Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov August 14, 2022

Gary Fleder's "Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead" (1995) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Via Vision Entertainment. The supplemental features on the release include new program with Andy Garcia; new program with Gary Fleder; new program with screenwriter Scott Rosenberg; and new program with production designer Nelson Coates. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

Boat drinks, Jimmy. It is time for boat drinks.

Gary Fleder’s first feature film, Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead, remains his best work. Its sense of humor is of the type that is no longer allowed even in genre films that boldly parade themselves as ultra-wicked and edgy. Its action is quick, chic, and messy. It is the kind of action that used to make viewing a genre film at your local theater a special experience. Its drama is quirky but hard-hitting, meant for adults capable of recognizing the many important themes that are attached to it. Its IQ is as admirable as that of James Foley’s Glengarry Glen Ross. And yes, you guessed right, it has a group of true stars at the top of their game.

Jimmy The Saint (Andy Garcia) is a former gangster who has started making a living as a legit businessman in Denver, Colorado. During the switch from his old lifestyle to his new lifestyle, Jimmy struggled, and even though lately he has again taken a few loans to keep moving forward, he is convinced that it is all coming together for him.

But on the same day Jimmy bumps into Dagney (Gabrielle Anwar), who may very well be the perfect girl he has been waiting for his entire life, he is cornered by two goons and informed that his former crippled boss (Christopher Walken) urgently needs to see him. It is not a request, it is an order, so Jimmy must immediately abandon whatever it is he is doing and head straight to his boss’ lavish home. Half an hour later, Jimmy is asked to do a job -- rough up a guy who has stolen the girlfriend of his boss’ perverted son (Michael Nicolosi). In exchange for the favor, Jimmy won’t have to worry about the loans his former boss has bought off of his creditors.

Determined to do the job quickly and efficiently so that he can return to his business and continue pursuing Dagney, Jimmy reaches out to the four members of his old crew -- Pieces (Christopher Lloyd), who is making ends meet as a projectionist in an adult theater; Franchise (William Forsythe), who has become a husband and father and lives with his family in a trailer park; Easy Wind (Bill Nunn), who still does odd jobs to stay afloat; and Critical Bill (Treat Williams), who is still as critically whacky as he was during the good ol’ days.

Jimmy and his crew go to work but screw up so badly that his former boss immediately summons Mr. Shhh (Steve Buscemi) to relieve his headache. Mr. Shhh is flying from another state and isn’t a medical professional, but the most lethal contract killer west of the Mississippi. Jimmy is the only one that is given a chance to live, but he must leave Denver in forty-eight hours.

Scott Rosenberg’s original screenplay is pure dynamite. It mixes different kinds of slang and produces fireworks that are often on par with the ones witnessed in Glengarry Glen Ross. However, the emotional ups and downs that emerge with these fireworks are so diverse that it becomes awfully difficult to think of Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead as a straightforward genre film.

The other great strength of Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead is its fantastic management of the character arcs. Indeed, not only are they very unique, but the screenplay does not treat any of them as secondary. As a result, Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead quickly evolves into a complex puzzle of overlapping personalities that relentlessly charge the narrative with different types of energy until the very end. For this very reason, despite having a limited time in front of the camera, Jack Warden’s old-timer and Fairuza Balk’s prostitute, for instance, easily leave lasting impressions.

Elliot Davis’ superb lensing gives Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead a stylish neo-noir appearance that reminds of Barry Sonnenfeld’s work in Blood Simple.

Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Via Vision Entertainment.

The master that was used to produce this release isn't new, but it is quite nice. For example, delineation, clarity, and depth are usually very good. The density levels of the visuals remain solid throughout the entire film as well. As a result, close-ups and larger panoramic shots have the same type of consistency. The best news is that there are no traces of problematic digital adjustments. So, even though a brand new 4K master would produce better visuals, the entire film still has an attractive organic appearance. Color reproduction is convincing as well. What are the limitations of the master? There are a few areas where highlights could have been balanced a little bit better. Also, color saturation and by default the dynamic range of the visuals can be superior. Image stability is very good. I did not notice any large cuts, debris, damage marks, blemishes, warped or torn frames to report in our review. However, there are a few specks, dark spots, and nicks. My score is 4.25/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).

Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

I viewed the entire film with the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. I thought that clarity, depth, and dynamic intensity were very solid. I did not encounter any balance issues either. The upper register was very healthy. So, at the moment I am unsure if there is any room for meaningful improvements. If in the future Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead is released with a brand new lossless track, I have to speculate that if there any improvements at all, they will be cosmetic.

Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Things to Perform in Denver When You're Dead" - in this exclusive new program, Andy Garcia explains what immediately attracted him to Scott Rosenberg's screenplay for Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead, and discusses his initial encounter with Gary Fleder, the unique slang that is heard throughout the film, the chemistry between the stars, what it was like to work with Christopher Walken, the unique qualities of his character and his business. Mr. Garcia even discusses the possibility of a second film with the same characters causing noise on the other side. The program was produced by Ballyhoo Motion Pictures. In English, not subtitled. (20 min)

• "Things to Write in Denver When You're Dead" - in this exclusive new program, screenwriter Scott Rosenberg recalls how he ended up in Los Angeles and started writing, and discusses the original ideas that became the foundation of his screenplay for Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead, his collaboration with Gary Fleder, the great cast that was assembled for the film, the unique slang and the overlapping of comedy and drama, etc. There are some very interesting comments about the tightening up of the narrative, which was structured differently in the screenplay, and the manner in which it hurts the romance between Andy Garcia and Gabrielle Anwar. The program was produced by Ballyhoo Motion Pictures. In English, not subtitled. (16 min)

• "Things to Direct in Denver When You're Dead" - in this exclusive new program, director Gary Fleder recalls the exact moment during the early 1990s when Miramax became involved with Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead and he went to work on it, Tony Scott's attempt to take over the film, how Pulp Fiction permanently overshadowed it, the arrival of Andy Garcia and how it legitimized the project, etc. There are some terrific comments about the casting of Treat Williams and Roger Ebert's take on the film as well. The program was produced by Ballyhoo Motion Pictures. In English, not subtitled. (18 min)

• "Things to Design in Denver When You're Dead" - in this exclusive new program, production designer Nelson Coates discusses some of the things that needed to be accomplished during the pre-production process, the unique locations in Denver that were chosen for key sequences, the bar and stage that was created for Buddy Guy's performance, and the promotional campaigns for the film in America and Europe. The program was produced by Ballyhoo Motion Pictures. In English, not subtitled. (24 min)

Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

It was very interesting to hear Gary Fleder's comments about Roger Ebert's contrasting takes on Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead because I remember extremely well how quickly the film lost steam, but the famous critic wasn't the only one that did not get it. To this day, there are plenty of people that like to compare Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead to Pulp Fiction, which is pretty bizarre because they deal with completely different themes. I think that Scott Rosenberg's screenplay is pure dynamite and remarkably thought-provoking as well, so if the sequel Andy Garcia mentions ever materializes, I will be rushing to see it on opening day. Via Vision Entertainment's Blu-ray release is sourced from an older but very nice organic master and features a terrific selection of exclusive new bonus features. It is Region-Free as well. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.