Some Kind of Beautiful Blu-ray Review

"Some Kind of Beautiful" is presented on Blu-ray with a top-tier AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.39:1 aspect ratio. Shot using the Arri Alexa XT digital camera system by renowned cinematographer David Tattersall, the film showcases impressive sharpness and well-rendered details throughout. The transition from the rainy, muted hues of Britain to the vivid, sun-drenched frames of California results in a visually compelling contrast, highlighting the film's candy-colored production design choices. The beachside scenes, in particular, exhibit commendable depth of field and vibrant blues. A quasi-sepia-toned flashback sequence adds an additional layer of visual storytelling. Though some dimly lit interior scenes exhibit slight haziness, the overall image stability remains impeccable.

The visually engaging aspects of "Some Kind of Beautiful" are further accentuated by its excellent color grading – from the rain-soaked England sequences with their brownish-gray tones to the bright, colorful Californian daylight scenes. Even though the transfer doesn't offer any groundbreaking visual pleasures, it sustains a level of detail and sharpness typical for digitally shot films. Black levels are sufficiently managed, given the film's frequent use of brightly lit and daytime settings. Notably, there are no evident issues with banding or aliasing, ensuring a smooth and satisfying viewing experience for the audience.

Professional critiques could range in enthusiasm, yet the technical proficiency in video presentation remains consistent. The diverse palette and technical handling underscore the Blu-ray’s adeptness in managing both vibrant outdoor environments and more subdued indoor settings.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track accompanying "Some Kind of Beautiful" is a reliable and competent presentation, supporting the film’s inherently dialogue-driven nature. The acoustic fidelity remains consistently robust, with clear and articulate dialogue. The surround speakers provide understated yet effective ambient environmental accents, ensuring a modest but appreciable level of immersion. The overall dynamic range is punctuated by occasional spikes, especially during the film's more energetic sequences later on.

There is only one audio option available, the 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track, which suffices given the film's undemanding audio requirements. Despite its simplicity, the mix is well-balanced, ensuring that neither the dialogue nor Stephen Endelman's score overshadows the other. Ambient noises are incorporated thoughtfully, enriching the viewing experience without drawing undue attention to themselves. While the soundtrack, which includes some additional songs, might not be memorable, the technical quality of the audio is faultless, with no perceptible glitches throughout. Subtitles are available in English SDH, English, and Spanish, catering to a broad audience.

The extras for the Blu Ray of "Some Kind of Beautiful" are largely conventional, with a focus on providing behind-the-scenes insights through standard 'talking head' interviews. "Inside the Heart of a Romantic" offers a typical Electronic Press Kit (EPK) experience that features direct commentary from Director Tom Vaughn and stars Pierce Brosnan, Salma Hayek, Jessica Alba, and Malcolm McDowell. Interspersed with scenes from the film, this extra gives viewers a standard behind-the-scenes look at the movie's production and casting choices.

Extras included in this disc:

• Inside the Heart of a Romantic: A standard behind-the-scenes look at the movie with comments from key cast and crew.

'Some Kind of Beautiful,' starring Pierce Brosnan as an English Literature professor with a penchant for young co-eds, treads the well-worn path of predictable romantic comedy. The screenplay follows Richard Haig (Brosnan) through a series of rote and uninspired plot points, resulting in a narrative that lacks emotional resonance. The film opens with Richard delivering a clichéd break-up speech, which turns out to be an apology to his son, setting the tone for an extended flashback. Richard's journey from a philandering academic to a father attempting to redeem himself is punctuated by an ill-fated move to Los Angeles with Kate (Jessica Alba), who bears his child. Despite Richard's efforts to conform to family life, his affair with Kate's sister Olivia (Salma Hayek) leads to a cascade of supposedly comedic yet manic events, further strained by Kate's infidelity with a surfer named Brian (Ben McKenzie).

Unfortunately, the film's attempts at broad comedy in its first half fall flat, and the abrupt shift to sentimental drama feels disjointed. Brosnan’s portrayal is inconsistent, fluctuating between cad, devoted father, and bumbling romantic based on the script's immediate demands. The supporting cast, including Malcolm McDowell as Richard's womanizing father, does little to elevate the poorly written material. Despite the considerable talents of Brosnan, Alba, and Hayek, their performances are stifled by lifeless dialogue and contrived situations that fail to garner genuine laughs or emotional engagement.

Ultimately, 'Some Kind of Beautiful' squanders its promising ensemble on a directionless and humorless script. Viewers may find themselves frequently checking the clock, as the movie drags through its missteps without providing a fulfilling narrative arc. This romantic comedy fails to leverage its cast's potential, leaving audiences to wonder how such capable actors found themselves in such an underwhelming project. The Blu-ray presentation includes standard features like trailers and an insert for an UltraViolet digital copy but does little to rescue the overall viewing experience.

“Some Kind of Beautiful” assembles a talented and energetic cast, but unfortunately squanders their efforts in a predictable and uninspired narrative. Pierce Brosnan, Jessica Alba, and Salma Hayek perform with commendable energy, attempting to squeeze humor out of a screenplay that rarely lands successfully. While their performances are earnest, the film's writing leaves much to be desired, failing to deliver the wit and charm expected of a romantic comedy.

The film fundamentally falters by being neither particularly funny nor genuinely romantic. Brosnan visibly strains to inject life into lackluster lines, while Alba and Hayek’s on-screen presence, despite being visually captivating, cannot compensate for the film’s weak script. The romantic and comedic elements fall flat, rendering the interactions more awkward than amusing and the romance more perfunctory than heartfelt.

From a technical standpoint, the Blu-Ray release offers commendable merits. The picture quality is sharp and vibrant, ensuring that the visuals are engaging even if the narrative is not. Audio clarity is also top-notch, enhancing the viewing experience despite the film’s content shortcomings.

In conclusion, while “Some Kind of Beautiful” boasts a strong cast and excellent technical execution in its Blu-Ray release, the story's predictability and ineffective humor make it a difficult recommendation. Fans of the actors may find some enjoyment in their performances, but overall, this film falls short of being worth your time.