Director/Writer Bob Clark has done best when catering to either the banal side of youth(Porkys) or the nostalgic(A Christmas Story) "Baby Geniuses" caters to neither.  In fact, it's hard to figure out what audience or age group would like this.  It's too dull for most kids  and  adults.  Perhaps the under 6 age group would enjoy it, as mine did. 

COLUMBIA TRISTAR has released this in Full Frame version only, maybe they thought "less is more"! Still, there are no artifacts present, the fleshtones are excellent and the dolby digital 5.1 sound mix is extremely active.  The special effects featurette is more enjoyable than the film.

An overlooked, underrated thriller, produced by Rebecca De Mornay, "Never Talk to Strangers" has gotten the golden treatment from COLUMBIA TRISTAR.  Not only is the transfer far superior in every detail to the laserdisc, it's enhanced with great definition via 16:9 enhancement, as well as a wonderful dolby digital 5.1 sound mix.   There was no way to tell previously how much sound was missing on the laserdisc or video tape version.  The musical score is more prominent now, and even the silent moments have more tension to them.  Bravo, Columbia Bravo!!!!

A captivating drama, "The General" unfortunately needs to be repressed by Columbia Tristar.  While it was intended to offer both the theatrical b/w version on one side, and a desaturated color version on the other, the b/w side doesn't have the correct aspect ratio, it's 1.85:1 instead of the correct 2.35:1 version offered on the desaturated side.  Additionally, both sides are mislabled as well.  For review purposes, we watched the desaturated side with the color toned down completely via our t.v.  The story about a real criminal stealing riches while choosing to live in a blue-collar backdrop, is hypnotic.  The dolby surround sound offers some fine directional effects.  We can't say more till the correct pressing is done.   COLUMBIA, WE'RE WAITING!!!!

For a change, the "Western Classics" label on the dvd jacket is perfectly correct!!!  Director/writer Richard Brooks' homage to the grand western of John Ford days is alive and well in this spectacular film starring Burt Lancaster and Lee Marvin.   Carefully blending comedy, drama, and action, Brooks reveals a tale of soldiers of fortune hired to retrieve the kidnapped wife of an oil baron.  Claudia Cardinale looks perfect down to every pore of her skin, amply displayed in this crystal clear transfer.  The clarity of the 2.35:1 transfer is helped by the anamorphic 16:9 process, becoming a standard of COLUMBIA TRISTAR releases.  The stereo sound is at times lively, but basically the sound is mono, except for the music and a few directional effects.