7.2 | / 10 |
Users | 4.3 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
A young woman stumbles upon a mysterious diary that reveals the secrets of "The Three Mothers" and unleashes a nightmare world of demonic evil. As the unstoppable horror spreads from Rome to New York City, this unholy trinity must be stopped before the world is submerged in the blood of the innocent.
Starring: Leigh McCloskey, Irene Miracle, Eleonora Giorgi, Daria Nicolodi, Sacha PitoeffHorror | 100% |
Foreign | 43% |
Mystery | 19% |
Thriller | 14% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: Dolby Digital 5.1 EX (640 kbps)
English: Dolby Digital 2.0 (256 kbps)
Italian: Dolby Digital Mono
English SDH, French, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 3.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Our very lives are governed by dead people.
There are but a few filmmakers who can truly lay a claim to the title "Master of Horror;" it takes not only exceptional skill behind the camera but also a
unique vision, an unflinching commitment to the genre, and a catalogue of impressive A-list titles that need not be mainstream successes but at least
acknowledged classics within the Horror community. Dario Argento is not only one of the finest living Horror craftsmen, he's at the top of the list. The
Italian director, whose credits include Suspiria, Opera, The Stendhal Syndrome, and The Bird With the Crystal Plumage, is an acknowledged maestro of all
things terrifying, his films built around a surreal sense of terror that is manifested not only through brutal on-screen violence but also his uncanny
ability to claw his way under his audiences's skin, to stir deeply within their bowls, and to penetrate their very psyches with a taste of the horrifyingly
unknown. Inferno is another of Argento's pictures, a kinda-sorta follow-up on/sequel to Suspiria, and one of his better
accomplishments. Though the picture tends to meander at times and features some questionable acting, it's generally a polished, engaging, and highly
kinetic glimpse into the search for evil
in its purest form.
Fear.
Inferno's Blu-ray debut is a good one, and Blue Underground's 1080p high definition transfer is nothing short of a revelation in terms of the film's aged elements. Sure there are a few missteps -- very slight banding in one scene, a handful of non-distracting white speckles in spots, a bit of background noise -- but this is generally a rich, crisp, and classy Blu-ray transfer. The image retains a fair bit of grain to give it a nice cinematic texture, which only serves to reinforce the image's positively sparkling array of wonderful detailing. Brighter scenes fare the best -- exterior building façades are awash in incredible texturing -- but the image also yields excellent blacks and wonderful shadow detailing even in the darker scenes. The picture features many bright primary colors that are often highlighted within an otherwise darkened frame; whether these flashy colors or more bland earthy tones, Blue Underground's transfer handles Argento's unique color scheme quite well. The image lacks the absolute crispness of newer titles, but the transfer remains faithful to the film's vintage 30-some-year-old look.
Inferno's DTS-HD MA 7.1 lossless soundtrack doesn't fare quite as well as its 1080p video counterpart. There's an overall mushiness to the track that weasels its way into every area: music, dialogue, and sound effects. There's certainly nowhere near as much space or precision compared to more modern mixes, but then again this is a limited, decades-old track that's probably enjoying its finest overall presentation in that same stretch of time, and certainly on home video. Still, the track lacks a bigger soundstage, often playing as rather center-focused. Music does spread out, but the absence of greater clarity minimizes the value of greater spacing across the front channels. Sound effects, too, play as muddled and indiscreet. Whether the absence of a sense of pressure while underwater or the lack of real energy, size, and danger in a raging fire, the track fails to convey much in terms of realistic effects. Bass can be terribly indistinct, while high-pitched screams, too, are absent a more realistic tenor. Dialogue is suitably crisp through the center channel. This is not a bad track, it's simply one hindered by an out-of-date sound design.
Inferno warms up a few extras, notably a trio of interviews. Oddly enough, the disc seems to have a built-in autoplay feature/glitch that starts
the movie immediately at chapter 16.
Inferno may not be Argento's best, but it's a good representation of his vision and style. Some stiff acting, a sometimes meandering and sluggish pace, and a bit too much information provided too fast and too early in the film may bring it down a notch, but these are certainly not deal-breaking problems. Those who love a good and deliberate, moody, and deep-down scary movie will find plenty to like about Inferno. Blue Underground's Blu-ray release of Argento's 1980 Horror movie yields an upper-level 1080p transfer, a passable lossless soundtrack, and a few extras. Recommended.
Profondo rosso
1975
Standard Edition
1982
L'uccello dalle piume di cristallo
1970
Reazione a catena
1971
Remastered | 2-Disc Special Edition
1977
Sei donne per l'assassino
1964
I corpi presentano tracce di violenza carnale / Carnal Violence
1973
Quella villa accanto al cimitero
1981
E tu vivrai nel terrore - L'aldilà | Glow in the Dark Cover | Limited Edition to 3000
1981
Paura nella città dei morti viventi | Standard Edition
1980
Standard Edition
1985
The Mask of Satan / La maschera del demonio | The Mario Bava Collection
1960
Il gatto a nove code | Special Edition
1971
La bestia uccide a sangue freddo / Asylum Erotica
1971
Featuring The Girl Who Knew Too Much / La ragazza che sapeva troppo
1963
Non ho sonno | Standard Edition
2001
Un gatto nel cervello | Glow in the Dark Cover & Mini Portrait of Lucio Fulci Limited Edition to 3000
1990
Non si sevizia un paperino
1972
Zombi 2 / Zombie Flesh Eaters
1979
Nude per l'assassino
1975