Effects 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

Effects 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 21, 2023

1980’s “Effects” is an adaptation of a book, “Snuff,” by William H. Mooney, but it also represents a sustained sense of collaboration from Pittsburgh filmmakers trying to show their stuff after George A. Romero managed to break through regional boundaries and score global hits. The production team sticks with genre entertainment, but “Effects” isn’t a horror movie in the traditional sense. Sure, there’s creative involvement from Tom Savini, which raises expectations, but the endeavor is more of a psychological chiller, almost connecting as a paranoid thriller of the 1970s, exploring rising anxiety when a seemingly normal situation of professionalism transforms into something darker in the middle of nowhere. The effort is as slow-burn as a feature gets, intentionally keeping away from cheap thrills to reach more sinister reveals. It’s not a picture that necessarily rewards the patience it requires to sit through it, but there’s interesting atmosphere, and the grimness of it all is compelling.

Production has commenced on a new horror film, with director Lacey (John Harrison) bringing his cast and crew to a remote house in the woods. Cameraman Dominic (Joseph Pilato) is ready to participate, helping to organize the work, joined by actors Barney (Bernard McKenna) and Rita (Debra Gordon), crewmember Nicky (Tom Savini), and gaffer Celeste (Susan Chapek), with the team setting out to tell a grim tale of murder and survival. As the days pass, shots are created and relationships are formed, with Dominic getting used to the vibe of the shoot, which involves drug use and subtle games of power. However, something doesn’t sit right with him, beginning to understand a blurring of reality when it comes to the making of the bloody movie, with Lacey remaining committed to his mysterious vision.

“Effects” is strange, almost experimental in nature, with writer/director Dusty Nelson using the freedom of an extremely low budget to mount a feature that attempts to defy expectations. There’s nothing scary about the picture, which invests more in a growing sense of disorientation and dread, but the road to a resolution is a long one. Nelson and his collaborators are not interested in a flashy pace for the effort, staying close to character interactions and gradual displays of concern. There’s time spent with the players as they get to know one another, with behavioral quirks and determined ways acting as clues that something isn’t right, which generates an enticing level of menace while feeling endless at the same time. However, Nelson has a destination for “Effects,” which is a relief, and he gets there with help from a game cast doing their best to sell itchy relationships and dark actions, and musical support from Harrison is excellent, adding an unusual piano-based mood to the whole endeavor.

For more information and analysis, please read Jeffrey Kauffman’s 2017 Blu-ray review.

Effects 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray

AGFA originally released "Effects" on Blu-ray in 2017, and they return to the title with a new UHD release, which is listed as a "4K restoration from the original 16mm camera negative." While there's a situation of limited resolution, the viewing experience is mostly appealing, giving the modest endeavor a boost in color, offering an HDR presentation that brings out a brighter, more vivid understanding of cinematographic choices. Greenery is compelling as the action heads into the woods, and technical elements offer a more defined glow. Skin tones remain natural. Costuming retains sharp primaries, and bloodshed looks as intended, with a slightly unnatural color to reflect moviemaking craft. Detail reaches about as far as possible, with a sense of skin particulars and costuming. Interiors capture decoration, and exteriors delivers a good feel for distance. Highlights are satisfactory. Grain is heavy and nicely resolved. Blacks are deep, but occasionally lose some frame information, possibly reflecting source limitations. Mild scratches and blips of damage are detected.

Effects 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix handles the feature's quieter moods, delivering clear dialogue exchanges and a balanced sense of panic and screamed reactions. Scoring retains sharp instrumentation, with defined piano and distorted guitars.

Effects 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet (ten pages) offers an essay by AGFA's Joesph A. Ziemba and an interview with writer/director Dusty Nelson.

UHD

• Commentary features producer/actor John Harrison, director Dusty Nelson, and editor Pasquale Buba.

Blu-ray

• "Grindhouse Version" (83:30) of "Effects" is a "4K preservation from the only 35mm print in existence."

• Commentary features producer/actor John Harrison, director Dusty Nelson, and editor Pasquale Buba.

• "After 'Effects'" (59:37, HD) is the making-of for "Effects," featuring interviews with producer/actor John Harrison, director Dusty Nelson, editor Pasquale Buba, makeup effects/actor Tom Savini, stunt performer Marty Schiff, inspiration George Romero, and actors Joe Pilato, David Belko, Bernard McKenna, Susan Chapek, and Debra Gordon. The action mostly takes place at a 2004 reunion for the picture, which was completed in 1979 on a shoestring budget, but left on the shelf by the distributor before being rediscovered for 2005 release. The early days of Pittsburgh moviemaking are recalled, with George Romero the beacon of creativity and possibility, with the interviewees sharing their professional experiences during this educational period. A plan was made to make a film, with Nelson drawn to the story of "Effects," and casting stories are shared, with the actors finding their way around a tough business, open to a new professional opportunity. Production challenges are shared, with the crew trying to make things happen for very little money and with limited experience, learning as they went. Characterization and performance are analyzed, with the actors trying to make sense of these personalities. Locations are revisited, creating a "camp" for the team, inspiring a tight camaraderie during the shoot. Special effects are celebrated, with Savini's personal peculiarities recalled, and select memories from principal photography are shared. The interviewees close with post-production trials and their feelings on the whole moviemaking event. "After 'Effects'" Can be viewed with optional commentary from director Michael Felsher.

• "Restoring 'Effects'" (22:33, HD) is a video conference chat with writer/director Dusty Nelson, producer/star John Harrison, and AGFA employees Joe Ziemba, Bret Berg, Ivan Peycheff, and Sebastian Del Castillo. Memories are shared from the original post- production process, with Nelson working to push the quality of the 16mm cinematography, which was blown up to 35mm for the feature's initial release. Harrison estimates that only four prints were created, with AGFA finding one in a warehouse that he believes was used at an Arizona drive-in. The picture's home video experience is recalled, with a deal failing to materialize. The resurrection of "Effects" is tracked, as the negative was finally located, allowing for the creation of the UHD release. Interestingly, Harrison questions why AGFA would double dip on this particular film, and Ziemba discusses the company's interest in the 4K marketplace and the educational experience putting out this disc provides, also giving the next generation of fans a chance to see the feature, with the previously released Blu-ray now out of print.

• Short Films (HD) include "Beastie" (15:38) and "Ubu" (12:10).

• Image Gallery (2:35) collects BTS snaps.

• A Trailer has not been included on this release.

Effects 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Again, "Effects" is an odd one, trying to go somewhere different while still playing around with genre convention. Suspense is limited, and those expecting slasher-y happenings will be disappointed, but the picture has an unnerving presence at times, aiming to generate a different kind of fear factor while exploring the filmmaking experience from those who've dealt with low-budget creations and crews for most of their professional lives.