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    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    Grandma

    Featured In Issue 207, June 2016

    Picture3.5
    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):
    Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number):
    46348
    (MPAA Rating):
    R
    (Rating Reason):
    Language and some drug use.
    (Retail Price):
    $$39.99
    (Disc Type):
    Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
    (Widescreen Edition):
    Yes
    (Full Screen Edition):
    (Running Time In Minutes):
    79
    (Color Type):
    Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access):
    Yes
    (Closed Captioned):
    Yes
    (Regional Coding):
    A, B, C
    (Theatrical Year):
    (Theatrical Release):
    Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release):
    (Disc Release Date):
    2/9/2016
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    (Director):
    Peter Weitz
    (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):
    (Subtitles):

    In Grandma, Elle Reid (Tomlin) has just gotten through breaking up with her girlfriend when her granddaughter Sage (Garner) unexpectedly shows up needing $600 before sundown. Temporarily broke, Grandma Elle and Sage spend the day trying to get their hands on the cash, as their unannounced visits to old friends and flames end up rattling skeletons and digging up secrets. Unapologetic and candid, the story navigates the intricacies of relationships between three generations of women. (Gary Reber)

    Special features include commentary by Actors Lily Tomlin, Sam Elliot, Julia Garner and Director Paul Weitz; the featurette A Family Portrait (HD 25:15); a Q&A with Tomlin, Elliott, and Weitz; the theatrical trailer; and upfront previews.

    The 1080p AVC picture is pretty mediocre with no exceptional visuals. Imagery is natural enough with natural hues and at times hues that pop, such as Sage's mother's red dress. The picture is digitally captured and exhibits a "hard' visual appearance. Fleshtones are generally natural in appearance, but various lighting conditions deteriorate the accuracy. Contrast is generally decent but shadow delineation is often wanting Resolution also is decent with fine detail exhibited in close-ups. Overall, the picture is acceptable but wanting in warmth and richness. (Gary Reber)

    The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is conventionally constructed with surround energy nuanced and delivered via the music and some segments of energized atmospherics and sound effects. The music is light and sporadic. Bass is not really a factor. The focus is on dialogue, which is generally decently integrated spatially but always intelligible with excellent fidelity. Overall, this is a low-keyed soundtrack that works to support the storytelling. (Gary Reber)

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