6.3 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
A curmudgeonly biologist and his stoner graduate students encounter a group of mysterious backpackers who disrupt their lives in beautiful and surprising ways.
Starring: Robert Longstreet, Zach Weintraub, Whitmer ThomasHorror | 100% |
Supernatural | Insignificant |
Comedy | 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
English SDH, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Introductions are always important, helping the audience find the mood of the picture and begin to process characterizations as onscreen personalities start their journey. Writer/director Brandon Colvin isn’t a fan of such immediate impressions, opening the endeavor with ten minutes of a man getting hurt after falling off his bike, also showing a friend his ability to trigger a click in his jaw. This material represents a good portion of “A Dim Valley,” with Colvin in no hurry to introduce screen tension, motivations, or even a plot for this wandering effort, which is primarily about a marijuana- thwacked odyssey into the indie film unknown. “A Dim Valley” is strictly for audiences in an altered state of mind, working with vagueness to such a degree, I’m not even sure Colvin had anything written down before he started shooting the feature.
The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation aims to preserve the mystery mood of "A Dim Valley." A creative choice was made to shoot the feature with heavy softness, which creates a glow to the picture at times, especially with lighting sources such as headlamps. Detail isn't destroyed in the process, with a good sense of skin surfaces while examining the actors in various stages of undress. Facial particulars preserve fine hairs and elements of aging. Exteriors offer forest and lake distance, and cabin interiors secure a look at woodsy construction. Colors are compelling, working around distinct greenery and natural skintones. Primaries deliver on costuming and decoration. Heavy blue lighting also makes a positive impression. "A Dim Valley" is a very dark endeavor at times, but delineation isn't threatened, maintaining frame information.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA tracks offers a lot of activity for a simple movie, leading with crisp dialogue exchanges that preserve emotionality. Stillness is also key to the listening event, creating quiet moments of reflection. Atmospherics are generous throughout, registering changes in weather and nature exploration, with the presence of insects common. Soundtrack selections deliver a heavier sound, with clean instrumentation.
Nothing is particularly clear during "A Dim Valley," but the feature isn't a puzzle to be solved. It's not even all that an interpretive an experience, coming across as more of an exercise in style (cinematography by Cody Duncum is accomplished), keeping viewers at arm's length as things happen to blank characters, making emotional involvement difficult -- perhaps impossible for most viewers. There are ideas on sex and magic, Scrabble and heartache, but "A Dim Valley" doesn't sharpen to a fine point. Colvin attempts to generate some sort of vibe to the endeavor, but he's perfectly happy keeping the film to himself.
(Still not reliable for this title)
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