6.7 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
A drug selling and violent street-gang terrorize the renters of a big trashy apartment-house.
Starring: Joe Lynn, Enrique Sandino, Paul Calderon, Mina Bern, Karen RussellHorror | 100% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Crime | Insignificant |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: LPCM 2.0 (48kHz, 16-bit)
BDInfo
English
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Exploitation goes pure and uncut for 1985’s “Tenement,” a film that takes great pleasure in being incredibly violent, with particular attention to the massacre of its characters. The effort comes from Roberta Findlay, a practiced helmer of sleaze, and she’s in a particular mood to deliver a truly uneasy viewing experience detailing the horrors of urban living, taking on the nightmare of the Bronx with full attention to B-movie suffering, sold under the guise of a siege picture. Because of its ‘80s creation date, some of this aggression hasn’t aged particularly well, but sections of “Tenement” still manage to summon their intended noise, with Findlay making sure to linger on unsavory business for as long as she can -- a fixation that inspired the MPAA to slap the endeavor with an X rating for its initial theatrical release, making it even more irresistible to admirers of low-budget hellraising.
The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation is billed as a "Brand New 2k HD Restoration." I'm not sure about the restoration claim, but the feature does appear refreshed for its Blu-ray debut. Detail is strong throughout, picking up on crumbling, filthy locations and sweat-slicked characters clad in textured costuming. Facial particulars are acceptable and violence is vivid, while distances and set dressing are open for exploration. Delineation is tight, preserving evening sequences. Colors are bright and satisfying, leading with bolder clothing choices and fresh skintones, which remain natural throughout. Source is littered with speckling and scratches, some flash-frame discolorations as well, which certainly preserves the movie's grindhouse origins. Still, those sensitive to evidence of wear and tear will find it here.
The 2.0 LPCM mix is so crisp at times, it's easy to detect the production's sound limitations, where the cast is often competing with neighborhood activity. Dialogue exchanges in more secure areas are nicely panicked and angry, delivering verbal rage as the war takes over the building. Scoring cues are inherently chaotic at times, but always loud to provide attitude, with heavy percussion keeps the urban beat. Sound effects are sharp and somewhat hilariously unsweetened (gunshots sound like cap guns), but they manage to communicate daring escapes, beatings, and glass breakage.
"Tenement" takes a while before it becomes "Home Alone," with the renters finally wising up and mounting some type of defense. Findlay takes her time before she gets to the cheerable elements of the tale, embracing its darkness long before she gets to real combat. Perhaps in this day and age, the feature doesn't carry quite the X-rated impression it once did, as murder scenes are fairly crude in design, covering basic stabbings, shootings, and slashings. One poor sap makes the mistake of trying to crawl down from a window. "Tenement" isn't pleasant, but its desire to offend is fascinating to watch, wrapped in sustained attitude and acts of intimidation, with Findlay working well within the tight confines of the apartment building, delivering exploitation poundage (sold with a punk-ish score by William Fischer and Walter E. Sear) with a clenched fist and a smattering of spandex.
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