|
Search DVDBeaver |
S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r |
|
|
Love & Mercy [Blu-ray]
(Bill Pohlad, 2014)
Review by Gary Tooze
Production: Theatrical: Universal Video: Lionsgate
Disc: Region: 'A' (as verified by the Oppo Blu-ray player) Runtime: 2:01:34.745 Disc Size: 43,081,736,085 bytes Feature Size: 32,804,935,680 bytes Video Bitrate: 29.99 Mbps Chapters: 16 Case: Standard Blu-ray case inside cardboard slipcase Release date: September 15th, 2015
Video: Aspect ratio: 1.78:1 Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio English 3149 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3149 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit) DUB:
Dolby Digital Audio Spanish 640 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 640 kbps Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps
Subtitles: English (SDH), English, Spanish, none
Extras: • Commentary with director Bill Pohlad and Producer Oren Moverman • A California Story: Creating the Look of Love & Mercy (10:48) • A-Side / B-Side - Portraying of the Life of Brian Wilson (25:32) • Deleted Scenes (7:27)
Bitrate:
Description: Bill Pohlad's Love & Mercy, a biopic of Beach Boys mastermind Brian Wilson, focuses on two distinct periods in the songwriter's life. One timeline follows Wilson (played as a younger man by Paul Dano) as he quits performing live in order to focus on the creation of the album Pet Sounds, the single "Good Vibrations,"" and the eventually discarded album Smile. During this period of intense work, Wilson's mental-health issues grow worse. The other section of the film features John Cusack as an older Wilson, as he attempts to escape the influence of a manipulative doctor (Paul Giamatti) who has become a totalitarian guru to him. Helping him in this endeavor is a car saleswoman named Melinda (Elizabeth Banks). Love & Mercy screened at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival.
The Film:
A thoughtful portrait of Beach Boys genius-in-residence Brian Wilson,
Bill Pohlad’s film flits between two distinct phases in Wilson’s life:
the ’60s Wilson (Paul Dano), struggling with his demons to create his
masterpiece, Pet Sounds, and the ’80s Wilson (John Cusack), a
broken, mentally ill man under the shady scrutiny of therapist Eugene
Landy (Paul Giamatti).
Biopics are a bit of a conundrum, aren’t they? On one hand, they seem
like ideal fodder for movie adaptations since the subject of the film
will likely carry a guaranteed audience, especially when popular
musicians and bands are the focal point. But on the other hand, how can
one film possibly be adequately succinct and still encompass enough to
satisfy the expectations of that crowd of fans?
Image : NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc. Love & Mercy looks great on Blu-ray from Shout! Factory. The film's image does quite a few shifts to represent the young and older Brian Wilson. It works well with a grainy appearance for the younger and intentional speckles and light damage for footage of the band playing (although it is clearly Dano.) Very impressive and kudos to the art direction. This is dual-layered with a very high bitrate for the video. Pastel colors are rich and the image quality is wonderfully representative. There are no flaws - the video is clean (more modern sequences) and produces, what appears to be, an authentic visual presentation. Very pleasing.
CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
Audio :The audio may be the star of the film (and Blu-ray) - a DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround at a heaping 3149 kbps (24-bit). It sounds fabulous. The supportive 'score' is by Atticus Ross (Fincher's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Book of Eli, Blackhat) as well we get standards connoting the era; The Moody Blues' Nights in White Satin, Chuck Berry's (written) Surfin' U.S.A. and multiple Wilson/Beach Boys tunes; Don't Worry Baby, Surfer Girl, I Get Around, Fun, Fun, Fun, Pet Sounds, the iconic hits Wouldn't It Be Nice and Sloop John B and more. Impossible not to be moved my this music via the rich, deep lossless. There are optional English and Spanish subtitles on the region 'A' Blu-ray disc.
Extras : Lionsgate include a super commentary with director Bill Pohlad and producer Oren Moverman referencing historical data and details only the production heads could impart. Fascinating for those who enjoyed the film. Also included is the 10-minute A California Story: Creating the Look of Love & Mercy with the principals discussing how they achieved the era look - colors, decor etc. What many might find quite beneficial is the 26-minute documentary A-Side / B-Side - Portraying of the Life of Brian Wilson and how the singer/songwriter's life was related in the film. There are also a handful of deleted scenes including when Brian Wilson meets his hero Phil Spector. There is also a code to get the digital copy of the film for portal devices.
BOTTOM LINE: Gary Tooze September 11th, 2015
|
|
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. 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 APC AV 1.5 kVA H Type Power Conditioner 120V Gary W. Tooze ALL OUR NEW FORMAT DVD REVIEWS
|
CLICK PayPal logo to donate!
|
Gary Tooze
|
|
Thank You!
