Essentially a really good t.v. movie, "Deep End of the Ocean" offers some outstanding acting, particularly by Treat Williams, as well as Michelle Pfeiffer.   The plot about a little boy whom is kidnapped, only to be found years later by the family, and not able to choose between his adoptive family and the one that bore him.   The film moves at a pace that this reviewer found riveting, but many found slow.

The dvd transfer is excellent.  There's great clarity aided by the 16:9 enhancement(almost a standard of COLUMBIA TRISTAR releases!)and fine mastering.   There are no artifacts present anywhere, and color values, while not extremely vibrant, are consistent with the theatrical presentation.  The dolby digital 5.1 sound offers little in terms of directional effects, but this is a film focusing on dialogue.

Director Carlos Saura has crafted a film, breathing with life!!!  Color and music abound in this glorious transfer from COLUMBIA TRISTAR and the dvd transfer offers a lot of extras!!!!  Besides the stunning transfer and incredible dolby digitasl 5.1 soundtrack, there's a producer and lead actress commentary, trailers, and a featurette.   The dolby digital 5.1 soundrack comes to life from the first second of film all the way 'till the end, offering non-stop rear-speaker involvement as well as pure clarity!   The color values make this one of the sharpest dvd transfers ever!

"Central Station"  should have won best picture in this reviewer's opinion!!!  It's one of the most amazing, honest, emotionally involving films to be made in years, worthy of De Sica!  Thankfully, COLUMBIA TRISTAR is offering a wonderful dvd with numerous extras for fans to fall in love with the film again!

The plot involves a lonely schoolteacher whom tries her best to care for a young boy after he witnesses his mother's tragic death!  The transfer is extremely sharp, although some might confuse the intentional grainy look at times for poor mastering. For the most part, the film is exquisite looking with great depth and contrast.  The stereo sound is excellent, but sparse on effects.

There's a wonderful commentary with director Walter Salles, Arthur Cohn and actress Fernanda Montengro, that really exemplifies the talent, craft and vision that went into making this film so wonderful.  The trailer is also included.

Director/writer Stephen Solondz has created one of the most disturbing,original looks at adolescence with "Welcome to the Dollhouse".  While COLUMBIA TRISTAR offered a great looking laserdisc transfer, it may have been pressed wrong,as my laser is suffering from speckling.  No such problem here with this spectacular looking transfer.  While the film was shot on a modest budget, the transfer looks flawless, with great color values and contrast.  The dolby surround sound offers some fine moments, for musical effect, but little in the way of directional effects.