• Login

    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    Anonymous

    Featured In Issue 164, February 2012

    Picture5
    Sound5
    WSR Score4.5
    Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
    (Studio/Distributor):
    Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number):
    39431
    (MPAA Rating):
    PG-13
    (Rating Reason):
    Some violence and sexual content
    (Retail Price):
    $35.99
    (Disc Type):
    Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
    (Widescreen Edition):
    Yes
    (Full Screen Edition):
    No
    (Running Time In Minutes):
    130
    (Color Type):
    Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access):
    Yes
    (Closed Captioned):
    Yes
    (Regional Coding):
    A, B & C
    (Theatrical Year):
    2011
    (Theatrical Release):
    Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release):
    No
    (Disc Release Date):
    02/07/12
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    No
    (Director):
    Roland Emmerich
    (Screenplay/Written By):
    (Story):
    (Music):
    (Director Of Photography):
    (Production Designer):
    (Visual Effects):
    (Costume Designer):
    (Editor):
    (Supervising Sound Editors):
    (Re-Recording Mixers):
    (Executive Producers):
    (Co-Producers):
    (Producers):
    (Academy Awards):
    (Principal Photography):
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
    (Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
    (Disc Soundtrack):
    Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS HD Lossless 5.1
    (Theatrical Sound):
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (DTS Bit Rate):
    (Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
    (Additional Languages):
    (French Language):
    (Spanish Language):
    (Chinese Language):
    (Subtitles):
    (Cantonese Language):
    (Mandarin Language):
    (Japanese Language):
    (Italian Language):
    (German Language):
    (Portuguese Language):

    Set in the political snake-pit of Elizabethan England, Anonymous speculates on an issue that has for centuries intrigued academics and brilliant minds... who was the author of the plays credited to William Shakespeare? The film poses one possible answer, focusing on a time when cloak-and-dagger political intrigue, illicit romances in the Royal Court, and the schemes of greedy nobles hungry for the power were exposed in the most unlikely of places: the London stage. (Gary Reber)

    Special features include commentary with Director Roland Emmerich and Writer John Orloff; three featurettes: Who Is The Real William Shakespeare? (HD 10:39), More Than Special Effects (HD 13:08) and Speak The Speech... (HD 16:14); three deleted scenes (HD 02:54); two extended scenes (HD 03:29); an Anonymous PS3 Wallpaper/Theme; up-front previews; and BD-Live functionality.

    The 1080p AVC picture is gorgeously rendered and perfectly depicts an age long ago when natural light lit the day and candles lit the night. Anna Foerster's cinematography is warmly hued with the color palette reflected by the light available. Fleshtones are pale hued but visually natural within each setting. Contrast is excellent, with deep blacks and revealing shadow delineation. Resolution is excellent, with fine detail revealed in facial features, hair, garments, and object texture; which immensely enhances the sense of realism. Even the presence of a rain-drenched open-air theatre is dramatically rendered. This is a spectacular visual experience with exceptional atmosphere captured throughout. (Gary Reber)

    The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is nicely nuanced and dynamic when appropriate. The orchestral music score is sweeping, with a wide and deep soundstage presence that extends aggressively into the surrounds, for an enveloping presence. Atmospherics and special effects are subtle but powerful at times and always effectively balanced within the whole of the sound elements. Deep bass is limited, but when applied, the .1 LFE channel enhances the dramatics without exaggeration. Dialogue sounds natural throughout and generally integrated spatially. While dialogue focused, this is a well-produced soundtrack that perfectly supports the storytelling and the time period depicted. (Gary Reber)

    Reason #111 Why Readers Love Widescreen Review:

    Widescreen Review provides reviews of the latest DVD releases and new video technologies. The widescreen reviews are concise, accurate, and dependable. Frequently, the magazine explains in detail about recent technology and why and how our latest gizmos work. I loved the articles on various display technologies - how they are different, how they work, and how they will replace CRTs in the near future. Widescreen Review has updated my video knowledge more than any other video rag.

    Gil Patmore
    26864 Mandelieu Drive, Murrieta, CA 92562 • Phone: 951 676 4914 • Fax: 951 693 2960
    Copyright © Information • All Rights Reserved • www.widescreenreview.com • Web Site Established In 1995 • Privacy Policy • Partners