Starman [WS/P&S]

Director: John Carpenter John Carpenter

Overview

"John Carpenter's low-key science fiction drama Starman comes to DVD with a pair of images. The widescreen transfer preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1 and is preferable to the standard full-frame 1.33:1 image. English, Spanish, and French soundtracks are rendered in Dolby Digital Stereo. Subtitles are accessible in all three of those languages as well. Supplemental materials are limited to theatrical trailers. The highlight of the film -- Jeff Bridges' performance -- works just as well on the small screen as it did in theaters. Considering the quality of the picture and sound and the affordable list price, this is not a bad DVD for the money."

Product Details

Release Date:	08/25/1998
UPC:	0043396041295
Original Release:	1984
Rating:	PG
Source:	SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMT
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Full Frame]
Language:	English
Time:	1:55:00
Sales rank:	3,400

Special Features

Theatrical Trailers ; Interactive Menus ; Scene Selections ; Production Notes

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Jeff Bridges	Starman,Starman
Karen Allen	Jenny Hayden,Jenny Hayden
Charles Martin Smith	Mark Shermin,Mark Shermin
Richard Jaeckel	George Fox,George Fox
Robert Phalen	Maj. Bell,Maj. Bell
Tony Edwards	Sgt. Lemon,Sgt. Lemon
John Walter Davis	Brad Heinmuller,Brad Heinmuller
Ted White	Deer Hunter,Deer Hunter
Dirk Blocker	Cop,Cop
M.C. Gainey	Cop,Cop
Sean Faro	Hot Rodder,Hot Rodder
George 'Buck' Flower	Cook,Cook,Actor,Actor
Russ Benning	Scientist,Scientist
Ralph Cosham	Marine Lieutenant,Marine Lieutenant
David Wells	Fox's Assistant,Fox's Assistant
Anthony Grumbach	NSA Officer,NSA Officer
James Deeth	S-61 Pilot,S-61 Pilot
Alex Daniels	Gas Station Attendant,Gas Station Attendant
Carol Rosenthal	Gas Customer,Gas Customer
Mickey Jones	Trucker,Trucker
Lu Leonard	Roadhouse Waitress,Roadhouse Waitress
Charles Hughes	Bus Driver,Bus Driver,Bus Driver,Bus Driver
Byron Walls	Police Sergeant,Police Sergeant
Betty Bunch	Truck Stop Waitress,Truck Stop Waitress
Victor McLemore	Roadblock Lieutenant,Roadblock Lieutenant
Steven Brennan	Roadblock Sergeant,Roadblock Sergeant,Roadblock Sergeant,Roadblock Sergeant
Pat Lee	Bracero Wife,Bracero Wife
Judith Kim	Girl Barker,Girl Barker
Ronald Colby	Cafe Waiter,Cafe Waiter,Cafe Waiter,Cafe Waiter
Robert Stein	State Trooper,State Trooper
Kenny Call	Donnie Bob,Donnie Bob
Jeff Ramsey	Hunter,Hunter
Jerry Gatlin	Hunter,Hunter
Randy Tutton	Letterman,Letterman
Sean Stanek	Actor,Actor
John Anderson	Actor,Actor
Jennifer Shull	Actor,Actor
John Carpenter	Man in Helicopter,Man in Helicopter
Dennis Burkley	Man in Gas Station Restroom,Man in Gas Station Restroom
Jack Nitzsche	Composer,Composer

Technical Credits

John Carpenter

Bruce A. Block

Bruce A. Evans

Raynold Gideon

Dean Riesner

John Carpenter	Director,Director,Screenwriter,Screenwriter
Roy Arbogast	Special Effects,Special Effects
Michael Douglas	Executive Producer,Executive Producer,Producer,Producer
Larry Franco	Producer,Producer,Producer,Producer
Terry Leonard	Stunts,Stunts
Michael McAlister	Special Effects,Special Effects
Bruce Nicholson	Special Effects,Special Effects
Bruce A. Block	Screenwriter,Screenwriter
Barry Bernardi	Producer,Producer
Bruce A. Evans	Screenwriter,Screenwriter,Producer,Producer
Raynold Gideon	Screenwriter,Screenwriter,Producer,Producer,Screenwriter,Screenwriter
Dean Riesner	Screenwriter,Screenwriter
Barbara Affonso	Special Effects,Special Effects
Thomas Causey	Sound Effects,Sound Effects
Steve Maslow	Sound Effects,Sound Effects,Sound/Sound Designer,Sound/Sound Designer
Marguerite Happy	Stunts,Stunts
Terry J. Leonard	Stunts,Stunts
Jennifer Shull	Casting,Casting
Thomas D. Causey	Sound/Sound Designer,Sound/Sound Designer

Editorial Reviews

Horror auteur John Carpenter set aside the casual thrills and copious bloodletting of his previous efforts to tell this well-observed tale of a peace-mongering alien who decides to inhabit the body of a woman's recently deceased true love. The result is akin to E.T. for grown-ups, with Karen Allen and Jeff Bridges chronicling the couple's hesitant friendship as they embark on a road trip to return the alien to his people. The reliable Bridges earned an Oscar nomination for his sedate, understated performance: he's like a mime with a photographic memory. But Starman ultimately belongs to Allen, who treats the character of Jenny Hayden as if she were lying on a therapist's couch, working through her ex-husband's death. She lends the film a depth and permanence that place it above the standard humanist sci-fi fare. The role dovetails well with her strong work in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) and Shoot the Moon (1982): all were parts that required her to be sexy, brooding, and tough all at once, even if she was relegated to one-dimensional supporting roles for much of her subsequent career.