7 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
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 | 30% |
Horror | 26% |
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 SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 5.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
David Lynch's "Inland Empire" (2006) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion. The supplemental features on the release include exclusive new program with actors Laura Dern and Kyle MacLachlan; extended and cut scenes; two bonus films by blackANDwhite; original trailer for the film; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Inland Empire arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion.
This release is sourced from an exclusive new 4K master that was supervised and approved by David Lynch. I have only other release of Inland Empire, which is this Region-B release that Optimum Home Entertainment produced in 2010. Obviously, the older release is sourced from a different master.
Inland Empire was shot digitally in standard definition, which means that the technical presentation retains all sorts of different native limitations. Naturally, delineation, clarity, depth, and even color reproduction need to be analyzed, understood, and critiqued differently. I would even approach stability differently. So, considering the native limitations of the original source, I think that Inland Empire looks very good on Blu-ray. (Of course, the 1080p resolution is not the film's native resolution). For example, detail remains pleasing, though in some darker areas there just isn't a lot to see -- or at least not as much as you would probably want to see. The same can be said about clarity, which is good but varies. Image stability is very good, but you need to keep in mind that in many areas where the camera moves the visuals reveal what I would describe as minor motion judder. This is another inherited source limitation. Colors are fine, but they have that typical video-ish quality that you will never observe on 35mm film. So, are there any notable improvements after Inland Empire was remastered in 4K? I spent quite a bit of time comparing this release to the other Region-B release that I have in my library. I could spot two discrepancies. On this release, Inland Empire looks marginally cooler, but I am unsure if this is an improvement. In fact, as I write this article, I am unsure if the discrepancy is meaningful enough to analyze. Some trained eyes will spot it and this would be it. Also, on this release, some fine nuances might be better defined. (See screencapture #2 and focus on the rabbit on the right side of it). But I am unsure if most viewers will notice and appreciate the discrepancy. If there are any other discrepancies that could be perceived as improvements, I missed them. My score is 4.75/5.00. (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 are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature. English subtitles automatically appear for the exchanges in Polish.
The other Region-B release of Inland Empire that I have in my library has 5.1 and 2.0 tracks as well, but the ones that are included on this release are different. Both were remastered in 2022 by David Lynch and original recording mixers Dean Hurley and Ron Eng.
I viewed the entire film with the 5.1 track. The areas where audio effects become prominent to enhance the desired atmosphere feel a tad wider, possibly bringing in some organic sounds and noises better. The dialog is easy to follow, but you need to keep in mind that the sound design has some unique fluctuations.
BLU-RAY DISC ONE - MAIN FEATURE
Much of what takes place in Inland Empire does not make sense to me. However, when I view it, I let it plug into my mind, without any restrictions, and the experience becomes pretty incredible. My theory is that this is how David Lynch wanted Inland Empire to impress, which is why deconstructing the events in its non-linear narrative is a total waste of time. Inland Empire was not meant to be understood, or at least not in the same conventional way Lynch's previous films can be understood, and if you accept that it is so, I think that you will find it very effective. Criterion's upcoming two-disc set also includes two quite interesting films from blackANDwhite, the creators of David Lynch: The Art Life. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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