5.1 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 2.5 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
A serial killer returns to his hometown to stalk seven children who share the same birthday as the date he was allegedly put to rest.
Starring: Max Thieriot, John Magaro, Denzel Whitaker, Zena Grey, Nick LashawayHorror | 100% |
Thriller | 62% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
French: DTS 5.1
Spanish: DTS 5.1
English SDH, French, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
BD-Live
D-Box
Mobile features
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 1.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
Here it is: the one I've been alluding to for months. Sex and the City 2, Jonah Hex, Leap Year, Skyline, When in Rome, Furry Vengeance, The Bounty Hunter, Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore, You Again and The Last Airbender may be strong contenders, but My Soul to Take is, far and away, the worst film of 2010. And it's bad. Inconceivably bad. The script is first-year film school genre junk, the story is a shameful stab at a long-lost art, the beastie beneath the bedsheets is a bore, the wince-inducing characters spew supernatural exposition without rhyme or reason, enormous plot holes litter the cinescape, the quote-unquote scares are as dull as a pair of kid's safety scissors, the slasher bits are clumsy and gangly, the visual effects languish, the performances would have drawn jeers in the '80s and, to be quite blunt, little redeems the all-too-pedestrian nightmare by film's end. It's the sort of bland, derivative, faux-gristly throwback horror hounds might expect to bear the words "Wes Craven Presents," not the sort of rubbery tripe that comes stamped "Written and Directed by Wes Craven."
Abel Plankov, the original Ripper...
There isn't anything wrong with Universal's 1080p/AVC-encoded presentation. Then again, there isn't anything particularly spectacular about it either. Detail is striking at times -- even if it's a tad underwhelming at others -- and edge enhancement and noise reduction rarely wreak havoc on Riverton and its denizens. Fine textures are often effectively resolved and decidedly decent on the whole, object definition is sharp and satisfying, and delineation, though impenetrable, bolsters the tone of Craven's foreboding atmosphere. Colors, meanwhile, are suitably bleak yet altogether strong. Black levels are fairly deep (barring a few problematic nighttime shots), primaries are nice and pulpy, splashes of sticky red stuff add visceral punch to DP Petra Korner's palette, and skintones are lifelike throughout (and corpse-like when necessary). And Universal executes it all with proficient precision. Artifacting and banding aren't an issue, noise and crush are only a factor insofar as Korner's photography is concerned, the unseemly seams of Craven's glossy CG gore are the only eyesores viewers will be forced to endure, and the usual assortment of lesser anomalies are held at bay. All in all, horror junkies will be most pleased... assuming they're able to look past the film itself.
My Soul to Take embraces the eerie silence, sudden shock, sonic storm school of horror sound design and Universal's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track keeps pace. Craven's manic soundfield never comes alive as readily as it does when some poor schlub is about to die, but the resulting LFE eruption and rear speaker fury is gripping nonetheless. Otherwise, the studio's capable mix primarily deals in hair-raising ambience, hushed acoustics and dead-aim directionality, all of which deliver in their own regard. Effects ricochet from channel to channel with ease, low-end support lends notable weight and presence to the experience, and dialogue is crisp, clean and intelligible throughout. No, My Soul to Take doesn't represent the pinnacle of modern horror sound design, nor will it leave you with the unsettling sense that a killer is slinking around your home theater. However, Universal's lossless track goes for the jugular and, inherent shortcomings aside, remains faithful to Craven's every intention.
The Blu-ray edition of My Soul to Take doesn't offer much in the way of supplemental value, thanks in large part to a Craven-led audio commentary that does little more than bleed out. Still, the disc at least has a commentary track. The same can't be said of the majority of Universal's recent horror releases.
My Soul to Take is awful. Unbelievably awful. If you'll excuse the lame play on words, it's as soulless as they come. I'd go on, but I think my "worst film of 2010" disclaimer says it all. Fortunately for Craven, its Blu-ray release isn't half bad. While the director's commentary and the film's supplemental package isn't going to entrance anyone, Universal's video transfer and DTS-HD Master Audio track are strong enough to make My Soul to Take easier to swallow, even if the flick still leaves an ungodly aftertaste. Rent it if you must. Just don't say I didn't warn you.
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2008
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2008
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2007
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