Lightning Over Braddock: A Rustbowl Fantasy and Collected Shorts Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Lightning Over Braddock: A Rustbowl Fantasy and Collected Shorts Blu-ray Movie Review

An outstanding documentary - and a remarkable collection of short films.

Lightning over Braddock is a must-see documentary produced and directed by acclaimed independent filmmaker Tony Buba (Struggles in Steel: The Fight for Equal Opportunity). Kino Lorber has assembled an outstanding package with the feature-length film Lightning over Braddock and a plethora of Buba's early and late career shorts. As an indie icon to the small town of Braddock, Pennsylvania, Tony Buba has made films about his community over a span of decades. The artist continues to find new ways to highlight his world – and the unique and fascinating characters that reside.

At the heart of the film is the exploration of Braddock's decline as a robust community. While the surrounding landscape is developing and expanding (with new road-work taking people to other places), Braddock seems to become smaller than ever before. Buba acknowledges that times are changing for Braddock while also reinforcing the magic of the people that help make the community remain special to him. The story is one that many across America can likely relate to – as changes in industrialization have led to intersections across the stratosphere.

There is something magical about watching Lightning over Braddock unfold. The film is a unique creation in the documentary landscape. Though the piece is primarily fact-over-fiction, Buba experiments with the format and has some scenes which were obviously staged simply for dramatic effect. The story highlights Buba's side-dream of becoming a big-time Hollywood filmmaker (even though he's made his entire focus be on small-budget independent documentaries). There are scenes spoofing Ebert, gangster movies, and the like. These moments are creative and energetic – making the documentary more approachable to those unfamiliar with the genre.

Sweet, sweet sal.

Lightning over Braddock highlights some of Braddock's most interesting characters. Perhaps the biggest “star” of the film is the eccentric goofball, Sweet Sal – Sal Carollo. Carollo has such an interesting demeanor that he stands out from the crowd. Sal makes the filmmaking far more lively and exciting – such as when he jumps on to of a car, shouting to the skies, and making a big fuss. Then there's business-man J. Roy – a new (and used) furniture salesman who aims to mix the furniture business with automotive. Roy's pitch? Come check out cars to purchase and look at new (and used) furniture while on the same drive-through car sales lot. (Two guesses about what happens to this store.)

One of the greatest scenes in the film takes place at Betty's Corner Cafe. An energetic musician, playing the accordion, covers The Rolling Stones. (Only the audience doesn't get to listen – the royalty costs were too high, according to Tony Buba.) The music for Lightning over Braddock is by the same musician, Stephen Pellegrino (Shipbreakers). The energy and excitement of the scene – even with the voice-over by Buba arguing that royalties prevented viewers from actually hearing the cover – is undeniable.

The cinematography by Brady Lewis (The Suicide Squeeze) offers audiences an introspective look at Braddock. The visuals are important to the foundation of the documentary and the tales it tells. The film looks like it was made on a shoe-string budget and yet that's part of the charm. The film looks beautiful even despite its modest budgeting.

What ultimately sets Lighting over Braddock apart is Tony Buba's authenticity. The filmmaker has a clear passion for his community. Buba explores the small town life and environment with a gaze of compassion – even as he simultaneously acknowledges the ever-changing times and the decline of Braddock. In a sense, Lightning over Braddock is like lightning in a bottle.

Much like Braddock itself.

Lightning Over Braddock: A Rustbowl Fantasy and Collected Shorts Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber, Lightning over Braddock is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original aspect ratio of 1.33:1 full frame. The film looks surprisingly impressive given the age of the film and the source elements utilized for the presentation. The film certainly seems to be a smorgasbord of video sources – some of which are no better than videotape – while other sources used for the documentary look like film and are much more crisp and clear during the high-definition debut.

The problematic elements are largely source related. Without a doubt, the transfer looks better than some might expect to find for a vintage independent documentary. The vibrancy of the cinematography is electrifying and manages to pull one in to the filmmaking with ease. Buba and his cinematographer do excellent work in showcasing the beauty of Braddock and its small-town community. Though the print used is far from perfect, the video-presentation is more-impressive than expected – as long as expectations are kept in check.

Lightning Over Braddock: A Rustbowl Fantasy and Collected Shorts Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The audio track is presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. The audio sometimes sound a little bit muffled and lacks a sense of high-fidelity. The audio track seems rather dated. Nonetheless, the presentation seemed serviceable and there was never a moment in which dialogue was hard to understand. The audio isn't as crisp or clear as desired but it's also lacking any hash and distracting crackle, hiss, and pops. The music score is a superb backdrop to the independent filmmaking and these elements seem to "sing" throughout the presentation.

Optional English SDH subtitles (for the deaf and hard of hearing).

Lightning Over Braddock: A Rustbowl Fantasy and Collected Shorts Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The two-disc set comes with a 11-page booklet featuring an essay about Lightning over Braddock by author Steve MacFarlane. Cast and crew credits for Lightning over Braddock are also provided (in addition to a selection of still photographs from the production).

