Stassen, Ben

Haunted Castle (3-D) (Large Format)

Without question, 3-D technology has come a long way since the days of red and green cardboard glasses, and Haunted Castle offers delectable proof. This half-hour digitally animated feature--also available in The Ultimate 3-D Collection, which includes two other films and the H3D "i-glasses" hardware needed to generate the 3-D imaging--tells the story of a young rock star facing the Faustian offer to sell his soul for fame and fortune.

The tale is a foil for the effects, of course, but a decent foil with above-par music and excellent animation and effects, from torches to trees, gargoyles to guitars. The sound is terrific, enhancing the sense of depth with a seamless DTS surround-sound mix that works well even in headphones. --Michael Mikesell

The Ultimate 3-D Collection (Haunted Castle / Alien Adventure / Encounter in the Third Dimension) (Large Format) (Includes H3D Viewing System)

Without question, 3-D technology has come a long way since the days of red and green cardboard glasses, and The Ultimate 3-D Collection is ample proof. Included in the set are three roughly 30-minute animated features (Alien Adventure, Encounter in the Third Dimension, and Haunted Castle) and the H3D "i-glasses" hardware you need to enjoy them: a small processing box to insert between your DVD player and your TV, two sets of viewing goggles, and all the cabling you need to put it together. By and large, the sense of real depth conveyed by each feature is astoundingly convincing, especially during the many point-of-view fantasy sequences; crags and dinosaur limbs seem to jut halfway between the screen and your viewing position. Be warned, though, that the discs' image and color resolutions vary from poor (Alien Adventure) to mediocre (Encounter in the Third Dimension) to quite good (Haunted Castle).

Encounter, originally produced to showcase "large-format" 3-D (i.e., a towering IMAX screen), features fun snippets of old films and even a few stereographic still photos. None of these fills the screen or lasts very long, however, and the process reverts to standard 2-D imaging in pause mode. While more live-action footage would have been great, Haunted Castle is a real treat. The only disc with an actual story line (a rock & roll reworking of the Faust tale, with credible music to boot), Haunted Castle creates the most convincing sense of depth through real-life elements like trees and torches. The sound on all discs is excellent, enhancing the sense of depth with seamless DTS surround mixes that work well even in headphones. This is an impressive set, and with 3-D technology this good, there's a strong chance the included goggles and processor will see more 3-D action going forward. --Michael Mikesell

Alien Adventure (3-D Large Format)

Awesome 3D Effects Originally Seen in IMAX Theatres -- In this full-length, digitally animated 3D film--the first of its kind--the storyline begins with a group of aliens called Glagoliths steadfastly moving through the galaxy toward planet Earth in hope of establishing a new home for their people. -- When they unexpectedly land in the middle of "Adventure Planet," a new hi-tech amusement park not yet open to the public, they venture into the bowels of an underground Arabian palace fully loaded with dungeons and dragons, plunge into an underwater fantasy and come face to face with mechanical sea monsters and an all-too-real virtual shark! Rated G. 85 minutes. -- This film plays in 2D or 3D (requires a 3D viewing system) and is formattred for standard DVD players only.

Without question, 3-D technology has come a long way since the days of red and green cardboard glasses, and Alien Adventure offers ample proof. This roughly 30-minute feature--also available in The Ultimate 3-D Collection, which includes two other films and the H3D "i-glasses" hardware needed to generate the 3-D imaging--tells the story of alien pioneers inadvertently discovering Earth through a high-tech amusement park. The story is mindless, but the sense of depth conveyed here is quite convincing, especially during the many point-of-view sequences. The image and color resolution of the digital animation leaves much to be desired, however, proving unrewarding in 2-D.

That said, certain sequences shine, most notably a lengthy slide through an arctic wonderland of vast nighttime icescapes and narrow roads through head-spinning chasms. The sound is well above average, enhancing the sense of real-life depth with seamless DTS surround mixes that work well even in headphones. --Michael Mikesell

SOS Planet (3-D Large Format)

bHosted and narrated by Walter Cronkite -- SOS Planet uses state-of-the-art 3D and digital animation to explore three of the planet's most troubled environmental areas. -- With the immersive effect of 3D and stunningly realistic computer-generated animals, this giant screen film plunges audiences into lush environments, blending live action and animation to illustrate some of the greatest dangers facing the Earth today: global warming, rainforest deforestation and depletion of the oceans. Rated PG. 46 minutes. -- This film plays in 2D or 3D (requires a 3D viewing system) and is formattred for standard DVD players only.

