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    • WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

    Unexpected Family, An
    Genre:Drama

    Reviewed In Issue 26 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
    Stockard Channing, Stephen Collins, Christin Ebersole.

    WSR Review Scores
    Picture Rating: 3.5
    Sound Rating: 3
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    Reference Systems
    Critics' Composite Score:
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    Supplementals

    DVD General Information
    (Studio/Distributor): Universal Studios Home Video
    (Catalog Number): 43044
    (MPAA Rating): PG
    (Retail Price): $39.99
    (Running Time In Minutes): 93
    (Color Type): Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
    (Closed Captioned): Yes
    (Theatrical Release): 1996
    (LD Release Date):
    (THX® Digitally Mastered): No

    Credits Information
    (Director): Larry Elikann
    (Screenplay/Written By):
    (Story):
    (Music):
    (Director Of Photography):
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    DVD Picture Information
    (Principal Photography): Academy Standard Flat
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1
    (Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1

    DVD Sound Information
    (DVD Soundtrack): Dolby Surround
    (Theatrical Sound): Dolby Stereo A
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (Remastered Dolby Digital):
    (Remastered DTS Digital Surround):
    (Additional Languages):

    WSR Narrative Review
    Story Synopsis:
    Barbara Whitney (Stockard Channing) becomes the reluctant mother of An Unexpected Family, when her sister Ruth (Christine Ebersole) leaves them in her care. Matt (Noah Fleiss) and Megan (Chelsea Russo) are two generally well behaved kids and sense their aunt’s tension, especially after they all realize Ruth has abandoned them. Barbara’s fun-loving friend, Sam (Stephen Collins), teaches her to open her heart to Matt and Megan, easing their anger and showing them the real meaning of love. An Unexpected Family is a heartwarming true-to-life story about family and love.

    LaserDisc Picture:
    The 1.78:1 picture exhibits somewhat oversaturated colors, but with natural fleshtones and deep blacks. Images are sharp and detailed with mediocre shadow detail. Noise and artifacts are sometimes apparent.

    LaserDisc Soundtrack:
    The soundtrack is essentially monaural in character with the music score being the dominant stereo element. The music is recorded well and projects a wide soundstage image. Dialogue sounds ADR-produced and wanting in spatial integration. Overall, this is a mediocre listening experience for a 1996 release.
    (Surround Bass Below 50Hz):
    (Aggressive System Surround):
    (Intense 25Hz Bass):
    (Deep Bass Challenging):
    (Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
    (Holosonic Soundfield):
    (Aggressive Split Surround):
    (Center Back Surround Imaging):
    (Directionalized Dialogue):
    Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
    Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
    Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
    Superb Color Fidelity:
    Superb Cinematography:
    Reference LaserDisc:
    Collector Edition: