Contender, The (US)
Sometimes you can assassinate a leader without firing a shot
Certificate: R
Running Time: 127 mins
Retail Price: $26.99
Release Date:
Content Type: Movie
Synopsis:
"The most controversial movie in years," claims Joel Siegel of Good Morning America.
Power comes at a stunning price, in this electrifying thriller that features riveting performances by an all-star cast. The vice president is dead, and as the president (Jeff Bridges) makes his choice for a replacement, a secret contest of wills is being waged by a formidable rival (Gary Oldman). When Senator Laine Hanson (Joan Allen) is nominated as the first woman in history to hold the office, hidden agendas explode into a battle for power.
Critics rave that The Contender is "the most important American film in years…a remarkably powerful and provocative thriller," (Jeff Craig, Sixty Second Preview).
Special Features:
Interactive Menus
Scene Access
In-Depth Commentary with Writer/Director Rod Lurie and Award-Winning Actress Joan Allen
Deleted Scenes
A Fascinating Behind-the-Scenes Featurette: The Making of a Political Thriller
Theatrical Trailer
Production Notes
Cast & Filmmaker Biographies
Video Tracks:
Widescreen Anamorphic 1.85:1
Audio Tracks:
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Dolby Digital Surround 2.0 English
DTS 5.1 English
Subtitle Tracks:
English
CC: English
Directed By:
Rod Lurie
Written By:
Rod Lurie
Starring:
William L. Petersen
Sam Elliott
Christian Slater
Jeff Bridges
Joan Allen
Gary Oldman
Casting By:
Carmen Tetzlaff
Mary Jo Slater
Soundtrack By:
Larry Groupé
Director of Photography:
Denis Maloney
Editor:
Michael Jablow
Costume Designer:
Matthew Jacobsen
Production Designer:
Alec Hammond
Producer:
Douglas Urbanski
James Spies
Scott Shiffman
Steve Loglisci
Marc Frydman
Willi Bär
Executive Producer:
Steven Spielberg
Gary Oldman
Maurice Leblond
Rainer Bienger
Distributor:
DreamWorks Pictures
Your Opinions and Comments
The video transfer is very good. there are no compression signs and the colors are very vivid.
The DTS and DD 5.1 soundtrack are ordinary. Since this is a 95% dialog based movie, there is hardly any activity in the surrounds (with the exception of the single helicopter
scene).
The menus are all beautifully animated and are accompanied by some nice tunes.
The extras include a commentary, a behind the scenes look and some deleted scenes. None of the extras is too exciting.
Bottom line - a good movie to fall asleep with. It takes a whole lot of coffee to stay awake through it. The Oscar nominations for this movie are beyond me.