House of Sand and Fog Blu-ray - Jennifer Connelly

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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r

directed by Vadim Perelman
USA 2003

For those unfamiliar with Andre Dubus III's heartbreaking novel House of Sand and Fog, it is probably hard to imagine how the fate of a modest house can be riveting. But the conceit is ineluctably compelling, centering on the stubborn determination of a man and a woman from vastly different backgrounds, both dead set on owning the same humble ranch-style house with a partial ocean view.

The movie adaptation's most indelible character is a former colonel in the Iranian army, Massoud Behrani, played brilliantly by Ben Kingsley. Almost as unforgettable are two actors largely unknown to American audiences. Iranian actress Shohreh Aghdashloo plays Nadi Behrani, Kingsley's wife, with so much dignity and heart that she deserves to be among this year's quintet of Oscar-nominated actresses. (Kingsley is a shoo-in for Oscar consideration.) Almost as moving is the performance of teenage Jonathan Ahdout, who plays their good-hearted, Americanized son.

Excerpt from Claudia Puig;s review at USA TODAY located HERE!

Posters

Theatrical Release: December 19th, 2003 - USA (limited)

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Comparison:

UMVD - Region 1- NTSC vs. Studio Hamburg Enterprises - Region 'B' - Blu-ray

Box Cover
Distribution	UMVD - Region 1- NTSC	Studio Hamburg Enterprises (DE) - Region FREE - Blu-ray
Runtime	2:06:00	2:06:00
Video	1.78:1 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 6.44 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s	1.78:1 1080P Single-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 22,337,965,763 bytes Feature: 22,123,524,096 bytes Video Bitrate: 24.48 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate:
Bitrate: Blu-ray
Audio	English (Dolby Digital 5.1 Dolby) English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Dolby), DUB: French (Dolby Digital 5.1 Dolby)	Dolby Digital Audio English 384 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 384 kbps DUB: Dolby Digital Audio German 384 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 384 kbps
Subtitles	English (hearing impaired), French, Spanish, None	None
Features	Release Information: Studio: UMVD Aspect Ratio: Original aspect Ratio 1.78:1 Edition Details: • Commentary by director Vadim Perelman, actor Ben Kingsley, novelist Andre Dubus III, costume designer Hala Bahmet, and production designer Maia Javan (optional subtitles) • 5 Deleted Scenes with commentary • Behind the Scenes featurette (4:3 - 16:01) • Photo Gallery (75 images) in static slideshow or automatic with audio • Shohreh Aghdashloo Audition (6:05) • Cast / Filmmaker (static screens) • Production Notes (static screens) DVD Release Date: August 24th, 2004 Keep Case Chapters: 24	Release Information: Studio: Studio Hamburg Enterprises (DE) 1.78:1 1080P Single-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 22,337,965,763 bytes Feature: 22,123,524,096 bytes Video Bitrate: 24.48 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Edition Details: • None Blu-ray Release Date: May 23rd, 2019 Standard Blu-ray Case Chapters 12

Comments:

NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Studio Hamburg Enterprises Blu-ray (June 2019): Studio Hamburg Enterprises in Germany have transferred Vadim Perelman's House of Sand and Fog to Blu-ray. Short story, this is bare-bones with lossy audio (English and a German DUB), no subtitles, but is an advancement over SD (1080P resolution). I just love this film so I though I'd take a chance and, to be fair, the price reflects the editions limitations. Obviously the DVD with commentary is the way to go - but I was pleased with the image on my HD system. Anyway, now you know too...

NOTE: We have added 24 more large resolution Blu-ray captures for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE.

***

ON THE DVD: This is a very good DVD. The image shows a bit of softness at times but I gather it was a process of the filmmaking - not the transfer. Contrast is superb and colors vibrant.

The 5.1 audio track as well is right up to par with the image and there are optional 2 channel and a 5.1 French DUB, even if it is never tested. Subtitles are very well done with a non-obtrusive font. I love the commentary and the optional subtitles (like BFI do) on the commentary and I think everyone should be doing this!. The audition tape and behind-the-scenes extras are insightful as well. Pretty much a perfect DVD and not excessive with 2nd and 3rd discs of bloated Features.

Gary W. Tooze

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