7.7 | / 10 |
Users | 4.2 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.1 |
Second-in-rank Byung-doo is a gangster stuck between his overbearing boss and younger criminals, each as aggressive and ambitious as the next and ever ready to take his place. Caring for his siblings and a sick mother, he swings between his real family and his criminal one, the load of each weighing him down until an opportunity arises to change everything.
Starring: Zo In-sung, Lee Bo-young, Jin Goo, Yun Je-mun, Jeong Si-yeonForeign | 100% |
Drama | 36% |
Crime | 7% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.29:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Korean: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Korean, English
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Screened at the Chicago International Film Festival, Yu Ha's "A Dirty Carnival" (2006) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Korean distributors CJ Entertainment. The supplemental features on the disc include two audio commentaries; behind the scenes featurette; multiple making of featurettes; deleted and extended scenes with optional commentary by director Yu Ha; interviews; footage from the film's premiere; and theatrical trailers. In Korean, with optional English and Korean subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.
Family
Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.29:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Yu Ha's A Dirty Carnival arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Korean distributors CJ Entertainment.
This is a pleasing high-definition transfer with a couple of minor issues. Generally speaking, A Dirty Carnival looks fresh, with most of the daylight scenes being notably sharp. Mild edge-enhancement, however, occasionally pops up here and there, and I also noticed some random contrast boosting. Some sporadic sharpening has been applied as well. Still, fine object detail and clarity are fairly pleasing. The color-scheme does not disappoint either; blues, greens, browns, grays and blacks look fresh and natural. There are no serious stability issues to report in this review. Finally, I did not see any marks, scratches, cuts or stains. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location).
There is only one audio track on this Blu-ray disc: Korean DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. For the record, CJ Entertainment have provided optional English and Korean subtitles for the main feature. When turned on, they appear inside the image frame.
When it comes to solid audio treatments, CJ Entertainment may well be one of the most consistent Asian distributors currently releasing on Blu-ray, as I am yet to test a disc they have produced that does not have a top-notch loseless audio track. A Dirty Carnival continues this very pleasing trend.
The Korean DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is excellent. The bass is powerful and punchy, the rear channels very effective, and the high-frequencies not overdone. The dialog is crisp, clean, stable and exceptionally easy to follow. There are no balance issues with Jo Yeong-wook's soundtrack either. Finally, I did not detect any disturbing pops, cracks, or hissings to report in this review.
Note: I would like to apologize to our readers for not being able to comment on the supplemental features included on this Blu-ray disc. Unfortunately, they are all listed in Korean and not subtitled in English. Even the names of the participants in the audio commentaries are listed in Korean only. However, all of them are playable on North American PS3s and SAs. The supplemental features are: two audio commentaries, behind the scenes featurette, multiple making of featurettes, deleted and extended scenes with optional commentary, interviews, footage from the film's premiere, and theatrical trailers.
Yu Ha's A Dirty Carnival is a moody, very stylish Korean gangster film that should appeal to a wide variety of viewers. If you crave something fresh, not another rehash of overused genre cliches, make sure to see it. The Blu-ray disc herein reviewed, courtesy of Korean distributors CJ Entertainment, looks and sounds good. It is also Region-Free. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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