Texas Killing Fields (a J!-ENT Blu-ray Disc Review)
January 23, 2012 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment
Dark, eerie but in this storyline based on the true events of the unsolved murders in Texas, the film features a storyline with “hope”. And with that hope, maybe this film becomes a catalyst that will lead to the real-life cold cases from being solved. “Texas Killing Fields” does leave the viewer with a bittersweet feeling but overall, it is an average crime thriller.
TITLE: Texas Killing Fields
FILM RELEASE: 2011
DURATION: 105 Minutes
BLU-RAY DISC INFORMATION: 1080p High Definition (widescreen 2:35:1), English Dolby TrueHD 7.1, Spanish Mono, Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
COMPANY: Anchor Bay Films
RATED: R (For Violence and Languge, including some sexual references)
Release Date: January 31, 2012
Directed by Ami Canaan Mann
Writte by Don Ferrarone
Producer: Michael Jaffe, Michael Mann
Co-Producer: Travis Mann
Executive Producer: Bill Block, A. John A. Bryan Jr., Paul Hanson, Michael Jaffe, Michael Ohoven, Ethan Smith, Justin Thomson
Music by Dickon Hinchliffe
Cinematography by Stuard Dryburgh
Edited by Cindy Mollo
Casting by Chris Gray
Production Design by Aran Mann
Art Direction by Jonah Markowitz
Set Decoration by Leonard R. Spears
Costume Design by Christopher Lawrence
Starring:
Sam Worthington as Det. Mike Souder
Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Brian Heigh
Jessica Chastain as Det. Pam Stall
Chloe Grace Moretz as Little Anne Sliger
Corie Berkemeyer as Shauna Kittredge
Maureen Brennan as Mrs. Kittredge
Tony Bentley as Captain Bender
James Hebert as Eugene Sliger
Annabeth Gish as Gwen Heigh
nspired by true events, this tense and haunting thriller follows Detective Souder (Sam Worthington), a homicide detective in a small Texan town, and his partner, transplanted New York City cop Detective Heigh (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) as they track a sadistic serial killer dumping his victims’ mutilated bodies in a nearby marsh locals call “The Killing Fields.” Though the swampland crime scenes are outside their jurisdiction, Detective Heigh is unable to turn his back on solving the gruesome murders. Despite his partner’s warnings, he sets out to investigate the crimes. Before long, the killer changes the game and begins hunting the detectives, teasing them with possible clues at the crime scenes while always remaining one step ahead. When familiar local girl Anne (Chloë Grace Moretz) goes missing, the detectives find themselves racing against time to catch the killer and save the young girl’s life.
Through the ’70s and to the ’90s, law authorities and residents living near League City, Texas have been in fear that a serial killer was hunting young women and dumping their bodies in a dumping ground known as the “Killing Field”. Around 60 unsolved murders happened between those three decades and these bodies were found in the swamp field.
Four bodies of sexually assaulted women have been found nude, face looking up under the trees and their arms crossed and placed within a hundred yard radius from each other and the planned placement of these bodies shown that killer head premeditated these murders to create a path of bodies that may have been scene as trophies. To this day, these murders have remained unsolved.
These murders inspired the 2011 crime film “Texas Killing Fields”, a film directed by Ami Canaan Mann (“Heat”, “Morning”, “Nancy Drew”) and written by Don Ferrarone (“Man on Fire”, “Bad Boys II”, “Deja Vu”).
The film would star Sam Worthington (“Avatar”, “Clash of the Titans”, “Terminator Salvation”), Jeffrey Dean Morgan (“Watchment”, “The Losers”, “P.S. I Love You”), Jessica Chastain (“The Help”, “Tree of Life”, “Take Shelter”) and Chloe Grace Moretz (“(500) Days of Summer”, “Hugo”, “Kick-Ass”).
“Texas Killing Fields” is film about Detective Brian Heigh (played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan), a former NYPD police officer and his partner Detective Mike Sounder (played by Sam Worthington) working on a case of a young woman who was brutally murdered. As the men began to investigate the death of the young woman, Brian ends up helping a young teen named Little Anne Sliger (played by Chloe Grace Moretz), who comes from a broken home and her mother often has men at their home and thus, kicks Anne out of the house.
Both Brian and Mike, know that Anne has a bad family life but they try to let the mother know (including the men that show up to their house) that the police are watching them.
One day, as Anne is walking home, a man tries to offer her a ride but she declines. This same man is then seen near an area of town where both detectives are trying to find information on the murdered woman.
Meanwhile, as the Detectives are trying to find out more information for their murder case, Detective Pam Stall (played by Jessica Chastain), also the former wife of Detective Mike Sounder has found a dead body in her jurisdiction near the Killing Fields. And because both of them found young women murdered, that the bodies may be related.
Because of Pam’s bad relationship with Mike, she tells Brian that if there is anything related between the murdered woman case they are working on and the one she is working on, to please let her know. But Detective Sounder reminds his partner that their jurisdiction is the city not the county, so they can’t get involved.
