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    • WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

    Barton Fink
    Genre:Drama

    Reviewed In Issue 26 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
    John Turturro, John Goodman, Judy Davis, Michael Lerner & John Mahoney

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

    Supplementals

    DVD General Information
    (Studio/Distributor): 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number): 0190585
    (MPAA Rating): R
    (Retail Price): $39.98
    (Running Time In Minutes): 117
    (Color Type): Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
    (Closed Captioned): Yes
    (Theatrical Release): 1991
    (LD Release Date): 7/9/97
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):

    Credits Information
    (Director): Joel Coen
    (Screenplay/Written By):
    (Story):
    (Music):
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    DVD Picture Information
    (Principal Photography): Flat
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 1.66:1
    (Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 1.66:1

    DVD Sound Information
    (DVD Soundtrack): Dolby Surround
    (Theatrical Sound): Dolby Stereo A
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (Remastered Dolby Digital):
    (Remastered DTS Digital Surround):
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    WSR Narrative Review
    Story Synopsis:
    From the internationally acclaimed Coen Brothers, Barton Fink (winner 1991 Cannes Film Festival) is a witty down and out story about the hardships of a New York playwright, Barton Fink (John Turturro), who heads to 1940s Hollywood to pursue a screenwriting career. Barton’s hopes are soon dashed when the only studio job he gets is to write a low budget wrestling movie. A terminal case of writer’s block and neverending interruptions from his eccentric neighbor (John Goodman) send Barton on a disturbing journey—turning his once bright dreams into nightmares.

    LaserDisc Picture:
    The picture exhibits a slight brown tint that is carried throughout the color scheme, but gives a certain warmth to the images. The picture is generally sharp and detailed with mediocre, brownish shadow detail. Only the slightest noise is apparent, but there are artifacts throughout. The aspect ratio is 1.66:1.

    LaserDisc Soundtrack:
    The soundtrack is well produced with effective sound effects and spatial envelopments, but most of the time, the effect is monaural. The swing dance scene is wonderful as the music jumps across the soundstage in full stereo
    (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: