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    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    Blood Ties

    Featured In Issue 191, November 2014

    Picture3.5
    Sound3.5
    WSR Score4
    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):
    45283
    (MPAA Rating):
    R
    (Rating Reason):
    Violence, [ervasive language, some sexual conent and brief drug use
    (Retail Price):
    $24.99
    (Disc Type):
    Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
    (Widescreen Edition):
    Yes
    (Full Screen Edition):
    No
    (Running Time In Minutes):
    128
    (Color Type):
    Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access):
    Yes
    (Closed Captioned):
    Yes
    (Regional Coding):
    A
    (Theatrical Year):
    2013
    (Theatrical Release):
    Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release):
    Yes
    (Disc Release Date):
    06/24/14
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    No
    (Director):
    Guillaume Canet
    (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):
    Dolby Digital 5.1, 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):

    "Blood Ties" begins when Chris (Owen) is released from prison. Reluctantly waiting for him on the outside is his younger brother Frank (Crudup), a NYPD cop with an aspiring future. After trying to stay on the straight path without any success, Chris inevitably descends back into a life of crime and puts Frank in a tough predicament. Does he cover for his brother and salvage the only family he has? Or does he do the right thing and risk destroying everything he loves? Based on the movie "Les Liens Du Sang" by Jacques Maillot and the novel "Deux Freres, Flic Et Truand" by Michel and Bruno Papet. (Gary Reber)

    Special features include a behind-the-scenes featurette (HD 26:22), upfront previews, and an UltraViolet digital copy.

    The 1080p AVC picture was photographed with the Arri Alexa Plus digital camera system. The production design is based on Brooklyn in the 1970s, and the imagery is generally soft in appearance. Clarity, as well as contrast, is wanting throughout, with lackluster detail, poor blacks, and shadow delineation. The color palette is thick, with a yellowish cast that results in a dull visual experience. There is a general lack of vividness, though, at times when the imagery is bright, detail is finer. Overall, this is an uneven visual presentation. (Gary Reber)

    The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is uneven in terms of surround envelopment, but at times the surrounds do come alive during gunfire exchanges, an arson fire, and a car chase. Otherwise, the focus is monaural with atmospherics in stereo. The limited music score adds some surround engagement. Dialogue is clear and decently integrated spatially. Overall, this is an undistinguished soundtrack for a modern thriller. (Gary Reber)

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