WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Homegrown
Genre:Comedy

Reviewed In Issue 30 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Billy Bob Thornton, Hank Azaria, Kelly Lynch, Jon Bon Jovi, Ryan Phillippe, Judge Reinhold, Jon Tenney, Ted Danson, John Lithgow, Jamie Lee Curtis

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 3
Sound Rating: 4.5
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
Internet Links

Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): Columbia/TriStar Home Video
(Catalog Number): 25326
(MPAA Rating): R
(Retail Price): $34.98
(Running Time In Minutes): 102
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Theatrical Release): 1998
(LD Release Date):
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): Stephen Gyllenhaal
(Screenplay/Written By): Nicholas Kazan & Stephen Gyllenhaal
(Story): Jonah Raskin & Stephen Gyllenhaal
(Music): Trevor Rabin
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Richard Sherman
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor): Michael Jablow, ACE
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): Tom Rosenberg, Sigurjon Sighvatsson Ted Tannenbaum & Naomi Foner
(Co-Producers):
(Producers): Jason Clark

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 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:
Homegrown tells a story of three unappreciated pot farmers, Jack (Billy Bob Thornton), Carter (Hank Azaria) and Harlan (Ryan Phillippe). After they witness the murder of their boss (John Lithgow), the naive trio decide to take over the business themselves, but their days on the dope farm have ill-prepared them for the high-stakes game of finding buyers for their stash.

LaserDisc Picture:


LaserDisc Soundtrack:
(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:
DVD To LaserDisc Comparison:
The LaserDisc often appears unnaturally oversaturated and plugged up with vibrant, but undefined colors. While the anamorphically enhanced DVD is also oversaturated, colors are slightly more refined with better definition and clarity. Fleshtones are generally natural and sometimes colors look quite appealing. Images are sharp and detailed, though sometimes wanting in naturalness and texture. The LaserDisc’s overall appearance is soft, but there are inconsistencies in both versions. Contrast and shadow delineation are generally good, but there is minor noise apparent on both versions for a mediocre presentation. The anamorphic and letterbox aspect ratios are matted at 1.85:1, as is the LaserDisc. The Dolby® Digital 5.1 discrete soundtrack on the DVD and LaserDisc is effectively spatial with no dramatic difference in character when compared to the LaserDisc matrix PCM soundtrack. The music score is dynamic with excellent recording quality and surround envelopment. Dialogue is very forward sounding and wanting in natural spatial integration. Surround delineation on the discrete version is good with an effective aggressive presence. Bass response is deep and powerful with occasional support from the .1 LFE channel.