6.8 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
A lonely Japanese woman becomes convinced that a satchel of money buried and lost in a fictional film, is in fact, real. With a crudely drawn treasure map and limited preparation, she escapes her structured life in Tokyo and embarks on a foolhardy quest across the frozen tundra of Minnesota in search of her mythical fortune.
Starring: Rinko Kikuchi, Nobuyuki Katsube, Shirley Venard, David Zellner, Nathan ZellnerDrama | 100% |
Adventure | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.37:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1
English
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 1.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Cinema has often been described as something akin to magic, a medium that, like books, is said to be able to transport audiences to another place, to make them believe in the unbelievable, to share tales of the fantastic and make them extensions of reality under the hypnotic capabilities of master storytellers who, beyond the capabilities of the mere written word or oral retellings, can shape a place, thing, person, and time into something far more tangible than any other form of art. And sometimes, for someone, that magic can seem all too real. There may be that one individual who becomes so obsessed with the ideas of fiction and the stories of something better that they lose their connections with reality. For them, that magic portal becomes a mirror through which their world is falsely reflected, relaying an image that becomes more than entertainment or parable and instead an obsession, a promise that cannot be kept, a dream that cannot be fulfilled, an idea that cannot be manifested in the here and now. Director David Zellner's Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter tells the fictitious story of one such individual, driven to obsession by a misguided notion that one fictional film actually represents a hidden path not only to great wealth but the ultimate escape from her dreary life. Inspired by the urban legend of a Japanese woman who travelled to the frigid American north in search of buried treasure, the film offers a brilliant depiction of the obsessed mind and the dangers and consequences of misguided determination.
Can you help me?
Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter's 1080p transfer satisfies. The image is oftentimes gorgeous, featuring beautiful pinpoint details across a larger number of various elements, including terrain, clothes, skin, even rabbit fur. Some of the most breathtaking imagery comes early on when Kumiko enters a seaside cave; the surrounding landscape is truly remarkable in terms of natural complexity and tactile presentation. Her stitched map is likewise noticeably complex and rigid. On the flip side, there's a mild softness to some shots, an occasional lack of crisp detail on basics like clothes and faces. Fortunately, such are the exception rather than the rule. Colors are crisp and well defined; her red jacket sometimes stands apart from otherwise drab, gray-dominant backgrounds. Snowy white expanses are impressively stable. Black levels, however, often tend towards a flatter, duller look. Skin tones present no problems. The transfer show no serious issues with banding, blocking, noise, or other such unwanted qualities.
Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter's Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack presents the film's surprisingly varied and rich sonic landscape with pinpoint accuracy. The track features a healthy bit of surround activity that brings minor support pieces and major sound elements alike to impactful life. Whether little things like dripping water inside a cave, light seaside sound effects, office din, or background music in a restaurant or more pronounced elements like a blustery wind or snowy, audible static from VHS tape playback, there's no shortage of interesting listens and, more importantly, finely tuned and precisely delivered details that enhance every area of the movie. Music is rich and pleasing, featuring solid clarity and a balanced low end support. Dialogue, both Japanese and English -- there's a fairly even spread with the former dominating the film's first half and the latter the second half -- plays with consistent center placement and impressive detail.
Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter contains a commentary and several deleted/alternate scenes.
Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter is a standout film, a rare example of a picture that absolutely nails every last little detail. Whether its broad construction or its most intimate character presentations, whether its fascinating story or shadowy details, whether its entertainment value or its dramatic purpose, the film mesmerizes in every way. It's a precise, absorbing character study and a terrific example of the cinema medium at its finest. Anchor Bay's Blu-ray release offers strong video, great audio, and a couple of extras. Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter comes very highly recommended.
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