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WSR Detailed DVD Review
Better Luck Tomorrow
Genre: Drama

Reviewed In Issue 81 (Feb 2004) Of Widescreen Review®

Stars:
Parry Shen, Jason Tobin, Sung Kang, Roger Fan, John Cho, Karin Anna Cheung & Jerry Mathers

WSR Review Scores
WSR Picture Rating: 3.5
DD Sound Rating: 3.5
DTS Sound Rating: NA
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score: 3.5
Internet Links
http://www.paramount.com/homeentertainment

Special Features
Includes audio commentary by writer/director Justin Lin and writers Ernesto M. Forondo and Fabian Marquez.


 DVD General Information

(Studio/Distributor): Paramount Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number): 34285
(MPAA Rating): R
(Rating Reason):

Violence, drug use, language and sexuality
(Retail Price): $29.99
(DVD Type): Single Side, Single Layer (DVD5)
(Widescreen Edition): Yes
(Full Screen Edition): No
(Anamorphic Widescreen): Yes
(Running Time In Minutes): 99
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Regional Coding): 1
(Theatrical Year): 2003
(Theatrical Release): Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release): No
(DVD Release Date): 09/30/03
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

 Credits Information

(Director): Justin Lin
(Screenplay/Written By): Subscribe Now!
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(Director Of Photography): Subscribe Now!
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(Editor): Subscribe Now!
(Supervising Sound Editors): Subscribe Now!
(Re-Recording Mixers): Subscribe Now!
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  DVD Picture Information

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(Measured DVD Letterbox Aspect Ratio): Subscribe Now!

  DVD Sound Information

(DVD Soundtrack): Subscribe Now!
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  WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
"Better Luck Tomorrow" is the story of stereotypical Asian high school overachiever Ben Manibag (Shen). After being blasted by another student in the high school paper, Ben takes up petty criminal acts to break his own mold. But when selling cheat sheets evolves into bigger crimes and scams, Ben and his buddies find their lives spinning out of control. (Suzanne Hodges)

DVD Picture:
The anamorphically enhanced 1.78:1 DVD picture exhibits images that have somewhat of a soft appearance, but can be capably detailed. Colors are well balanced, with accurate fleshtones and deep blacks. While whites can occasionally appear slightly blown out, contrast and shadow delineation are satisfying. The picture can have a gritty texture at times, and some noise and dust is noticed in the source element. Edge enhancement and pixel breakup are also noticed on occasion. (Suzanne Hodges)

Soundtrack:
The Dolby