Encounter in the Third Dimension (3-D) (Large Format)

Originally in IMAX theatres -- Join Stuart Pankin as the professor, Elvira -Mistress of the Dark, and Max, the flying robot, on a groundbreaking venture into the realm of 3D filmmaking, where captivating computer-generated imagery mixes with live action thrills. -- You'll love all the great visual effects in this movie, especially the train scene, the metal spider, and Max, who roams around the screen in very cool 3D. Witness the earliest forays into the genre, from a recreation of one of the earliest 3D movies ever made to classic clips from Hollywood's 3D heyday during the 1950s, as well as modern creations like James Cameron's theme park attraction, Terminator 2: 3D. Rated PG for intense images. 57 minutes. -- This film plays in 2D or 3D (requires a 3D viewing system) and is formatted for standard DVD players only.

Without question, 3-D technology has come a long way since the days of red and green cardboard glasses, and Encounter in the Third Dimension is ample proof. This half-hour feature--also available in The Ultimate 3-D Collection, which includes two other films and the H3D "i-glasses" hardware needed to generate the 3-D imaging--tells the story of three-dimensional cinema, in the process showing off a lot of what the technology can do. Elvira's presence is largely incidental; the best section by far is a dramatic tour through an otherworldly chasm. The film's sense of depth is astoundingly convincing, especially during the many point-of-view sequences; crags and dinosaur limbs seem to jut halfway between the screen and your viewing position. The disc's image and color resolution are not as good as we've come to expect from DVD, however.

Originally produced to showcase "large-format" 3-D (i.e., a towering IMAX screen), Encounter features fun snippets of old films and even a few stereographic still photos. Sadly, none of these fills the screen or lasts very long, and the process reverts to standard 2-D imaging in pause mode. The sound is well above average, enhancing the sense of depth with a seamless DTS surround mix that works well even in headphones. --Michael Mikesell

Thrill Ride - The Science of Fun (Large Format)

Imax movie shows the front seat view from a number of the wildest roller coaster rides in the United States.
Genre: Documentary
Rating: G
Release Date: 22-MAY-2001
Media Type: DVD

Ever since a daring fellow in France constructed the first rudimentary roller coaster nearly 200 years ago, people have eagerly sought thrills and chills on the most frightening rides they could find. Featured in this video are the royalty of today's white-knuckle adventure rides, including high-tech roller coasters in Tampa's Busch Gardens and the Big Shot ride in Las Vegas which magnifies its intensity by being perched atop a skyscraper. Originally filmed in 70mm, the footage of the rides is intense even on the small screen. But the video loses velocity during segments explaining how the technology of thrill rides has merged with movie special effects, and the video never fully recovers from the uneven pacing. The material covered is consistently interesting, but there's no escaping the reality that explanations of how rides are conceived are no substitute for the fun of the rides themselves. But if the video never fully lives up to the promise of its first several minutes, there are still scenes in the video that are heart-stopping, and it does provide an entertaining look at the science of thrill rides. --Robert J. McNamara

Misadventures in 3D

Haunted Castle

Without question, 3-D technology has come a long way since the days of red and green cardboard glasses, and Haunted Castle offers delectable proof. This half-hour digitally animated feature--also available in The Ultimate 3-D Collection, which includes two other films and the H3D "i-glasses" hardware needed to generate the 3-D imaging--tells the story of a young rock star facing the Faustian offer to sell his soul for fame and fortune.

The tale is a foil for the effects, of course, but a decent foil with above-par music and excellent animation and effects, from torches to trees, gargoyles to guitars. The sound is terrific, enhancing the sense of depth with a seamless DTS surround-sound mix that works well even in headphones. --Michael Mikesell

Haunted Castle [Region 2]

Without question, 3-D technology has come a long way since the days of red and green cardboard glasses, and Haunted Castle offers delectable proof. This half-hour digitally animated feature--also available in The Ultimate 3-D Collection, which includes two other films and the H3D "i-glasses" hardware needed to generate the 3-D imaging--tells the story of a young rock star facing the Faustian offer to sell his soul for fame and fortune.

The tale is a foil for the effects, of course, but a decent foil with above-par music and excellent animation and effects, from torches to trees, gargoyles to guitars. The sound is terrific, enhancing the sense of depth with a seamless DTS surround-sound mix that works well even in headphones. --Michael Mikesell

Alien Adventure [Region 2]

Without question, 3-D technology has come a long way since the days of red and green cardboard glasses, and Alien Adventure offers ample proof. This roughly 30-minute feature--also available in The Ultimate 3-D Collection, which includes two other films and the H3D "i-glasses" hardware needed to generate the 3-D imaging--tells the story of alien pioneers inadvertently discovering Earth through a high-tech amusement park. The story is mindless, but the sense of depth conveyed here is quite convincing, especially during the many point-of-view sequences. The image and color resolution of the digital animation leaves much to be desired, however, proving unrewarding in 2-D.

That said, certain sequences shine, most notably a lengthy slide through an arctic wonderland of vast nighttime icescapes and narrow roads through head-spinning chasms. The sound is well above average, enhancing the sense of real-life depth with seamless DTS surround mixes that work well even in headphones. --Michael Mikesell