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    WSR Detailed DVD Review
    Meet Joe Black


    Ultimate Edition
    Genre: Drama

    Reviewed In Issue 52 (Sept 2001) Of Widescreen Review®

    Stars:
    Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins, Claire Forlani, Jake Weber, Marcia Gay Harden, Jeffrey Tambor

    WSR Review Scores
    WSR Picture Rating: 4.5
    DD Sound Rating: 4
    DTS Sound Rating: 4
    Download WSR Review
    Reference Systems
    Critics' Composite Score: 2.5
    Internet Links
    http://www.universalstudios.com/home
    http://www.dtsonline.com
    Special Features
    Two-disc


     DVD General Information

    (Studio/Distributor): Universal Studios Home Video
    (Catalog Number): 21276
    (MPAA Rating): PG13
    (Rating Reason):

    		 Rated PG-13 for an accident scene, some sexuality and brief strong language.
    (Retail Price): $26.98
    (DVD Type): Disc 1: DVD-9 / Disc 2: DVD-5
    (Widescreen Edition): Yes
    (Full Screen Edition): No
    (Anamorphic Widescreen): Yes
    (Running Time In Minutes): 180
    (Color Type): Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
    (Closed Captioned): No
    (Regional Coding): 1
    (Theatrical Year): 1998
    (Theatrical Release): Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release): No
    (DVD Release Date): 07/17/01
    (THX® Digitally Mastered): No

     Credits Information

    (Director): Martin Brest
    (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!
    (Editor): Subscribe Now!
    (Supervising Sound Editors): Subscribe Now!
    (Re-Recording Mixers): Subscribe Now!
    (Executive Producers): Subscribe Now!
    (Co-Producers): Subscribe Now!
    (Producers): Subscribe Now!
    (Academy Awards): Subscribe Now!

      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!
    (Theatrical Sound): Subscribe Now!
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack): Subscribe Now!
    (DTS Bit Rate): Subscribe Now!
    (Dolby Digital Bit Rate): Subscribe Now!
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      WSR Narrative Review
    Story Synopsis:
    Meet Joe Black stars Anthony Hopkins as Bill Parrish, a wealthy businessman about to celebrate his 65th birthday. He

    DVD Picture:
    The anamorphically enhanced 1.85:1 DVD picture appears to be the same as the previously released DVD. While the previous version was rated a 5, there is a bit of bothersome edge enhancement that is generally not accepted for the highest quality DVDs. Still, colors are well balanced, with accurate fleshtones, and deep blacks. With the exception of some softly focused scenes, the picture is quite sharp throughout. The source is revealing of artifacts and grain throughout. (Suzanne Hodges)

    Soundtrack:
    The Dolby

      WSR DVD-ROM Review
    DVD-ROM Enhancements Rating:
    Mediocre

    DVD-ROM Review:
    After the short PCFriendly installation, you are brought to the DVD-ROM main menu, which is very bland and boring, with simple links called Story, Cast, Features, Behind the Scenes, Script to Film, and DVD Newsletter. The Story section contains a extremely brief synopsis, including a introduction of the main cast and crew. This section is very easy to read, with nice contrasting colors used between the background and the main text. Biographies for six of the main cast members can be found in the Cast section. Each biography uses the same text as in the Story section, and includes a color picture of the actor. In the Features section, which can only be accessed using the second disc, you can find links to the DVD-Video portion of the disc. These are links to all the special features listed on the DVD's box under disc two. Twelve filmmaker biographies, as well as information on the actual production of the film can be found in the Behind the Scenes section. All of the subsections in this area follow the same template as far as text and backgrounds are concerned. A very traditional script, complete with print capabilities is available in the Script to Film section. The script is set up to be extremely legible while viewing the miniscule version of the film. Where Meet Joe Black lacked in showmanship, it made up for in completeness. While titles with far fewer features have received higher marks, I am forced to drop down a notch because of the utter boredom I too often encountered. (Danny Richelieu)

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