Jonas Brothers: The 3-D Concert Experience (Blu-ray/DVD Combo w/ BD Live + Digital Copy) (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)The Jonas Brothers are the hottest boy band in America.
With a large legion of fans, the group which consists of brothers Kevin, Joe and Nick, the Jonas Brothers have accomplished many things in their last three years since the release of their first album.
The group debuted on Columbia Records INO Records (a Christian Label) in 2006 and eventually received airplay on Nickelodeon's "Zoey 101: Spring Break-Up" and various Disney soundtrack and compilations. Despite the group starting to gain momentum, the group was dropped by Columbia Records and had no label until signing with Hollywood Records in 2007. And received more attention when they appeared on an episode of "Hannah Montana" and the group were playing at major televised events.
But it was until the group released their third album "A Little Bit Longer" in 2008 which gained mainstream attention (and #40 on Rolling Stone Magazine's top 50 albums in the US) and the group had their own Disney film "Camp Rock" which featured the trio with another upcoming Disney Channel starlet Demi Lovato. The group also received the spotlight on the front cover of Rolling Stone Magazine.
Needless to say, the Jonas Brothers have become popular and Disney began filming their concert tour in the Summer of 2008, preparing the film for a 3D release and starring both popular actress/pop star Demi Lovato and popular country singer Taylor Swift.
"JONAS BROTHERS - THE 3D CONCERT EXPERIENCE" came out in theaters on February 2009.
The film was directed by Bruce Hendricks (producer of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" films and "Pearl Harbor") and cinematography by Mitchell Amundsen ("G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra", "Wanted", "Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour", "Transformers"and "Transporter 2') and Reed Smoot "Circque du Soleil: Journey of Man", "Mystery of the Nile" and "Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs").
Needless to say, when it comes to idol-based music films or concerts, they are literally targeted towards their fandom and demographic. Those not familiar with the Jonas Brothers or care for their music are probably not going to have much of an interest in the film. But for those who do enjoy the group's music, "JONAS BROTHERS - THE 3D CONCERT EXPERIENCE: DELUXE EXTENDED MOVIE" is actually an enjoyable release. First off, you get four 3D glasses and you can enjoy the film in either its 3D or 2D presentation via Blu-ray. You get the DVD and a digital copy for a total of 3-Discs.
The following songs are featured in "JONAS BROTHERS - THE 3D CONCERT EXPERIENCE":
1. "Tonight" (Intro/Opening Credits)
2. "That's Just the Way We Roll"
3. "Hold On"
4. "BB Good"
5. "Goodnight and Goodbye"
6. "Video Girl"
7. "Gotta Find You"
8. "This Is Me" (Demi Lovato & Jonas Brothers)
9. "Hello Beautiful"
10. "Still In Love With You"
11. "Pushin' Me Away"
12. "Should've Said No" (Taylor Swift & Jonas Brothers)
13. "Love Is on Its Way"
14. "S.O.S."
15. "Burnin' Up"
Additional performances featured on the DVD Extended Version
16. "Can't Have You"
17. "A Little Bit Longer"
For the film, you get a good balance of concert and also other activities such as the guys picking up the release of their third album, the fake Jonas Brothers and a lot of footage of their hardcore fans. Also, the group performing with their band outdoors and backstage footage.
In terms of concert footage, having reviewed many concert releases on DVD, you often wonder how a concert looks like when it has a significant budget, this is a good example. There are cameras everywhere. Multiple angles, closeups, front, sideways, behind the band, above the band in a various angles you name it, there's a camera. Editor Michael Tronick (Editor for "Hudson Hawk","Bedtime Stories", "Days of Thunder", "S.W.A.T.", "Mr. and Mrs. Smith) did an absolutely great job with the cut footage. No dizzying quick cuts, gives the viewer time to adjust and enjoy the ambiance of the crowded concert with its many fans and their light sticks. The group and band with their constant movement throughout the stage. It's well done!
The lighting is well done and very good lighting from purple, pinks, greens, blues, ambers. And again, the larger production budget definitely shows with the stage set-up.
