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    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    sex, lies and videotape

    Featured In Issue 145, December 2009

    Picture4
    SoundNR
    WSR Score3.5
    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):
    Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number):
    29632
    (MPAA Rating):
    R
    (Rating Reason):
    (Retail Price):
    $24.95
    (Disc Type):
    Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
    (Widescreen Edition):
    Yes
    (Full Screen Edition):
    No
    (Running Time In Minutes):
    99
    (Color Type):
    Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access):
    Yes
    (Closed Captioned):
    Yes
    (Regional Coding):
    Not Indicated
    (Theatrical Year):
    1989
    (Theatrical Release):
    Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release):
    No
    (Disc Release Date):
    11/17/09
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    No
    (Director):
    Steven Soderbergh
    (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 TrueHD 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):

    sex, lies and videotape is a languid tale of simmering sexuality and sharp-witted humor. John (Gallagher), who's married to Ann (MacDowell), is carrying on a steamy affair with Ann's sister, Cynthia (San Giacomo). Ultimately, all are forever changed by their involvement in a video project by John's friend Graham (Spader). (Tricia Spears)

    Special features include commentary with Writer/Director Steven Soderbergh and Neil Labute, the 20 Year Reunion At The Sundance Film Festival (SD 03:26), a deleted scene with optional commentary by Soderbergh, Steven Soderbergh On The Trailers (SD 04:40), Steven Soderbergh On sex, lies and videotape (SD 08:11), notes on Remastering And Restoration, and previews.

    As with the previously reviewed anamorphically enhanced DVD in Issue 30, the 1.85:1 picture exhibits good clarity, with sharp and detailed images and excellent resolution. Contrast and shadow delineation are nicely rendered, with generally good visual information in the darkest of scenes. Color fidelity exhibits accurate fleshtones, rich and warm colors, and deep, solid blacks. Some interior scenes appear subdued in a dark cast, but overall, the picture looks good. (Gary Reber)

    The previously reviewed Dolby® Digital soundtrack in Issue 30 was credited to be encoded from the 4.0 discrete printmaster. The Dolby TrueHD soundtrack is credited as a 5.1-channel encoding, but the sound design is poor, mostly monaurally directed. Dialogue sounds perfectly clear but slightly forward-sounding at times. The music is extremely limited, as well as atmospheric sound effects, which when present, are barely audible in the surround channels. Essentially this is an undistinguished soundtrack. (Gary Reber)

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