The Great Buck Howard Blu-ray Review
Score: 45
from 3 reviewers
Review Date:
A commendable John Malkovich performance doesn't save 'The Great Buck Howard' from mediocre AV quality and lackluster extras, making it a decent one-time rental.
Disc Release Date
DTS-HD MA
Video: 40
The Great Buck Howard's Blu-Ray video presentation is a mixed bag, with notable clarity and textural nuance in spots but generally plagued by excessive grain, lackluster color palette, washed-out tones, and unimpressive black levels in the AVC-encoded 1080p transfer, despite being shot by renowned cinematographer Tak Fujimoto.
Audio: 48
"The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track of 'The Great Buck Howard' offers clear and crisp dialogue that benefits from the lossless audio's higher fidelity, yet lacks immersive surround use, dynamic range, and impactful low-end, largely remaining front-focused with minimal engagement from the score and ambient effects."
Extra: 40
The Blu-ray extras for 'The Great Buck Howard' offer a mix of extended scenes, brief outtakes, and behind-the-scenes featurettes, with the highlight being insights into the real Amazing Kreskin. However, both the commentary and various featurettes, including the redundant HDNet promo, may only appeal to die-hard fans.
Movie: 57
The Great Buck Howard, with John Malkovich giving an almost perfect portrayal of an out-of-touch mentalist, offers a mildly amusing but ultimately forgettable experience, hindered by an uninspiring narrative and lackluster performances, particularly from Colin Hanks. Despite thematic explorations of fame and resilience, the film's tone and pacing issues diminish its impact.
Video: 40
The video presentation of "The Great Buck Howard" delivers on several fronts but leaves much to be desired in key aspects. It offers commendable clarity and textural refinement, where images exhibit crisp lines and a viable, albeit inconsistent, sense of dimension. This nuanced approach reflects in the flesh tones, which bear a light, somewhat balmy quality fitting for the film's aesthetic. Despite the limited color palette, primarily comprising neutral shades with the exception of some impactful reds, the visual tones remain natural and balanced. However, this choice contributes to a washed-out and occasionally hazy look that seems inherent to the film’s photographic design. The contrast is stable, with respectable blacks and sufficient gradational detail, especially notable in darker scenes.
However, the 1080p AVC-encoded transfer (1.85:1) underwhelms in terms of overall image quality. The transfer struggles with excessive grain, which at times, obscures detail and distracts from the viewing experience. Black levels often fail to impress, frequently resulting in a greyish cast during darker scenes. Daylight sequences provide some relief with more stable contrast and better skin tone accuracy, though the transfer lacks the clarity and depth seen in higher-budget Blu-ray releases. The video can appear flat and dull, with minimal visual impact.
Several visually striking moments occur when Malkovich is on stage, where the transfer leans towards theatricality over mundane representations. Nonetheless, these instances cannot salvage the overall impression of a subpar transfer. Grain and noise are pervasive, significantly affecting color vibrancy and black level retention. Given Tak Fujimoto’s esteemed cinematography background, it is disappointing that the transfer does not fully honor his work. Ultimately, while there are moments of excellence, they are overshadowed by pervasive image quality issues.
Audio: 48
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track for "The Great Buck Howard" is a mixed bag. Given the film's dialogue-driven nature, Magnolia's provision of a lossless audio track is essential to preserve the nuances and clarity of the spoken word. The front-heavy mix ensures dialogue is rendered with body and good tonal balance, occupying a prominent position in the soundstage without much competition from other sound elements. The higher fidelity provided by the lossless format particularly benefits subtle sound effects and the overall acoustics within interior settings, creating a stronger atmospheric presence despite limited utilization of dynamic range or surround channels.
However, the audio experience is rather underwhelming when it comes to immersion and depth. The instrumental score, while clearly presented, lacks low-end support, leaving most of the audio confined to a mid-to-high range that does not capitalize on the potential of a more robust 5.1 track. Moments where surround channels are engaged are sparse, primarily limited to ambient noises like audience applause or the occasional venue-specific acoustics. This restraint results in an audio performance where discrete surround activity is nearly absent and dynamics remain largely unremarkable, thus falling short for those seeking an enveloping auditory experience.
Also available on the disc is a standard Dolby Digital English mix alongside English and Spanish subtitles. This addition underscores Magnolia’s commitment to accessible audio options, though their impact pales compared to their high-definition counterpart. In summary, while the audio clarity for dialogue-centric scenes in "The Great Buck Howard" stands consistent and reliable, the overall sound design lacks the compelling variety and engagement found in more dynamically ambitious mixes.
Extras: 40
The Blu-ray extras for "The Great Buck Howard" present a decent mix of additional content for fans of the film, albeit not essential viewing for casual viewers. The commentary track with Writer/Director Sean McGinly and Actor Colin Hanks provides occasional insights but suffers from prolonged silences and a somewhat meandering conversation. Deleted and extended scenes offer some humorous moments, with the former revealing Buck's amusing introduction to the internet. Outtakes mainly showcase John Malkovich's eccentric performance, generating a few laughs. The "Behind the Scenes" featurette includes traditional interviews with cast and crew, offering basic production insights. The HDNet segment is largely repetitive, recycling material from other features. Lastly, "The Amazing Kreskin" provides intriguing background on the real-life inspiration for Buck Howard but doesn't venture deeply into new territory.
Extras included in this disc:
- Commentary by Writer/Director Sean McGinly and Actor Colin Hanks: Insightful moments, but generally unremarkable.
- Deleted Scenes: Three scenes, including Buck's comical discovery of the internet.
- Extended Scenes: Extended segments from various talk shows featuring Buck Howard.
- Outtakes: Various retakes focusing on humorous and failed attempts to stay in character.
- Behind the Scenes: Interviews with cast and crew offering production insights and congratulatory commentary.
- HDNet: A Look at "The Great Buck Howard": Promotional piece with recycled interview material.
- The Amazing Kreskin: Feature on the real-life mentalist discussing his parallels with the character and relation to the director.
Movie: 57
"The Great Buck Howard" navigates the complexities of fame and the quest for relevance through the lens of Buck Howard (John Malkovich), an aging mentalist whose glory days are far behind him. The film follows Troy Gable (Colin Hanks), a law school dropout looking to find his way in life, as he becomes Buck’s road manager. Malkovich exhibits commanding presence and precision in portraying Howard’s delusional ego and insecurities, encapsulating the tragicomic essence of a once-celebrated star now relegated to performing in middling venues. His outbursts, such as calling Jay Leno "Satan," provide comedic highlights while shedding light on his deep-seated fears of obscurity.
Despite a promising premise, the film struggles with tonal consistency. The narrative oscillates between satirical looks at celebrity culture and an uninspired coming-of-age subplot, failing to strike a definitive balance. The addition of Troy’s voice-over narration is a critical misstep, overexplaining emotions that could have been more effectively conveyed through visual storytelling. Colin Hanks offers an underwhelming performance that lacks emotional depth, making his character’s journey feel inert and unconvincing.
Although it features stellar performances from supporting actors like Emily Blunt and amusing cameos from John Stewart and Conan O'Brien, "The Great Buck Howard" fails to capitalize on these elements, rendering the film's comedic edge and dramatic aspirations flat. Director Sean McGinly's autobiographical take provides interesting insights but falls short in delivering a compelling narrative structure. While Malkovich's portrayal and moments of genuine humor offer some merit, the film's inability to coherently weave its diverse thematic threads leaves it muddling through mediocrity, never quite reaching its full potential.
Total: 45
"The Great Buck Howard" on Blu-ray offers a delightful showcase of John Malkovich's comedic prowess, although the overall experience falls short of excellence. Malkovich’s portrayal brings depth and nuance to an otherwise lackluster character lineup, especially in contrast to the uninspired performance of Colin Hanks. The narrative, while peppered with moments of genuine humor, is marred by clichéd, motivational scenes that fail to resonate. Furthermore, the audio and visual quality of the Blu-ray disc is subpar, detracting from the film's overall appeal. The presentation is serviceable but far from exceptional, failing to make the most of the high-definition format.
Despite these shortcomings, "The Great Buck Howard" can be an adequate choice for a casual Friday night rental. However, it is handicapped by a limited selection of special features, which includes scant behind-the-scenes content and perfunctory interviews. Viewers seeking a comprehensive and immersive viewing experience will find the extras lacking in substance and creativity. This scarcity elevates the film to a merely passable viewing option, rather than a must-have addition to one's Blu-ray collection.
