A Time To Kill DVD ***

Starring Matthew McConaughey, Samuel L Jackson, Sandra Bullock & Kevin Spacey

Directed by Joel Schumacher

Movie Review ***

This title has the none to enviable distinction of being one of the very few region 2 flippers. For those blissfully uninitiated, you'll be relieved to here that the movie is entirely dolphin friendly (and indeed free). No, "flipper" is geekspeak for "split over two sides", so half way through the picture goes black and a surreal little graphic appears of a hand and a spinning disc. Then you have to brush off the popcorn, unstick the thighs from the sofa and stomp your way over to the player.

Back to the picture for a moment - this is truly one of the absolute greats, up there with Mars Attacks! for clarity and lack of artifacts. Every bead of Deep South sweat is tantalisingly rendered on Bullock, MaConaughey and Ashley Judd, which must be good news for everybody with at least one of those pin-ups. The transfer is the usual Schumacher Panavision 2.35:1 - again, no nasty pan & scan option. The sound too is effective, thoroughly immersing you in an atmospheric score and cricket chirps.

Unfortunately, this is one of the "subtitle defaults to on" offenders, which is particularly unfortunate in this case. Yup, you have to switch the damn things off twice - once after the disc flip. I really would have liked to have given this four stars for its technical excellence (and we get a trailer thrown in), but the flipping and subtitles claw back a point.

This is the kind of story where a filmmaker's commentary would have been very revealing. The premise is excellent (man calculatedly shoots white-trash after raping his ten year old daughter), but Batman & Robin duo Joel Schumacher and scribe Akiva Goldsman can't help but turn it into a MOVIE after half an hour or so, with stereotypes and cliches dulling the early powerful impact. On all fronts, this disc is filled with potential, never fully realised.

 

Tin Cup DVD ***

Starring Kevin Costner, Renee Russo & Don Johnson

Directed by Ron Shelton

Movie Review ****

This golf-saturated romantic comedy may not seem the most obvious candidate for a dyed in the wool home-cinema-head. But don't be too hasty - I've discovered the secret of how to make this a truly cinematic experience. Turn it up really loud.

It's the music that does it. Whether it's the West Texas blues and country songs, or the almighty great timps from composer William Ross, this Dolby Digital soundtrack packs one helluva punch. The 2.35:1 picture looks good, but its not in the same league as, say, Mars Attacks! - there is a considerable amount of blocking visible on close inspection. But close inspection is the phrase - from my normal viewing distance, everything looked crystal clear, showcasing the beautiful lush greens and evocative neon signs.

A tiny bit of icing on the cake - the production notes are worth a quick skim (hey! Kevin did all is own golf!). Another fine disc that Warner's got me into.

 

The Witches Of Eastwick ***

Starring Jack Nicholson, Michelle Pfeiffer, Cher, Susan Sarandon & Veronica Cartwright

Directed by George Miller

Movie Review **

This is the oldest of all of the Warner first batch movies, but it certainly beats its nearest chronological contender, Dangerous Liaisons, in the picture department. Although the 2.35:1 Panavision frame is not as detailed as the latest transfers, and the gate weave in the opening shot is almost hypnotic (although I blame the power of Jack Nicholson for that, myself), it seems entirely free of compression funnies. In short, as soon as things settle down, the disc looks fine.

The sound is a little more tricksy. It claims to be in 5.1, despite being made in 1987 when such numbers only meant something to CSE maths teachers. My system (pro-logic), certainly contained plenty of surround though - great gosh a mighty, there was as much stuff flying round the room as in Nicholson's starter home, and occasionally it's used to good comic effect. The overall sound quality itself isn't so fabulous, however - the hiss betrays its age - and once again, the sync seemed to slip slightly from time to time (though never anywhere near as bad as Liaisons). Oh, and before I forget - subtitles default to on again. Sigh.

All things being equal, and with a trailer thrown in an all, I put most of the flaws down to forgivable age - it just claws that third star in. If it lacks the pristine finesse of a recent release, it still looks and sounds devilishly impressive for the most part.

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All reviews / articles copyright Guy Rowland (1998).