One night, a woman who is putting her child to sleep is nearly killed by someone. A loud noise makes the perpetrator leave, and the woman calls the police for help. But as she does, the killer once again tries to kill the victim but the police arrive and the man runs away. Both Detective Mike Sounder and Brian Heigh go after the perpetrator but he escapes.
While they interview the woman who was harmed, she tells him that it was not one man that tried to kill her, there were two of them. Immediately, they receive a call from a woman who calls the detectives for their help and they can hear her screaming and being killed.
As Brian contacts Detective Pam Stall, they both head out to the area and once again, a woman is murdered and found the same way as the others. There is a finger print on the woman but unfortunately, because she was submerged in water, it is lost.
And for Brian, it becomes personal because the woman who was murdered called them, even though they were not from the same jurisdiction. We learn that in New York City, Brian was working on a cold case that was never solved, but this time around, he desperately wants to solve these murder cases. Unfortunately, his partner Mike disagrees.
Mike reminds Brian that the Killing Fields is not their jurisdiction and because he knows the area, that area of town is not where people like him should be. The people operate differently and it is best that he focuses on what happens in the city and not get involved in a jurisdiction that is not theirs.
Brian refuses to listen to his partner as he has taken these murders to these women personally and now wants to stop the killer, despite the murders happening in the Killing Fields, a dumping ground a few miles away from the city.
Meanwhile, the trouble Little Ann Sliger tends to have no place to stay at times because of her mother’s activity at home, so Brian lets her stay with his family for dinner at times and tends to watch over her.
But as the investigation of the murder case continues to escalate due to multiple murders, Mike grows suspicious of his partner Brian breaking protocol and trying to work on murder cases in another jurisdiction.
But all hell breaks loose when Brian who was taking Anne Sliger back home, makes a quick stop to a convenience store. While he tells Anne to grab some medication for him inside and he is talking on his cell phone, Anne is abducted from the convenience store and now he worries that it may be the serial killer.
VIDEO:
“Texas Killing Fields” is presented in 1080p High Definition Widescreen (2:40:1). The picture quality featured vibrant and colorful scenes during the outdoor sequences but there were some scenes indoors that had some banding issues. Black levels were deep and the night sequences were also well done and also detail was very good on subjects and objects. If anything, cinematographer Stuart Dryburgh (“Bridget Jones’s Diary”, “The Piano”, “Analyze This”) did a wonderful job in capturing the the darker side of “The Killing Fields” and also enjoyed the lighting techniques used for many scenes.
AUDIO & SUBTITLES:
“Texas Killing Fields” is presented in English Dolby TrueHD 7.1 and while I was hoping the lossless soundtrack would be immersive, the soundtrack is primarily dialogue-driven with ambient noises. There are scenes with gunshots but other than that, it’s a dialogue driven film. I really didn’t hear anything strong coming from the surround or rear surround channels and heard mostly audio coming primarily from the center and front channels.
Subtitles are in English SDH and Spanish.
SPECIAL FEATURES
“Texas Killing Fields” comes with the following special features:
- Audio Commentary – Audio commentary by director Ami Canaan Mann and writer Don Ferrarone.
“Texas Killing Fields” is a dark crime film that is inspired by real events in Texas. And also an important film in which authorities can only hope the film brings interest and possibly hopes that someone will come forward with more clues for these many unsolved murders and abductions that had taken place through the ’70s through the ’90s.
Authorities believe the killings may have been done by three serial killers, families are still awaiting justice and those responsible have yet to be caught.
“Texas Killing Fields” is a fictional amalgamation of what had taken place at the time and is not based on any individual case but “Texas Killing Fields” tries to showcase the challenges that law enforcement had when working on the case, primarily…no one ventures out to the “Killing Fields”.
But it’s also a personal film as screenwriter, Don Ferrarone was working for the Drug Enforcement Agency and since retiring back in 1997, he was intrigued by the anger towards law authorities that this highly-publicized case has gone unsolved. But even both Ferrarone and even director Ami Canaan Mann both know, the making of “Texas Killing Fields” was difficult knowing that the murders are unsolved and how can you make a film where the criminal have not been caught yet?
And this is possibly the weakness of the entire film. While the film is quite effective in showcasing the town as troubled, characters that live in a certain part of town as troubled, it also is quite effective in showing us the darker side of the film… near-abductions or murders, creepy vibe when seeing how the bodies were found to the jarring sound of a women who were attacked or prior to them being murdered…the film was able to convey the feeling of dire, fear, sadness, anger in that regard. But unfortunately the film lacked connection. Who are the suspects? Why are they suspects? Who are these characters who may have known the subjects? Why are they helping them? What clues have been found?
The main challenge that we are presented is that the murdered bodies are found in a place called “The Killing Fields” that people don’t go to.
The film also leads us to believe that an officer is willing to take on murderers on their own without backup. This is not an action film ala “Die Hard” or a film where one cop can take on a group of murderers. Police procedure seemed to go out the window during those scenes.
