5.8 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Luke McNamara, a college senior from a working class background joins a secret elitist college fraternity organization called "The Skulls", in hope of gaining acceptance into Harvard Law School. At first seduced by the club's trapping of power and wealth, a series of disturbing incidents, such as his best friends suicide, leads Luke to investigate the true nature of the organization and the truth behind his friends supposed suicide. He starts realizing that his future and possibly his life is in danger.
Starring: Joshua Jackson, Paul Walker, Hill Harper, Leslie Bibb, Christopher McDonaldTeen | 100% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.84:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Those with an interest in politics and a slightly long memory may remember some ramblings about George W. Bush and John Kerry both belonging to the “Skull and Bones” secret society back during the 2004 presidential election cycle. They were not the first members of said society to run for the highest office in the land, but what made their contest noteworthy in that regard was that it marked the first time two members squared off one against another. Director Rob Choen’s (xXx) The Skulls isn’t about ambitious politicians -- though it weaves a couple of them into the story -- but rather one initiate’s realizations that the glamour and prestige of membership do not necessarily align with his moral compass.
The Skulls arrives on Blu-ray with a decent-to-good 1080p transfer. There are some unmissable pops and speckles and other signs of print wear, though such are relatively light and not all that distracting. Some blown-out highlights are visible, colors sometimes run a little pale and skin tones a bit warm, and mild macroblocking is visible in a few select shots, but on the whole this is a fairly good image overall. Details are not exacting, but the filmic, grain-retaining image reveals adequate textural abilities on dank cinder blocks and dreary concrete and rusted iron in some of the secret chambers. Warmer office woods, odds and ends around dorm rooms, faces, and clothes enjoy fairly good textural intimacy. Colors are more or less dull and faces usually a bit warm, but often by need as many of the film's key moments take place in warm or low light and unforgiving shades of gray-drenched secret society meeting chambers. However, during some well-lit daytime exteriors, colors stabilize and reveal more neutral flesh tones, agreeable natural greens, and well defined clothing and skin colors. Back levels are surprisingly deep and accurate. Nighttime exteriors, such as a scene in the 11-minute mark, hold up very well, with only a few flame-lit, low-light interiors struggling to maintain black level depth. Universal has always been a bit iffy on the catalogue side of things. This one falls into a middle ground, though certainly favoring the positive side of the ledger.
The Skulls is recruited onto Blu-ray with a good all-around DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The first sonic element of interesting note is the public address announcements at the beginning of the race five minutes into the film. There's a nice reverb sensation around the stage, and the track makes use of the surrounds to offer various support details and discrete elements throughout the film, not just limited to that beginning segment. Music is firm and well defined, from spacious organ notes at a funeral in chapter five to some edgy Rock music courtesy of Creed. There are some over-engineered-for-effect sounds, such as when Caleb and Lucas are locked into a cage in which they must confront one another with the absolute truths in their lives. The track is never shy about expanding for effect and making good use of the entire stage to amplify moments with increased sonic intensity. Dialogue propels the movie forward and enjoys general excellence in all areas of concern.
The Skulls contains a featurette, deleted scenes, and a commentary track. No DVD or digital copies are included. No top menu is included;
extras must be selected in-film via a crude pop-up menu.
The Skulls is a movie that is not without merit, but its merit largely exists within an un(der)explored center. A good idea, an interesting world of some complexity and storytelling novelty (and some real-world parallels) disintegrates into a type-based Thriller that eschews creativity. Cohen directs safely and the stars, talented as they may be, can't carry material that's fundamentally limited in dramatic reach. Universal's Blu-ray is decent enough, offering a few legacy extras in addition to solid video and audio. Worth a look on a steep discount.
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