6.5 | / 10 |
Users | 3.8 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.8 |
Ten years have passed since shocking revelations shattered the world of the Jordan family, and now sisters Joy, Trish, and Helen, each embroiled in their own unique dilemmas, struggle to find their place in an unpredictable and volatile world. The past now haunts their family both literally and otherwise, and jeopardizes the future.
Starring: Shirley Henderson, Allison Janney, Ally Sheedy, Michael Lerner, Paul ReubensDrama | 100% |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English SDH
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Winner of Golden Osella Award for Best Screenplay at the Venice Film Festival, Todd Solondz's "Life During Wartime" (2009) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion. The supplemental features on the disc include the film's original theatrical trailer; collection of video interviews with actors Ciarán Hinds, Shirley Henderson, Allison Janney, Michael Kenneth Williams, Michael Lerner, Paul Reubens, and Ally Sheedy; exclusive video interview with director of photography Ed Lachman; and Q&A with director Todd Solondz. The disc also arrives with a 16-page illustrated booklet featuring an essay by David Sterritt. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".
I have questions
Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Todd Solondz's Life During Wartime arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion.
The following text appears inside the booklet provided with this Blu-ray disc:
"Director of photography Ed Lachman supervised and approved this new transfer, which took place in New York at Technicolor and Final Frame. The film was shot with the RED One Digital Camera at 4K resolution and the entire production was completed in a fully digital workflow. During the grading sessions, the original .r3d RED files were used and standard DPX files were rendered out from SCRATCH. The final color-corrected DPX files were also output to Rec. 709 high-definition color space for BD and DVD release."
RED digital colorist: Tim Stipan/Technicolor, New York.
Color correction supervisor: Ed Lachman.
Additional color correction: Joe Gawler."
Life During Wartime looks exceptional. There are selected sequences in the film that convey clarity and depth that are simply overwhelming. Che, which was also shot with the RED One Digital Camera, is the only release that comes close to matching this truly remarkable image quality, but there is a sense of balance here that Che lacks. Even the darker footage looks remarkably fluid -- there are no contrast fluctuations or sporadic image softness. What impresses the most, however, is the color reproduction. The variety of yellows, greens, and especially browns and blacks are simply superb. Some of the outdoor scenes convey a degree of crispness that is at times borderline distracting (see screencapture #8). Finally, there are absolutely no transfer related anomalies whatsoever. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free PS3 or SA in order to access its content).
There is only one audio track on this Blu-ray disc: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. For the record, Criterion have provided optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature.
The following text appears inside the booklet provided with this Blu-ray disc:
"This film features a fully digital soundtrack. The 5.1 surround audio was mastered at 24-bit from the original digital audio master using Pro Tools HD."
The English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is flawless. The dialog is exceptionally crisp and fluid, and there are absolutely no distortions whatsoever. The surround channels are not overly active, but when they are used, they are indeed very effective. Similarly, the bass rarely comes alive, but its presence is certainly felt. All in all, it is clear that the audio has been optimized as best as possible.
I could not warm up to this film. It is terrifically acted but lacks the energy and zest of Todd Solondz's previous films, and specifically his Welcome to the Dollhouse and Happiness. The few political overtones in the film also feel foreign. Criterion's Blu-ray of Life During Wartime, however, is flawless. It is one of the very best discs the company has produced. Recommended only to fans of Todd Solondz and his work.
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