5.7 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Julie is an advice columnist for the city newspaper who begins to receive anonymous notes threatening murder and worse. At about the same time, female members of the group therapy session she attends are being stabbed, one by one, by an unknown assailant. Is there a connection? If so, why do the notes talk about murder with a gun, while the murder victims are being stabbed? At first, the police, her ex-husband, her therapist and her friends all assure her that the notes are probably unrelated, and hoax; but with time, it becomes apparent that someone close to her is responsible. Is it her therapist, Pieter, who has sex with his patients just before they are murdered? Or Pieter's daughter, who resents Julie for Julie's romantic involvement with Pieter? Is it Julie's ex-husband, who never really wanted their divorce? Or maybe Gilbert, the eccentric building maintenance man?
Starring: Klaus Kinski, Marianna Hill, Craig Wasson, Christopher Lloyd, Joe RegalbutoHorror | 100% |
Thriller | 13% |
Mystery | 10% |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
4K Ultra HD
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Masters of (many) disasters, Cannon Films wanted in on the growing trend of slasher movies, trying to make some “Halloween” and “Friday the 13th” money with their own take on the horrors of mystery killers and the victims they hate. For 1980’s “Schizoid,” producers Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus turned to writer/director David Paulsen to come up with something scary and sellable, with the helmer already practiced in the subgenre, previously creating 1979’s “Savage Weekend.” Paulsen had mere weeks to come up with a workable screenplay for his latest endeavor, and speedy creative process shows in “Schizoid,” which is more about select scenes of mental illness than a deeply considered whodunit. Paulsen has the basic shape of a decent shocker, but he gradually pulls pacing out of the effort, which grinds to a full stop on multiple occasions, creating a disappointingly dull viewing experience with extraordinary little power as a fright film. Unless you count actor Klaus Kinski’s handsy approach to his visibly uneasy female co-stars. That’s pretty horrifying.
"Schizoid" was originally released on Blu-ray in 2013, and now returns to the marketplace with a 4K presentation from Vinegar Syndrome. While I do not have the original BD release on hand, the UHD offering, sourced from a scan of the 35mm original camera negative, appears to be a stunning upgrade for fans of the movie. Detail is excellent, exploring various skin surfaces and period costuming. Interiors are especially interesting, with decoration open for study, walking through households and office spaces. L.A. tours are dimensional. Colors are inviting, with the late 1970s on full display as shades of brown and orange compete for attention. Red blood has some potency, and clothing delivers bright primaries, along with street signage. Skintones are natural. Blacks are deep throughout the viewing experience, preserving shadow play with the murderer's movement. Highlights are restrained, offering a balanced sense of sunlight and lighting sources. Grain is nicely resolved, remaining fine and film-like. Source is in excellent condition.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix offers a clear understanding of dialogue exchanges, which deal with a wide range of performance capabilities and accents. A few crackly highs are encountered, but nothing severe. Scoring cues favor a simple synth sound, with the chirpy music registering as intended, supporting suspense and lustful moments without overwhelming them. Sound effects are blunt but effective, with louder gunshots.
After a passably diverting opening act, "Schizoid" doesn't snowball into a decent chiller. In fact, it's more than happy to remain perfectly still at times while Paulsen strains to get the movie to a Cannon-approved 90-minue run time. The helmer has everything here to deliver a decent sense of danger, but he's often caught in sluggish dramatics and stiffly executed murder sequences, also dealing with unwieldly performances that often inspire additional questions about characters Paulsen has no intention of answering.
(Still not reliable for this title)
Hospital Massacre
1982
1988
1981
Death Dorm / Pranks
1982
1981
1983
1982
Rosemary's Killer
1981
1983
1981
1980
2K Restoration
1980
1986
1984
1987
1978
1983
Slipcover in Original Pressing
1981
Lo squartatore di New York
1982
Remastered | Collector's Edition
1981