Official HTF HD Review: Hollywoodland (Combo Format)

Sam Posten · 02-27-2007, 12:31 AM

Hollywoodland

HD DVD Title: Hollywoodland (Combo Format)
Rated: R
Screen format: 1080P 1.85:1 (Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1 on DVD side)
Studio: Universal
First theatrical release: September 8, 2006
Previously released on DVD/BluRay: Day and Date with Standard Widescreen & Full Screen DVDs
Director: Allen Coulter
Starring: Adrien Brody, Diane Lane, Ben Affleck, Bob Hoskins
Sound Formats: English, French Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 (Dolby Digital 5.1 on DVD side)
Length: 2 Hours 7 Minutes
Subtitles: English, French

Plot: 4/5
Hollywoodland presents a fictionalized account of the events leading up to the death of television star George Reeves, who was best known for the titular lead in “The Adventures of Superman”. Despite being a household name and hero to millions of children, Reeves (Affleck) leads a somewhat melancholy existence as a kept man to the wife (Lane) of major Hollywood mogul (Hoskins) Eddie Mannix. Officially ruled a suicide, Reeves' death is shrouded in inconsistencies, including multiple bullet holes in his room, strange positioning of his body, and lack of any other signs that he was considering doing himself in. Gumshoe detective Louis Simo (Brody) is hired by Reeves’ grieving mother to investigate, but Simo is also a study in inconsistencies including a troubled past with the studio system and an inability to relate with his ex wife and son (Viewers might learn in the extras that the Simo character is a composite of several real life detectives who investigated Reeve’s death). If Reeves didn’t take his own life, who did? Hollywoodland posits several possibilities, including Eddie or his wife Toni, mobsters connected to the studio, or new girlfriend Leonore Lemmon (Robin Tunney). Even Reeves' family is somewhat suspect. While investigating the case Simo learns about the politics and seediness and decidedly unglamorous banality of Hollywood, and through uncovering parallels between his path and Reeves', comes to understand things about his own life.

Sound Quality: 2/5
Perhaps the best way to summarize the sound of Hollywoodland is ‘minimalistic’. If this film is truly presented in a 5.1 surround format you would be hard pressed to take note of it during viewing. While the front sound stage is wide, with an orchestral sound track that is reminiscent of great Hitchcockian noirs of the 50's, there is very little flowing to the rears and with the exception of a gunshot or three, very little for the bass to do. It appears that this was a very conscientious decision so as to not overwhelm the feel of the film, but when compared to similar fare it seemed to be missing that extra kick that makes some movies that much more special.

Visual Quality: 4/5
Hollywoodland has a very distinctive period style look which this transfer has captured down to every last detail. Film grain is notable in many scenes and holds a warmth that centers it to time in which the action takes place. Consistent with the neo-noir look, exterior shots often tend towards being high key, but no detail is ever lost either here or in the dark interior sequences: both exhibit a sharpness and fine detail that could only be captured in high definitition. Edge Enhancement was not notable at any time, and no other pops, scratches or other damage were seen at all. Color reproduction was mild for most of the film, but those scenes which focused on the Hollywood High Society featured incredibly deep color palettes that stand in stark contrast to the dungy plain-ness that the rest of the community existed in.

Extra Features: 3.5/5
Hollywoodland contains three 20 minute long featurettes that are notable for being both among the best looking and most interesting of any recent release (They appear to actually be filmed in high definition, if these are actually Anamorphic Widescreen instead I would be shocked). ‘Recreating Old Hollywood’ takes a look at the production challenges that were involved in recreating the places Reeves was known to visit, live in, and work in. ‘Behind the Headlines’ brings viewers up to speed on where the reality of Reeves death end and the licenses the crew took with the story begin. ‘Hollywood Then and Now’ delves into the glamour of Hollywood High Society and compares and contrasts it with what exists today (for example one of the night clubs featured in the story is now a Comedy club). Additionally there are a half dozen or so (wisely) deleted scenes, and a feature length commentary with director Coulter which I did not go through yet, but intend to.

Overall: 4/5 (not an average)
The mysteries surrounding Reeves’ death are fascinating and tragic, and Coulter has deftly maneuvered this film into bringing this story into the reach of mainstream audiences. While he has taken some liberties with the facts and admittedly gone into speculative territory, the history is simply a vehicle for the fictional journey that Simo undertakes. This HD version perfectly captures every nuance of the visual look of the film and bundles in enough real world back story within the features to hook anyone interested in the history into digging deeper. While the sound track is nothing notable, overall the package is worth a solid look. Overall, the great performances of Lane, Brody and especially Hoskins (who while here is a bit more reserved than his performance in Unleashed, is no less menacing) carry this film above its stark and minimal trappings. I was a bit less convinced by Affleck’s role as Reeves but in most scenes he at least held his own, and I suspect viewers will be more interested by and identify with Simo anyway, even if he didn’t really exist.

King Jeff · 02-27-2007, 01:04 AM

Awesome review, I have this HD-DVD and agree with pretty much everything said here.

norrisMc · 02-27-2007, 08:34 AM

Good movie this. BEN AFFLECK and DIANE LANE were great.

Thanks for the review.

Tim Glover · 02-27-2007, 10:40 AM

Didn't care for the movie but do agree that the image on this HD DVD was stellar. Nice review Sam.



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