7.1 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
In 1990, before the advent of shows like Jackass and Tom Green, Ralph entertained his southern Ontario audience on cable access by performing gross-out stunts.
Director: Jay CheelDocumentary | 100% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.36:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
“Jackass” is the success story. The MTV show was an immense hit, bringing the world of skate video shenanigans and backyard stunts to the masses, helping to inspire the early imagination of the YouTube generation. However, before Johnny Knoxville, there was Ralph Zavadil, an Ontario native who spent time between 1990 and 1995 working to entertain cable customers with his special brand of insanity. He became Cap’n Video, a figure of stunts and cartoonish behavior attempting to bring lunacy to the small screen, using a wild blend of humor and recklessness. Zavadil loved playing the part, and for five years, he was the king of his castle, offering a one-man-band production push to sell himself as an entertainer with an unusual appetite for destruction. “Beauty Day” is director Jay Cheel’s effort to catch up with the star of “Cap’n Video,” exploring a bizarre career and a weird man as he gears up to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his cable debut.
The AVC encoded image (2.36:1 aspect ratio) presentation is split between the low-resolution world of the "Cap'n Video" show and HD interview and atmosphere footage. Detail remains acceptable but slightly soft (working with older HD equipment) throughout the documentary, exploring Ralph's aged appearance and his surroundings, including living spaces and a glass workshop. Exteriors offer passable dimension. Colors run hotter, including primaries on clothing choices and interior decoration. Delineation is satisfactory.
The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix presents clear interview audio, securing the loudness of Ralph and the less animated ways of his friends and family. Music offers crisp instrumentation and a circular presence. Low-end isn't challenged.
Cheel puts together an interesting study of a defiant man, and one who's seen his share of hits and misses. "Beauty Day" tracks Zavadil's love life and the unexpected arrival of parenthood, deals with his unusual personality (and apparent approval of pet overpopulation), and shares plenty of footage from the original "Cap'n Video" show, celebrating a pure showcase of misbehavior. It's a fascinating study of Zavadil's kooky ways and possibly misbegotten ambition, creating a portrait of a man who wanted to delight viewers through his own near-death experiences.
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