7.2 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
A successful film editor with far too many issues that affects the relationship between him and his remarkably patient girlfriend.
Starring: Albert Brooks, Kathryn Harrold, Bruno Kirby, James L. Brooks, George KennedyRomance | 100% |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: LPCM Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Albert Brooks' "Modern Romance" (1981) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films. The supplemental features on the disc include an original trailer for the film; exclusive new video interview with cinematographer Eric Saarinen; new audio commentary by critic Nick Pinkerton; and vintage promotional materials. The release also arrives with a 28-page illustrated booklet featuring a new essay by Isabel Stevens, an overview of contemporary critical responses and historic articles on the film. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.
A new beginning
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Albert Brooks' Modern Romance arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films.
The release is sourced from an older remaster that was prepared by Sony Pictures some time ago. It has a fair share of limitations, but it is healthy and on a larger screen it holds rather well. The best looking parts are the ones where light is nicely balanced (see screencapture #1). However, during outdoor footage with plenty of daylight (screencapture #11) nuances begin to struggle, and during darker/indoor footage it is often obvious that shadow definition isn't optimal (screencapture #14). There are traces of management work as well, so a new remaster will undoubtedly introduce a much healthier grain structure that will in return ensure superior density. Some blown out highlights pops up here and there, but I did not find them distracting. Colors are stable and quite nicely balanced, with good ranges of nuances. However, saturation could be superior. Image stability is excellent. My score is 3.75/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location. For the record, there is no PAL or 1080/50i content preceding the disc's main menu).
There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.
I did not detect any issues to report in our review. The audio was very clean, nicely rounded, and equally well-balanced throughout the entire film. If there is any room for improvements and such are introduced in a future remix, I am convinced that they will be cosmetic adjustments that do not alter the overall solid quality of the audio.
NOTE: All of the supplemental features on this Blu-ray release are perfectly playable on North American Blu-ray players, including the PS3.
Are there women out there that are actually willing to tolerate guys like Albert Brooks' character from Modern Romance? I can understand how a powerful Hollywood producer with similar 'qualities' can temporarily become attractive to some women, but I find it hard to believe that someone so emotionally unstable like Brooks' editor can be seen as a reliable long-term partner. As far as I am concerned, he is everything that a smart and independent woman would not want to have in her life, and in fact almost certainly needs medical help. I admit that I laughed quite a bit while watching him go off the rails, but there were only a few times when it felt right. Indicator/Powerhouse Films' recent Blu-ray release is sourced from a decent remaster that was prepared by Sony Pictures in the United States and is Region-Free. RECOMMENDED.
1975
1985
1986
Contains Exclusive Artcards
2016
Indicator Series | Standard Edition
1975
2019
1929
2021
Masters of Cinema
1923
Matrimonio all'italiana
1964
The Woody Allen Collection
1977
2007
1985
Laviamoci il cervello / Let's Wash Our Brains / RoGoPaG | Masters of Cinema
1963
Masters of Cinema
1930
Arrow Academy
1969
2010
Collector's Edition
1983
2004
Remastered
1989