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PLEASE NOTE: Michael D's is currently in READ ONLY MODE. Anything submitted will simply not be written to the database.
Lots of stuff is still broken, but at least reviews can now be looked up and read.
Bubble (Directors Suite) (2005)
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Bubble (Directors Suite) (2005)
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If you create a user account, you can add your own review of this DVD
Released 9-Apr-2008
This review is sponsored by
Details At A Glance
| General |
Extras |
| Category |
Drama |
Audio Commentary-Audio Commentary with director Steven Soderbergh and Mark Ro
Audio Commentary-Audio Commentary with writer Coleman Hough, actors Debbie Do
Featurette-Bursting the Bubble: The Real Lives of the Actor
Interviews-Cast-Finding the Cast - Interviews with Dustin James Ashley, Debb
Interviews-Crew-HDNet's Higher Definition: Steven Soderbergh Interview Highl
Deleted Scenes-Deleted Scene with Alternate Ending
Gallery-Photo-Stills Gallery
Trailer-Theatrical Trailer
Trailer-Directors Suite Trailers
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| Rating |
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Year Of Production
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2005
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| Running Time |
73:53
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RSDL
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Flipper
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No/No
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Cast & Crew |
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Start Up
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Menu |
| Region Coding |
4
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Directed By |
Steven Soderbergh
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Studio
Distributor |
Magnolia Pictures
Madman Entertainment
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Starring |
Debbie Doebereiner
Omar Cowan
Dustin James Ashley
Phyllis Workman
Laurie Lee
Daniel R. Christian
Misty Wilkins
Madison Wilkins
K. Smith
Decker Moody
Thomas R. Davis
Ross Clegg
Scott Smeeks
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| Case |
Amaray-Transparent |
| RPI |
$29.95
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Music |
None Given
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NOTE: The Profanity Filter is ON. Turn it off here.
Plot Synopsis
Steven Soderbergh's Bubble is a small masterpiece with a particularly interesting backstory - everything from the writing of the script to the production's filming to the release was done in an entirely new and controversial way, giving Bubble buzz before it was even out for the public to see. At the centre of this is the film's unique distribution: Soderbergh signed a deal with HDNet to produce six low budget HD films to be released simultaneously on DVD, on cable and in theatres - with Bubble the first - giving audiences the opportunity to see it however they choose. Instantly, cinema chains backed down from screening the film, outrageously claiming that this marked the end of cinema going. But Soderbergh has confidently argued for this experiment, allowing audiences to see movies in whatever vicinity they choose. Beyond this, Bubble is a spectacular little film that is best experienced knowing as little as possible about the story itself. Bubble tells the story of "three individuals living in a poor area of America struggling to make ends meet." Martha (Debbie Doebereiner) is a middle-aged woman looking after her sickly father whilst working two jobs. She is close to young friend and co-worker Kyle (Dustin Ashley), a good looking but painfully shy young man who works with her at a doll factory and shares conversation, opening up to her in a way he cannot with anyone else. When the factory owner hires a new worker, the attractive but strange young Rose (Misty Wilkins), Martha is extremely wary and threatened by the offset of their balance, and as a relationship develops between Kyle and Rose a dark cloud looms, changing their lives forever.
At only 73 minutes, Bubble is not a long film, and it builds slowly, but is a rewarding experience and features many talented actors who have never acted before. This story, like many behind the film, are just as interesting as the feature itself, making this DVD an excellent package to see behind the scenes and how everything came together. Considered one of the best films of 2006, I can't recommend Bubble enough and I'm pleased it's finally available to us in Australia.
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Transfer Quality
Video
The video is presented in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio. It is 16x9 enhanced. Shot entirely on HD, Bubble has a very unique documentary-real look to it, and for the most it maintains a very high level of detail with little grain and no artefacts. Blissfully free of interlacing, the colours are slightly subdued (as was the intention, I'm certain) and there are some issues with low level noise - consider an opening scene where the dark outdoors have little detail, continuing until about halfway through the film, where some of the usual issues with digital video surprisingly vanish as darker scenes begin playing a bigger part in the film (39:40).
Technically, this isn't a perfect case of video transfer, but it does look extremely good and fits the film perfectly. There is an average bitrate of 6.1mbs.
There are no subtitles.
Video Ratings Summary
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Audio
The audio is presented in English Dolby Digital 3.0. Bubble delivers a great soundtrack here, working off the minimalist theme set in tone and narrative (has anyone ever come across a 3.0 track before?) that sounds perfect. Dialogue and effects are perfectly balanced, and the simple guitar theme that is heard across the film is excellent. Despite a lack of surround (and with a film like this, what would you want coming through rear speakers?) this is an exemplary soundtrack, giving the impression of a much higher budget film.
That very simple soundtrack by Robert Pollard consisting solely of a guitar gives scenes a very strong feeling of certainty as events unfold, pushing the looming atmosphere of dread through to the very end of the film.
Audio Ratings Summary
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Extras
Animated Menus with Sound
The menus here feature the film's simple musical theme to various images from the film - very nice. Audio Commentary with director Steven Soderbergh and Mark Romanek
This excellent commentary seems more like an extended interview than a typical commentary track - director Steven Soderbergh is joined by fellow filmmaker Mark Romanek, who sits across from him constantly posing questions and thoughts inviting Soderbergh to discuss every element of the film, including the unique method of distribution, the production and storytelling process, and what it was like taking a step back from high-budget Hollywood pictures to doing something considerably cheaper and more independent and insular. It's an excellent track that kept me entertained while I learnt a lot. Audio Commentary with writer Coleman Hough, actors Debbie Doebereiner, Dustin Ashley and Misty Wilkins
The second commentary finds the writer talking to the principal actors as they watch the film and discuss various points about making the film and the character's relationship with their own lives. Although all are clearly quite close, there's not as much information to be gleaned from here as with the first track, but those who have been taken by the film may find this the ideal way to watch it a second time and enjoy a lot of the anecdotes and stories that came from the production. Bursting the Bubble: The Real Lives of the Actor (11:10)
This is a nice little featurette talking to the actors behind the protagonists following the film, with a look at their homes, jobs, families and reflections on making the film. Although this really isn't anything more than a glorified puff-piece that repeats a lot of the information we've already heard in the commentaries, it's still fun and maybe even a little relieving to see the real people behind the roles, both in how similar and how distinct they are from the characters they play. Footage shot by Dustin on set mixed with various production stills and photos taken after the movie show a bond between these people that's warming, and I also liked Debbie's interpretation of the film and what it's title means. Presented in a very bright, detailed 1.85:1 without 16x9 enhancement. Finding the Cast - Interviews with Dustin James Ashley, Debbie Doebereiner, and Misty Wilkins (23:17)
Each of the casting interviews with the main cast are presented here with minor edits, and they're once again fascinating to see the people behind the characters. Elements of each character are found within the actor representing them, and there's clearly a lot of drama going on in the lives of each of these people. Even though these interviews took place before the entire film experience and there is some unease, the friendly interviewer uses some smart tactics to get them out of their shell, making for good viewing. Presented in the 1.33:1 digital video, and can be played separately. HDNet's Higher Definition: Steven Soderbergh Interview Highlights (9:41)
Journalist/critic Robert Wilonsky talks to the director here about the six movie deal, his career and other tidbits in this straightforward but reasonably interesting interview. The primary information here that any Bubble fan would want to hear about is the next film to be made as part of the deal, and it's the one thing they cannot touch upon, but it's entertaining nonetheless. Deleted Scene with Alternate Ending (6:04)
There's a lot of talk about this deleted scene in the other extra features, and it has a major bearing on how the plot plays out, which makes me extremely pleased it was removed from the final cut. It changes the gravity of the situations entirely, and is also edited poorly, resembling a student film - the very thing Bubble strives to avoid during its running time. Regardless, I'm glad it's included here, and looks great in 1.85:1 without 16x9 enhancement. Stills Gallery
A nice variety of stills from production covering actors and crew across different scenes. Theatrical Trailer (1:28)
Honestly one of the best and most intriguing film trailers I've ever come across, the Bubble trailer here consists of frenzied score over stills of the dollmaking process, and is absolutely riveting. It sells you on the film while giving nothing away about the proceedings, rendering it perfect. It's not 16x9 enhanced, but the 1.85:1 transfer is still excellent. Directors Suite Trailers - Piracy Warning (0:23) The Wind Will Carry Us (1:43) Wings of Desire (1:59) The World (1:31) Grizzly Man (2:26)
Who doesn't love a good piracy warning, especially after you've done the right thing and bought the DVD? These trailers are fine for what they are, the stand-out being Grizzly Man, an astounding Herzog doco you owe it to yourself to see.
R4 vs R1
NOTE: To view
non-R4 releases, your equipment needs to be multi-zone compatible and usually
also NTSC compatible.
There are identical R1 and R4 versions of this particular package - the HD front, however, it is a different story, and sadly not a good one. Neither the HD-DVD nor Blu-Ray releases include as many special features as the DVD does, with only the Soderbergh/Romanek commentary and the HDNet Soderbergh Interview (extended for Blu-Ray) simply lacking everything else. For this reason, I'd stick with the R4 DVD for now - the extras included here are great, and the the PAL transfer is excellent for the source (even though it would not measure up to HD).
Summary
Bubble is a fantastic film - a successful experiment that is worth watching. The video and audio transfers are both very good despite low budget limitations.
Although there is not a flood of extras, what is included makes for excellent viewing to see how this film came together.
| Video | |
| Audio | |
| Extras | |
| Plot | |
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© Ryan Aston (Bioshock)
Friday, August 22, 2008
| Review Equipment |
| DVD | Sony Playstation 3 (HDMI 1.3) with Upscaling, using Component output |
| Display | Benq PE7700.
Calibrated with Digital Video Essentials (PAL). This display device has a maximum native resolution of 720p.
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| Audio Decoder | Logitech 5500 THX.
Calibrated with Digital Video Essentials (PAL).
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| Amplification | Logitech 5500 THX |
| Speakers | Logitech 5500 THX |
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