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Specifications: - Two Disc Set -
Disc One: Single-sided, Dual layer - Region 1 - Run time: approx. 127 minutes - Subtitles: English, French - Scene selection: static -
Package: Custom sleeve and
Video Features: - Aspect ratio: 2.35:1 widescreen
Audio Features: - English: DTS-ES Digital Surround, DTS 5.1 compatible - English: THX Surround EX - English: Dolby Surround
Bonus Materials: -
Four feature-length audio
- Exploration of the opening title -
Alternate endings with animated - Filmographies -
"Mastering for the Home Theater" -
Multiple animated galleries featuring -
Original theatrical trailer and electronic
DVD-ROM* features: -
Printable original screenplay with -
Comprehensive "John Doe" web site -
Web link** to the original web site, Theatrical Release: 1995 DVD Release: 12/19/00 Review Date: 12/08/00
List price: $ 29.95 On-line price: $ 20.96 Pre-order price was: $ 20.96
*DVD-ROM features require DVD-ROM drive on your PC with certain minimum system requirements
**web links require internet access
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| Se7en New Line Platinum Series™ - Two-disc set THX Surround EX - DTS-ES Digital Surround discrete 6.1 |
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Starring:
Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow,
Director: David Fincher
MPAA Rating: R Genre: Drama - Mystery - Thriller Studio: New
Line Home Video |
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Movie: A Video: A+ Audio: A+ Extras: A+
Summary:
"Se7en" is a fantastic serial murder
mystery thriller. The story is smart
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The Story
"Se7en" is a smart and thrilling serial murder mystery. It stars Morgan Freeman as a Lt. William Somerset, a veteran homicide detective who is very sharp and knows the right questions to ask. However, he isn't regarded favorably by his peers and chief, because he often asks the tough and seemingly unrelated questions. In comes Detective David Mills (Brad Pitt) as a new homicide detective assigned under Lt. Somerset's mentorship. Mills is full of pride, confidence, and ambition to make a name for himself in the big city.
Detectives Somerset and Mills investigate a number of murders that at first seem unrelated. Lt. Somerset quickly deduces from the few clues and realizes it's the same killer. The killer fatally tortures his victims after the seven deadly sins: gluttony, greed, pride, sloth, lust, envy, and wrath. The detectives know to expect more murders along these themes, but can they catch the killer (who calls himself "John Doe") before he completes all seven of the deadly sins?
"Se7en" will put you on the edge of your seat until the very end. It is a very well written screenplay that is well performed by an all-star cast. As it is a murder mystery revolving around a serial killer, a number of scenes are quite gory and graphically explicit. It's not for the faint of heart. But if you can tolerate it, "Se7en" is not to be missed. It's one of the best murder mystery thrillers I've ever seen.
The Extras
The first disc is single-sided and dual-layered. It contains the feature film, plus four (yes, four!) audio commentaries. Commentary 1: "The Stars" features director David Fincher, Brad Pitt, and Morgan Freeman. Commentary 2: "The Story" features author Richard Dyer, screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker, editor Richard Francis-Bruce, New Line VP of production Michael De Luca and David Fincher. Commentary 3: "The Picture" featuring director of photography Darius Khondji, production designer Arthur Max, editor Richard Francis-Bruce, Richard Dyer, and David Fincher. Commentary 4: "The Sound" features sound designer Ren Klyce, composer Howard Shore, Richard Dyer, and David Fincher.
The second disc is single-sided and single-layered and contains the rest of the extra material: "Exploration of the Opening Title Sequence", seven (the magic number!) deleted scenes and extended takes, alternate endings, production design and still photographs with commentaries, the notebooks detailing the writings of "John Doe", promotional materials including a "Theatrical EPK (electronic press kit)" (a behind-the-scenes look) and a theatrical trailer, filmographies of select cast and crew members, "Mastering for the Home Theater" feature, and DVD-ROM content.
The seven deleted scenes and extended takes are entitled: "Original Opening including storyboard", "Car Ride in from Gluttony", "Spare Some Change?", "My Future", "Tracy Wakes from Light Sleep", "Raid on Victors", and "Pride". Each can be viewed with or without commentary. Most were better off having been cut from the final film, but "Car Ride in...", "My Future", and "Raid on Victors" are particularly notable as they further expand the character studies. As with other New Line Platinum Series™ titles, the deleted scenes have "finished" picture quality.
There are two alternate endings. The "Original 'Test' Ending" shows an early version of an ending as edited for a test audience. The other ending was never shot, and is therefore depicted with animated storyboards sequences.
What I found particularly cool are the "Mastering for the Home Theater" features: "Audio Mastering", "Video Mastering", "Color Correction", and "Telecine Gallery". These are excellent features that take you on a hands-on "behind-the-scenes" look at how the film was re-mastered for optimum DVD home theater presentation. It's very educational.
There's even DVD-ROM features: a printable original screenplay with links to the feature film, a "John Doe" web site that allows you to see into his mind, links to John Doe's photo gallery, a few of his "fan sites", a reading list and exploration of the seven deadly sins.
To summarize it all up, we gave the "Se7en" Platinum Series™ DVD our highest rating (A+) in the "extra material" category. Must we say more?
Video & Audio
The image quality of this anamorphic widescreen DVD is absolutely top notch. The colors are accurate and saturated. The shadow details are excellent. These are the direct results of an anamorphic widescreen transfer from a film that is re-mastered from the original negative (this is rarely done). The result is absolutely stunning picture quality.
The soundtrack includes both THX Surround EX and DTS-ES Discrete 6.1 surround sound formats. The soundtrack is completely re-mixed for "6.1"-channel DVD home theater presentation. Generally, either sound format is well balanced and effective. The dialogue is clear, and the engaging musical score effectively engages the viewer in the action and thrill of this film.
The DTS-ES surround sound is simply awesome. We used our new Sony STR-V444ES receiver which features Sony's proprietary virtual 6.1 matrix surround sound processing that simulates the effects of a back surround channel with just the usual left and right surround speakers. The sound mix is quite effective. In the beginning of Chapter 4, the rain seems to completely envelope the audience. The rain can be heard all around and in back of the listening area. At the end of Chapter 36, the helicopter can be heard flying around the back, from one side to the other. The 6.1-channel surround sound is very cool indeed.
If you don't have hardware to decode the new 6.1-channel DTS-ES, don't worry. It's completely backwards compatible with your DTS 5.1 equipment.
Recommendation
"Se7en"
is a fantastic serial murder mystery thriller. The story is smart
and the movie is well acted. Unless you take offense to the gory
and graphically explicit scenes, you would be committing one of the
seven deadly sins (i.e., "sloth") if you pass up on this
terrific movie.
Buy
the "Se7en" DVD at: |
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Rent
it at NetFlix.com
(Sign up for
NetFlix.com "Unlimited" DVD Rental Service Visit the Se7en movie web site and the New Line Home Video web site.
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