But nevertheless, I did enjoy some parts of the film and it was obvious from listening to the audio commentary by Ami Canaan Mann and Don Ferrarone that this film was a challenge. It’s not an easy film to do, because the murders are still unsolved to this day. Granted, because no individual case is focused on, Ferrarone can at least give one plot resolution but making sure people know that the “Texas Killing Fields” is a film like real-life is unresolved. It may leave a bittersweet taste in your mouth but imagine how law authorities and most importantly, the families have felt for so long and not having any closure.
As for the acting, “Texas Killing Fields” does feature a few solid performances. First, it’s great to see Jessica Chastain continue in showing us that she can take on whichever character role that she is playing. From the sad mother in “Tree of Life”, the crying and lonely wife in “The Help” and now a butt-kicking detective in “Texas Killing Fields”, she can do it all!
Sam Worthington shows us he can be the stoic, angry detective in “Texas Killing Fields” and obviously something much different since the first “Avatar” film and Jeffrey Dean Morgan also does a good job in playing the concerned detective, but with uneven pacing and a screenplay which could have been better, the “Texas Killing Fields” was an OK film.
As for the Blu-ray release, there were some scenes that looked good…especially the outdoor scenes. But there were some scenes, especially with darker levels that didn’t come out too well and noticed some banding issues. As for special features, you do get a single audio commentary.
Overall, “Texas Killing Fields” was indeed a difficult film for both Ami Canaan Mann and Don Ferrarone. The subject manner was not easy since the cases were unsolved, families of the murdered victims which the filmmakers would at least have talked to them in order to showcase the grieving family element but if anything, while the film may not be the greatest crime film, one can only hope that the film has generated interest in allowing these cold cases to be solved.
TEXAS KILLING FIELDS opens in select theaters today – October 14th, 2011
October 14, 2011 by J!-ENT · Leave a Comment
TEXAS KILLING FIELDS
In Select Theaters October 14, 2011
Runtime is 105 minutes.
Rated R for violence and language including some sexual references.
www.texaskillingfields.com
Inspired by true events, this tense and haunting thriller follows Detective Souder (Sam Worthington), a homicide detective in a small Texan town, and his partner, transplanted New York City cop Detective Heigh (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) as they track a sadistic serial killer dumping his victims’ mutilated bodies in a nearby marsh locals call “The Killing Fields.”
Though the swampland crime scenes are outside their jurisdiction, Detective Heigh is unable to turn his back on solving the gruesome murders. Despite his partner’s warnings, he sets out to investigate the crimes. Before long, the killer changes the game and begins hunting the detectives, teasing them with possible clues at the crime scenes while always remaining one step ahead. When familiar local girl Anne (Chloë Grace Moretz) goes missing, the detectives find themselves racing against time to catch the killer and save the young girl’s life.
Directed by Ami Canaan Mann, Produced by Michael Mann and Michael Jaffe, Texas Killing Fields also stars Jessica Chastain (Tree of Life, The Help), Jason Clarke (Public Enemies, FOX’s “Chicago Code”) and Stephen Graham (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire”). Executive Producers Bill Block, Paul Hanson and Ethan Smith, with music by Dickon Hinchliffe.
Grey’s Anatomy – Complete Sixth Season (A J!-ENT DVD Review)
September 3, 2010 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment
A magnificent, dramatic heartfelt season with a tragic, shocking season finale that will shock “Grey’s Anatomy” fans to the core. If you are a fan of the series, this DVD set is highly recommended!
© abc studios. All Rights Reserved.
DVD TITLE: Grey’s Anatomy – Complete Sixth Season – More Moments
SERIES DATE: 2009-2010
DURATION: 24 Episodes (1032 Minutes)
DVD INFORMATION: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, Spanish and French Subtitles, Widescreen (1:78:1) – Enhanced for 16×9 Televisions
COMPANY: abc studios
RATED: TV 14 DSLV
RELEASE DATE: September 14, 2010
Created by Shonda Rhimes
Directed by Rob Corn, Jessica Yu and Randall Zisk
Written by Shonda Rhimes, Krista Vernoff, Stacy McKee, Tony Phelan, Joan Rater, Mark Wilding, Debora Cahn, Zoanne Clack, Allan Heinberg, Jenna Bans, William Harper and Peter Nowalk
Executive Producer: Betsy Beers, Shonda Rhimes, Krista Vernoff
Co-Executive Producer: Mark Wilding, Tony Phelan, Joan Rater
Producer: Tammy Ann Casper, Rob Corn, Linda Klein, Zoanne Clack
Consulting Producer: Debora Cahn
Supervising Producer: Jenna Bans
Associate Producer: Chris Van Dusen
Music by Danny Lux
Cinematography by Herbert Davis
Edited by Edward Ornelas, Susan Vaill, David Greenspan
Casting by John Brace, Linda Lowy, Will Stewart
Production Design by Donald Lee Harris
Set Decoration by Nicole Cramer
Costume Design by Mimi Melgaard
Starring:
Ellen Pompeo as Dr. Meredith Grey
Patrick Dempsey as Dr. Derek Shepherd
Sandra Oh as Dr. Cristina Yang
Katherine Heigl as Dr. Isobel ‘Izzie’ Stevens
Eric Dane as Dr. Mark Sloan
Justin Chambers as Dr. Alex Karev
Chandra Wilson as Dr. Miranda Bailey
James Pickens Jr. as Dr. Richard Webber
Sara Ramirez as Dr. Callie Torres
Kevin McKidd as Dr. Owen Hunt
Jessica Capshaw as Dr. Arizona Robbins
Chyler Leigh as Dr. Lexie Grey
Kim Raver as Dr. Teddy Altman
Kate Walsh as Dr. Addison Montgomery-Shepherd
Jesse Williams as Dr. Jackson Avery
Sarah Drew as Dr. April Kepner
Robert Baker as Dr. Charles Percy
Norah Zehetner as Dr. Reed Adamson
Life takes commitment. As much as things have changed, good and bad, for the doctors at Seattle Grace, they’re now faced with the challenge of how willing they are to commit – to their careers, to love, to friendships, to the choices they make. And they will start to realize they have to deal with their lives to understand what matters most to them and how commitment helps define who they are.
