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 S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

(aka 'Best Shot')

directed by David Anspaugh
USA 1986

I don't mind admitting that I really love this film. Certainly I consider it one of my favorite sports films. The supporting cast is 'spot-on' - Sheb Wooley, Fern Persons, Barb Hershey and Dennis Hopper (lets no exclude the boys who were the players too!). Gene Hackman is at his most charismatic as the new coach - an outsider entering the small town community to take over the reigns of the much coveted, and puny, basketball team. The school in the movie is so small, in fact, that it can barely field a full squad, they do though - and the name: the 'Hickory Huskers'. David Anspaugh's film is filled with so much small town charm, passion, maturity, acceptance and the type male bonding accomplishments that we reflect on with timeless pride. Many can associate with that type of high school heroics. The soundtrack is a big part of the feel of this film. Jerry Goldsmith was coming off of the most successful period of his career at that time, with several of his most uplifting scores produced in the early 80's. This track has beautiful subtlety as well as pointed aggression when appropriate. I'll wager I've seen this film 6 or 7 times now - I'm content to float back to my high school days, and an imaginary time and place that films rarely venture. A little cloying and all-American - yes, but that's okay - this is  strong feel-good movie. out of  

Gary W. Tooze

Poster

Theatrical Release: November 14th, 1986 - USA

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 Comparison:

 MGM (2007) - Region 'A' Blu-ray vs. MGM (2012) - Region 'A' Blu-ray

1) MGM (2007) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray LEFT
2) MGM (2012) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray  - RIGHT

 
Box Covers

Distribution MGM (2007) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray MGM (2012) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray
Runtime 1:55:03.897 1:55:03.146
Video

1080P Single-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 23,658,860,976 bytes

Feature: 22,131,621,888 bytes

Video Bitrate: 19.62 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-2 Video

1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 44,961,991,393 bytes

Feature: 37,325,574,144 bytes

Video Bitrate: 36.22 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate:

MGM (2007) Blu-ray

Bitrate:

 

MGM (2012) Blu-ray

 

Audio DTS-HD Master Audio English 3658 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3658 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Dolby Digital Audio English 448 kbps 4.0 / 48 kHz / 448 kbps / DN -4dB
Dolby Digital Audio French 224 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 224 kbps / DN -4dB
Dolby Digital Audio Spanish 224 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 224 kbps / DN -4dB

DTS-HD Master Audio English 3678 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3678 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit / DN -4dB)
Dolby Digital Audio English 448 kbps 4.0 / 48 kHz / 448 kbps / DN -4dB
Dolby Digital Audio English 224 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 224 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio French 192 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -4dB
Dolby Digital Audio Spanish 192 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -4dB

Subtitles English, Spanish, French, and none English, Spanish, none
Features

Release Information:
Studio: MGM

Aspect Ratio:
Aspect Ratio 1.85:1

1080P Single-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 23,658,860,976 bytes

Feature: 22,131,621,888 bytes

Video Bitrate: 19.62 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-2 Video

 

Edition Details:

•Theatrical trailer (2:44)

Blu-ray Release Date: March 13th, 2007
Standard Blu-ray Case
Chapters: 32

Release Information:
Studio: MGM

Aspect Ratio:
Aspect Ratio 1.85:1

1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 44,961,991,393 bytes

Feature: 37,325,574,144 bytes

Video Bitrate: 36.22 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:

• Commentary by director David Anspaugh and writer Angelo Pizzo
• "Hoosier History: The Truth Behind the Legend" (29:48)
• Deleted scenes with introduction by director David Anspaugh and writer Angelo Pizzo (31:13)
• Milan vs. Muncie 1954 Indiana High School championship game (41:26)
• Photo gallery
• Theatrical trailer (2:44)

Blu-ray Release Date: June 5th, 2012
Standard Blu-ray case
Chapters: 32

 

Comments:

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

ADDITION: MGM - Region 'A' - Blu-ray (May 2012): So, just as they improved on the initial DVD with an SE, stacked, edition so they improved the puny 2007 Blu-ray. The 800-width captures aren't the best judge but by expanding to the 1080 size indicates the level of improvement over the original MPEG-2, single-layered, transfer. This is apparent in the level of artifacts. Colors match up well but the AVC is tighter. There is an occasional sense of depth with the new Blu-ray that was absent from the flat original. This disparity is more obvious watching in-motion.

Audio is a wash - the Jerry Goldsmith score is magnificent on both. Optional subtitles are available.

The new Blu-ray has the same extras as the SE DVD (reviewed HERE) with commentary, 'Hoosier History' and I love they included a copy of the old 1954 Indiana High School championship game - what a hoot.

I LOVE this film and it affects me every time I see it. The new Blu-ray has improved in the video and added those great extras from the SE DVD. This will get a lot of play in my house and I feel confident in the more adept and thorough 2012 package.

 - Gary W. Tooze

Menus

1) MGM (2007) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray LEFT
2) MGM (2012) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray  - RIGHT


 
 

 

Screen Captures

 

NOTE: CLICK ALL THE Blu-ray CAPTURES (ONLY) TO SEE THE FULL 1920 X 1080 RESOLUTION

 

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2) MGM (2012) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray  - BOTTOM

 

 

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2) MGM (2012) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray  - BOTTOM

 

 

1) MGM (2007) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray TOP
2) MGM (2012) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray  - BOTTOM

 

 

1) MGM (2007) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray TOP
2) MGM (2012) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray  - BOTTOM

 

1) MGM (2007) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray TOP
2) MGM (2012) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray  - BOTTOM

 

1) MGM (2007) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray TOP
2) MGM (2012) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray  - BOTTOM

 

1) MGM (2007) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray TOP
2) MGM (2012) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray  - BOTTOM

 

1) MGM (2007) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray TOP
2) MGM (2012) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray  - BOTTOM

 

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2) MGM (2012) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray  - BOTTOM

 

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2) MGM (2012) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray  - BOTTOM

 

Hit Counter

Report Card:

 

Image:

2012 Blu-ray

Sound:

2012 Blu-ray

Extras:

2012 Blu-ray

 

Box Covers

Distribution MGM (2007) - Region A - Blu-ray MGM (2012) - Region A - Blu-ray

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Gary Tooze

Many Thanks...