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Guilt Trip (Blu-ray) Official AVSForum Review

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The Review at a Glance: (max score: 5 )

Film:


Extras:


Audio/Video total rating:

( Max score: 100 )
86





Studio and Year: Paramount - 2012
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Feature running time: 95 minutes
Genre: Comedy

Disc Format: BD-50
Encoding: AVC (MPEG-4)
Video Aspect: 2.35:1
Resolution: 1080p/24


Audio Format(s): English DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio, French/Spanish/Portuguese Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: English, English SDH, French, Spanish, Portuguese
Starring: Seth Rogan, Barbra Streisand
Directed by: Anne Fletcher
Music by: Christophe Beck
Written by: Dan Fogelman
Region Code: A,B,C

Blu-ray Disc release Date: April 30, 2013
"Get ready for one mother of a road trip"


Film Synopsis:


The plan for a quick stop at Mom’s takes a sudden turn when an impulse compels Andy (Seth Rogen) to invite his mother, Joyce (Barbra Streisand), on an 8-day, 3,000 mile, journey across the country. But the farther they go, the closer they get and Andy may realize that they have more in common than he ever imagined.

My Take:


I honestly can’t say that I am a Seth Rogan fan. I have nothing against him and essentially take his films on a case by case basis. I don’t care for Barbra Streisand’s ego but do find her to be appealing onscreen (The Mirror has two faces is a personal favorite). The trailer for this one looked downright silly but when Paramount sent it I tried to go in with an open mind. As it turns out Guilt Trip is a mildly entertaining road trip comedy that revolves around a doting mother and her docile son who take a cross country trip and make a few mother/son discoveries that help them better understand one another. Along the way are some intermittent laughs, solid chemistry between Rogan/Streisand, and a sentimental twist that may or may not warm your heart. At the end of the day Guilt Trip will probably appeal more to mothers with sons but I didn’t find it to be a bad way to spend 90 minutes.




Parental Guide:


The rating is for language and some risqué material.



AUDIO/VIDEO - By The Numbers:
REFERENCE = 92-100 / EXCELLENT = 83-91 / GOOD = 74-82 / AVERAGE = 65-73 / BELOW AVERAGE = under 65

**My audio/video ratings are based upon a comparative made against other high definition media/blu-ray disc.**


Audio: 82

(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)

  • Dynamics:

  • Low frequency extension:

  • Surround Sound presentation:

  • Clarity/Detail:

  • Dialogue Reproduction:




Video: 90

(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)

  • Resolution/Clarity:

  • Black level/Shadow detail:

  • Color reproduction:

  • Fleshtones:

  • Compression:


Guilt Trip comes to Blu-ray Disc from Paramount Home Entertainment featuring 1080p AVC encoded video that has an average bitrate of 28 Mbps and lossless DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio sound that has an average bitrate of 3 Mbps.


This is an excellent high definition presentation that is on par with most newer release films that come to Blu-ray disc. It boasts plenty of high level detail, stable contrast, warm, well saturated colors, and excellent dimension. Blacks are stable with good dynamic range and punch when onscreen with mixed light/dark elements. Visual perspective in low/uneven lighting is estimable which enhances depth. Images onscreen are dynamic, clearly drawn, eye catching and perfectly suited for the film’s thematic tone.


The lossless DTS-HD MA soundtrack has good dynamic range and detail rich clarity that enables the detection of subtle background sounds within the acoustic environment created by the surround mix. The soundstage is wonderfully balanced as it realistically replicates the various settings depicted in the film. Dialogue is firmly planted in the center channel which clearly renders voices and effects with appropriate distinction and tonal balance across the front of the room. Low frequency effects aren’t intense but the subwoofer is kept busy as it works in tandem with the rest of the system to appropriately convey the low level bass associated with the film’s recorded elements and music.

Bonus Features:

  • (HD) Barbra and Seth – 7 minute featurette

  • (HD) Barbra’s world – 8 minute featurette

  • (HD) Guilt Trip: Real mother of a road trip – 5 minute featurette

  • (HD) In the driver’s seat – 7 minute featurette

  • (HD) Not really a road trip movie – 5 minute featurette

  • (HD) 2 Alternate openings

  • (HD) Alternate ending – 2 minutes

  • (HD) Gag reel – 5 minutes

  • (HD) 12 deleted scenes

  • Bonus DVD

  • Digital Copy

  • Ultraviolet Digital Copy




Final Thoughts:

Guilt Trip doesn’t break new ground but is a mildly entertaining road trip comedy that revolves around a doting mother and her docile son played effectively by co-stars Barbra Streisand and Seth Rogan. I enjoyed it more than expected and appreciated its excellent high definition video, crystal clear lossless sound and worthwhile supplemental package from Paramount Blu-ray. Toss it in your rental queue and give it a spin when you’re in the mood for a light hearted familial comedy.











Ralph Potts
AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews





Reference Review System:



JVC DLA-RS55 3D Ready 1080p High Definition Front Projector

(Calibrated with Calman 5 & C6 Meter from Spectracal )

Stewart Filmscreen - Studiotek 130 G3 100” 16x9 Screen

Marantz AV8801 11.2 Channel Audio/Video Processor

Sherbourn Technologies - 7/200 Seven Channel Amplifier

B&K Reference 200.7 Series 2 Seven Channel Amplifier

Oppo BDP-103 Universal Disc/3D capable Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)

Panasonic DMP-BDT310 3D capable Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)

Toshiba HD-XA2 HD DVD Player (HDMI Audio/Video)

Sony Playstation 3 Blu-ray disc Player (HDMI Audio/Video)

System Controller: Apple iPad/iRule Pro HD Universal Remote Control

Canton "Ergo" Series speakers

Axiom Audio QS8 Quadpolar speakers

SV Sound PB-13 Ultra (Rosenut finish)

APC AV S15BLK Power Conditioner/Surge Protector

Wireworld, Better Cables (Silver Serpent) - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling

Cool Components - CP-CP102 cooling package
 
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