Rio (a J!-ENT Blu-ray Disc Review)

“Rio” is a highly enjoyable animated film for the entire family!   While “Rio” features fantastic PQ, AQ and many special features, fans of “Angry Birds Rio” will definitely want to pick up this Blu-ray release for the special extra levels code as well.  Fans of both “Rio” and “Angry Birds Rio” will no doubt love this Blu-ray release!  Definitely recommended!

Images courtesy of ©2011 Twentieth Century Fox Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

TITLE: Rio (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy)

FILM RELEASE DATE: 2011

DURATION: 96 minutes

BLU-RAY DISC INFORMATION: 1080p High Definition (widescreen 2:40:1), English 5.1 DTS-HD MA, English Descriptive Audio 5.1 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Subtitles: English SDH and Spanish

RATED: G

COMPANY: Twentieth Century Fox

RELEASE DATE: August 2, 2011

Directed by Carlos Saldanha

Story by Carlos Saldanha, Earl Richey Jones and Todd Jones

Screenplay by Don Rhymer, Joshua Sternin, Jeffrey Ventimilia, Sam Harper

Produced by Bruce Anderson, John C. Donkin

Music by John Powell

Cinematography by Renato Falcao

Edited by Harry Hitner, Randy Trager

Casting by Christian Kaplan

Set Decoration by Melanie Martini

Starring:

Jesse Eisenberg as Blu

Lesllie Mann as Linda

Wanda Sykes as Chloe

Jane Lynch as Alice

Rodrigo Santoro as Tulio

Jamie Foxx as Nico

Will.i.am as Pedro

Anne Hathaway as Jewel

George Lopez as Rafael

Captured as a young bird from the wild, Blu (Jesse Eisenberg, The Social Network) is a domesticated Spix Macaw living thousands of miles away from his homeland, Brazil. When his human owner Linda (Leslie Mann, 17 Again) discovers that he is the last male of his kind, they head south to Rio de Janeiro to meet the only other female. But it’s far from love at first sight between the socially-awkward, flight-challenged Blu and the fiercely independent, high-flying female, Jewel (Anne Hathaway, The Princess Diaries). Shortly after Blu’s arrival, the two rare birds are captured by greedy animal smugglers and find themselves lost in the Brazilian rainforest. Unexpectedly thrown together, they embark on a hilarious and clumsy adventure where they learn about friendship, love, courage and spreading one’s wings to fly.

Filmmaker/animator Carlos Saldanha has brought success for Twentieth Century Fox with the various “Ice Age” films and while the films have been popular for FOX, many companies are quite competitive when it comes to theatrical films and when it comes to marketing, especially for a big budgeted animated film, you need all the push you can get.

And Saldanha’s “Rio” (budgeted at $90 million) will definitely need that heavy marketing push.

With probably one of the most ingenuous collaborations in recent memory Twentieth Century Fox’s tie-in with video game company Rovio, the creator of the immensely popular mobile game “Angry Birds”.

Prior to the film, millions of people all over the world got their chance to play “Angry Birds Rio”, a mobile video  game which has been downloaded over 10 million times.

With a successful tie-in with the game and bringing buzz to the animated film, “Rio” went on to make $476 million dollars in the box office.  A successful hit and Twentieth Century Fox and Rovio are back again, teaming up for a Blu-ray and DVD release (set for Aug. 2nd) which not only comes with the film on Blu-ray, DVD and digital copy but also has 15 bonus levels for “Angry Birds Rio”.

“Rio” begins with a blue macaw which was smuggled from Rio de Janeiro to Minnesota  and by accident, a crate containing the bird falls in front of the home of a young girl named Linda.

Linda (voiced by Leslie Mann, “Knocked Up”, “17 Again”, “The Cable Guy”) would eventually grow up along with her blue macaw named Blu (voiced by Jesse Eisenberg, “The Social Network”, “Zombieland”, “Adventureland”).

Linda has always protected Blu but one day, while working at a book store, a Brazilian ornithologist Tulio Monteiro (voiced by Rodrigo Santoro, “300″, “Che”) comes and tells Linda that he needs her help and explains that Blu must be taken back to Rio because it appears his species is nearly extinct and needs Blu to mate with another Macaw in order to preserve the species.

At first Linda is against it but she knows that for the better good of Blu’s species, going to Rio may be a good thing.  And sure enough, Linda and Blu along with Tulio pack their bags and go to Rio.

While visiting the aviary, Rio makes friends with a cardinal named Pedro (voiced by Black Eyed Peas frontman Will.i.am) and a yellow canary named Nico (voiced by Jamie Foxx, “Collateral”, “Ray”, “Dreamgirls”).  He also meets the macaw that he is to mate with, a light blue macaw named Jewel (voiced by Anne Hathaway).

At first Blu, thinks that he is to mate with Jewel but Jewel needs Blu to help them escape from the aviary and go back to the wilderness.    But the two end up fighting, while Linda and Tulio think the birds are actually planning to mate.

But what they don’t know is that here is a boy named Fernando (voiced by Jake T. Austin, “Wizards of Waverly Place”, “Hotel for Dogs”) and his Cockatoo named Nigel (voiced by Jemaine Clement) are working for a group of smugglers led by Marcel (voiced by Carlos Ponce), a once popular performer on TV who has vowed to capture and smuggle exotic birds because he was replaced by a parakeet on the program.

But fortunately, both Blu and Jewel are able to flee from the smugglers and end up in a jungle where they meet a toucan named Rafael (voiced by George Lopez, “George Lopez”, “Beverly Hills Chihuahua”).

Meanwhile, Fernando, the boy who stole Blu and Jewel, after being cheated of the profits he was expecting to get from Marcel, he regrets what he has done and goes to Tulio and Linda and wants to help them find the birds.

As Blu and Jewel spend time with Rafael, Rafael teaches Blu how to fly and also how to survive in the jungle, meanwhile Marcel sends out Nigel, the evil cockatoo to do what it takes to capture the macaws and so Nigel has hired mamoset thieves to capture Blu and Jewel.

Will Blu and Jewel be safe in the jungle and will Linda and Tulio find Blu and Jewel in time before Marcel and crew get their hands on them?

VIDEO:

“Rio” is presented in 1080p High Definition and is presented in widescreen (2:40:1).  As one would expect from a film that takes place in the jungle and many colorful birds being featured throughout the film, “Rio” looks absolutely vibrant on Blu-ray.  Colors galore!  Wonderful detail on the feathers and beaks of the birds, backgrounds and details of rocks to the buildings and even the interiors of the homes look great.

If there is one word to describe the picture quality of the film, that word would be “colorful”.  Expect to see many colors pop throughout the film and for the most part, be content with its awesome picture quality!

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

“Rio” is presented in English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English descriptive audio 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital and French 5.1 Dolby Digital.

The film contains a lot of ambient noises that sound fantastic coming through the surround channels.  It’s one thing to have samba musical sequences that sound crystal clear and lively coming from your home theater as there is good use of instruments from surround channels.  Front and center channels showcasing the dialogue and music is also crystal clear.

But the film does showcasing excellent ambiance and overall “Rio” has a pretty solid lossless soundtrack!

Subtitles are in English SDH and Spanish.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Rio” comes with the following special features:

• Angry Birds Rio Trailer - (1:25) Trailer for “Angry Birds Rio”.
  
• Angry Birds Rio: Nigel Mashup – (2:17) A video featuring Nigel holding the Angry Birds captive.
• Angry Birds: Exclusive Clue Video – (:29) Featuring a video on how people can obtain things online via a code.
• Deleted Scene – Fruit Stand – (1:30) A deleted scene (via sketches) with the voice acting.
• Explore the World of Rio – An interactive tour of Rio (featuring sights and sounds).
• Saving the Species: One Voice at a Time – (24:49) A featurette on the voice acting fr the film, featuring interviews with the cast and behind-the-scenes look at them recording those scenes.
• The Real Rio – (9:31) A featurette on how the filmmakers toured Rio as research for the film and the things they got from visiting Rio.
• The Making of Hot Wings – (8:02) A featurette on Will.i.am and Jamie Foxx recording their scenes for “Rio”.
• Boom Boom Tish Tish: The Sound of Brazil – (13:30) Featuring interviews with Diretor Carlos Saldanha, film crew and also with Sergio Mendes and Carlinhos Brown.
• Carnival Dance-o-Rama – Dance lessons courtesy of the characters from Rio.
• Welcome to Rio Music Video – (1:37) A music video welcoming people to “Rio”.
• Rio de JAM-eiro Jukebox – (8:34) Featuring easy access to the musical sequences from “Rio”.
• Taio Cruz – Telling the World Music Video – (1:55) A short music video featuring Taio Cruz.
• Postcards from Rio – Create your own custom Rio postcard.
• Theatrical trailer – (2:26) Featuring the theatrical trailer for “Rio”.

