| Reviews & Columns |
|
Reviews DVD TV on DVD Blu-ray 4K UHD International DVDs In Theaters Reviews by Studio Video Games Features Collector Series DVDs Easter Egg Database Interviews DVD Talk Radio Feature Articles Columns Anime Talk DVD Savant Horror DVDs The M.O.D. Squad Art House HD Talk Silent DVD
|
 DVD Talk Forum |
|
|
| Resources |
|
DVD Price Search Customer Service #'s RCE Info Links |
|
Columns
  
 
|
|
|
Ghost
List Price: Unknown [Buy now and save at Amazon]
The Movie:
It's unfortunate that Demi Moore's star seems to have slightly dimmed out. After a very promising begining and some big hits (like "Ghost", for example), but after several mis-fires ("Striptease", "Scarlet Letter"), attempts at a comeback generally went unseen. This week, she's on the cover of People magazine with an article talking about what happened. It's really unfortunate, especially because I really think that she was an actress who was suddenly really getting better in films like "G.I. Jane" and the largely unseen (but very good) "Passion of Mind".
Anyways, "Ghost" was a pretty massive hit, although I've never really understood its appeal. Not that I'm against romantic dramas or anything, but I never really found too much remarkable about its story or performances. Sam Wheat (Patrick Swayze) and Molly Jensen (Demi Moore) are a Manhattan couple who are getting more and more committed, and yet, their love is brought to a tragic end when Sam is killed one night. His ghost watches over her, unable to comfort her, but also finding out that his murder was no accident and Molly is in trouble.
Finding that he can communicate through a "spiritualist"(Whoopi Goldberg), he goes about trying to protect Molly. "Ghost" moves between comedy, drama, action and other genres and does a fairly good job at it - there are smooth shifts between the tones. The only part that really brings out the comedy well is Whoopi Goldberg, who gets several of the movie's best lines in her award winning performance. Swaze and Moore, though, are not particularly impressive in any way - Moore has gotten better, although her career has gone South. On the other hand, I really can't remember anything Swaze did afterwards, besides "Point Break" a year later, in 1991.
"Ghost" also succeeds due to a very talented crew. Walter Murch, the famed editor who worked on many of director Francis Ford Coppola's pictures, does the editing here, and Adam Greenberg ("Rush Hour", "Sphere")'s cinematography is also excellent. Overall, "Ghost" isn't a bad film by any means, it's just a film that I never really got into.
The DVD
VIDEO: Paramount does very nice work yet again here, as their 1.85:1 anamorphic transfer of "Ghost" looks not perfect, but mostly excellent. Sharpness and detail are both strong, although the movie has that sort of perfect intentional "look" in-between sharp and soft. There's even a pleasing amount of depth to many images, although there are some dimly lit scenes that were a little bit murky, but not a big complaint there.
What really suprised me was the lack of flaws. I suppose I shouldn't be too suprised, but to have a film that's 11 years old exhibit little or no wear is impressive and certainly pleasant. Also, there's only extremely minimal edge enhancement and no pixelation that I noticed.
Colors are fairly strong, although not vibrant. Much of the movie has a rather blueish tone to it, although occasional bright patches of color such as clothing or street scenes do liven up the movie's visuals occasionally. Overall, it's a very fine presentation from Paramount. Not outstanding, but most certainly very good.
SOUND: "Ghost" gets a good Dolby Digital 5.1 presentation for this DVD release. Although not an effects-heavy soundtrack, there are moments when the surrounds do come to life nicely, bringing the viewer into the more intense moments of the film. The score, which is a little bit sappy at times, generally sounds warm and crisp, filling the listening space at times and enhancing the drama. Dialogue remains clear and natural, with no issues of harshness or other flaws. A fine presentation.
MENUS:: Paramount doesn't often add animated menus, but they have done a fine job with the animated menus for "Ghost", which use film-themed images well to introduce the film.
EXTRAS:
Commentary: This is a commentary from director Jerry Zucker and writer Bruce Joel Rubin. It's an odd commentary in the way that you have the very funny Zucker paired with the rather subtle Rubin. Rubin goes on and on about various things (some of which have nothing to do with the picture) and then Zucker really goes after him. He spends 10 minutes going nowhere about his life story, and then Zucker really rips on him ("press 4 if you want to hear Bruce's life story"). Rubin does talk about the issues and story, as well as his analysis of the final feature - for the most part, he is informative and insightful, but there are moments when he starts to get into "deep thoughts" territory. Overall though, a good mix of humor (from Zucker), and insights/information from both.
Remembering The Magic: A 22 minute documentary looking back on the success of the film, this is more informative and interesting than the usual promotional interview documentaries that the studio includes on their DVDs. There's some very good interview bits with Zucker and Rubin which sort of expand slightly upon their commentary tidbits. There's also some new & old footage of the actors talking about the film. A well-produced documentary worth a look.
Also: The film's trailer.
