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    WSR Detailed DVD Review
    Death Defying Acts


    Genre: Drama

    Reviewed In Issue 137 (Dec 2008) Of Widescreen Review®

    Stars:
    Guy Pearce, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Timothy Spall & Saoirse Ronan

    WSR Review Scores
    WSR Picture Rating: 3.5
    DD Sound Rating: 3.5
    DTS Sound Rating: NR
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    Reference Systems
    Critics' Composite Score: 2.5
    Internet Links


    Special Features
    Special features include a commentary track by Director Gillian Armstrong and Producer Marian MacGowan, a 26-minute making-of featurette, and the theatrical trailer.


     DVD General Information

    (Studio/Distributor): Genius Products
    (Catalog Number): 81551
    (MPAA Rating): PG
    (Rating Reason):

    		 some sensuality, thematic material, language violent content and smoking
    (Retail Price): $19.97
    (DVD Type): Single Side, Dual Layer (DVD9)
    (Widescreen Edition): Yes
    (Full Screen Edition): No
    (Anamorphic Widescreen): Yes
    (Running Time In Minutes): 97
    (Color Type): Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
    (Closed Captioned): Yes
    (Regional Coding): 1
    (Theatrical Year): 2007
    (Theatrical Release): Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release): No
    (DVD Release Date): 10/28/08
    (THX® Digitally Mastered): No

     Credits Information

    (Director): Gillian Armstrong
    (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:
    In 1926 Harry Houdini (Pearce) is at the top of his game, with audiences flocking to see him perform his Death Defying Acts. But behind the bright lights and notoriety lies the tortured soul of a man grieving the loss of his mother. Having been unable to hear his dying mom

    DVD Picture:
    The anamorphically enhanced 2.36:1 DVD delivers deep, consistent blacks and nicely defined shadows to create a fairly dimensional-looking image. Resolution is good, although the finer details appear smeared. Fleshtones have a pale, bluish complexion, giving people a deathly hue. Contrast is balanced well, but highlights appear too hot at times. Colors are bright and bold and really pop from the screen. Minor compression artifacts are recognizable throughout, but they are not overly distracting. The same goes for edge enhancement, which is noticeable, but not a major distraction. (Danny Richelieu)

    Soundtrack:
    The Dolby

    This Disc Contains The Following WSR-Rated Superb Qualities:
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