- Aspect Ratio: 1:85:1
- Video Codec: AVC/MPEG-4
- Resolution: 1080p/24 (23.976Hz)
- Audio Codec: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby Digital 5.1
- Subtitles: None
- Region: A (Region-Locked)
- Rating: R
- Discs: 2 (1 x Blu-ray + 1 x DVD + Digital Copy)
- Run Time: 81 Mins.
- Studio: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
- Blu-ray Release Date: March 20th, 2012
- List Price: $39.99
[amazon-product]B004LWZW5Q[/amazon-product]
Purchase The Sitter on Blu-ray Combo Pack at CD Universe
Shop for more Blu-ray titles at Amazon.com
Overall
[Rating:3/5]
The Film
[Rating:2.5/5]
Video Quality
[Rating:4/5]
Audio Quality
[Rating:4/5]
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:2/5]
Click thumbnails for high-resolution 1920X1080p screen captures
(All TheaterByte screen captures are lightly compressed with lossy JPEG at 100% quality setting and are meant as a general representation of the content. They do not fully reveal the capabilities of the Blu-ray format)
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The Film
[Rating:2.5/5]
The Sitter tells the story of Noah (Jonah Hill), your extremely lazy, lacking any sense of motivation to do anything, mid 20’s kid in the suburbs of New York City. After being suspended from college for getting a DUI, Noah spends his days on the coach, occasionally visiting his ‘girlfriend’ Marissa (Ari Graynor) (or so he thinks) to do random errands. In exchange for sex, Noah agrees to pick up drugs for Marissa. Only problem? Noah has been lured into babysitting Mrs. Pedulla’s three outrageous kids; Slater (Max Records), Blithe (Landry Bender), and Rodrigo (Kevin Hernandez). Noah must now figure out how he’s going to get to the party to see Marissa, all while totting along these little ‘angels’. What results is a somewhat funny film that does show slight signs of Hill’s ability to lead a film.
The Sitter is far from Jonah Hill’s best effort (that would lie with his recent performance alongside Brad Pitt in Moneyball), but certainly does show signs of his progression as an actor. Not necessarily that he’s improving his comedy, as most of the jokes and bits did feel recycled from his prior films, but more his physical ability to anchor a movie. Half-way through, I felt honest emotion for Noah. He’s realized his past ways of being lazy, not caring for anyone (including himself) just will never, ever work. I’m not talking about raw emotion, but definitely there was some sense of style present. Perhaps it was more the acting of the young Landry Bender as Blithe. Initially casted as the kind of outcast with the over use of makeup, she’s just like Noah in that regard. She hides behind the makeup just like Noah hides behind his lack of caring for own being. The conversation the two of them have in the jewelry store, was one of the better aspects found here.
Will I revisit The Sitter anytime soon? Probably not? Do I recommend others see it? Absolutely. It’s not the best example of something Hill has been involved in, but certainly is not his worst effort (that would be Accepted, but that’s most because that’s just a bad movie).
Video Quality
[Rating:4/5]
The 1:85:1 framed, AVC MPEG-4 encoded transfer is solid throughout. The film’s color palette, which tends to focus on the darker side of the color spectrum, features deep, dark blacks. Lighter colors, like that of Noah’s shirt, are bright as well. Detail can be a mixed bag at times, in particular during some of the darker moments as Noah and the kids travel through New York City. Pesky anomalies like DNR or EE are absent, while grain levels are kept in check. Comparing this to the included DVD copy, one can easily see the Blu-ray holds better definition and quality. All in all, this isn’t a perfect image, but is one that should please fans.
Audio Quality
[Rating:4/5]
The film’s provided DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is equally as solid as the aforementioned video. Dialogue is well reproduced throughout via the center channel. While most comedies don’t typically have a robust, action-packed mix, I was surprised by the overall quality of this track. Dynamics, during a few sequences, are solid. Whether bullets from a gun, tires from the mini-van screeching by or glass shattering of Noah’s dads shop, surround activity and atmosphere is solid. LFE, thanks in part to the film’s soundtrack, offers up solid, deep response. All in all, this is a track that did surprise me, one that fans will certainly enjoy.
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:2/5]
The included supplements are presented in HD:
- Gag Reel – Roughly 2:37 of gags are shown, some of which are funny. The rest are rather bland.
- Theatrical Trailer – The film’s trailer (2:11) is shown.
- Deleted Scenes – Nearly 25:54 worth of deleted/extended/alternate sequences are shown. The scene themselves are worth a watch as they do show a few funny unused gags.
- Sits-N-Giggles – 3:09 worth of improved lines.
- For Your Consideration – Here Blake beat boxes for 1:09.
- The Making of The Sitter – A 15:09 making of, featuring behind-the-scenes info as well as cast comments.
- Jonah The Producer – 4:59 worth of Jonah chatting with the stars.
The Definitive Word
Overall:
[Rating:3/5]
The Sitter isn’t a perfect movie, but is still somewhat enjoyable and it does show that Hill can lead a film. FOX’s Blu-ray is quite good as well with fine video/audio and a few features. I suppose if you’re a big fan of the film, definitely add this one to your collection. Everyone else would best be served with a rental.
Additional Screen Captures
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[amazon-product]B004LWZW5Q[/amazon-product]
Purchase The Sitter on Blu-ray Combo Pack at CD Universe
Shop for more Blu-ray titles at Amazon.com
Overall
[Rating:3/5]
The Film
[Rating:2.5/5]
Video Quality
[Rating:4/5]
Audio Quality
[Rating:4/5]
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:2/5]
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