In 2005, “Grey’s Anatomy” became a critically acclaimed television series that would become ABC’s top rated dramas and winner of two Emmy and Golden Globe Awards.
Created by Shonda Rhimes (“Private Practice”), the drama series revolves around a group of interns and their experience at Seattle Grace Hospital. As well, as a few of the other doctors of the hospital. Throughout the first five seasons, we see these interns become residents and experience relationship problems and also the stress and challenges they face as resident doctors. The last season was a bit more dramatic as love was lost, love was found and we saw one of the main characters battling cancer, while another dies in a tragic accident.
Season six features a merger between Seattle Grace and Mercy West and this season introduces us to new doctors and characters who will have an impact on the current main characters.
The characters of “Grey’s Anatomy” Season 6 include:
Dr. Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo, “Daredevil”, “Old School”) - A resident surgeon Seattle’s Grace Hospital who is now married to Dr. Derek Shepherd. Best friends with Dr. Cristina Yang.
Dr. Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey, “The Practice”, “Made of Honor”, “The Practice”, “Freedom Writers”) - The head of neurosurgery and was married to Dr. Addison Montgomery (“Private Practice”) who had an affair with his friend Dr. Mark Sloan. He is now married to Dr. Meredith Grey. Known as “McDreamy” to the Dr. Meredith Grey and her friends.
Dr. Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh, “Blindness”, “Arli$$”, “Sideways”) - A resident surgeon at Seattle’s Grace Hospital and a best friend of Dr. Meredith Grey, not afraid of confessing her emotions to her friends. She is currently dating Dr. Owen Hunt. She wants to have more hands on experience as a cardiac surgeon.
Dr. Isobel “Izzie” Stevens (Katherine Heigl, “27 Date”, “Roswell”, “Knocked Up”) – A resident surgeon at Seattle Grace Hospital and is married to Dr. Alex Karev. She is recovering from cancer.
Dr. Alex Karev (Justin Chambers, “Lakeview Terrace”, “Cold Case”, “The Wedding Planner”) - A doctor at Seattle’s Grace Hospital. Abrasive towards the new interns and is married to Dr. Isobel Stevens.
Dr. Mark Sloan (Eric Dane, “Marley & Me”, “X-Men: The Last Stand”, “Charmed”) - Once a best friend (and almost like family) to Dr. Derek Shepherd but had an affair with Derek’s wife, and definitely help lead towards their divorce. Specializes in plastic surgery and often looked at as arrogant. Has had sexual relations with many women and is now dating Dr. Lexie Grace. Known to the female doctors as “McSteamy”.
Dr. Lexie Grey (Chyler Leigh, “The Practice”, “Girls Club, “That ’80s Show”) – Dr. Meredith Grey’s sister (both are not really close to each other). Trying to learn and strives to learn everything from the doctors at Seattle Grace Hospital and known for her photographic memory. Has had a sexual relationship with Dr. Alex Karev and is now dating Dr. Sloan.
Dr. Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez, “Baseball Wives”, “Chicago”) – A former chief resident at Seattle Grace Hospital and an orthopedic surgeon. Was married with Dr. George O’Malley. Later, she has a sexual relationship with Dr. Mark Sloan (in order to prove to herself that she is heterosexual) but is now starting to understand her feelings that she is a lesbian and exploring her relationship with Dr. Arizona Robbins. Currently, roommates with Dr. Yang.
Dr. Arizona Robbins (Jessica Capshaw, “The Practice”) – Head of Pediatric Surgery and has a relationship with Dr. Torres.
Dr. Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson, “Philadelphia”) - A resident surgeon in charge of five interns (now residents). Known for her tough love and blunt comments.
Dr. Richard Webber (James Picken’s Jr., “Curb Your Enthusiasm, “The Lyon’s Den”, “Six Feet Under”) - The Chief of Surgery at Seattle Grace Hospital. In earlier seasons, it is learned that he had an affair with Meredith’s mother and is like a father figure to her. Because of Seattle Grace’s ranking starts to suffer, he enforces tough rules on his doctors and is a recovering alcoholic.
Dr. Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd, “Journeyman”, “Rome”) – Head of the trauma surgery and boyfriend of Cristina Yang. Dr. Hunt is recovering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder suffered while serving in Iraq.
Dr. Teddy Altman (Kim Raver, “24″, “Lipstick Jungle”, “Third Watch”) - Head of Cardiothoracic Surgery and served in Iraq with Dr. Hunt. She loves Owen and she is coming between Dr. Hunt and and Dr. Yang.
Dr. Jackson Avery (Jesse Williams, “Beyond the Break”) – A surgical resident from Mercy West Hospital who joins Seattle Grace after the merger. The grandson of the famous surgeon Dr. Harper Avery who has a crush on Cristina.
Dr. Reed Adamson (Norah Zehetner, “Heroes”, “Mad Men”) - A surgical resident from Mercy West Hospital who joins Seattle Grace after the merger and is attracted to Alex.
Dr. Charles Percy (Robert Baker, “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”, “Leatherheads”) – A surgical resident from Mercy West Hospital who joins Seattle Grace after the merger.
Dr. April Kepner (Sarah Drew, “Mad Men”) – A surgical resident from Mercy West Hospital who joins Seattle Grace after the merger.
“Grey’s Anatomy – Complete Sixth Season” features 24 episodes on six discs. Here is a basic summary of each episode (Spoilerless summaries):
DISC: 1
- EPISODE 103- Good Mourning – The staff mourn the death of Dr. O’Malley. The board is wanting Dr. Shepherd to replace Dr. Webber for Chief of Surgery at Grace Hospital.
- EPISODE 104 – Goodbye – Dr. Webber must decide if he wants to fight for his job or retire. Meanwhile, Dr. Lexie Grey and Dr. Robbins try to deal with their patients. Meanwhile, the doctors at Grace Hospital are in for a major surprise.
- EPISODE 105 – (I Always Feel Like) Somebody’s Watchin’ Me – The merger between Mercy and Grace Hospital has affected everyone and everyone is scared of losing their job and whatever cutbacks may happen to various departments. The crew brace for the first round of job cuts.
- EPISODE 106 – Tainted Obligation – Grace and Lexie’s father comes to the hospital and is very sick. As Lexie will do all she can to save her father, Grace acts as if she could care less, but she may be the only person that can save his life.
DISC 2:
- EPISODE 107 – Invasion – The new doctors from Mercy Hospital move into Seattle Grace, meanwhile one of the Seattle Grace’s doctors is fired and Callie’s father brings a priest to intervene on his daughter turning lesbian.
- EPISODE 108 – I Saw What I Saw – Something went bad in the ER that left a woman who was doing OK but died. All doctors are being interviewed by Dr. Webber and hospital admin. to find out who is at fault.
- EPISODE 109 – Give Peace a Chance – Dr. Shepherd is asked by his friend to take out a tumor from his spinal cord. It’s a major surgery in which Dr. Webber told him to not operate. Will Shepherd defy the chief?
- EPISODE 110 – Invest in Love – Arizona is taking care of a patient (a prodigy) who has a sickness with no cure and the parents are wanting to donate $25 million to the hospital. With Seattle Grace hurting for money, the Chief expects Arizona to do all she can in order to get the money for the hospital. But Arizona does not believe surgery can save the young boy.
DISC 3:
- EPISODE 111 – New History – Izzie returns to Seattle, Meredith returns back to work and Dr. Teddy Altman joins Seattle Grace and happens to be a very close friend of Dr. Hunt and Cristina is not happy about it.
- EPISODE 112 – Holidaze – The holiday’s have passed and Miranda receives a visit from her father, who disapproves of her life choices. Meanwhile, everyone is dealing with their personal issues during the holidays.
- EPISODE 113 – Blink - Addison returns to Seattle Grace to help with Mark’s pregnant daughter. Lexie meanwhile is concerned about her relationship with Mark and Meredith is concerned of how close Alex is getting with Dr. Adamson.
- EPISODE 114 – I Like You So Much Better When You’re Naked – Derek finds out about the chief’s drinking problem and wants to tell the board but Meredith tries to prevent him from doing so. Izzie returns again after being gone for a period of time.
DISC 4:
- EPISODE 115 – State of Love and Trust - Derek becomes interim chief, meanwhile bad blood between Teddy and Cristina begins to heighten.
- EPISODE 116 – Valentine’s Day Massacre – Derek continues to struggle as interim chief and the doctors have to deal with the fallout after a roof of a popular restaurant collapses.
- EPISODE 117 – The Time Warp – The doctors remember stories in regards to their past.
- EPISODE 118 – Perfect Little Accident – Tensions begin to heighten between Derek and Richard after Dr. Harper Avery has an unusual surgical request.
DISC 5:
- EPISODE 119 – Push - A patient needs a complex surgical procedure and Derek chooses Dr. Hunt over Dr. Webber.
- EPISODE 120 – Suicide is Painless – Teddy has a patient who wants to end treatment and her life and she turns to Dr. Hunt for help.
