• Login

    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    Bernie

    Featured In Issue 169, September 2012

    Picture5
    SoundNR
    WSR Score4
    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):
    Millennium Entertainment
    (Catalog Number):
    ME-13526
    (MPAA Rating):
    PG-13
    (Rating Reason):
    Some violent images and brief strong language
    (Retail Price):
    $29.99
    (Disc Type):
    Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
    (Widescreen Edition):
    Yes
    (Full Screen Edition):
    No
    (Running Time In Minutes):
    99
    (Color Type):
    Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access):
    Yes
    (Closed Captioned):
    Yes
    (Regional Coding):
    A
    (Theatrical Year):
    2012
    (Theatrical Release):
    Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release):
    No
    (Disc Release Date):
    08/21/12
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    No
    (Director):
    Richard Linklater
    (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 TrueHD 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):

    In a story that proves life can be stranger than fiction, Bernie is based on the true story of assistant funeral director Bernie Tiede (Black), one of the most beloved citizens of small rural town Carthage, Texas, who befriends widow Marjorie Nugent (MacLaine), the town's least popular citizen. When Marjorie disappears, things take a turn for the bizarre as the townspeople rally around Bernie when he is tried for her murder. Adapted from an article in Texas Monthly by famed true crime journalist Skip Hollandsworth. (Gary Reber)

    Special features include the featurettes True Story To Film (HD 09:27) and The Gossips (HD 12:59), a special performance of "Amazing Grace" by Jack Black (HD 07:16), 11 deleted scenes (HD 10:44), and upfront previews.

    The 1.85:1 1080p AVC picture is superb with a vibrant, colorful appearance, yet naturally rendered. Hues are rich and warm with perfect balance and tone. Fleshtones are naturally hued with impressive nuance. Contrast is well balanced with deep blacks and revealing shadow delineation. Resolution is excellent, with fine detail exhibited in both medium and long shots, and especially during close-ups of facial features, hair, clothing, and object texture. This is a bright, refreshing picture with vivid color and realistic dimension that is effectively portrayed. (Gary Reber)

    The Dolby® TrueHD 5.1-channel soundtrack is mostly dialogue focused, which sounds impressively natural and generally integrated spatially. Atmospherics are naturally realistic, with subtle surround envelopment. Sound effects are limited. The real sonic joy is the music score, and the singing and dance numbers performed by Jack Black. The music provides an immersive surround experience, though, is generally subtle. Overall, this is a well-produced soundtrack that delivers light and fun sonic support to a very unusual story. (Gary Reber)

    Reason #62 Why Readers Love Widescreen Review:

    Widescreen Review is the only place to go for no-nonsense evaluations of the audio and video qualities of a DVD before you drop your hard-earned cash for it. In an industry where the subjective is usually described in the most arcane manner possible (to the exclusion of the unwashed masses), WSR's clear and objective-as-you-can-get reviews give me the information I need to make purchasing decisions confidently.

    Sam West
    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