Search - First Degree on DVD

Content Advisory: Nudity, Strong Sexual Content, Adult Humor, Profanity Movie Release: 1998 DVD Release: 05/14/2002 Format: DVD SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Studio: York Home Video Members Wishing: 0 Genres: Comedy Drama, Mystery, Black Comedy, Erotic Drama, Ensemble Film See Also: Charades

Los Angeles suburbanites Quinn (James Wilder) and Laura (Kimberly Kates) host a backyard barbecue of co-workers, including a doctor (C. Thomas Howell), his wife (Erika Eleniak), rough-edged Barry (Jack Scalia), and winsome Jude (Karen Black), who was recently widowed when her executive husband was killed in a botched kidnapping. A confrontation with an irate neighbor (James Russo) turns ugly, and it seems there is more to the guest list than first thought. And then it gets uglier once the accusations fly -- much uglier. ~ Buzz McClain, All Movie Guide

Erika Eleniak
C. Thomas Howell
Jack Scalia

The only bonus on the DVD of First Degree is a nice Dolby Digital 5.0 rendering of the sound. The various channels are used to highlight the action and dialogue to great effect, with clear separation between sound effects and talking, or shouting, which is what the characters do mostly. The video image transfer is not bad either, but with each of the scenes bathed in bright Southern California sunlight -- including the window-filled interiors -- how could it miss? ~ Buzz McClain, All Movie Guide