Fort Tilden Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.5

Fort Tilden Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 26, 2016

The Brooklyn Hipster is a popular target for derision these days. The television show “Girls” seeks to understand the ways of millennial life from a female perspective, wrestling with stereotypes to find the living, breathing people underneath. “Fort Tilden” takes a more jocular approach to understanding the ways of youth as it collides with responsibility, with writer/directors Sarah-Violet Bliss and Charles Rogers creating a travelogue of sorts for Brooklyn and its edgy, exhausted community of struggling twentysomethings, trying to find the humor in off-putting characterizations.

“Fort Tilden” follows roommates Harper (Bridey Elliot) and Allie (Clare McNulty) as they experience one of the most taxing days of their lives, trying to make it across Brooklyn to meet guys at a beach. High jinks ensue, with the women interacting with friends and irate strangers, working with bikes, foot power, and cars to make it across the city, postponing any possible time with their daily responsibilities. Brooklyn is technically the star of the show, with the production taking in the sights and sound of the area, keeping the main characters busy as they figure out a frugal way to reach the beach, gifted time to reassess their unfulfilling lives. “Fort Tilden” isn’t philosophical, but it allows time for Harper and Allie to come to terms with their future and friendship, on their way to secure the drug Molly and make the most out of an unusual situation.

Fort Tilden Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The HD-shot feature arrives on Blu-ray with an AVC encoded image (2.37:1 aspect ratio) presentation, and it preserved the picture's clear, bright look. Detail is terrific throughout the viewing experience, exploring NYC streets and beach environments, and texture is available on costuming and facial particulars. Delineation is communicative. Colors are appropriate, with true primaries and natural skintones.

Fort Tilden Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix captures inherent sound limitations, with the film's early scenes taking place in around concrete walls and large apartments, delivering echoed dialogue exchanges. The track sharpens up substantially when soundtrack cuts arrive, delivering fullness as beats test the low-end and music feels out the surrounds. Atmospherics are also strong, capturing beach elements, including rolling waves.

Fort Tilden Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Interview (3:51, HD) features writer/directors Sarah-Violet Bliss and Charles Rogers and actors Clare McNulty and Bridey Elliot. It's a brief discussion of character and story, without much interest in truly exploring how "Fort Tilden" came to be. In keeping with the movie's secondary form of communication, questions are asked via text message.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:08, HD) is included.

Fort Tilden Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Fort Tilden" isn't profound, but a few laughs remain. Performances are professional, hitting exaggerated behaviors to help the production cut a little deeper when it comes to assessing this friendship and personal potential. But a little of this world and these characters goes a long way, finding interplay tiresome after the first 15 minutes, and the screenplay doesn't reach far enough to hold interest in the emotional lives of this blank spaces. "Fort Tilden" is competent work, and perhaps best left for those able to make it through an entire episode of "Girls." Newcomers to the Brooklyn Hipster world are less likely to appreciate the generational nuances on display here.