• Login

    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    Nothing Like The Holidays

    Featured In Issue 145, December 2009

    Picture2.5
    SoundNR
    WSR Score1.5
    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):
    Anchor Bay Entertainment
    (Catalog Number):
    N3069
    (MPAA Rating):
    PG-13
    (Rating Reason):
    (Retail Price):
    $39.98
    (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):
    2008
    (Theatrical Release):
    Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release):
    No
    (Disc Release Date):
    10/27/09
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    No
    (Director):
    Alfredo De Villa
    (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, Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
    (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):

    It's Christmastime in Chicago, and the far-flung members of the Rodriguez family are converging at their parents' home to celebrate the season. During the course of this eventful week, traditions will be celebrated, secrets revealed, old resentments forgotten, familial bonds re-affirmed, and the healing power of laughter will work its magic. (Tricia Spears)

    Special features include commentary with Actor and Producer Freddy Rodriguez, Director Alfredo De Villa, and Producer Robert Teitel; the featurettes Nothing Like A Family: Cast Reunion (HD 11:44) and Picture-In-Picture Insider Exclusive With The Cast (HD 01:38:31); bloopers (HD 15:04); the theatrical trailer; additional trailers; up-front ads; and a digital copy.

    The 2.35:1 1080p AVC picture is mediocre, with poor contrast, crushed blacks, and undefined shadow depth. Fleshtones appear yellowish and distorted. There is an overall filtered look, with dull colors that make the picture look terribly unnatural. Resolution is not refined, and the imagery appears soft, with grain that is apparent throughout. Unfortunately, this is an undistinguished picture experience. (Gary Reber)

    The Dolby® TrueHD 5.1-channel soundtrack is conventional, with a loud and forward music score. Dialogue lacks good spatial integration and is basically disconnected from the scenes. Bass is solid but not impressive. At times, distortion occurs in the dialogue, especially when the dialogue is forward sounding. This is a mediocre soundtrack that is adequate but not memorable. (Gary Reber)

    Reason #63 Why Readers Love Widescreen Review:

    I am an older guy who had not bought any A/V equipment for the last 14 years. I was really out of the loop as to what was happening. Did not even own a DVD player until now. This summer, my wife and I decided to build a small home theatre in our basement. Widescreen Review has been an invaluable research partner. The room was completed in mid September and now Widescreen Review can really show its stuff. The extensive DVD reviews are the final word for us when picking movies to watch. The news and equipment reviews keep us current, as we start down the never-ending path of upgrade-itis. Thanks for a great magazine.

    Daniel Brown
    26864 Mandelieu Drive, Murrieta, CA 92562 • Phone: 951 676 4914 • Fax: 951 693 2960
    Copyright © Information • All Rights Reserved • www.widescreenreview.com • Web Site Established In 1995 • Privacy Policy • Partners