6 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 2.5 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
A tech billionaire who gathers his childhood friends to his estate for what turns into a high stakes game of poker. Those friends have a love hate relationship with the host, a master game-player/planner, and he has concocted an elaborate scheme designed to bring a certain justice to all of them. However, Jake finds himself re-thinking his strategy when his mansion is overtaken by a dangerous home invader whose previous jobs have all ended in murder and arson.
Starring: Russell Crowe, Elsa Pataky, Liam Hemsworth, RZA, Aden YoungThriller | 100% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English: LPCM 2.0
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 0.0 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
Russell Crowe pulls off the trifecta in Poker Face, a film which he wrote and directed and in which he stars. The film does not stretch Crowe in any of those area, though it is perhaps most accomplished at the writing end, where the famed actor attempts to build something of metaphysical value, looking at friendship, family, life, death, wealth, right decisions, and wrong assumptions that all converge on a single evening that begins with a high stakes reunion poker game and turns into something else entirely. The film can't quite find a unified voice and a clearly defined purpose, however, instead choosing to push all over the map and hoping that the pieces converge into something of worth by the end. Some do, and some do not, but the film is worth watching for the try, which is evident in practically every scene.
The 1080p picture is more than satisfactory. Poker Face enjoys a crisp, clear image that is only hindered by some source noise, which for the most part is unobtrusive/ In some extreme low light shots, however (look at the 48:30 mark), it can grow bothersome in its density. Still, the picture is largely clean and very sharp. The digital source captures facial hair and details with striking, intimate command. Overall clarity is excellent, whether on those faces, high end clothes, wristwatches, cars, and other luxurious appointments seen throughout the film. The color grading is fine, too, offering sufficient depth and vividness within neutral contrast and temperature settings. Faces are healthy, natural greens are vivid, and clothes are impressively punchy, while some of the grayer modern design cues in Jake's home offer substantial color yield in a more limited area of tonal aggression. Black levels can be a little murky and soupy. No encode flaws are in evidence. This is a good presentation overall.
Poker Face may not go all-in, audio-wise, with its DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack, but it is nevertheless a winning hand. The presentation is stout, with good depth and directionality as necessary, which is quite often, actually. The track offers a nice blend of ambient film and more prominent immersion, whether gentle exterior ambience surrounding the listener at the 13-minute mark or more intense crashing ocean waves a bit later on. Directionality is solid as evidenced by the ride to Jake's house where a few million-dollar cars make their way to his luxurious abode. Musical engagement is solid and agreeable, with fine clarity, front spacing, healthy surround wrap, and well-balanced bass. Dialogue is clear and center positioned for the duration. This is nothing special, but it gets the job dine with agreeable output in all areas of concern.
This Blu-ray release of Poker Face contains no supplemental content. The main menu screen offers only options to play the film, select chapters, and setup the limited audio and subtitles options. No DVD or digital copies are included with purchase. This release does not ship with a slipcover.
Poker Face is an interesting film in that it's alluring on one hand and somewhat tired on the other. It tries to differentiate itself with a bold exploration of significant metaphysical content, but the second half "home invasion" angle feels rather stale. Still, the film works well enough to warrant a watch, though one can imagine a superior picture with a little more work to refine it. Screen Media's featureless Blu-ray does offer solid video and audio. Worth a look.
(Still not reliable for this title)
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