7.2 | / 10 |
Users | 4.6 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
An autobiographical account of poet and rock musician Jim Carroll's delinquent high school years, during which he excelled playing basketball for a boy's club team, meanwhile hustling to support his growing heroin addiction.
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Lorraine Bracco, James Madio, Mark Wahlberg, Vincent PastoreComing of age | 100% |
Biography | 85% |
Sport | 69% |
Drama | 57% |
Crime | 10% |
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: LPCM 2.0
None
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Based on Jim Carroll's novel, "The Basketball Diaries" (1995) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Palm Pictures. The supplemental features on the disc include a short interview with Jim Carroll and reading of "Just Visiting"; as well as short cast and crew interviews. In English, without optional subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".
I just want to be pure
Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Scott Kalvert's The Basketball Diaries arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Palm Pictures.
This is a pleasing high-definition transfer. Fine object detail is convincing, clarity strong and contrast levels good. The film's color-scheme does not disappoint either - blues, reds, yellows, brown, blacks and whites look fresh and natural. However, do not expect well saturated browns and blacks; the film has a distinctively warm look. Mild edge-enhancement is noticeable during selected scenes (for example, take a look at the scene where Jim and his friends jump off the cliff). I also noticed mild digital noise creeping in during some of the nighttime scenes. Macroblocking is not a serious issue of concern. There are no serious stability issues to report on this review either. Blown through a digital projector, the film looks very strong. Finally, I noticed a few flecks popping up here and there, but did not see any large cuts, warps, or splices while viewing the film. To sum it all up, the Blu-ray disc herein reviewed is a strong upgrade over the existing R1 SDVD of The Basketball Diaries. (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 are two audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English LPCM 2.0. For the record, Palm Pictures have not provided optional English subtitles for the main feature.
Generally speaking, the English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is convincing. The surround channels are not overly active but there are a couple of scenes with good ambient effects. The bass is strong but never punchy, and the high-frequencies are not overdone. The dialog is exceptionally clean and easy to follow. There are no serious balance issues with Graeme Revell's score, but I felt that some of the original songs in The Basketball Diaries were rather distant and not very convincing. I also felt that the dynamic amplitude of the DTS-HD Mater Audio 5.1 track was fairly limited. Finally, I did not detect any disturbing pops, cracks, or hissings to report in this review.
I tested a number of scenes in the film with the LPCM 2.0 track and really liked how they sounded. For example, the scene where Jim is offered coke for the first time is much more convincing with the LCPM 2.0 track; I could clearly hear his heavy breathing. With the English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, the entire scene has a completely different vibe. With other words, I would strongly recommend that you also test the English LPCM 2.0 track. For the record, I did not detect any pops, cracks, or hissings.
Jim Carroll interview & reading - a short interview recorded in Toronto, Canada in December, 1981, in which Jim Carroll recalls how he started writing, how and why he became a drug addict, etc. After the interview, Carroll reads "Just Visiting" (at the St. Mark's Poetry Project, Ukrainian Hall, NYC, 1981). In English, not subtitled. (7 min, 1080i).
Interviews - a collage of very short interviews with director Scott Kalvert, producer Liz Heller, Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Wahlberg, James Madio, Patrick McGaw, Ernie Hudson, Lorraine Bracco, and Bruno Kirby. The actors talk about the characters they play, the message of the film, etc. The director and producer quickly talk about their decision to make a film based on Jim Carroll's novel. In English, not subtitled. (10 min, 1080i).
Palm Previews - trailers for other Palm Pictures releases. (1080i).
Scott Kalvert's The Basketball Diaries is a flawed but effective film, carrying an important message. The Blu-ray disc herein reviewed, courtesy of Palm Pictures, looks and sounds good. I must say, however, that I am somewhat disappointed to see that it does not arrive with optional English subtitles for the main feature. RECOMMENDED.
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