BLU-RAY REVIEW

Parkland

Featured In Issue 181, November 2013

Picture4.5
SoundNR
WSR Score5
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-14276
(MPAA Rating):
PG-13
(Rating Reason):
Bloody sequences of ER trauma procedures, some violent images and language, and smoking throughout
(Retail Price):
$24.99
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Single Layer (BD-25)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
No
(Running Time In Minutes):
87
(Color Type):
Color With B/W Sequences
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
A
(Theatrical Year):
2013
(Theatrical Release):
Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release):
No
(Disc Release Date):
11/05/13
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
No
(Director):
Peter Landesman
(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):

Parkland recounts the chaotic events that occurred in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963, the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. The film weaves together the perspectives of a handful of ordinary individuals suddenly thrust into extraordinary circumstances: the young doctors and nurses at Parkland Hospital; Dallas' chief of the Secret Service; an unwitting cameraman who captured what became the most watched and examined film in history; the FBI agents who nearly had the gunman within their grasp; the brother of Lee Harvey Oswald, left to deal with his shattered family; and JFK's security team, witnesses to both the President's death and Vice President Lyndon Johnson's rise to power over a nation whose innocence was forever altered. This is the ferocious, heart-stopping and powerful untold true story of the people behind the scenes of one of the most scrutinized events in history. Based on the book Four Days In November: The Assassination Of President John F. Kennedy by Vincent Bugliosi. (Gary Reber)

Special features include commentary by Director/Writer Peter Landesman, six deleted scenes (HD 06:29), and upfront previews.

The 1.78:1 1080p AVC picture, photographed with the Arri Alexa camera system, is effectively cinematic with "you are there" presence shot with hand-held cameras. The impact is sadly horrific and emotionally engaging. The color palette is naturally hued throughout, with accurate fleshtones. Colors are rich and warm, with balanced contrast. Blacks are deep and solid, and shadow delineation is revealing. Resolution is excellent, with fine detail exhibited, especially during close-ups. This is a well-executed filmic presentation that evokes realism throughout. (Gary Reber)

The Dolby® TrueHD 5.1-channel soundtrack is monaurally focused with an emphasis on dialogue. Dialogue spatial integration is excellent. Atmospherics, sound effects, and Foley are effectively supportive throughout. Surround envelopment is limited, except for the well-recorded James Newton Howard orchestral music score, which provides a sense of dimension. Bass support in the .1 LFE channel is limited but supportive as well. This is an intense sonic experience that perfectly complements the horrific storytelling. (Gary Reber)