Product Details

• Actors: John Cusack, Minnie Driver, Alan Arkin, Dan Aykroyd, Joan Cusack
• Directors: George Armitage
• Format: AC-3, Blu-ray, DTS Surround Sound, Dubbed, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), French (Dolby Digital 2.0), Spanish (Dolby Digital 2.0)
• Subtitles: French, Spanish, English
• Dubbed: French, Spanish
• Region: Region A/1 (Read more about DVD/Blu-ray formats.)
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Studio: Hollywood Pictures Home Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: August 7, 2012
• Run Time: 107 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (226 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0080BFVPU
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,400 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Hit man Martin Q. Blank (John Cusack) is in an awkward situation. Several of them, actually. He's attending his high school reunion on an assignment; he's got a rival hit man (Dan Aykroyd) on his tail; and he's going to have to explain to his old girlfriend (Minnie Driver) why he stood her up on prom night. This amiable black comedy, cowritten by Cusack and directed by Jonathan Demme protégé George Armitage (Miami Blues), has the feel of Demme's Something Wild and Married to the Mob--which is to say its humor is dark and brightly colored at the same time. Cusack and Driver are utterly charming--as is the leading man's sister, Joan, who plays his secretary. (Ms. Cusack received an Oscar nomination for her next role, in In & Out.) Alan Arkin is also very funny as Martin's psychiatrist. --Jim Emerson

Product Description

US Blu-Ray/Region All pressing. Celebrate the 15th anniversary of a killer comedy hit - now available on Blu-ray for the first time with a sensational new digital restoration. John Cusack, Minnie Driver, and Academy Award nominee Dan Aykroyd (best supporting actor, 1989, Driving Miss Daisy) are hilarious in this surefire knockout, loaded with action and laughs. Martin Blank is a hit man stuck in a career rut when his 10-year high school reunion gives him the chance to rekindle an old flame and pull off one final job. Things are looking up until his arch rival joins the party, aiming to blow the competition away.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars John Cusack's Best May 2, 2003

By Maverick41

Format:DVD

I first saw this during it's initial VHS release. The story is of Martin Blank, a professional Los Angeles hit man who is drawn back to his rural hometown to both attend his high school reunion and take on a contract to whack a guy.

One of the most well-written scripts of the 90's, in my opinion, doesn't work without John Cusack being cast as Martin Blank. He sold the role perfectly, and shines throughout the film, alongside a witty, phenomenal supporting cast of Minnie Driver, Jeremy Piven, Dan Akroyd and Joan Cusack.

Often mistaken as completely morbid, the film takes on not only a tone of humor, but that of vengance and morality. You must see this film.

The DVD, on the other end, [stinks]. Yet another incredible film thrown out there on DVD with a poor transfer and a trailer for an extra. The film sounds fanastic though, and scenes such as the Akroyd/Cusack gunfight and the destruction of the mini-mart can be greatly enjoyed with a good surround sound setup.

116 of 135 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Great Movie, terrible DVD January 5, 2000

By John Marshall Furlong

Format:DVD

Grosse Pointe Blank is an unusual movie. A professional hitman returns to his hometown to "do a job" and, while he's there, attend his 10 year highschool reunion. John Cusack plays the role well, charming and remarkably likeable, despite his profession. This "dark comedy" is very clever, and I rate it as one my favorite 90's films.

Too bad the DVD isn't up to par. It has next to zero extras. But even that could be passable if the picture was good. First of all, the movie is non-anamorphic. That doesn't make a difference unless you have a 16x9 television, it'll look the same on a regular tv, it's just a pet peeve of mine. But, the transfer we did get is just pathetic; it looks like a (bad) laser disc transfer. The picture is grainy, and there are some definite compression artifacts to been seen.

Bottom line: this DVD is worth buying for the movie, no doubt... and since this is the only version available, it's this or nothing. Just don't expect a really terrific picture.

48 of 54 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars New 2-disc reissue appears to be same NON-ANAMORPHIC disc as 1998 release September 16, 2009

By M. Zahn

Format:DVD

I went into a local store to check out the packaging for this 2-disc re-release, hoping that Disney would finally release a DVD of Grosse Pointe Blank with a new 16x9 anamorphic transfer. This new disc appears to be the same disc that was released in 1998, and NOT a new anamorphic widescreen transfer. On the back of the package, it still lists "Dolby Digital Surround Sound" and "1.85:1 Widescreen," the same as it did on the original DVD (and the combo GBP/High Fidelity disc that came out later). The new 2-disc release for "High Fidelity" lists the same bonus features as its original release, and showed as "Enhanced for 16x9 Televisions."

It appears the only difference between this release and the original 1998 issue is a second disc with a digital copy for portable video players and updated packaging. I didn't end up buying it based on the packaging and won't until they release a proper version for 16x9 televisions (hopefully a Blu-ray).

I am extremely disappointed that Disney would even bother to re-release such an antiquated, low-quality DVD with only the most minor of improvements (packaging, digital copy). Even if they had not added any bonus features (the original release had none to speak of), an updated anamorphic transfer wouldn't be too much to ask. Will absolutely not buy a copy of Grosse Pointe Blank until a good-quality DVD or Blu-ray is made available.