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    WSR Detailed DVD Review
    Monster
    Genre: Drama

    Reviewed In Issue 62 (July 2002) Of Widescreen Review®

    Stars:
    Billy Bob Thornton, Heath Ledger, Halle Berry, Sean Combs & Peter Boyle

    WSR Review Scores
    WSR Picture Rating: 4
    DD Sound Rating: 4
    DTS Sound Rating: NA
    Download WSR Review
    Reference Systems
    Critics' Composite Score: 4
    Internet Links
    http://www.monstersballthefilm.com
    http://www.lionsgatefilms.com
    Special Features
    Includes a behind-the-scenes segment, which reveals how focused and unshakable the actors are in the film, no matter how much goofball Billy Bob Thornton tries to shake them; an eight-minute featurette on the music score; four deleted scenes; and two audio commentary tracks: one with director Marc Forster and cinematographer Roberto Schaefer, and a very entertaining commentary with Forster, Thornton, and Berry.


     DVD General Information

    (Studio/Distributor): Lions Gate Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number): ST7982D
    (MPAA Rating): R
    (Rating Reason):

    		 Strong sexual content, language and violence
    (Retail Price): $24.99
    (DVD Type): Single Side, Dual Layer (DVD9)
    (Widescreen Edition): Yes
    (Full Screen Edition): No
    (Anamorphic Widescreen): Yes
    (Running Time In Minutes): 112
    (Color Type): Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
    (Closed Captioned): Yes
    (Regional Coding): 1
    (Theatrical Year): 2002
    (Theatrical Release): Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release): No
    (DVD Release Date): 06/11/02
    (THX® Digitally Mastered): No

     Credits Information

    (Director): Marc Forster
    (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!
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    (Supervising Sound Editors): Subscribe Now!
    (Re-Recording Mixers): Subscribe Now!
    (Executive Producers): Subscribe Now!
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    (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!
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      WSR Narrative Review
    Story Synopsis:
    Hank Grotowski (Thornton) is a seemingly rigid correctional officer who shares a home with his ailing racist father (Boyle) and a son, Sonny (Ledger), whom he says he hates. But his son teaches him a lesson that permanently changes life as Hank knows it. One night, Hank reluctantly comes to the aid of Leticia (Berry), a beautiful Africa-American screaming for her young son clinging to life after being hit by a car. They soon find themselves to be unexpected soul mates connected by tragic grief and shocking coincidence.

    DVD Picture:
    The anamorphically enhanced 2.35:1 DVD exhibits a somewhat desaturated, deglamorized appearance that complements the mood of the film. Images appear sharp and nicely detailed, though some scenes appear a bit soft. Colors are well balanced, if a little muted, with natural fleshtones. The picture can have a somewhat harshly contrasted appearance, with blown-out whites. There is some edge enhancement and a bit of pixelization noticed. Overall, the imagery nicely serves the storytelling. (Suzanne Hodges)

    Soundtrack:
    The Dolby

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