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WSR Detailed DVD Review
Japanese Story
Genre: Drama

Reviewed In Issue 88 (Sep 2004) Of Widescreen Review®

Stars:
Toni Collette & Gotaro Tsunashima

WSR Review Scores
WSR Picture Rating: 4
DD Sound Rating: 4
DTS Sound Rating: NR
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score: 3
Internet Links
www.japanesestory.com

Special Features
Includes audio commentary by director Sue Brooks and writer Alison Tilson, five deleted scenes with optional commentary, talent biographies, a still gallery, and the trailer. There are also up-front ads.


 DVD General Information

(Studio/Distributor): Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number): 04462
(MPAA Rating): R
(Rating Reason):

Some Sexuality And Language.
(Retail Price): $24.96
(DVD Type): Single Side, Dual Layer (DVD9)
(Widescreen Edition): Yes
(Full Screen Edition): No
(Anamorphic Widescreen): Yes
(Running Time In Minutes): 100
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Regional Coding): 1
(Theatrical Year): 2003
(Theatrical Release): Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release): No
(DVD Release Date): 05/11/04
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

 Credits Information

(Director): Sue Brooks
(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!
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  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!
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  WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Sandy Edwards (Colette) is a geologist and software designer who is asked by her business partner (Dyktynski) to help snag a new client. Reluctant, Sandy meets Hiromitsu (Tsunashima), a reserved Japanese businessman and agrees to take him on a tour of the Australian Outback. The unlikely pair form a friendship, but their lives are soon tragically changed in Japanese Story. (Suzanne Hodges)

DVD Picture:
The anamorphically enhanced 2.35:1 DVD picture exhibits sharp and detailed images with well balanced contrast and shadow delineation. There are, however, a few scenes that appear somewhat blurry or smeared, but other scenes in which textures are very nicely rendered. Colors are richly saturated, showcasing the bold red dirt of Australia. Fleshtones are mostly well balanced and blacks are nicely deep and solid. Edge enhancement is minimal, and there is also some minor pixelization noticed. (Suzanne Hodges)

Soundtrack:
The Dolby