Disc One:

Audio Commentary on Lightning over Braddock featuring director Tony Buba and film critic Nick Pinkerton

I have a few notes to give regarding the included short films. The bulk of these shorts were filmed on low-mm film or on video-tape. The quality ranges across the shorts and can sometimes seem to be all over the map. Nonetheless, each short is worth watching and adds something special to the overall experience of the set. The first batch of shorts – Braddock Chronicles: 1972-1980 – showcases Tony Buba at his most creative and invigorated. The shorts are essential views and help to expand ones appreciation of the main feature-film.

The second-batch of shorts, Braddock Chronicles II: 1981-1985, also contains a number of must-see films that add a great deal of worth to the collection. Any fan of Tony Buba should consider these to be mandatory viewing. The last group of shorts, Collected Shorts: 1983-2019, is a bit more inconsistent. Buba seems to have lost some steam in some of these shorts – but he rebounds and his more recent works are just as charming and entertaining as his earlier ones.

Braddock Chronicles: 1972-1980

To My Family (1972) (HD, 2:04)

J. Roy: New and Used Furniture (1974) (HD, 11:13) is one of the most essential shorts in the entire set. The piece includes some of the same footage used in the feature-length Lightning over Braddock documentary but to see the entire sequence on its own is to enhance the overall viewing experience.

Shutdown (1975) (HD, 13:16)

Betty's Corner Cafe (1976) (HD, 10:01) is another must-see short with an entertaining musical number (quite different from the cut spotlighted in the documentary itself).

Sweet Sal (1979) (HD, 25:42) is arguably the best short-film Tony Buba ever produced. The short highlights the eccentric Sal, who is such a unique and offbeat character that the film gains much more character and charm by the spotlight on this quirky off-the-wall man.

Washing Walls with Mrs. G (1980) (HD, 5:14) is an interesting curiosity – and not much different than the title suggests.

Home Movies (1980) (HD, 2:23)

Homage to a Mill Town (1980) (HD, 1:36)

Disc Two:

Braddock Chronicles II: 1981-1985

Mill Hunk Herald (1981) (HD, 11:58) is an entirely compelling short that once again showcases the community of Braddock in an eye- opening way.

Peabody & Friends (1983) (HD, 10:16)

Braddock Food Bank (1985) (HD, 4:36) is one of the funniest shorts produced by Buba – and it highlights an important issue at the same time. Don't overlook it.

Birthday Party (1985) (HD, 5:35)

Collected Shorts: 1983-2019

Voices from a Steeltown (1983) (HD, 29:09) is an extensive short-film with much on its mind. In many respects, Buba is chronicling the decline of his community in Braddock – and the ever changing times.

Fade Out (1998) (HD, 9:16) seems to be a ode to Braddock and to Buba's film career – thankfully it was not the true last effort by the indie filmmaker. The short showcase a constant backdrop of Braddock (unchanging – unwavering) and with some interesting mathematics to spice things up.

Year on the Throne (2007) (HD, 2:10) is a semi-political exploration of current events circa 2007 (as explored by Buba while on the toilet).

Ode to a Steeltown (2007) (HD, 12:07)

Stigmata (2008) (HD, 1:29) is one of the most unusual pieces – but instantly recognizable. Buba in Stigmata form.

"The Fall" 1980 (2009) (HD, 1:43)

The Cot Club: Braddock Hospital (2012) (HD, 5:38) is an undeniable charmer that adds some extra character to the community.

Pirozzi's Barber Shop (2017) (HD, 7:01) is one of the greatest short films in the set. The focus on Pirozzi as a barber reveals some surprising insights and a deeply human tale – one that is quite refreshing, honest, and compelling.

Welcome to Sgambati's (2017) (HD, 5:25)

The Barber of New Kensington (2019) (HD, 13:01)

The Last Pawn Shop in Braddock (2019) (HD, 5:39) explores the continual decline of Braddock through the lens of a struggling pawn shop. The short effectively reminded me of why I have never liked pawn shops!

Making Soppressata with Dom and the Guys (2019) (HD, 14:14) is enormously fascinating – the entire short is about meat processing and yet there is something strangely compelling about it.

Pasta Lesson: A Sunday in Rabatana (2019) (HD, 17:25) will make pasta-lovers hungry for something good to eat!

Reflexions (2019) (HD, 3:13) showcases people exactly as they are – with simple (and true) reflections showcased on mirrors.

Lightning Over Braddock: A Rustbowl Fantasy and Collected Shorts Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Lightning over Braddock is a must-see documentary exploring the small-town community of Braddock, Pennsylvania. The film features a host of entertaining characters – and the journey is unforgettable. Werner Herzog once doted on Buba's distinctive approach to filmmaking – as sad and mesmerizing. Audiences are in for a real treat. Kino Lorber's extensive collection is truly remarkable. Don't miss it.