- EPISODE 121 – Sympathy for the Parents - Alex hopes for Bailey to approve his younger brother’s hernia repair via pro bono, meanwhile Alex’s past is revealed.
- EPISODE 122 – Hook, Line and Sinner – Callie wants to adopt a child but Arizona doesn’t feel the same way. Meanwhile, Teddy is fighting to keep her job at Seattle Grace.
DISC 6:
- EPISODE 123 – How Insensitive – Bailey gets the medical team ready for mandatory sensitivity training. Meanwhile, Calle and Arizona are heading towards a rough patch in their relationship.
- EPISODE 124 – Shiny Happy People - Meredith suspects Owen of not being faithful to Cristina and tells her about it. Meanwhile Alex deals with a troubled teenage patient (played by Demi Lovato)
- EPISODE 125 – Sanctuary – The first hour of the season finale, Meredith receives life changing news. Meanwhile, a disgruntled man who’s wife has died is now wanting to revenge and goes on a shooting spree inside Seattle Grace Hospital. (Special guest: Mandy Moore)
- EPISODE 126 – Death and All His Friends – The second hour of the season finale. Seattle Grace goes through a major crisis in which a few of the doctors will not survive and having to perform surgery on their friends while a gunman is on the loose. (Special guest: Mandy Moore)
NOTE: On “Grey’s Anatomy – Complete Sixth Season”, there is an extended episode of the season finale “Episode 126 – Death and All His Friends”.
VIDEO:
“Grey’s Anatomy – Complete Sixth Season” is presented in Widescreen (1:78:1) – Enhanced for 16×9 televisions. When it comes to television drama series, “Grey’s Anatomy” is one of ABC’s highly rated dramas that although filmed in a hospital setting. The cinematography for the final episode was excellent. For the most part, the series looks good on DVD, nice good closeups and skintones are natural and during low light scenes, I didn’t see any major noise or compression artifacts. For the most part, the sixth season does look very good on DVD.
It’s important to note that since the release of the fifth season of “Grey’s Anatomy”, that season received a Blu-ray release and more than likely, there will be a Blu-ray release for this sixth season. For those who want better picture quality and lossless audio, I recommend the Blu-ray release.
AUDIO:
As for audio, the series is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and the series is primarily dialogue and music driven. Dialogue is clear and understandable, while the music has always played a major part for the series and definitely enhances certain scenes. I did notice more surround usage in the final two episodes. From the sirens, gun shots, crowd ambiance being utilized through the surround channels.
The show is presented in English SDH, Spanish and French subtitles.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
“Grey’s Anatomy – Complete Sixth Season” includes the following special features:
DISC 4:
- Seattle Grace: On Call - Featuring all six web episodes of “Seattle Grace: On Call” (about five minutes long for each web episode) that were shown on abc.com. A short series featuring a documentary on the interns Steve, Megan, Ryan, Pierce and Graciella at Seattle Grace and a few of the new residents (Reed and Charles) that transferred to Seattle Grace from Mercy West Hospital and Dr. Owen Hunt all hanging out at the local bar hangout with Joe the Bartender.
- The Making of Seattle Grace: On Call – (2:30) Featuring the making of “Seattle Grace: On Call” and interviews with the cast and crew.
DISC 5:
- Chandra Wilson: Anatomy of a Talent - (13:11) Chandra Wilson (who plays Dr. Miranda Bailey) is the first of the main talent to direct episodes for the show. The show creators and talent, including Chandra Wilson talks about how she became a director and certain parts of the episodes that she directed.
- Dissecting Grey’s Anatomy: Unaired Scenes – The following are a total of nine deleted scenes from various episodes.
- In Stitches: Outtakes – (2:13) Outtakes from the sixth season of “Grey’s Anatomy”.
- Extended Scenes – Extended scenes for “The Time Warp”, “Nervous Callie” and “Sad State of Affairs”.
DISC 6:
- Extended episode of “Episode 126 – Death and All His Friends” – (Duration for this extended episode is 1:01:16, the original episode is 42:58) This extended episode features more dialogue, especially the scenes that include Dr. Webber, especially an extended scene with Lexie, Dr. Altman and Dr. Sloan with Dr. Karev in an ambulance, emotional scenes with Lexie and Dr. Sloan and additional scenes that include the police.
EXTRAS:
“Grey’s Anatomy – Complete Sixth Season” comes with a slip case.
I admit that I was critical and harsh of the fifth season of “Grey’s Anatomy” and just felt the show was heading downhill through the first half and the season managed to pick up during the second half. So much was focused on the problems on the set with Katherine Heigl and T.R. Knight. And eventually, we know how things have ended up in the season finale.
With last season focusing on Izzie’s cancer, her relationship with Alex and problems in the relationship between Meredith and Derek and dealing with Callie and Lexie’s personal issues… I felt that with the sixth season “Grey’s Anatomy” is desperately needing to step things up with the writing as I have felt needed to interject some new blood, new energy before the storylines focusing on these characters becomes overly stale.