EXTRAS:

“Rio” comes with a slipcover case but also flyers to access the Rio “Coloring with Blu” app and a secret clue for one to unlock 15 new Rio levels on “Angry Birds Rio” via iPhone, iPad or Android.  “Rio” on Blu-ray also comes with a DVD and Digital Copy edition of the film.

There was no doubt in my mind when news broke out that Twentieth Century Fox would be collaborating with Rovio for “Rio” that the film would be successful.

It hasn’t really been done before but its a true testament how the games “Angry Birds” on iPhones, Android cell phones and iPads have captured so many people’s attention.  My family is absolutely addicted to the game and even to this day, they continue to play “Angry Birds”, “Angry Birds Seasons” and “Angry Birds Rio”.

And for my son and my nephew, because of the tie-in with Angry Birds, before “Rio” was shown in theaters, it’s all they talked about.  They had to see “Rio” and they had to play “Angry Birds Rio”.

So, the collaboration between Twentieth Century Fox and Rovio was fantastic and it’s one thing to say that because the film is from the creators of “Ice Age” that the film would be a success but lately, animated films are becoming much more competitive and even the big studios have had significant misses as of late for films that they would have expected to be a blockbuster hit.

The thing is that with today’s economy and the many animated films that are available, the animated films need some major marketing push beyond fast food “Kids Meals” and the fact that “Angry Birds Rio” is still at this time a continuing game that introduces new gameplay and levels every few months, “Angry Birds Rio” is here to stay for now.

So, it was no surprise that “Rio” did succeed in the box office, it was an incredible collaboration.

And sure enough, Twentieth Fox and Rovio has done it once again for this Blu-ray release.  Not only do you get the Blu-ray, DVD and digital copy, there is also “Angry Birds” content and also a code to get 15 new levels for “Angry Birds Rio”.  In fact, prior to my reviewing this Blu-ray release, once the title came up and Angry Birds was shown on the menu, my son and nephew went crazy and wanted to see all the “Angry Birds” content first.

So, once again, good timing on both companies parts of collaborating once again to grab that “Angry Birds” demographic.

With that being said, the animated film was definitely fun!  Jesse Eisenberg did a great job at providing the voice of the awkward Blu and Anne Hathaway is just a wonderful actress period and she does a great job voicing the role of Jewel.  And you also get quite a bit of talent participating in this film such as George Lopez, Jamie Foxx, Will.i.am, Wanda Sykes, Jane Lynch, Leslie Mann, Jake T. Austin, etc.

The story is fun and enjoyable, colorful and vibrant on Blu-ray.  Also, the audio is wonderful with the music and the use of the ambiance of the environment of the jungle and Rio.

And as for special features, there is a good number of them on Blu-ray but while they are not necessarily long, the addition of the “Angry Birds Rio” extra levels is a significant plus for the millions of hardcore fans of the game.  So, it gives people an extra incentive to purchase this Blu-ray release.

Overall, “Rio” is a highly enjoyable, family fun animated film!  The Blu-ray release is absolutely jam-packed and “Angry Birds Rio” fans are definitely going to want to pick up “Rio” on Blu-ray.

Definitely recommended!

 

 

YOLANDA ADAMS, CHRISTINA AGUILERA, JENNIFER HUDSON, MARTINA MCBRIDE AND FLORENCE WELCH WILL JOIN TOGETHER IN A ROUSING CELEBRATION OF THE QUEEN OF SOUL, ARETHA FRANKLIN, ON “THE 53RD ANNUAL GRAMMY(R) AWARDS”

ESPERANZA SPALDING JOINS STUDENTS FROM THE GRAMMY^® JAZZ ENSEMBLES AND GRAMMY^® CAMP FOR A SPECIAL PERFORMANCE

Marc Anthony, Jamie Foxx, Jewel, John Mayer, Pauley Perrette and Donnie Wahlberg Added to the Star-Studded Lineup as Presenters

