Project Space 13 Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.5

Project Space 13 Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf April 12, 2022

“Project Space 13” is possibly a comedy about the performance art world, but it’s difficult to know exactly where director Michael M. Bilandic is hoping to accomplish with this production. There’s a game cast and a setting that explores the dual experience of a world gone mad and an artistic vision disrupted, but laughs aren’t readily apparent in the picture and a more dramatic journey isn’t welcome. Bilandic puts as much as he can onscreen, ending up with a 66-minute-long study of pretentiousness and paranoia in the COVID-19 world that would’ve been better served in short film form.

Nate (Keith Poulson) is ready to dazzle with his latest art project, where he’s locked in a cage for 120 days, fed bugs and soy milk by his abusive robot, Zebos. Lockdown life in New York City has spilled over into violence, with gallery owner Pieter (Jason Grisell) taking off, leaving inept security guards Evan (Hunter Zimny) and Ace (Theodore Bouloukos) in charge as chaos erupts outside.

“Project Space 13” remains with the trio as they figure out what to do during the night shift, inspiring hostility as the guards try to wrap their minds around Nate’s world of performance art. Bilandic offers a subtle absurdism but not the sharpest exchanges, attempting to stretch out a simple concept, which also involves Pieter in his limousine trying to stay calm as rioting occurs around him.

Project Space 13 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Project Space 13" is dealing with an extremely low-budget feature captured in just a few spaces. Color is utilized to open up the movie, with brighter washes of green and purple adding something to backgrounds. Costuming also handles with varied hues. Skintones are natural. Detail gets about as far as possible with this digital equipment, exploring facial surfaces and gallery interiors. Delineation is satisfactory.

Project Space 13 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix is a little jarring at times, with the riot chaos and music much louder than dialogue exchanges. Performances are understood, but some volume riding may be necessary. Surrounds are active with scenes of mayhem and exterior threats.

Project Space 13 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features director Michael M. Bilandic, actor Theodore Bouloukos, cinematographer Sean Price Williams, and producer Craig Butta.

• "I'm Like Black Raspberry" (24:11, HD) is a video conference chat about the making of "Project Space 13" with director Michael M. Bilandic, actor Theodore Bouloukos, and Stephen Gurewitz.

• "Q&A at Roxy Cinema, NYC" (HD) provides an interview with the production team behind "Project Space 13," divided into "At the Premiere" (17:02) and "Second Screening" (16:26).

• Photo Gallery (1:38) collects images from cinematographer Sean Price Williams.

• And a Trailer (1:40, HD) is included.

Project Space 13 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

There's not a whole lot to "Project Space 13," which could use some amplification with comedic targets and characterization. It's a knowing look at this particular world and this particular time, but it remains elusive due to budget restraints and Bilandic's particular directorial approach. It doesn't add up to much, but perhaps that's the intent.