As for the 3D portion, I'm not the biggest fan of 3D because seldom does it work effectively (with the exception of the 3D shows I have seen at Disneyland) but for "JONAS BROTHERS - THE 3D CONCERT EXPERIENCE", for the most part, the 3D works. From Nick Jonas throwing a drum stick to the drummer and Taylor Swift flicking her guitar pick towards the camera. Those instances were enjoyable.
For the most part, 3D is used to show the audiences arms and light sticks and moreso, bringing out the performers and giving a visual depth when Joe Jonas is seen at the front and everyone is seen directly behind. Also, 3D is used quite a bit during the scenes with cast and crew credits. Also, seeing flames from the stage, the mic and mic stand right by you.
Where it's not effective is certain shots where you can see lines on the faces (for example, during the Jonas Brothers performance with Demi Lovato) during the 3D portion. And this happens a few times during the film. But for the most part, the 3D does work and some scenes that were quite effective. I had a few people with varying eyesight test out the 3D glasses during the play of the concert and interesting enough, each person had different experiences with the one with better eyesight feeling that everything was much more alive and coming out to them visually.
Of course, for those who don't care for 3D can select 2D on the Blu-ray disc and also, the 2D version is included on the optional DVD and digital copy.
VIDEO & AUDIO:
"JONAS BROTHERS - THE 3D CONCERT EXPERIENCE: DELUXE EXTENDED MOVIE" is featured in 1080p High Definition (1:85:1). Of course, quality is a non-issue during the 3D portion but for the 2D portion included, the film is quite vibrant in colors. As mentioned above, there is a lot of lighting in this concert and colors really come out quite well in this film. If there is one thing that I'm always confident from a release from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, every Blu-ray release has had solid picture quality and this film is no exception.
Colors come out quite well during the concert, audience faces can be seen from a distance, blacks are nice and deep. No low-light noise, overall for a concert related release, this is probably one of the best looking concerts I have seen on Blu-ray but considering not many concerts are shot with this large of a budget and is shown as a feature film.
And the audio is fantastic. Disney went for the 7.1 English DTS-HD Master Audio. So you have the front channels delivering the music and vocals. The rear surrounds delivering the audience. Great use of LFE as my subwoofer was being used during the concert. It's an immersive soundtrack and if I had to really nitpick, I wish the explosions had a little more kick but overall, the concert presentation given the DTS-HD Master Audio track was quite exceptional.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
"JONAS BROTHERS - THE 3D CONCERT EXPERIENCE: DELUXE EXTENDED MOVIE" comes with a few special features. Included are:
* BONUS SONGS of "LOVE BUG" and "SHELF" - Both the Blu-ray and DVD feature two performances not included in the extended version of the film. "LOVE BUG" (3:41) features the group rehearsing and practicing with their band and goofing around. And then shots of the group performing live in concert with the band. "SHELF" (4:25) features the group performing live.
* BACKSTAGE DISNEY: Up Close & Personal with the Jonas Brothers - (15:09) An in-depth look at the Jonas Brothers as they recall the challenges they had in their career and remembering how they performed at small venues two years ago and now they are performing at larger venues. How they planned the stage along with their crew and working together with everyone (musicians and crew) and treating them like a family. Working with Rob Brenner (Tour Director) and a behind-the-scenes look at rehearsals and challenges they had to face. Promotional tours and being thankful to their fans. An enjoyable featurette.
* Dylan & Cole Sprouse: Blu-ray is Suite (DVD Only) - (5:57) A promotional by the "Suite Life with Zack and Cody" stars promoting Blu-ray.
JUDGMENT CALL:
I've reviewed many concerts on DVD and beginning to review more on Blu-ray but I have to say that this release is quite solid. The Jonas Brothers and their music may not be for everyone but for fans, this is a solid release. It's well-produced, well-edited and again, not may concerts get the higher production (nor do they get a feature film and featured in 3D). You get one of the best looking concerts on Blu-ray with a pretty awesome soundtrack.
