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    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    Houdini

    Featured In Issue 190, October 2014

    Picture5
    Sound5
    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):
    Lionsgate Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number):
    45426
    (MPAA Rating):
    Not Rated
    (Rating Reason):
    (Retail Price):
    $29.99
    (Disc Type):
    Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
    (Widescreen Edition):
    Yes
    (Full Screen Edition):
    No
    (Running Time In Minutes):
    174
    (Color Type):
    Color With B/W Sequences
    (Chaptered/Scene Access):
    Yes
    (Closed Captioned):
    Yes
    (Regional Coding):
    A
    (Theatrical Year):
    2014
    (Theatrical Release):
    No
    (Direct-To-Video Release):
    Yes
    (Disc Release Date):
    10/07/14
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    No
    (Director):
    Uli Edel
    (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):

    The History Channel's four-hour scripted mini-series "Houdini" unveils even more of the secrets behind the greatest magician of all time. His ability to escape from handcuffs, straitjackets, and water tanks is legendary—breaking the shackles of his past proved more challenging. The story follows the world-renowned master of escape's transformation from immigrant into the world's first superstar. Driven, disciplined, and actively chasing the American Dream, Houdini constantly pushed his physical limits to accomplish feats of strength that amazed audiences in an age of spectacle. And though they saw what he wanted them to see, his reality was more elusive than his escapes. Based on the book "Houdini: A Mind In Chains: A Psychoanalytic Portrait" by Bernard C. Meyer, M.D. (Gary Reber)

    Special features include four featurettes: "Houdini The Greatest!" (HD 03:56), "The Great Escapes" (HD 04:00), "The Real Houdini" (HD 03:09), and "Cheating Death" (HD 03:34); upfront previews; and an UltraViolet digital copy.

    The 1080p AVC picture is gorgeous, with a warm and rich color palette that is filmic. Hues are vivid and vibrant, with strong primaries that are beautifully rendered. Fleshtones are naturally hued and accurate throughout. Resolution is excellent throughout, with fine detail revealed in facial features, hair, clothing, and object texture. Contrast also is excellent with deep, solid blacks, bright highlights, and revealing shadow delineation. This is a wonderful production that is visually pleasing throughout. (Gary Reber)

    The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is effectively enveloping with an aggressive surround presence. Atmospherics and sound effects enhance the sense of dated historical environments with aggressive surround. The orchestral music score is nicely recorded with a wide and deep soundstage that extends to the surrounds and provides an immersive soundfield presence. Dialogue is consistently intelligible and decently integrated spatially. This is a wonderful holosonic® soundtrack experience with superb dynamics and deep .1 LFE enhancement. (Gary Reber)

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    Stephen Bagwell
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