2)FRANKIE AND JOHNNY-

 Director Gary Marshal displays unusually fine direction due to even more unusual restraint with the new PARAMOUNT dvd release of “FRANKIE AND JOHNNY”.

 Al Pacino and Michelle Pfeiffer give terrific performances here as a waitress and short-order cook at a restaurant run by Marshall regular Hector Elizondo.  

The film’s atmosphere is grittier than most would expect from the director of “PRETTY WOMAN” and “RUNAWAY BRIDE”, but this is also why the love story works. It’s much more realistic.  Marshal also displays more cinematic innovations in storytelling than he’s ever done before, evidenced in the brilliant last scene as the camera moves about in a moving and descriptive way to reveal the happenings of different characters as life and love carry on in a big city.

PARAMOUNT has retained the original 1.85:1 aspect ratio with 16:9 enhancement.  While the colors are solid, keeping with the gritty design of the film, there’s no real vibrancy here.  Fleshtones appear natural and contrast is excellent, with deep blacks and greys.

PARAMOUNT has given this release a Dolby Digital 5.1 mix, and while there aren’t any major directional effects, atmospheric effects are enlivened in the rear speakers.  The music, which is wonderful, is well complimented through all speakers. There is a Dolby 2.0 mix, but the 5.1 has slightly more dimension.  Dialogue is intelligible and free from distortion on both mixes.

A theatrical trailer is included.