| The Picture: "Shower" is presented in Widescreen with an aspect ratio of 1.66:1. While the picture is plagued by numerous spots and dust particles, these are more likely a product of the original film and not the digital transfer. While these imperfections in the print are present in more than one instance, they are insufficient to disrupt the viewers enjoyment of this absorbing movie. Also the subtitles in the film are quite clear and easy to read.
The Sound: "Shower" is presented in Mandarin Chinese 5.1 Dolby Digital (with English Subtitles) The film is mainly dialogue-driven (and in Mandarin) so the sound is not as important element in the film. Nevertheless, the sound quality of the film is generally quite good with no problems which impede listening enjoyment. Further, the sound levels of the film remain fairly constant and do not require serious alteration at any time throughout the film.
Bonus Materials: While it is to be expected from a small foreign film, the number of bonus features on this DVD is rather minimal. The DVD contains talent files for the stars of the film, Zhu Xu, Jiang Wu and Pu Cunxin, and director Zhang Yang. The DVD also contains trailers for "The King of Masks," which features Zhu Xu, "The Emperor and the Assassin" and "Not One Less." While more special features would be made the DVD even more enjoyable, the recommendation of three other fine Chinese films is a very nice resource for people with very limited exposure to the country's rich film works. |
Technical Notes:
