Blu-ray Movie Reviews

A laid-off television producer (Rachel McAdams) is desperate for work and takes a job to produce the lowest-rated morning new show called "Daybreak." She soon learns that the zany world of network broadcasting will require quick thinking and a great sense of humor in order to handle the self-absorbed co-hosts of the show (Harrison Ford and Diane Keaton).

The film boasts and impressive cast, an accomplished writer (Alan Brosh McKenna, The Devil Wears Prada) and director (Roger Michell, Notting Hill), and hit-maker J.J. Abrams as the producer. Unfortunately, the accomplished team delivers few laughs with a cast of unlikable characters and a shallow scrip.

Video Highlights

• AVC/1080p encode on a BD-50 disc
• Excellent detail
• Bright color palette
• Deep blacks

Audio Highlights

• DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack
• Great imaging
• Front-heavy track
• Sporadic use of the surround speakers
• Intelligible dialog

The video presentation is near reference-quality with bright colors, striking detail, and inky blacks. Some longer shots are a tad soft, which knocks the score down a bit. The audio track is serviceable for the genre with an engaging score and intelligible dialog.

Bonus Materials

• Commentary by the writer and the director
• Deleted scenes (HD)

I'm a big fan of McAdams and Ford, but neither of their characters appealed to me here. Maybe I wasn't in the right mood when I watched it, but I didn't find myself laughing too much until the end of the second act, and then they suddenly stopped again. The presentation is very good, though, and may be worth a rental.

Release Date: March 8, 2011
Studio: Paramount

Movie: 5/10
Picture: 9/10
Sound: 8/10

Review System

Source
Oppo BDP-93 Blu-ray player

Display
JVC DLA-RS40 projector
Stewart FireHawk screen (76.5" wide, 16:9)

Electronics
Integra DTC-80.2 pre/pro
Anthem PVA-7 power amplifier
Belkin PVA-PF60 power conditioner

Speakers
M&K S-150s (L, C, R)
M&K SS-150s (LS, RS, SBL, SBR)
SVS PC-Ultra subwoofer

Cables
Monoprice HDMI cables (source to pre/pro)
Best Deal analog-audio cables
PureLink HDC Fiber Optic HDMI Cable System (15 meters) from pre/pro to projector

Acoustical treatments from GIK Acoustics