WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Sour Grapes
Genre:Comedy

Reviewed In Issue 32 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Steven Weber, Craig Bierko, Matt Keeslar, Karen Sillas, Viola Harris, Robyn Peterman, Orlando Jones

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

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): Warner Home Video
(Catalog Number): C2532
(MPAA Rating): R
(Retail Price): $29.98
(Running Time In Minutes): 92
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Theatrical Release): 1998
(LD Release Date): 1/99
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): Larry David
(Screenplay/Written By): Larry David
(Story):
(Music):
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Charles Rosen
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor): Priscilla Nedd-Friendly, ACE
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): Barry Berg
(Co-Producers):
(Producers): Laurie Lennard

DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography): Academy Standard Flat
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 1.78:1

DVD Sound Information
(DVD Soundtrack): Dolby Digital Surround
(Theatrical Sound): SDDS Digital
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(Remastered Dolby Digital): No
(Remastered DTS Digital Surround): No
(Additional Languages):

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Sour Grapes is a juicy comedy about bitterness between friends. Cousins Richie (Craig Bierko) and Evan (Steven Weber) are best pals as they make their way to Atlantic City. Down to pocket change, Richie borrows 50 cents from Evan for a slot machine... and wins a $400,000 jackpot. What happens after that will have you laughing at every turn of the plot.

LaserDisc Picture:
The picture, matted at 1.78:1, exhibits fully saturated, natural colors, with accurate fleshtones and deep, solid blacks. Images are sharp and detailed, with nicely rendered background definition. Some interior scenes are wanting in openness, while others are natural in color fidelity and clarity. Contrast and shadow delineation are nicely rendered. There is minor noise apparent, but no artifacts for a generally pleasing picture throughout.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The Dolby® Digital discrete and matrix PCM soundtracks are quite similar in sound quality. Surround envelopment is at times aggressive and effectively subtle throughout, enhanced by both music and ambient effects. The music score is well recorded with an expansive soundstage. Dialogue sounds natural throughout with good spatial integration. The matrix bass response is preferred—but limited. There is no .1 LFE.
(Surround Bass Below 50Hz): No
(Aggressive System Surround): Yes
(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:
No
Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
No
Superb Color Fidelity:
No
Superb Cinematography:
-
Reference LaserDisc:
No
Collector Edition:
No
DVD To LaserDisc Comparison: