The COLUMBIA TRISTAR release of "The Buddy Holly Story" is commendable for several reasons.  To begin with, it's greatly improved over the recently available letterboxed laserdisc, with more accurate fleshtones and contrast.  There's also no grain here, whereas the other one was problematic with grain in several scenes.   There is the option of dolby surround(pro-logic) or 4 channel-stereo(we prefer this) more closely resembling the theatrical intentions of the director.  Also, Director Steve Rash(Son-in-Law) is also on hand in an audio commentary option with Gary Busey.  The commentary is fun and lends its own sense of nostalgia to a time when Busey was a promising new actor.

Other than seeing the beautiful Jessica Alba in a small role, there's "nothing" to recommend about "IDLE HANDS".  We were really disappointed with this one.  The plot following the murderous exploits of an angst-ridden teen whom can't control his possessed hand, offers nothing new to the horror/teen genre or the often used plot device.  When listening to the passionate energy of director Rodman Flender on an audio commentary track, it's even more distressing.  It seems apparant he likes the film, though, and for those whom might have enjoyed this in theaters, the transfer is excellent.

The contrast and color values are excellent with no artifacts or noise.  The dolby digital 5.1 sound is extremely active, offering a multitude of directional effects and a busy LFE channel!  There's a deleted scene with/without commentary, but it adds nothing to the film.

This reviewer has been eagerly awaiting "Fright Night" for a long time!   While I was greatly pleased with the dvd transfer, I'm still disappointed this wasn't remastered for dolby digital 5.1 sound.  That's not to say the dolby surround effects aren't great, they are!!!  But, it would've been nice to see this fun-filled '80s horror classic receive the dolby 5.1 treatment!  With the recent death of Roddy McDowall, there's even more nostalgia value to the film, and his performance is wonderful.   The film, about a teenage trying to convince an old horror t.v. show host that a vampire has moved in his neighborhood, is great fun, and doesn't feel dated at all.   The 2.35:1 transfer looks great, with excellent detail and contrast.

The dvd release of  "A Soldier's Story" is a shining example of why COLUMBIA TRISTAR is so important to the dvd consumer.  As with other important, but non-blockbuster films, "Devil in a Blue Dress", and "One False Move", the company has also included a director's audio commentary here!  Director Norman Jewison lends his filmmaking ideas in a way unmatched in any of his previous commentaries, "Moonstruck" etc.  Because of the film's unique perspective on racism, grasping the director's intentions are all that more impressive upon viewing the film first. 

The dvd transfer is excellent, with outstanding contrast and wonderful color values throughout.  Additionally, the surround soundtrack is lively at times, but mostly directed to the center channel, absent of musical background.

The long awaited "Monty Python & the Holy Grail" is finally here, and worth the wait!  While we're saddened it doesn't included the extensive extras being offered on the upcoming Criterion edition, the dvd transfer quality is what we'd hoped for, and when considering the Criterion version won't offer 16:9 either, this transfer probably won't be improved upon.  There are some scenes that appear soft, but this was apparant in every laserdisc presentation we've ever seen as well.  The chapter index comes in handy for viewers to skip to their favorite sketches, although the film is enjoyable in its entirety.  The mono sound is fine and offers excellent clarity, important for a film in which it's often hard to make out the dialogue at times.   Even better, there are extensive subtitle options.

Director Frank Capra's "Lost Horizon" has been greatly overlooked by film audiences.  Ask yourself the last time you've seen it even listed on AMC?    It has its flaws, the pacing is inconsistent, the dialogue doesn't always sparkle.  But, it's a monumental achievement in many ways.  The set design, cinematography, and the overall vision of Capra, is unforgettable.  COLUMBIA TRISTAR has gone all out for this dvd presentation, offering an alternative ending, deleted scenes, a restoration commentary, and more.  While there's still some debate as to the original running time, (see Capra's comments in "Name Above the Title:The Frank Capra Story") this is the original pre-WW2 running time released in theaters.   The dvd transfer looks fine, although some scenes show signs of wear, the mono sound is better than we've ever heard before in any showing of the film.

Milo is a kitten, and Otis is a puppy in "The Adventures of Milo and Otis".   While it's not as energetic as "Homeward Bound" or as creative as "Babe", it's still entertaining for the whole family.  After Milo is swept away, Otis starts the adventure to find and rescue her.  The children watching this dvd were thoroughly captivated during the film, and even adults seemed impressed.   The dvd transfer looks sharp, with excellent color values, but contrast is inconsistent.  The dolby surround sound is adequate, but not teeming with directional effects.

I remember "The Tingler" as one of those great saturday afternoon horror film presentations on a local television horror show with a host as a child.  It scared the hell out of me at age 10, and while it's not scary as an adult, it's still great!   Vincent Price stars as a doctor trying to prove the cause for fear lies in "The Tingler" a hidden part lying in our anatomy.  There's a great sub-plot involving a mute woman and her evil husband that's also excellent drama.

The transfer is exceptional!  Black&white has seldom looked this wonderful, with great detail and definition to grays and blacks.  The mono sound offers perfect clarity.