6.8 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
A race-car driver whose life, both personal and professional, is in a rapid downfall is invited by her ex-husband's new wife to stay at their plush estate. The two women form a bond, and it's not long before their mutual dislike for the husband culminates into a plan to kill him. As it turns out, though, they're not alone in plotting murder.
Starring: Carroll Baker, Jean Sorel, Luis Dávila, Alberto Dalbés, Marina CoffaForeign | 100% |
Mystery | 19% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.35:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
Italian: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
English
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Umberto Lenzi's "Paranoia" (1970) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors 88 Films. The supplemental features on the disc include an exclusive audio commentary by author and critic Troy Howarth; deleted scenes; alternate sequence; and archival video interview with the director. In English or Italian, with optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Paranoia arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of 88 Films.
The initial press details indicated that the release is sourced from a new 2K master that was reportedly struck from the OCN, but there was some confusion with the actual details for the film. Well, the confusion is completely irrelevant now because this film looks gorgeous in high-definition and the party that remastered it actually needs to be congratulated for the very solid work.
I liked pretty much everything that I saw on my system. Excluding a few indoor/nighttime sequences where I think that some of the smaller nuances should be better exposed and defined, mostly because the blacks appear just a tad too strong, the rest really looks great. Where there is proper lighting delineation and especially depth are very pleasing, and if you are viewing your films on a larger screen you will be thrilled with the fluidity of the visuals as well. There are no traces of problematic digital work, so grain is always very well exposed, with a solid appearance that instantly makes it obvious that the master is new. Image stability is excellent. I liked the color balance as well. There are healthy ranges of solid primaries, plus the supporting nuances appear nicely calibrated and stable. There are no distracting large debris, cuts, damage marks, stains, warped or torn frames to report. My score is 4.75/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location. For the record, there is no problematic PAL or 1080/50i content preceding the disc's main menu).
There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English subtitles are provided for the Italian track. When turned on, they appear inside the image frame.
I viewed the film with the English track, which should be considered the 'original' track as virtually every actor in the film utters his/her lines in English. Obviously, some overdubbing was done, which means that some small unevenness pops up from time to time. But this is completely natural for these types of genre films. The music is clean and nicely balanced with the dialog.
The other Paranoia film with Lou Castel that Umberto Lenzi directed is even more stylish, and it is the one that I initially expected to see on Blu-ray. However, this film is still very beautiful and one that Carroll Baker fans should not miss. This particular period, from the late '60s until the mid- '70s, when she appeared in a number of European/Italian productions, I think has some of her most glamorous work. So, I am very encouraged to see Paranoia looking so great on Blu-ray, and I hope that The Sweet Body of Deborah and So Sweet... So Perverse are right around the corner. This new release from 88 Films also features yet another outstanding audio commentary by Troy Howarth. Well done, 88 Films. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Così dolce... così perversa | The Italian Collection #67 | The Limited Edition Series
1969
Il coltello di ghiaccio | Deluxe Collector's Edition | The Italian Collection #73
1972
Paranoia / The Italian Collection #85
1969
Perché quelle strane gocce di sangue sul corpo di Jennifer?
1972
Chi l'ha vista morire? | Collector's Edition
1972
La coda dello scorpione
1971
Il tuo vizio è una stanza chiusa e solo io ne ho la chiave
1972
4 mosche di velluto grigio | 40th Anniversary Edition
1971
Sotto il vestito niente
1985
Non si sevizia un paperino
1972
Il profumo della signora in nero / The Italian Collection #30
1974
Nude per l'assassino
1975
Solamente nero / The Italian Collection #02
1978
Tutti i colori del buio
1972
Profondo rosso | Remastered
1975
La ragazza che sapeva troppo / Evil Eye
1963
Special Edition
1982
Alla ricerca del piacere / The Italian Collection #28
1972
2K Restoration | Suor Omicidi
1979
Sotto il vestito niente II / They Only Come Out at Night
1988