5.3 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
A boarding house is reopened years after gruesome murders were committed there. Suddenly, the body count begins once more!
Starring: John Wintergate, Kalassu, Lindsay Freeman, Joel Riordan, Brian BruderlinHorror | 100% |
Supernatural | 5% |
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 Mono
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Writer/director John Wintergate had a dream, looking to join the horror movie gold rush of the early 1980s with his own take on bodily destruction. The problem was, Wintergate didn’t have money for film, electing to use video equipment instead, taking advantage of new leaps in technology. The result is 1983’s “Boardinghouse,” which has branded itself the first theatrical feature to be shot on video and released on 35mm, hoping to give audiences a decidedly muddy looking ride into the powers of telekinesis and the “Amityville Horror”-ish activity of a cursed house hungry for new victims to slaughter. Wintergate has all the ambition in the world, even starring in the endeavor, alongside his wife, Kalassu, but his aspiration doesn’t translate to a riveting effort filled with style and cleverness. “Boardinghouse” is junky and often irritatingly random, with Wintergate trying to make sense of his own footage at times, putting his faith in creepy events and bloodshed to help viewers work through often incomprehensible creative decisions.
"Boardinghouse" was shot on video to help with the no-budget production's creative effort, eventually transferred to 35mm for its theatrical release. AFGA delivers a 2K scan of a 35mm release print for the AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation. As printed on the back cover, AFGA asks viewers to "please approach the technical quality of the transfers with empathy." "Boardinghouse" isn't a pretty movie, and the print used here is in rough shape, offering heavy scratches, skipped frames, and rough reel changes. Those sensitive to such wear and tear are warned, though the beat- up appearance of the picture adds to the viewing experience, giving it the grindhouse treatment. Fine detail isn't present, but visuals aren't too clouded, securing character activity and the general weirdness of the video-to-film approach. Colors aren't striking, but hues emerge to the best of their ability. Delineation as well. The video cuts of "Boardinghouse" are obviously more generous with clarity and color, also retaining the original 1.33:1 aspect ratio, which is compromised to fit the needs of 35mm exhibition.
The 1.0 DTS-HD MA provides a basic listening event for "Boardinghouse," handling reasonably clear dialogue exchanges, which fight age, technical limitations, and even background traffic. Scoring cues are acceptable for this type of production, securing a compelling synth presence.
Disc 1
"Boardinghouse" doesn't come together as a horror experience, but there are elements of the production to enjoy. The low-fi visuals are semi-haunting at times, joined by a decent score that adds some synth creep to the endeavor. Certain ideas for violence are entertaining, and Wintergate's celebration of his own physique and sexuality is highly amusing, making a weird film even stranger as he parades around in tiny undies, usually lusted after by his co- stars. "Boardinghouse" seems like a vanity project, but one that's trying to conjure a reasonable level of screen intimidation without the benefit of a budget. It's a backyard production that doesn't piece together, but it's certainly entertaining to watch Wintergate attempt to pull off freak-out cinema with numerous nightmare sequences, a mysterious entity, and weird, often sudden, sexuality.
Limited Edition
1982
The Horror Star
1983
Dario Argento's Trauma
1993
Quella villa accanto al cimitero
1981
1992
Limited Edition - 1,200 copies
1986
2015
2014
Collector's Edition
1989
2009
Standard Edition
1983
2010
Slipcover in Original Pressing
1984
1982
Collector's Edition
1988
1984
Slipcover in Original Pressing
1981
1986
1986
Collector's Series
1987