For fans of the Jonas Brothers, you really can't go wrong with "JONAS BROTHERS - THE 3D CONCERT EXPERIENCE: DELUXE EXTENDED MOVIE". Disney went all out in giving fans the 2D and 3D version on Blu-ray, plus the Extended Movie on DVD and the DisneyFile Digital Copy.
Personally, I thought it was a well-done concert. Watching a male pop band doing acrobatics during their performance might not be for everyone but having reviewed many female and male idol concerts from Japan and other parts of world, this is pretty standard, so I was not put off by it at all.
Also, I am aware of the negative reviews from...Read more›

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Put yourself in the middle of the Jonas Brothers motion picture debut with the ultimate Extended 3D Concert Experience only on Blu-ray Hi-Def. It doesn t get any better than this as Kevin, Joe, and Nick invite you inside their personal world for an all inclusive look at the band. The 3D picture looks so incredible you ll think you can reach out and touch the brothers, and the theater-quality sound will have you jumping out of your seat. This 3D movie event launches music s hottest trio straight into your living room and includes guest appearances by chart topping artists Demi Lovato and Taylor Swift.Secure your backstage pass to this once in a lifetime 3D experience with the Jonas Brothers, complete with exclusive bonus features including unseen performances, additional songs, and an extra DVD copy of the movie. You ll feel like you re part of the Jonas family with this deluxe up close and personal Blu-ray set for the ultimate fan.Bonus Features Include: Two additional songs not seen in theaters, Up Close and Personal: Behind the Scenes with the Jonas Brothers

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High School Musical 3: Senior Year (Deluxe Extended Edition + Digital Copy + DVD and BD Live) (2008) Review

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(More customer reviews)The movie is truly amazing! (And it`s an extended edition!) Anyone who liked the first two will literally fall in love with this one! I think that even if you didn't see the first two, you will like this one because of what it talks about. This movie is about something we all go through: saying good-bye to our friends after high school. Addiotionally, it's nice to see ateen movie that doesn't revolve around sex, drugs, violence, and profanity.
The East High Wildcats decide to put on their final show together at their school: a musical about their twelfth grade experience. It'll be a pretty unique musical because, for once, they won't have to play a character - they'll be playing themselves! But due to her incredible intelligence, Gabriella, the female protagonist, is offered to skip her senior year in high school and go to straight onto college right away. Will she accept Standard's offer, leaving her friends, boyfriend, and the musical behind? Will Troy, the male protagonist, chose to continue with basketball or will he chose a career than involves acting? Will Sharpay win a scholarship to New York's Julliard University of Performing Arts or will her brother? Will Ryan and Kelsi find true love? Find out in this exciting conclusion to one of the world's greatest film series! The only good thing recently produced by the screwed-up Disney Channel! Yes I hate Disney Channel, Hannah Montana, Cory in the House, Jonas Brothers, and all of the other inappropriate teen shows they've decided to put on a children's channel. But High School Musical is different. It teaches both kids and teens a valuable lesson and it allows adults to revisit their past. The plot is actually relevant to what many people feel and...it's a teenage musical! You don't see something like that everyday! Just watching Troy and Gabriella perform a beautiful waltz is reason enough to buy this film. Also, the old fashioned music at the end proves that rap, hip hop, and pop isn't always what you'll see in a teenage film.
The songs are as original, catchy, and wonderful as they are visually stunning! During "Scream," the turning walls that represent Troy's confusion are spectacular! The disappearing pictures on the wall in Gabriella's solo "Walk Away" were really quite sad. The Statue of Liberty that shoots fireworks out of its head in "I Want It All" is amazing. The sets in "A Night To Remember" will leave you with your mouth wide open. "Right Here Right Now," "Can I Have This Dance," and "Just Wanna Be With You" are three incredible romance songs. And, of course, Troy and Chad turning into little boys in "The Boys Are Back" was really cute. That reminds, "Right Here Right Now" and "The Boys Are Back" are so of my favorites because of what they talk about: not wanting to grow up. Anyway, n case you forgot or are too lazy to read the customer reviews for the HSM3 soundtrack, here are the songs:
1. "Now Or Never" - Troy and the Wildcats basketball team
2. "Right Here, Right Now" - Troy and Gabriella
3. "I Want It All" - Sharpay and Ryan [A TRUE BROADWAY SONG!]
4. "Can I Have This Dance? (Version I)" - Troy and Gabriella
5. "A Night To Remember" - cast!
6. "Just Wanna Be With You" - Ryan & Kelsi, Troy & Gabriella
7. "The Boys Are Back" - Troy and Chad
8. "Walk Away" - Gasbriella
9. "Scream" - Troy
10. "Can I Have This Dance? (Version II)" - Troy and Gabriella
11. "Senior Year Spring Musical" ***made up of reprises of NOW OR NEVER (Chad, the Wildcats basket team, cheerleaders), I WANT IT ALL (Ryan), JUST WANNA BE WITH YOU (Sharpay & Jimmy, and later Troy and Gabriella), and A Night To Remember (Sharpay vs. Tiara), as well as a new song: Last Chance (Ryan and Kelsi)***
12. "We're All In This Together" - cast!
13. "High School Musical" - cast!
14. "Just Getting Started" - during the end credits, winner of the Get In The Picture ABC7 contest
By the way, during the "I Want It All," you actually see Gabriella The Maid a bit more than you did in the theaters because you see that part of the song in a different camera angle than you did in theaters. That also lets you see an important-looking lady giving Ryan a newspaper with him and Sharpay on the cover. This is not due to the extended edition thing because the song is the same length, but, like I said, the camera angle is different so you see more things.
The special features on this Blu-ray are freakin' cool! Even though it's a single disc release, it has the exact same content found on the Two-Disc release, plus more! These are the Special Features (the last two aren't found on the two-disc release).
-- Extended Version Of The Movie
-- Optional Sing Along Version
-- Bloopers
-- Deleted Scenes
-- "Cast Goodbyes" feature
-- "Night Of Nights" feature
-- "It's All In The Dress" feature
-- "Senior Awards" feature
-- New Cast Profiles
In addition, just like in the Two-Disc release, you can download a digital copy of the movie. And as if that weren't enough, it comes with the first disc of the Two-Disc Edition!!!!! Now you can watch the movie practically anywhere because you have the regular version as well as the Blu-ray version!!!! What do you know, it is a two disc after all. ^_^

Click Here to see more reviews about: High School Musical 3: Senior Year (Deluxe Extended Edition + Digital Copy + DVD and BD Live) (2008)

It's time to celebrate as Disney's phenomenal High School Musical hits new heights in High School Musical 3: Senior Year! Fresh from the big screen, this motion picture extravaganza delivers non-stop entertainment from start to finish! It's almost graduation day for high school seniors Troy, Gabriella, Sharpay, Chad, Ryan and Taylor - and the thought of heading off in separate directions after leaving East High has these Wildcats thinking they need to do something they ll remember forever. Together with the rest of the Wildcats, they stage a spring musical reflecting their hopes and fears about the future and their unforgettable experiences growing up together. But with graduation approaching and college plans in question, what will become of the dreams, romances, and friendships of East High's senior Wilcats?Find out what happens to all your favorite characters in the big screen musical sensation, High School Musical 3: Senior Year! It s a fabulous celebration the whole family will love! Disc 1:
Includes extended version of the movie and all of the bonus features from the 2-Disc DVD
Plus, Exclusive Blu-ray Bonus Features including: Senior Awards, New Cast Profiles, BD Live (includes BD Live Photo Feature)
Disc 2:
DisneyFile Digital Download Copy Disc: Watch your DVD disc in the living room and your DisneyFile digital copy on the go
Disc 3:
DVD copy of the Extended Movie
Special Features: *Extended Version of the Movie *Cast Goodbyes *Bloopers *Deleted Scenese *Night of Nights *It's All in a Dress *Sing-Along Mode *Senior Awards *New Cast Profiles

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Up (Four-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + BD Live) (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)I had no expectations of being disappointed with a Disney/Pixar BD, and being that it took me a whole dedicated day to get through everything, I now feel it was worth every penny. The film was enjoyable, funny, sad, and scary filled with some nice messages about life and loss. I can understand why the majority of my customers loved it.
