About Schmidt

"One of the most highly regarded films of 2002, About Schmidt gets the shaft on DVD, and only New Line or director Alexander Payne knows exactly why. Supplements are minimal and only include a few deleted scenes with a text introduction from Payne; an amusing version of the opening shots of the Woodmen Building, again with a text introduction; and the theatrical trailer. One can only wonder why Final Destination 2 receives the ""Platinum Series"" treatment, but not this film. As for the image, it's far better. The 1.85:1 transfer is anamorphic and shows off the beautiful Midwestern sky as well as the not so glamorous downtown of Omaha, NE. The detail is strong, as is the color, which comes through at the right time, although, for the most part, it's rather muted. Also on the plus side, both 5.1 Dolby Digital and DTS tracks are offered. While the soundtracks are centered up front with no significant surround presence, they are still clear and distortion free. There are pluses and minuses to this release, which gives a distinct impression that a more comprehensive version will be released at a future date."