Saint Laurent Blu-ray Review

     Actors: Louis Garrel, Jérémie Renier, Léa Seydoux, Gaspard Ulliel

Director: Bertrand Bonello

Producers: Christophe Lambert, Nicolas Altmayer, Eric Altmayer

Format: Multiple Formats, Blu-ray, AC-3, Dolby, Subtitled, Widescreen

Language: French

Subtitles: French, English

Audio Description: English

Region: Region A/1

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: R

Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Release Date: September 22, 2015

Run Time: 150 minutes

        One of two French biopics about Yves Saint Laurent in a single year, Saint Laurent plays out like a fashion show on film; the visual spectacle of flawlessly prepared outfits within decadent surroundings provide an ocean of surface with little depth to match it. Rather than a straightforward method of storytelling, Saint Laurent glides along the surface with style, skipping around the narrative with more flair than emotional connection. The ability to capture the essence of Laurent’s style on film, director Bertrand Bonello proves an understanding of fashion without giving the audience much of an opportunity to know the man behind it all.

 

Modern Family: The Complete Sixth Season DVD Review

     Actors: Ed O'Neill, Ty Burrell, Eric Stonestreet, Julie Bowen, Sarah Hyland, Sofia Vergara

Format: Multiple Formats, Box set, Color, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC

Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1)

Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1

Number of discs: 3

Studio: 20th Century Fox

DVD Release Date: September 22, 2015

Run Time: 556 minutes

        The mockumentary style of television has become a standard style after the success of “The Office,” though “Modern Family” gives it a suburban household twist. We don’t know why the characters are talking to the camera, but it provides ample opportunity for humor, as does the option of acknowledging the camera’s existence during the action as well. What it all comes down to is the interesting characters, and in this way “Modern Family” also seems to be mimicking the success of “The Office” or “Parks and Recreation,” filtered through the typical set-up of a family situation comedy.

 

Sleepy Hollow: The Complete Second Season Blu-ray Review

     Actors: Tom Mison, Nicole Beharie, Orlando Jones, Katia Winter, Lyndie Greenwood

Format: Multiple Formats, Blu-ray, Box set, DTS Surround Sound, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen

Language: English (DTS 5.1), French (DTS 5.1)

Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

Dubbed: French

Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1

Number of discs: 4

Studio: 20th Century Fox

Release Date: September 15, 2015

Run Time: 790 minutes

 

        I was on the fence about “Sleepy Hollow” after the first season, but the second season knocked me right off and onto the side against the supernatural series. What began as a creative fish-out-of-water narrative has quickly turned into a show that is more witchcraft and magic than historical or literary connections. Gone are the mysterious four horsemen of the apocalypse, in favor of endless demonic resurrections and familial connections. Even worse, it feels as though this season loses steam at the mid-season finale, wrapping up the narrative from the first season until there is nowhere else to go.