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    WSR Detailed DVD Review
    Pieces Of April
    Genre: Drama

    Reviewed In Issue 85 (Jun 2004) Of Widescreen Review®

    Stars:
    Katie Holmes, Patricia Clarkson, Derek Luke, Alison Pill, John Gallagher, Jr., Alice Drummond, Sean Hayes & Oliver Platt

    WSR Review Scores
    WSR Picture Rating: 2
    DD Sound Rating: 3
    DTS Sound Rating: NA
    Download WSR Review
    Reference Systems
    Critics' Composite Score: 3.5
    Internet Links


    Special Features
    Special features include audio commentary by writer/director Peter Hedges and a 15-minute All The Pieces Together featurette. There are also up-front ads.


     DVD General Information

    (Studio/Distributor): MGM Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number): 1005951
    (MPAA Rating): PG13
    (Rating Reason):
    (Retail Price): $25.98
    (DVD Type): Single Side, Dual Layer (DVD9)
    (Widescreen Edition): Yes
    (Full Screen Edition): Yes
    (Anamorphic Widescreen): Yes
    (Running Time In Minutes): 80
    (Color Type): Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
    (Closed Captioned): Yes
    (Regional Coding): 1
    (Theatrical Year): 2003
    (Theatrical Release): Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release): No
    (DVD Release Date): 02/24/04
    (THX® Digitally Mastered): No

     Credits Information

    (Director): Peter Hedges
    (Screenplay/Written By): Subscribe Now!
    (Story): Subscribe Now!
    (Music): Subscribe Now!
    (Director Of Photography): Subscribe Now!
    (Production Designer): Subscribe Now!
    (Visual Effects): Subscribe Now!
    (Costume Designer): Subscribe Now!
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    (Supervising Sound Editors): Subscribe Now!
    (Re-Recording Mixers): Subscribe Now!
    (Executive Producers): Subscribe Now!
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      DVD Picture Information

    (Principal Photography): Subscribe Now!
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio): Subscribe Now!
    (Measured DVD Anamorphic Aspect Ratio): Subscribe Now!
    (Measured DVD Letterbox Aspect Ratio): Subscribe Now!

      DVD Sound Information

    (DVD Soundtrack): Subscribe Now!
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      WSR Narrative Review
    Story Synopsis:
    Rebellious April Burns (Holmes) wants to have a happy Thanksgiving holiday with her family for once. She has invited them to the modest apartment she shares with her boyfriend Bobby (Luke) for the traditional feast. But while April is desperately trying to make everything perfect -- despite having a broken oven -- her family bickers about all the bits and Pieces Of April that irritate them on their way to the big event. (Suzanne Hodges)

    DVD Picture:
    The anamorphically enhanced 1.85:1 DVD picture exhibits DV-originated images that are of satisfying quality, considering the source elements. Images are generally sharp and smooth, though details tend to break up in wider shots. The color palette is quite limited to bland hues that lack natural saturation. Contrast is adequate, if a bit low at times. The typical anomalies that come from a video source are noticed, like the shimmering of textures and the lack of fine gradients. Some edge halos are also noticed. This is not a title to showcase in your home theatre, but rather one in which to enjoy the simplicities of its story. (Suzanne Hodges) The disc also includes a modified 1.33:1 (4:3) full screen version of the movie -- not reviewed.

    Soundtrack:
    The Dolby

    Reason #58 Why Readers Love Widescreen Review:

    I read WSR to keep current with the latest A/V gear and technology, gain greater understanding of what's relevant to having a great home theatre, and filter out what's not. Learning that there are levels of quality product (not just bound by price), and once quality is established, it's more about how sight and sound appeal to individual taste.

    Robert Bradshaw
    26864 Mandelieu Drive, Murrieta, CA 92562 • Phone: 951 676 4914 • Fax: 951 693 2960
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