kal
Forum Administrator
Joined: 06 Mar 2006
Posts: 18114
Location: Ottawa, Canada
TV/Projector: JVC DLA-NZ7
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| Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 2:38 pm Post subject: The Help [Blu-ray] |
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Another reference disc!
The Help (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo) (2011)
(Click on picture to order from Amazon and support our forum, hover over for price)
| Quote: | 'The Help' doesn't tell us anything we don't already know, but it provides a touching, insightful look at the unsung heroines of early 1960s Southern society. Fine performances and a dash of humor distinguish this tale of strength, hope, defiance, and perseverance that tugs the heart strings but never wallows in sentiment. Disney's Blu-ray features excellent video and audio, and a couple of worthwhile supplements, all of which earn this disc a solid recommendation.
The Video: Sizing Up the Picture
Like many recent films, 'The Help' possesses a strikingly detailed, pristine transfer that quickly immerses us in the movie's time period. A slight bit of grain suits the 1960s setting and tempers the superior clarity just enough to provide a lovely film-like feel. Colors are beautifully saturated - the green lawns look particularly lush - but never overpower the image. Pastels and prints show up well, and fleshtones are consistent and always appear natural. Black levels are rich and inky, and no crush creeps into shadow shots.
The transfer enjoys a good degree of depth, allowing background elements to be discerned with ease. Close-ups can be breathtaking, especially those of Davis, with every skin crease and careworn expression marvelously rendered. Best of all, no digital doctoring of any kind has been applied, and no banding, noise, or artifacting breaks the movie's spell.
This is another top-notch effort from Disney that beautifully complements this quiet, thoughtful film.
The Audio: Rating the Sound
'The Help' is enhanced by a solid DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that provides clear, crisp, seamlessly mixed sound. Some nice atmospherics of chirping birds and crickets bring the rear speakers into play, and good stereo separation up front lends the drama a more realistic flavor. Dialogue is well prioritized in the center channel, and all conversations are easy to understand.
Dynamic range is wide and healthy, marked by warm low tones that add subtle emphasis and highs that resist distortion, while Thomas Newman's music score enjoys fine fidelity and fills the room with ease. Not surprisingly, this recent track is clean as a whistle, with no imperfections mucking up the works.
'The Help' is a talky drama that doesn't have any big sonic showpieces, and, like many of the characters, doesn't call attention to itself. Still, it supports the film well and helps us remain focused on the interactions on screen. |
Kal
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