7 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Private investigator Nick Popodopolis investigates the disappearance of the husband of film star Dixie Ray in World War II-era Los Angeles.
Starring: John Leslie (I), Juliet Anderson, Veronica Hart, Kelly Nichols, Samantha Fox (I)Erotic | 100% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Mystery | 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
None
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 0.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
1983’s “Dixie Ray Hollywood Star” is director Anthony Spinelli’s tribute to the detective noir hits of old, reassembling the formula (with help from screenwriter Dean Rogers) to fit an adult film template. What’s expected here is lots of exposed skin and heated antics between charged-up strangers, but what’s surprising is the actual production push from Spinelli, who, armed with some coin and eager actors, actually manages to craft a passable facsimile of the real thing. It’s no exhaustive reworking of genre elements, and period details aren’t stimulating, but as gumshoe entertainment goes, “Dixie Ray Hollywood Star” (the R-rated cut is titled “It’s Called Murder, Baby”) makes some inspired choices, especially with smooth transitions from investigative interests to bedroom (and office furniture) encounters.
The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation handles with some degree of roughness, with the source showcasing a few speckle storms, scratches, and blips of chemical damage. Nothing's too distracting, clearing the way for a detailed look at the picture's period intention, finding texture appealing with costuming, which retain fibrous and sheer qualities, and set decoration is passable defined, offering fans a chance to study sets and locations. Skin surfaces are plentiful and vivid, crisply showcasing graphic close-ups. Colors are healthy, leaning into the tone of the movie with blood- red lipstick and era-specific outfits, which deliver darker greens and grays. Whites are a tad bloomy. Exteriors are appealing, capturing California hues with ease. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is fine and filmic.
The 1.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix also struggles with some age issues, with intermittent stretches of damage introducing bursts of fuzziness to the listening experience. Dialogue exchanges are mostly clear and true, reaching technical limitations, but nothing is lost during threats and come-ons. Sexual activity is pronounced but contained, without distortive extremes. The score does fine here, and while lush orchestration isn't achieved, musical moods are set.
There is no supplementary material on this disc.
"Dixie Ray Hollywood Star" is not a parody. It's an ambitious attempt to resurrect the formula of detective fiction while tending to sexual antics, sending Nick (played with a weird smugness by Leslie) off to bed numerous women while gathering clues. Amorous encounters are acceptable, and performances are generally invested, with De Leeuw providing some degree of intensity to the central mystery, portraying a liberated woman who matches Nick's confidence. Supporting turns are appealing as well, with few in the cast unable to match Spinelli's vision. And there's Mitchell in a non- sex role, continuing on his "if there's lunch I'll do it" career trajectory. "Dixie Ray Hollywood Star" surely isn't an exhaustively detailed effort, but as throwback entertainment goes, Spinelli's enthusiasm for mood and attitude is maintained throughout.
(Still not reliable for this title)
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