5.8 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 2.5 | |
Overall | 2.8 |
The movie starts in the 18th century to set the scene and tease at the foundation of a ghost story that drives the main characters to a haunted house on the skirts of a cemetery. The setting changes to present day (1980s), where a group of college students are drawn to the house rumored to be haunted.
Starring: Mark Kinsey Stephenson, Charles Klausmeyer, Eben Ham, Laura Albert (I), Alexandra DurrellHorror | 100% |
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, 16-bit)
English: LPCM 2.0 (48kHz, 16-bit)
English: LPCM 2.0 (48kHz, 16-bit)
BDInfo. "Two" separate LPCM 2.0 Audio Tracks on the disc as set-up options. The 2nd is the "Vintage Grindhouse Audio" option.
None
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
If you either go to a monster movie in a theater, or buy or rent a monster movie to watch in the comfort (and safety?) of your own home, do you
want to actually see the monster? That preference may play into how much patience you have for The Unnamable, an interesting if
kind of slow adaptation of an H.P. Lovecraft story that teases the existence of something horrifying in its opening sequence, but which then
waits a good, long while before offering even a fleeting glimpse of the entity. Now in reading about Lovecraft’s source story, it turns out that the
creature in Lovecraft’s original formulation was evidently beyond “the reach” of our normal five senses, which may account for at least some of the
kind of discursive approach the film version takes, but there’s only so much momentum The Unnamable can generate off of hints and
(unseen) things going bump in the night.
Note: I have provided two screenshots of the film's demonic creature in positions 7 and 8 in this review, which means you'll need to click on
the Screenshots tab to see them. Spoiler-phobes are forewarned.
The Unnamable is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Unearthed FIlms and MVD Visual with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.85:1. The back cover of this release touts that this is a "newly restored 4K transfer", without specifying the element or elements utilized. I hedge a bit on singular or plural, because while this is a pleasing and well detailed presentation for the most part, there are sudden moments where clarity falters, grain increases and detail levels can lapse (see screenshot 9 for one of the less pleasing moments, and then compare it to several others accompanying this review). With those allowances made for variabilities, while often quite grainy (to the point that fine detail can be masked in some more dimly lit moments), this transfer offers a commendably organic appearance while supporting good detail levels when lighting conditions allow. The palette looks generally well saturated. There are no major signs of any age related wear and tear, though there is some noticeable wobble during the credits sequence.
The Unnamable features a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, a remastered LPCM 2.0 track, and what's advertised as the "original grindhouse" LPCM 2.0 track. There is some very peculiar phasing and echoing going on in the surround track with regard to a lot of the effects (as in the demon's shriek) that I frankly can't account for, but which is extremely distracting (especially in the climax), making this track probably unlistenable for many. The remastered stereo track is fine with regard to all effects, as is the slightly more hiss heavy "grindhouse" version. Both 2.0 tracks offer fine fidelity and substantial dynamic range, with good support for all dialogue.
The Unnamable offers a decently effective mood, but it's awfully derivative a lot of the time, and its arguably overhyped "monster" (in terms of key art and the like) is virtually nonexistent, which may disappoint some diehard horror fans. Video here is generally solid, but the surround mix has some very odd issues.
1986
2019
2015
1986
Collector's Edition
1981
1981
1983
4K Restoration
1981
2013
The Outing
1987
2023
The Gates of Hell Part II - Dead Awakening / Slipcover in Original Pressing
1988
2017
2015
2015
2012
2016
2019
Limited Edition
1982
Slipcover in Original Pressing
1986