La Cérémonie – The Criterion Collection (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: France/Germany, 1995
Director: Claude Chabrol
Writers: Claude Chabrol, Caroline Eliacheff
Cast: Isabelle Huppert, Sandrine Bonnaire, Jean-Pierre Cassel, Jacqueline Bisset, Virginie Ledoyen, Valentin Merlet, Julien Rochefort

Release Date: November 21st, 2023
Approximate Running Time: 112 Minutes 11 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVCC
Rating: NR
Sound: LPCM Stereo French
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A
Retail Price: $39.95

"a small-town postal worker and a maid to a wealthy family, a pair of outsiders who form a mysterious alliance that gradually, almost imperceptibly, goes haywire." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.25/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, “This new digital master was created from the 35mm original camera negative, which was scanned in 4K resolution by MK2 at Eclair Classics.”

La Cérémonie comes on a 50 GBdual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 42.6 GB

Feature: 28.7 GB

Though the colors look different when compared to this film’s previous home media releases, it is not as off-putting as some on the internet have suggested. That said, I prefer how they look on this release. Flesh tones look healthy, imager clarity and black levels are strong, compression is very good, and grain remains intact.

Audio: 5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM stereo mix in French with removable English subtitles. The audio sounds excellent; dialog is clear, everything sounds balanced, and, range-wise, ambient sounds are well represented.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer (1 minute 1 second, Dolby Digital mono French with non-removable English subtitles), an episode of the Criterion Channel series Observations on Film Art about the use of offscreen sound that focuses on La Cérémonie (9 minutes 24 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English with non-removable English subtitles for French film clips), an archival interview with screenwriter Caroline Eliacheff (9 minutes 24 seconds, Dolby Digital mono French with non-removable English subtitles), an archival extra titled Isabelle Huppert and Claude Chabrol: Crossed Portraits featuring actress Isabelle Huppert and director Claude Chabrol who discuss their collaborative process (22 minutes 5 seconds, Dolby Digital mono French with non-removable English subtitles), an archival featurette titled The Making of “La Cérémonie” featuring Claude Chabrol, Isabelle Huppert, and Sandrine Bonaire (18 minutes 35 seconds, Dolby Digital mono French with non-removable English subtitles), an interview with actress Sandrine Bonnaire (12 minutes 33 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo French with removable English subtitles), an archival selected-scene audio commentary with Claude Chabrol (29 minutes 3 seconds, Dolby Digital mono French with non-removable English subtitles), an interview with filmmaker Bong Jong Ho who discusses the cinema of Claude Chabrol (12 minutes 59 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Korean with removable English subtitles), and a leaflet with an essay titled Domestic Disturbances written by Sarah Weinman and information about the restoration.

Summary:

Claude Chabrol, like Alfred Hitchcock, is one of the few filmmakers who truly mastered suspense films. When it came to the way they crafted a narrative, they were both meticulous. They knew how to create peaks and valleys that never disrupted momentum. And their ability to guide the viewer to what they wanted them to pay attention to is second to none. That said, nothing in a Claude Chabrol or Alfred Hitchcock film ever feels forced.

An affluent family who lives in an isolated mansion in the countryside hires a new maid. Despite fitting in with the family, things start to unravel as she tries to conceal a dark secret from her past. Everything comes to a head when she forms a strong bond with a troublemaker postal clerk who encourages her to rebel against her employers.

The art of deception is an integral part of the cinema of Claude Chabrol, and La Cérémonie is a film overflowing with it. Though most of the characters are well-defined and it's clear where they stand, when it comes to the protagonist Sophie, the new maid, she is an enigma. The uncertainty about who Sophie really is does not come about because of the secrets she hides; she's a chameleon who effortlessly shifts her persona to fit the situation.

Performance-wise, the entire cast is excellent, especially Sandrine Bonnaire (Vagabond) in the role of Sophie and Isabelle Huppert (Story of Women) in the role of the troublemaking postal worker. They have a tremendous amount of chemistry, and the scenes they share are the most riveting. Another performance of note is Virginie Ledoyen’s (The Beach) portrayal of Melinda, the daughter with her own secret that she’s trying to conceal.

Most of Claude Chabrol’s films are in the suspense genre, and yet these films were often more than just standard fare mysteries. He was a filmmaker who often interjected social commentary in the story that was unfolding. La Cérémonie explores themes like family, good vs. evil, loneliness, and classism. In the case of the latter, classism is a theme that Claude Chabrol would often return to throughout his career.

From a production standpoint, La Cérémonie is a film where everything falls into place. The perfectly constructed narrative moves at a deliberate pace, and a double twist finale provides an exemplary coda to the events that have unfolded. Though there are a few striking moments visually, Claude Chabrol’s direction lets the characters take center stage. Ultimately, La Cérémonie is an extraordinary film that slowly draws you in, makes you think it's going one way, only to climax with a moment of truth that hits you like a sledgehammer.

