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    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    Secret Window

    Featured In Issue 121, June 2007

    Picture4
    SoundNR
    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):
    Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number):
    18695
    (MPAA Rating):
    PG13
    (Rating Reason):
    Violence/terror, sexual content, language
    (Retail Price):
    $28.95
    (Disc Type):
    Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
    (Widescreen Edition):
    Yes
    (Full Screen Edition):
    No
    (Running Time In Minutes):
    96
    (Color Type):
    Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access):
    Yes
    (Closed Captioned):
    Yes
    (Regional Coding):
    A, B & C
    (Theatrical Year):
    2004
    (Theatrical Release):
    Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release):
    No
    (Disc Release Date):
    04/24/07
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    No
    (Director):
    David Koepp
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    (Story):
    (Music):
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    (Academy Awards):
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    (Theatrical Sound):
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    After retreating to his lakeside cabin to write and recover from his recent divorce, Mort Rainey (Depp) is confronted by John Shooter, an unstable author who accuses him of plagiarism. Shooter leaves his manuscript on Rainey's porch and, upon investigation, Rainey discovers that the accusation is based on the Secret Window chapter in one of his published books. But when Shooter's accusations turn to threats, Mort is mortified to find people (and animals) showing up dead, and he suddenly becomes trapped in a psychological house arrest. Based upon the story "Secret Window, Secret Garden" in the novella "Four Past Midnight" by Stephen King. (Suzanne Hodges)

    Special features are the same as those on the DVD reviewed in Issue 86 and include Director David Koepp's audio commentary, four deleted scenes (two with optional commentary), a 19-minute From Book To Film featurette, a 30-minute Look Through It making-of featurette, a 14-minute Secrets Revealed highlight, and four animatic (previsualization) segments. There are also previews and up-front ads.

    The MPEG-2-encoded 2.40:1 Blu-ray Disc can look very good, with well-resolved details and vibrant colors, but black levels are not as deep as they should be, which can make many scenes look flat and lifeless. Edge enhancement, while very minor, can be seen on very high-contrast transitions. (Danny Richelieu)

    The uncompressed linear PCM 5.1-channel encoding generally sounds good, with articulate dialogue and well-placed phantom images, but an annoying high-pitched hum can be heard frequently throughout the presentation, which can be distracting. (Danny Richelieu)

    Reason #55 Why Readers Love Widescreen Review:

    I read Widescreen Review because it has had a consistent editorial perspective since its inception: a no-compromise approach to making home theatre the best that it can be. I have read the magazine cover to cover since Issue 2. Despite staff and reviewer changes over the years, thanks to Gary's leadership this perspective has never changed. As new technologies are introduced, Widescreen Review always provides in-depth analyses of not just the technology itself, but the political and industry forces that may be forcing compromises in its development. You have always sounded the clarion call to stop compression madness or any other madness that may force us to accept a home theatre experience that falls short of what it could be. Thank you!

    Steve Bjork
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