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Awakening |
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Genre:Drama
Reviewed In Issue 21 Of Widescreen Review®
Stars:
Robert De Niro, Robin Williams, John Heard, Julie Kavner, Penelope Ann Miller, Max Von Sydnow |
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DVD General Information |
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(Studio/Distributor): |
Columbia/TriStar Home Video |
(Catalog Number): |
81526 |
(MPAA Rating): |
PG13 |
(Retail Price): |
$39.95 |
(Running Time In Minutes): |
120 |
(Color Type): |
Color |
(Chaptered/Scene Access): |
Yes |
(Closed Captioned): |
Yes |
(Theatrical Release): |
1990 |
(LD Release Date): |
5/96 |
(THX® Digitally Mastered): |
No |
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Credits Information |
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(Director): |
Penny Marshall |
(Screenplay/Written By): |
Steve Zaillian |
(Story): |
NA |
(Music): |
Randy Newman |
(Director Of Photography): |
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(Production Designer): |
Anton Furst |
(Visual Effects): |
Process Projection Effects & Navestar |
(Costume Designer): |
Cynthia Flynt |
(Editor): |
Jerry Greenberg & Battle Davis |
(Supervising Sound Editors): |
Jerry Ross |
(Re-Recording Mixers): |
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(Executive Producers): |
Penny Marshall, Anre Schmidt & Elliott Abbott |
(Co-Producers): |
NA |
(Producers): |
Walter E. Parks & Lawrence Lasker |
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DVD Picture Information |
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(Principal Photography): |
Academy Standard Flat |
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): |
1.85:1 |
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): |
1.85:1 |
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DVD Sound Information |
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(DVD Soundtrack): |
Dolby Surround |
(Theatrical Sound): |
Dolby Stereo SR |
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack): |
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(Remastered Dolby Digital): |
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(Remastered DTS Digital Surround): |
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(Additional Languages): |
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WSR Narrative Review |
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Story Synopsis:
Based on the book by Oliver Sacks, M.D. Awakenings tells the story about a neurologist who uses an experimental drug to awaken a patient who has been “asleep” for 30 years. Inspired by the true story, it stars Williams as Dr. Malcolm Sayer, who, in 1969 created the drug L-DOPA, which lifts the surviving victims of the encephalitis lethargica pandemic from their zombie-like trances. A strong bond forms between the doctor and Leonard Lowe (De Niro), one of his primary patients.
LaserDisc Picture:
The picture is matted at 1.85:1. The picture quality is problematic with poor color fidelity and inconsistencies. It appears that there is a brownish hue to the scenes which cause a general distortion of colors, particularly noticeable on fleshtones. Shadow detail is poor with some scenes overly dark. Slight noise and minor artifacts also are apparent.
LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The sound is veiled and bright, especially in the dialogue, and bass is wanting. The fine music score’s surround presence is subtle.
(Surround Bass Below 50Hz): |
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(Aggressive System Surround): |
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(Intense 25Hz Bass): |
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(Deep Bass Challenging): |
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(Aggressive 0.1 LFE): |
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(Holosonic Soundfield): |
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(Aggressive Split Surround): |
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(Center Back Surround Imaging): |
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(Directionalized Dialogue): |
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Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality: |
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Superb Music Score Recording Quality: |
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Superb Special Visual Effects Quality: |
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Superb Color Fidelity: |
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Superb Cinematography: |
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Reference LaserDisc: |
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Collector Edition: |
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