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    • WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

    Waiting For Guffman
    Genre:Comedy

    Reviewed In Issue 28 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
    Lewis Arquette, Bob Balaban, Christopher Guest, Matt Keeslar, Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Parker Posey & Fred Willard

    WSR Review Scores
    Picture Rating: 2
    Sound Rating: 2
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    Reference Systems
    Critics' Composite Score:
    Internet Links

    Supplementals

    DVD General Information
    (Studio/Distributor): Warner Home Video
    (Catalog Number): C2526
    (MPAA Rating): R
    (Retail Price): $34.98
    (Running Time In Minutes): 84
    (Color Type): Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
    (Closed Captioned): Yes
    (Theatrical Release): 1996
    (LD Release Date):
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):

    Credits Information
    (Director): Christopher Guest
    (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):
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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 SR
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (Remastered Dolby Digital): No
    (Remastered DTS Digital Surround): No
    (Additional Languages):

    WSR Narrative Review
    Story Synopsis:
    Waiting For Guffman is a madcap “mockumentary” of sorts, in which the small town of Blaine, Missouri, anxiously awaits a show commorating their 150th anniversary. Christopher Guest stars as Corky St. Clair, a man who has created the ambitious musical—Red, White And Blaine—that stars a handful of colorful residents chosen from a humorous audition. While rehearsing, St. Clair and the cast receive word that a big-time talent scout, Mort Guffman, will review the show, possibly for Broadway. Critics and audiences agree, “Waiting For Guffman does for regional theater what This Is Spinal Tap did for rock ‘n’ roll.”

    LaserDisc Picture:
    The picture, matted at 1.85:1, is filmed documentary-style and exhibits inconsistent visual qualities throughout. Exteriors are natural looking with good color fidelity, while interior scenes are often oversaturated with colors that lack definition. Images are generally sharp and detailed, although sometimes wanting, with good shadow detail and contrast. Slight noise and minor artifacts are apparent.

    LaserDisc Soundtrack:
    Other than the occasional stereo sounds, the soundtrack is mostly monaural.
    (Surround Bass Below 50Hz): No
    (Aggressive System Surround): No
    (Intense 25Hz Bass): No
    (Deep Bass Challenging): No
    (Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
    (Holosonic Soundfield): No
    (Aggressive Split Surround): No
    (Center Back Surround Imaging): No
    (Directionalized Dialogue): No
    Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
    Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
    Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
    Superb Color Fidelity:
    Superb Cinematography:
    Reference LaserDisc:
    Collector Edition: