7.4 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Terry Noonan returns home to New York's Hells Kitchen after a ten year absence. He soon hooks up with childhood pal Jackie who is involved in the Irish mob run by his brother Frankie. Terry also rekindles an old flame with Jackie's sister Kathleen. Soon, however, Terry is torn between his loyalty to his friends and his loyalties to others.
Starring: Sean Penn, Ed Harris, Gary Oldman, Robin Wright, John TurturroThriller | Insignificant |
Crime | Insignificant |
Drama | 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 5.1
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 0.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Phil Joanou's "State of Grace" (1990) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Sandpiper Pictures. The only supplemental feature on the disc is a vintage U.S. theatrical trailer for the film. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, State of Grace arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Sandpiper Pictures.
I have only one other release of State of Grace in my library, which is this Region-B release that British label Second Sight produced in 2015. Sandpiper Pictures' release is sourced from the same master Second Sight worked with, which is an older but quite good master that was supplied by MGM.
The best news is that this master is free of problematic digital corrections, which means that the visuals have a fine organic appearance. There are a few darker areas where the grain becomes a bit loose and even a tad noisy, but on a large big screen the visuals still hold up nicely. In fact, despite a few anemic spots, I think that the darker footage looks surprisingly good. (On a related note, if you upscale to 4K, you will be surprised how good the entire film begins took -- or not since you now know that despite being older the master actually has a consistent organic appearance). Some highlights could be managed better, but I don't think that there are any serious issues. Colors are stable and the overall balance is good. A proper new 4K master will expand select supporting nuances, but State of Grace has plenty of darker indoor and outdoor footage where light and shadow interact in some very particular ways, and I think that this master does a pretty good job of reproducing them as they need to be seen. The dynamic range of the visuals can be improved. Image stability is very good. A few flecks and dark blemishes can be seen, but there are no distracting large cuts, debris, warped or torn frames to report. All in all, even though the age of the master shows, I think that State of Grace has a good organic appearance. 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 is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.
This was the first time I viewed the entire film with the lossless 5.1 track, which is excellent. It has great depth and clarity, plus it produces wonderful dynamic contrasts. However, it has to be said that the film blends plenty of diverse material that allows the lossless track to reveal its strength. For example, there is a big difference in terms of tone and personality between the more subdued material where Ennio Morricone's music becomes prominent and intense action footage. The dialog is always easy to follow, but unlike the Region-B release this release has optional English SDH subtitles.
The fate of Phil Joanou's State of Grace is very similar to that of Gary Fleder's Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead. It came out at the wrong time and had to compete with another similarly themed film that enjoyed much bigger studio support. I saw State of Grace when it came out in the early 1990s and thought that it was a very good film with a sensational soundtrack by Ennio Morricone. I have not changed my mind. In fact, I think that in many ways State of Grace looks even stronger and more stylish now. Sandpiper Pictures' release is sourced from the same older MGM master that has been used to prepare previous releases of the film here and overseas. It is a good organic master, so the release is very easy to recommend, but I would not have been upset to see a brand new 4K makeover. RECOMMENDED.
1936
Warner Archive Collection
1950
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2006
4K Restoration
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1990
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Limited Edition to 3000 - SOLD OUT
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1974
Warner Archive Collection
1951
1992
1955
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2007
1980
Includes Elia Kazan: Outsider 1982 Documentary
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Theatrical Edition
1997