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    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    Bag Man, The

    Featured In Issue 187, June 2014

    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):
    Universal Studios Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number):
    61130314
    (MPAA Rating):
    R
    (Rating Reason):
    Violence, sexual content and language
    (Retail Price):
    $26.98
    (Disc Type):
    Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
    (Widescreen Edition):
    Yes
    (Full Screen Edition):
    No
    (Running Time In Minutes):
    109
    (Color Type):
    Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access):
    Yes
    (Closed Captioned):
    Yes
    (Regional Coding):
    Not Indicated
    (Theatrical Year):
    2014
    (Theatrical Release):
    No
    (Direct-To-Video Release):
    Yes
    (Disc Release Date):
    04/01/14
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    No
    (Director):
    David Grovic
    (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):
    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):

    In The Bag Man, Jack (Cusack), a low-rent thug, thinks he's hit the jackpot when legendary crime boss Dragna (De Niro) gives him a simple assignment: pick up a package and deliver it—don't open it, and don't ask questions. But over the course of a long and increasingly violent night waiting in a seedy motel, the bag attracts the attention of a slew of shady characters-including femme fatale Rivka (Da Costa), the sleazy motel manager (Glover), a one-eyed gangster (Fingaz), an undersized hit man (Klebba), and a crooked cop (Purcell). As Jack awaits the arrival of Dragna, each of them will make a play for the package's unknown contents and Jack will do whatever it takes to hang on to his precious cargo. Based on the original screenplay Motel by James Russo. (Gary Reber)

    Special features include a behind-the-scenes featurette (HD 29:49), upfront previews, and an UltraViolet digital copy.

    The 2.40:1 1080p AVC picture was digitally photographed with the Sony F65 camera system. Given the dark look, the image quality is cinematic with strong primaries and deep, solid blacks. Fleshtones are naturally rendered and realistic. Shadow definition is generally well resolved, though, at times the levels get buried in dimness of the night lighting. Still, the imagery exhibits an eerie effect, which enhances the suspense. Resolution is well defined during closeups of facial features, hair, clothing, and object texture. This is a dark visual experience that plays with lighting highlights to intensive the mystery. (Gary Reber)

    The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is nicely recorded with an undercurrent of deep low-frequency energy delivered by the .1 LFE channel. The music score also is well recorded with an expansive soundstage presence that extends aggressively to immerse the soundfield with directionalized sonics. The music is intense and supportive. Atmospherics and sound effects enhance the gunfire and blows and provide the sonic character of the motel location. Dialogue is naturally presented with good spatial integration throughout. This is an engaging soundtrack that at times delivers a holosonic® experience that intensifies the violence. (Gary Reber)

    Reason #67 Why Readers Love Widescreen Review:

    Widescreen Review is by far the most in-depth and comprehensive publication in its genre. Readers of all levels of expertise can increase their knowledge and enhance their enjoyment of the Home Theatre experience. Widescreen Review is one of the few, if not the only publication, that actually affects manufacturer’s decisions in regards to their product lines. I believe one of the reasons DTS decoding is so common in consumer equipment is due to the efforts of Gary Reber and his associates. Additionally, the magazine has heralded the importance of a properly calibrated video monitor. Consumers who are so inclined now have the information needed in order for their equipment, from entry level to state-of-the-art, to be the best that it can be. Add to this the software reviews, articles on emerging technologies, and meticulous equipment reviews, and you have a magazine that sets the standard for others to emulate. This is why I read Widescreen Review.

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