6.8 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 2.0 | |
Overall | 2.0 |
Two suburban couples experiment with sex, drugs and bohemia in early 1970's Los Angeles.
Starring: Anna Biller, Bridget Brno, Jared Sanford, Veronica Alicino, Sam BolognaDrama | 100% |
Musical | 8% |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 2.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 2.0 |
Anna Biller's "Viva" (2007) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The supplemental features on the disc include audio commentary by Anna Biller, documentary on the making of the film, and original trailer. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.
The bored housewife
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Viva arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber.
The lush visuals this film produces can be quite deceiving because they can trick untrained eyes to send a message to the brain that all is good. Unfortunately, the current master has a pretty disappointing digital appearance that reminds of the older problematic masters that frequently emerge from Universal's vaults. For example, delineation is surprisingly underwhelming, so on a larger screen you will easily recognize that many fine nuances are lost. Oddly enough, there is even some light smearing that sneaks in, so depth can be problematic as well (see screencapture #15). Some of the primary colors are very bright and rich, but the supporting nuances are very shaky. Darker nuances are the most problematic ones, but lighter nuances in areas with plenty of light can be expanded and rebalanced as well. Image stability is very good. All in all, I am actually a bit surprised that Viva looks as it does on Blu-ray because it was completed in 2007, so I expected a much more healthy technical presentation. (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).
There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.
The original sound design is very basic, but everything is rock-solid. The dialog is crystal-clear, clean, and very easy to follow. Balance is excellent as well. Obviously, dynamic contrasts are very, very modest, but there are a few bits of music that are effective. Stability is excellent. There are no encoding anomalies to report in our review.
I tried really, really hard to like Viva because on paper it sounded like a throwback project that might have been inspired by some of Radley Metzger's quirky films. I was barely able to finish it. The acting, directing and editing are so bad I am genuinely surprised that it was screened at a few festivals. If the official description of Viva sounds intriguing to you, explore some of Metzger's films from the 1970s, like The Lickerish Quartet, Score, and The Image. These films are gorgeously crafted and look beautiful on Blu-ray. From there, if you haven't already done so, you can easily transition to Luis Bunuel's classic Belle de Jour.
2018
Slipcover Edition Limited to 2,500 | SOLD OUT
1973
1989
2016
Limited Edition of 1500
1976
2006
Collector's Edition
1977
1989
45th Anniversary Edition
1979
1964
1975
1971
2023
1979
Slipcover in Original Pressing
1978
Unholy Terror
1971
1979
1978
1995
1988