6.7 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Horror | 100% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080i (upconverted)
Aspect ratio: 1.32:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.33:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 16-bit)
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 1.5 | |
Video | 3.0 | |
Audio | 3.0 | |
Extras | 5.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
In 1993, writer/director Phil “Chip” Herman had a dream to make a horror movie with his friends in his neighborhood. Like many aspiring filmmakers before him, he picked up a camera and made it happen, and the result is “Burglar from Hell,” which is Herman’s attempt to craft something scary with pronounced elements of comedy tossed in to make the whole endeavor digestible. There are bad things happening to good people, some gore, and occasional acts of intimidation, but Herman is definitely in learning mode with one of his earliest productions, going the shot-on-video route for the fright film, which only highlights his shortcomings as a helmer.
The AVC encoded image (1.32:1 aspect ratio) presentation is dealing with typical SOV issues, showing no fine detail, leaving viewers with just a general understanding of faces and locations. Herman also makes the unusual choice to shoot much of "Burglar from Hell" at night, severely limiting clarity at times. Age is present, along with plenty of technical limitations. Color is basic, with red blood and period fashion presenting a bit more power.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix also deals with inherent issues, especially differences in volume with each shot. The listening experience lacks consistency, but the track does what it can to maintain intelligibility. Music is also uneven, but appreciable at times.
"Burglar from Hell" isn't polished work, struggling with the basics in editing, sound, and framing. Herman also takes his time with genre elements, waiting an hour before undead Frank returns, keeping the movie irritatingly slack as the material does whatever it can to keep away from the one job it has.
1994
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