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
Talk Radio


Universal
Genre: Drama

Reviewed In Issue 48 (May 2001) Of Widescreen Review®

Stars:
Eric Bogosian, Alec Baldwin, Ellen Greene, Leslie Hope, John C. McGinley, John Pankow & Michael Wincott

WSR Review Scores
WSR Picture Rating: 3.5
DD Sound Rating: 3.5
DTS Sound Rating: NA
Download WSR Review
Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score: 4
Internet Links
http://www.universalstudios.com/home

Special Features
Includes production notes and cast and crew biographies.


 DVD General Information

(Studio/Distributor): Universal Studios Home Video
(Catalog Number): 20908
(MPAA Rating): R
(Rating Reason):

NA
(Retail Price): $24.98
(DVD Type): Single Side, Single Layer (DVD5)
(Widescreen Edition): Yes
(Full Screen Edition): No
(Anamorphic Widescreen): Yes
(Running Time In Minutes): 109
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): No
(Regional Coding): 1
(Theatrical Year): 1988
(Theatrical Release): Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release): No
(DVD Release Date): 10/31/00
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

 Credits Information

(Director): Oliver Stone
(Screenplay/Written By): Subscribe Now!
(Story): Subscribe Now!
(Music): Subscribe Now!
(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!
(Theatrical Sound): Subscribe Now!
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack): Subscribe Now!
(DTS Bit Rate): Subscribe Now!
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate): Subscribe Now!
(Additional Languages): Subscribe Now!
(Subtitles): Subscribe Now!
(WSR Superb Sound Qualities): Subscribe Now!

  WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Based on the play by Eric Bogosian & Tad Savinar and the book Talked To Death: The Life And Murder Of Alan Berg by Stephen Singular, Talk Radio is an unnerving film about the high energy, low brow world of shock-talk radio. Bogosian stars as Barry Champlain, an offensive Dallas talk radio host who finds his show under consideration for national syndication. He decides to pull out all the stops to see just how much he can incite his hotheaded listeners, but unfortunately, one proves to be just a bit too unstable for Barry

DVD Picture:
The anamorphically enhanced 1.85:1 DVD exhibits images that are slightly soft throughout. Though some scenes exhibit sharp images and nicely rendered detail, others scenes are slightly hazy. Colors are well balanced, with generally accurate fleshtones, and deep blacks. Contrast and shadow delineation are nicely rendered. Minor aliasing problems are apparent, and fine details shimmer slightly. Minor source element artifacts are apparent throughout. Overall, the picture is solid, with few distractions.(Suzanne Hodges)

Soundtrack:
The Dolby Digital 2.0 matrix surround soundtrack is conventional movie stereo. Distribution is generally adequate, with the surrounds at times subtly engaged for atmosphere and general envelopment. The dialogue is the driving element of the soundtrack, and the aged recording somewhat limits the fidelity of voices, but spatial integration is acceptable. Deep bass is adequate but otherwise not particularly distinguished. (Perry Sun)

This Disc Contains The Following WSR-Rated Superb Qualities:
Subscribe Now!