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    • WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

    Commandments
    Genre:Drama

    Reviewed In Issue 26 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
    Aidan Quinn, Courteney Cox, Anthony LaPaglia.

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

    Supplementals

    DVD General Information
    (Studio/Distributor): Universal Studios Home Video
    (Catalog Number): 43124
    (MPAA Rating): R
    (Retail Price): $34.98
    (Running Time In Minutes): 88
    (Color Type): Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
    (Closed Captioned): Yes
    (Theatrical Release): 1996
    (LD Release Date): 9/9/97
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):

    Credits Information
    (Director): Daniel Taplitz
    (Screenplay/Written By):
    (Story):
    (Music):
    (Director Of Photography):
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    (Costume Designer):
    (Editor):
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    DVD Picture Information
    (Principal Photography): Academy Standard Flat
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1
    (Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 1.82:1

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

    WSR Narrative Review
    Story Synopsis:
    Commandments is the provocative film about a decent man who dares to ask of The Almighty, “Why me?” Seth Warner (Aidan Quinn) is a modern day Job. He has lost everything he holds close to his heart—his wife, his job and his home. After being taken in by his sister-in-law Rachel (Courteney Cox), Seth decides to get back at God by breaking each of the Ten Commandments. He violates the first few commandments with ease, sometimes breaking two at one time. Then, with careful calculations, Seth finishes them off in a surprising, unpredictable and unbelievable finale.

    LaserDisc Picture:
    The 1.82:1 picture exhibits inconsistencies in color fidelity. Sometimes colors are natural looking with accurate fleshtones and deep blacks, while other times seeming plugged up with a yellow hue. Shadow detail is good and images are generally sharp and detailed. The picture is overall solid with only minor occasional artifacts.

    LaserDisc Soundtrack:
    The soundtrack is nicely presented with aggressive surround and deep bass sequences. Dialogue is spatially integrated and natural sounding. The jazz music score is well recorded and expansive.
    (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: