BLU-RAY REVIEW

Night Train

Featured In Issue 142, September 2009

Picture5
Sound5
WSR Score4
Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
(Studio/Distributor):
National Entertainment Media
(Catalog Number):
NEM-BD-4
(MPAA Rating):
R
(Rating Reason):
Violent content and some language
(Retail Price):
$24.98
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Single Layer (BD-25)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
No
(Running Time In Minutes):
91
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
Not Indicated
(Theatrical Year):
2009
(Theatrical Release):
No
(Direct-To-Video Release):
Yes
(Disc Release Date):
07/07/2009
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
No
(Director):
M. Brian King
(Screenplay/Written By):
(Story):
(Music):
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer):
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor):
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers):
(Co-Producers):
(Producers):
(Academy Awards):
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
(Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
(Disc Soundtrack):
Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS HD Lossless 5.1
(Theatrical Sound):
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(DTS Bit Rate):
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
(Additional Languages):
(French Language):
(Spanish Language):
(Chinese Language):
(Subtitles):
(Cantonese Language):
(Mandarin Language):
(Japanese Language):
(Italian Language):
(German Language):
(Portuguese Language):

When a veteran conductor (Glover), a young pre-med student (Sobieski), and a struggling salesman (Zahn) discover a dead body onboard a Night Train, the three strangers find themselves on a collision course with destiny. Among the deceased man's possessions is a mysterious box, containing a treasure so valuable that they conspire to keep it for themselves. Their decision sets in motion a tense game of obsession and deceit, where greed betrays reason and morality gives way to temptation. (Gary Reber)

Special features include cast, director, and producer interviews (SD 28:13); the Night Train: The Making Of featurette (SD 22:52); a photo gallery; and the trailer.

The 1080p AVC picture appears to have been photographed digitally. Image quality is excellent throughout and exhibits superb contrast with deep, solid blacks and shadow delineation. The color palette is richly hued, with vibrant and warm colors that are visually pleasant. Resolution is excellent as well and reveals fine facial features, textiles, and textures. At times, the imagery is nicely dimensional, and the scenes with snow falling are visually engaging. This is a fine picture that is sure to please. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is nicely presented, with effective spatial integration of dialogue and a terrific holosonic® surround presence. The constant sound of rolling passenger train cars is enveloping, as well as effective in atmospheric sound effects, often subtlety heard but directionalized. The orchestral music score is relatively low key but is spread wide across the soundstage and deep into the surrounds. Bass extension is excellent in all channels, and the .1 LFE channel, at times, extends to below 25 Hz. Overall, this is an enjoyable soundtrack that, for a direct-to-video production, is outstanding. (Gary Reber)