|
 Movie
B+ |
Video A- | Audio A+
| Extras B
Al Pacino, Catherine Keener, Pruitt Taylor Vince,
Jay Mohr,
Evan Rachel Wood, Rachel Roberts, and Winona Ryder
director Andrew Niccol | New Line Home Entertainment
2002 | Comedy - Science Fiction | PG-13 | 117 minutes
Region 1 | DVD-10
anamorphic
widescreen 2.35:1 aspect ratio and
full frame
DTS-ES | Dolby Digital
5.1 EX
Summary: Al Pacino stars in this eye-opening
comedy as Viktor Taransky, a artsy film director who's landed on hard
times after a three "dud" films. His leading lady (Winona
Ryder) backs out of her role and leaves the set in the middle of his
latest film production. Meanwhile, an unknown computer genius
presents him with the ability to create a virtual actor as synthesized on
a computer workstation. Desperate to re-establish his career, Viktor
creates a beautiful actress by the name of "Simone" (Rachel
Roberts) using this computer technique. He finishes his current film
with the help of this virtual actor, who obeys his every command.
His film is greeted with amazing good press and great box offices sales,
in part by the superb acting and mesmerizing beauty of
"Simone". Everyone believes that "Simone" is a
real person, though noone has really met her in person. Viktor
Taransky is amazed with the success of his artsy film, and the film studio
is more than pleased.
As the public demands more of "Simone",
Viktor "takes" his virtual actress on the talk show circuit,
magazine cover shoots, and all that public relations type of dog and pony
shows. Viktor produces and releases another film starring this
beautiful virtual actress to yet another box office hit. Will Viktor
get too carried away, as he continues the "smoke and magic"
shows to keep the "Simone"-starved public coming back for
more? Will "Simone" take on a life of her own? Or
will the nosy and aggressive paparazzi discover the truth behind
"Simone"?
Al Pacino gives a great comedic performance that is
sure to entertain you. In fact, this is one of the most artsy and
intelligent comedies I've seen. As for the DVD, the extended surround soundtracks of DTS-ES and
Dolby Digital 5.1 EX were particularly good, especially during
Simone's live performance to a sold-old crowd in Los Angeles. Also
notable are the 19
deleted and alternate scenes which are fully produced. There is an
option to watch the movie with direct access to the deleted scenes, not
too unlike watching an extended version of the movie. New Line is
good about introducing innovative features, using the DVD format.
Kudos to New Line Home Entertainment!
Special Features: 19 deleted and alternate
scenes, with option to watch the movie with direct access to the deleted
scenes; "Cyber Stardom" featurette;
"Simulating S1m0ne" featurette; theatrical trailer and teaser
trailer
DVD-ROM features: Script-to-Screen and links to real S1m0ne web
sites
DVD released on 1/21/2003 | Reviewed 1/12/2003
List $26.98 | online $20.49 | order from Amazon.com,
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Additional Notes: Unless we specify otherwise, the
video and audio quality are very good when their grades are "A-"
or better. Only the highest number of channels of surround sound
format is listed (e.g., Dolby Digital 5.1). If there are both Dolby
Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1 soundtracks, then both are listed. All
DVD-Video discs are backwards compatible with stereo-only playback
systems.
Let us know what you think about this DVD review, write to us at
Staff@TimeForDVD.com.
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Associated equipment used in evaluation: Sony
DVP-S7700 reference DVD player, Sony
KP-61V45 61" rear projection TV (4:3 screen aspect ratio), Sony ES STR-V444ES A/V receiver, four
B&W CDM 9NTs as left/right main speakers
and left/right surrounds, B&W CDM CNT center channel speaker, Monster Cable M-series S-Video cable MSV-500, Monster
Cable Interlink LightSpeed 100 (Toslink) optical cable, Monster Cable
Interlink 400 MKII interconnects, Monster Cable
Original speaker cables in bi-wire configuration with Monster Cable twist-on gold-plated banana plug
connectors, Lovan Sovereign T HiFi audio
rack, and Sony MDR-V600 studio monitor headphones. Our home theater equipment was calibrated
with the Video
Essentials DVD.
Be sure to check out our Top 10 DVDs of the year
2001 and our list of this year's Oscar winners on DVD.
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