7 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
When a quiet group of pensioners learn that their homes are to be torn down to make way for a block of flats, they decide to take action. What starts as an attempt to discourage the developers soon escalates into wholesale murder of both the developers and the construction workers.
Starring: Peter Brocco, Frances Fuller, William Hansen, Ruth McDevitt, Paula TruemanHorror | 100% |
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 2.0 Mono (48kHz, 16-bit)
English
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (locked)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Larry Yust's "Homebodies" (1974) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The supplemental features on the disc include exclusive new audio commentary recorded by the director; exclusive new video interview with producer Marshall Backlar; and vintage promotional materials. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".
Oh, dear. It was a long and hard fall, wasn't it?
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Homebodies arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber.
The entire film has the type of appearance that is usually produced by a master that was struck from a 35mm print. (Just to be clear, not an interpositive, and most definitely not the OCN). I don't know if this is how the current master was prepared, but this is the quality the current master offers. What does this mean exactly? It means that density levels are shaky, delineation and clarity fluctuate quite a bit, and depth isn't optimal. Yes, these are the type of limitations that you can observe on a master that was struck from an interpositive as well, but here they are quite pronounced. So, if you view your films on a larger screen, it becomes very easy to see that the strength of the visuals isn't as good as it should be. While not problematic, color balance and saturation aren't too convincing either. Predictably, darker areas struggle to reveal proper ranges of nuances, while during brighter or daylight footage highlights can appear overblown. This being said, the master still has fine organic qualities, and this happens to be its biggest strength. In other words, the film still looks like film, only rather dated. There is some light image shakiness, but overall stability is fine. A few print dents (the green type) can be seen as well as minor flecks and scratches. My score is 3.25/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).
There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.
The audio is stable and the dialog is usually very easy to follow. However, the audio is often too thin and occasionally boxy as well, so if you turn up the volume of your system, you will instantly tell that there is room for improvement. The dynamic strength of the audio is quite inconsistent as well, though you should not worry about serious anomalies, such as sudden drops or spikes. Generally speaking, the upper register is healthy, but minor yet meaningful enhancements can be made there as well.
Is there a legit connection between Larry Yust's Homebodies and Ettore Scola's Ugly, Dirty and Bad? Probably not. However, there are obvious similarities between them which at the very least confirm yet again that the '70s produced some of the boldest and most original films on both sides of the Atlantic. There will never be another decade like it, folks. If you are in the mood to see a different film, and I mean really different, pick up a copy of Homebodies for your collection. I can't guarantee that you will enjoy it, but you will remember it. Kino Lorber's release is sourced from a somewhat rough yet decent master that was supplied by StudioCanal. RECOMMENDED.
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