Ghost Town [Blu-ray] A spirited romantic comedy, Ghost Town is the story of Bertram Pincus (Ricky Gervais), a cranky Manhattan dentist who develops the unwelcome ability to see dead people. Really annoying dead people. But, when a smooth-talking ghost (Greg Kinnear) traps Bertram into a romantic scheme involving his widow Gwen (Tea Leoni), they are entangled in a hilarious predicament between the now and the hereafter!
I have to start off that I loved this movie. I had no interest in seeing it when it was in the theaters figuring that it would be just another sappy love story. I guess when I saw that Greg Kinnear and Tea Leoni were in it, I just figured it would be the same old cheesy love story. I was familiar with Ricky Gervais, but not to the level of what to expect from him in a starring role. When the Blu-ray was coming out, I thought this would be a good chance to sit through a love story and perhaps make my wife happy along the way. I couldn’t have been more wrong. This movie delivers a love story in a way that the tears in your eyes will be from the laughs and not because of a long lost love that has died.
The development of Greg Kinnear’s character is done in an exemplary way where he is a cheating husband and when he dies, you aren’t left feeling a great loss. When he comes in contact with Ricky Gervais, as a ghost, you can’t help but like Kinnear’s charm and charisma only complimented by Gervias’ performance as a miserable loner who can’t stand people. Tea Leoni is always a sweetheart and never fails to deliver in any role.
Being a comedic love story, Director David Koepp keeps true to the story and lets the story and dialogue carry the movie rather than relying on graphics and CGI for the ghosts. Through the performance of the players, there is a very genuine and believable approach to introducing the audience to these ghosts.
The Blu-ray version of the film delivers a beautiful picture that really has a strong definition with a punchy contrast look at times that really helps deliver the mood of the movie. The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 audio is probably overkill for a movie that is very heavy in dialogue rather than effects, but I appreciate the detail that is put into every aspect of making this Blu-ray format DVD. The front speakers handle most of the work and deliver a pristine resonance for the vocals and even with Ricky Gervais’ British accent is very easy listening.
There are some bonus features that are really worth checking out like Some People Can Do It and the commentary track with David Koepp and Ricky Gervais.
Bonus Features:
- Commentary by Director David Koepp and Ricky Gervais
- (HD) Making Ghost Town - 22 minute featurette
- (HD Ghostly effects - 2 minute segment - No narration/commentary just visuals set to music
- (HD) Some people can do it - Outtakes/gag reel
I haven’t been this happy with a comedy for quite some time and have been highly recommending it to family and friends. I suggest picking up Ghost Town as I am sure it will be able to hold interest each time it is revisited. It is a perfect Sunday morning movie to pick your spirits up(No pun intended). I do question if a Blu-ray version is truly needed rather than a standard definition DVD although I suppose with the ever-changing technology it is wise to stay on top of it. Blu-ray is certainly a superior format and I am thrilled with the quality every time I see and hear it. No matter which version of Ghost Town you decide to get, you won’t be disappointed with the story and performances.
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