Over America [Blu-ray]
by Mark Pingry
![Over America [Blu-ray]](/images/Over-America-Blu-ray-B00104XYHQ-L.jpg)
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DVD details
Actor: naDirector: Mark Pingry
Brand: Topics Entertainment
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown)
Format: Color, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 88 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2008-02-05
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Topics Entertainment
Product features:
- Over America is a spectacular visual essay on the beauty and grandeur that is America. Shot in High Definition, every detail from wave swept coasts to majestic mountains is brilliantly captured to show the awe-inspiring scenic magnificence of our nation. Transcend to some of the nations most beautiful places with this incredible program. Over America will undoubtedly become a treasured addition to
DVD Reviews of Over America [Blu-ray]
DVD Review: Nice pictures, terrible narrative
Summary: 3 Stars
If you're looking for something to show off your new HDTV and Blu-Ray player, this MIGHT be of interest.
The footage is "old" - at least from before the World Trade Center was attacked in 2001. The photography is generally beautiful, as is the music track. Image quality is quite good, especially considering that this is early HD footage. No matter what I do, the image is slightly dropped down from the top on my Samsung 46" LCD.
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What's wrong with this video?
The narrative is inane and often wrong.
Examples: Over Philadelphia, the narrator says the rowers (in racing sculls) share THE river with tugboats and barges. In fact, in Philadelphia is between 2 rivers. The scullers are only on the smaller Schuylkill River (which the video misspells) and the big industrial river where the tugs, freighters and tankers run is the Delaware River. There is no "river sharing" going on.
Other annoying narration goes way overboard in attempting to be politically correct and historically wrong.
There's a lot of misinformation on this audio track.
If you laugh off the stupid narration and just watch the pretty pictures go by, for $9. it's a nice demo piece for your new HDTV.
DVD Review: Good for armchair tourists, but a bit lacking otherwise
Summary: 4 Stars
I've seen several of these "armchair tourism" Blu-rays now (like Living Landscapes HD Hawaii [Blu-ray]). Most are little more than screensavers, so I had low expectations for Over America. Unlike some of the other reviewers, based on previous experience with such titles, I wasn't expecting a history lesson, comprehensive survey of American geography or cities, or a documentary of important American places. I took the title at face value and simply wanted to enjoy seeing America in a way that I knew I would probably never be able to -- short of spending my life savings. On that point, Over America delivers and is pleasantly good. There are some aerial fantastic shots that I would never be able to otherwise experience.
You can think of it as a glorified 55-minute sampler of American life, narrated by Tom Skerritt. The video moves from east to west, starting in NYC, going to PA, then DC, Chicago, moving across the heartland, out to CA, then ending in Alaska and Hawaii. There are maybe 15-20 cities/regions profiled. The music selection can seem a bit cliche and dated. I heard cool jazz on at least 3 cities (Chicago, LA, and NY, with the requisite "New York, New York"). I suppose it's appropriate for the region portrayed, as Texas has honky tonk and New Mexico has Spanish guitar. Other parts have more mellow orchestrated music, or simply pianos. The narration isn't particularly exciting or informative though, sounding a bit like a tourist bureau infomercial or a pre-recorded guided tour like you might find in a government visitor information center like the Smithsonian or Ellis Island.
Video quality is inconsistent, with some very good shots of golden canyons and verdant cropfields and some bad hazy shots, especially during low light situations like early morning, and many instances of lens flare and a strange moiring effect from buildings windows, crops, and crowds. New York, for example, has a sort of dreary look to the daytime shots and the autumn foliage of Central Park looks rather dull. Night scenes are most problematic, with severe grain and noise in many shots. On the upside, I really loved the flyovers of the American Heartland and the endless expanses of farmland as well as the canyons.
At the current low price, this is a pretty good bargain if you just want eye candy. All the places shown are subtitled with the name of the location so you can google them later or research further. I think the price is right, and I give it credit for that. This disc is probably best for people who don't have the budget, time, or inclination to travel across this huge country, or to introduce people to the majesty of some of America's places. It's good for footage shot 20 years ago, but not a great example of the Blu-ray format.
DVD Review: Beautiful Video at a Bargain Price
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a gorgeous video now available on Amazon in high def BLU-RAY for only about $10. If you're like me and you enjoy viewing spectacular landscapes from above, this video is hard to beat.DVD Review: Well worth the $10
Summary: 4 Stars
It's beautifully filmed and great music. I guess my only real complaint is its less than 60 mins long. It does not have alot of narrative but the scenery speaks for its self .DVD Review: Don't buy this movie
Summary: 2 Stars
Why not? Well, it's beautifully filmed and a great advertisement for blu-ray, but too short for the money and not that engaging throughout despite some magnificent shots.
Description of Over America [Blu-ray]
Get rare views of some of America s most beloved landmarks, from the Statue of Liberty to the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. See the Twin Towers in all their glory before Sept. 11. Over America lets you experience the country like never before. Take a tour of some of the most exciting cities in the nation, from San Francisco to New York and Washington, D.C. Get up close and personal with Alaska s spectacular snow-capped mountains, fly over Chicago s downtown and then travel to Los Angeles for amazing night views of the glittering city. Catch a flight to Hawaii and experience Oahu from above. Then, make your way to the Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Plus, see stunning film of Texas, Baltimore, Philadelphia and the Pacific Northwest. Let Over America s breathtaking cinematography and original music score help you get away from it all.General DVDs
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