Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.0

The Hot Spot Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman July 20, 2023

Dennis Hopper's filmography as an actor is one of unquestioned success, if more than occasional wackiness, but his efforts as a director just never made it to the same consistent level. In fact, it's probably arguable that Hopper directed one outright classic, Easy Rider, and several other also rans which if one might tweak that metaphor just a bit, might be more accurately termed as also stumbles. One of those lesser offerings is the film currently under discussion, which posits Don Johnson as the most marquee idol-esque used car salesman in history, torn between (as the saying goes) two lovers.

Hot Spot received a release on Blu-ray in Region A many years ago as part of what was then a new(ish) strategy by Shout! Factory of offering "double features", in this case The Hot Spot / Killing Me Softly. Those interested in a plot recap as well as my general reaction to the film are encouraged to visit my now ancient The Hot Spot Blu-ray review of the Shout! Factory release. My original review is also a good resource for comparing screenshots. There's no question that this Radiance Films release does better in the supplements category than the Shout! release, since that older offering had no bonus material whatsoever. Kino Lorber released The Hot Spot in Region A more recently with a 2K remaster that provided the basis for this release as well. Svet's review of that release has even more screenshots for comparison's sake. Fans of the film are encouraged to read Svet's take in any case, as he is a much more ardent appreciator of the film than I am.

The Hot Spot Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Hot Spot is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Radiance Films with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.85:1. Radiance's insert booklet contains the following information on the transfer:

The Hot Spot was restored in 2021 by Kino Lorber from a 2K scan of the 35mm interpositive which was colour graded and approved by cinematographer Ueli Steiger.

There is absolutely no question that this presentation outshines the older Shout! Factory release in both palette reproduction and general detail levels. Just a cursory comparison of screenshots between the two releases (and I've tried to duplicate some of my original screenshots for just that purpose) show how much warmer, even, well, hotter, the color timing is on this release than on the old Shout! Factory release. Suffusion is also markedly improved. Detail levels are generally excellent, faltering only slightly in some dimly lit or "artier" moments. There are some very minor blips and blemishes that the most eagle eyed videophile may notice, but nothing of any major import. My score is 4.25.

The Hot Spot Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The LPCM 2.0 track on this disc struck me as virtually interchangeable with the Shout! Factory DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track, though it's perhaps salient to note that the Kino Lorber release also offered a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. In any event, this often quite winningly designed soundtrack receives perfectly commendable support for effects and a fun score, and dialogue is always rendered cleanly and clearly. Optional English subtitles are available.

The Hot Spot Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Dennis Hopper (HD; 4:35) is an archival French television interview from 1991. This also features some brief behind the scenes footage of the film being shot.


• Virginia Madsen (HD; 7:02) is offered in a 2021 interview done for Kino Lorber's release.


• William Sadler (HD; 6:24) is another 2021 Kino Lorber piece, with a prefatory warning that Covid prevented a normal production and quality issues may result.


• Nick Dawson (HD; 20:24) offers Hopper biographer Dawson discussing Hopper and the film.


• Duane Swierczynski (HD; 22:12) features a crime fiction expert discussing author Charles Williams.


• Trailer (HD; 1:50)

Additionally, Radiance provides another nicely appointed insert booklet with two new essays and an archival piece, along with technical credits. The keepcase features a reversible sleeve and packaging features Radiance's quasi-Obi strip.

The Hot Spot Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Hopper's directorial efforts often led to widely disparate reactions, and you only need to visit my original review and Svet's review of the Kino Lorber release of this film to get that same variety of opinion. This release easily tops the Shout! Factory release in technical merits and supplements, and if it's lacking the commentary the Kino Lorber release had, it has other exclusive supplements to counterweigh that deficit. Fans of Hopper and/or the cast may want to check out this Region B release, and the good news is technical merits are solid and the supplements very enjoyable for anyone who may be considering making a purchase.