7 | / 10 |
Users | 3.3 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 3.7 |
As an actress delves ever deeper into her work for a high-profile filmmaker, her personality becomes increasingly fragmented while her world starts turning nightmarish and surreal.
Starring: Laura Dern, Jeremy Irons, Justin Theroux, Karolina Gruszka, Grace ZabriskieDrama | 100% |
Surreal | 37% |
Mystery | 31% |
Horror | 27% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p (upconverted)
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: LPCM 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region B (locked)
Movie | 5.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
David Lynch's controversial film "Inland Empire" (2006) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Optimum Home Entertainment. The supplemental features on the disc include an interview with David Lynch conducted by Mike Figgis; Guardian interview at the National Film Theatre with David Lynch; a masterclass with David Lynch shot in France; an interview with David Lynch conducted by French writer Michel Chion; a short interview conducted in London; and the film's original theatrical trailer. In English and Polish, with optional English subtitles only for the Polish dialog. Region-B "locked".
Rabbits
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, David Lynch's Inland Empire arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Optimum Home Entertainment. Please note that there are no chapter stops for the main feature.
Inland Empire was shot digitally in standard definition and I believe that Optimum Home Entertainment's transfer -- supplied by French distributors Studio Canal -- faithfully reproduces the film's intended look. Considering the inherited source limitations, fine object detail is rather pleasing, especially during close-ups. When the camera moves, however, there is plenty of mild to strong motion judder. Clarity and contrast levels vary quite a bit, particularly during the nighttime scenes. The color scheme is pleasing, and I personally find it to be a lot more convincing than that seen on the R1 DVD release of the film. I would also like to point out that some obvious artifacts that are visible on the R1 DVD are either missing or not as easy to spot on this transfer. For example, when Nikki is visited by her new neighbor early in the film, the image looks cleaner and fresher. Finally, I did not detect any disturbing cuts, splices, or other serious transfer anomalies to report in this review. All in all, this is strong and more importantly faithful to the original source presentation of a very unique film. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).
There are two audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English LPCM 2.0 (with small portions of Polish). Optional English subtitles are provided for the main feature. Please note that the English subtitles are available only for the portions of the film where Polish is spoken. The English dialog is not subtitled.
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is very strong, and easily a good enough reason to recommend purchasing this Blu-ray disc. The bass is potent, the surround channels are not overly active but used wisely, and the high-frequencies not overdone. Furthermore, there are some outstanding ambient effects -- for example, when Nikki discovers the gun -- that benefit enormously from the lossless audio treatment. The dialog is clean and easy to follow.
The LPCM 2.0 track is also convincing. In fact, I was quite surprised to discover how effective it was. The piano solos sound wonderful and so do Krzysztof Penderecki's original compositions. The bass, however, is stronger on the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track.
Interview - Guardian interview at the National Film Theatre with David Lynch in which he addresses a wide range of topics, from transcendental meditation to the unique narrative structure of Inland Empire. Mr. Lynch also talks about some of his earlier films, such as Eraserhead and Fire Walk With Me. In English, not subtitled. (18 min).
Interview - a short interview with Mr. Lynch in which he recalls how Inland Empire came to exist, his love for Hollywood, making a film for a particular audience, etc. In English, not subtitled. (7 min).
Interview with David Lynch and Mike Figgis - another very informative interview. Mr. Lynch's comments on the process of transforming an idea into film are fascinating. This interview also appears on Optimum Home Entertainment's Blu-ray release of The Elephant Man. In English, not subtitled. (20 min).
A Masterclass with David Lynch - a fascinating piece shot in France. Here Mr. Lynch explains why he decided to shoot Inland Empire on DV, how the film came to exist, its unique story, its characters, etc. In French and English, with optional English subtitles for the French dialog. (27 min).
Interview - an interview with Mr. Lynch conducted by writer Michel Chion at the Cartier Foundation in Paris, 2007. This interview also appears on Optimum Home Entertainment's Blu-ray release of The Elephant Man. In French and English, with optional English subtitles. (15 min).
Trailer - the trailer for the film (2 min).
David Lynch's Inland Empire is undeniably his boldest and most inaccessible film to date. Needless to say, it is everything a Lynch should be. The Blu-ray disc herein reviewed, courtesy of British distributors Optimum Home Entertainment, looks and sounds very good. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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