5.4 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
An architect and his wife moves into a house with a bloody past and a 100 year old ghost, who possesses the wife.
Starring: John Saxon, Lynda Day George, Michael Dante, David Opatoshu, Anne MarisseHorror | 100% |
Supernatural | 3% |
Adventure | 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 (96kHz, 24-bit)
BDInfo
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
DVD copy
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Hoping to participate in the supernatural horror craze of the late 1970s, co-writer/director Herb Freed delivers 1980’s “Beyond Evil,” which takes soul- possession horrors to the Philippines. However, such a location is the only exotic element of the production, which offers a fairly routine chiller about an evil spirit infiltrating a fresh body. Freed tries to fill the endeavor with some new age magic, but scares are limited here, as Freed often goes the pedestrian route when exploring a household haunting. Thankfully, there’s a cast assembled here that works very hard to inject some life into the endeavor, but blandness tends to win out in the end, even with the presence of some slightly goofy B-movie violence.
Vinegar Syndrome appears to be doing the best they can with "Beyond Evil," which is sourced from "35mm vault elements." The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation isn't always pretty, fighting age, which emerges through visible wear and tear, as cigarette burns, mild scratches, and speckling are detected. Grain is on the thick side as well. Detail isn't strong, but textures are appreciable, especially with costuming, which handles formalwear and eveningwear satisfactorily. Facial surfaces are acceptable, enjoying Saxon's hard stares and George's softer displays of concern. Location specifics are noted, and some dimension remains with outdoor tours. Colors are appealing, handling period-specific hues as clothing showcases the best of the late 1970s. Nightlife has some punch with lighting, and evil events retain their glowing green presence. Delineation is passable.
Some issues are discovered on the 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix, which encounters a few very brief audio dropouts and wrestles with age-related wear, while the production doesn't do itself many favors by staging scenes near congested roadways, near an airport, and in the middle of a construction zone. Intelligibility fights for life on occasion, but most dramatic intent is understood, securing performances. Scoring has some heft, with Pino Donaggio's work offering reasonable instrumentation and support for suspense, working overtime to inspire tension. Atmospherics register as intended, along with sound effects.
Saxon is the primary reason to remain with "Beyond Evil," delivering his customary intensity as Larry, who runs out of options when dealing with Barbara's breakdown, forced to consider the spiritual realm. Saxon captures confusion well, and helps to pull something out of George, who's miscast as the developing threat, lacking thespian weight to portray the mind-melt the character is experiencing. "Beyond Evil" strives to be sinister business, but shock value isn't there, and suspense never quite comes through, making the viewing experience more interesting when it explores cultural details and Larry's mounting panic. Freed doesn't offer much in the way of style or scares, and his focus on spiritual realm as it relates to health and heart just doesn't encourage a riveting sit.
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