BLU-RAY REVIEW

Better Living Through Chemistry

Featured In Issue 187, June 2014

Picture4
Sound3.5
WSR Score3.5
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):
Universal Studios Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number):
61127453
(MPAA Rating):
Not Rated
(Rating Reason):
(Retail Price):
$26.98
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
No
(Running Time In Minutes):
92
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
Not Indicated
(Theatrical Year):
2014
(Theatrical Release):
Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release):
No
(Disc Release Date):
04/15/14
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
No
(Director):
Geoff Moore & David Posamentier
(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, DTS 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 Better Living Through Chemistry, pharmacist Douglas Varney (Rockwell), after a lifetime of suburban respectability, rebels by embarking on an exhilarating drug-and-alcohol-fueled affair with the gorgeous and seductive Elizabeth Roberts (Wilde). When their uninhibited antics put them on a collision course with his wife (Monaghan), her husband (Liotta), and the DEA, Doug fears he is about to lose everything—until he and Elizabeth hatch a scheme they think will allow them to have it all. (Gary Reber)

There are no special features.

The 2.40:1 1080p AVC picture is nicely crafted with strong primary hues, yet retains a natural presence. At times colors pop, and contrast is well balanced with deep blacks and revealing shadow delineation. Fleshtones are naturally hued throughout. Resolution is softly focused, though, close-ups reveal finer detail in facial features, hair, clothing, and object texture. Overall, this is a pleasing visual that won't disappoint. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is conventionally produced, with the music score providing what surround envelopment there is. Atmospherics and sound effects are subdued and generally subtle. The focus is dialogue, and spatial integration is decent. The music score is energetic and often energized and provides limited but effective surround. But dialogue is the focus. (Gary Reber)