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    WSR Detailed DVD Review
    I Am Sam
    Genre: Drama

    Reviewed In Issue 61 (June 2002) Of Widescreen Review®

    Stars:
    Sean Penn, Michelle Pfeiffer, Dianne Wiest, Dakota Fanning, Richard Schiff, Loretta Devine, Doug Hutchison & Laura Dern

    WSR Review Scores
    WSR Picture Rating: 4.5
    DD Sound Rating: 3.5
    DTS Sound Rating: 4
    Download WSR Review
    Reference Systems
    Critics' Composite Score: 3.5
    Internet Links
    http://www.newline.com
    http://www.iamsammovie.com
    Special Features
    New Line Platinum Series release includes audio commentary with director Jessie Nelson, a 42-minute documentary, seven deleted or alternate scenes, production notes, and cast and filmmaker biographies. Disc also includes a $5 mail-in rebate coupon when consumers purchase both


     DVD General Information

    (Studio/Distributor): New Line Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number): N5537
    (MPAA Rating): PG13
    (Rating Reason):
    (Retail Price): $24.98
    (DVD Type): Single Side, Dual Layer (DVD9)
    (Widescreen Edition): Yes
    (Full Screen Edition): No
    (Anamorphic Widescreen): Yes
    (Running Time In Minutes): 132
    (Color Type): Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
    (Closed Captioned): Yes
    (Regional Coding): 1
    (Theatrical Year): 2001
    (Theatrical Release): Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release): No
    (DVD Release Date): 06/18/02
    (THX® Digitally Mastered): No

     Credits Information

    (Director): Jessie Nelson
    (Screenplay/Written By): Subscribe Now!
    (Story): Subscribe Now!
    (Music): Subscribe Now!
    (Director Of Photography): Subscribe Now!
    (Production Designer): Subscribe Now!
    (Visual Effects): Subscribe Now!
    (Costume Designer): Subscribe Now!
    (Editor): Subscribe Now!
    (Supervising Sound Editors): Subscribe Now!
    (Re-Recording Mixers): Subscribe Now!
    (Executive Producers): Subscribe Now!
    (Co-Producers): Subscribe Now!
    (Producers): Subscribe Now!
    (Academy Awards): Subscribe Now!

      DVD Picture Information

    (Principal Photography): Subscribe Now!
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio): Subscribe Now!
    (Measured DVD Anamorphic Aspect Ratio): Subscribe Now!
    (Measured DVD Letterbox Aspect Ratio): Subscribe Now!

      DVD Sound Information

    (DVD Soundtrack): Subscribe Now!
    (Theatrical Sound): Subscribe Now!
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack): Subscribe Now!
    (DTS Bit Rate): Subscribe Now!
    (Dolby Digital Bit Rate): Subscribe Now!
    (Additional Languages): Subscribe Now!
    (Subtitles): Subscribe Now!
    (WSR Superb Sound Qualities): Subscribe Now!

      WSR Narrative Review
    Story Synopsis:


    DVD Picture:
    The anamorphically enhanced 1.85:1 DVD exhibits very pleasing picture quality, with images that are sharp and nicely detailed throughout. Colors are stylized, with blue hues utilized to represent more stressful or difficult periods in the character Sam

    Soundtrack:
    This film

      WSR DVD-ROM Review
    DVD-ROM Enhancements Rating:
    Disappointing

    DVD-ROM Review:
    From the boring-at-best DVD-ROM main menu, you are given three options to continue your special feature fix, Script to Screen, Original Web site, and Hot Spot. By clicking the Script to Screen label, you are allowed to view the script in the same familiar layout as most other InterActual titles. The script is separated by the chapters of the DVD, and each chapter is printable directly from the InterActual software. The small video screen on the left showing the chapter can be maximized to full screen by clicking the View in Fullscreen label. The movie can also be paused by clicking anywhere on the video window. Selecting the Original Web Site button will take you online to the I Am Sam official Web site, where you can find information on the story, as well as biographies for the main cast and crew. Also here are production notes, still images from the film, and a few desktop images and a screensaver. On top of all that, there is a listing of the songs in the soundtrack, with short audio clips available to hear. Clicking the Hot Spot will take you to the Web page of the newest big title New Line is trying to promote. I enjoyed listening to the clips of the soundtrack, but it really bothers me when the only things available to us can be accessed by anyone. Besides the screenplay, nothing was included only for the DVD owners. For this, I condemn I Am Sam by branding Disappointing onto it for all time. (Danny Richelieu)

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