Posted in: Holiday Gift Guides by Gino Sassani on December 2nd, 2013
Everyone has one on their Christmas list. It's the guy who already has everything on home video. He's a classic television fan, and you just don't know what to get. For years you've been counting on us for advice. We aren't about to let you down this year. Image Entertainment has two awesome classic television sets out just in time for Christmas. If your list has a classic cop show fan, then it's Naked City. If they're a war series nut, you just gotta get them Combat. If you really, really like them, how about getting them both?
"Ladies and gentlemen. You are about to see the Naked City. I'm Bert Leonard, the producer. As you can see we're flying over an island, a city, a particular city...and this is the story of a number of people, a story also of the city itself. It was not photographed in the studio. Quite the contrary. The actors played out their roles in the streets and the buildings of New York itself."
Posted in: Holiday Gift Guides by Gino Sassani on November 29th, 2013
Star Vista and Time Life get our vote for some of the coolest gift sets for the holiday season. It's no surprise that they've delivered some quality television. What is a such a great surprise this year is that they've dug deep into the television archives and brought three particular shows that are long over-due for complete series treatments. These sets have provided us here at Upcomingdiscs with some of our favorite television watching in 2013, not to mention a lot of hours. It's a tough job, but somebody has to do it. Now it's time for you to pass these television memories on to that TV addict on your Christmas list.
"'I've been given me the toughest job I've ever had in my life, but also the most rewarding. What can be more important to the war effort than preserving the fighting strength of our troops? We must maximize the odds of every soldier that passes through our portal... His country is counting on him. His country is counting on us."
Posted in: Holiday Gift Guides by Gino Sassani on June 9th, 2013
20th Century Fox wants you to spend Father's Day with Dad watching a movie or two. If you're looking to bring your experience with Pop into high definition, they have just the titles for you. These classics have been re-mastered and offered in high definition just in time for Father's Day on June 16th.
The Verdict (1982)
Posted in: Blu-ray/3D Blu-ray, Holiday Gift Guides, Oppo by Gino Sassani on December 17th, 2012
There are still plenty of folks out there who have not yet joined the Blu-ray family. I'll bet there's at least one on your Christmas list. It's up to you to open their eyes to high-definition home video. Now, I'm sure you're tempted by those cheap machines hitting the market at the department and big box stores. And sure, you can get someone on board for a hundred bucks or less. I'm here to tell you not to do it. Sure you can give them a basic machine, but you're also going to give them a future of headache and frustration as they discover more and more things that they cannot do. What if I told you that you can get a high-end player with everything on board for under $500? Get ready to scratch a name or two off that Christmas list, because Oppo's BDP-103 has tons that even the best players in the big box stores don't.
We'll be writing a full review as we put the unit through our rigorous paces, but you can't wait that long to pick one up. I can already tell you with no hesitation this is the best Blu-ray player I've seen. Oppo IS NOT paying us to say this. We will not get a penny from the company. This baby does full-on 3D like nobody's business. When I compare it to my excellent PS3 3D, this one offers a brighter and sharper image. That's because the guys at Oppo have put nothing but the best chips inside of this unit. This unit will also convert 2D to a simulated 3D, and there are parameters you can adjust to get the best results. Honestly, this stuff doesn't compare to the real deal, but it's a nice effect at times. If you have a 4k monitor capability, this unit will even upconvert to 4k. No other unit for anywhere near this price can do that.
Posted in: Holiday Gift Guides by Gino Sassani on December 13th, 2012
"Space... The final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its continuing mission, to explore strange new worlds. To seek out new life and new civilizations. To boldly go where no one has gone before."
Nearly 20 years after the original Star Trek left the network airwaves, Gene Roddenberry set out to discover if he could catch lightning in a bottle once again. Some say he did an even better job with Star Trek: The Next Generation. There are times I tend to agree. Great shows get better with time. The Next Generation was a great show. As you watch the episodes of the first seasons you begin to realize just how much better the series had become by the time the 7th season had ended.
Posted in: Holiday Gift Guides by Gino Sassani on November 30th, 2012
One of the most impressive gifts available this holiday season has to be the James Bond 50: Complete 22 Film Collection. With the arrival of Skyfall in theaters, it's the perfect time to catch up on the entire 50-year history of Ian Fleming's famous British agent. The collection includes all 22 official James Bond films. There's even a slot that is "reserved" for Skyfall when it hits Blu-ray early next year. Bond turns 50, and now MGM is delivering the party favors.
All 22 films are included completely remastered and presented in full 1080p high definition. Most of these films have already been out on Blu-ray, and the transfers here are identical along with about 120 hours of bonus content. A 23rd disc offers some new high-definition bonus content. The new material catches up with each of the men who have played Bond over these last 50 years.
Posted in: Holiday Gift Guides by Gino Sassani on November 26th, 2012
Warner Brothers Gift Guide
If you have a television fan on your Christmas list, you can't do much better than Blu-rays from Warner Brothers this year. No other studio gives you more of your favorite television favorites on Blu-ray. They have some of television's hottest titles, and these babies are all in wonderful high definition. This is not a paid advertisement. The picks we're providing here are really some of our favorite titles this year. Here's a few of our favorites that are available from Warner Brothers for this Holiday Season:
Posted in: Holiday Gift Guides by Gino Sassani on November 23rd, 2012
A&E just might be able to help you to play Santa for that special home theater fan on your Christmas list. Here are some excellent suggestions from us here at Upcomingdiscs. This is not a paid advertisement. Each of these titles comes highly recommended. Continue reading to find out how A&E can help you out with those last-minute Christmas shopping needs. Don’t forget to order through Amazon and help us at Upcomingdiscs to bring you another year of reviews and contests. Look for some incredible A&E giveaways for our 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways.
Do you have someone on that Christmas list who just got a 3D television and/or player? A&E/History have the best starter kits for that elf on your list.
