Title: Dinner for Schmucks (2010)
BD-50 Dual-Layer Disc
Video: 1080p/AVC
Audio: 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese
Run time: 114 minutes
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Region Coding: Region A Only
Equipment used for review: Sharp LC-46SB57UN 46" 120Hz 1080p LCD (24fps), Onkyo TX-SR606 7.1 Receiver, Onkyo SKS-HT540 7.1, & LG BH200 Super Blu
Cast/Crew Info:
Steve Carell as Barry
Paul Rudd as Tim
Zach Galifianakis as Therman
Jemaine Clement as Kieran
Stephanie Szostak as Julie
Lucy Punch as Darla
Bruce Greenwood as Lance Fender
David Walliams as Müeller
Ron Livingston as Caldwell
Directed by Jay Roach
My take: (the breakdown)
What would you do to get a major promotion job? That is the question that is posed to Tim, who works for a large financing company in the film Dinner for Schmucks. To get a promotion Tim is asked by the head of the company, Lance Fender, to attend an annual dinner invitees must bring an idiot for everyone to make fun of. After gathering some additional information and telling his girlfriend about the dinner he begins to have second thoughts about attending. However, Tim then literally bumps into Barry who is about as strange a person as one would expect to find. Not only is Barry socially deprived, but he also builds dioramas out of stuffed mice, which is rather funny on its own. As Tim gets to know Barry he is convinced that he must take him to the company, but with his girlfriend set against it it might prove harder than it looks. My wife and I laughed almost continuously during the entire film and I did not hesitate to purchase it. Due to some crude humor it's probably not suitable for younger children.
For a new release comedy Dinner for Schmucks looks about like I was expecting on Blu-ray. Colors are well saturated without any problems such as bleeding or over-saturation. Flesh tones are mostly accurate, but I felt were a little on the orange/red side at times. Grain is moderate, but does manage to remain consistent throughout the entire film. I did spot a few brief softer shots, but nothing overly distracting. For a comedy I was actually rather impressed and I think most others will be as well.
For detailed screen captures from this Blu-ray Disc please visit the following link: http://www.highdefforum.com/blu-ray-movie-reviews/127467-my-take-dinner-schmucks-2010-a.html
Dinner for Schmucks laughs its way onto Blu-ray with a 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track that is right on par with the film's transfer. Dialogue is clear and concise without any audible issues. However, the surrounds I felt are used rather sparingly. At times they would convey a cityscape around the viewer, but at other times they would be silent when some ambient sounds should have been heard. There's not much going on in the LFE, but there are few instances where you'll be reminded that your sub is indeed hooked up. Overall, it's a great mix, but I wouldn't use it for demo material.
Dinner for Schmucks arrives on Blu-ray with an decent supplemental package, but there's not much that's going to blow you away. First up is a 15 minute look at the casting process for the film. Next is an interesting 11 minute feature that focuses on the Chiodo brothers, who are responsible for the mouse artwork in the film. Next is a three minute piece on the winners of the dinner followed by an eight minute gag reel. Rounding out the package is nine minutes of deleted scenes and a three minute fictional press conference with Carell and Rudd.
Movie: 8/10
VQ: 9/10
AQ: 9/10
Supplements: 5/10
Final Word: A Purchase For Fans
As always thanks for reading folks.
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