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Funny People (2-disc) [Blu-ray]
(Judd Apatow, 2009)
Review by Gary Tooze
Production: Theatrical: Universal Studios Video: Universal Home Video
Disc: Region: FREE! (as verified by the Momitsu region FREE Blu-ray player) Runtime: Theatrical 2:25:59 / Extended: 2:32:34 Disc Size: 48,904,446,318 bytes Feature Size: 31,870,371,840 bytes Video Bitrate: 20.59 Mbps Chapters: 20 Case: Standard Blu-ray case Release date: November 24th, 2009
Video: Aspect ratio: 1.85:1 Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio English 3263 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3263 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit) DTS Audio French 768 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit DTS Audio Spanish 768 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / Dolby Surround Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / Dolby Surround Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / Dolby Surround
Subtitles: English (SDH), English, French, Spanish, none
Extras:
First Disc • Funny People Diaries: A documentary in four parts which takes audiences inside all aspects of the filmmaking process from early cast table reads and joke brainstorming sessions, to the various filmmaking techniques employed throughout the production. (1:15:06) Line-O-Rama – re-watch some of the movie’s scenes with alternate punch lines • Part 1 (4:53)
•
Part 2 (5:46) My Scenes / BD-LIVE 2nd Disc: • Additional Line-O-Rama (2:50) Documentaries: • Judd’s High School Radio Show (3:37) • Raaaaaaaandy!: This mockumentary takes fans on the road with Aziz Ansari’s Randy character from the film. (21:36 in HD!) • Music from Funny People: Listen to music from and inspired by the film from James Taylor, Adam Sandler, Jon Brion and RZA (49:59) • From the Archives: Watch Adam Sandler and Judd Apatow on a 1990 episode of The Midnight Hour with Bill Maher; Sandler’s first appearance on David Letterman; and Seth Rogen doing stand up at 13! • The Films of George Simmons: Watch footage from George Simmons' greatest films including Re-Do, Sayonara Davey, Champion, Dog's Best Friend and Merman • Prank Call 1990: Watch Sandler as he performs an actual prank phone call, in this archival footage from Judd Apatow’s personal video library • “Yo Teach…!”: Go “behind-the-scenes” of “Yo Teach…!”, the television show featured in the film Funny People (8:08 in HD!) Blu-ray Exclusive Extras • 24 Deleted Scenes (48:24 in HD!) • 20 Extended and Alternate Scenes (1:06:19 in HD!) • Additional music and an extensive look at James Taylor on the set - James Taylor Behind the Scenes (6:57) • Over an hour of stand up performances by the film’s cast • Additional archival material including Sandler’s first (5:58) and second Letterman appearances (6:00), Sandler at Los Angeles’ famed Comedy & Magic Club (4:45), Seth Stand-up at 13 in 1995 (4:40) and Judd Apatow performing on The Dennis Miller Show (4:48) • Hilarious prank calls from Adam Sandler and Judd Apatow • Adam Sandler and Judd Apatow’s appearance on “Charlie Rose” (56:54 in 4:3 SD) • U-Control :Funny People music: Universal’s exclusive signature feature puts the viewer just a click away from additional insights into the music in the film without ever leaving the movie. • BD-Live : Download Center, My Chat & My Scenes Sharing • BD-Live: My Funny People Commentary: Create play-by-play video, audio or text movie commentary and share it with friends through UniversalHiDef.com and the BD-Live Center • Pocket Blu App
Bitrate:
Description: George Simmons is a famous stand-up comedian who learns that he has a terminal illness and less than a year to live. When, he meets Ira, a struggling comedian at a comedy club where both the comedians are performing, George hires Ira to be his personal assistant and opening act at his performances. The two forge a close friendship as George helps Ira with his career and Ira helps George find closure in his legacy. However, when George learns that his disease has gone into remission and an ex-girlfriend re-enters his life, he's inspired to reevaluate what is important to him and what truly gives meaning to his life.