As a “Valentine” and “get-well card” to Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award and GRAMMY^® Legend Award recipient Aretha Franklin, four-time GRAMMY winner Yolanda Adams, four-time GRAMMY winner and Latin GRAMMY^® winner Christina Aguilera, GRAMMY winner Jennifer Hudson, country superstar Martina McBride and current nominee Florence Welch will perform together on THE 53^rd ANNUAL GRAMMY^® AWARDS live from the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011 (8:00-11:30 PM, ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network.  The special segment will feature individual and collective performances of some of the Queen of Soul’s classic hits in celebration of the 18-time GRAMMY winner and current nominee’s ongoing music legacy.  Current nominee Esperanza Spalding also will perform in a special number with members of the GRAMMY Jazz Ensembles and GRAMMY Camp.

Two-time GRAMMY and three-time Latin GRAMMY winner Marc Anthony, GRAMMY and Academy Award^® winner Jamie Foxx, seven-time GRAMMY winner and current nominee John Mayer, actor Pauley Perrette and actor/singer Donnie Wahlberg have been added as presenters to the music industry’s premier event.  They join a star-studded lineup that includes current three-time GRAMMY nominee Dierks Bentley, pop singer/actor Miley Cyrus, singer/actor Selena Gomez, two-time Emmy^® winner Neil Patrick Harris, nine-time GRAMMY winner and current nominee Norah Jones, three-time GRAMMY winner Kris Kristofferson (who will introduce Barbara Streisand’s performance), six-time GRAMMY winner and current nominee John Legend, two-time GRAMMY winner and actor LL COOL J, current nominee Nicki Minaj, nominee Paramore, actor Seth Rogen and current nominee Blake Shelton.

Adams, Aguilera, Hudson, McBride, Spalding and Welch join previously announced performers and nominees Arcade Fire, Eminem, Lady Antebellum, Lady Gaga, Miranda Lambert, Muse, Katy Perry and Barbra Streisand (who will appear in a rare performance); nominees Justin Bieber and Usher, with Jaden Smith; nominees B.o.B, Bruno Mars and Janelle Monáe; nominees Drake and Rihanna; nominee Cee Lo Green, with Gwyneth Paltrow and the Jim Henson Company Puppets; and Mick Jagger with Raphael Saadiq.

First-time nominees Spalding and Welch each have one nomination: both are up for Best New Artist.

Arcade Fire, Bieber, B.o.B, Jagger, Lambert, Mars, Monáe, Muse, Paltrow and Smith will be performing on the GRAMMY telecast for the first time, and all five Album of the Year nominees are set to perform on Music’s Biggest Night^®: Arcade Fire, Eminem, Lady Antebellum, Lady Gaga and Perry.

Additionally, the 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards Pre-Telecast Ceremony will take place from 1:00-4:00 PM, PT, at the Los Angeles Convention Center and will be streamed live internationally on www.grammy.com/live and on www.youtube.com/thegrammys beginning at 1:00 PM, PT.  Current GRAMMY nominees Bobby McFerrin and Esperanza Spalding will co-host the star-studded ceremony, which will feature performances by current nominees including Afro-Colombian hip-hop trio and Latin GRAMMY winner ChocQuibTown; blues musician and five-time GRAMMY winner Buddy Guy; singer/songwriter and GRAMMY winner Cyndi Lauper; American roots musician Maria Muldaur; contemporary blues artist Kenny Wayne Shepherd; trombone and trumpet player Trombone Shorty; legendary gospel and soul singer Mavis Staples; jazz musician Kirk Whalum; and R&B singer/songwriter and GRAMMY winner Betty Wright.

Presenting the first GRAMMY Awards of the night in approximately 98 categories will be current nominees: performance artist Laurie Anderson, pop singer/songwriter Sara Bareilles, electronic/dance music artist and remixer BT, actor/comedian Kathy Griffin and Latin Jazz musician Wayne Wallace.  The live stream of the Pre-Telecast will remain on GRAMMY.com as video on demand for 30 days following the event.

THE 53^rd ANNUAL GRAMMY^® AWARDS are produced by John Cossette Productions and AEG Ehrlich Ventures for The Recording Academy.  Ken Ehrlich and John Cossette are executive producers, Louis J. Horvitz is director, and David Wild and Ken Ehrlich are the writers.