In summary, while John Malkovich's performance is the standout feature of "The Great Buck Howard," the film's overall mediocrity in story, audio/visual presentation, and special features considerably diminishes its rewatchability. Recommended primarily as a rental, it serves well for a light evening's entertainment but does not substantiate further investment in time or resources for a purchase.
Blu-ray.com review by Casey BroadwaterRead review here
Video: 50
In fact, I'll start by saying that the only part of the film that looks really good is Buck's orange suit jacket, as the color really pops and the individual lines of stitching are readily visible....
Audio: 60
Voices, however, are rendered clearly and faithfully, and as Buck Howard is a talky comedy, I wasn't expecting much more than the front-heavy, dialogue-driven track that the film presents....
Extras: 30
Commentary by Writer/Director Sean McGinly and Actor Colin Hanks Hanks is occasionally insightful, and McGinly is at his most interesting when talking about his real-life experiences with "The Amazing...
Movie: 50
Much like Buck Howard himself, the film is destined to a life of obscurity, perhaps picking up a few fans on home video, but never basking in the warm glow of positive critical attention....
Total: 50
While the film has some funny moments, the hilarity is offset by the inherent dullness of Colin Hanks' character and some follow-your-dreams pep talks that prove a little too cloying....
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 40
There are some somewhat impressive shots when Malkovich takes the stage (theatricality is favored over the mundane in this transfer), but those moments are few and far between and not enough to rescue...
Audio: 60
Extras: 60
This brief collection of scenes replaces some connective tissue (including a cameo by a current "SNL" cast member) with some of the scenes, but beyond that it's pretty forgettable....
Movie: 60
And while his bemused reaction shots work more than they fail, he seems to be sleepwalking through the role, far removed from his more engaged and passionate turn in the great and unfairly forgotten 'Orange...
Total: 60
Other than that, with poor AV quality and a humdrum selection of special features, 'The Great Buck Howard' is anything but great....
AVSForumRead review here
Video: 86
The color palette is somewhat limited and with the exception of red those used in the sets and clothing utilized neutral shades and passive hues that were rarely eye catching....
Audio: 80
Extras: 40
3 deleted scenes 5 extended scenes – Martha Stewart/Regis & Kelly/Jon Stewart/Conan O’Brien/Total request live Outtakes – 3 minutes Behind the scenes – 9 minute featurette with cast/crew interviews HDNet:...
Movie: 70
Nonetheless, with the aid of a fiery publicist (Emily Blunt) and a bold stroke of luck, Buck lands back in the American consciousness, taking Troy along for the ride....
Total: 69
Denon AVR 5308CI THX Ultra 2 Preamp/Video Processor Sherbourn Technologies - 7/200 Seven Channel Amplifier Philips TSU9400 Pro Series Touch Panel Remote Control Canton "Ergo" Series speakers Axiom Audio...
Director: Sean McGinly
Actors: Colin Hanks, John Malkovich, Tom Hanks
PlotA young law student named Troy Gable decides to drop out of school and pursue a more exciting career. He answers an advertisement and becomes the road manager for Buck Howard, a once-famous mentalist whose career has seen better days. As Troy assists Buck on his tour across small towns, he begins to witness the quirks and challenges of show business. Buck's eccentric and demanding personality makes the job challenging, but Troy finds himself growing intrigued by the aging performer's unwavering commitment to his act.
As they continue on their journey, Troy's responsibilities increase, and he meets Valerie Brennan, a sharp and determined publicist who adds another layer of complexity to their travels. The dynamic between Troy, Buck, and Valerie evolves, leading to various conflicts and revelations. Despite the dwindling size of his audiences, Buck dreams of a triumphant comeback, while Troy grapples with his own professional aspirations and personal growth. Through a series of misadventures and heartfelt moments, the trio navigates the unpredictable world of entertainment, facing the highs and lows that come with the territory.
Writers: Sean McGinly
Release Date: 10 Apr 2009
Runtime: 90 min
Rating: PG
Country: United States
Language: English