The Yards (1999) / The Lookout (2007)
Genre(s): Drama, Crime
Echo Bridge | R – 114 min./99 min. – $19.99 | May 10, 2011
MOVIE INFO:
Directed by: The Yards – James Gray; The Lookout – Scott Frank
Writer(s): The Yards – James Gray & Matt Reeves (written by); The Lookout – Scott Frank (written by)
Cast: The Yards – Mark Wahlberg, Joaquin Phoenix, Charlize Theron, James Caan; The Lookout – Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jeff Daniels, Matthew Goode, Isla Fisher
Theatrical Release Dates: The Yards – October 20, 2000; The Lookout – March 30, 2007
DISC INFO:
Features: None
Number of Discs: 1
Audio: English (DTS-HD MA 2.0)
Video: 1080p/Widescreen 1.78
Subtitles: None
SYNOPSIS
THE YARDS:
Recently released from prison, Leo Handler (MARK WAHLBERG) just wants to get his life back on track. But when he takes a job with his powerful Uncle Frank (JAMES CAAN) and reconnects with his old friend Willie (JOAQUIN PHOENIX), Leo finds himself unwittingly drawn into a world of sabotage, high-stakes payoffs and even murder.
THE LOOKOUT
Chris “Slapshot” Pratt (JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT), whose once-bright future has been dimmed by a head injury, is a night janitor at a bank. Lonely and frustrated, Chris falls prey to a con man’s seductive promise of romance and a better life, and agrees to help rob the bank where he works.
SPECIAL FEATURES – 0/5
Nope, nothing for either movie despite their DVD counterparts getting commentaries (The Yards has one with the director and Steven Soderbergh) or featurettes.
VIDEO – 3.5/5
Both The Yards and The Lookout are presented with a 1.78 aspect ratio and in 1080p high definition on a single layered disc. The picture for both films isn’t bad but like the others I’ve reviewed here, it doesn’t have the depth in comparison with other Blu-ray releases. That said, I didn’t notice an abundance of scratch marks so it’s at least a moderate upgrade.
AUDIO – 3/5
The DTS-HD MA 2.0 tracks are both good enough but nothing compared to 5.1 channels, of course. The audio is centrally located and can top out at times. Dialogue levels do sound alright and for both they are mostly dialogue driven.
OVERALL – 2/5
Overall, both of these films are well done, especially The Lookout, but the lack of features when both of these had them on the DVD versions, so-so audio tracks and lackluster video transfers makes this a pick-up only if get this on the cheap.