This Is Not a Movie Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.5

This Is Not a Movie Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov August 6, 2012

Screened at the Morelia International Film Festival, Mexican director Olallo Rubio's "This Is Not A Movie" (2011) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The supplemental features on the disc include the film's original theatrical trailer; gallery of deleted scenes; and exclusive video interviews with actor Peter Coyote and ex-Guns ‘N’ Roses guitarist Slash. In English, without optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

"A paranoid is someone who knows a little of what's going on. A psychotic is a guy who's just found out what's going on." William S. Burroughs

Pete Nelson (Edward Furlong, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, American History X) has arrived in Las Vegas where he intends to witness the end of the world. He is a paranoid amnesiac who loves to drink and smoke. He also likes guns and girls. He’s never met God but has a good feeling that the right time to do so is finally coming.

Most TV stations have already stopped reporting news from around the world, but there are still plenty of loud commercials. Some of them annoy Pete, while some make him think about the past and The System. Like everyone else he was trained by The System to consume as much as he could, buy plenty he did not need, fantasize about things he could not afford. Like everyone else he was told what to fear, what to respect and what not to tolerate. The System had managed to brainwash him, numb his feelings, and kill his desire to be an individual. Now that The System has stopped working, Pete has suddenly realized that he might have lived someone else’s life, possibly dreamed someone else’s dreams.

But did he? And does it really matter now?

In the lavish hotel room where he has been drinking and thinking about the past, Pete is soon joined by an unshaved cowboy and a bubbly punk rocker, both looking just like him, both insisting that they are parts of him. Like Pete, the cowboy and the rocker look jaded and disillusioned, sad that the world is coming to an end, not pleased that they have been used by The System. They begin debating their triumphs and failures, The System’s strengths and weaknesses, the way things were and how they will likely end. Occasionally, they get mad at each other and then wonder why they never managed to see what they could see now. Pete, the most cynical of the three, eventually pulls out a gun and threatens to use it. But before he does, the Ghost of Jimmy ( Edi Gathegi) joins the debates. Jimmy is an old friend who some time ago got drunk and suffocated in his own vomit. He also got stuck in Sin City.

While taking a nap, Pete is invited to step on the other side. Somewhat surprised, he asks if the voice belongs to God. The answer surprises him - and then it annoys him. In the middle of a giant desert, Pete enters what appears to be a spaceship, ready to greet the owner of the voice.

This low-budget film directed by Mexican helmer Olallo Rubio reminds a lot about the work of Lech Majewski, and in particular his Gospel According to Harry. Rubio’s surrealistic outbursts, however, are not as bold as those seen in Majewski’s films. The occasional jabs at organized religion, politics, and consumerism also lack the proper weight.

Nevertheless, the film is very entertaining. Furlong looks great as the paranoid loser, the wacky cowboy, and the energetic rocker. A few of his monologues, however, could have been polished better. The second half of the film also should have been a lot more bizarre. This is the type of film that could get away with just about anything, so why not go as far as possible?

Peter Coyote has a small but memorable cameo appearance. He ties the loose ends of Pete’s nightmares in convincing fashion, but the finale could and should have been crazier.

The film is complimented by a dark and heavily atmospheric score courtesy of ex-Guns ‘N’ Roses guitarist Slash.

Note: This Is Not A Movie was screened at the 8th Morelia International Film Festival.

This Is Not a Movie Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.34:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Olallo Rubio's This Is Not A Movie arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Horizon Movies/Kung Fu Films/Kino Lorber.

This low-budget film looks very good on Blu-ray. Detail and clarity are consistently pleasing despite the fact that there are various modest special effects that are used during the more outrageous sequences. Occasionally, it is quite easy to tell where some image manipulations have been performed, but there are no serious strictly transfer-specific anomalies to report in this review. The black and white sequences look sharp and crisp, while the color sequences look appropriately vibrant. Generally speaking, contrast levels are stable. Edge-enhancement is not a serious issue of concern. However, there are a few sequences where the bright lights and their reflections almost create the impression that some sharpening corrections have been applied (see the effect during the split-screen montage). Lastly, there are no serious stability issues to report in this review. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location).

This Is Not a Movie Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one audio track on this Blu-ray disc: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. For the record, Kino Lorber have not provided optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature.

This Is Not A Movie is complimented by an excellent soundtrack courtesy of rock legend Slash. Fortunately, the lossless track is just as impressive, allowing the music to truly take over the film whenever possible. Generally speaking, balance is good, but there are a few short sequences where it feels like dynamic levels are slightly elevated. Not having seen the film theatrically, I assume that the effect is intended, as these sequences do tend to look like bizarre TV commercials. The dialog is crisp and clear, but optional English subtitles should have been provided for those who might need them. There are no problematic pops, cracks, distortions, or audio dropouts.

This Is Not a Movie Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Trailer - original theatrical trailer for This Is Not A Movie. In English, not subtitled. (3 min, 1080p).

• Stills Gallery - a collection of stills from the film. (1080p).

• Deleted Scenes - in English, not subtitled.
  
  1. Pete Goes to Hell (5 min, 1080p).
  2. Shock Absorber (2 min, 1080p).
  3. The Day After (5 min, 1080p).
  4. Why God (6 min, 1080p).

• Interviews - actor Peter Coyote and Slash discuss what makes This Is Not A Movie a unique film, Olallo Rubio's interesting script, the atmospheric soundtrack, the special effects, etc. The interviews contain small spoilers, so it is best to see them after watching the film. In English, not subtitled.
  
  1. Peter Coyote (26 min, 1080p).
  2. Slash (19 min, 1080p).

• Trailers - trailers for other Horizon Movies productions.

This Is Not a Movie Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Olallo Rubio's This Is Not A Movie is a bold and original film that accomplishes a lot with very little. Conventional minds are guaranteed to have a difficult time appreciating its style and audacity, but viewers willing to experiment with material that isn't filled with clichés will enjoy it. Kino Lorber's presentation of the film is very good. The Blu-ray also contains two excellent interviews with Peter Coyote and Slash. RECOMMENDED.