Final Thoughts: "Ghost" gets a particularly solid special edition. I'm not a particularly big fan of the flick, but a pretty huge amount of folks are and I'm sure they'll be pleased with this release from Paramount.
It's unfortunate that Demi Moore's star seems to have slightly dimmed out. After a very promising begining and some big hits (like "Ghost", for example), but after several mis-fires ("Striptease", "Scarlet Letter"), attempts at a comeback generally went unseen. This week, she's on the cover of People magazine with an article talking about what happened. It's really unfortunate, especially because I really think that she was an actress who was suddenly really getting better in films like "G.I. Jane" and the largely unseen (but very good) "Passion of Mind".
Anyways, "Ghost" was a pretty massive hit, although I've never really understood its appeal. Not that I'm against romantic dramas or anything, but I never really found too much remarkable about its story or performances. Sam Wheat (Patrick Swayze) and Molly Jensen (Demi Moore) are a Manhattan couple who are getting more and more committed, and yet, their love is brought to a tragic end when Sam is killed one night. His ghost watches over her, unable to comfort her, but also finding out that his murder was no accident and Molly is in trouble.
Finding that he can communicate through a "spiritualist"(Whoopi Goldberg), he goes about trying to protect Molly. "Ghost" moves between comedy, drama, action and other genres and does a fairly good job at it - there are smooth shifts between the tones. The only part that really brings out the comedy well is Whoopi Goldberg, who gets several of the movie's best lines in her award winning performance. Swaze and Moore, though, are not particularly impressive in any way - Moore has gotten better, although her career has gone South. On the other hand, I really can't remember anything Swaze did afterwards, besides "Point Break" a year later, in 1991.
"Ghost" also succeeds due to a very talented crew. Walter Murch, the famed editor who worked on many of director Francis Ford Coppola's pictures, does the editing here, and Adam Greenberg ("Rush Hour", "Sphere")'s cinematography is also excellent. Overall, "Ghost" isn't a bad film by any means, it's just a film that I never really got into.
The DVD
VIDEO: Paramount does very nice work yet again here, as their 1.85:1 anamorphic transfer of "Ghost" looks not perfect, but mostly excellent. Sharpness and detail are both strong, although the movie has that sort of perfect intentional "look" in-between sharp and soft. There's even a pleasing amount of depth to many images, although there are some dimly lit scenes that were a little bit murky, but not a big complaint there.
What really suprised me was the lack of flaws. I suppose I shouldn't be too suprised, but to have a film that's 11 years old exhibit little or no wear is impressive and certainly pleasant. Also, there's only extremely minimal edge enhancement and no pixelation that I noticed.
Colors are fairly strong, although not vibrant. Much of the movie has a rather blueish tone to it, although occasional bright patches of color such as clothing or street scenes do liven up the movie's visuals occasionally. Overall, it's a very fine presentation from Paramount. Not outstanding, but most certainly very good.
SOUND: "Ghost" gets a good Dolby Digital 5.1 presentation for this DVD release. Although not an effects-heavy soundtrack, there are moments when the surrounds do come to life nicely, bringing the viewer into the more intense moments of the film. The score, which is a little bit sappy at times, generally sounds warm and crisp, filling the listening space at times and enhancing the drama. Dialogue remains clear and natural, with no issues of harshness or other flaws. A fine presentation.
MENUS:: Paramount doesn't often add animated menus, but they have done a fine job with the animated menus for "Ghost", which use film-themed images well to introduce the film.
EXTRAS:
Commentary: This is a commentary from director Jerry Zucker and writer Bruce Joel Rubin. It's an odd commentary in the way that you have the very funny Zucker paired with the rather subtle Rubin. Rubin goes on and on about various things (some of which have nothing to do with the picture) and then Zucker really goes after him. He spends 10 minutes going nowhere about his life story, and then Zucker really rips on him ("press 4 if you want to hear Bruce's life story"). Rubin does talk about the issues and story, as well as his analysis of the final feature - for the most part, he is informative and insightful, but there are moments when he starts to get into "deep thoughts" territory. Overall though, a good mix of humor (from Zucker), and insights/information from both.
Remembering The Magic: A 22 minute documentary looking back on the success of the film, this is more informative and interesting than the usual promotional interview documentaries that the studio includes on their DVDs. There's some very good interview bits with Zucker and Rubin which sort of expand slightly upon their commentary tidbits. There's also some new & old footage of the actors talking about the film. A well-produced documentary worth a look.
Also: The film's trailer.
Final Thoughts: "Ghost" gets a particularly solid special edition. I'm not a particularly big fan of the flick, but a pretty huge amount of folks are and I'm sure they'll be pleased with this release from Paramount.
|
| Popular Reviews |
| Sponsored Links |
|
|
| Sponsored Links |
|
|
| Release List | Reviews | Shop | Newsletter | Forum | DVD Giveaways | Blu-Ray | Advertise |
|
Copyright 2024 DVDTalk.com All Rights Reserved. Legal Info, Privacy Policy, Terms of Use,
Manage Preferences,
Your Privacy Choices 
| |||||||