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Parkland (Blu-ray) Official AVSForum Review

2K views 5 replies 4 participants last post by  yadfgp 
#1 ·


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

Film:


Extras:


Audio/Video total rating:

( Max score: 100 )
84





Studio and Year: Millennium Entertainment - 2013
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Feature running time: 87 minutes
Genre: Drama/Thriller

Disc Format: BD-25
Encoding: AVC (MPEG-4)
Video Aspect: 1.78:1
Resolution: 1080p/24


Audio Format(s): English Dolby TrueHD 5.1
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
Starring: James Badge Dale, Zac Efron, Marcia Gay Harden, Billy Bob Thornton, Paul Giamatti, Colin Hanks, Ron Livingston, David Harbour, Jeremy Strong, Jacki Weaver, Tom Welling
Written & Directed by: Peter Landesman
Music by: James Newton Howard
Region Code: A

Blu-ray Disc release Date: November 5, 2013
"On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. This is the story of what happened next"


Film Synopsis:


Parkland recounts the chaotic events that occurred in Dallas, Texas, on November 22, 1963, the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Written and directed by Peter Landesman and produced by Playtone partners Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman, Bill Paxton and Exclusive Media’s Nigel Sinclair and Matt Jackson, Parkland is the ferocious, heart-stopping and powerful untold true story of the people behind the scenes of one of the most scrutinized events in history.

My Take:


November 22nd, 1963 was a day that changed the world forever – when young American President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. We follow in almost real time the perspectives of a handful of ordinary individuals suddenly thrust into extraordinary circumstances: the young doctors and nurses at Parkland Hospital; Dallas’ chief of the Secret Service; an unwitting cameraman who captured what became the most watched and examined film in history; the FBI agents who nearly had the gunman within their grasp; the brother of Lee Harvey Oswald, left to deal with his shattered family; and JFK’s security team, witnesses to both the president’s death and Vice President Lyndon Johnson’s rise to power over a nation whose innocence was forever altered. Thrust into a scenario of unprecedented drama with unimaginable consequences, these key characters respond with shock, outrage, determination and courage. Based on the book “Four Days In November”, by Vincent Bugliosi, Parkland was written/directed by award-winning journalist and novelist Peter Landesman, who is making his directorial debut. The film recounts the story behind a tragic day in our nation’s history. 50 years later here’s what you thought you knew, but didn’t, and couldn’t, until now….


For me the assassination of John F. Kennedy has always been evocatively tragic, fascinatingly interesting and always a very difficult subject. I wasn’t born until six months afterward but its resonating effects still lingered in our home into the years in my early life that would allow me to remember. Part of this is owed to the assassinations of Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. later in the decade. The JFK shooting and the unanswered questions surrounding it still stir up feelings of frustration, disappointment and outrage. To that end I rarely watch films etc. about it but when I received the press release for Parkland is looked intriguing as it showed a side of that fateful day that I hadn’t seen before.


The film is a docudrama as seen from various viewpoints and as such lacks a focal point. That in and of itself isn’t a problem per se but the narrative opens lots of doors but really never goes through them only offering a glimpse inside. I enjoyed the film’s depiction of the visceral reactions and chaos that ensued. There is honestly no discernibly new information to be gleaned from Parkland but it takes viewers back to the events of November 22, 1963 and provides a connection to the ordinary people whose lives were suddenly and irrevocably changed forever. It’s not a perfect film but I found aspects of it to be emotive and powerfully told. In that light I would say it is worth seeing.


Parental Guide:


The rating is for bloody sequences of ER trauma, some violent images and language, and smoking throughout.



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: 80

(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: 88

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

  • Resolution/Clarity:

  • Black level/Shadow detail:

  • Color reproduction:

  • Fleshtones:

  • Compression:


Parkland comes to Blu-ray from Millennium Entertainment featuring 1080p AVC encoded video that has an average bitrate of 22 Mbps and lossless Dolby TrueHD 5.1 channel sound that has an average bitrate of 1.4 Mbps.


This is a solid video presentation that offers excellent refinement during close ups and discernibly crisp definition within objects during mid level camera pans. The color range perfectly sets the film’s somber tone and has a reserved aesthetic that rarely offers bright, eye catching hues. Rendering is clean and depth is appropriate. Fleshtones keep pace with the look of the rest of the film and have a balmy but natural texture. Spot on contrast yielded crisp, bright whites and blacks are stable but slightly elevated which leaves them appearing less dynamic and occasionally flat. I didn’t see this as a problem based upon the visual style of the film. This is a pristine encoding that showed no obvious signs of video related artifacts or anomalies.


The DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround mix features dialogue that is full bodied with defining tonal characteristics and prominent soundstage position. High level detail is readily apparent as subtle sound effects, music and voices were rendered with superior clarity and depth. There is little call for active surround activity and extended dynamics however there is effective use of atmospheric sounds that broaden the soundstage in support of the venues being depicted onscreen. The presentation has an open and balanced presence that helps drive the films thematic elements.


Bonus Features:

  • (HD) 6 deleted scenes

  • Director commentary




Final Thoughts:


Based on the book “Four Days In November”, by Vincent Bugliosi, Parkland was written/directed by Peter Landesman and recounts one of the most analyzed, talked about, and darkest days in our nations history. Its powerful subject matter sees it through but the muddled script prevents it from truly deriving the most from its source. I appreciate it for what it is and on a personal level connected with the story. Parkland comes to Blu-ray from Millennium Entertainment featuring gratifying high definition video, crystal clear lossless sound quality and a disappointing supplemental offering that includes insights from the writer/director and a handful of deleted scenes. With the 50th anniversary of the JFK assassination approaching Parkland is a worthy choice for placement at the top of your rental queue.



Here is the trailer:










Ralph Potts
AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews





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(Calibrated with Calman 5 & C6 Meter from Spectracal )

Stewart Filmscreen - Studiotek 130 G3 100” 16x9 Screen
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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)

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SV Sound PB-13 Ultra (Rosenut finish)

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#2 ·
Nice one, Ralph...I'm glad you gave this one solid marks, cause the critics were mixed.


Just like 9/11, the JFK assassination is something that I have always been very moved by. I was born a decade after he was shot, but it still affects me on a very deep emotional level, especially when I see actual news footage from the events of those few days. I think this film was geared toward those who already have an idea of how things went down, as the narrative jumps from several different perspectives. Being in the medical field, it was fascinating to me to see the depiction of how things transpired from the minute the hospital was put on notice that JFK was on the way, til the time he left the ER in a coffin. We've come such a long way in terms of hospital protocols over the last fifty years...thankfully so.


I thought the film was very well done, even though the guy who played Oswald looked JUST like the real person...that was very freaky. And as always, Paul Giamatti was excellent.


Definitely agree with the King on this one...solid film.
 
#3 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Summa  /t/1496326/parkland-blu-ray-official-avsforum-review/0_20#post_23877292


Nice one, Ralph...I'm glad you gave this one solid marks, cause the critics were mixed.


Just like 9/11, the JFK assassination is something that I have always been very moved by. I was born a decade after he was shot, but it still affects me on a very deep emotional level, especially when I see actual news footage from the events of those few days. I think this film was geared toward those who already have an idea of how things went down, as the narrative jumps from several different perspectives. Being in the medical field, it was fascinating to me to see the depiction of how things transpired from the minute the hospital was put on notice that JFK was on the way, til the time he left the ER in a coffin. We've come such a long way in terms of hospital protocols over the last fifty years...thankfully so.


I thought the film was very well done, even though the guy who played Oswald looked JUST like the real person...that was very freaky. And as always, Paul Giamatti was excellent.


Definitely agree with the King on this one...solid film.

Greetings,


Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this one Summa and I'm glad we agree...




Regards,
 
#4 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ralph Potts  /t/1496326/parkland-blu-ray-official-avsforum-review#post_23871553


The film is a docudrama as seen from various viewpoints and as such lacks a focal point. That in and of itself isn’t a problem per se but the narrative opens lots of doors but really never goes through them only offering a glimpse inside. I enjoyed the film’s depiction of the visceral reactions and chaos that ensued. There is honestly no discernibly new information to be gleaned from Parkland but it takes viewers back to the events of November 22, 1963 and provides a connection to the ordinary people whose lives were suddenly and irrevocably changed forever. It’s not a perfect film but I found aspects of it to be emotive and powerfully told. In that light I would say it is worth seeing.

Spot on Summary!


I just had a chance to watch this movie over the weekend. The movie is quite interesting, as it sheds a lot of light on other aspects of the event that are not featured in other movies or documentaries.


Although the movie doesn't seem to flow very well, and I recall some time-shifting at some point, it is certainly worth a watch if you have any interest regarding the events of that fateful day.


Thanks Ralph!
 
#5 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by wiley165  /t/1496326/parkland-blu-ray-official-avsforum-review/0_20#post_24022458


Spot on Summary!


I just had a chance to watch this movie over the weekend. The movie is quite interesting, as it sheds a lot of light on other aspects of the event that are not featured in other movies or documentaries.


Although the movie doesn't seem to flow very well, and I recall some time-shifting at some point, it is certainly worth a watch if you have any interest regarding the events of that fateful day.


Thanks Ralph!

Greetings,


Thanks wiley165. I am glad you enjoyed this one as well..




Regards,
 
#6 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by wiley165  /t/1496326/parkland-blu-ray-official-avsforum-review#post_24022458


Spot on Summary!


I just had a chance to watch this movie over the weekend. The movie is quite interesting, as it sheds a lot of light on other aspects of the event that are not featured in other movies or documentaries.


Although the movie doesn't seem to flow very well, and I recall some time-shifting at some point, it is certainly worth a watch if you have any interest regarding the events of that fateful day.


Thanks Ralph!

You really summed up what I was going to say so thanks.



I felt the same way on this more or less. For me it was interesting just finding out more about the assassination that I was unaware of. Being that I was born in 73.


Such as the infamous video of the shooting itself. The details surrounding that was interesting.
 
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