redbears
07-08-2004, 02:41 PM
<center><I><B>ROADSHOW ENTERTAINMENT</I>
<h2>I AM SAM</h2>
<img src="http://forums.eyo.com.au/attachment.php?attachmentid=2141">
Released: Out Now
Rating: M15+
RRP: $24.95
<UL>DISC FEATURES AND SPECS:</b></center>
<LI>Aspect: 1.85:1, 16:9 Enhanced
<LI>Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1, dts
<LI>Subtitles: English for the hearing impaired
<LI>Audio Commentary
<LI>Documentary: Becoming Sam
<LI>Deleted/Alternate Scenes
<LI>Theatrical Press Kit
<LI>Trailer
<LI>Running Time: 126:51</UL>
<center><b>CAST:</b></center>
<b>STARRING: </b> Sean Penn, Michelle Pfieffer, Dakota Fanning, Dianne Wiest and Doug Hutchison
<b>DIRECTED BY: </b> Jessie Nelson
<center><B>FROM THE BACK COVER: </b></center>
<i>Sam Dawson (Sean Penn) is a developmentally disabled adult who has been singularly raising his daughter, Lucy, for all of her seven years. Sam provides a fun and loving environment for Lucy, but it soon becomes apparent that she is intellectually surpassing him. When she begins intentionally stunting her own growth so as not to hurt her beloved father, a social worker intervenes, removing Lucy from her home and placing her in foster care. It is now up to the courts to decide if Sam is fit to continue raising Lucy. As the day of the hearing looms, Sam seeks the aid of self absorbed, successful lawyer, Rita Harrison, who only agrees to take on Sam's case free of charge to save face with her colleagues. And so it begins: a battle of love versus ability, the individual against an unbending system. In the centre remains a father and daughter who just want to be together.
Supported by a stellar cast including Michelle Pfeiffer (What Lies Beneath), Dianne Wiest (The Horse Whisperer), Laura Dern (Jurassic Park) and 2001 Screen Actors Guild Best Supporting Actress nominee, Dakota Fanning (Trapped), Sean Penn delivers a heartwrenching and formidable performance more than worthy of his Oscar nomination.</i>
<center><b>AUDIO/VISUAL:</b></center>
<b>Audio</b>:
This DVD has two main soundtracks, dts and Dolby Digital 5.1, there is no distinguishable difference between the two. I found the dialogue to be very clear, this is very important due to the nature of the film, the actors and their characterisations. The front sound stage did most of the work, although the surrounds did a good job during music passages and scenes where there was plenty of ambient effects. Whichever soundtrack you choose when watching this film, you will be rewarded with an above average effort.
<b>Video</b>:
The video follows the high standard set by the audio, it is presented in 1.85:1 and is 16:9 enhanced. This film is shot mainly hand held, to give a different perspective. This method of film making can sometimes present additional challenges when put onto DVD. Thankfully the transfer is very good. The colours are nice and crisp and accurately presented. Some scenes had a little grain, but this was not too noticeable or distracting. There was some edge aliasing visible in some scenes, but others which you would have expected it, had none. Other than these two little things, there were no other noticeable issues. Overall this is a very clean print, which surprises at times how good it is.
<center><B>EXTRA FEATURES:</b></center>
<b>Audio Commentary </b>:
This is a solo effort with director Jessie Nelson. Ordinarily I have found that solo commentaries can be fairly boring or have big gaps. This commentary sets itself apart from the norm. Starting in the opening credits and finishing at the end, this is a comprehensive effort that covers a lot of material. Jessie Nelson is enthusiastic about the project and this comes through in what she says, and boy does she have a lot to say. Overall this is a very topical commentary that has very few breaks and is very interesting, even more so for the fact it is solo, top marks!
<b>Original Documentary: Becoming Sam </b>:
This documentary can be viewed as a whole or in six segments, although watching the segments does miss some material. It covers inspiration and research, casting, characters, look and fell of the film, soundtrack and final moments. This is a lot longer than the average featurette and has a lot of interesting material, certainly worthy of a viewing. The documentary runs for 42.30, is presented in 1.86:1 and 1.33:1 aspect with Dolby Digital 2.0 sound.
<b>Deleted / Alternate Scenes </b>:
Most deleted or alternate scenes are cut well before the final release of the film. It is obvious these ones made it a fair way in and may of only just missed out. There are seven scenes in all, each has the option of commentary with the director. The reasons for their exclusion are well explained in the commentary. Each scene is presented in 1.85:1 aspect and Dolby Digital 5.1 audio.
<b>Theatrical Press Kit </b>:
This type of extra is fairly uncommon among DVD releases. Even more uncommon is ones that contain a lot of interesting information. The press kit is broken up into three parts. About the production is presented over 28 pages, covering background information, casting, characters and other information in good detail. About the Cast is a selection of ten cast members and their biographies, there are 37 pages of information here. Finally we have the section called About the Film Makers, this covers eleven of the people involved behind the scenes, with 24 pages of information. With a total of 89 pages of information this is certainly a comprehensive effort.
<b>Trailer </b>:
This is a standard trailer, with two differences, unlike most it is in Dolby Digital 5.1 and only 1.33:1 (full frame) aspect ratio.
<center><B>OVERALL:</b></center>
This is a heart warming film about Love triumphing against the odds. It has a nice ending, not the usual Hollywood one. It covers topics that most of us would rather avoid and would be an inspiring film to most. Overall I would recommend this to anyone out there who likes feel good movies and different movies, but for fans of Sean Penn, this is a must have movie. A bonus is the nice price.
<b>I am Sam</b> is currently available with a recommended price of $24.95
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" ALIGN="center" BORDER="1">
<tr><td><B><center>Rating out of 5</b></center> </b> </td></tr>
<tr><td><B>VIDEO QUALITY</b> </td><td><B> 4.5 </b> </td></tr>
<tr><td><B>AUDIO QUALITY</b> </td><td><B> 4.0 </b> </td></tr>
<tr><td><B>EXTRAS</b> </td><td><B> 4.0 </b> </td></tr>
<tr><td><B>THE MOVIE</b> </td><td><B> 4.5 </b></td></tr>
<tr><td><B>OVERALL</B> </td><td><B> 4.25 </b></td></tr></table>
<h2>I AM SAM</h2>
<img src="http://forums.eyo.com.au/attachment.php?attachmentid=2141">
Released: Out Now
Rating: M15+
RRP: $24.95
<UL>DISC FEATURES AND SPECS:</b></center>
<LI>Aspect: 1.85:1, 16:9 Enhanced
<LI>Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1, dts
<LI>Subtitles: English for the hearing impaired
<LI>Audio Commentary
<LI>Documentary: Becoming Sam
<LI>Deleted/Alternate Scenes
<LI>Theatrical Press Kit
<LI>Trailer
<LI>Running Time: 126:51</UL>
<center><b>CAST:</b></center>
<b>STARRING: </b> Sean Penn, Michelle Pfieffer, Dakota Fanning, Dianne Wiest and Doug Hutchison
<b>DIRECTED BY: </b> Jessie Nelson
<center><B>FROM THE BACK COVER: </b></center>
<i>Sam Dawson (Sean Penn) is a developmentally disabled adult who has been singularly raising his daughter, Lucy, for all of her seven years. Sam provides a fun and loving environment for Lucy, but it soon becomes apparent that she is intellectually surpassing him. When she begins intentionally stunting her own growth so as not to hurt her beloved father, a social worker intervenes, removing Lucy from her home and placing her in foster care. It is now up to the courts to decide if Sam is fit to continue raising Lucy. As the day of the hearing looms, Sam seeks the aid of self absorbed, successful lawyer, Rita Harrison, who only agrees to take on Sam's case free of charge to save face with her colleagues. And so it begins: a battle of love versus ability, the individual against an unbending system. In the centre remains a father and daughter who just want to be together.
Supported by a stellar cast including Michelle Pfeiffer (What Lies Beneath), Dianne Wiest (The Horse Whisperer), Laura Dern (Jurassic Park) and 2001 Screen Actors Guild Best Supporting Actress nominee, Dakota Fanning (Trapped), Sean Penn delivers a heartwrenching and formidable performance more than worthy of his Oscar nomination.</i>
<center><b>AUDIO/VISUAL:</b></center>
<b>Audio</b>:
This DVD has two main soundtracks, dts and Dolby Digital 5.1, there is no distinguishable difference between the two. I found the dialogue to be very clear, this is very important due to the nature of the film, the actors and their characterisations. The front sound stage did most of the work, although the surrounds did a good job during music passages and scenes where there was plenty of ambient effects. Whichever soundtrack you choose when watching this film, you will be rewarded with an above average effort.
<b>Video</b>:
The video follows the high standard set by the audio, it is presented in 1.85:1 and is 16:9 enhanced. This film is shot mainly hand held, to give a different perspective. This method of film making can sometimes present additional challenges when put onto DVD. Thankfully the transfer is very good. The colours are nice and crisp and accurately presented. Some scenes had a little grain, but this was not too noticeable or distracting. There was some edge aliasing visible in some scenes, but others which you would have expected it, had none. Other than these two little things, there were no other noticeable issues. Overall this is a very clean print, which surprises at times how good it is.
<center><B>EXTRA FEATURES:</b></center>
<b>Audio Commentary </b>:
This is a solo effort with director Jessie Nelson. Ordinarily I have found that solo commentaries can be fairly boring or have big gaps. This commentary sets itself apart from the norm. Starting in the opening credits and finishing at the end, this is a comprehensive effort that covers a lot of material. Jessie Nelson is enthusiastic about the project and this comes through in what she says, and boy does she have a lot to say. Overall this is a very topical commentary that has very few breaks and is very interesting, even more so for the fact it is solo, top marks!
<b>Original Documentary: Becoming Sam </b>:
This documentary can be viewed as a whole or in six segments, although watching the segments does miss some material. It covers inspiration and research, casting, characters, look and fell of the film, soundtrack and final moments. This is a lot longer than the average featurette and has a lot of interesting material, certainly worthy of a viewing. The documentary runs for 42.30, is presented in 1.86:1 and 1.33:1 aspect with Dolby Digital 2.0 sound.
<b>Deleted / Alternate Scenes </b>:
Most deleted or alternate scenes are cut well before the final release of the film. It is obvious these ones made it a fair way in and may of only just missed out. There are seven scenes in all, each has the option of commentary with the director. The reasons for their exclusion are well explained in the commentary. Each scene is presented in 1.85:1 aspect and Dolby Digital 5.1 audio.
<b>Theatrical Press Kit </b>:
This type of extra is fairly uncommon among DVD releases. Even more uncommon is ones that contain a lot of interesting information. The press kit is broken up into three parts. About the production is presented over 28 pages, covering background information, casting, characters and other information in good detail. About the Cast is a selection of ten cast members and their biographies, there are 37 pages of information here. Finally we have the section called About the Film Makers, this covers eleven of the people involved behind the scenes, with 24 pages of information. With a total of 89 pages of information this is certainly a comprehensive effort.
<b>Trailer </b>:
This is a standard trailer, with two differences, unlike most it is in Dolby Digital 5.1 and only 1.33:1 (full frame) aspect ratio.
<center><B>OVERALL:</b></center>
This is a heart warming film about Love triumphing against the odds. It has a nice ending, not the usual Hollywood one. It covers topics that most of us would rather avoid and would be an inspiring film to most. Overall I would recommend this to anyone out there who likes feel good movies and different movies, but for fans of Sean Penn, this is a must have movie. A bonus is the nice price.
<b>I am Sam</b> is currently available with a recommended price of $24.95
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" ALIGN="center" BORDER="1">
<tr><td><B><center>Rating out of 5</b></center> </b> </td></tr>
<tr><td><B>VIDEO QUALITY</b> </td><td><B> 4.5 </b> </td></tr>
<tr><td><B>AUDIO QUALITY</b> </td><td><B> 4.0 </b> </td></tr>
<tr><td><B>EXTRAS</b> </td><td><B> 4.0 </b> </td></tr>
<tr><td><B>THE MOVIE</b> </td><td><B> 4.5 </b></td></tr>
<tr><td><B>OVERALL</B> </td><td><B> 4.25 </b></td></tr></table>