WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Slums Of Beverly Hills
Genre:Comedy

Reviewed In Issue 32 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Alan Arkin, Natasha Lyonne, Kevin Corrigan, Jessica Walter, Rita Moreno, Carl Reiner, Marisa Tomei

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 3
Sound Rating: 2.5
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
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Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number): 0051285
(MPAA Rating): R
(Retail Price): $39.98
(Running Time In Minutes): 91
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Theatrical Release): 1998
(LD Release Date): 3/99
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): Tamara Jenkins
(Screenplay/Written By): Tamara Jenkins
(Story):
(Music): Rolfe Kent
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Dena Roth
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor): Pamela Martin
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): Robert Redford
(Co-Producers):
(Producers): Michael Nozik & Stan Wlodkowski

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:
Vivian Abramowitz (Natasha Lyonne) is a blossoming teen living in the Slums Of Beverly Hills. Her father Murray (Alan Arkin) is a struggling car salesman trying to keep Vivian and her two brothers within the city limits for the good schools and, with the landlord at his heels, the family makes a hasty nighttime retreat for another shabby apartment. Finances pick up, though, when Murray’s well-to-do brother pays him to look after his daughter (Marisa Tomei), a free-spirited escapee from a drug rehab who gives young Vivian the “education” no southern California ‘70s woman-in-the-making should be without! A stellar cast is allowed to shine with a terrific screenplay and a highly original—and honest—look at growing up.

LaserDisc Picture:
The LaserDisc delivers slightly smeared, but generally naturally rendered hues and fleshtones. Contrast and shadow delineation are nicely rendered. Images are generally sharp and detailed, but wanting in clarity. There is noise apparent, but there no distracting artifacts. The LaserDisc aspect ratio measures 1.85:1.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The matrix PCM LaserDisc sounds essentially undistinguished monaural, with surround envelopment provided by the limited music score, which at times has a near aggressive presence. The sound is dated and compressed sounding and not particularly well crafted.
(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:
No
Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
No
Superb Color Fidelity:
No
Superb Cinematography:
-
Reference LaserDisc:
No
Collector Edition:
No
DVD To LaserDisc Comparison:
The LaserDisc and DVD are similar in image quality, but the non-anamorphic DVD, viewed in component video, exhibits more refined images with subtle, more naturally rendered hues and fleshtones. Color fidelity sometimes appears smeared on the LaserDisc, but overall colors are rich and vibrant with deep blacks. Contrast and shadow delineation are nicely rendered. Images are generally sharp and detailed, but the LaserDisc is wanting in clarity. There is noise apparent on both versions, but there are no distracting artifacts. Both the LaserDisc and DVD aspect ratios measure 1.85:1. The DVD is credited as “5.1 English,” but in fact, the sound is Dolby® Digital matrix Dolby Surround as is the matrix PCM LaserDisc. Both versions sound essentially the same and the sound is largely undistinguished monaural with surround envelopment provided by the limited music score, which at times has a near aggressive presence. The sound is dated and compressed sounding and not particularly well crafted.