About The Recording Academy

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers.  Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards – the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music – The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs.  The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture.  For more information about The Academy, please visit http://www.grammy.com/.  For breaking news and exclusive content, join the organization’s social networks as a Twitter follower at www.twitter.com/thegrammys, a Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/thegrammys, and a YouTube channel subscriber at www.youtube.com/thegrammys.

Official CBS Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/CBSTweet

“UNTITLED JAMIE FOXX/AFFION CROCKETT PROJECT”: (working title) SNEAK PREVIEW TO AIR FOLLOWING “AMERICAN IDOL” THURSDAY, MARCH 31, ON FOX

Sketch Comedy Series Executive-Produced by Academy Award Winner Jamie Foxx

Premieres Thursday, June 9, on FOX

Actor-Comedian Affion Crockett Stars and Serves as Producer

The UNTITLED JAMIE FOXX/AFFION CROCKETT PROJECT (working title), a fast-paced, half-hour sketch-comedy series executive-produced by Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx and starring rising comedic talent Affion Crockett (“The Boondocks,” “Dance Flick”), will air a sneak preview Thursday, March 31 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) following AMERICAN IDOL on FOX. The series will then premiere in its regular time period Thursday, June 9 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT).

In the vein of FOX’s groundbreaking and network-defining “In Living Color,” the UNTITLED JAMIE FOXX/AFFION CROCKETT PROJECT (working title) will offer a fresh take on pop culture, including spoofs of movie trailers, commercials, TV shows, music videos and celebrities, with a diverse cast made up of the very best new young comedians on the scene today. Additionally, some of the biggest names in Hollywood will be stopping by for a visit. Crockett, whose incisive web shorts have drawn a cult following, will also serve as a producer and writer.

The UNTITLED JAMIE FOXX/AFFION CROCKETT PROJECT (working title) is a production of Fox Television Studios, Foxx/King Entertainment and Tantamount Studios. The series is executive-produced by Foxx, Todd Yasui (“The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson”), Marcus King (“Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper,” “The Jamie Foxx Show”), Jaime Rucker King (“Ray,” “From G’s to Gents”), Eric Tannenbaum (“Two and a Half Men”), Kim Tannenbaum (“Two and a Half Men”) and Mitch Hurwitz (“Arrested Development”). Carl Jones (“The Boondocks”) serves as co-executive producer, while Crockett serves as a producer.

The Soloist (a J!-ENT Blu-ray Disc Review)

“Magnificent performance by Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx.  A moving and  powerful film which is based on a true story that is truly an eye opener to the homeless problem in America.”

Images courtesy of ©Paramount Home Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.

TITLE: The Soloist

DURATION: 116 minutes

BLU-RAY DISC INFORMATION: 1080p High Definition (1:85:1), English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD, French/Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, Subtitles: English, English SDH, French and Spanish

COMPANY:  Paramount Home Entertainment

RATED: PG-13 (For Thematic Elements, Some Drug Use and Language)

Release Date: August 4, 2009

Directed by Joe Wright

Based on a book by Steve Lopez

Screenplay by Susannah Grant

Executive Produced by Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Jeff Skoll, Patricia Witcher

Produced by Gary Foster, Russ Krasnoff

Co-Produced by Rikki Lea Bestall, Leeann Stonebreaker

Music by Dario Marianelli

Director of Photography: Seamus McGarvey

Edited by Paul Tothill

Casting by Francine Maisler

Production Design by Sarah Greenwood

Art Direction by Greg Berry, Suzan Wexler

Set Decoration by Julie Smith, Katie Spencer

Costume Design by Jacqueline Durran

Starring:

Jamie Foxx as Nathaniel Ayers

Robert Downey Jr. as Steve Lopez

CAtherine Keener as Mary Weston

Lisa Gay Hamilton as Jennifer

Nelsan Ellis as David

Academy Award nominee Robert Downey Jr. and Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx star in an extraordinary and inspiring true story of how a chance meeting can change a life.  The Soloist tells the poignant and ultimately soaring tale of a Los Angeles newspaper reporter who discovers a brilliant street musician, with unsinkable passion, and the unique friendship and bon that transforms both their lives.  The remarkable performances make for an unforgetting experience in what is hailed as “a courageous and uncompromising film” (Gene Shalit, TODAY).

