5.9 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
A race car driver has visions of the victims of a serial killer before their demise and tries to get a skeptic police detective and an ambitious reporter to help him find the killer.
Starring: Traci Lords, Glenn Ford, Sandahl Bergman, Randall 'Tex' Cobb, Ted PriorThriller | Insignificant |
Drama | Insignificant |
Mystery | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
BDInfo verified
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Director David A. Prior has never been accused of being a perfectionist. During his career (he passed away in 2015), the helmer churned out product, working during the video store glory days, happy to create genre entertainment capable of filling shelves for renters who weren’t too fussy when selecting their evening’s entertainment. Prior created “Killer Workout,” “Future Force,” and “Deadly Prey,” maintaining a steady stream of employment for 15 years. 1991’s “Raw Nerve” is part of this dented legacy, with Prior and co-writer Lawrence L. Simeone attempting to cook up a murder mystery with some defined elements of psychological exploration, hoping to keep viewers off-balance with damaged characters long enough to deliver a few surprises along the way. The ambition is there, but execution isn’t for most of “Raw Nerve,” which tries to make a mess of the players in this deadly game, only to get lost in snoozy melodrama and half-hearted detective work.
The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Raw Nerve" includes an introductory note explaining how a few harsh splices are present on the source material. Some slight jumps are noticeable, but hardly an interruption. Detail is excellent, capturing defined facial surfaces and interior decoration. Exteriors offer dimension. Costuming is fibrous. Color is alert, with distinct reds helping to support the mystery aspects of the feature. Primaries are inviting, dealing with period outfits, and greenery is strong. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is heavy and film-like.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix handles dialogue exchanges well, preserving performance choices and surges of emotion. Some age is noticeable, but intelligibility is never threatened. Scoring cues support as needed, with a clear synth sound. Atmospherics are acceptable, with a decent sense of community bustle, and sound effects register as intended.
"Raw Nerve" does feature a strange cast, with Prior and Bergman offering competent, engaged performances, trying to make undercooked material matter. Their efforts are appreciated. Turns from Ford (in one of his final roles) and Vincent (who apparently wasn't sober during the shoot, and one can tell) are decidedly less engaged, and Prior asks a bit too much of Cobb and Lords, who do what they can. The story certainly doesn't help the ensemble, leading to a few feeble red herrings and a prolonged final act that doesn't provide a satisfying resolution to the case. Prior seems interested in providing shocking moments and dangerous behaviors, but "Raw Nerve" doesn't have much in the way of pace or tension, almost unsure what kind of tale it wants to tell. It's a B-movie, but the production appears reluctant to play up sellable exploitation moments (outside of having Bergman and Lords repeatedly bend over for the camera), holding out hope it can be taken seriously as a study of mental illness as it takes many forms.
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