5.9 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Dr. Eugene Sands, an ex-surgeon lured into a dark underworld by a hip-but lethal-mob, finds himself caught in a web of murder and mayhem...and growing far too close to the top mobster's seductive mistress.
Starring: David Duchovny, Timothy Hutton, Angelina Jolie, Michael Massee, Peter StormareThriller | 100% |
Crime | 68% |
Drama | 22% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Andy Wilson's "Playing God" (1997) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The supplemental features on the disc include an original trailer for the film as well as exclusive new audio commentary by screenwriter Mark Haskell Smith and producer Laura Bickford. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".
"It's a choice that has been offered to many men: Be a slave in Heaven or star in Hell. And Hell does not always look like Hell. On a good day, it could look a lot like LA."
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Playing God arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber.
There are no traces of problematic digital adjustments. However, this release is sourced from an older master and in different parts of the film its limitations begin to pop up. For example, some of the darker footage reveals flatness which is a byproduct of less than optimal delineation and shadow definition. Black crush sneaks in as well, even during well-lit footage where generally delineation, clarity and ultimately depth are much better. Folks with larger screens will likely notice that highlights are not as nicely balanced as they should be, and this is one area where a hypothetical 4K master will introduce a number of substantial improvements. But there is still enough to like. Indeed, without sharpening and boosting adjustments there is still plenty of footage that looks quite good, at times even surprisingly good. The color scheme is mostly pleasing as well, though predictably there are nuances that could and should be expanded. Image stability is very good. All in all, though slightly dated, this is still a decent technical presentation of Playing God. My score is 3.75/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).
There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.
I tested both tracks, in various parts of the film. They are both good, but I think that the obvious choice here should be the 5.1 track. Why? Because there is a lot of action and with plenty of specific dynamic activity that I think clearly benefits from the separation on the 5.1 track. However, I have a gut feeling that a new remaster will strengthen the oomph of the 5.1 track because in a few areas it feels like there is potential for even more. I could be wrong, but I don't think I am. The current master/remix was prepared a long time ago and I think I detect things that I don't think will be on a new remix.
Playing God has the attitude of a '70s crime thriller and the sleek appearance of a '90s LA film noir. There is a lot of great acting in it as well. I have always had a soft spot for it and think that together with City of Industry ranks amongst the best genre films the '90s had to offer. This recent release is sourced from an older master, but the technical presentation is better than that of Mill Creek Entertainment's first release of the film. RECOMMENDED.
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