In 2005, Los Angeles Times writer Steve Lopez captured the hearts of thousands of readers with his columns about a former Juilliard musician named Nathaniel Ayers who is living on the streets.  After several columns, Lopez and Ayers would be featured on 60 Minutes and capture the attention of how two people who are absolute different, become good friends.

In 2008, Steve Lopez would write a book based on his experience with Nathanial Ayers but also give attention to the homeless in LA’s Skid row.  That book would then become a film.

The film version of “THE SOLOIST” is directed by Joe Wright (“Atonement” and “Pride & Prejudice”) and would feature a screenplay by Susannah Grant (“28 Days”, “Erin Brockovich” and “Charlotte’s Web”), music by Dario Marianelli (“Atonement”, “The Brave One” and “My World”) and cinematography by Seamus McGarvey (“Atonement”, “World Trade Center” and “Sahara”).

The film features a talented cast with Robert Downey Jr. (“Iron Man”, “Tropic Thunder”, “Charlie Bartlett”, etc.),  Jamie Foxx (“The Kingdom”, “Jarhead”, “Ray”), Catherine Keener (“Capote”, “The 40 Year Old Virgin” and “Solstice”) and Nelsan Ellis (“True Blood”, “The Inside” and “The Express).

The film is about a divorced L.A. Times news reporter named Steve Lopez (Robert Downey Jr.) who is looking for news to write about and one day, while out and about in L.A.’s Pershing Square, he hears a homeless man named Nathaniel Ayers (Jamie Foxx) playing a two string violin.  Despite the two strings, he’s playing it extremely well.  But what catches his attention is that Ayers has told him he was a student at the prestigious performing arts school, Juilliard.  As a writer, this peaks Lopez’s interest in how can a homeless man who attended Juilliard be out in the streets.  What is his story?

While doing his research to find out if what Ayers has told him is true, Lopez learns that he was a talented student at Juilliard in the 70′s for two years but for some unexpected reason, he had dropped out. In fact, through his research, he realized that Nathaniel was exceptionally talented and those who taught or had the opportunity to work with him, saw his wonderful talent.

Lopez manages to contact his sister Jenny (Lisa Gay Hamilton) who explains a little bit about Nathaniel.  Lopez learns through his research that Nathaniel’s main instrument is a cello and during his time in Juilliard, he suddenly became sick (we see images of how Nathaniel starts hearing voices in his head that would not stop.  Symptoms of schizophrenia.)

But for Nathaniel, there seemed to be a peace for him living on the streets and playing his music.

After the first column was published in the L.A. Times, many people felt passionate about the story that one woman who played the cello was unable to do so, due to her severe arthritis.  She requested for Lopez to give it to Ayers in which he did.  By then, Lopez used the cello as a way to get some help for Nathaniel and to play at Lamp Community which treats the mentally ill (but as a way for him to receive some treatment himself).

But its the discovery of what Steve Lopez sees while developing this friendship with Nathaniel (and more columns to follow), which is the homeless on skid row.  People living on the streets, where people just sleep anywhere they can, occasional fighting, deaths.  These are people like Nathaniel who have a story of their previous life before becoming homeless and these people, Lopez would meet and get to know their story and become part of his columns.

But as the film would cover this growing relationship between Lopez and Ayers (especially Lopez doing what he can to help Ayers), we see Lopez as a man who not showed the same compassion towards his own family and thus it becomes a film about self-discovery.  As Lopez will learn a difficult lesson about himself but also a film that shows how bad the problem of homelessness is in Los Angeles (the #1 city with homeless in the country and over 900,00 people are homeless in the city).

VIDEO & AUDIO:

“The Soloist” is presented in 1080p High Definition.  For the most part, the picture quality is absolutely vibrant and colorful.  During the day scenes, we are exposed to the grit and grime of where Nathaniel is living and also, during the night where we see Skid Row in its most unpleasantness.

There is plenty of detail from the dirt and grime on the faces of people, the detail of trash and whatever the homeless can find that would benefit them.  For Nathaniel, from the things that he wears on his body, to the paint on his face revealing the cracks and unevenness of the paint, the detail is there.  From well-defined edges and revealing textures.  During daylight scenes, picture quality is vibrant.  During the night time scenes, black levels are quite good. Overall, a solid transfer.

