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The Last Station [Blu-ray]
(Michael Hoffman, 2009)
Review by Gary Tooze
Production: Theatrical: Zephyr Films Video: Sony Pictures
Disc: Region: A (B + C untested) Runtime: 1:52:48.762 Disc Size: 35,706,144,227 bytes Feature Size: 28,882,882,560 bytes Video Bitrate: 27.90 Mbps Chapters: 16 Case: Standard Blu-ray case Release date: June 22nd, 2010
Video: Aspect ratio: 2.35:1 Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Audio:
DTS-HD Master Audio English 3869 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3869
kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Subtitles: English (SDH), English, French, none
Extras:
• Commentary with Christopher Plummer and Helen Mirren
Bitrate:
Description: Having renounced his title and property, the great Russian writer Leo Tolstoy makes plans to donate his royalties to the Russian people, supported by his trusted disciple Chertkov. Tolstoy’s outraged wife wages a one-woman war to challenge her husband’s outrageous act of idealism.
The Film: Leo Tolstoy wrote enormous novels that reached the very pinnacle of literary art. He was a master of both quality and quantity, which may be why “The Last Station,” a new movie about the end of Tolstoy’s life, confuses the two. You will certainly see better acting in a great many motion pictures (including from the cast of this one), but it is unlikely you will see more. To say that the actors — Helen Mirren, James McAvoy, Christopher Plummer and Paul Giamatti, among others — overdo it would be an understatement. I can’t handicap their Oscar chances, but isn’t there a scenery-eating contest every summer out on Coney Island?
Mr. Plummer plays Tolstoy as a kind of volatile Russian Santa Claus. When he laughs, it is a great, lusty laugh. When he shouts, it is a deep, abdominal bellow. And when he capers around his bedroom clucking like a chicken, you can be sure you are witnessing a world-historical feat of poultry impersonation. Ms. Mirren, as Sofya Tolstoy, the great man’s wife, matches Mr. Plummer howl for howl. She smashes crockery, enters rooms in a state of operatic dishevelment or regal calm and seems determined to restore literal meaning to the word henpecked. Not to be outdone, Mr. Giamatti twirls his moustache to denote his character’s villainy, and Mr. McAvoy does what he usually does, which is mime wet-eyed, stricken, lovable innocence, but this time in a more Russian way than he has before. Excerpt from A.O. Scott at the NY Times located HERE
The Last Station doesn't look particularly striking on Blu-ray. In fact it looks quite soft although this may be an authentic representation of the film - the 1080P transfer isn't going to be demo for any system owner. I questioned my capture method, but double checked and also suspected DNR which may have removed some of the inherent grain. I can't be positive but I think the best course of action will be to compare it to the Optimum UK edition and maybe even the DVD. It is a bit dumbfounding - more so as I kind of liked the film - especially the performances but close-ups were never as crisp as many may have anticipated. Colors shine in some scenes but overall the image exhibits a heavy, thick appearance, that while retaining a film-like look, just has no depth or crispness. We'll eventually compare the UK edition but I've heard similar complaints. The Last Station was probably shot in this manner.
Audio :The DTS-HD Master 5.1 at 3869 kbps is quite competent although the film doesn't have the type of aggression that might make the track more prominent. It does it's job very well - Sergei Yevtushenko's score can impress and it is rendered tightly and crisply. There are optional subtitles.
Extras :Supplements offer some great commentary - a relaxed first with Plummer and Mirren and a second with director Michael Hoffman. Reflections of production from the performance standpoint and another, a more technical view, from the intelligent helmsman. The Missed Station Outakes had a lot of humorous missed lines etc. and there are also some Deleted Scenes, A Tribute to Christopher Plummer and the ability to watch with movieIQ™+sync and BD-Live connect you to real-time information on the cast, music, trivia and more while watching the film. A fab group of extras!
BOTTOM LINE: Gary Tooze June 21st, 2010
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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.
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