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Lady and the Tramp (Diamond Edition Two-Disc Blu-Ray/DVD Combo)

DISNEY

MOVIE B-

SPECIAL FEATURES B

BLU-RAY GEEK FACTOR 6

(OUT OF 10)

While this is probably one of my least-favorite Disney cartoons, I cannot deny how incredibly good the picture is on this Blu-ray. I wound up enjoying the film a little more simply because of how terrific it looks.

The spaghetti-dinner scene is the most-classic moment in this movie, and rightly so. It's a true winner. And I did like the beginning of the film, when Lady, the cocker spaniel, emerged from the Christmas-gift box. Her first night alone in the kitchen is a funny little sequence that anybody who has had a puppy can relate to.

I just get a little bored when the movie takes to the streets and the life of alley-dog Tramp. He isn't a very interesting character. In fact, I think every character surrounding him is more interesting. Without Lady, he's nothing.

Still, it's a Disney cartoon with enough winning moments to make it worthwhile.

SPECIAL FEATURES: You get some never-before-seen deleted scenes; a deleted song; "Inside Walt's Story Meetings"; a making-of; and more.


A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas: Extra Dope Edition (Blu-ray)

WARNER

MOVIE B+

SPECIAL FEATURES B-

BLU-RAY GEEK FACTOR 6.25

(OUT OF 10)

After their first sequel came up a bit short, Harold and Kumar (John Cho and Kal Penn) came back swinging with this funny and creative return to form. This Christmas adventure is as funny, if not funnier, than the boys' original trip to White Castle. It's a mighty good holiday movie as well.

Harold and Kumar start off this film estranged, but after an awesome Christmas tree is burned, they must join forces to find a new one. This takes them on an adventure that includes a drug-induced Claymation sequence, and a huge musical number co-starring the one and only Neil Patrick Harris.

The 3-D effects in the film are actually quite good. The film has fun with them, including a great egg-splattering sequence. Egg splatter in 3-D is quite cool.

For those of you currently indulging in 3-D TV, the movie is also available in a 3-D disc edition, so you are in luck.

I can honestly say I laughed consistently throughout the viewing experience. This movie gets the duo back on track—and I hope we get some more of them.

SPECIAL FEATURES: You get an extended cut of the film, a fun feature with the always-funny Thomas Lennon, deleted scenes, and a feature about the creation of the Claymation sequence.


The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 1 (Blu-ray)

SUMMIT

MOVIE C+

SPECIAL FEATURES B

DVD GEEK FACTOR 5.5

(OUT OF 10)

With this, we have the best Twilight film so far. I absolutely hated the other ones, so that isn't really high praise—but as I've stated before, I almost liked this strange, bizarre movie.

After a wedding during which Bella (Kristen Stewart) almost seems happy, she and sparkly vampire Edward (Robert Pattinson) take off for a remote island where they do the deed in bed-breaking style. Bella gets pregnant—and let's just say it isn't a blissful childbearing experience. Jacob (Taylor Lautner) gets all mad, but loves the baby once it comes plowing out of Bella, and this sets off yet another vampire-wolf war.

I appreciate how nutty this movie gets at times; it certainly has some strong dramatic moments. Still, the vampire-wolf fights are hilariously bad, and they derail the film.

I look forward to the next chapter, in which Bella should be a very different Bella. Perhaps she'll be less brooding? Actually, I doubt it—but she'll have fangs, and she'll be all sparkly. It should be weird enough for a few laughs.

Taylor Lautner should eat lots of pancakes and put on 50 pounds for the next one, just to anger his legions of abs fans.

SPECIAL FEATURES: There's a six-part making-of documentary that should please devotees. You also get Bella's Wedding Video (Oh boy!) and an audio commentary with director Bill Condon.


The Dead (Blu-ray)

ANCHOR BAY

MOVIE C+

SPECIAL FEATURES B-

BLU-RAY GEEK FACTOR 4.75

(OUT OF 10)

There are many zombie movies out there, and this one (which you have probably never heard of) isn't that bad. It has some good gore and creepy-looking zombies. What it doesn't have is a compelling story and a good lead performer to hold the whole thing together. It's basically an American (Rob Freeman) in Africa running from zombies, with very little dialogue.

A stronger performance from the lead might've made this one worth watching. As it stands, The Dead will probably be of interest to hard-core zombie fans only.

It does look bloody disgusting when the ghouls take bites out of people's necks. I guess that's a good thing.

SPECIAL FEATURES: There's a behind-the-scenes feature, a filmmaker's commentary and some deleted scenes.

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