And sure enough, the writers have achieved that with the sixth season. The merger between Seattle Grace and Mercy West was probably the best thing to happen with this show because we have new characters. Also, we have stories focusing on Derek and Richard’s troubles, we get to see more of Arizona (especially Arizona and Callie), the introduction of Teddy and most importantly, the introduction to the new residents coming from Mercy West. These four characters have brought some new life to the series and I was really rooting for them because I can see potential storylines that can come from these new characters. I felt “Grey’s Anatomy” had new energy, new life and I’m stoked about the series all over again.
That was until the shocking season finale.
All I can say is… “Wow!”. Although we have seen a similar type of storyline on “ER” several years ago, it’s a big gamble as you don’t know who is going to be killed off. But suffice to say, this season finale was a major success and the writer’s have crafted one of the most impressive season finale’s in a drama series within the last decade. A fantastic way to end the season and at the same time, a bit bittersweet as some characters that may have grown on us will not be back due to the tragic season finale.
Needless to say, “Grey’s Anatomy” writers really did a fantastic job with this season. I felt the fifth season, although good, was in somewhat of a slump and I have to admit, the season opener of the sixth season, wasn’t all that great either. But as the episodes progressed and seeing how these newer characters were integrated into show, I definitely saw the potential, almost like “Grey’s Anatomy” reborn and seeing its greatness return to television.
As for this DVD set, there are a good amount of special features including the web episodes of “Seattle Grace: On Call”, deleted scenes, a featurette on Chandra Wilson as a director and the extended episode of the season finale.
With that being said, there’s not much I can say badly about “Grey’s Anatomy – Complete Sixth Season”. It was well conceived this season, the acting was very well-done (and I can understand some hardcore fans feeling that their original characters were not utilized as much as previous seasons but with more characters, the series needed new energy and these newer characters provided that) and overall, it was a solid season that literally ended with a bang.
If you are a fan of the series, “Grey’s Anatomy – Complete Sixth Season” is definitely recommended!
The Accidental Husband (a J!-ENT DVD Review)
November 3, 2009 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment
Charming, entertaining and fun! Uma Thurman shines in her first major romantic comedy “The Accidental Husband”. A refreshing take on love triangle storyline with the inclusion of South Asian pop culture mixed in. Also, featuring a solid performance from Colin Firth and Jeffrey Dean Morgan. If you enjoy romantic comedies, give this film a chance!
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TITLE: The Accidental Husband
DURATION: 90Minutes
DVD INFORMATION: English 5.1 Dolby Digital, Anamorphic Widescreen 1:85:1, Subtitles: English
COMPANY: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
RATED: PG-13 (Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13)
RELEASED: November 10, 2009
Directed by Griffin Dunne
Written by Mimi Hare, Clare Naylor and Bonnie Sikowitz
Executive Producer: Bradley Jenkel, Neil Kadisha, Anthony Katagas, Kam Mateen
Producer: Jason Blum, Uma Thurman, Jennifer Todd, Suzanne Todd, Bob Yari
Music by Andrea Guerra
Cinematography by William Rexer
Edited by Sheila Jaffe
Production Design by Mark Ricker
Art Direction by Ben Barraud
Set Decoration by Rena De Angelo
Costume Design by David C. Robinson
Starring:
Uma Thurman as Dr. Emma Lloyd
Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Patrick Sullivan
Colin Firth as Richard Bratton
Sam Shepard as Wilder Lloyd
Lindsay Sloane as Marcy
Justina Machado as Sofia
Ajay Naidu as Deep
Jeffrey Tedmori as Ajay
Nick Sandow as Larry
Michael Mosley as Declin
Brooke Adams as Carolyn
Lindsey Kraft as Lauren
Sarita Choudhury as Sunny
Isabella Rossellini as Greta Bollenbecker
Keir Dullea as Karl Bollenbecker
Charming, entertaining and fun! Uma Thurman shines in her first major romantic comedy “The Accidental Husband”. A refreshing take on love triangle storyline with the inclusion of South Asian pop culture mixed in. Also, featuring a solid performance from Colin Firth and Jeffrey Dean Morgan. If you enjoy romantic comedies, give this film a chance!
“The Accidental Husband”, the romantic comedy directed by actor Griffin Dunne (“Frasier”, “After Hours”, “Duke of Groove”) and features a screenplay by Mimi Hare, Clare Naylor and Bonnie Sikowitz (“Spin City, “Scrubs”), music by composer Andrea Gurrera (“Dada’s Dance”, “Birdwatchers”, “A Perfect Day”) and cinematographer William Rexer (“The Devil Came On Horseback”, “I Think I Love My Wife”, “Fierce People”).
The film that had so much potential but unfortunately, similar to the film “The Maiden Heist”, was shelved indefinitely after the bankruptcy of the distributor Yari Film Group before it was set to premiere in the United States. The film did manage to get a theatrical debut in the UK.
The film would be the first to showcase Uma Thurman (“Kill Bill”, “The Avengers”, “My Super Ex-Girlfriend”) in her first romantic comedy and star along with Colin Firth (“Easy Virtue”, “Pride and Prejudice”, “Bridget Jones”), Jeffrey Dean Morgan (“Grey’s Anatomy”, “Supernatural”), Sam Shepard (“The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford”, “Stealth”, “Swordfish”) and Isabella Rossellini (“Napoleon”, “Infamous”, “Alias”).
The film revolves around Dr. Emma Lloyd (played by Uma Thurman). A well-known radio talk show host in New York City who talks about love and relationships in her program. She’s dating Richard Bratton (played by Colin Firth) who is a publisher and the two are planning to get married.
Meanwhile, Patrick Sullivan (played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan) is set to get married to his fiance…until his fiance has second feelings about the marriage after listening to Dr. Lloyd’s radio program and realizes from calling into the show that she is not in love with him and breaks up the relationship.
Patrick hears the program while driving home with his friends after a game of soccer and is shocked that his (ex) fiance really listened to Dr. Lloyd that when he get home. So, depressed and in anger, Patrick talks to friend/young hacker to cause problems for Emma Lloyd and give her a taste of her medicine by creating a marriage certificate which says that she is married to him.
So, on the day that Emma and Richard are to get their marriage license, they find out that she is married to man she has never met. Due to the rules, the only way to take care of this is by meeting up with Patrick Sullivan and getting him to sign off on paperwork to end their “marriage” and then get the papers notarized.
Seems simple enough but with Patrick wanting his revenge on Emma, he’s determined to get close to this beautiful blonde by going to her workplace, meanwhile Emma knows she needs these papers sign and notarized so she tries to be nice with him which includes allowing him to go with her to a cake tasting for her wedding and by doing that, both Emma and Patrick must pretend that they are a couple and that is when things start to go awry. Especially when they discover that they may have feelings for each other.
VIDEO & AUDIO:
“The Accidental Husband” is a beautiful film shot in New York City. Really beautiful shots above the New York City skyline and various areas in the city. The film continues Yari Film Group’s incorporation of Indian culture in the film and thus we see Patrick living with an Indian family, his good friend is Indian and we see the culture showcased at an Indian party that the characters attend.
It was very interesting to see New York but that South Asian flair in the film and for the most part William Rexer did a fine job in getting really beautiful shots of the city. Picture quality was nice and vibrant on DVD and is presneted in 1:85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen.
As for audio, the film is presented in English 5.1 (Dolby Digital). For the most part, the film is dialogue and music driven. Front and center channels are clear and understandable and music plays a big part in this film. Especially Indian music. Overall, not a film that showcases action, so the soundtrack is quite satisfactory for the film.
Subtitles are in English.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
“The Accidental Husband” comes with the following special feature:
- Matters of the Heart: Making-Of Featurette - (20:40) Interviews with the the cast and crew in regards to the making of the film. Uma Thurman talks about getting the opportunity to play a comedic role and working with Colin Firth and Jeffrey Dean Morgan. Griffin Dunne talks about the cast and why he cast some of the main talent and more.
“The Accidental Husband” is a charming, fun and enjoyable romantic comedy. Granted, it’s not the best romantic comedy ever made but the fact that it tries to be different in showcasing the typical storyline of woman is to marry a man #1, woman meets new man #2 and finds magic with man #2 but yet knows she is getting married to man #1. Sure, we have seen these type of films done many times before but “The Accidental Husband” tries to be different as it incorporates that Indian culture into the film.
In a way this was quite unexpected because this is not a Bollywood film but the addition of Ajay Naidu playing the part of Deep, Patrick’s best friend and Patrick living at his family’s building, there is a good amount of Indian culture featured in the film and also music, despite the main characters being Caucasian.
So, in some ways, there is a taste of Bollywood in this film. Subtle but yet it gives a refreshing take to a often-used relationship storyline seen in previous romantic comedies and I enjoyed that. Some may find it disruptive but I found it quite refreshing for a change.
As for the talents in the film, Uma Thurman did a great job of playing Dr. Emma Lloyd. She mentions in the special features that she’s never given romantic comedy scripts. Comedy in general and now with this film, she’s given a chance, especially being one of the Executive Producers on the film. And interesting enough, where she is known for her action-based films such as “Kill Bill” and “The Avengers”, in this film…she actually got hurt (as well as Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and broke her hand. But despite those injuries, she did a great job and I found her performance to be quite enjoyable but its such a shame that the film didn’t get the opportunity for a theatrical release in the US.
As for her leading men, Colin Firth is always an actor that is enjoyable to watch onscreen. Such an amazing talent and deadpan humor, although not a tremendous role in the film, his moments in the film are quite hilarious and entertaining. Jeffrey Dean Morgan is a surprise. Many of us have seen him playing the patient on “Grey’s Anatomy” but “The Accidental Husband” is his first major role to play a major character lead along with Uma Thurman and Colin Firth. But overall, solid performances from both men.
Overall, “The Accidental Husband” was a good film and does things much differently than other films similar to it. The inclusion of South Asian cultural themes definitely gives the film a refreshing spin and for the most part, I enjoyed the talent and definitely seeing Uma Thurman take on a romantic comedy which she did very well. Romantic comedy fans, give this film a chance!
