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| Special Features: |
Widescreen anamorphic format
Chapter selection
Commentary by director John Sayles
Theatrical trailers |
| Video Format: |
Anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1)
[SS-DL]
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| Languages: |
English (Dolby Digital 5.0)
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| Subtitles: |
English, French.
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| Captions: |
Yes
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| Casing: |
1-Disc Keep Case
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If I were a high priced actor, I'd waive my salary to work in a John Sayles movie. His films "Eight Men Out," "Matewan," "Lone Star," "The Brother From Another Planet," "The Return of the Secaucus Seven," "City of Hope" "The Secret of Roan Inish" "Lianna" and "Passion Fish" are among my favorite films. Few directors take the screen time to develop characters and stories the way John Sayles does. Unfortunately, if I were a big named star waiving my fee, I'd end up in a dud like "Sunshine State." Hell, even Steven Spielberg directed a film like "1941."
"Sunshine State" held my attention mainly because I like Mr. Sayles work so much. The problem was, when all was said and done, nothing much of substance was said. As with many of Mr. Sayles's films, "Sunshine State" deals with numerous plot lines acted out by excellent actors. "Sunshine State" boasts a cast of great actors: Timothy Hutton, Edie Falco, Angela Bassett, Mary Steenburgen, Ralph Waite, William Gross, Jane Alexander, Gordon Clap, James McDaniel, Miguel Ferrer, Clifton James and Alan King. Most directors would die for a cast like that.
"Sunshine State" deals with the effect of a land development scheme on a small Florida town. The attempt to buy out the entire town raises issues of past and present racial tension, family issues and suicidal tendencies. Sayles has dealt with these issues more thoroughly in previous films. I hate to say, I felt like I wasted two hours when all was said and done. The direction and performances (especially by Edie Falco) were fine, the problem lay with Sayles script. Oh well, even Billy Wilder made a dud now and then.
So-so movie. Great picture, sound and a nice commentary track by director Sayles.
Picture Quality: 8/10
Excellent transfer for the most part. There were a few delineation problems. No artifacts or pixilation. Nice flesh tones.
Sound Quality: 9/10
Great sound, just not much worth hearing.
Menu: 4/10
Bland design. Easy to navigate.
Extra Features: 9/10
Any commentary track by director John Sayles is a learning experience. Even though the movie was not up to par for John Sayles, the commentary track almost makes this DVD worth the price of admission. There are trailers for this movie and three others by John Sayles.
The Final Word:
An interesting near miss. Fans of John Sayles may want to rent it. Others beware.
Rusty White
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