Youth Blu-ray Review

**SYNOPSIS**


From Paolo Sorrentino, the internationally renowned writer and director of Italy’s Oscar-winning foreign language film THE GREAT BEAUTY, comes YOUTH. Starring ACADEMY AWARD® Winner Michael Caine as Fred and ACADEMY AWARD® Nominee Harvey Keitel as Mick, YOUTH explores the lifelong bond between two friends vacationing in a luxury Swiss Alps lodge as they ponder retirement. While Fred has no plans to resume his musical career despite the urging of his loving daughter Lena (ACADEMY AWARD® Winner Rachel Weisz), Mick is intent on finishing a screenplay in what may be his last important film for his muse Brenda (ACADEMY AWARD® Winner Jane Fonda). Set against a sprawling landscape of unforgettable sights and intoxicating music, YOUTH asks if our most important and transformative experiences can come at any time – even late -- in life. **Step behind the scenes with exclusive extras featuring the cast and director – only on Blu-ray.

YOUTH garnered Jane Fonda a Golden Globe® nomination for her turn as Brenda and features David Lang’s moving composition, nominated for a Golden Globe® and an Academy Award® for Best Original Song “Simple Song” #3. Lang wrote the signature song before Sorrentino completed the script which was a vital plot point for the character of Fred Ballinger. A recipient of the Pulitzer prize in 2008 and Carnegie Hall’s Debs Composer’s Chair for 2013-2014, Lang is one of America’s most performed composers.





**VIDEO QUALITY**


Youth arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer in the aspect ratio of 2.40:1 - The color palette has a decidedly amber and yellowish tone to it indoors but the outdoor scenery in the stunningly beautiful Swiss Alps was full of lush greens and crisp whites. Black levels were deep while allowing for solid shadow delineation. The overall image was finely detailed showing easily visible stitches, hair and visible lines or wrinkles in faces. There were no noticeable signs of artifacts. 9/10


**AUDIO QUALITY**


Audio is provided by a DTS-HD Master Audio7.1 track. - Dialogue was crisp and clear, having no trouble reproducing the various accents. Where this track does excel is in the fidelity and dynamics accompanying the lush score from David Lang. This being a 7.1 presentation I was hoping for a little more activity in the extra channels but surround effects are used effectively enough to set the mood of certain sequences. LFE performance adds a a good amount of depth with precise and tight bass. No pops or problems from hissing, 8.5/10


**SPECIAL FEATURES**


* Featurette of Michael Caine (HD, 03:43)

* Featurette of Paolo Sorrentino (HD, 04:11)

* Featurette of the Casr (HD, 03:56)

* Featurette of Music and Sound (HD, 03:43)

* Featurette of The Essence of Youth (HD, 02:10)

* 24-image Gallery

* Theatrical Trailer (HD, 02:27)

The Americans: The Complete Third Season DVD Review

**SYNOPSIS**


In the nail-biting third season of The Americans, Philip and Elizabeth Jennings’ (Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell) personal and professional worlds collide like never before. Exposure of their real identities as Russian spies looms as their friendship with FBI agent Stan Beeman (Noah Emmerich) grows. Meanwhile, Stan’s past involvement with a double agent shakes up the bureau. And as the Jennings’ assignments grow riskier and more ethically questionable, they face mounting pressure to induct Paige into the KGB.





**SERIES REVIEW**


The Americans since the very first episode has been one of the finest dramas on cable and with Season 4 starting last week on FX it was a joy to go back and rewatch the brilliantly suspenseful third season. This season has so much depth and strong character moments I would go as far to say it was the best show of last year. Kerri Russel and Matthew Rhyss show such a range of emotions from rage to guilt to some happy moments with family that they are the best married couple in any drama at the moment. I won't go into spoiler territory just in case you haven't seen this thrilling season yet, I recommend you do so as fast as you can and add this to your collection. 9.5/10


**VIDEO QUALITY**


The Americans: The Complete Third Season arrives on DVD with a transfer in the aspect ratio of 1.78:1 - The show has a earth tone early 80's palette that only allows for bright flashes of pink or blue in well chosen visual moments. Flesh tones exhibit a natural appearance even through Philips various disguises. Black levels were good but not as deep as they could be. Overall clarity was lacking sue to some soft scenes most likely due to the choice not to release the past two seasons in HD as they were originally broadcast. There are some compression artifacts at times. This show needs to be released on Blu-ray soon. 7/10


**AUDIO QUALITY**


Audio is provided by a Dolby Digital 5.1 track. - Dialogue reproduction is important as there are a varied amount of accents on the show. It was crystal clear throughout these 13 episodes. The music score and great selection of songs breathe into the surrounds. The more thrilling scenes of the show are supported by a good amount of bass that adds some depth to gun shots and punches. No cracks or pops to speak on. 8/10


**SPECIAL FEATURES**


* Deleted Scenes
* The Cold War for Paige

The Boy Blu-ray May 10th

Universal Studios Home Entertainment has officially announced they will release The Boy to Blu-ray and DVD on May 10, 2016. The Blu-ray specs are set to be 1080p video in the 2.40:1 aspect ratio and a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track for audio. Below are the official details:





**SYNOPSIS**


A young American woman uncovers the menacing nature of the English family she cares for in The Boy, a terrifying thriller debuting on Digital HD on April 26, 2016 and on Blu-ray, DVD, and On Demand on May 10, 2016, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. From Lakeshore Entertainment (Exorcism of Emily Rose and The Underworld Franchise) and STX Entertainment (The Gift, Secret in Their Eyes), the film is a frightening thrill ride directed by William Brent Bell (The Devil Inside) and starring Lauren Cohan (“The Walking Dead”).

Greta (Cohan) is a young American woman who takes a job as a nanny in a remote English village. She soon discovers that the family’s 8-year-old is a life-sized doll that they care for just like a real boy, as a way to cope with the death of their son 20 years prior. After violating a list of strict rules, a series of disturbing and inexplicable events bring Greta’s worst nightmare to life, leading her to believe that the doll is actually alive.