La Cérémonie gets a solid release from The Criterion Collection that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and informative extras, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

The Hitcher: Limited Edition – Second Sight Films (UHD/Blu-ray Combo)

Theatrical Release Date: USA, 1986
Director: Robert Harmon
Writer: Eric Red
Cast: Rutger Hauer, C. Thomas Howell, Jennifer Jason Leigh

Release Date: September 30th, 2024
Approximate running times: 97 Minutes 26 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 Widescreen / 2160 Progressive / HEVC / H.265 / Dolby Vision HDR10
Rating: 15 (UK)
Sound: Dolby Atmos English, DTS-HD Stereo English
Subtitles: English SDH
Region Coding: Region Free (UHD)/Region B (Blu-Ray)
Retail Price: £49.99 (UK)

"A would-be samaritan picks up a hitchhiker and soon discovers the man is a relentless serial killer. Framed by the cold-blooded murderer for a string of slayings, his only help comes from a caring waitress as they attempt to flee from both the law and the hitcher." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 5/5 (4K UHD), 4.5/5 (Blu-ray)

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "A new 4k restoration by Second Sight Films from the original camera negative supervised and approved by Director Robert Harmon."

The Hitcher comes on a 100 GB triple layer 4K UHD.

Disc Size: 91.1 GB

Feature: 70.5 GB

This new transfer of The Hitcher film is a revelation, improving its previous home media treatments. Second Sight Films has done a phenomenal job; the source looks exceptional, and this is yet another solid encode from Fidelity in Motion. Flesh tones and colors look correct, image clarity, contrast, black levels, and compression are solid, and the image always looks organic. That said, there are many moments that take place in the dark—almost pitch black—and this transfer does a superb job handling them.

The Hitcher comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 45.9 GB

Feature: 27.4 GB

The Blu-ray included as part of this release uses the same source that was used for the 4K UHD’s transfer.

Audio: 5/5 (Dolby Atmos English, DTS-HD Stereo English)

This release comes with two audio options, a DTS-HD stereo mix in English and a Dolby Atmos track in English. The audio tracks sound excellent with clear dialog, balanced sounds, well-presented ambient sounds, and robust delivery when required. That said, you can’t go wrong with either audio track. Included are removable English SDH.

Extras:

Extras on the 4K UHD disc include three theatrical trailers (5 minutes 14 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), an archival documentary titled The Hitcher: How do these movies get made? (38 minutes 6 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), a short film directed by Eric Red titled Telephone (26 minutes 25 seconds, 1.33:1 aspect ratio, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with director Robert Harmon titled The Calling Card, he discusses his short film China Lake and its connection to The Hitcher (15 minutes 15 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), a short film directed by Robert Harmon titled China Lake (34 minutes 48 seconds, 2.39:1 aspect ratio, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), a video essay by Leigh Singer titled Duel Runner, he discusses the evolution of The Hitcher and Rutger Hauer (19 minutes 55 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with composer Mark Isham titled A Very Formative Score (15 minutes 30 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with cinematographer John Seale titled The Man from Oz (9 minutes 40 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with C. Thomas Howell titled Doomed to Live (28 minutes 19 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with screenwriter Eric Red titled Penning the Ripper (41 minutes 9 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with Robert Harmon titled Bullseye (41 minutes 29 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), The Projection Booth Podcast: featuring Robert Harmon and Rutger Hauer, this extra plays out like an audio commentary track, a scene specific audio commentary with Robert Harmon, Eric Red, Executive Producer Edward S Feldman, Mark Isham, John Seale and Actors Rutger Hauer and C. Thomas Howell (51 minutes 55 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an audio commentary with Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, and an audio commentary with Robert Harmon and Eric Red.

The Blu-ray disc has all of the same extras that are on the 4K UHD disc.

Other extras include a rigid slipcase, 6 collectors' art cards, a book with Eric Red’s original screenplay, and a 200-page hardback book with cast & crew information, an exclusive interview with director Robert Harmon conducted by Lou Thomas, as essay titled The Devil Thumbs a Ride written by Jon Towlson, as essay titled Tall Dark Stranger: Robert Harmon’s The Hitcher, an essay titled I Want You to Stop Me: Masculinity in the Films of Eric Red written by Craig Ian Mann, an exclusive interview with writer Eric Red conducted by Matthew Thrift, Behind the Scenes Stills, an essay titled Dangerous Intimacy: The Queerness of The Hitcher written by David Kittredge, an essay titled The Immovable Object Meets the Unstoppable Force: Ambiguity, Duality and the Silent Landscape in The Hitcher written by Rebecca McCallum, an essay titled Road to Ruin: Traversing an Allegorical Nightmare Through Violence and Genre written by Meagan Navarro, an essay titled On the Highway to Hell with The Hitcher written by Marc Weinberg, and acknowledgments & Production Credits.

