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    • WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

    Clockwatchers
    Genre:Comedy

    Reviewed In Issue 31 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
    Toni Collette, Parker Posey, Lisa Kudrow, Alanna Ubach, Paul Dooley

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

    Supplementals

    DVD General Information
    (Studio/Distributor): BMG Independants
    (Catalog Number): ID4439BM
    (MPAA Rating): PG13
    (Retail Price): $39.98
    (Running Time In Minutes): 96
    (Color Type): Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
    (Closed Captioned): Yes
    (Theatrical Release): 1997
    (LD Release Date): 11/98
    (THX® Digitally Mastered): No

    Credits Information
    (Director): Jill Sprecher
    (Screenplay/Written By): Jill Sprecher & Karen Sprecher
    (Story): NA
    (Music): Mader
    (Director Of Photography):
    (Production Designer): Pamela Marcotte
    (Visual Effects):
    (Costume Designer):
    (Editor): Stephen Mirrione
    (Supervising Sound Editors):
    (Re-Recording Mixers):
    (Executive Producers): John Flock
    (Co-Producers): Karen Sprecher
    (Producers): Gina Resner

    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): Dolby Stereo SR
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (Remastered Dolby Digital):
    (Remastered DTS Digital Surround):
    (Additional Languages):

    WSR Narrative Review
    Story Synopsis:
    Four temporary employees learn how to look busy while waiting for five o’clock in Clockwatchers. Their work days are fairly uneventful with the exception of minor pranks and nasty gossip until a new office assistant is hired and desk supplies and personal items begin to disappear. Naturally, the first to fall under suspicion are the temps, and their friendship begins to crumble under the pressure.

    LaserDisc Picture:
    The picture, matted at 1.82:1, exhibits natural color fidelity with accurate fleshtones, rich colors and deep blacks. Images are sharp with nicely rendered fine detail and texture. Contrast and shadow delineation are generally good throughout, though darker scenes are wanting in resolution and better visual information. Some scenes appear slightly plugged up, with minor noise and are wanting in clarity. There are no distracting artifacts.

    LaserDisc Soundtrack:
    The Dolby® Surround matrix soundtrack sounds veiled and muffled with poor dialogue spatial integration. The music score is terrific and wraps well into the surround channel. Surround envelopment is at times effectively aggressive. Dialogue sounds forward and out of balance. Overall this is a mediocre and inconsistent soundtrack.
    (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:
    DVD To LaserDisc Comparison: