Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
WSR Detailed DVD Review
Village, The
Genre: Thriller

Reviewed In Issue 93 (Feb 2005) Of Widescreen Review®

Stars:
Joaquin Phoenix, Bryce Dallas Howard, Adrien Brody, Sigourney Weaver, William Hurt, Brendan Gleeson, Cherry Jones, Judy Greer & Michael Pitt

WSR Review Scores
WSR Picture Rating: 3.5
DD Sound Rating: 5
DTS Sound Rating: NR
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score: 2.5
Internet Links
www.thevillage.movies.com
www.touchstonepictures.com
Special Features
Special features include a 25-minute segmented making-of documentary, four deleted scenes, a five-minute diary entry read by Bryce Dallas Howard, a three-minute home movie contributed by M. Night Shyamalan (filmed when he was a kid), and a production photo gallery.


 DVD General Information

(Studio/Distributor): Touchstone Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number): 35983
(MPAA Rating): PG13
(Rating Reason):

A Scene Of Violence And Frightning Situations
(Retail Price): $29.99
(DVD Type): Single Side, Dual Layer (DVD9)
(Widescreen Edition): Yes
(Full Screen Edition): No
(Anamorphic Widescreen): Yes
(Running Time In Minutes): 108
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Regional Coding): 1
(Theatrical Year): 2004
(Theatrical Release): Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release): No
(DVD Release Date): 1/11/05
(THX® Digitally Mastered): Yes

 Credits Information

(Director): M. Night Shyamalan
(Screenplay/Written By): Subscribe Now!
(Story): Subscribe Now!
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(Director Of Photography): Subscribe Now!
(Production Designer): Subscribe Now!
(Visual Effects): Subscribe Now!
(Costume Designer): Subscribe Now!
(Editor): Subscribe Now!
(Supervising Sound Editors): Subscribe Now!
(Re-Recording Mixers): Subscribe Now!
(Executive Producers): Subscribe Now!
(Co-Producers): Subscribe Now!
(Producers): Subscribe Now!
(Academy Awards): Subscribe Now!

  DVD Picture Information

(Principal Photography): Subscribe Now!
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): Subscribe Now!
(Measured DVD Anamorphic Aspect Ratio): Subscribe Now!
(Measured DVD Letterbox Aspect Ratio): Subscribe Now!

  DVD Sound Information

(DVD Soundtrack): Subscribe Now!
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  WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Set in the late 1800s (or is it?), a small, secluded, and peaceful community is haunted by the forest that surrounds them. Creatures referred to as

DVD Picture:
The anamorphically enhanced 1.85:1 DVD picture exhibits engulfing images, thanks in part to beautiful cinematography by Roger Deakins. Colors have a natural balance, with accurate fleshtones, in a color palette that is somewhat understated and complementary to the simplistic lifestyle of the villagers. The picture can be awash in warm yellows, which symbolize safety in the story and chromatically contrast the danger of the reds, symbolic of the evil forest dwellers. Unfortunately, bit rate can be a bit low, and the picture visually suffers at times. The picture can appear smeared, and pixel breakup can be noticed. Edge enhancement is rarely an issue, however. Overall, this is an attractive picture, though some minor problems are present. (Suzanne Hodges)

Soundtrack:
Creating a deeply engrossing, energized DVD soundtrack is not an easy task to accomplish, but the mixers behind this Dolby