6.4 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Frank Whaley stars as Jim Dodge, a smooth-talking small-town guy with a knack for putting up a front--but no talent for holding down a job. But Jim's life suddenly takes a turn for the fantastic when he finds himself locked inside the local department store one night with Josie McClellan (Jennifer Connelly), the daughter of the town's wealthiest citizen.
Starring: Jennifer Connelly, Frank Whaley, Dermot Mulroney, Kieran Mulroney, John M. JacksonRomance | 100% |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 16-bit)
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Bryan Gordon's "Career Opportunities" (1991) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The supplemental features on the disc include audio commentary by Erik Childress and vintage trailer. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".
Dinner for two
Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Career Opportunities arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber.
I would not be surprised if it is confirmed that the same person that prepared the existing master for Lost Highway was placed in charge with the preparation of the master that was used to produce this release of Career Opportunities. These masters are older, but both have very strong and practically identical organic qualities that I like a lot.
I am going to point out the two areas where some minor but meaningful improvements can be made. First, there is some extremely light crushing that flattens select nuances. However, even in very dark areas, there is still plenty of very good detail to see and appreciate. If a new master is created on a modern equipment, the flattened nuances will be better exposed and easier to recognized, especially on a larger screen where these types of details become more prominent. Second, the grain can have slightly tighter and more even appearance. However, this is a very small complaint because the density levels on the current master are very, very good, and if you decide to upscale it to 4K, the issue is instantly resolved. Also, the fluidity of the visuals is already very good, so the uptick in quality will not be dramatic. The rest looks either very good or great. For example, depth is consistently pleasing. Clarity and sharpness are proper as well. Color saturation and balance are wonderful. Yes, a couple of minor adjustments can be made to strengthen a few ranges of supporting nuances, but the primaries look great. Image stability is excellent. The entire film looks clean as well. All in all, this is a very solid master that makes Career Opportunities look about as good as it can. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).
There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature. When turned on, they appear inside the image frame.
On my system the audio sounded fantastic. In fact, I think that it is on par with what you will get from the redone lossless tracks on the various restorations of John Hughes' big hits that have been made available on Blu-ray. Clarity, sharpness, depth, and balance are terrific, so if possible, when you view Career Opportunities turn up the volume as much as you can. There is some great music in this film.
It is so easy to tell that Career Opportunities does not live up to its potential. Once Frank Whaley and Jennifer Connelly's characters meet in the empty Target store, it begins to look like they are acting in two completely different films, which is why the crucial chemistry that needs to materialize between them never does. I don't think Whaley was the right guy to play the nighttime janitor. Connelly repeatedly dispatches romantic signals in his direction and they never pop up on his radar, which is the reason why so many of their scenes look so awkward. So, more than likely you will still have a good time with Career Opportunities, but it will be because of just a few charming moments, not because John Hughes introduced you to yet another motley crew of terrific cinematic characters. Kino Lorber's release is sourced from an older but very strong master that was supplied by Universal Pictures. RECOMMENDED.
1986
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2010
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1985
2020
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