6 | / 10 |
Users | 3.5 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
On the eve of Christmas vacation a college dormitory stands condemned. Student Joanne Murray and her friends volunteer to help close down the building, unaware a psychopathic lunatic is hiding in the shadows.
Starring: Laurie Lapinski, Stephen Sachs, David Snow, P. Holland, Dennis ElyHorror | 100% |
Thriller | 16% |
Mystery | 11% |
Holiday | 2% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.67:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
None
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
DVD copy
Region free
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 3.0 | |
Audio | 3.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
You scared me to death.
There's a certain charm in The Dorm That Dripped Blood that's often lacking in other films of its kind. While it may seem to be just another
one of the
almost innumerable low-level, barely-seen, cult-favorite Slashers from the 1980s -- a decade, one could argue, that has come to be cinematically
defined by its Horror pictures both large and small and the culture surrounding them -- it's incredibly unpretentious, serious but not at the expense
of
fun, and assembled with just the right amount of balance to give it something of a complete and satisfying feel, even if there's really nothing new
and the picture lacks the polished façade and kinetic energy of bigger, but not necessarily better, genre films. Maybe better said, it epitomizes
everything that's so good about the low-budget micro-Slasher. Questionable acting, not much of a plot, long and dull stretches, and only
semi-creative kill
scenes might leave most wondering what the fuss is all about, but it's the way the film so effortlessly goes with the flow and so easily pieces
together
every single stock part -- despite its flaws that are not exclusive but rather problems inherent to the genre at large -- that it's something of a
standard-bearer of these sort of pictures, and that it's been practically invisible since its release only adds to the legend and the picture's claim as
perhaps the perfect example of the invisible Slasher.
What terrors await in the dorm that dripped blood?
The Dorm That Dripped Blood's 1080p transfer will never be mistaken for a shiny new release of a big-budget studio Horror film, but Synapse has pulled out all the stops and given this cult favorite a makeover that will more than satisfy -- maybe even shock -- viewers who have been stuck watching bootlegged VHS or DVD copies over the years. The image is remarkably clean, retaining a heavy layer of grain but leaving out all but a trace amount of speckles, splotches, and scratches. Only minor background blocking and practically no banding are present. Detailing is adequate; the image is generally soft and fuzzy, but the 1080p resolution and grain retention certainly help to bring out every nuance inherent within the source. Colors are fairly dull but stable, flesh tones are mostly accurate, and blacks never veer towards a gray, overly bright, or washed out appearance, though crush is regularly evident. This is a fairly strong presentation all things considered; as with any release of this vintage and style, expectations are key, and Synapse has surpassed every reasonable one of them.
The Dorm That Dripped Blood arrives on Blu-ray with an adequate DTS-HD MA 2.0 lossless soundtrack. The front channels, of course, carry the load, but despite the absence of greater spacing and a finer sense of envelopment, the track still delivers a stable listen that certainly shows some wear and tear but nevertheless manages to impress more than disappoint. Music can be a bit shrilly and unkempt at the top of the range, but is otherwise mostly crisp in a throwback sort of way. Sound effects are stable if not a bit crunchy and ungainly from time to time. Ambience is limited, but dialogue is fairly strong and center-focused. There's not much to this track, but listeners will enjoy the boost in clarity thanks to the lossless presentation.
The Dorm That Dripped Blood features a few extras, headlined by an audio commentary track.
Synapse is well on its way to becoming the next cult sensation Blu-ray studio. The Dorm That Dripped Blood's Blu-ray release has a decidedly Blue Underground flair to it, both in terms of the film's content -- recalling pictures like The Prowler and Maniac -- and the quality of the release. Expecting much better than what Synapse has provided would be unrealistic; the studio has endeavored to offer Slasher connoisseurs the finest Death Dorm presentation possible, going so far as to delay the release to ensure the highest available quality. The picture and sound elements are admittedly rough, but film enthusiasts and viewers with the proper expectations will likely be ecstatic with what what Synapse has done for this little under-the-radar gem. A few extras round this release into form as a must-buy for hardcore genre fans. Recommended, and keep an eye on Synapse.
1981
Rosemary's Killer
1981
Director's Cut
1989
1983
1983
1981
1980
1981
1983
Die Säge des Todes
1981
1984
1984
1980
1978
Remastered | Collector's Edition
1981
1980
Deliria / Bloody Bird / Sound Stage Massacre / StageFright: Aquarius
1987
I corpi presentano tracce di violenza carnale / Carnal Violence
1973
Hospital Massacre
1982
Reazione a catena
1971