Movie Info:
Writers: John Patrick Shanley
Director: John Patrick Shanley
Cast: Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Viola Davis, Alice Drummond, Audrie J. Neenan, Susan Blommaert, Carrie Preston, John Costelloe, Lloyd Clay Brown, Joseph Foster, Bridget Megan Clark, Mike Roukis
Rating: PG-13
Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: December 25, 2008
DVD Release Date: April 7, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $23.99

Meryl Streep has the ability to strike up an array of emotions when she’s on screen. Still, never have I felt such a strong emotion for her as I did while watching Doubt. I’ve watched the movie more than once and each time I feel differently towards her character. I’m either passionate for her cause or I want to smack the crap out of her character until I knock sense into her head. If an actress can make her audience feel that way, this means she’s doing a superb job!

Doubt was one of the best movies I’ve watched this year. The acting is superb. The plot is tightly woven, yet open to interpretation. The movie is stellar in every aspect from the film’s adaptation from the stage to the care that was taken to make the film as realistic as John Patrick Shanley wanted it to be in an attempt to make the setting identical to that of his childhood.

You don’t need to be a Catholic to enjoy Doubt. In fact, in light of all the scandals that have plagued the Catholic church in the past several years, people of any denomination will get something from watching Doubt. The movie is poignant and whether you agree with one side or the other, you will have extremely strong feelings for whichever side you support.

There is only one thing wrong with Doubt and it is so minuscule it’s easy to look past. In one scene, a student has a transistor radio that looks remarkably like an iPod. Considering when the film is set, it was kind of humorous to see something that looked so advanced (technology wise) in an older decade where iPods weren’t even thought of, let alone imitated in design.

The Doubt Plot
It’s 1964 in The Bronx and most of the children in the area attend the local Catholic Church and School. The movie starts in church where the parish priest, Father Flynn (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) is giving his weekly sermon. The sermon is about doubt and how it is a powerful force, much like faith. He gives the congregation something to think about, especially Sister Aloysius (Meryl Streep), who finds the sermon a bit disturbing.

Sister Aloysius (Meryl Streep) is the principal of the parish school. She’s tough as nails and doesn’t let anyone get away with anything, not even the priest. That night, at dinner with the other nuns, who are the Sisters of Charity of New York, Sister Aloysius asks her fellow nuns what they think of the sermon. She finds doubt an unusual topic, so she tells them to be on their guard when it comes to Father Flynn and to look out for anything potentially suspicious.

Sister James (Amy Adams) is a fellow nun who teaches at the school. In her class is the very first African American boy, Donald Miller. Donald is harassed by his classmates, even though he is an alter boy. He seems to have hero worship for Father Flynn, who is especially nice to him and noting the problems Donald seems to be having, he takes the boy under his wing.

After Donald is called to the rectory, one day, to meet with Father Flynn, Sister James notices something unusual. The boy has alcohol on his breath and he seems very upset. She doesn’t tell anyone about her fears until she sees the Father put one of Donald’s t-shirts in his locker when he thinks no one is looking. Sensing this might be the kind of weird thing that Sister Aloysius has spoken about, Sister James tells her superior nun that she suspects something might be going on between Donald and Father Flynn.

Father Flynn is a rather progressive priest who uses ball point pens (totally unacceptable to Sister Aloysius), seems to care a lot about the kids in the parish and even eats red meat. Sister Aloysius is already skeptical about Father’s Flynn’s methods as parish priest, so she is raring to go when Sister James brings this,somewhat incriminating evidence to her.

Sister Aloysius pursues the matter full force. She doesn’t want a priest like Father Flynn in the church. She has her certain beliefs that he is guilty and nothing or no one can change her mind. With Sister Aloysius going up against Father Flynn full force, she attempts to involve Donald’s mother (Viola Davis), and the question soon becomes…what is actually going to protect these children? Should Father Flynn be kicked out or should he be allowed to stay?

Storyline/Plot: 5 out of 5 stars
Replayability: 5 out of 5 stars
Acting: 5 out of 5 stars
Directing: 5 out of 5 stars

Audio/Visual:
Doubt has plenty to offer from a visual standpoint. The 1080p MPEG-4 AVC transfer offers a huge amount of detail in the slightest of ways. This is not a colorful picture, but it’s gorgeous none the less. With the winter and autumn landscape, and the church setting, visually things might seem a tad harsh.

The video looks amazing though and it helps propel the story with the perfect setting to help it along. Despite the fact that things aren’t colorful both the blacks and whites come through incredibly strong and the flesh tones look great. There are occasional moments of grain, but I couldn’t help but feel that it added to the scenes where it was present. In any case, this was not distracting at all. You really couldn’t ask for a better transfer for a movie like this.

Dialogue driven dramas usually do not utilize much of the high tech sound stage that they are often given on Blu-ray. Doubt may be the exception to this rule. The DTS Master Audio 5.1 surround sounds amazing in nearly every way. It doesn’t seem to matter if the dialogue is being soft and subtle or if it is going through a climactic burst of sound, the results are often chilling.

Many of the sounds are nothing more than a whistling, harsh wind or the sounds of voices as they speak to one another. Still, the wind offers much to the story and the voices of stars like Streep, Adams, and Hoffman are often strong and emotion-filled. It’s not an action track so there isn’t a lot of surround action. Still Doubt uses the audio power that it has been given to its advantage. In addition to English audio there is a French Dolby Digital 5.1 track and subtitles in English and Spanish.

Visual: 5 out of 5 stars
Audio: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Bonus Features:
Doubt has quite a few informative special features, though when it comes to quantity there is not an abundance of material here. Still, it’s more important to have a few good features than 20 bad ones, so that said things are all good here.

A commentary with writer/director John Patrick Shanley is filled with real life memories, observations, and character portrayals that really help you to see the movie in a number of different ways. The only problem I have with it, is that there is some dead spots throughout and Shanley has a tendency to occasionally speak in a dry, monotone voice. These issues can make some moments harder to listen to the commentary. However, there are some moments that make it worth sitting through. Shanley does his best to offer information that will not sway your opinion, but may help you to see things in a whole new light. Even with the negatives this is worth a listen.

“From Stage to Screen” allows Shanley the chance to talk about his work and to Interview Streep for her point of view, as well. This is particularly interesting and is filled with plenty of information that adds to the movie. For example, Sister James is based on the idea of Shanley’s 1st grade teacher. It is also interesting to learn how the play was adapted for the big screen and the challenges that came with doing so. As usual, Steep steals the show as she discusses this film and her role in it.

“The Cast of Doubt” comes in at about 14 minutes and includes the main cast, Hoffman, Streep, Adams, and Davis. Dave Karger, with EW, has a fairly informal chat with the cast. The questions here seem pointless for the most part, though the cast takes this all in stride and manages to make this as entertaining as possible.

“Scoring Doubt” offers Howard Shore a chance to weigh in on his behind the scenes role of composer for the film. It is worth noting that when making the music, Shore attempted to avoid casting judgment towards one character or another. Despite being brief, this four minute featurette is completely worth watching.

“Sisters of Charity” brings four nuns to the table that talk about living as a nun. You get a chance to hear about how they spend their day, the purpose and history of the habit, and what life has been like since the church was modernized in the 60s. It is interesting for the most part, even if it’s because it seems there are fewer and fewer nuns in the world these days.

Other than that you have a small handful of theatrical trailers and promos for things like Lost and The Proposal.

Bonus Features: 4 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line:
Doubt offers an amazing Blu-ray quality. This release has some fun and informative bonus materials. The movie is so fantastic it doesn’t matter what format you purchase this movie in. You just need to purchase it…PERIOD! Doubt is a movie I will watch over and over again. Sure, Meryl Streep has the ability to make my blood pressure rise, but that’s a sign of outstanding acting. This film couldn’t be more highly recommended if I sent you all copies of this myself, just so you can see how good it truly is. Go out and buy <em>Doubt</em> today.

Overall Rating: 4.79 out of 5 stars

Technorati Tags: Doubt, Blu Ray, Blu-ray Review, Walt Disney Home Entertainment, Catholic Priest, Viola Davis, Meryl Streep, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams

Movie Info:
Writers: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
Director: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
Cast: Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Woody Harrelson, Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt, Tess Harper, Barry Corbin, Stephen Root, Rodger Boyce
Rating: R
Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: November 21, 2007
DVD Release Date: April 7, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $24.49

I don’t always agree with the Oscars, but I did find the 2007 Winner for Best Picture No Country for Old Men to be one of the best movies of the year. I saw a lot of excellent films in 2007, but No Country for Old Men was definitely one of the most memorable. From the excellent cast to the stand out story, all the elements that make a film work come together.

I like the Coen Brothers. They have a very interesting film vision and their unique style comes through with every film they make. They go all out to make No Country for Old Men. With a cast that includes Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin and Woody Harrelson I had a feeling I was going to like this movie. The icing on the cake was the fact that No Country for Old Men was both written and directed by the Coens.

I’ve heard some grumbling about the plot not being nearly as spectacular as it should have been. This is an Academy Award winning film. I don’t agree with the grumbling. I was immersed in the film and enthralled by the story, the acting and the setting from the moment the movie started. This is the type of film I expect from the cast involved, and the type of film I now expect from the Coens.

I did not know No Country for Old Men was originally a book by Cormac McCarthy. I feel the film worked very well as an adaptation of a book. The story has a thriller feel to it and the plot moves fast enough to hold the interest of even the most ADD audience member. Overall, this film is just great and you need to see it, buy it, and own it.

The No Country for Old Men Plot
I’ve been told that as far as the book goes, No Country for Old Men is a rather faithful adaptation. The movie revolves primarily around Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones), sheriff of a part of West Texas. The film is set in 1980. It’s the month of June when the movie begins.

Bell has noticed an increase in violent crime in his region. Bell is not new to being a sheriff. His father also served as sheriff before him. The trouble is emphasized when Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem) is picked up. Left alone with a sheriff’s deputy, he strangles the deputy and steals his car. With a police car, it isn’t hard for him to pull over another car where he murders the driver.

The story shifts to Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin). He is out hunting around the Rio Grande river when he comes across a drug deal gone bad. There are bodies around, empty vehicles, and a dying Mexican is begging for his assistance. Being nosy, Llewelyn finds two million dollars amongst the carnage. Snatching it up he drives on home without helping the Mexican. Unable to sleep, having left the Mexican to die, he sneaks out in the night to bring him water, but by then the scene has been discovered and he’s chased into the river, hunted down and almost killed. He has no choice but to abandon his truck at the scene of the massacre.

Two gangsters and Chigurh discover Llewelyn’s car and registration at the scene. Chigurh is a solitary figure though, so he kills the pair and heads off to find Llewelyn. Of course, Llewelyn is preparing for this, having realized they will trace him back to his truck. He sends his wife, Carla Jean (Kelly Macdonald), to Odessa, Texas to stay with her mother until he is sure that things have blown over.

Thus begins a series of cat and mouse games. Llewelyn hides out in various motels and is on the run as Chigurh attempts to track him down. The cash’s original owner hires Carson Wells (Woody Harrelson) to find the money, so he’s after Chigurh. In the meantime, Bell is trying to track down the ruthless murderer who is disrupting his town, all while he battles the desire to retire, unable to handle all the crime and negativity that comes with it.

Storyline/Plot: 5 out of 5 stars
Replayability: 5 out of 5 stars
Acting: 5 out of 5 stars
Directing: 5 out of 5 stars

Audio/Visual:
This is actually the second Blu-ray release for No Country for Old Men. The first release came out right around the time of the 2008 Academy Awards. From what I can tell the two transfers are exactly the same when it comes to video quality.

The good news is that the first time around, the video quality was excellent. The fact that there is an identical quality here is not a bad thing. The 1080p and 2.35:1 aspect ratio does justice to the Blu-ray format. The colors might seem a little muted, but it goes well with the tone of the movie. The level of detail is some of the highest you will see, the fleshtones and other colors are good, and there are few (if any) visual errors. This is one of the most stunning Blu-rays I’ve seen in a while.

One thing that has changed with this particular Blu-ray is the audio presentation. This time around you are offered a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound. Whether or not you think this sounds better or worse will depend on you. In truth, there isn’t a huge difference in favor of either option.

The surround sound is used at times, which makes the movie feel more dynamic. Shootouts are always exciting, the music sounds good and the dialogue remains easy to hear throughout. In addition to the English audio there is a Spanish track in Dolby Digital 5.1. Subtitles are available in English, French, and Spanish.

Visual: 5 out of 5 stars
Audio: 4 out of 5 stars

Bonus Features:
It might seem a little soon to have another version of No Country for Old Men on the shelves. However, the first time the film was released it was a quick affair that was meant to get out around the time of the awards. This didn’t leave a lot of time for special features. The first selections were minimal at best. However, with this Collector’s Edition you will see that problem rectified. If you own the previously released versions you will definitely want to upgrade thanks to the large selection of newly available special features.

One thing that is important to note though is that this doesn’t feel much like a Collector’s Edition in the ways that are typical of the title. There is no commentary and things like deleted things are non-existent. While this is mildly disappointing there are some good things here.

“The Making of No Country for Old Men” is a pretty explanitory featurette. At 25 minutes in length, you learn information about every area of this production from the script to the editing. Also included here are some interview clips with the Coen brothers, which make this worth watching more than anything else. This is one of the few featurettes that come ported from the previous release.

“Working with the Coens” is pretty much what it sounds like. It’s a featurette that is about what it’s like working with the Coen brothers. It’s not mandatory watching, but there is some behind the scenes footage and some interview clips that make it worth watching, if interested.

“Diary of a Country Sheriff” lasts for about seven minutes and it pits the Sheriff against Chigurh. This is interesting and the interviews with Bardem and Jones make it even better. The only complaint here is that the seven minutes didn’t feel long enough.

“Spike Jonze Q&A” is a Q&A session with the Coen brothers and Jonze. This is a fairly detailed Q&A session, which also includes various members of the technical crew, such as the director of photography, Roger Deakins. This lasts for an hour and while some of it is incredibly technical, it remains interesting throughout.

“In-Store Appearance” is an interview session that includes time with Bardem and Brolin. This is one of my favorite interview sessions on the disc. With nearly an hour available, the men spend plenty of time talking about their characters and what it was like working on set with the Coens.

“WGA Panel” features the Coens, Kelly MacDonald, Bardem, Brolin, and Jones. On the upside Jones is utilized here more than anywhere in the supplements (or at least it feels that way). On the downside, there is more and more repeat information that crops up.

“TV Spot: The Charlie Rose Show” includes the Coens, Bardem, and Brolin. You hear a lot of what you’ve already heard but it’s not a bad featurette.

There are numerous other interview clips and featurettes. These are much smaller than the ones listed and sadly, they continue to recycle what we have already heard. These are watchable merely because there are a few minutes here and there of content that is new and worth listening to. These clips and featurettes include “Variety Q&A,” “Reel Talk with Lyons and Bailes,” “Weekend Edition Saturday,” “All Things Considered,” and “NPR Interview with Josh Brolin.”

Also included is “Lunch with David Poland” which is definitely worth watching. The “Creative Screenwriter Magazine Podcast” is worth a listen, as well. Other than that all you have left is a comedic featurette “Josh Brolin’s Unauthorized Behind the Scenes” which isn’t that funny and a digital copy of the film.

Bonus Features: 4 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line:
The second release of No Country For Old Men far surpasses the original release. The movie is excellent in and of itself, but fans who were disappointed by the lack of bonuses will much prefer this Blu-ray release. The quality for this movie is excellent, with the movie truly taking advantage of the Blu-ray capabilities. Overall, this release is the definitive one to own. If you don’t own a Blu-ray player you might want to consider getting one because this type of release truly allows its capabilities to shine.

Overall Rating: 4.71 out of 5 stars

Technorati Tags: No Country for Old Men, Blu Ray, Blu-ray Review, Walt Disney Home Entertainment, BD, Academy Award Winner

Movie Info:
Writer: Mariane Pearl, John Orloff
Director: Michael Winterbottom
Cast: Dan Futterman, Angelina Jolie, Archie Panjabi, Mohammed Afzal, Mushtaq Khan, Daud Khan, Telal Saeed, Arif Khan, Tipu Taheer, Amit Dhawan, Saira Nasir Khan, Aliya Khan
Rating: R
Studio: Paramount Home Entertainment

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: June 22, 2007
DVD Release Date: March 24, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $14.99

Paramount has decided to release a selection of their movies from 2008 on Blu-ray. As a whole, the quality of these movies is better than in standard definition, but Paramount has skimped on bonuses, recycling those from the original release and not adding much more than that. It seems almost silly to release these movies in Blu-ray if they offer not much more than the standard DVD release

I don’t want this to take anything away from the movie A Mighty Heart. Adapted from the true life memoir of Mariane Pearl concerning the abduction and murder of her husband, Daniel, this movie is beautifully crafted. There was a lot of hubbub when this film came out concerning lead actress, Angelina Jolie and her race not matching that of Mariane Pearl. Pearl herself praised the choice of Jolie and every effort is made by the cast and crew to make this film as realistically authentic as possible.

Honestly, Jolie’s performance as Pearl is heartbreaking. I didn’t find the fact that beneath the makeup I knew Angelina Jolie is a white American (Pearl is light skinned enough for Jolie to pass as her) to be any bit distracting. I was more interested in the story. This is a poignant look at problems in the Middle East and a reminder of how militants view ‘foreigners,’ especially Americans. Add in the fact that this is a true story and it is even more heart wrenching.

While the movie is excellent, I could give or take this release. I love Blu-ray and frankly this movie doesn’t have enough action to warrant a Blu-ray release. When I think Blu-ray I think movies like Transformers, which can really benefit from the phenomenal audio and visual quality. Movies like A Mighty Heart look nice on Blu-ray, but don’t have the same pizazz as the high action flicks.

Only so much can be added to the quality an excellent standard DVD transfer can provide. In these instances, I generally prefer to advise those reading my reviews to weigh the options between Blu-ray and Standard DVD (i.e. price, quality, bonuses) and make their own decision as to whether Blu-ray is worth it. As you might have guessed, A Mighty Heart is one of those transfers.

The A Mighty Heart Plot
We have unique knowledge of what is going to happen in A Mighty Heart. The tragic death of journalist, Daniel Pearl captivated and touched the hearts of people across the world. It was January 23, 2002 when Mariane Pearl’s (Jolie) life changed forever.

The film recounts the events leading up to the kidnapping. as well as what Mariane did during his kidnapping and when she found out he had been killed. Daniel Pearl (Dan Futterman) was the South Asia bureau chief for the Wall Street Journal. He was researching an article on Richard Reid, the shoe bomber, which brought him (and his pregnant wife, Mariane) to Karachi. Danny was promised access to a hard to track down source, setting up an interview in a way he had a million times before.

After saying goodbye to his wife, and telling her he might be late for dinner, Mariane went about her day, not knowing that would be the last time she saw her husband. It isn’t long before it becomes clear that Pakistani militants have kidnapped Pearl. They have him tape a series of videos, which are seen by the investigators searching for him, and his wife.

Caught in a hell like no other, Mariane is comforted only by the clear defiance in Danny. Scared to face a future alone with her small child, a son who will never know his father, Mariane sets out to keep the spirit of her husband alive, not only for her young son, but for the world, who should never forget the great sacrifice Pearl made for his country and for his belief in accurate and true journalism.

This movie is based on the memoir written by Mariane Pearl, A Mighty Heart: The Brave Life and Death of My Husband Danny Pearl. It was her gift to Danny and to Adam, the son whom Danny named before his disappearance and death.

Storyline/Plot: 5 out of 5 stars
Replayability: 5 out of 5 stars
Acting: 5 out of 5 stars
Directing: 5 out of 5 stars

Audio/Visual:
A Mighty Heart was previously offered on HD and DVD, prior to the complete switch to just DVD and Blu-ray. Having already watched the HD version I can say that the 1080p VC-1 encode looks just about identical to what I remember seeing on the previous transfer. This isn’t the best transfer out there when it comes to Blu-ray, though it is the best transfer for this film. The film has decent coloring and the level of detail ranges based on various shots that are used, though that is to be expected in a film like this. The fleshtones look good and there really isn’t too much to complain about. For what it had to work with, this ended up looking just fine.

The audio for A Mighty Heart is offered in English Dolby TrueHD 5.1. Again, this is identical to the previous HD version that was released by Paramount. This is a unique movie because while it’s mainly dialogue there is a large selection of action in small parts of the movie. Thanks to these dynamic soundbursts, the surround sound is used quite a bit. It’s not a perfect transfer, but it does have moments where it shows off what Blu-ray is capable of doing. In addition to the English audio, there are Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks in both Spanish and French. Subtitles are available in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Visual: 3 out of 5 stars
Audio: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Bonus Features:
If you have the DVD or HD version of A Mighty Heart you aren’t going to find anything different in this area. The special features are exactly the same for all three formats of the film. What you receive is a documentary, a featurette, and a Public Service Announcement. Surprisingly, no commentary is present here. Considering the fact that this was based on true events a commentary would have been pretty interesting. It’s too bad that it is not available. What is here is a pretty bland, small selection that is certainly not befitting of a movie as good as this one.

The documentary, “Journey of Passion” lasts for 30 minutes and looks mainly at things behind the scenes. There are the standard cast and crew interviews that are commonplace in a behind the scenes features. The interviews focus on the history of the events and the challenges that came up when making this film. It would have been nice to see the real people behind the events, but they are not available here. This is by far the best featurette, but in saying that, it’s important to note that it could have been much better.

This is followed up by a nine minute featurette, “Committee to Protect Journalists” that looks at the foundation that was created in hopes of helping to protect journalists around the globe. The most surprising thing here is how many journalists have been killed over the years. The most important thing here is how increasing political pressure can help lessen the lives lost.

The PSA is just a short, two minute, announcement by Christiana Amanpour that talks about the Daniel Pearl Foundation. The mission of the foundation is to promote cross-cultural understanding that can be found through journalism, music, and innovative forms of communication.

Bonus Features: 2 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line:
A Mighty Heart is an amazing, gripping drama that with touch your heart and soul. While you will have to decide whether upgrading or purchasing this in Blu-ray is worth it, you shouldn’t hesitate when it comes to picking this film up in any form. The acting is superb and Mariane Pearl’s story, her outlook, and her very life is inspiring. This movie is highly recommended. However, if you already own this in standard or HD versions, you’ll probably want to pass on this release.

Overall Rating: 4.07 out of 5 stars

Technorati Tags: BD Review, Blu-ray, A Mighty Heart, Angelina Jolie, Daniel Pearl, True Story, Journalist, Terrorist Attack

Movie Info:
Writer: Steve Shagan
Director: Gregory Hoblit
Cast: Richard Gere, Laura Linney, John Mahoney, Alfre Woodard, Frances McDormand, Edward Norton, Terry O’Quinn, Andre Braugher, Steven Bauer, Joe Spano, Tony Plana, Stanley Anderson, Maura Tierney
Rating: R
Studio: Paramount Home Entertainment

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: April 3, 1996
DVD Release Date: March 10, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $19.99

I have seen Primal Fear more than once. The first time I saw this movie was on television. I didn’t have any idea what I was getting myself into. I just knew that the movie featured Richard Gere and a young Edward Norton. Around the time I first saw Primal Fear, Edward Norton was just becoming a big name. It’s easy to see why he’s as well respected an actor today, due to the early performance he gives here.

This movie poses quite a few questions. There are questions about religion, morality, and how the two intersect. The movie is also quite the case study on the human mind. All of the actors do a remarkably excellent job in their respective roles. Both Norton and Gere were perfectly cast. The two leads balance each other out, though Norton might just have out acted the, at the time, more seasoned Gere in the majority of scenes they share.

While the acting carries the movie, it wouldn’t have been nearly as good had the plot been less than what it was. The story for Primal Fear is intense. The energy and action of this film make it work on so many levels. The storytelling is a major part of what stands out. Of course, the shocking ending helps. You will be spellbound, stunned and in awe by the ending of this film. The first time I watched this, I was not expecting the film to end the way it did, and that is the most important part of the story. It validates (and invalidates) so many other parts of the movie, with everything finally coming together and being answered, in the end.

I was looking forward to seeing Primal Fear in Blu Ray. The film isn’t so action intensive that it’s going to pop out off the screen, like a movie, such as Transformers, would. Still, I’m of the firm belief that any film can and will benefit from a Blu Ray transfer. Paramount could have gone all out with this transfer, but they didn’t go nearly as far as they could. While there is no question whether you should own Primal Fear in some form, it will become a personal choice as to whether the extra money paid for Blu Ray is worth it.

The Primal Fear Plot
The story takes place in the mid-90s when this film was released. If you recall, the Catholic church was already riddled with scandal, making it the perfect topic for this film. At the beginning of the movie, a blood soaked man (around the age of 18), by the name of Aaron (Edward Norton, Pride and Glory) is being pursued by the cops. Aaron tries to lose them, but is unable to, finally being captured under a bridge.

Aaron is being arrested for the brutal killing of Chicago Archbishop Rushman (Stanley Anderson). Aaron was taken in by Rushman, as a teenager who ran away from home and was made an alter boy of the church. While Aaron, a soft spoken boy of southern origin, claims he was in the room when Rushman was murdered, he swears he didn’t kill him and that an unidentified third individual was in the room with them. Aaron can’t remember the exact details because he had an episode where he blacked out, something he claims happens often.

High powered defense attorney, Martin Vail (Richard Gere, Nights in Rodanthe, The Hoax, Unfaithful) takes on the case, and eventually believes that Aaron is in fact innocent. Unfortunately, he’s up against prosecutor, Janet Venable (Laura Linney, The Nanny Diaries), his ex-lover who is convinced of Aaron’s guilt. Of course, this bridges an even bigger gap between the two who seem to still have some kind of feelings for one another despite bad blood between them.

When Martin decides to have Dr. Molly Arrington (Frances McDormand) do a psychiatric evaluation on Aaron, she soon learns why Aaron is having these blackouts. She also learns about the third person in the room, named Roy, and why Aaron acts the way he does. Add in some mistreatment and misconduct by the Archbishop and the plot begins to thicken.

With Aaron in mental distress and the trial already starting, it’s too late for Martin to change his plea on account of Aaron’s obvious mental problems. So, it will be up to him to prove that the boy is innocent when everything else is pointing to the fact that he’s not.

Primal Fear also stars John Mahoney (Dan in Real Life), Terry O’Quinn (Lost), Andre Braugher (The Mist) and Tony Plana (Ugly Betty).

Storyline/Plot: 5 out of 5 stars
Replayability: 5 out of 5 stars
Acting: 5 out of 5 stars
Directing: 5 out of 5 stars

Audio/Visual:
Primal Fear came out in 1996, so it’s not going to be a movie that looks like something made today. It also is a courtroom drama. What that means is that you shouldn’t expect a bright, colorful picture because courtrooms aren’t that bright. They are filled with stationary colors, grays and blacks. In short, they are a rather drab place to be at times. All that being said, the 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer that Paramount supplies ends up looking pretty good overall. It’s not perfect mind you, but the problems are certainly kept to a minimum.

The limited color palette is acceptable and the blacks look good, though they could be stronger. The level of detail is fair and things look crisp. If you were considering upgrading from the previous version it would really come down to cost. This is a better transfer, of course, but it is not so hugely different that it’s a must have. Still if you’re in the market for a copy, this should keep you satisfied.

On the other hand, the Dolby TrueHD 5.1 shows that it is worth its weight in gold when it comes to Primal Fear. Courtroom dramas usually have sound like sitcoms, but this one has a few scenes that could benefit from spectacular sound and this track delivers without a hitch.

The sound effects that are present are rich and dynamic, the dialogue is generally strong, even in those quiet, whispering scenes, and the music contains all the strength that you would expect it to offer. This may not be the best lossless soundtrack that I have ever heard, but it kept me happy and I am sure that fans will say the same.

Visual: 4 out of 5 stars
Audio: 4 out of 5 stars

Bonus Features:
The bonus features that are available on the Primal Fear: Hard Evidence Edition DVD are the same that are available here on this Blu-ray. With that in mind, it’s quite possible that some will opt to save a few pennies and buy the DVD instead. There are a few good features here, but they end up feeling like there isn’t anything special when you consider the fact that you can find the same things on the DVD.

Things start off with an audio commentary including the director, writer, producers, and casting director. There doesn’t seem to be much focus going on as the group talks about the actor’s, production, and a slew of other things. While nothing too technical is discussed in length, the majority just feels somewhat boring. I had to force myself to sit through it. I think it would have turned out better if some of the actors and less of the crew had been utilized.

“The Final Verdict” is an 18 minute behind the scenes featurette that lacks the excitement that truly decent behind the scenes features offer. This is more of a snooze fest. There is a good bit of information here, but at the end of the day it gives you a little about a lot and not a whole lot of anything. This just goes to show that the actors should have been in the commentary because they were much more entertaining here.

“Star Witness” is another 18 minute featurette that looks at the casting of Edward Norton, his performance, and the commitment that he made to the role. Norton fans will enjoy this featurette probably more than any of the others in the set.

“Psychology of Guilt” is the longest feature in the bunch, but it still feels too short in this case. The purpose is to take a look at the mental illnesses that are on trial in Primal Fear. It’s interesting, but would have served itself and this section much better had it been longer and more detailed.

The only other feature here is the original theatrical trailer for the film.

Bonus Features: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line:
Primal Fear is an amazing movie. Whether you need the Blu-ray is a matter of opinion based on your own personal preference. With the release of Blu-ray at the same time as the re-release of the DVD, one could easily decide to save a buck by purchasing the DVD. While the quality is a little bit better here that is the only difference. Considering the features are exactly the same, there is nothing to really draw people into a Blu Ray purchase like there would be if there were some added extras that were exclusive to this version. Still, the movie itself, in one version or the other, is highly recommended.

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Technorati Tags: Paramount, Edward Norton, Richard Gere, Blu Ray Review, Court Drama, Murder, Primal Fear

Movie Info:
Writers: Liz Maverick, Peter Sullivan
Director: Jason Hreno
Cast: Miriam McDonald, Shawna Waldron, Ryan Kennedy, Crystal Lowe, Andrea Whitburn, Greg Evigan, Catherine Hicks, Brendan Penny, Agam Darshi
Rating: Unrated
Studio: New Line

Release Info:
First TV Showing: July 27, 2008
DVD Release Date: January 20, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $$26.99

Wow. That’s pretty much all I can say after watching Poison Ivy: The Secret Society. Did they really make this in Blu Ray? I have to wonder why because while the picture was pretty, this release didn’t take advantage of all the splendors that make Blu Ray the most popular viewing option out today. For example, there are absolutely no bonus features. None. Imagine all of the fun bonuses that can be added to any Blu Ray release. It seems to me as if New Line wasted their time by releasing this in Blu Ray, but then again I wouldn’t have released Poison Ivy: The Secret Society period.

I have to wonder if the TV version of Poison Ivy: The Secret Society was so much better considering it wasn’t a soft porn extravaganza. I’m of the firm belief that there is a time and place for sex in a movie, and it shouldn’t just be thrown in to attempt to make the viewer forget all the plotholes and farfetched film themes. Of course, I’d seen Poison Ivy II and Poison Ivy III and while both of these were pretty big yawners, I’m told the true gem in the series is the original, thanks to a little Sara Gilbert-Drew Barrymore shared tongue action.

Before getting on with the plot, I have a few questions. First, what is Catherine Hicks doing in this movie? She just ended a stint as a preacher’s wife on Seventh Heaven and now she’s on to soft porn? It’s just crazy and hard to believe this is the same woman who fought for her son to get a Good Guy doll in the original Child Play movie. Second, am I the only one grossed out at the thought of Joey from My Two Dads boning a grown up Becky O’Shea “Icebox” from The Little Giants. I grew up watching that show and I’ve seen the movie a billion times. I was quite weirded out when I realized I was seeing Shawna Waldron’s boobage. Sure, she’s all grown up, but she has these facial expressions that made me see her in little football pads running on the field. It was creepy.

While the acting, for the most part, was solid, it didn’t really help the story for Poison Ivy: The Secret Society. The story was ridiculously cliched. The mean girl was the biggest ho on the planet. The country girl was way too countrified and clueless. Eventually, the movie became so predictable, it’s pretty easy to see where the movie is going. Of course, the actual climax of the movie is a bit anti-climactic. I’m sure you can already guess someone was wronged in this movie and they have to make it right. Of course, doing that takes all of five seconds, with very little effort or thought to it. It’s a pathetic ending to a movie that is filled with so much ridiculousness, not even suspending your sense of reality can make you like this movie.

The Poison Ivy: The Secret Society Plot
There is plenty of nakedness in this movie. You’ll get to see multiple sets of female breasts a rear end (I think?), but that’s about where the nakedness ends. I initially had to wonder what channel picked this up, and when I learned it was the Lifetime Network I was even more shocked. I thought Lifetime only did films with moms who lost their kids to prostitution, drugs, supernatural forces, or she just ran away because she hated her home life. I’m surprised Cheryl Ladd isn’t in this film, but then I guess since she was in the original Poison Ivy she couldn’t be.

The story for Poison Ivy: The Secret Society revolves around a naive country girl by the name of Danielle Brooks (Miriam McDonald), but everyone calls her Daisy. Daisy is from a small town and her boyfriend, Will (Brendan Penny), has just purchased land to build their home. Unfortunately, Daisy can’t stay. The orphaned young woman has just been enrolled at a University in a big city. She will be studying political science and supposedly she has a lot of promise.

Daisy arrives and is ever the fool (laughing stock) to the Ivys, a group of snobby, upper class girls in a secret society. She drops her luggage and a rich guy in a convertible, Blake Graves (Ryan Kennedy) stops to help her. He hits on her and helps her back to her dorm room. There she meets her really weird, poli sci major/film minor roommate, Magenta (Andrea Whitburn).

It isn’t long before it becomes clear that Daisy is a whiz kid prodigy in the Political Science department. Her name is being thrown around quite a bit for an upcoming internship in Washington D.C. Of course, the bad girl leader of the Ivy’s, Azalea (Shawna Waldron), wants this internship more, and she’ll do anything to get it. After tapping Daisy to join the Ivys, Azalea is certain she can manipulate anything and everything around her.

From the powerful Graves family – Dean Graves (Catherine Hicks), who Daisy works for, Professor Andrew Graves (Greg Evigan) and their son Blake – to all of the girls on campus, but most especially Daisy, Azalea spins a web of deceit, lust and seduction. Her efforts show the ugly side to secret societies, especially those that are more powerful than the outer forces of the world around them. With Daisy so entrenched in the world of the Ivys, her only hope is to get out while she can.

Storyline/Plot: 1 out of 5 stars
Replayability: 1.5 out of 5 stars
Acting: 3 out of 5 stars
Directing: 0.5 out of 5 stars

Audio/Visual:
Where Poison Ivy: The Secret Society fails in the plot and entire idea for the film, it makes up for things, at least slightly in the video and audio portions of this Blu-ray. The 1080p and 1.85:1 aspect ratio make the film look fabulous. Detail is at an all time high for this type of film, including past films in the Poison Ivy franchise. I know that many people are partial to the original film and I am sure it’s only a matter of time before the Blu-ray comes out for that, as well as 2 and 3 in this series. Hopefully they will receive as good a treatment as this did.

It’s just a shame that Poison Ivy: The Secret Society didn’t deserve to look this good. The level of detail is right on target from what you would expect with Blu-ray. Everything right down to the nipple is perfectly formed for you to see in a way that has never looked as good. The movie was bright at times, but it looked very natural and the dark moments were handled quite well, also. Things like compression errors, lines, and blur are all but nonexistent. It looks good enough to make you wish the film were a hell of a lot better. Unfortunately, not even the video quality can save this one.

The audio options for The Secret Society are simple. A standard Dolby Digital 5.1 track is included. There are no lossless or high def options where the audio is concerned. Of course, I cannot see how it would have been necessary. The sound effects and musical score are minimal, at best. This leaves the audio track with mainly dialogue. While that is fine, it doesn’t call for anything overly powerful. The score and effects that are heard sound just fine. The dialogue is also easily heard. In addition to standard audio, subtitles are available in English. No foreign language options, dubs, or subtitles have been included.

Visual: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Audio: 3 out of 5 stars

Bonus Features:
You won’t be surprised to know there are absolutely no bonus features included on the Poison Ivy: The Secret Society Blu Ray. The only thing special is a digital copy of this movie. I don’t know why anyone would want this if they own Poison Ivy: The Secret Society, but hey, to each their own.

Bonus Features: 0 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line:
Poison Ivy: The Secret Society isn’t worthy of a Blu Ray release. I’m not sure it is worthy of any release. I might just keep it around to pop it in my Blu Ray player for a good laugh when I’m feeling down, because that’s about all its worth. New Line pretty much bombed big time with this release. I, personally, hope they stop making Poison Ivy movies. The plot has been ridiculously overdone, not only in this series of movies, but others like it. It’s just sad to see some of the actors, who have done other great roles, stoop so low for a place in this crappy film.

Overall Rating: 1.93 out of 5 stars

Technorati Tags: DVD Review, Blu Ray Review, Blu Ray, Poison Ivy, The Secret Society, Soft Porn, Naked Girls, Sorority, Catherine Hicks

Movie Info:
Writer: Anders Thomas Jensen, Saul Dibb, Jeffrey Hatcher
Director: Saul Dibb
Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Charlotte Rampling, Keira Knightley, Hayley Atwell, Simon McBurney, Dominic Cooper
Rating: PG-13
Studio: Paramount Pictures

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: September 10, 2008
DVD Release Date: December 28, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $26.99

Period pieces are hit or miss with me. Ever since I had to read Jane Austen novels in High School, I’ve detested the storytelling of Austen and others like her (the Brontes, for example). By default, I find the majority of the movies about these novels to be absolutely boring to watch. Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Jane Eyre, and the list goes on and on.

I can’t sit through these types of period pieces. They are trite, boring, stifling and intolerable. I have no stomach for boring Brit Lit from the 18th and 19th century. I’m not sure what it is about it, but it nearly bores me to tears. Add in some history, great acting, and a strong protagonist and that boring period piece becomes a masterpiece. That’s how I felt about The Duchess. Originally, I thought I wouldn’t like this film, but after watching it, I’ve come to appreciate the work that went into making it.

It’s hard to say this movie would be as good without Keira Knightley. She is simply sensational as the protagonist of the film, former real life Duchess Georgina of Devonshire. A lesser actress couldn’t have carried the role. Knightley is actually quite good in period pieces. In fact, she would be the main selling point for me to bother watching a movie like Pride & Prejudice, even though I find the story to be rather trite.

Of course, the rest of the cast put in excellent, supporting performances. Ralph Finnes did well, as always, as the Duke of Devonshire, William Cavendish. It’s always good to see Charlotte Rampling, who plays Georgina’s ambitious mother, Lady Spencer (and yes, the Spencers are related to the late Princess Diana). I had only seen Dominic Cooper before in Mamma Mia! but he continues to impress here as the man Georgina loves, Charles Grey. Of course, one of the best performances is given by Hayley Atwell who plays the third in the Duke and Duchess’ relationship, Bess Foster. It would have been more interesting if the creators of this movie had explored the menage a trois between the Duke, Duchess and Bess, but the movie is still good without it.

The Duchess Plot
The story of Georgina (Spencer) Cavendish is filled with passion, fashion, and extravagance. The beautiful Duchess was quite popular and well liked. This late 18th century beauty was known as a trend setter in the fashion world, for her lavish parties, and her involvement in political causes she believed in. Georgina was also known for her tumultuous relationships, particularly a long lasting threesome between her, her husband, the Duke of Devonshire, and her best friend Lady Bess Foster, as well as her tragic love affair with Charles Grey who would later go on to be the Prime Minister of England.

This film begins with a race. A group of young ladies, including beautiful, Georgina Spencer (Keira Knightley) bet on a race that young men are running. Georgina bet’s on Charles Grey (Dominic Cooper) and when he wins, she plans to reward him. Before she can, she is called away by her mother, Lady Spencer (Charlotte Rampling) and Charles has no choice but to leave without his reward.

Lady Spencer is pleased to announce that Georgina is betrothed. She will be marrying the Duke of Devonshire, William Cavendish (Ralph Finnes). Georgina is quite happy as this raises her family’s standing, becoming the Duchess of Devonshire, and she seeks to please the Duke in any way she can. However, soon after they are married, it becomes clear that the Duke has only one use for Georgina, getting her pregnant with a son.

Georgina tries to wipe off Williams’ cool treatment by making her home a pleasant place. She finds ways to escape through supporting political causes, gambling, fashion (of which she soon becomes a fashionista) and by attending and throwing parties. In the meantime, she tries to ignore the growing evidence that the Duke is unfaithful, discontented that Georgina is not yet pregnant. When the Duke brings in his illegitimate daughter, Charlotte (Eva Hrela/Poppy Wigglesworth), to raise when her mother dies, after a brief moment of sadness, Georgina takes the girl in and raises her as her own.

It isn’t long before Georgina is giving birth to a child, young Georgina, known as Little G (Mercy Fiennes Tiffin). William rejects his child because she is not a boy and becomes even more involved in his nefarious behavior, this time having affairs in front of Georgina. The movie fast forwards some years and Georgina and William have another daughter, young Harriet (Harry-o), with the Duke not very interested in his wife, since she hasn’t provided him with his son.

Around this time, Georgina is reacquainted with Charles Grey, an Earl who is moving up the political ladder. It doesn’t take much to see sparks still exist between the two. Georgina throws herself full force into society, making herself useful politically and schmoozing with the rich and intelligent minds that make up the upper crust of English society. Still, the Duchess is quite loved by all people, and the Duke cannot deny the backlash that would occur were he to leave her.

On vacation, something taken so the Duke can get Georgina blessings that might make her have a son, Georgina meets Lady Bess Foster (Hayley Atwell). She believes there might be something going on between her and the Duke, as he had been flirting with Bess, but the young woman assures Georgina there isn’t. The two become fast friends, and Georgina learns that Bess has lost her children to her husband and been kicked from her home. She does the only logical thing by inviting her to live with them.

The Duchess has a particularly delightful encounter with Charles Grey, who clearly loves her, but she is devastated when she returns home and finds Lady Bess and the Duke are having sex. Angry, she confronts the Duke, and ignores Bess. In the end, it is implied that the Duke has raped Georgina and it isn’t long before she is pregnant again. Stung by the betrayal by Bess, Georgina has only her love for Charles Grey to hang onto, and the hope that perhaps she’ll have a son, to fulfill her wifely duty and be able to move on with her life, without the Duke’s contempt weighing her down.

Storyline/Plot: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Replayability: 4 out of 5 stars
Acting: 5 out of 5 stars
Directing: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Audio/Visual:
The Duchess offers a 1080p transfer that includes a 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The quality of the video is nearly impeccable. The color palette looks fabulous and the costumes look even better here than they do on the DVD transfer. I was taken aback by many of the scenes because they looked that good in Blu-ray. It’s no secret that the detail quality of Blu-ray has the potential to be amazing, but The Duchess really shows off what Blu-ray is capable of. Even the scenery looks lush and fabulous. I do not recall grain or compression errors being a problem. Everything looked good overall with nothing to complain about.

Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless sets the stage for the audio on The Duchess. It’s a beautiful choice to compliment the pleasing score and the dialogue which ranges in emotion from one moment to the next. Sound effects are handled without a problem. The dialogue is always easy to hear. The score is one of the most enjoyable parts, especially in those moments where you can take in the beautiful scenery with the inviting music. This is not a soundtrack that is going to push TrueHD to the limit, but despite it’s subtlety everything sounds amazing. In addition to the TrueHD, there are soundtracks in Spanish and French Dolby Digital 5.1. Subtitles are available in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Visual: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Audio: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Bonus Features:
Generally when a Blu-ray comes out concurrently with a DVD, the Blu-ray will have a selection of special features that are specific to the Blu-ray that makes it worth the purchasing. Where The Duchess is concerned this was not the case. In fact, there are only three special features here and they are the exact same ones that are on the DVD.

“How Far She Went…Making The Duchess” is a rather basic feature that has a few redeemable qualities and a couple of promotional flaws that make it feel unnecessary when it really shouldn’t. When the Historians take the stage and talk about the history and the locations it works out well and things look promising. It’s the interviews that really kill it for me. Still you might find this worth watching once just for the Historians.

“Georgiana in Her Own Words” is a series of letters from Georgiana to her mother. These are read to show how they influenced the screenplay and helped flesh it out from what was written in the book on this topic. This is one of the better of the three features.

Finally there is a short featurette that deals with the rigorous demands that came with the costume design for The Duchess. Overall, this is a disappointing set of features. With Blu Ray, there is always the potential for so much more.

Bonus Features: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line:
While I’m not a huge fan of period pieces, The Duchess is actually quite enjoyable. While the story can drag on a little, the outstanding acting, especially that of Keira Knightley, makes this movie worth watching. The life of the Duchess of Devonshire, Georgina Spencer Cavendish, is incredibly interesting, so it made for quite an excellent movie. Whether you are into period pieces or not, you’ll want to check The Duchess out. Keira Knightley fans should just go ahead and pick it up. Otherwise, you may want to rent it first, just to make sure it’s up your alley.

Overall Rating: 4.21 out of 5 stars

Technorati Tags: BD Review, The Duchess, Georgiana Spencer, Duchess of Devonshire, Love Story, Threesome, Betrayal, Period Movie

Movie Info:
Writer: John Gatins, Mark Schwahn
Director: Thomas Carter
Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Ashanti, Rob Brown, Rick Gonzalez, Antwon Tanner, Channing Tatum
Rating: PG 13
Studio: Paramount

Release Info:
Theatrical Release:
DVD Release Date: December 16, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $19.99

By now, I’ve seen most of the sports inspired, true story movies. I’ve seen the Remember the Titans and the Rudy types of movies, and as a sports fan I like them. The Coach Carter story isn’t anything new. It’s just with a different sport (basketball) then many of the other inspirational, based on a true story, sports movies. The only difference is the true story part of this movie only happened about ten years ago.

Coach Carter is a real person. He really did work at the High School in Richmond, CA. He also did shut out his players from their undefeated season when he found out that they weren’t fulfilling an academic contract he made them sign at the beginning of the season. While this initially sparked outrage in the community, the truth about Carter soon came out. He was on a quest to get his players an education that would ensure they could attend college. This soon made him a local and national hero.

Today, Coach Carter is still working in the community, though he no longer works at Richmond High School. He continues to inspire youth to receive a quality education. There isn’t a lot of opportunity for these students, who come from an inner-city, poor neighborhood. In fact, Carter helped to turn the school basketball program and the lives of his players around during his tenure at the school. He was still working at Richmond High when Samuel L. Jackson played Carter in this movie, which was originally released in 2005.

I’m not in love with this movie, merely because it’s like many of the inspirational films I’ve seen before. I’m glad the real Coach Carter stuck to his guns and made sure his players were educated. I just think we’ve seen so many of these inspirational, based on true story movies that it’s becoming old hat. Sure, fans of these types of movies are going to love Coach Carter, but I can only stomach this movie and others like it, every once in a blue moon.

The Coach Carter Plot
This inspirational, sports oriented film begins — where else — on the basketball court. With the basketball team taking on St. Francis, it isn’t long before a fight ensues. By the end of the game, it’s pretty clear that something needs to be done to help the struggling team. Kenneth Carter (Samuel L. Jackson) is the answer, or so it seems. Offered a measly $1,500 to coach the team at his old high school, it’s up to Coach Carter to make a difference.

Carter has a history with this team, which is located in Richmond, CA. This inner city school is where Carter played and today he still holds many of the school’s basketball records. After accepting the job, despite reservations based on the players’ uncontrollable behavior, he sets out to make them respect him with strict rules.

Things start off with him encouraging them to do well in school by making it mandatory that players have a 2.3 GPA, which is higher than the average required for players to play in the state. He also instructs them to sit at the front of their classrooms and to dress appropriately (jackets and ties) on the days they have games. Of course, many of the players do not like the new rules or Coach Carter. One of the players, Timo Cruz (Rick Gonzalez), even walks out on practice during the very first day. While other players walk out, including the two highest scoring players on the team, all seems lost for Carter and the rest of the unruly players.

Of course, hope can’t be lost when Coach Carter’s own son, Damien (Robert Ri’chard), steps up to the plate. One of the best players at the private school, St. Francis, Damien wants to come to Richmond High to help his dad. Of course, Coach Carter isn’t thrilled his son has dropped out of the private school, where he is attending to go to an inner-city public school. The coach only agrees once Damien agrees to maintain a 3.7 GPA.

With Damien on board, Coach Carter must inspire a rag tag group to fulfill their destiny and play their hearts out. Of course, many of the players have their own issues to deal with. One of them is Kenyon (Rob Brown), who gets his girlfriend, Kyra (Ashanti) pregnant. Kyra has decided not to attend college and to raise their baby. Timo Cruz hangs out with Renny (Vincent Laresca), his drug dealer cousin and he must decide to return and play or live out a life of crime.

With the team working together, Carter must battle cocky attitudes, bad behavior, disrespect, poor grades, and inconsistencies in his team to get them on a better path in their life. He is given no choice but to lock them out of their undefeated season, forfeiting games and sending them to the library during practice hours. Despite being hard on them, it’s clear Coach Carter cares. In typical, sports inspiration fashion this story is not only meant to entertain. It’s meant to inspire. Unfortunately, this same plot has been done many times over, in nearly every sport, with many more successful movies making their way onto DVD before this one.

Storyline/Plot: 3 out of 5 stars
Replayability: 3 out of 5 stars
Acting: 4 out of 5 stars
Directing: 3 out of 5 stars

Audio/Visual:
Coach Carter looks much better than you might expect. The film doesn’t always make use of a high color range, but the level of detail and the black levels are 100% better than they were. The 1080p AVC encoded transfer offers quite a bit to this older movie. Blu-ray never seems to turn out perfect when the movie isn’t brand new. Still, this is a huge step above the standard DVD and fans will really enjoy seeing this in Blu-ray format. There is some softness and a small amount of blur, but the majority of the film is sharp and clear. The problems here are small and generally not annoying enough to even consider.

The audio for Coach Carter is handled with Dolby TrueHD 5.1. The audio gets the job done, but it’s not about to win any awards. The dialogue sits comfortable on the center channel, which allows a nice sense of realism. The various shouts and effects offer a bit of dynamic sound. Not all channels are used, but for a dialogue rich film everything sounds fine. I felt that some of the game sequences could have been stronger and the music could have been stronger, but for what it is there isn’t too much to complain about. In addition to an English track, there are tracks in French and Spanish in Dolby Digital 5.1. Subtitles are available in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Visual: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Audio: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Bonus Features:
It looks as if the special feature section is made up of a few exclusives along with all of the older DVD bonus material. There is nothing wrong with adding old special features to a release like this, but there isn’t a whole lot to sink your teeth into here.

“The Man Behind the Movie” lasts for twenty minutes and works as a documentary that talks about the real Ken Carter and his life and career. Interviews are offered by cast, crew, and the real Carter’s family and friends. If you like the movie you will enjoy learning more about the real man. There isn’t anything too deep here, but it’s worth watching.

“Fast Break at Richmond High” takes a look at the basketball in the film and what went into making these scenes what they were. The filmmakers had to set a stage so that as people watched they would be able to enjoy various actions occurring in and during the game. If you’re interested in how these things happened, you will enjoy this featurette.

The only other older features here are twelve minutes worth of deleted scenes and a four minute music video for “Hope”. These features include a decent behind the scenes featurette called “Making the Cut”, the original theatrical trailer for Coach Carter, and a featurette for/about the screenwriter, “The Two Man Game.”

Bonus Features: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line:
Coach Carter isn’t a horrible film. It just is a movie you’ve probably seen before with different actors and a different name. The acting here is pretty good and the quality of the Blu Ray is exceptional, so if you are already a fan of this movie, it is well worth the upgrade. If you’ve never seen Coach Carter before I recommend renting this from Blockbuster or Netflix. If you like it, I suggest you purchase this in Blu Ray since the quality is far superior to that in the standard DVD release.

Overall Rating: 3.21 out of 5 stars

Technorati Tags: Blu-ray, Movie, True Story, Coach Carter, Basketball, High School, Uplifting

Movie Info:
Writer: Sean Penn
Director: Sean Penn
Cast: William Hurt, Marcia Gay Harden, Vince Vaughn, Hal Holbrook, Catherine Keener, Jena Malone, Kristen Stewart, Emile Hirsch
Rating: R
Studio: Paramount

Release Info:
Theatrical Release:
DVD Release Date: December 16, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $17.99

Ever since Into the Wild came out on standard DVD, Ashtyn has been bugging me to check it out. She reviewed the standard edition over on our other website, LI Reviews. She was impressed by how good Into the Wild was and she talked about how much I would like it. Like the good boyfriend I am, I avoided the movie like the plague, despite the fact that Ash is usually right when she says I’m going to like a movie. For the most part, she knows my movie tastes.

It wasn’t that I thought this movie was going to suck. The movie has a great cast, and typically, great casts don’t make crap if they can help it. My main problem was with the story. A guy heading to Alaska and starving himself to death didn’t exactly sound like a walk on the beach. It sounded rather horrendous to me. Add in the fact that this is a true story and I wasn’t sure I was up to watching this type of movie.

I’m no wuss. I have watched the goriest of horror movies. I just felt extremely bad for Chris McCandless and his family. This movie is based on his life, and what a tragic story it is. The movie explores themes like the value of life versus the value of money, potential mental illness and a whole slew of other deep topics. I didn’t think the movie sounded like fun, so I didn’t want to watch Into the Wild. Well, imagine my surprise when the Blu Ray was announced for December. That meant I’d be the one watching and reviewing this movie.

Into the Wild is actually quite good. Sure it is sad and I’m pretty sure McCandless went off his rocker, before he died, but that isn’t the point of the movie. The movie goes much deeper than that as it asks the question of whether we as humans are equipped to survive in the wild. We’ve moved so far from our days living off nature and grown so dependent on technology, I’m not sure many (or any) of us could. I’m certainly sure I couldn’t. Besides, my wheelchair needs to be charged, every 20 miles!

The Into the Wild Plot
The life of Christopher McCandless seems like any ordinary life in the beginning. The story begins at Emory University where McCandless (Emile Hirsch) was both a student and an athlete. The film is told through the storytelling of Christopher’s sister, Carine (Jena Malone) with whom he was, at one time, very close. When Chris disappears, Carine is devastated and bears the brunt of the anguish felt by the family at the loss his removal from the family has created.

The story is told in a back and forth, flashback style sequence with scenes flashing between him, in the wild, and what happened to lead him to this place. It is implied that Chris and his sister were victims of his parents’ screwed up marriage, especially when he learns the truth about his parent’s marriage, which sends him into a tailspin spiral downward.

With McCandless on the way to law school, he changes his plans when he cracks at the realization that his parents, Billie (Marcia Gay Harden) and Walt (William Hurt) are materialistic assholes. He also believes they are bossy, manipulative and are trying to control his life. In retaliation, he disappears from his apartment, destroys his credit cards, and gets rid of his identification cards. He donates almost all of his life savings (close to $24,000) to Oxfam and then he heads out in his rundown Datsun, a car his parents think is trash.

Heading across country Chris dreams of travelling to Alaska and living in the wild with no people, civilization, monetary system or anything else dictating how he lives his life. Eventually, somewhere in the southwest, he abandons his car, and he ends up hitchhiking around the country, taking various adventures along the way and living off the land and/or the donations of the goodhearted individuals he meets.

It becomes clear that something might be wrong with McCandless when he burns the rest of his money, getting rid of any other ties he has to bureaucracy! During his travels he has many adventures. He kayaks down the Colorado River into Mexico, with no ID, so he has to sneak his way back in across the border on a Freight train once he’s done kayaking. He also meets several, unusual people, on his travels which take him through California to Montana and finally to Alaska.

Some of the people he meets and befriends are the hippies, Jan (Catherine Keener) and Rainey (Brian H. Dierker), rancher Wayne Westerberg (Vince Vaughn), a young girl desperate to get laid by Chris, Tracy Tatro (Kristen Stewart), and a man who is willing to play the role of grandfather/father for Chris, Ron Franz (Hal Holbrook). Unfortunately, Chris is unwilling to stay with any of them. He has it in his mind he must go to Alaska.

Once in Alaska, Chris, who has changed his name to Alexander Supertramp, finds an abandoned bus where he lives. He spends his time hunting for food, writing, and enjoying nature, but when the going gets tough, Chris finds going Into the Wild is a lot harder and more devastating than he thought.

Storyline/Plot: 4 out of 5 stars
Replayability: 4 out of 5 stars
Acting: 5 out of 5 stars
Directing: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Audio/Visual:
Into the Wild is exactly the kind of movie that is screaming for a Blu-ray transfer. The natural backdrop for the movie is just gorgeous on it’s own and Penn did a beautiful job making the best of every single shot. When you add this to Blu-ray in a VC-1 codec shown at 1080p and an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, you end up with a phenomenal picture quality.

The picture quality offers a stunning level of detail and the colors offer strength in various subtle ways. Close-ups of Hirsch (which are relatively common) give him a larger than life feel. The point is that it all works perfectly. Even though I’ve had a chance to see this in other formats since it’s main release, the Blu-ray just blew me away.

Like the video, the Dolby TrueHD 5.1 offers a beautiful platform for Into the Wild. The sound effects are generally nothing more than sounds of the wilderness, still they sound incredibly realistic. The music offers a pleasing sound and the dialogue is always crisp and easy to understand. It doesn’t feel like all channels are used to the best of their ability, still the audio is rich and works well for the most part. Also included beyond the TrueHD are tracks in English, French, and Spanish in Dolby Digital 5.1. Subtitles have been included in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Visual: 4 out of 5 stars
Audio: 4 out of 5 stars

Bonus Features:
Sadly, the biggest place where this movie fails is in special features. There are just two special features here along with a high definition trailer. It doesn’t add up to much even if the bonuses are both longer than the average offering. It would have been nice to see some added features here, as the movie was quite good. Still, the quality of the film will make it worth picking up.

“Into the Wild: The Story and the Characters” gives plenty of information and background from the cast and from Penn. If you’re interested in learning more about Alexander Supertramp and the others in the movie, this will be quite interesting and informative to watch.

Finally, “Into the Wild: The Experience” talks about the specific technical aspects of movie making. The struggles and issues that come into filmmaking are discussed here. All in all, this isn’t the most spectacular feature, but it’s decent for the most part.

Bonus Features: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line:
I was impressed by how good a movie Into the Wild was. Sure, it’s somewhat based on a true story and that story is rather tragic, but what story is told is engaging. The acting by Emile Hirsch carries this film, and the supporting actors bring the story to life in a way that keeps you watching, even if you’re more into quick paced, action style flicks. I recommend that you buy this movie, simply because you’re going to watch it more than once after you see it. Still, it might not be worth it to upgrade to Blu Ray from standard DVD. There aren’t enough special features and while the quality is quite good this isn’t the major Blu Ray spectacle it could be.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Technorati Tags: Blu-ray, Movie, True Story, Into The Wild, Alexander Supertramp, Sean Penn, Drama

Movie Info:
Writers: Christopher Nolan, Jonathan Nolan, David S. Goyer, Bob Kane
Director: Christopher Nolan
Cast: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Monique Curnen, Cillian Murphy, Chin Han, Anthony Michael Hall, Nathan Gamble
Rating: PG-13
Studio: Warner Home Video

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: July 18, 2008
DVD Release Date: December 9, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $23.99

Heath Ledger deserves an Oscar. Period.

I’ve heard the naysayers, who claim Heath’s performance is just hyped up because he died, but to watch him is chilling. It’s complex, to truly understand all that he took on to embody such a diabolical character, as the Joker. I was spellbound by his performance, and that truly is very rare in this day and age. He had the kind of presence in a film you see from a Daniel Day Lewis (though who could imagine Day Lewis as the Joker?). The hype about Ledger as the Joker began before he died, and continued to swell after his untimely passing.

All things aside, The Dark Knight is a great film. It’s one of the best I’ve seen in 2008. The performance level by all of the actors (save for a few) makes this movie more than just a comic-inspired movie. This film is a fully packed, action filled, blockbuster, with the capability of appealing to a wide range of audiences. Still, this is not just a Batman movie. Nolan and his cast turn this into a work of art. Just because it’s popular doesn’t mean it cannot have that bohemianly avant-garde feel to it. This was brought on by Ledger more than any other player. Just because a movie is popular, mainstream, and a blockbuster sensation doesn’t mean it can’t be deserving of Oscar-buzz. Some films are meant to transcend genres and expectations. The Dark Knight is one of them.

I haven’t seen the standard edition of this. I have no need to, because I own the Blu Ray. All I can say is, BUY BLU RAY. If you have a Blu Ray player, you need to buy this in Blu Ray. I was enveloped in this absolutely stunning, cinematography-filled, cacophony of blissful Batman-heaven. I love Batman. He’s my favorite comic book hero, but never have I seen such an excellent film adaptation of my favorite boyhood superhero. Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney, Jack Nicholson, Nicole Kidman. None of them can hold a candle to the kind of performances we see from the cast of The Dark Knight. This film is epic and lived up to any and all of my expectations. Despite all the hype, this movie surpassed it.

While Heath Ledger’s Joker certainly is the focal point for this movie, Christopher Nolan does quite a bit with this screenplay. This is a thrill ride from nearly the first moment, when the Joker is pulling off his first, brilliantly executed heist, to the very last, with a poignant reflection on the entire 2 1/2 hours spent watching this incredible movie, as the credits begin to roll. At times, watching Ledger is pragmatic. In others, it’s maddening. It’s hard to see the line between Ledger and the Joker because there is no line. He fully encompasses the character into himself in a way seldom seen outside the Golden Age in Hollywood. This performance gives you the kind of chills you feel when watching Bette Davis in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? or Anthony Perkins in Psycho.

I know I keep coming back to Heath Ledger, with no offense to the other, brilliant performances in this movie by the slew of A-list actors that make up The Dark Knight ensemble, but truly, without Ledger this movie wouldn’t be the same. Ledger made this movie and he carries the movie. The film, almost boasts perfection, and in his role, he is perfection. Unfortunately, in just one area, this picture fails and its the only thing that drags it down. Its one of those areas that failed in Batman Begins, so its no big surprise. If you’ve seen the movie, you probably already know what I’m talking about. For those who haven’t the big problem for me is Rachel Dawes.

No offense to Maggie Gyllenhaal, but Christopher Nolan should have never created Dawes. Bruce Wayne was always a playboy debonair with nary a female to call his own. While Gyllenhaal plays Dawes as Meryl Streep to Holmes’ Cameron Diaz, I just can’t help but feel that Dawes has very little practical use. In this movie, she makes a great tool for tension, but that could be any female Wayne just happened to like. I also am not sure I buy the entire letter thing (watch it, you’ll understand what I mean), considering the Wayne-Dawes past that was established in Batman Begins.

Either way, the entire character bothers me, and is the only thing to drag the story down. Well…that and the lack of Cillian Murphy’s terrifying Scarecrow, but I have a feeling we’ll be seeing much more of him in future films. It made sense to limit Murphy’s part in this, merely because the public demands all Joker, all the time, and you’ll get it full force, in The Dark Knight.

The Dark Knight Plot
I hate to say too much about the plot for The Dark Knight. My best advice is to just watch this one. I feel it is important to experience as much of this movie as you can without me giving away anything that might make your viewing experience less enjoyable. There are non-stop surprises from the very first moment the movie begins, so unlike most plot summaries I write, I’m going to attempt to be more vague in this then I usually am.

The Joker (Heath Ledger) finds a way to get his hands on money belonging to the mob. The mob is particularly important in Gotham (at least in The Dark Knight) because thanks to the authorities in the city and Batman (Christian Bale) the streets are getting cleaned up. Add in the new District Attorney, Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) and his tough as nails policy to clean up the streets, and you have the mob in a very precarious position. Of course, the Joker wants nothing more than to exploit anything and everyone, just because it’s fun. At first, the mob just sees him as a joke in clown makeup, but soon they’ll see there’s more than meets the eye, with him.

At the same time, Bruce Wayne is trying to get past Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal), who is now dating Harvey Dent. She’s pretty much told him they’re over, unless Batman is history. Wayne is hoping that Dent’s new policy and effective prosecution methods will make Batman obsolete in the city, but Dent still isn’t able to handle all of the crime, just yet. As of now, Batman is considered an outlaw, and Lt. Gordon (Gary Oldman) is the only one who is able to get in contact with him via the bat light he displays in the sky whenever Batman’s needed. Alfred (Michael Caine) believes its too hasty to dismiss Batman and his importance on the city, but Wayne is hoping he’ll be able to move on, with Dawes by his side.

In an intermingling of the mob, the Joker, the police force (led by Gordon), Harvey, Dent, Batman, Rachel Dawes, and Bruce Wayne, this action-packed drama takes viewers through a series of twists and turns with unpredictable fates for nearly every person involved in The Dark Knight. With more than one unexpected death and re-birth, you’ll be sitting there jaw-dropped throughout most of the movie. Of course, throw in some fire-action, bank heists, a hot car chase, involving a semi and Batman’s tricked out motorcycle, an explosion or ten, and a trip to Asia (with some cool Batman fly action) and you have yourself a Batman movie.

The cast of characters is nothing less than stellar. Morgan Freeman returns as Wayne Enterprises loyalist/employee and Batman confidante, Lucius Fox. Eric Roberts has signed on as the evil mob boss, Salvatore Moroni. Even Anthony Michael Hall (yes, the panties guy [Farmer Ted] from Sixteen Candles and Brian “Ralph” Johnson from The Breakfast Club) makes an appearance in this movie, as a heftier, television reporter, Mike Engel. Of course, credit should be given to young Nathan Gamble, who I first saw in his spectacular performance in The Mist as James Gordon Jr. Gamble has a small, but pivotal role in this movie, and he does the job with aplomb and poise, not often seen by child actors.

Storyline/Plot: 5 out of 5 stars
Replayability: 5 out of 5 stars
Acting: 5 out of 5 stars
Directing: 5 out of 5 stars

Audio/Visual:
This is what Blu Ray is all about. This blows Transformers out of the water, and that isn’t an easy feat. The IMAX shot action sequences though shot at a different aspect ratio, blend seamlessly together with standard shots. The picture is displayed in both 1.78:1 and 2.40:1, though I didn’t notice a difference in the aspect, considering how flawlessly the entire picture blends. Shot wit a VC-1 codec with a 1080p screen resolution, the picture is perfection. The crisp, sharp images enhance already fabulous action sequences. The color palette used is brilliantly realistic with natural skintones and depth to the black levels. Highly detailed with no compression errors, the picture is highly saturated with near perfect contrast. This is a standout visual for a standout film.

You expect a film like this to have a rich and robust audio track. The Dark Knight delivers with a fully immersible, surround experience. You’ve truly brought the movie theater home with you. Your senses explode at the delightful, musicality as dialogue, musical score and special effects interweave perfectly. I used the English True HD 5.1 surround mix, which is just magnificent. There are two other English tracks in 5.1 surround and stereo, though its a disservice not to use the TrueHD track, if I do say so myself.

There are two tracks in Spanish and French and both are Dolby Digital 5.1 surround. Subtitles are available in English, Spanish, and French. The greatest benefit was how well the sounds blended together without overriding one another. Expect booming, rich sounds with multi-channel action as the audio makes good use of its full speakers. No need to volume toggle, though expect to be blown away with how excellent everything sounds.

Visual: 5 out of 5 stars
Audio: 5 out of 5 stars

Bonus Features:
The only disappointing area is the bonus section, and even then, it isn’t that bad. While this doesn’t deserve a 5 out of 5, there are some nice bonuses in this three-disc Blu Ray set. The bonuses start on disc one. There is one bonus, with the same information presented, but you can choose to play it in two ways; apart from the main feature, as the featurette, “Gotham Uncovered” or during the movie, where you can access certain aspects of the featurette in various scenes. This bonus is full of information on the making of and production for The Dark Knight. As a bonus, it is excellent, and is definitely a major selling point for the bonus section.

Moving on, to the second disc, is the bonus, “Batman Tech.” In this featurette, the specialists for the tech used in this movie take you through an in depth exploration as you get a chance to see all of the high tech gadgets used by Batman. There is some way cool stuff here. Moving on, there is an exposé of sorts on Bruce Wayne and Batman called, “Batman Unmasked.” This bonus was interesting, but not my favorite. The bonuses continue with “Gotham Tonight”, a series of fake newscasts originally used to get fans pumped up about the movie, a series of picture galleries, and movie trailers.

Disc two also contains some BD Live options. You can access the BD Live Community for The Dark Knight and even upload your very own commentary for this movie. That’s bound to be fun, if you have the time and patience for such things.

Finally, the third disc offers the Digital Copy of The Dark Knight. While there are only a few “actual” bonuses, what is here is quite generous.

Bonus Features: 4 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line:
The Dark Knight is genius. The visceral screenplay delves deep into the subconscious of true psychopathy and tests the limits of what the human emotion can or cannot handle. With on the go action, spectacular cinematography, which just emphasize IMAX enhanced action sequences, and the performance of a lifetime by Heath Ledger, filmmaking and storytelling doesn’t get much better than this. I was glued to the television for the entire 2.5 hours and I sat for a long time afterward just trying to take in everything I saw. Nope…they don’t make em like this anymore.

Overall Rating: 4.86 out of 5 stars

Technorati Tags: DVD Review, The Dark Knight, Blu Ray, Digital Copy, BD Live, Heath Ledger, The Joker, Batman, Christian Bale, Comic, Blockbuster

Movie Info:
Writer: Brad Anderson
Director: Brad Anderson
Cast: Woody Harrelson, Emily Mortimer, Kate Mara, Ben Kingsley, Thomas Kretschmann, Eduardo Noriega
Rating: R
Studio: First Look Studios

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: January 18, 2008
DVD Release Date: November 4, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $18.99

Transsiberian has all the makings of a top movie except a proper chance. When I was watching this movie I kept asking myself why I had never heard anything about it. I might have heard a thing or two, because I think I remember saying that I wanted to see it, in passing, but this did not receive the media reception that it should have prior to the release of the film. This was treated as any other film might have been treated. Unfortunately that means some people will miss this and it will be a shame if they do.

The idea of this thriller is simple, but that doesn’t mean that it is boring or unimaginative. At the heart of things, there are elements of stories that have been told before. You have a middle-aged naïve couple traveling in a foreign country, cramped spaces, and the unknown looming all around. Drug dogs are sniffing out each area for drug traffickers and that’s just the beginning.

Transsiberian works because the direction and acting are solid. Brad Anderson has a way of making you feel closed in thanks to the train environment and the way in which he shoots each frame. The writing is handled in a way that makes some things so obvious, but leaves much sitting in the background until the time is right for it to be revealed. It is this that makes the movie worth watching. Even when you see something clearly and know it will happen you can bet that there is more to the story that you have yet to see.

Each actor seems to be perfectly cast for their role. Woody Harrelson stands out as the happy go lucky churchgoer, Roy. You feel the most empathy for him because it’s obvious that he is the best of the bunch and doesn’t deserve to be involved in all that occurs. Emily Mortimer plays Roy’s wife, Jessie. Unlike the happy Roy, Jessie appears incredibly somber. At one point you wonder why these two are together and if they will stay together much longer. Joined by Kate Mara who plays Abby and Eduardo Noriega (Carlos), a couple that seems shifty and yet welcoming to a degree, it is easy to see why this movie has been generally well received by critics and those that have had a chance to actually see it.

In addition to this Blu Ray review, we also reviewed Transsiberian in the standard form on LI Reviews. For the most part, both releases are incredibly similar. The main difference is that there are better special features on this Blu Ray disc. Otherwise, the quality is excellent on both discs. If you do not have a Blu Ray player, you won’t be missing out by purchasing the standard edition. Of course, if you have access to a Blu Ray device, I would highly recommend picking this version up.

The Transsiberian Plot
Things start out on a good note. Roy (Harrelson) and Jessie (Mortimer) are just getting ready to end their time in China lending a helping hand to the children in the area. The middle aged married couple decided that they would travel on the Transsiberian Express as opposed to flying. The train, which goes from Beijing into Moscow, will take about one week to reach its destination. In that time, they will make several stops, allowing Roy to fawn over the trains that he loves so much and Jessie to take pictures, which is the one thing (along with smoking) that makes her appear content throughout the entire movie.

Soon after the adventure onboard begins, Roy and Jessie meet Abby (Mara), a young American girl traveling with her Spaniard boyfriend, Carlos (Noriega). While Roy and Jessie have the innocent American appearance and even seem a bit naïve at times, it is obvious that Abby and Carlos have been around the block a time or two. The couples get along well, even though it is obvious that they have little in common.

Things get interesting when the boys separate from the girls. While the boys go to look at trains, the girls talk about their lives. This is when we learn how similar they are. Jessie doesn’t drink because she used to have a problem with drugs and alcohol. Like Abby, she was never truly interested in settling down and even though she did with Roy, she is still uneasy about her decision at times. The bonding session seemed to humanize Abby some, but it truly sheds light on Jessie and the type of person that she is. Things seem to go well except for the fact that Roy doesn’t return to the train when it gets going.

Abby and Carlos refuse to leave Jessie when she gets off the train at the next stop to wait for Roy. The three get hotel rooms and wait until they are able to find Roy. When he finally is found he informs Jessie that he won’t be able to make it to the town until 4:30 PM. In the meantime, the entire trip will change for Jessie and much of it will be for the worse.

Jessie is the only one of the three to get back on the train with Roy. Visibly shaken up, she refuses to tell Roy what’s wrong and tries to pretend life is good when she meets their new roommate for the remainder of the trip, Grinko (Ben Kingsley). It does not take long until Grinko reveals that he is a narcotics agent on the hunt for people that are smuggling drugs. When Jessie raises suspicions, things go from bad to worse from her, catapulting the couple into an unbelievable climax and the eventual ending.

Storyline/Plot: 5 out of 5 stars
Replayability: 5 out of 5 stars
Acting: 5 out of 5 stars
Directing: 5 out of 5 stars

Audio/Visual:
The video quality for Transsiberian was quite impressive. The 1080p, 2.35:1 aspect ratio certainly lived up to every expectation and more. The attention to detail is simply amazing. Even when the shot is meant to feel cold and dreary, the detail sparks such quality that you can truly feel what the director is getting at. Much of the quality offers a color palate that appears dingy and drab. Normally this would be a problem, but it’s more than obvious that was meant to be the look necessary to pull off the scenes in this film.

A good way to describe the visual feel of this film is depressing. The cramped spaces and the icy exterior surrounding the train are chilling in their own way. Everything has this eerie way of feeling dead and lifeless. Despite that, the moments in the wilderness, where the mountains are covered with snow are simply stunning to look at. The quality of the colors is harsh and confined because that is what you’re meant to feel. It goes well with the theme of the movie. The transfer looks great with not much, if anything to complain about.

The sound for Transsiberian is handled in a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack. The audio works well without the need for toggling at all. The sound effects for the train and other elements are rich and booming, but the dialogue remains steady and at a comfortable hearing level throughout the entire film. Like with the video quality, some great detail has gone into this area. You can hear quiet talking from passengers on the train and the hum of laughter on occasion, as well. There are some background songs that play on the train and when off the train you hear the sounds of life and the activity that surrounds hustling on and off the trains. A lossless soundtrack would have given this area a more defined and dynamic appeal, but it works well with what it has and it does sound good. In addition to standard audio, Spanish and English subtitles have been provided.

Visual: 5 out of 5 stars
Audio: 4 out of 5 stars

Bonus Features:
The most unfortunate part of this Blu-Ray experience is that Transsiberian only comes with one real special feature attached. To their credit though, this Making Of featurette is better than most I have seen. It seems to be missing the promotional feel that is so common with these types of features and at over 30 minutes long there is plenty of insight to be learned if you like the movie.

The feature offers the personal journey that Brad Anderson took on the Transsiberian railroad and how that led to the making of this film. Interviews with the cast, the relationships built in the making of this film, and things like the budget and set design are also discussed. Great detail about every facet of the filmmaking is spoken about. Other than that the only thing that is included are trailers for other movies that are on or coming to DVD.

Bonus Features: 0.5 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line:
Transsiberian makes a wonderful addition to your Blu Ray library, especially if you’re a fan of drama and suspense movies. This film offers an excellent video quality to go along with great acting and a story that deserves to be watched more than once to be fully appreciated. This film sparkles on Blu Ray so if you have a chance to see it, we highly recommend it!

Overall Rating: 4.21 out of 5 stars

Technorati Tags: Blu-Ray Review, Drama, Russia, Drug Trafficking, Woody Harrelson, Kate Mara, Emily Mortimer, Transsiberian