
Special Features
• Explore the World of Rio
  o Beach
  o Jungle
  o City
  o Stadium
Blu Shows the Way (introduction)
Boom-Boom Tish Tish: The Sounds of Rio
The Making of Hot Wings
Saving the Species: One Voice at a Time
The Real Rio
Welcome to Rio Music Video
Deleted Scene - Fruit Stand
Postcards from Rio
Carnival Dance O Rama
  o Intro
  o Blu
  o Jewel
  o Luiz
  o Monkeys
  o Nico and Pedro
  o Rafael
  o Samba Line
Rio de JAM-eiro Jukebox
Taio Cruz - "Telling the World" Music Video
Angry Birds Rio - Trailer
Angry Birds Rio - Nigel Mash Up
Angry Birds Rio - Instructional Video
Live Lookup Powered By IMDB

Street Date: August 2, 2011
Pre-book Date: TBD
Screen Format: 2.40:1
Audio: English 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1
Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital
Subtitles:
English, Spanish
U.S. Rating: G
Total Run Time: 1 hour, 35 minutes
Closed Captioned: Yes

RIO DVD (Catalog #2275619)
Special Features
• Explore the World of Rio
  o Beach
  o Jungle
  o City
  o Stadium
Blu Shows the Way (introduction)
Boom-Boom Tish Tish: The Sounds of Rio
The Making of Hot Wings
Saving the Species: One Voice at a Time
The Real Rio
Welcome to Rio Music Video
Deleted Scene - Fruit Stand
Carnival Dance O Rama
  o Intro
  o Blu
  o Jewel
  o Luiz
  o Monkeys
  o Nico and Pedro
  o Rafael
  o Samba Line
Rio de JAM-eiro Jukebox
Taio Cruz - "Telling the World" Music Video
Angry Birds Rio - Trailer
Angry Birds Rio - Nigel Mash Up
Angry Birds Rio - Instructional Video

Street Date: August 2, 2011
Pre-book Date: TBD
Screen Format: 2.40:1
Audio: English 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 2.0
Surround DD, French 2.0 Surround DD
Subtitles:
English, Spanish
U.S. Rating: G
Total Run Time: 1 hour, 35 minutes
Closed Captioned: Yes

My Take on the DVD
 My family and I missed seeing this in the movie theatre so we have been awaiting this movie with great anticipation. When I was asked to review this extended 2 disc version of the DVD, I can honestly say that I was very excited! In watching the movie I was amazed at how beautifully done all of the artwork was in this movie and there were many funny parts within the movie as well. The characters within the movie work so well together and there is much humor in the bantering between the characters themselves. It was interesting to see this though as I think that some of the humor in this and in other cartoons today are written in part for adults (which I enjoy though).

My kids loved the bonus features in this movie, they were dancing up a storm though much of the dance sequences and they loved exploring the world of RIO (they said that this part was cool).

All-in-all though I would highly recommend this movie to all. It was a great family film with a good message and you have fun throughout and even learn a bit about a new culture along the way!


All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
 
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Tuesday, June 21, 2011

DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: RODRICK RULES - Release Week

Greg Heffley is about to discover that there is something worse than middle school – his own family! Based on the 2011 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice™ Award for Best Book Series, the original film cast returns in DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: RODRICK RULES, available on Blu-ray and DVD on June 21st. This flick takes sibling rivalry to entirely new levels as big brother and little brother wrestle through growing pains.

Just back from summer vacation, Greg Heffley (Zachary Gordon,National Treasure: Book of Secrets) and his friend Rowley (Robert Capron, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice) enter the next grade as undersized weaklings in their school. A bully favorite, Greg tries not to get noticed by anyone except the pretty new girl, Holly Hills (Peyton List,27 Dresses). And at home, Greg is still at war with his older brother, Rodrick (Devon Bostick, “Degrassi”), until their mom Susan (Rachael Harris, The Hangover) instigates a ‘Mom Bucks’ program so Greg and Rodrick can earn play money by doing chores and—gasp!—being nice to each other. Calamity ensues when their parents return from vacation and dad Frank (Steve Zahn, A Perfect Getaway) finds evidence that Rodrick secretly threw a houseparty with his band, Löded Diper. As they struggle with school and compete for ‘Mom Bucks,’ the brothers discover that avoiding trouble is easier if they unite—and their once-twisted partnership grows into a hilariously playful and sometimes mischievous friendship.

DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: RODRICK RULES will be available on single-disc DVD, 2-disc DVD, and 3-disc Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy and includes the crazy adventures Greg and his friends has over the summer with hilarious all-new “My Summer Vacation” shorts not seen in theaters. It is available in the U.S. and Canada.

DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: RODRICK RULES 1-Disc DVD(Catalog #50986)
• Feature Film
   o Two (2) “My Summer Vacation” Shorts
   o Theatrical Trailer
   o Audio Commentary

Street Date: June 21, 2011
Pre-book Date: April 19, 2011
Screen Format: Widescreen 2.40:1
Audio: English 5.1 Dolby Digital (Some extra features in 2.0 Stereo DD)
French 2.0 Dolby Surround
Subtitles: English, Spanish, French
U.S. Rating: PG
Total Run Time: 1 hour, 54 minutes
Closed Captioned: Yes

DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: RODRICK RULES 2-Disc DVD(Catalog #50986)
• Feature Film
   o Six (6) “My Summer Vacation” Shorts
   o Six (6) Deleted Scenes
   o Gag Reel
   o Audio Commentary

