5.9 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
A creature from outer space crash lands in a small town and starts killing people.
Starring: Tom Griffith, Jamie Zemarel, Karin Kardian, George Stover, Don LeifertHorror | 100% |
Sci-Fi | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.33:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio Mono (96kHz, 24-bit)
BDInfo
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
DVD copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 5.0 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
A B-movie director who never seems to possess a budget that matches his visual ambition, Don Dohler found some success with 1976’s “The Alien Factor,” which managed to find its audience in the late-‘70s cable scramble for everything sci-fi. He went on to make “Fiend,” another chiller, but with 1982’s “Nightbeast,” Dohler returns to his first inspiration, basically remaking “The Alien Factor” with a slightly higher budget and slightly lower standards. Instead of trying to mount a semi-thoughtful understanding of human impatience when dealing with the unknown, Dohler kicks out the jams and launches “Nightbeast” with oodles of gore and nudity, also doing away with the concept of alien complications, making the monster here pure evil and in a mood to eliminate as many earthlings as possible. It’s a sleazy, violent adventure, also identifying the helmer’s newfound disregard for nuance, going full steam ahead into R-rated waters.
"Newly scanned and restored from its 16mm camera negative," "Nightbeast" is offered perhaps previously unthinkable clarity during the AVC encoded image (1.33:1 aspect ratio) presentation. Cinematographic limitations are found throughout (focus is an issue here, along with shifts into gauzy shooting, creating bloomy whites), but the frame is illuminated as far as it can go, securing action in limited lighting, while the characters retain detail in costuming and close-ups. The beast also enjoys definition, showcase its rubbery construction. Colors are defined, handling primaries with ease, while more pronounced hues, such as orange and red laser blasts, pop as needed. Skintones are natural. Grain is heavy but film-like. Source has some specking and scratches.
The 1.0 DTS-HD MA mix retains the original simplicity of the "Nightbeast" aural experience, putting most attention on dialogue exchanges, which maintain reasonable clarity as the production fights to figure out sound needs. Scoring isn't overwhelming, but the synth mood is met, just not always powerfully as expected. Sound effects are satisfactory, with whizzing laser blasts and punchy gun fire.
"Nightbeast" isn't a better film than "The Alien Factor," but it's a more direct viewing experience. Bad acting, goofy effects, and limited excitement is never far from view, but there's a newfound intensity to Dohler's third directorial outing that holds attention.
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