While none of the music rivals the wonderment of "Beauty and the Beast", "Anastasia" will certainly win over the hearts of children with its well defined characters and sidekicks.  The animation is spectacular, perfectly complimented with this sharp looking dvd transfer.  Color values are wonderful, with vibrant colors and great definition in every scene.  FOX has offered an option for either 2.35:1 or 1.48:1(We highly recommend the 2.35:1 version)  The dolby digital 5.1 mix offers an abundance of atmospheric effects and adds greatly to the musical score when compared to the standard dolby surround mix.

Set shortly after the Russian revolution, "Anastasia" follows the "surviving" daughter of Tzar Nicholas(Meg Ryan) as she is constantly thwarted by the evil Rasputin, as she tries to reach Paris.  Helping her along is a wonderful character, a bat named Bartok!

The lovable bat, Bartok, is back in "Bartok the Magnificent", a better than average sequel.  Bartok, voiced by Hank Azaria, is wonderful to watch and hear.   While the story about a kidnapped prince, is not as inventive as "Anastasia", children will still enjoy the film. The transfer looks great, with excellent color values, but the dolby surround sound offers little in terms of directional effects. The music is actually pretty decent, with more than one memorable song.   3-sing alongs are even included, and children will love this option. A theatrical trailer is included.

"Never Been Kissed" is probably the best of the teen-oriented films to be released in 1999!  Unfortunately, it wal almost completely ignored by audiences in comparison to the inferior "She's All That".  Directed by Home Alone 3s' Raja Gosnell, it offers a wonderful pace, imaginative production design, and a wonderful soundtrack.  Drew Barrymore stars and produces this film about a newspaper reporter getting a chance to redo her high school years as she goes undercover for a story exploring today's teens.  Having "never been kissed", she involves her brother, in a wonderful performance by David Arquette, in her plan to "fit in" with great results.  It's hard not to cheer for her brother's new lease on life as he too fools high schoolers to accept him.  The transfer is excellent with great color values and clarity.  The film is only offered in 2.35:1, but anything less would severely compromise the well thought out images.  The dolby digital 5.1 sound mix offers numerous directional effects, but the actual music selections sound better in dolby surround for some reason. 

The transfer to "Patton" is spectacular!!!  Fox is offering what appears to be the same transfer as offered on their last laserdisc offering of the film, with a wonderful documentary, isolated track and audio essay.  With the recent passing of Mr. Scott, "Patton" offers Scott's fans a wonderful memorium of possibly his best work!  In the pre-credit opening sequence, Scott as Patton steps forth in front of a huge flag backdrop, demonstrating the wonderful and strong color values and contrast!!!  His speech, at close to five minutes, is unforgettable!  But then, most of the film is unforgettable.  While it's a film with great action, it's also a film filled with great contemplation also.  There's one spectacular scene, wherein a montage of images unfolds to the narrative prayer written at Patton's request for the allies.  While the scene unfolds, the true horror of war, as well as the sound reasoning for the allies to push on, is wonderfully presented with the dolby digital 5.1 sound mix adding greatly to the intended impact.  The film is offered on disc 1, with the extensive supplements offered on the 2nd disc. 

"TORA!TORA!TORA!" is now available from FOX as a wonderful dvd!!!  While the previous laserdisc looked great, it pales in comparison to the depth and clarity achieved in this dvd.  The film, depicting events leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor, is told in a semi-documentary styly.  Most importantly, the Japanese sequences are handled by an entireley different crew than the American sequences.   This contrast works with great impact!  Both sequences have their own feel, and since they also have varying production designs, the high quality of the dvd transfer is even more obvious in the way it so perfectly captures the differing styles with perfection.  The dolby digital 4.1 mix, offers some fine moments with directional sounds, confined to front speakers, as the 4.1 designates a mono channel with both rear speakers.  The LFE effects are minimal.

"The Thin Red Line" has been long awaited, and while we're extremely disappointed that director Terrence Malick didn't offer an audio commentary here, the transfer is magnificent!  The film is presented with 16:9 enhancement, further improving on an already spectacular transfer.  The strengths and weaknesses of "The Thin Red Line" lie in the fact that Malick puts style over substance here as in all of his previous films.  The imagery is often haunting, and the sharpness offered here, wherein individual blades of high grass are clearly defined, makes this a disc to own!  The performances, including a brief but unforgettable one by Woody Harrelson, are wonderful.  The dolby digital 5.1 soundtrack is also filled with directional effects, but don't expect the loud action style effects of "Saving Private Ryan".  The directional effects offered here are virtually confined to atmospheric alone.