The Film:
The thing about "Funny People" is that it's a real movie. That
means carefully written dialogue and carefully placed supporting
performances -- and it's about something. It could have easily been a
formula film, and the trailer shamelessly tries to misrepresent it as
one, but George Simmons learns and changes during his ordeal, and we
empathize.
Funny People is seamlessly branched on Blu-ray between the theatrical version and 6.5-minute longer 'unrated ' version. The image shows a decent sheen of reasonably consistent grain. It probably looked quite similar to this theatrically. This is dual-layered but has a low-ish bitrate. Colors are acceptable if unremarkable. Skin tones seem true and there is some dimensionality in the fairly detailed visuals. This Blu-ray has a nice even feel just don't expect to be blown away by the image - it is not that type of film with frequent medium shots - and few closeups. As we've said often - the jokes don't get any better in a higher resolution but this is part drama too and exports a consistent and clean appearance that supports the film quite adeptly.
CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
Audio :The abundant DTS-HD Master 5.1 at 3263 kbps never really comes into play. Neither the comedic nor the dramatic moments require any boisterous effect noises, deep bass or crisp high end notes but there is some notable separation in the crowded club scenes. There is some great music in the film - and it sounds wonderful - John Lennon, Wilco, James Taylor etc. Options exist for English, French or Spanish subtitles and m y Momitsu has identified it as being a region FREE disc playable on Blu-ray machines worldwide.
Extras :The commentary on disc one (playable on both version) with director Judd Apatow, Sandler and Rogen is plenty of fun. Lot's of joking and laughing - but they seem to be talking more to each other and not about the film scene - but that's okay. Apatow kind of corrals in the jesting and he has the most to impart being both writer and director. There is a 1 1/4 hour 4-part documentary entitled Funny People Diaries which takes audiences inside all aspects of the filmmaking process from early cast table reads and joke brainstorming sessions, to the various filmmaking techniques employed throughout the production. I loved both Line-O-Rama (re-watching some of the movie’s scenes with alternate punch lines) for 10-minutes and also the 2 Gag Reels for about 11-minutes. I found the latter hilarious.
There also a whole second dual-layered Blu-ray disc of supplements (40 Gig worth!) listed fully at the top of this review. The deleted and extended / alternate scenes are quite fun and almost represent an entire new movie at about 1 3/4 hours. You also get over an hour of stand up performances by the film’s cast, archival material including Sandler’s first (5:58) and second Letterman appearances (6:00), Sandler at Los Angeles’ famed Comedy & Magic Club (4:45), Seth stand-up at 13 in 1995 (4:40) and Judd Apatow performing on The Dennis Miller Show (4:48) - a few prank calls from Adam Sandler and Judd Apatow and an hour interview of Sandler and Apatow on “Charlie Rose” plus more tidbits. Lastly, there is a lot of impressive sounding interactive and/or Blu-ray exclusive content (U-Control, BD-Live : Download Center, My Chat & My Scenes Sharing, BD-Live: My Funny People Commentary: Create play-by-play video, audio or text movie commentary and share it with friends through UniversalHiDef.com and the BD-Live Center and Pocket Blu App) - that, frankly, most of us never use.
There is a lot of super stuff here - an impressive selection of supplements. Great job Universal!
BOTTOM LINE: Gary Tooze November 14th, 2009
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About the Reviewer: Hello, fellow Beavers! I have been interested in film since I viewed a Chaplin festival on PBS when I was around 9 years old. I credit DVD with expanding my horizons to fill an almost ravenous desire to seek out new film experiences. I currently own approximately 9500 DVDs and have reviewed over 3500 myself. I appreciate my discussion Listserv for furthering my film education and inspiring me to continue running DVDBeaver. Plus a healthy thanks to those who donate and use our Amazon links.
Although I never wanted to become one of those guys who
focused 'too much' on image and sound quality - I
find HD is swiftly pushing me in that direction. So be
it, but film will always be my first love and I list my
favorites on the old YMdb site now accessible
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