Beyond a Reasonable Doubt Blu-ray Review

Available from Anchor Bay Entertainment on December 22nd, the Beyond a Reasonable Doubt Blu-ray tells the story of a corrupt district attorney (Academy Award winner Michael Douglas), an ambitious reporter (Jessie Metcalfe, TVs “Desperate Housewives”), and the DA’s assistant (Amber Tamblyn) caught in the middle.

Realizing he is faced with an impossible challenge to prove that smooth-talking DA Mark Hunter (Douglas) has been planting evidence to earn convictions, journalist C.J. Nicholas (Metcalfe) recruits a friend to help him set up the ultimate trap.  He finds a murder that is a perfect fit and carefully prepares and documents his collection of circumstantial evidence, effectively implicating himself in the case.

The bait is taken and Nicholas is arrested for the murder.  Hunter and a high-ranking police officer discover that they are being set up and decide to take matters into their own hands.  The video that C.J.’s friend filmed was stolen and he was ruthlessly killed in an attempt to get a hold of the backup.

Now without the proof that he really is innocent, C.J. is at the mercy of the cunning DA and his planted DNA evidence.  Again without options, C.J. turns to his girlfriend (Amber Tamblyn), the assistant DA.  He tells her the whole story and she begins to investigate, not knowing that she is now putting her own life at risk.  Can she find proof that C.J. is innocent before he is put to death for murder?

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt is impressive in its cover – Douglas, Metcalfe, and Tamblyn are all known entities.  The story is entertaining as well.  It offers a very unique plot line.  Unfortunately, some of the acting execution does not present the best of any of the main players, and there are some very shaky parts to the story.

The fact that C.J. is found guilty when there are boatloads of evidence to corroborate his story that he planned to be implicated gives the film a bit of a reality hit.  Why wouldn’t anyone else have investigated the claims before the girlfriend trying to rescue C.J. from death?  To its credit, Beyond a Reasonable Doubt does keep the viewer engaged and there is a nice plot twist at the end that is hard to predict.  These factors help it somewhat overcome a less than stellar presentation.

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt Blu-ray special features include:

• Audio commentary with Writer/Cinematographer/Director Peter Hyams and actor Jessie Metcalfe
• The Whole Truth – The Making of Beyond a Reasonable Doubt
• Criminal Forensics – The Burden of Proof

• Actors: Michael Douglas, Jesse Metcalfe, Amber Tamblyn, Dave Jensen, John “Spud” McConnell
• Directors: Peter Hyams
• Format: Color, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Starz / Anchor Bay
• Blu-ray Release Date: December 22, 2009
• Run Time: 105 minutes

Blu-ray Review by Neil of Movie Room Reviews

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