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    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    First Sunday

    Featured In Issue 132, June 2008

    Picture3.5
    SoundNR
    WSR Score2.5
    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):
    25554
    (MPAA Rating):
    PG-13
    (Rating Reason):
    For language some sexual humor and brief drug references
    (Retail Price):
    $38.96
    (Disc Type):
    Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
    (Widescreen Edition):
    Yes
    (Full Screen Edition):
    No
    (Running Time In Minutes):
    98
    (Color Type):
    Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access):
    Yes
    (Closed Captioned):
    Yes
    (Regional Coding):
    A
    (Theatrical Year):
    2008
    (Theatrical Release):
    Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release):
    No
    (Disc Release Date):
    05/06/08
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    No
    (Director):
    David E. Talbert
    (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 TrueHD 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):

    When petty criminal Durell (Ice Cube) is told by his ex-girlfriend and baby-momma that he has one week to pay her the $17,000 she needs to clear her mounting debt, or she will be forced to move herself and Durell Jr. (C.J. Sanders) out of state, he hatches a desperate plot to rob his neighborhood church's building fund. Along with best friend and fellow petty thief Lee John (Morgan), the two set out to deplete the church's coffers. On the First Sunday they attempt to rob the holy house, Durell and Lee John come up against an unexpected foe—the parishioners of the church, who attempt to set the boys on the straight and narrow path. (Stacey Pendry)

    Special features include a feature commentary track by Writer/Director David E. Talbert, 14 deleted scenes with optional commentary from Talbert, a four-minute gag reel, two outtake scenes, David E. Talbert's Camera Wrap Speech (three minutes), a featurette Hood Robbin' With The First Sunday Cast And Crew (16 minutes), a trivia pop-up option The Almighty Version Fact Track, and previews.

    The anamorphically enhanced 1.83:1 DVD exhibits a decent picture quality with bright, vibrant colors, but fleshtones have a pinkish hue and the image can have a somewhat hazy appearance. Black levels are relatively elevated, but shadow delineation is nicely rendered. Whites can bloom, but contrast is generally well balanced. Resolution isn't superb, but there are times, especially on close shots, when fine details are sharp. Pixel breakup can be noticed from time to time, but edge enhancement is minor. The H.264 AVC-encoded Blu-ray Disc shows deep black levels and solid, although not pristine, resolution. The picture can look somewhat washed out, which can leave the image looking flat and dimensionless. (Danny Richelieu)

    The Dolby® Digital 5.1-channel soundtrack is generally relegated to the front three screen channels, but the front stage is well mixed, with a broad, deep delivery. The surround channels are used at times throughout the presentation, but they are rarely used effectively. Fidelity is generally good, although there are times when the dialogue can sound forward and thin. There are also times when the soundtrack sounds rather bright, almost strident. The Blu-ray Disc's Dolby TrueHD encoding lacks the level of dynamic range that the better releases possess, but dialogue sounds fairly natural. There are times, however, when it still sounds thin and forward. (Danny Richelieu)

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    Rob Mepham
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