Emperor's Club [WS]

Universal Studios took the talent-studded and heart-warming film The Emperor's Club and created an enjoyable DVD with a handful of extras. Presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen, the transfer looks beautiful. The picture glows with bright colors and rich blacks, while keeping details crisp and sharp. The 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround is an ideal medium for James Newton Howard's score, and the dialogue comes across without static or haze. The in-depth commentary with director Michael Hoffman provides amazing insight into the film, the nuts-and-bolts of the production, and the film's cast, which includes Kevin Kline and Patrick Dempsey. The deleted scenes (also with director's commentary) are enjoyable,as well, and Hoffman often gives the reasons behind his editing decisions. The lengthy making-of featurette, "The Making of the Emperor's Club," is standard, gushing studio fare offering nothing particularly enlightening. There are also theatrical trailers, Web links, and bios.