Review: The Phenom BD + Screen Caps

The Phenom is an OK sports drama but mainly because of the performances by Paul Giamatti and Ethan Hawke, otherwise it is on the forgettable side. The Blu-ray released through RLJ Entertainment offers OK video, so-so audio and throwaway features.

 

 

The Phenom
(2016)

Genre(s): Drama, Sports
RLJ Entertainment | NR – 85 min. – $29.97 | August 30, 2016

Date Published: 08/18/2016 | Author: The Movieman

 

MOVIE INFO: Directed by: Noah Buschel Writer(s): Noah Buschel (written by) Cast: Johnny Simmons, Paul Giamatti, Ethan Hawke, Yul Vazquez, Sophie Kennedy Clark DISC INFO: Features: Featurette, Photo Gallery Digital Copy: No Formats Included: Blu-ray Number of Discs: 1 Audio: English (DTS-HD MA 5.1) Video: 1080p/Widescreen 2.35 Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish Disc Size: NA Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Region(s): A

 

PLOT SYNOPSIS

Ever since Hopper (JOHNNY SIMMONS) was a child, he has dreamed of becoming a major league pitcher. Relentlessly pushed by his abusive father (ETHAN HAWKE), he’s on the verge of becoming one of the game’s most promising players when he unexpectedly breaks down on the mound. Now Hopper’s only hope lies with an unorthodox sports therapist (PAUL GIAMATTI) who urges him to let go of the past so he can find success on the field.

 

SPECIAL FEATURES – 1.0/5

The disc is light on features with The Cast of The Phenom (9:28; HD) which is a set of cast interviews and a Photo Gallery.

 

VIDEO – 3.25/5

The Phenom arrives on Blu-ray presented with a 1080p high-definition transfer and a 2.35 widescreen aspect ratio. It’s not a terrible looking transfer although I did notice some artifacting here and there and darker shots are hardly stark. Still, skin tones appear to be natural and detail at least is decent enough.

AUDIO – 3.0/5

While this might have a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, it behaves like a mono track instead. The vast majority of the film is dialogue-driven so most of the audio comes only through the center channel. However, even as a mono track, it’s pretty light to the point it was difficult to understand what the characters were saying.

 

OVERALL – 2.25/5

Overall, The Phenom is an OK sports drama but mainly because of the performances by Paul Giamatti and Ethan Hawke, otherwise it is on the forgettable side. The Blu-ray released through RLJ Entertainment offers OK video, so-so audio and throwaway features.

 

 

 

 

Check out some more screen caps by going to page 2. Please note, these do contain spoilers.