WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Funny Bones
Genre:Comedy

Reviewed In Issue 17 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Oliver Platt, Lee Evans, Richard Griffiths, Oliver Reed, George Carl, Leslie Caron, Jerry Lewis, Ian McNeice, Terence Rigby, William Hootkins, Ticky Holgado & Ruta Lee

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 3
Sound Rating: 3
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
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Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): Hollywood Pictures Home Video
(Catalog Number): 4706 AS
(MPAA Rating): R
(Retail Price): $$39.99
(Running Time In Minutes): 128
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Theatrical Release): 1995
(LD Release Date): 11/1/95
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): Peter Chelsom
(Screenplay/Written By): Peter Chelsom & Peter Flannery
(Story): NA
(Music): John Altman
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Caroline Hanania
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor): Martin Walsh
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): Nicholas Frye
(Co-Producers): NA
(Producers): Simon Fields & Peter Chelsom

DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography): Academy Standard Flat
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1

DVD Sound Information
(DVD Soundtrack): Dolby Surround
(Theatrical Sound): Dolby Digital
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(Remastered Dolby Digital):
(Remastered DTS Digital Surround):
(Additional Languages):

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Funny Bones is a hilarious and touching comedy about a struggling second-generation stage comedian who returns to the England of his childhood to find the source of humor that made his dad so successful. Suffering from living under the shadow of his superstar father (Jerry Lewis), angst ridden comedian Tommy (Oliver Platt) blows his Las Vegas debut and beats a hasty retreat to his parents native Blackpool. Searching for his roots, he finds a lot more than he bargained for, among other things, his zany half-brother Jack (Lee Evans). Wacky (mis-)adventures ensue as the characters learn what it means to be human and what it means to be funny in this modern day classic rib-tickler.

LaserDisc Picture:
The matted 1.85:1 picture is a bit plugged and wanting detail. Fleshtones are inconsistent and exhibit a orange hue. While shadow detail is generally good, there is noise throughout, but virtually no artifacts.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The sound level is below reference and fidelity is vailed and variable. The music score is swell, providing subtle envelopment along with some good stereo directional sound effects and natural sounding dialogue.
(Surround Bass Below 50Hz):
(Aggressive System Surround):
(Intense 25Hz Bass):
(Deep Bass Challenging):
(Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
(Holosonic Soundfield):
(Aggressive Split Surround):
(Center Back Surround Imaging):
(Directionalized Dialogue):
Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
Superb Color Fidelity:
Superb Cinematography:
Reference LaserDisc:
Collector Edition: