6.9 | / 10 |
Users | 4.2 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Veteran Los Angeles Det. Leo Kessler faces off against a wily serial killer, briefly going down for the count before rising to take vengeance.
Starring: Charles Bronson, Lisa Eilbacher, Andrew Stevens, Gene Davis, Geoffrey LewisHorror | 100% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Crime | Insignificant |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (locked)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 5.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
It’s very strange to watch 1983’s “10 to Midnight” in 2019. At the time of production, the goal of the movie was to condemn a legal system that permits known criminals to plead insanity, giving them a chance to escape severe charges, even released from prison after a short time, reunited with the world they wanted to destroy. Such rage is evident in the screenplay by William Roberts, who sets up a fairly simple tale of a madman tracked by cop who understands the full range of the perpetrator’s guilt, but can’t connect the dots for a proper arrest. What pops out from the feature today is its depiction of toxic masculinity and “beta male” rage, with the serial killer showcased here not a monster of mental fracture, but a damaged individual who can’t wrap his mind around a society of women who want nothing to do with him and his distorted ways. In many ways, “10 to Midnight” is a prescient endeavor that identifies such subculture development long before it was organized by social media and message boards. That’s not to give the film tons of credit, but watching “10 to Midnight” today is a lot creepier than it was probably meant to be. The unstoppable cop routine remains compelling, with star Charles Bronson doing what he does best: scowling at bad guys. However, there’s something more interesting brewing here beneath obvious sleaze and police procedure, with director J. Lee Thompson tapping into violent insecurity to mastermind a proper opponent for his hero, who, interestingly, isn’t a very noble man himself.
The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation offers a "New 4K scan of the original camera negative," with Shout Factory trying to give a fairly grimy feature some HD shine for its second release on Blu-ray (this first being a Twilight Time disc from 2015). The effort is noticeable, offering a relatively filmic viewing experience for a production that wasn't blessed with cash to keep things slick and sharp. Detail survives throughout, picking up on fibrous suits and casual wear. Skin surfaces are natural, showcasing proper particulars. Urban excursions are dimensional. Colors retain vibrancy, leading with period clothing, which surveys bright primaries, and greenery is ideal. Skintones are secure, handling the enormous amount of flesh on display. Blood red is bold, and set decoration remains inviting with home and office paint jobs. Delineation is strong, making sense of evening activities. Grain is pleasingly heavy but not sludgy. Source is in decent shape, without major elements of damage.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix also shares clear signs that the production wasn't exactly aiming for precision when they put the film together. Some technical limitations are found here, but the overall listening event is intact, with compelling dialogue exchanges, preserving Bronson's cool delivery and Davis's far more agitated ways, with his screaming fits staying within comfort levels. Soundtrack selections are a bit sharper, with less fullness, hitting limits during a party sequence. Scoring fares better, with a satisfying synth sound, supporting suspense and investigative needs. Atmospherics are blunt, along with sound effects. Mild hiss is detected along the way.
"10 to Midnight" is exploitation, with Thompson not above disrobing almost everyone in the cast before the killing commences, with female stars often rendered topless before expiring, while Warren prefers to slaughter innocents in the nude, giving the antagonist a bold display of confidence, playing into his sick, sexual fantasies with a revenge plan that keeps him naked, often wielding a knife. There's no real cat and mouse material here, just a gritty run-through of perversions frosted with legal world outrage. Shortcomings are obvious with low-budget filmmaking, but Bronson leads a capable cast (including Wilford Brimley, Geoffrey Lewis, Lisa Elibacher, and Andrew Stevens, doing a fine job as Bronson's younger partner) through the ins and outs of R-rated aggression from Cannon Films. Intended outrage is summoned with some dips into police corruption (though such displays are dismissed as necessary evils to achieve justice), and a modern day viewing brings out a whole new layer of mental illness that accurately reflects real- world issues.
Limited Edition to 3000 - SOLD OUT
1983
Signed by Pancho Kohner and John Crowther
1983
מי מפחד מהזאב הרע / Mi mefakhed mehaze'ev hara
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Slipcover Edition Limited to 2,000 | SOLD OUT
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