7.4 | / 10 |
Users | 4.8 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.2 |
A part-time exterminator and full-time drug addict named Bill Lee plunges into the nightmarish Interzone, a netherworld of sinister cabals and giant talking bugs.
Starring: Peter Weller, Judy Davis, Ian Holm, Julian Sands, Roy ScheiderDrama | 100% |
Surreal | 43% |
Video codec: VC-1
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Italian: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Italian, Italian SDH, English
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region B (locked)
Movie | 5.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
David Cronenberg's "Naked Lunch" (1991) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Italian distributors Eagle Pictures. The supplemental features on the disc include original theatrical trailer for the film; video interview with producer Jeremy Thomas; and audio commentary by director David Cronenberg. In English, with optional English, Italian, and Italian SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".
What is the Interzone?
Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with VC-1 and granted a 1080p transfer, David Cronenberg's Naked Lunch arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Italian distributors Eagle Pictures.
The basics of the high-definition transfer are mostly intact. Close-ups convey decent depth and clarity, while a few of the larger panoramic shots convey pleasing fluidity (see screencapture #19). However, some edge shimmer is occasionally visible. Some very light noise also creeps in, especially during darker sequences. There are no traces of overzealous degraining, but the high-definition transfer appears to have been struck from a dated source and some fluctuations in the grain structure are easy to spot. Generally speaking, edge-enhancement does not destabilize the image, but traces of light sharpening could be seen here and there (see screencapture #16). Color reproduction is pleasing. Lastly, there are no serious stability issues. Large cuts, damage marks, warps, and stains are also nowhere to be seen. All in all, this Italian Blu-ray release of Naked Lunch offers a decent upgrade in quality over the Criterion R1 DVD release of the film. However, there are a few areas of the presentation where small improvements clearly can be made. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free PS3 or SA in order to access its content).
There are two audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. For the record, Eagle Pictures have provided optional English, Italian, and Italian SDH subtitles for the main feature.
Despite the fact that the back cover of the Blu-ray release insists that there are two DTS-HD HR 5.1 tracks on the disc, these tracks are indeed standard DTS-HD Master Audio tracks.
Generally speaking, the original lossless audio track opens up the film rather well. Ornette Coleman and Howard Shore's jazzy score comes alive where it must, while the dialog is very crisp, clean, and stable. Surround movement, however, is modest, though this should not be surprising. There is no problematic background hiss, high-frequency distortions or audio dropouts to report in this review.
Bold, twisted, and confusing are only a few of the words one could use to describe Naked Lunch, arguably David Cronenberg's best film. It truly is quite unlike any other film ever made - it is a real mind-bender with a style to die for. Despite some minor flaws, this Italian Blu-ray release, courtesy of Eagle Pictures, looks quite good. Let's hope that Criterion will eventually upgrade their DVD release of the film in the U.S as well. RECOMMENDED.
(Still not reliable for this title)
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