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A view on Blu-ray by Gary W. Tooze

Trouble with the Curve [Blu-ray]

 

(Robert Lorenz, 2012)

 

 

Review by Gary Tooze

 

Production:

Theatrical: Malpaso Productions

Video: Warner

 

Disc:

Region: FREE! (as verified by the Momitsu region FREE Blu-ray player)

Runtime: 1:51:12.666 

Disc Size: 28,797,006,423 bytes

Feature Size: 26,927,726,592 bytes

Video Bitrate: 24.84 Mbps

Chapters: 10

Case: Standard Blu-ray case

Release date: December 18th, 2012

 

Video:

Aspect ratio: 2.35:1

Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps

Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Audio:

DTS-HD Master Audio English 3577 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3577 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Dolby Digital Audio French 640 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 640 kbps / DN -4dB
Dolby Digital Audio Portuguese 640 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 640 kbps / DN -4dB
Dolby Digital Audio Spanish 640 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 640 kbps / DN -4dB

 

Subtitles:

English (SDH), French, Portuguese, Spanish, none

 

Extras:

Behind the Scenes: Trouble with the Curve Rising Through the Ranks (4:37)

Behind the Scenes: Trouble with the Curve: For the Love of the Game (6:02)

 

Bitrate:

 

 

Description: Gus Lobel (Clint Eastwood) has been one of the best scouts in baseball for decades, but, despite his efforts to hide it, age is starting to catch up with him. Nevertheless, Gus-who can tell a pitch just by the crack of the bat-refuses to be benched for what may be the final innings of his career. He may not have a choice. The front office of the Atlanta Braves is starting to question his judgment, especially with the country's hottest batting phenom on deck for the draft. The one person who might be able to help is also the one person Gus would never ask: his daughter, Mickey (Amy Adams), an associate at a high-powered Atlanta law firm whose drive and ambition has put her on the fast track to becoming partner. Against her better judgment, and over Gus's objections, Mickey joins him on his latest scouting trip to North Carolina, jeopardizing her own career to save his.

 

 

The Film:

Clint Eastwood and a superb cast hit it out of the park in Trouble With The Curve, a great entertainment filled with heart, humor, family drama and fantastic acting. It's less a baseball flick, and more an engaging father/daughter relationship film that uses America's favorite pastime only as a bridge to get to the real heart of the matter. As an aging baseball scout battling failing vision, Eastwood must compete with computer programs and younger corporate know-it-alls, plus deal with a grown daughter (Amy Adams) who only wants his attention. This smart and extremely likeable outing has the veteran star right where he belongs and should draw his fans and beyond.

Excerpt from Box Office.com located HERE

 

Georgia to North Carolina in this sports drama produced and directed by frequent Eastwood collaborator Robert Lorenz. For decades, Gus Lobel (Eastwood) has been one of the best scouts in Major League Baseball. But these days his eyes just aren't what they used to be, and as a phenomenal young batter enters the draft, the owners of the Atlanta Braves cast a shadow of doubt over Gus' judgment. Meanwhile, his daughter Mickey ( Adams) is an aspiring partner at a major Atlanta law firm. In the wake of his wife's death, Gus sent Mickey away, and their relationship has been strained ever since. But she knows a thing or two about baseball, and recognizing that her father's job is in jeopardy, she decides to help him -- even at the risk of derailing her own career. Now, throwing caution to the wind (and ignoring her gruff father's objections), Mickey joins Gus for a scouting trip that could keep him in the game until he's ready to retire, as well as repair a father/daughter relationship that once seemed all but lost. Justin Timberlake, John Goodman, Robert Patrick, and Matthew Lillard co-star.

Excerpt from MRQE located HERE

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

Trouble With the Curve looks acceptable on Blu-ray from Warner.  It has no flaws but the 1080P image lacks a certain identity to send it to the next level. There are a lot of outdoor scenes that look reasonably impressive.  This sneaks into dual-layered territory with a supportive bitrate. Colors have a blue/teal leaning but contrast is adept. This Blu-ray has a consistent appearance.  The baseball fields tend to look the most impressive and there is some depth.  This Blu-ray isn't demo material but it gives a stong enough presentation to focus attention on the appealing story.

 

CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audio :

The DTS-HD Master 5.1 at a whopping 3577 kbps easily handles what the film dishes out including some surround baseball sounds. Mostly dialogue with a few effects. Marco Beltrami is a busy guy - notable for The Hurt Locker and 3:10 to Yuma - and his score here suits the film and the baseball milieu. There are optional subtitles and my Momitsu has identified it as being a region FREE disc playable on Blu-ray machines worldwide.

 

Extras :

Just a couple of shortish 'Behind the Scenes' pieces. One on Rising Through the Ranks (5-minutes) focusing on director Robert Lorenz climb up the ladder and a second entitled For the Love of the Game running just over 6-minutes.

 

 

BOTTOM LINE:
I liked it. The cloying aspects are diffused by Clint's marvelous cantankerous old man (see Gran Torino) and I'm a huge Amy Adams fan - not so much Justin Timberlake. This is a 'surface film' - and there is nothing wrong with that. I'm sure I'll watch it again one day. The Blu-ray does its job and Eastwood fans should be pleased even as a lightweight popcorn'er. Enjoy! 

Gary Tooze

December 12th, 2012

 


 

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 5000 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.

Gary's Home Theatre:

60-Inch Class (59.58” Diagonal) 1080p Pioneer KURO Plasma Flat Panel HDTV PDP6020-FD

Oppo Digital BDP-83 Universal Region FREE Blu-ray/SACD Player
Momitsu - BDP-899 Region FREE Blu-ray player
Marantz SA8001 Super Audio CD Player
Marantz SR7002 THX Select2 Surround Receiver
Tannoy DC6-T (fronts) + Energy (centre, rear, subwoofer) speakers (5.1)

APC AV 1.5 kVA H Type Power Conditioner 120V

Gary W. Tooze

 

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