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Doctor Strange, Blu-ray & 3D (2017)

by Audiophile Audition | Mar 3, 2017 | DVD & Blu-ray Video Reviews

Dr. Strange is the latest in Marvel Studios’ characters, who becomes a powerful sorcerer. Doctor Strange, Blu-ray & 3D (2017) Actors: Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Benedict Wong, Mads Mikkelsen, Tilda Swinton Director: Scott Derrickson Studio: Marvel Studios/ Buena Vista Home Ent. 1433039 (2/28/17) Video: 2.39:1 for 16:9 screens, 1080p HD color 3D Audio: English DTS-HD MA 5.1, French & Spanish DD 5.1 Subtitles: English, French, Spanish Extras: Audio commentary track with director, Deleted scenes, Gag reel, “A Strange Transformation,” “Strange Company,” “The Fabric of Reality,” “Across Time and Space,” “The Score-cerer Supreme,” “Marvel Studio Phase 3 Exclusive Look,” “Team Thor Part 2” Length: 115 min. Rating: ***** Wow! This is one of the most imaginative films ever, as Cumberbatch and Director Scott Derrickson bring one of comics’ greatest characters to life. The costumes are amazingly detailed and the sets are extraordinary. The roles of the various actors are fairly demanding and the extras show some of the many hours of dance and fight choreography they must go thru. In the extra on the soundtrack, composer Michael Giacchino and a full orchestra record some of the mind-bending music for the film. There is also a short on the hilarious […]

My Golden Days (2016)

by Audiophile Audition | Jul 16, 2016 | DVD & Blu-ray Video Reviews

A wonderful French romantic drama with stunning performances by the leads. My Golden Days (2016) Cast: Mathieu Amalric, Quintin Dolmaire, Lou Roy-Lecollinet Director: Arnaud Desplechin Studio: Canal+ etc./ Magnolia Home Ent. 10951 [7/12/16] Video: 2.40:1 for 16:9 screens, color Audio: French, DTS-HD MA 5.2, Dolby 2.0 Subtitles: English, English SDH, Spanish Extras: Conversation with Director, Casting Session, Two Pauls and Three Esthers, Meeting the Actors, Theatrical trailer Length: 124 min. Rating: ***** Similar to Trauffaut with the character Antoine Doniel, Desplechin has here told another cineamatic story with Paul Dedalus continuing from My Sex Life…or How I Got Into an Argument. As the doctor Paul prepares to leave Tajikistan, he reflects on this life. There are three episodes: The first is his childhood in Roubaix France, where his mother committed suicide when he was a teenager. He next recalls a student art trip to the USSR where a clandestine and dangerous mission leads him to give his passport to a young Jewish man who needs it to emigrate to Israel. The third and longest episode concerns his return home to university, his friends, and the love of his life: Esther. I wanted to see more of French actor Mathieu Amalric, […]

Learning to Drive (2014)

by Audiophile Audition | Mar 19, 2016 | DVD & Blu-ray Video Reviews

Learning to Drive (2014) Cast: Patricia Clarkson, Ben Kingsley  Director: Isabel Coixnet  Studio: Broad Green Pictures 94174625 (1/19/16)  Video: for 16:9 1080i HD color  Audio: English DD stereo Subtitles: English, Spanish  Length: 89 min.  Rating: **** A ‘feel good’ film but the message is a little heavy handed. I have seen many positive reviews of this little art house film starring two of our greatest actors; both very adept at portraying a ‘type.’ I cannot argue with much of the general positivity vibe and, yet, I was just a bit disappointed. The plot and premise here is very simple and direct. Patricia Clarkson is Wendy, a literary critic and author in the Big Apple whose marriage is completely on the rocks due, as presented, to the philandering of her husband Ted (Jake Weber.) Her teenage daughter seems both distant and vaguely disapproving of mom but we never really get to see much of that dynamic. To add to Wendy’s predicament and sort of constant frazzled state is the fact that the long time New Yorker has never learned to drive. A chance encounter with a calm and kind-hearted cab driver from India played by Sir Ben leads to the main […]