5.8 | / 10 |
Users | 2.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
A parolee learns he's no longer wanted at home and sells Christmas trees with the man who is set to marry his wife.
Starring: Paul Giamatti, Paul Rudd, Sally Hawkins, Amy Landecker, Tatyana RichaudComedy | 100% |
Holiday | 3% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1
English SDH, Spanish
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
UV digital copy
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 0.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
They say "Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year," but for the less fortunate it's just another reminder of a life that's gone wrong and the hardships that don't take a day off on December 25th. All is Bright decks its celluloid halls with a dreary story of two men battling for the heart of one woman while trying to earn a few dollars not for that super-sexy must-have Christmas present but rather to keep on going, for a warm place to sleep and a hot meal to fill their stomachs. It's a peculiar film, one that's not particularly jolly and not very heavily themed in any one direction, though it does trend ever-so-slightly towards the latter in its simple examination of man's most fundamental conditions. It's a rather somber and sometimes very lightly and darkly humorous tale of life down on the tough end of the scale, a film in which the challenges come from merely trying to survive the moment and focus on tomorrow, never mind the future or even the prospects of the Christmas holiday. In other words, don't expect either a fresh or familiar tale of Holiday cheer or jeer; All is Bright is something altogether different, a very much on-pont, straightforward Human Drama that shows the darker side of life, the life back in the shadows and beyond the cheer of family and festive Christmas lights.
What do I look like, a Christmas tree delivery man?
All is Bright decks out its Blu-ray release with a very good-looking 1080p transfer. Though the image is defined by gray overcast skies and naturally muddy, bland colors, the image proves incredibly stable and accurate within its natural parameters. Detail is exemplary. Close-ups deliver intricate facial and clothing detail; a border crossing officer's hat looks particularly magnificent in terms of fabric texture, seams, and stitched lettering. Image clarity is excellent, and the cold background details look terrific, particularly around the lot where Dennis and Rene sell the trees. The color palette, as noted, is severely muted but contextually looks fine. Black levels are solid, and flesh tones look a little pale but fit in with the general color scheme. There are no major instances of banding, blocking, or noise. This is a very strong effort from Anchor Bay.
All is Bright rocks around the Christmas tree with a quality Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack. There's a very nice presence to the Jazzy Christmas music that opens the film. There's not much surround support, but clarity is fine, front spacing is adequate, and instrument details are precise. There's a quality presence to heavier piano notes that play later in the film, supported by a good, deep low end that promotes a very realistic sensation. The track enjoys a few minor action-styled sound effects and occasional background ambience. However, the track is primarily focused on dialogue. The spoken word is delivered neatly and accurately from the center. This is not a dynamic, hard-hitting track, but Anchor Bay's presentation handles its pieces very nicely nonetheless.
All is Bright contains no bonus content. A UV digital copy code is included in the box.
All is Bright certainly isn't as its name suggests. It's a dim, sometimes depressing picture of struggle at Christmastime, of two men doing all they can to make ends meet all the while battling over the woman they both love from afar. It's a well-made film, certainly, and very well acted, but don't look to it for a bit of fresh holiday cheer; it'll disappoint in that arena. As a challenging look at life near the bottom, however, the film proves a winner. Anchor Bay's Blu-ray release of All is Bright features superb video and solid audio. Unfortunately, no supplements are included. Recommended provided the audience is prepared to have much of their holiday spirit drained.
2017
2008
2016
2016
Extended Cut
2014
1994
2011
2007
1987
2008
2017
The Rougher Morning Edition
2017
2014
2010
Extended Cut | Extra Dope Edition
2011
2016
2015
1968
1980
2011