Recently Filed in Reviews

As a reviewer bent on dissecting any important feature and function contained in Denon’s new flagship AVR-5803CI receiver I had my work cut out for me. It didn’t take long to realize that the best way to conduct this review would be to follow the same steps anyone would take when deciding how best to integrate this product into their listening room. The AVR-5308CI shares nearly all of the same features found on Denon’s $7500 AVP-A1HDCI flagship processor. While it lacks the balanced circuitry design,… View this story
Receivers • Reviews • Home Theater • Product News

Having left early enough to be properly fueled at a nearby Big Boy restaurant, I arrived Monday at The Ebell of Los Angeles, an educational and philanthropic organization, thinking how appropriate it is for Disney to be presenting their classic “Sleeping Beauty” within a structure reminiscent of a castle. But beyond the title lurks the high-definition technology of today - Blu-ray - and even more so the Internet connectivity that is just now starting to stand out. Blu-ray won the format war, but one of… View this story
Blu-ray • Movies and Music • Reviews • Enhancements • Product News

I hate the phone. At work or at play, most will know that I am not the type that springs for the ring. Also, you’d better leave a message and let me know what my callback will entail; your name and number on Caller ID are not the same as a message. Email and instant message, on the other hand, are my friends. We’re close. In fact, we’re so close, it’s the first “face” that I see in the morning and the last I see… View this story
Networking and Communication • Telephones • Reviews • Networking • Product News

If you cared enough to buy this film then you’re probably watching the unrated version. And I’m assuming you’re expecting gross, uncompromising violence supported by two “best of breed” extra-terrestrials fighting it out with humans relegated to the role of fodder. With the exception of people getting a bit more airtime than we’d like, this film doesn’t disappoint (although it’s anything but a “horror” movie). And kudos for using “real” creatures rather ones spit out of a computer. High-definition brings to life dark crevices and… View this story
Blu-ray • Movies and Music • Reviews • Home Theater • Product News

Parodies do well providing the source material is strong and firmly ingrained in pop-culture. So taking on country singers (think Johnny Cash) and even pop music in general seems a safe bet, especially since it’s being delivered by the “Superbad,” “40-year Old Virgin,” “Knocked Up” guy whose movies are generally home runs. Well maybe this time it’s more of a double, because even sex, drugs and rock and roll doesn’t guarantee success. Not that there isn’t big chunks of humor to be found - with… View this story
Blu-ray • Movies and Music • Reviews • Home Theater • Product News

The Coen brothers a tale unfold, they. In the same spirit as Clint Eastwood’s “Unforgiven,” you find a cast of characters that have weathered time, with the cracks in their souls etched on their faces. As for the plot, let’s not ruin it. Just know there’s a psychopathic killer running around, a determined sheriff as well as millions of drug-dollars that make their way to someone who vainly hopes to keep it. Of course it wouldn’t be a Coen film if things proceeded smoothly or… View this story
Movies and Music • Reviews • Product News

Despite the waning popularity of HD DVD, all high-def owners have to be a little psyched about the release of “American Gangster.” The combination of director Ridley Scott and Oscar winners Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe is something that all movie fans can appreciate.  Those three names might be enough to inspire some viewers to quickly plunk down cash on this new release, but don’t be too hasty. While the movie might qualify as a “must see,” you don’t need to run out and add… View this story
HD DVD • Movies and Music • Reviews • Product News • Slideshows

Considering how straightforward a crime drama can be told - two young detectives looking into the the disappearance of a little girl - it’s surprising just how non-linear the path to finding her becomes. This is due to the plot being as much about the motive of those involved, rather than just the unfolding of events. To say it is emotionally disturbing is more than fair. Of the actors, Casey Affleck (brother to director/actor Ben) is spot-on as are Morgan Freeman and the always intriguing… View this story
Blu-ray • Movies and Music • Reviews • Product News

Diamonds might be a girl’s best friend, but they come at a cost that this 2006 release shows to be more than just the accompanying price tag at Tiffany’s. “Blood Diamond” takes us into the dangerous mix of political strife and diamond mining/smuggling that engulfed Sierra Leone, circa 1999 for this flick. The ruthless RUF (rebel group Revolutionary United Front) is either gunning down or amputating the locals, and sparing just enough others for recruitment into their militia or slavery in their diamond mines. Without… View this story
HD DVD • Movies and Music • Reviews • Product News

An explosion of high-definition discs from competing formats Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD is bringing the movie theater experience home - in “Full HD” 1080p resolution and with high-performance multichannel soundtrack formats like Dolby Digital Plus. And let’s remember that Blu-ray and HD DVD leave plenty of room for bonus features, even those enabling Internet access. Regardless of which format you have, there are some titles that stand apart from the rest and command attention. Here are the ones we will deem “Best in Show”.… View this story
Blu-ray • HD DVD • Movies and Music • Reviews • Info and Answers

In the late ’60s, an anonymous letter-writing serial killer sent shivers through San Francisco residents, and left police and reporters baffled. What subject is more deserving of a two-disc HD DVD set? After an initial, semi-disappointing DVD release, Paramount has given “Zodiac” its due with a high-definition version of the “Director’s Cut.” The film opens in the summer of ’69—and not nearly as nostalgic as the Bryan Adams song. Instead, it kicks off with the splatter of blood and a growing body count, both of… View this story
HD DVD • Movies and Music • Reviews • Product News

Keeping a horror franchise alive is an interesting proposition - one where marketing and greed often circumvents both the logic and satisfying progression of the story once the sequels start coming in. In the case of Jigsaw, he may be dead but that doesn’t seem to stop a serial killer nowadays. Which means that the highly aggravated cast of characters who’ve returned from the previous three films are up to their necks (while they still have them) in insidious and painful plots that demonstrate why… View this story
Blu-ray • HD DVD • Movies and Music • Reviews • Product News