As for the audio, audio is presented in English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD (also, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital).  Dialogue remains crisp and clear but the music is what comes alive in this film.  Your front channel speakers definitely makes the soundscape much more immersive.  There is a fair amount of ambience as well from the surrounds.  For a film that doesn’t have special effects but depends on its dialogue and music, “The Soloist” is well done for a film of this nature.

Subtitles are presented in English, English SDH, French and Spanish.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Special features included on this Blu-ray are:

• Audio Commentary by Joe Wright – A very passionate commentary with Joe talking about certain scenes of the film, working with the talent but also his goal of what he wanted to accomplish by experiencing Skid Row for himself and how the film became a mission to show how bad things are.
• An Unlikely Friendship: Making the Soloist - (19:35) Presented in High Definition, this featurette is about how the Producers came to a decision to make Steve Lopez’s book into a film.  Filming in Skid Row, filming of the L.A. Philharmonic and actual situations that happened in the film and talking to the real people that the film is based on.  Also, interviews with the talent in the film.
• Kindness, Courtesy and Respect – Mr. Ayers and Mr. Lopez – (4:48) Both Nathaniel Ayers and Steve Lopez talk about their respect for each other and what it has meant for each of them to have this special friendship with one another.
• One Size Does Not Fit All: Addressing homelessness in Los Angeles - (9:45) Interview with Director Joe Wright, Producer Russ Krasnoff, Orlando Ward (Director of Recovery Services at Midnight Mission), Casey Horan (Executive Director of LAMP) and screenwriter Susannah Grant and those involved with helping the homeless but also showing us how bad things are in Los Angeles but what they are doing to help the homeless through programs and services.
• Juilliard: The Education of Nathaniel Ayers – (4:06) Producer Gary Foster talks about Juilliard, the significance of a young black man in the 1970′s who received a scholarship to learn at the prestigious school and also a day when Yo Yo Ma met Nathaniel Ayers.
• Beth’s Story – (2:00) A short animated film about a girl named Beth on how she came from a great family, upon an accident which claimed her parents, her life as a child, an adult and how she became homeless.  How each person on the street has a story, not all were born homeless.
• Deleted Scenes – (9:47) Six deleted scenes which include: Blood, Hospital Questions, Audition, I’m no Good, Some Life, I want the Concert to Go On
• Theatrical Trailer – (2:32) The original theatrical trailer

“The Soloist” is a powerful film and an eye-opener of how compassion and friendship can go along way in helping people in need.

For the most part, “The Soloist” puts Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx in a film that features another major performance of both their careers.  The two do a stellar job but for the film as a whole, it is a powerful and moving film but where a film would start to pick up steam as it nears the end, “The Soloist” stays consistent with a little drop off.  And I suppose the fact is that the story of Nathaniel Ayers is still ongoing.  Both Lopez and Ayers are friends and it was very important for the film to not have a false happy ending because like in real life, this story is ongoing.

And that is where the problem of the film and what people may have with it.   If anything, a film that deals with schizophrenia will easily be compared to the Academy Award winning film “A Beautiful Mind” and “Shine”.  The films which both definitely had a memorable final hour and really showed us the state of mind of one with the mental illness.  These films were dramatic and surprising.   But for “The Soloist”, the film was about friendship between a writer who has his life changed by meeting this talented performer with schizophrenia and is homeless.

If you have read any of the columns by Steve Lopez, we are moved and inspired by his compassion.  As we are in the film.  But for a film, many people expect a storyline that ends with a happy or bad ending.  An ending that will make us laugh, make us cry or make us grinning on our way out to the car.  I felt none of that.

As a viewer, first and foremost, I will say that I was entertained and enjoyed the film.  With that being said, it was a film that I was just content with the message but as a film, I was feeling more of “is this it?”

But for the Blu-ray release, there is an important message through this film and the Blu-ray and that is the problem of the homeless in Los Angeles.  How compassion has helped one man, how much it could help many people for those who donate their time.  A doctor, a dentist or someone with provides a service and willing to donate their time in helping the homeless.  And that compassionate side of me, enjoys “The Soloist” because of that message and what is featured on the special features is definitely is an eye-opener.

Needless to say, “The Soloist” is a moving and powerful film but it’s a film that falls short of greatness.   As a Blu-ray release, its no doubt a release that is going to entertain and open ones eyes to a major problem that exists nationwide but for a film with two stellar performances, the story of “The Soloist” is for the most part, average at best.