6.5 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
The follow-up to Antonio Campos' critically acclaimed AFTERSCHOOL, SIMON KILLER is an erotic and and psychological portrait of Simon (Brady Corbet, MELANCHOLIA, MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE), a well-educated, handsome and seemingly sympathetic college graduate with just a hint of something off-putting enough to ignite a sense of concern. Recently heartbroken, Simon travels to Paris to clear his head. After several days of wandering aimlessly, Simon finds himself drawn into a sex parlor and has a sexual encounter with an exotic prostitute, Victoria (Mati Diop, 35 SHOTS OF RUM). The chemistry builds between the two until they find themselves in a serious relationship, one that leads to blackmail, betrayal and the ultimate revelation of Simon's true nature.
Starring: Brady Corbet, Nicolas Ronchi, Constance Rousseau, Lila Salet, Etienne Rotha MoengDrama | 100% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Mystery | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 4.5 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Over a decade after Eureka Entertainment's "Masters of Cinema" Region B Blu-ray (now long out of print), IFC Films brings Antonio Campos' 2012 film Simon Killer to Region A audiences. Featuring similar if not identical A/V elements and two brand-new extras, it's an easy way to get the film on disc for anyone who missed out originally.
It's pretty clear that IFC Films' 1080p transfer is built from source material similar to Eureka's Region B Blu-ray, as this all-digital production (shot on location in Paris with an Arri Alexa) boasts near-identical visual qualities in almost all key areas. To my eyes there are perhaps slight differences in density, with this Region A release sporting marginally deeper gamma levels. Interestingly enough it also appears to be less narrow in comparison; either that, or it may be stretched horizontally by a few pixels and the earlier Blu-ray is closer to being accurate. (As always, a picture is worth a thousand words: screenshot #8 in my review is similar to this screenshot from the earlier Blu-ray and should reveal these subtle differences.) Although a few minor encoding issues could be seen intermittently, such as occasionally clumpy noise and very light macro blocking, they are either not distracting at all or potentially part of the source material.
To my ears, the DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio mix included here is basically identical to Eureka's Region B Blu-ray and similarly impressive from start to finish. Simon Killer's sound design is nothing if not ambitious with lots of use of atmospheric surround channels to bring Paris to life, with special attention paid to the memorable soundtrack which is likewise extremely dynamic at key moments. Aside from sporadic "headphone music", the club scene featuring LCD Soundsystem's "Dance Yrself Clean" is perhaps the biggest standout -- it's even repurposed for the Blu-ray's menu interface and has the good sense to stick around for that massive synth drop. A fine presentation indeed.
Optional English subtitles are included during the main feature only, not the bonus features listed below.
Seven extras are included in all: five from Eureka's 2013 Blu-ray (listed below in name only), and two brand-new supplements featuring director Antonio Campos and lead actor Brady Corbet, who wrote the film together.
NOTE: Although it's marketing as having a slipcover for its initial print run, my advance copy of Simon Killer obtained from the studio did not include one. It did, however, include a nice little booklet tucked inside the clear keepcase with acknowledgements, a few stills, and a six-page essay by film critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas.
Please note that one legacy interview, "Conversations with Moms", is not included.
Antonio Campos' 2012 film Simon Killer, unique as it may feel on the surface, borrows quite a bit from earlier films including the work of French director Sebastien Lifshitz, as well as more well-known "ticking time bomb" affairs like Martin Scorsese's Taxi Driver. Though not without several highlights, including its palpable atmosphere and a great soundtrack (both of which can admittedly be a bit self-indulgent at times), Simon Killer doesn't bring anything really original to the table and its narrative, forcefully provocative as it can be, feels undercut by stop-and-start momentum especially during its rather plodding middle section. It's still worth at least a once-over, and the good news is that IFC Films' upcoming Region A Blu-ray will prove to be a lot more accessible than Eureka's now out-of-print 2013 Blu-ray. The A/V presentation is very similar (in a good way) and two new extras have been added, including a recent audio commentary with director Antonio Campos and lead actor Brady Corbet, who wrote the film together.
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