DVD Review:

No Country For Old Men

Movie

I am sure by now you know that No Country For Old Men won best picture at the Oscars. There is a reason for that. For me it was one of the best films of the year. It's not your average type of film. The Coen Brothers take you on a ride that doesn't stop, even if you want to get off! The movie is basically about a drug deal gone bad. Josh Brolin's character finds a huge amount of drug money and decides to take it. This sets off a chase that keeps going until the end. Javier Bardem plays a psycho killer in the film and there is just something that is so creepy about him. He plays the part perfectly. He has one of the coolest weapons seen in a film in a long time. Tommy Lee Jones plays the sheriff who always seems to be behind in the investigation, but he has a lot of very interesting dialogue. I was also impressed Kelly Macdonald. She plays Josh Brolin's wife in the movie. She doesn't have a big part but considering she is scottish and talks normally with a scottish accent you would never know that from her performance in this movie. This movie is beautifully shot, as a lot of Coen Brothers films are. The movie has moments of violence mixed with humour and you could say it really has a little bit of everything. I could go on and on about different areas of the movie that I like, but this is really the type of movie that you just have to see and judge for yourself.

9.5 out of 10

Video

The transfer for this DVD is nothing short of brilliant. Everything looks so vivid and crisp. Colour and clarity are superb. A lot of this movie is shot in Texas mostly in the desert and the cinematography is quite stunning really making you feel like you are out in the desert with these characters. This is one of the best transfers of the year.

9 out of 10

Audio

Don't expect a lot of explosions or high speed card chase sounds in the Dolby Digital track. The sound in this movie is very low key. But it really adds to the tension of the film. It's a great example of where the sound can drive certain emotions and it would not be nearly as good without this great sound design. There are some cool stuff like the sound of a half-silenced shot gun going off to crickets chirping etc. These sounds are all in an effort to immerse the viewer.

9 out of 10

Extras

For the extras on this DVD you get a Making-Of, Working with the Coens and Diary of a County Sheriff. At first it might seem like there isn't much here, but what is here is quality. Working with the Coens was interesting because the actors gave a first hand account of what it was like to work with these two visionary film makers. I also liked the Making-Of, as there was a a lot of behind the scenes material. I can't help but feel we might see a 2-disc edition considering the movie did so well at the Oscars.

7 out of 10

Overall

The year's best film comes home on a great DVD. You get a beautiful transfer and solid audio, with a few great extras sprinkled in. If you liked the movie this should be on your list to pick up! Call it......Friendo!

9 out of 10

Highly Recommended.