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The Social Network [Blu-ray]
(David Fincher, 2010)
Review by Gary Tooze
Production: Theatrical: Columbia Pictures Video: Sony Pictures
Disc: Region: 'A'-locked (as verified by the Momitsu region FREE Blu-ray player) Runtime: 2:00:27.220 Disc Size: 32,005,229,140 bytes Feature Size: 30,637,277,184 bytes Video Bitrate: 25.91 Mbps Chapters: 16 Case: Custom Blu-ray case Release date: January 11th, 2011
Video: Aspect ratio: 2.39:1 Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio English 2923 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 2923 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit) DTS-HD Master Audio French 2215 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 2215 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit) Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps Commentaries:
Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps
/ Dolby Surround
Subtitles: English (SDH), English, French, Spanish, none
Extras:
• Audio Commentary with David Fincher
Exclusive HD Content (2nd Blu-ray disc - single layered)
Bitrate:
Description: David Fincher’s The Social Network is the stunning tale of a new breed of cultural insurgent: a punk genius who sparked a revolution and changed the face of human interaction for a generation, and perhaps forever. Shot through with emotional brutality and unexpected humor, this superbly crafted film chronicles the formation of Facebook and the battles over ownership that followed upon the website’s unfathomable success. With a complex, incisive screenplay by Aaron Sorkin and a brilliant cast including Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield and Justin Timberlake, The Social Network bears witness to the birth of an idea that rewove the fabric of society even as it unraveled the friendship of its creators.
"The Social Network" explores the moment at which Facebook, the most revolutionary social phenomena of the new century,... was invented -- through the warring perspectives of the super-smart young men who each claimed to be there at its inception. The result is a drama rife with both creation and destruction; one that audaciously avoids a singular POV, but instead, by tracking dueling narratives, mirrors the clashing truths and constantly morphing social relationships that define our time. Drawn from multiple sources, the film captures the visceral thrill of the heady early days of a culture-changing phenomenon in the making -- and the way it both pulled a group of young revolutionaries together and then split them apart.
The Film:
What makes Mark Zuckerberg run? In “The Social Network,” David
Fincher’s fleet, weirdly funny, exhilarating, alarming and fictionalized
look at the man behind the social-media phenomenon Facebook — 500
million active users, oops, friends, and counting — Mark runs and he
runs, sometimes in flip-flops and a hoodie, across Harvard Yard and
straight at his first billion. Quick as a rabbit, sly as a fox, he is
the geek who would be king or just Bill Gates. He’s also the smartest
guy in the room, and don’t you forget it. Image : NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc. The Social Network looks solid on Blu-ray from Sony. It carries over the theatrical appearance adeptly. The film is fairly dark and like Fincher's Se7en has a golden, yellowish hue to it. Skin tones seem a shade warm at time and contrast exhibits healthy, rich black levels. Daylight scenes are more revealing and some minor flaring from the Red One Digital Camera used is barely notable. The final print format was 35mm. There is minimal noise and decent detail. This Blu-ray reports the same image quality I watched in the cinema - and I can't distinguish any differences. There is some subtly probing cinematography by Jeff Cronenweth that is still established in this format. This is 1080P and in-around the 2.39:1 aspect ratio. The Blu-ray upholds the filmmakers intentions accurately. The transfer really has no flaws.
CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
Audio :Like the video the audio for The Social Network is without any weaknesses. We get a DTS-HD Master 5.1 at 2923 kbps. It sounds as intended - sometimes a bit scattered adding the verité feel. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross' original score (as discussed in the second disc extras) sounds perfectly in sync with the film - via the lossless track. It often exports quite crisply with some buoyancy. This isn't an aggressive track but the effects in the film are nonetheless of great importance in establishing location and aura. There are optional English, English (SDH), French and Spanish subtitle options and m y Momitsu has identified it as being a region 'A'-locked.
Extras : On the feature disc we get two audio commentary options - the first with director David Fincher - and he is excellent pointing out details like the value of the first scene, his regard for the performances and other production details that only he would be privy to. The second has writer Aaron Sorkin and some of the cast. This is less formal but also revealing with Jesse Eisenberg sharing some of his feelings in regards to certain scenes. Fans of the film will want to indulge in both when they have the opportunity - I think they only promote appreciation for The Social Network. On a second, single-layered, Blu-ray disc we have the 1.5 hour, 4 part documentary How Did They Ever Make a Movie of Facebook? that covers a range of topics in the site and its relation to the film. Even those who don't use FB should find it very interesting. It's a great addition to the supplements. There are also some featurettes; an appealing 8-minutes of Fincher and Jeff Cronenweth on the 'Visuals', Angus Wall, Kirk Baxter and Ren Klyce on 'Posting' for 17-minutes, Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross and Fincher on the 'Score' for almost 20-minutes and breakdowns of the 'Ruby Skye VIP Room' sequence with multiple angles and 4 evolutionary drafts/versions of Edvard Grieg's In the Hall of the Mountain King music used in the film.
Blu-ray Disc 2
BOTTOM LINE: Gary Tooze December 30th, 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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