BLU-RAY
REVIEW: HORRIBLE BOSSES
10/09/11
OVERVIEW: When you have a nut job boss in a tough economy, you need the job, but not the nut. Find out whether you should off the boss when “Horrible Bosses” arrives onto Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital Download on October 11 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group. Jason Bateman (“Up in the Air,” TV’s “Arrested Development”), Charlie Day (TV’s “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”) and Jason Sudeikis (“Hall Pass”) team up to achieve every employees dream: getting rid of the big wigs.
In addition, the Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD include an UltraViolet Digital Copy of the standard definition theatrical version of the film, which allows consumers to download the film to a PC or Mac plus instantly stream it from a digital cloud to many computers, tablets or smartphones.
“Horrible Bosses” extended and theatrical versions can also be purchased for permanent download through iTunes, Zune Marketplace on Xbox 360, Amazon, Vudu and CinemaNow. A hi-definition version is available for download at the PlayStation Store on PS3 game consoles, PSP and PS Vita.
“Horrible Bosses” theatrical version will be available to rent ON DEMAND in hi-definition through Digital Cable, IPTV, Satellite TV, or through iTunes, Zune Marketplace on Xbox 360, Amazon, Vudu and CinemaNow.
“Horrible Bosses” theatrical version will be available to rent via kiosks and subscription on November 8.
SYNOPSIS: Management candidate Nick Hendricks (Jason Bateman) has been logging 12-hour days and eating everything his twisted supervisor Dave Harken (Kevin Spacey) dishes out, toward the promise of a well-earned promotion. But now he knows that's never going to happen. Meanwhile, dental assistant Dale Arbus (Charlie Day) has been struggling to maintain his self-respect against the relentless X-rated advances of Dr. Julia Harris, D.D.S. (Jennifer Aniston), when she suddenly turns up the heat. And accountant Kurt Buckman (Jason Sudeikis) has just learned that his company's corrupt new owner, Bobby Pellit (Colin Farrell), is not only bent on ruining his career but plans to funnel toxic waste into an unsuspecting population.
What can you do when your boss is a psycho, a man-eater or a total tool? Quitting is not an option. These monsters must be stopped. So, on the strength of a few-too-many drinks and some dubious advice from a hustling ex-con whose street cred is priced on a sliding scale (Jamie Foxx), the guys devise a convoluted but foolproof plan to rid the world of their respective employers... permanently.
But even the best-laid plans are only as good as the brains behind them.
FILM REVIEW: My brother
reminded me of an important fact in the world of cinema after
watching this film: a great cast does not automatically make a
great movie. The Tourist also comes to mind, but hey, they’re
not great movies but they are okay movies. This one has an
“everyone’s fantasy” premise with some scattered solid
laughs and as mentioned, a packed cast full of talent. But
something is missing. You can’t quite put your finger on it
but you will sense it. Maybe it’s the story that’s a little
weak or the subpar plot presentation or maybe it’s just all
around corny. Whatever it is, the cast is what keeps it afloat.
You do get of sense of watching a slice of real people with
their real problems in the workplace but exaggerated of course
for entertainment purposes and the clichés are abundant.
Generally speaking, the main characters are split up into two
groups, the employees and their respective tormentors or how I
also like to refer to them, stress transmitters. The employees
are three amigos played by Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, and
Charlie Day each of which has already left their mark in the
world of comedy. Probably the best part of their performances
was the good comedic chemistry between them. Then there are the
bosses played by Kevin Spacey, Colin Farrell, and Jennifer
Aniston. Now these three were the real jaw droppers in the
movie. They can undoubtedly play their roles but to see them
actually do it was unreal. Kevin made his character a complete
a-hole supreme and he was really good at it. Colin’s character
is the spoiled son who inherits his father’s business and has
no clue on how to run it properly but quickly takes the unfair
and abusive dictator type role in the company. He is ugly and
mean. When it comes to Jennifer’s character, she seems to
thoroughly enjoy strongly sexually harassing her employee. You
know, I don’t see the problem here. Her methods of harassment
are very persuasive. Jennifer continues to amaze me at how hot
she still looks. The best part of Jamie Foxx’s character is
his name which is the source of a couple of laughs on its own.
There were other interesting supporting roles filled in by some
interesting people such as Donald Sutherland, Ioan Gruffudd,
Julie Bowen, and even Bob Newhart.
Director Seth Gordon has done a lot of TV work and some film
work such as Four Christmases. He does have potential even
though this might end up being one of his weaker directions. I
do credit him for taking on and comically exploring the deep
dark dream that many of us might have. So when you’re at the
box office, this one is a tossup. It will give you some good
laughs but it is not going to be the best comedy you’ve ever
seen. Although it did provide me with a new favorite line . . .
something about a barrel and the 50 states. You’ll know what I
mean if and when you see it.
Film
Review By Cine Marcos
cinemarcos@smartcine.com
BLU-RAY:
The film is
presented in 1080P widescreen in a 2.40:1 aspect ration
preserving its theatrical format. The picture is just
flawless. Not only the picture looks great in
this release, also the sound it is good, a 5.1 DTS-HD Master
Audio (48kHz/24bit) in English, Spanish and French that provides a
good complement to the picture. It also includes
English Spanish French
subtitles.
VIDEO:
2.40:1 Anamorphic Widescreen 1080P
AUDIO:
English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English DVS 2.0 Dolby Digital,
French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital
Subtitles -
English, French & Spanish English SDH, French & Spanish
SPECIAL FEATURES:
My Least Favorite Career - Colin Farrell, Jennifer Aniston, Jamie Foxx, Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, Charlie Day, Julie Bowen and director Seth Gordon recall jobs and difficult bosses from their past in this humorous “Before They Were Famous” piece.
Surviving a Horrible Boss - Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, and Charlie Day discuss what makes a “Horrible Boss,” how to deal with their unpredictable and outrageous behavior, as well as elaborate on their on-set camaraderie as they play out the fantasies of oppressed workers everywhere.
Being Mean Is So Much Fun - Delve into the mind of the Horrible Bosses - Colin Farrell (Pellit), Jennifer Aniston (Dr. Julia), and Kevin Spacey (Harken) reflect on what it was like to get mean, down and dirty.
Additional Scenes
Making of the “Horrible Bosses” soundtrack
Standard Definition DVD of the feature film
Digital Copy of the feature film
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