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    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    Lawless

    Featured In Issue 172, December 2012

    Picture4.5
    Sound5
    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):
    Anchor Bay Entertainment
    (Catalog Number):
    BD24733
    (MPAA Rating):
    R
    (Rating Reason):
    Strong bloody violence, language and some sexuality/nudity
    (Retail Price):
    $39.99
    (Disc Type):
    Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
    (Widescreen Edition):
    Yes
    (Full Screen Edition):
    No
    (Running Time In Minutes):
    116
    (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):
    11/27/12
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    No
    (Director):
    John Hillcoat
    (Screenplay/Written By):
    (Story):
    (Music):
    (Director Of Photography):
    (Production Designer):
    (Visual Effects):
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    (Supervising Sound Editors):
    (Re-Recording Mixers):
    (Executive Producers):
    (Co-Producers):
    (Producers):
    (Academy Awards):
    (Principal Photography):
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
    (Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
    (Disc Soundtrack):
    DTS HD Lossless 5.1
    (Theatrical Sound):
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (DTS Bit Rate):
    (Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
    (Additional Languages):
    (French Language):
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    (Chinese Language):
    (Subtitles):
    (Cantonese Language):
    (Mandarin Language):
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    (German Language):
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    The bootlegger tale "Lawless" was inspired by the 2008 biographical novel "The Wettest County In The West." The story follows the bootlegging Boundurant Brothers in their quest for the American Dream in Prohibition-era Virginia. (Gary Reber)

    Special features include commentary with Director John Hillcoat and Author Matt Bondurant; six deleted scenes (HD 07:58); three featurettes: "Lawless: The True Story Of The Wettest County In The World" (HD 21:33), "Franklin County, Virgina: Then & Now" (HD 06:11), and "The Story Of the Boundurant Family" (HD 12:44); the music video "Midnight Run" performed by Willie Nelson (HD 01:39); upfront previews; and a digital copy.

    The 1080p AVC digitally captured picture is beautifully rendered with a historic look, due to filtering. As a result, the color palette appears slightly subdued but natural enough to convey realism. Contrast is generally well balance,d with deep blacks and revealing shadow delineation. Fleshtones appear naturally hued. Resolution is excellent, with fine detail revealed throughout, especially during close-ups of facial features, hair, clothing, and object texture. The imagery is pristine throughout. This is a wonderful cinematic presentation that emotionally connects the visuals with the storytelling. (Gary Reber)

    The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is nicely rendered with a dynamic yet nuanced holosonic® presence. Atmospherics and sound effects enhance the realism of the visual presentation with an enveloping soundfield and at times aggressive surround presence that is directionalized. The .1 LFE is activated during the more intense violent scenes and is effective in enhancing the suspense. Dialogue is naturally rendered with decent spatial integration but at times is chesty sounding. The music score is nicely recorded and expansive across the soundstage and extended to the surrounds. This is a very satisfying and effective soundtrack that heightens the gorgeous cinematography. (Gary Reber)

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    Dick Lew
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