Welcome, Guest  •  Sign In  •  Register  •  Help
RG

Ryan Gibbs

28 articles
Blu-ray Review: Magic Mike
Blu-rayHD Audio

Blu-ray Review: Magic Mike

Magic Mike arrives on Blu-ray with a Warner 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer shot on Red Epic cameras, faithfully reproducing Steven Soderbergh's deliberately skewed, near-monochromatic color palette with well-resolved textures and crisp edges. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track is the disc's standout, delivering pulsing low-end, aggressive rear-channel support, and eerily realistic directionality during the club sequences. Viewers seeking a technically capable Blu-ray with strong audio performance will find this release rewarding, even if the intentionally muted video presentation limits outright demo-disc appeal.

Reviews
Blu-ray Review: The Campaign
Blu-rayHD Audio

Blu-ray Review: The Campaign

The Campaign arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer delivering clean edge definition, deep black levels, and fine detail resolution down to individual facial textures. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track handles the front-heavy mix competently, with solid LFE output and clear dialogue, though immersive rear-channel activity is limited to crowd-heavy scenes. Buyers seeking a raucous R-rated comedy with reliable A/V performance will find this disc a worthwhile pickup, even if the film itself ranks as mid-tier in the genre.

Reviews
Blu-ray Review: This is 40
Blu-ray

Blu-ray Review: This is 40

Universal's Blu-ray release of 'This Is 40' delivers a strong 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer with warm colors, clean edge definition, and an intact grain structure free of serious artifacting or banding. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track is front-heavy with restrained LFE output and limited rear-channel activity, though dialogue clarity and live-performance music reproduction are highlights. Viewers who appreciate Judd Apatow's comedic style will find the disc's technical presentation a worthy complement to the film's relatable domestic humor.

Reviews
Blu-ray Review: Wreck-It Ralph
Blu-rayHome TheaterHD Audio

Blu-ray Review: Wreck-It Ralph

Wreck-It Ralph arrives on Blu-ray with a reference-quality 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer delivering eye-popping color accuracy, pristine edge detail free from ringing or aliasing, and zero macro-blocking or banding artifacts. The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround track matches that standard with aggressive rear-channel activity, deep LFE engagement during first-person shooter sequences, and precise cross-channel panning. Together, these technical strengths make this Disney animated release a strong candidate for a home theater showcase disc.

Reviews
Blu-ray Review: Perks of Being a Wallflower
Blu-ray

Blu-ray Review: Perks of Being a Wallflower

The Perks of Being a Wallflower arrives on Blu-ray with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.78:1, but despite its Super 35 origins, the image skews surprisingly soft and murky with wildly inconsistent contrast that undermines detail in dimly lit scenes. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless track performs adequately, with discrete channelization shining in crowd sequences though the mix remains largely front-heavy throughout. Buyers should temper video expectations while the strong ensemble performances from Logan Lerman, Ezra Miller, and Emma Watson make this a worthwhile addition to any collection.

Reviews
Blu-ray Review: Death Race 3
Home TheaterBlu-ray

Blu-ray Review: Death Race 3

Death Race 3: Inferno arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer that captures the hyper-glossed digital video aesthetic of the Kalahari Desert shoot, delivering crisp fine detail and clean edges despite sun-bleached colors and minor shimmering from stunt cameras. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track compensates with punchy LFE output, neck-snapping directional effects, and clear dialogue even amid dense action layers. The technical presentation outperforms the film itself, which reviewers found to be a poorly acted, low-budget direct-to-video release unworthy of its runtime.

Reviews
Blu-ray Review: Flight
Blu-rayHome TheaterHD Audio

Blu-ray Review: Flight

Paramount's Blu-ray release of Robert Zemeckis' Flight delivers a reference-quality 1080p transfer with consistently sharp detail across facial textures, fine surface scuffs, and liquor bottle labels, paired with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack that renders the crash sequence with powerful, controlled bass and convincing cabin atmospherics. Dialogue remains clean and centered while music floats naturally across the stage without artificial low-end padding. Viewers seeking a technically impressive disc alongside Denzel Washington's career-best portrayal of an alcoholic pilot will find this release rewarding on both fronts.

Reviews
Blu-ray Review: Guns, Girls and Gambling
Blu-rayHD Audio

Blu-ray Review: Guns, Girls and Gambling

Universal's Blu-ray release of Guns Girls and Gambling delivers a 1080p/VC-1 video transfer with vivid colors, deep blacks, and crisp detail that stands as the disc's strongest asset. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track handles dialogue and gunfire competently but suffers from flat sound design, underutilized directionality, and LFE that lacks finesse. Viewers seeking a technically polished disc will find adequate but unremarkable A/V performance wrapped around a formulaic action-comedy that offers little beyond its cast.

Reviews
Blu-ray Review: The Awakening
Blu-ray

Blu-ray Review: The Awakening

The Awakening arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer shot on 35mm that suffers from erratic noise, though contrast, black levels, and edge definition remain solid throughout. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track is a standout, delivering precise LFE impact, atmospheric rear-channel activity, and consistently intelligible dialogue from whisper to scream. Viewers who prioritize audio immersion and story-driven period mystery over conventional horror scares will find this 1921-set psychological thriller a rewarding watch.

Reviews
Blu-ray Review: Hotel Transylvania
Home TheaterBlu-ray

Blu-ray Review: Hotel Transylvania

Hotel Transylvania arrives on Blu-ray with a reference-quality 1080p/1.85:1 transfer that renders the film's digital animation with striking detail, from Murray the Mummy's worn bandages to subtle castle textures. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack delivers constant surround envelopment, tight low-end support, and exceptional clarity during the film's rock-and-pop musical numbers in chapters seven and twelve. Families looking for a reliable home theater showcase disc will find both the video and audio presentations consistently impressive across the film's runtime.

Reviews
Blu-ray Review: Looper
Blu-rayHome TheaterHD Audio

Blu-ray Review: Looper

Sony's Blu-ray release of Looper delivers a reference-quality 1080p transfer with consistent film-like grain, accurate color reproduction across the full spectrum, and no perceptible banding or edge enhancement artifacts. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack stands out for its aggressive dynamic range, precise surround placement, and strikingly realistic gunfire reproduction. Viewers seeking a technically accomplished Blu-ray with strong A/V performance alongside a well-crafted sci-fi thriller will find this release a compelling addition to any collection.

Reviews
Blu-ray Review: The Bourne Legacy
Home TheaterBlu-ray

Blu-ray Review: The Bourne Legacy

The Bourne Legacy arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer that delivers crisp detail, clean edges, and intact grain, though black levels occasionally appear muted due to the source photography. The standout technical achievement is the DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround track, which delivers weighty LFE output and a fully active sound field across all channels. Fans of the franchise will find the audio presentation alone justifies the upgrade, even if the film itself falls short of the original trilogy.

Reviews
Blu-ray Review: Frankenweenie
Home TheaterBlu-rayHD Audio

Blu-ray Review: Frankenweenie

Tim Burton's stop-motion animated Frankenweenie arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer that delivers flawless detail, vibrant contrast, and rich blacks well-suited to its black-and-white photography. The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround track complements the visuals with robust rear-channel activity, smooth cross-channel pans, and consistently clear dialogue. The technical presentation is reference-quality, though the film itself is slow-paced for much of its runtime, making this a stronger showcase disc than a compelling movie-night recommendation.

Reviews
Blu-ray Review: For a Good Time, Call...
Blu-rayHD Audio

Blu-ray Review: For a Good Time, Call...

The Blu-ray release of 'For a Good Time, Call...' arrives with a clean 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer delivering well-saturated skintones, deep blacks, and near-perfect edge definition, though the presentation reflects the film's modest cinematography rather than pushing technical boundaries. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track keeps dialogue clearly prioritized in a front-heavy mix while rear channels handle ambient city sounds and apartment bleed-through with convincing spatial depth. Viewers comfortable with adult-themed comedy will find this a surprisingly entertaining and technically competent disc worth adding to their collection.

Reviews
Blu-ray Review: End of Watch
Blu-ray

Blu-ray Review: End of Watch

End of Watch arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer that faithfully reproduces the film's intentionally rough, multi-source visual aesthetic, including noise, artifacting, and standard-definition footage from dash cams and personal cameras. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track delivers bold LFE output with convincing gunfire and engine rumble, while keeping dialogue intelligible through chaotic shootout sequences. Viewers who appreciate documentary-style cinematography and immersive lossless audio will find this a technically honest and engaging home video presentation.

Reviews
Blu-ray Review: Paranorman
Blu-ray

Blu-ray Review: Paranorman

ParaNorman arrives on Blu-ray with a flawless video transfer that avoids common animated-film pitfalls like banding, while a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track delivers crisp dialogue, convincing ambience, and eerily precise directionality. The stop-motion animation holds up beautifully in high definition, with only a faint grain layer reinforcing the filmic aesthetic. Viewers seeking a technically polished disc alongside genuinely engaging family storytelling will find this release delivers on both fronts.

Reviews
Blu-ray Review: Savages
Home TheaterBlu-rayHD Audio

Blu-ray Review: Savages

The Blu-ray release of Oliver Stone's 2012 crime thriller Savages delivers a near-perfect high definition transfer, with the Laguna Beach sequences showcasing vivid teal water and exceptional fine detail, marred only by minor banding during direct sunlight shots. The audio mix is equally strong, with an aggressive sound design that places gunshots and rotor noise in a well-rendered surround field while maintaining clean dialogue balance in quieter scenes. Viewers seeking a reference-quality disc for a visceral, cartel-driven thriller will find this release a technically impressive home theater showcase.

Reviews
Blu-ray Review: Brave
Blu-ray

Blu-ray Review: Brave

Pixar's 'Brave' marks the studio's first venture into fairytale storytelling, delivering visually stunning animation that vividly renders the Scottish Highlands, but the Blu-ray presentation highlights a narrative that leans heavily on familiar Disney princess tropes. The film's storyline, which follows archer Merida defying clan customs and contending with a witch's curse, lacks the character depth found in Pixar benchmarks like 'Toy Story' or 'Finding Nemo'. Viewers seeking Pixar's signature storytelling complexity may find the film more rewarding as a visual showcase than as a narrative experience.

Reviews
Blu-ray Review: The Dictator
Blu-ray

Blu-ray Review: The Dictator

Sacha Baron Cohen's 'The Dictator' (2012) runs a lean 83 minutes in its rated cut and 98 minutes in the unrated version, following a fictional North African dictator navigating a UN ultimatum and assassination plot in New York City. Cohen's performance is criticized for overworked comedic delivery that undermines the material, while John C. Reilly's brief 10-minute appearance and Anna Faris provide the film's most effective moments. Viewers seeking sharp political satire will likely find the laughs too sparse to justify the runtime.

Reviews
Blu-ray Review: American Reunion
Blu-ray

Blu-ray Review: American Reunion

American Reunion arrives on Blu-ray as the fourth theatrical entry in the American Pie franchise, reuniting the full original cast 13 years after the Class of 1999. The film delivers the series' signature raunchy humor but falls short of the raunchiness benchmark set by the first two installments, with standout moments limited to Jim's kitchen scene and Kara's drunken nude scene. Fans loyal to the franchise will find it a worthwhile watch, though it ranks closer to American Wedding than to the original films in overall quality.

Reviews
Blu-ray Review: Safe House
Blu-ray

Blu-ray Review: Safe House

Safe House, released on Blu-ray, is a CIA thriller starring Ryan Reynolds as rookie agent Matt Weston and Denzel Washington as rogue operative Tobin Frost, delivering intense, physically credible action sequences alongside a layered narrative about institutional corruption. Reynolds steps convincingly outside his comedic typecasting, while Washington channels a performance reminiscent of his Academy Award-winning role in Training Day. Viewers who enjoy fast-paced, plot-driven action films will find this a rewarding and mentally engaging watch.

Reviews
Blu-ray Review: The Debt
Blu-ray

Blu-ray Review: The Debt

The Debt is a 2011 espionage thriller released on Blu-ray that unfolds across two time periods, 1966 and 1997, following a trio of Mossad agents whose mission to capture Nazi war criminal Vogel in East Berlin carries consequences that echo for decades. The film stars Helen Mirren and Jessica Chastain in parallel roles, delivering a narrative that balances tense action with psychological depth. Viewers who appreciate character-driven spy dramas will find its examination of guilt, deception, and unrequited love a compelling reason to revisit the disc more than once.

Reviews
Blu-ray Review: Killer Elite
Blu-ray

Blu-ray Review: Killer Elite

Killer Elite, released on Blu-ray, is a 2012 action thriller starring Jason Statham, Robert De Niro, and Clive Owen in a globe-spanning operative-versus-operative plot billed as a true story. Despite its high-profile cast, the film delivers little tension, with De Niro underutilized and unconvincing as a special ops veteran and the pacing failing to sustain engagement. Viewers seeking a genuinely gripping action thriller should look elsewhere, as this release does not justify the time investment.

Reviews
Blu-ray Review: The Double
Blu-ray

Blu-ray Review: The Double

The Double arrives on Blu-ray as a spy thriller starring Richard Gere as a retired CIA operative drawn back into a cold case involving a legendary Soviet assassin known as Cassius, paired with an FBI rookie played by Topher Grace. The film layers subtle clues throughout a deliberately paced narrative that builds toward a genuinely surprising plot twist. Viewers willing to invest in the slow burn will find the Blu-ray format rewards a second viewing to catch the details missed the first time.

Reviews
Blu-ray Review: Moneyball
Blu-ray

Blu-ray Review: Moneyball

The Blu-ray release of Moneyball presents the 2011 Sony Pictures film starring Brad Pitt as Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane, who partners with a Yale-trained statistician to rebuild a competitive roster on a constrained budget using sabermetric analysis rather than traditional scouting. The film translates complex statistical evaluation of on-base percentage and run production into an accessible narrative that works for non-sports fans. Viewers who appreciated character-driven sports dramas like Bull Durham or Field of Dreams will find this a compelling home video addition.

Reviews
Blu-ray Review: The Change-Up
Blu-ray

Blu-ray Review: The Change-Up

The Change-Up arrives on Blu-ray as a body-swap comedy starring Jason Bateman and Ryan Reynolds, delivering consistent laughs through sharp one-liners and quick-wit dialogue that ground the premise in relatable adult experience. The film draws comparisons to Freaky Friday but distinguishes itself with a more mature tone and strong supporting performances from Leslie Mann and Olivia Wilde. Viewers looking for an entertaining two-hour watch will find the Blu-ray format a fitting home for this polished, crowd-pleasing comedy.

Reviews
Blu-ray Review: Fast Five
Blu-ray

Blu-ray Review: Fast Five

Fast Five arrives on Blu-ray as the fifth installment in the Fast and Furious franchise, shifting the series from street racing to a heist-driven format with only one race scene featuring stolen police cars. Dwayne Johnson joins the cast as federal agent Hobbs, delivering a commanding performance that elevates the film's action dynamic alongside a returning ensemble cast from previous entries. Fans of the franchise will find this the strongest entry yet, making the Blu-ray release a worthwhile addition to any collection.

Reviews
Blu-ray Review: Cars 2
Blu-ray

Blu-ray Review: Cars 2

Cars 2 arrives on Blu-ray as a sequel that expands the franchise beyond Radiator Springs into an international espionage thriller, featuring returning voice cast members Owen Wilson and Larry the Cable Guy alongside new additions Michael Caine and Emily Mortimer. The animation quality holds up well, and the layered wordplay provides humor accessible to both children and adults. Families looking for a reliable movie night pick will find this a solid, if occasionally slow, choice that improves on the typical sequel formula.

Reviews