Street Date: June 21, 2011
Pre-book Date: April 19, 2011
Screen Format: Widescreen 2.40:1
Audio: English 5.1 Dolby Digital (Some extra features in 2.0 Stereo DD)
French 2.0 Dolby Surround
Subtitles: English, Spanish, French
Subtitles: English, Spanish, French
U.S. Rating: PG
Total Run Time: 2 hours, 11 minutes
Closed Captioned: Yes

DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: RODRICK RULES 3-Disc Blu-ray+DVD+Digital Copy (Catalog #2275689)
• Feature Film
   o Seven (7) “My Summer Vacation” Shorts
   o Ten (10) Deleted Scenes
   o Gag Reel
   o Alternate Ending
   o Audio Commentary
• Digital Copy

Street Date: June 21, 2011
Pre-book Date: April 19, 2011
Screen Format: Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
French 5.1 Dolby Digital
Subtitles: English, Spanish
U.S. Rating: PG
Total Run Time: 2 hours, 15 minutes
Closed Captioned: Yes




My Take on the Movie
My family really liked the first Diary of A Wimpy Kid movie and from that, my eldest daughter started reading the books as well. She will sit up in her room for hours getting lost in the story!

This movie, though not completely like the book, still was fun. The Director did a much better job in character development than in the first movie. You learn much more about the brothers and you start to truly see them living and acting lacrger than life.

Though some people may find some of the humor a bit juvenile the plot was strong and parents will definitely come to a better appreciation for the scenarions and will see their own lives reflected within the story of this as well.

Overall, I recommend this movie. Whether you have read the books or not, this movie is a fun one and one that you will definitely enjoy with your family!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.  
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Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Movie Review - Forged

About the Movie
An ex-thug and his son attempt to find a way to move past impossible circumstances to forge a bond that has been forever broken by the murder of the child's mother.
Set in the cold and rusty steel mill town of Scranton, Pennsylvania, FORGED follows Chuco (Manny Perez) on his quest to redeem himself committing a horrific sin — the murder of his wife. After Chuco’s release from prison, his now 13-year-old, abused and homeless son, Machito (David Castro), seeks him out and simply mutters: “You killed my mother. Now I kill you.” As Chuco’s guilt and Machito’s need for a father take hold, they must both find a way to move past impossible circumstances to forge a bond that has been forever broken.

Engulfed by a bleak and lonely air, FORGED tells a profound, introverted story that is both exhilarating and heartfelt — an exploration into the deep bonds of family when one man’s search for redemption might beg for more than he can give.



My Take on the Movie
A powerful, deep, and somewhat dark movie about redemption and what a father will do to make atonement for the sins of his past. Just in time for fathers day this movie reminds viewers that the love of a father knows no bounds and even those that may have sinned greatest in their lives may still be able to come back from the brink to find their humanity, their soul and their purpose, though not always in the way that you would imagine.

A riveting movie!


All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- New to the Divadom or to Dad of Divas Reviews? Please Subscribe to my RSS Feed! Subscribe in a reader Questions?Drop me a line at dadofdivas@gmail.com

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

2008 BMW HP2 Sport Technology

Another item on the HP2 Sport to identify its racing bias is what BMW calls the "the gearshift assistant." This bit of wordsmith trickery translates into what is a type of ignition interrupt that allows the rider keep the throttle pinned whilst snicking up through the close-ratio six-speed gear-set, as used for several years on the roadracing circuit. BMW says it enables "fast gear changes without having to ease off the gas and operate the clutch," and that "this technology is offered for the first time in a series vehicle."


2008 BMW HP2 Sport MotorcyclesHere's a peek at the "gear shift

assistant." Us old timers know this as clutch-less upshifting, and have been doing it long before "gear shift assistants" were around. Okay, maybe BMW's system is a little more advanced...

If you intend to race this bike, you'll most likely make the wise move of using a reverse shift pattern, and for just such an application BMW offers (at an additional charge of course), a "suitable replacement pressure sensor" to adapt the quick-shifter to a GP-style race pattern. The forged-aluminum footpegs are adjustable.

A quick scan of the chassis shows fully-adjustable Öhlins shocks keeping the rear Paralever and front Telelever in check. What isn't quite as obvious at first glance is just how minimal the frame is. It's really nothing more than a small collection of tubular steel to hang the engine from and to provide a place for the bodywork and fuel tank to bolt to. Lacking a traditional subframe, the Sport utilizes a self-supporting carbon rear structure as a perch for the rider’s hiney.


2008 BMW HP2 Sport Motorcycles

This hopped-up head sports larger valves than those on the R1200S, and is part of the performance package that is claimed to produce 128 hp and 84.8 ft-lbs of torque.


Braking is handled by radially mounted four-piston monoblock Brembo calipers and Magura brake levers with radial-pump master cylinders attached to the adjustable handlebars. As an option, BMW ABS can be had, the version for this bike coming with a switch to disable it for track time, or any other time for that matter.

The German bike maker claims that the instrument cluster comes "directly from MotoGP sport" offering the usual ton o' data along with a lap timer and "racing relevant data."

Finally, along with all the carbon bodywork, no subframe and a lighter generator, the HP2 Sport rolls on lightweight forged-aluminum wheels to achieve its claimed dry weight of 392 lbs, and a tank-full (90%) weight wet of 439 lbs. That’s a savings of a significant 27 pounds over the standard R1200S.


2008 BMW HP2 Sport Motorcycles The HP2 Sport not only draws its lineage from the R1200S, it also received plenty of development time from racing.

So, at this point in time that's about all we know on the latest addition to the HP2 family. Beyond the details that we're not privy to, a couple other things we don't know is if it'll be coming to U.S. shores, and when, exactly, in 2008 it will be available.

One thing we can be certain of, in typical BMW fashion, the HP2 Sport will probably be expensive! Expect a price north of 20 grand.