The Blu clarity is outstanding, and the amount of reference points are extensive, but one that stands out the most for contrast lines would have to be when the house is entering the lair (balloons against the dark cavern). The sound is selectable between 5.1 DTS, 2.0 DTS and Descriptive English. The 5.1 was beautiful with tons of reference points, sometimes excruciating (that bird screeching) but thorough nonetheless. Now for the supplements (all times in minutes):
DISC 1: (BD)
* 5:46 Partly Cloudy short film. Was hilarious. A great depth test for your display with the clouds. Nice little message of tolerance no matter how difficult someone might be.
* 4:40 Dug's Mission. An almost lo-def looking short take on our main dog dealing with the main three baddies on a chase.
* 22:17 Adventure Out There. A must see documentary about the crew taking the actual trip to the Tepui location in South America. A beautiful travel infomercial in itself. Loved how their guide only wore sandles for the ascent and hikes.
* 4:56 Alternate Scenes Ending of Muntz. Sketches and interviews regarding different endings for that bad guy that they had come up with.
* 1:00 How-to on using the Digital Copy.
* Cine Explore option while watching the film. The two directors give their commentary with multiple pop-up screens showing art, ideas, etc.
* Screen Saver. Allows you to set a time period for your screen saver to activate.
* Maximize Your Home Theater. The standard Pixar multi-step process for setting all of your theater capabilities.
DISC 2: (BD)
Documentaries
* 6:24 Geriatric Hero. History behind the creation of our old guy. All of these documentaries are interview oriented with sketches and film clips to supplement.
* 8:26 Canine Companions. In depth analysis on the breed choices, training and dog behavior studied to get the dogs in the film to be more - dog like.
* 9:00 Russel Wild Explorer. Covers the reasons for his character to have the loss and why he was "egg" shaped as opposed to other sketch ideas.
* 5:04 Kevin (bird). Nice reference to the Swiss Family Robinson ostrich; covered the hardest part of any of these animation films - the feathers.
* 4:38 Homemakers Pixar. Enjoyed the work that went into them studying sub-floors and lighting options in making this look so real in the house.
* 6:25 Balloons and Flight. Tells the now famous number of balloons used; some interesting dirigible history; shows the Pixar group using that local Bay Area air service I keep seeing fly around here (research stuff).
* 7:37 Composing for Characters. Have to be into the musical/scoring stuff for this one.
Extras
* Global Guardian Badge Game. After the initial setup of name, difficulty levels and tutorial material, the game has an extensive amount of country/geography material. Customers grouped around and we did fine for the United States section, but we randomly tried Africa and we bombed (some of the countries they were asking for I hadn't heard of in years) - good learning tool though.
* 9:15 Alternate Scene - Married Life. Another sketch/interview piece about more material being removed/added into that section of the film. The scene itself would have been only a minute longer.
* 6:00 montage. A mix of characters doing funny things - will make the kids laugh.
* Screen Saver option.
DISC 3 (DVD)
* Film, plus special features from disc 1. WITH THE EXCEPTION of no Spanish subtitles/language; English only.
DISC 4 (Digital Copy).
* Code both unlocks the copy and gets you the usual points at the Disney site.
Overall, an excellent product no matter how you look at it. The case has that new single hinge, multi-page off center chassis that has proven to be less than durable, but it should suffice for low usage storage. Enjoy.


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Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios take moviegoers up, up and away on one of the funniest adventures of all time with their latest comedy-fantasy. Up follows the uplifting tale of 78-year-old balloon salesman Carl Fredricksen, who finally fulfills his lifelong dream of a great adventure when he ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies away to the wilds of South America. But he discovers all too late that his biggest nightmare has stowed away on the trip an overly optimistic 8-year-old Wilderness Explorer named Russell. Their journey to a lost world, where they encounter some strange, exotic and surprising characters, is filled with hilarity, emotion and wildly imaginative adventure.

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