Law Abiding Citizen - Blu-ray Disc Review

***SYNOPSIS*** - Clyde Shelton (Gerard Butler) is an upstanding family man whose wife and daughter are brutally murdered during a home invasion. When the killers are caught, Nick Rice (Jamie Foxx), a hotshot young Philadelphia prosecutor, is assigned to the case. Over his objections, Nick is forced by his boss to offer one of the suspects a light sentence in exchange for testifying against his accomplice. Fast forward ten years. The man who got away with murder is found dead and Clyde Shelton admits his guilt. Then he issues a warning to Nick: Either fix the flawed justice system, or key players in the trial will die. Soon Shelton follows through on his threats, orchestrating from his jail cell a string of spectacularly diabolical assassinations that can be neither predicted nor prevented. Only Nick can stop the killing and finds himself in a desperate race against time facing a deadly adversary who seems always to be one step ahead.


***VIDEO QUALITY*** - "Law Abiding Citizen" comes to Blu-ray in full 1080p utilizing the AVC MPEG-4 codec in the original 2.40:1 aspect ratio.Details are very good especially when it comes to close-ups.Blacks are rock solid throughout.Due to the the visual tone that was selected for the film the color palette is subdued but does highlight some occasionally bold primary colors.Fleshtones were always natural.I noticed no artificial enhancement with this transfer and no flaws to account for.A solid performer, this title earns a 9/10.


***AUDIO QUALITY*** - "Law Abiding Citizen" features a well done, robust Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track.The best part of this track it's sense of space and ambient effects. Ambiance in particular was exceptional and goes to great lengths to immerse you as the listener into several environments without overwhelming your senses. Bass was tight and strong throughout with multiple explosions and scenes of machine gun fire coming at you from around the soundstage and are complemented with a powerful thud from the LFE channel.As is the norm dialogue was crisp and clean, never overwhelmed by the action on screen.This was an excellent presentation and earns a well deserved 9.5/10


***SPECIAL FEATURES*** -

**Disc One**:

* UNRATED "Director’s Cut" of the film (HD,118min)
* Audio Commentary Featuring Producers Lucas Foster & Alan Siegel
* "The Justice of Law Abiding Citizen" (HD,6min)
* "Law in Black and White:Behind the Scenes" (HD,15min)
* "Preliminary Arguments:Visual Effects of Law Abiding Citizen" (HD,7min)
* "The Verdict:Winning Trailer Mash-Up" (HD,1min5sec)
* Theatrical Trailer (HD,2min26sec)

**Disc Two** -

* Theatrical R-Rated Version of the film (HD,108min)
* Audio Commentary Featuring Producers Lucas Foster & Alan Siegel

To Live and Die in L.A. - Blu-ray Disc Review

***SYNOPSIS*** - When a notorious, highly sophisticated counterfeiter murders his partner, Secret Service agent Richard Chance (William Petersen) launches a furious vendetta to capture the man responsible. But master counterfeiter Rick Masters (Willem Dafoe) is always just one step ahead of Chance in William Friedkin's thrilling, suspenseful crime drama. With violent shoot-outs and a turbulent chase scene reminiscent of Friedkin's own THE FRENCH CONNECTION, TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A. broke with tradition by making the ostensible hero as morally reprehensible as the villain he pursues. Clashing with bureaucratic obstacles, Chance is forced to break the rules in order to procure cash for a sting operation, but the risks he takes snowball into an avalanche of violence and moral repercussions, leading to a morally ambiguous cul-de-sac from which there may be no return.


***VIDEO QUALITY*** - 'To Live and Die in L.A.' is presented in full 1080p using the AVC MPEG-4 codec and is in the original 1.85:1 aspect ratio.First thing you'll notice when switching from the DVD to the Blu-ray image is the increase in fine detail that really brings the dirty Los Angeles underworld of the film to life.Colors were strong and flesh tones were completely natural.Black levels are rock solid throughout adding to the darker scenes of the film.Their was a nice layer of grain that only added to my appreciation of this transfer.A fantastic job has been done by MGM/FOX and earns a well deserved 8/10.


***AUDIO QUALITY*** - A solid catalog release DTS-HD MA 5.1 track accompanies the excellent video presentation.The rousing scenes that featured car chases, gun shots, and lots of fire were the highlight of this track with a great sense of ambiance that fills the soundscape.Bass was a strong performer and much better than I was expecting going in.Dialogue was crisp and clean throughout.I will concede that dynamic range was a little bright on the high end.Overall a nice improvement in clarity and overall bass response from the DVD. 7.5/10.


***SPECIAL FEATURES*** -

**Disc One**

* Theatrical trailer + Previews (HD,2min)

**Disc Two** - Included is the original Special Edition DVD as a bonus.
* Feature length commentary by director William Friedkin
* Counterfeit World: The Making Of To Live And Die In L.A. (SD,29min)
* Deleted Scene and Alternate Ending Featurette (SD)
* Deleted scene featurette (SD)
* Photo Gallery

The Last King Of Scotland - Blu-ray Disc Review

***SYNOPSIS*** - Inspired by real people and events, the gripping, suspenseful stunner, The Last King Of Scotland stars Forest Whitaker in his Oscar winning* performance as the notorious Ugandan dictator Idi Amin. Amin’s incredible story is told as seen through the eyes of Nicholas Garrigan (James McAvoy), a young Scotsman who becomes the volatile leader’s personal physician, due in part to Amin’s unexpected passion for Scottish culture. Amin even proclaims himself “The Last King of Scotland.” Seduced by his charisma and blinded by decadence, Garrigan’s dream life becomes a waking nightmare of betrayal and madness from which there is no escape.


***VIDEO QUALITY*** - 'The Last King Of Scotland' is presented in full 1080p using the AVC MPEG-4 codec in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio.The best attribute is the saturated color palette that gives you the feel of being in the hot Ugandan climate.Flesh tones looked much more natural then the DVD version where there was a abundance of orange tones with faces. There is a heavier level of grain and it lends the image a more film like appearance.Fine detail was very good with a few softer scenes that pop up.I was pleased with this solid transfer an it is a very nice upgrade from the DVD version. 9/10.


***AUDIO QUALITY*** - A solid presentation is offered here with a DTS-HD MA 5.1 track. Dialogue was always intelligible with even the heavier Ugandan accents being clear and easy to understand.Surround effects were utilized well with seamless pans across the soundstage.Bass comes through rich and tight with superb LFE effects during scene that features gunshots and explosions.FOX releases another dynamic, flawless track for a catalog title. 10/10


***SPECIAL FEATURES*** -
* Deleted Scenes (SD,12min) - A nice collection of scenes that would have been welcomed if kept in the film.i enjoyed the alternate opening the most.Optional Commentary is included with director Kevin MacDonald.
* Capturing Idi Amin (SD,29min) - A interesting look at the numerous challenges the cast and crew had with bringing Amin to the big screen. Archival footage is included as well as interviews.
* Forest Whitaker ,Idi Amin (SD,6min) - A short peek at the method Forest Whitaker did to prepare for this great role.
* Fox Movie Channel presents Casting Session (SD,8min) - A short, standard EPK type behind-the-scenes look at the film.Includes cast and crew interviews.