Indian Summer Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		3.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.0

Indian Summer Blu-ray Movie Review

After mining his youth for his directorial debut, 1992’s “Crossing the Bridge,” Mike Binder quickly returns to the creative well with 1993’s “Indian Summer,” which also details experiences from the helmer’s formative years, only instead of drug-running troublemaking, the picture returns to summer camp. Binder stages a class reunion of sorts for his characters, who represent all types of thirtysomething blues, reawakening their spirits in the location that permitted them the most freedom in life and love. The director clearly has affection for his experience at Camp Tamakwa (a real camp, still in business today), and this enthusiasm helps to power “Indian Summer” though some iffy scripting, finding Binder excited about the stay in a woodsy paradise, but less interested in maintaining the cat’s cradle of characterization the opening act of the movie promises to explore in full.

Indian Summer Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

"Indian Summer" was originally released on Blu-ray back in 2011 and, unfortunately, it appears the same aged master was used for Kino Lorber's AVC encoded image (2.35:1 aspect ratio) presentation. It's not a wildly unpleasant viewing experience, but the feature is in need of fresher scan, with delineation troublesome throughout, showing solidification during evening sequences and dimly lit cabin interiors. Detail is adequate, showing off facial surfaces during close-ups (baked-in filtering weakens textures), and camp decoration is available for study, pushing through soft cinematography. Colors are a bit muted, but the autumnal glory Binder was aiming for remains, offering a golden glow respectfully balanced with louder costumes, which retain their intended hues. Source is without any points of damage.

Indian Summer Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix delivers a full frontal sound for "Indian Summer," delivering nuanced dialogue exchanges, preserving the delicate emotional nature of the picture, while more rowdy, group interactions are separated. Scoring selections keep their acoustical presence, with decent instrumentation and volume to support various moods. Camp atmospherics are agreeable, defining property expanse and environmental changes.

Indian Summer Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Interview (20:57, HD) with Mike Binder explores his early obsession with comedy, learning from the likes of Woody Allen, inspiring him to become a stand-up comedian and move from Michigan to Los Angeles. Trying his hand at screenwriting, Binder broke into Hollywood with his work on "Coupe de Ville," which eventually led to production on "Crossing the Bridge," an autobiographical tale that also represented his directorial debut. Binder details Jeffrey Katzenberg's enthusiasm for the movie, buying it from Sony, and his work on the soundtrack, securing tunes from Bob Seger and Jackson Browne, along with a score composed by Peter Himmelman (in his garage). For "Indian Summer," Binder discusses his history with Camp Tamakwa, where he palled around with Sam Raimi and was cared for by counselors such as Chevy Chase and Gilda Radner. Raimi's casting in the film was a personal touch, and the horror maestro kept himself busy dreaming up pratfalls. The director inspects the nostalgic aspects of the feature and his attempt to build a soundtrack appropriate for the era, only to be denied by Disney, who didn't want to spend any more money on the picture. Binder closes by sharing some screenwriting regrets, sharing with young talent the need to refine work before it's put in front of cameras.

• And a Promotional Clip (1:02, SD) is included.

Indian Summer Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Indian Summer" is enlivened by its varied cast, with Paxton rascally and Lane compellingly wounded. It's Sam Raimi, playing camp lackey Stick, who steals most scenes, offering amazingly effective slapstick comedy to help snap Binder back to attention. Camp pranks and antics are amusing to watch, and the feature's overall dissection of nostalgia has potential, but Binder doesn't follow through on many of these subplots, taking time to build complicated relationships, only to close them out in a hurry, racing to the end credits. "Indian Summer" isn't exactly "The Big Chill," but for those who managed to attend some form of sleepaway camp, there's much presented here that feels lived-in and lively. It's a shame the potential of the material isn't reached in full, but at the very least, there's the man who mastered "Evil Dead 2" doing an impressively accurate Three Stooges impression.