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    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    Great Buck Howard, The

    Featured In Issue 142, September 2009

    Picture5
    Sound4
    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):
    Magnolia Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number):
    10193
    (MPAA Rating):
    PG
    (Rating Reason):
    Some language including suggestive remarks, and a drug reference
    (Retail Price):
    $34.98
    (Disc Type):
    Single Side, Single Layer (BD-25)
    (Widescreen Edition):
    Yes
    (Full Screen Edition):
    No
    (Running Time In Minutes):
    90
    (Color Type):
    Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access):
    Yes
    (Closed Captioned):
    Yes
    (Regional Coding):
    Not Indicated
    (Theatrical Year):
    2009
    (Theatrical Release):
    Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release):
    No
    (Disc Release Date):
    07/21/09
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    No
    (Director):
    Sean McGinly
    (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):
    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):

    John Malkovich is The Great Buck Henry, a pompous, has-been mentalist who once charmed audiences as a casino headliner and late-night show regular with his logic-defying ability to read minds and hypnotize volunteers. Reduced to playing small towns and community centers, he refuses to accept that the world has passed him by. With the aid of a fiery publicist (Blunt), a new road manager (Hanks), and a bold stroke of fate, Buck surprisingly lands back in the American consciousness, taking everyone along for the ride. (Gary Reber)

    Special features include commentary with Writer/Director Sean McGinly and Actor Colin Hanks, a behind-the-scenes featurette (SD 09:35), three deleted scenes (SD 03:02), five extended scenes (SD 09:44), three outtakes (SD 03:39), HDNet: A Look At The Great Buck Howard (SD 04:27), and The Amazing Kreskin on his signature act (SD 05:47).

    The 1080p AVC picture is great, with an absolutely natural presence. Colors are solid, with warm and vibrant hues. Fleshtones appear accurate and exhibit fine shades of complexions. Contrast is excellent, with deep and solid blacks and perfectly balanced highlights. Shadow delineation is revealing of objects in the background, and some scenes are beautifully photographed. Resolution also is excellent, with fine facial features and textures clearly discernible. This is a fine picture experience, with a natural character that projects realism. (Gary Reber)

    The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is conventional but nicely produced, with at times, a lively sonic character and excellent dialogue intelligibility. Dialogue is often integrated spatially with the scenes, but is mostly forward sounding. The narration, though, is well balanced against the other sound elements. The lively music score fills the soundstage with a wide and deep presence that aggressively wraps into the surrounds. Otherwise, the surrounds are quiet, except for occasional background and audience sounds. Bass is solid but limited to the often-pounding music score. This is a pleasant soundtrack that works perfectly for the light, warmhearted
    storytelling. (Gary Reber)

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    Bill Makepeace
    26864 Mandelieu Drive, Murrieta, CA 92562 • Phone: 951 676 4914 • Fax: 951 693 2960
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