Mr. Brooks
(Blu-ray + DVD-Video)
Picture:
B/C+ Sound: B Extras: D Film: D
After
several attempts to have a hit, Kevin Costner decided to try to give more of an
acting performance in co-writer/director Bruce A. Evans’ subtle thriller Mr. Brooks (2007), but it is so loaded
with tired clichés and formula that it never stands a chance of working on any
level. We previously covered this film
during its theatrical release, which you can read more about at this link:
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/5486/Mr.+Brooks
The
battle is who disliked this more and I would say I could outdo my colleague
just by how bored I was and pretentious the film was overall. Demi Moore is an odd casting choice, plus
Dane Cook in a more serious film is odder.
William Hurt’s addition makes this seem like Fight Club lite and is a muddled mess. Whatever does work is too recognizable and
will only impress those who act like they have never seen a film before. Wonder what Costner will try next.
The 1080p
AVC @ 35 MBPS 1.85 X 1 image has all kinds of room on the disc to look good in
its two-hours length, yet despite looking better than the DVD, is a big
disappointment with lame playback. The
anamorphically enhanced DVD is even worse, with a denatured look that does not
seem intended and makes an already lame dud less watchable. In the sound department, the Blu-ray offers a
DTS HD MA (Master Audio) lossless 5.1 mix and the DVD surprisingly offers a
healthy DTS 5.1 mix itself. The
recording of dialogue is good, mix smooth and in both cases is the highlight of
each respective release. Still, this is
not a mix that can show off 5.1 of any kind much.
Extras in
both cases include deleted scenes, two featurettes, audio commentary by Evans
and co-writer Raynold Gideon and a trailer (in HD on the Blu-ray). The Blu-ray adds a trivia track to no avail
and all of these “value added extras” are unengaging too.
- Nicholas Sheffo