Summary:

Robert Harmon directed The Hitcher. He is also known for directing Nowhere to Run, Gotti, and Highwaymen.

A psychopath hitchhiker stalks a young man driving across America, framing him for crimes he didn't commit.

The Hitcher is a film that could have gone in a myriad of directions with a different director or casting changes. This is especially clear when it comes to director Robert Harmon, who was making his feature film debut with The Hitcher. His choices when it comes to the visuals and how he saw the story greatly enhance what in lesser hands could have been a by-the-numbers body count film.

The Hitcher begins in pitch black, before a single match brings some light into the frame. In these opening moments a young man picks up a hitchhiker, and things quickly spiral out of control. In such a short time, the narrative does a phenomenal job establishing the two main players in the story that unfolds. That said, the narrative jumps right in with an intensity that’s relentless.

All around, everyone involved with The Hitcher is at the top of their game. When it comes to casting, The Hitcher is a textbook example of how important it is to find the right actor. Performance-wise, the entire cast is excellent, especially the three leads. That said, Rutger Hauer’s (Blade Runner) towering portrayal of the psychopath hitchhiker overshadows all the other performances.

As mentioned before, the visuals are outstanding, and they play a significant role in the story that unfolds. Some standout moments include a shot where the hitchhiker gets up from a pavement after being thrown from a car, Jennifer Jason Leigh’s character's death scene, and a scene where the hitchhiker jumps through a moving car's window. Every moment is filled with striking imagery; not a single inch of any frame is wasted.

For such a violent, bloody film, The Hitcher is filled with beautiful compositions. So much of The Hitcher takes place in wide-open scenic landscapes that reinforce characters' isolation. And though the carnage is front and center, there are a few exemplary action set pieces. Ultimately, The Hitcher is an unsettling thriller that is rich in subtext and never loses its potency no matter how many times you watch it.

The Hitcher gets a definitive release from Second Sight Films, highly recommended.

Note about the 4K screenshots: It is not possible to make Dolby Vision or HDR10 screenshots that faithfully match the experience of watching a film in motion on a TV. Instead of not having any screenshots, all of the 4K screenshots are m2ts taken with a MPC-HC player and lossless PNGs.

 

Written by Michael Den Boer

The Story of G.I. Joe – Ignite Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: USA, 1945
Director: William A. Wellman
Writers: Charles Brackett, Billy Wilder
Cast: Burgess Meredith, Robert Mitchum, Freddie Steele, Wally Cassell, Jimmy Lloyd, John R. Reilly, William Murphy

Release Date: December 10th, 2024
Approximate Running Time: 109 Minutes 31 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1 Aspect Ratio / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: LPCM Mono English
Subtitles: English SDH
Region Coding: Region A
Retail Price: $34.95

"Embark on an unforgettable journey through the harrowing yet heartwarming landscapes of WWII with The Story of G.I. Joe. Directed by William A. Wellman and based on the true-life experiences of renowned war correspondent and columnist Ernie Pyle, this cinematic masterpiece immerses you in the camaraderie, courage, and sacrifices of the brave soldiers of the Company C, 18th Infantry.." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "The Story of G.I. Joe (1945) was photochemically restored in 1999 by the Academy Film Archive with funding provided by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the Golden Globe Foundation and The Film Foundation. A 2K scane was created from the photochemically restored element."

The Story of G.I. Joe comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 37.1 GB

Feature: 29.9 GB

Though the bulk of this transfer looks great, the last reel uses a lesser 16mm source. Image clarity is solid, contrast and black levels are strong, there are no issues with compression, and the image retains an organic look.

Audio: 3.75/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in English with removable English SDH. Though dialog comes through clearly and everything sounds balanced, range-wise, things sound limited.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an image gallery (34 images - stills/lobby cards/posters/other promotional materials), original nitrate trailer (2 minutes 32 seconds, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), a re-construction of the original 1945 trailer (2 minutes 55 seconds, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), a new featurette on the restoration by film restoration supervisor Greg Kimble titled The Story of The Story of G.I. Joe (7 minutes, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with Bill Wellman Jr. (16 minutes 20 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), and a video essay by author and filmmaker Scout Tafoya 'Here he lies where he longed to be...' Wild Bill's Dog Face Blues (16 minutes 15 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles).

Summary:

William A. Wellman directed The Story of G.I. Joe. He is also known for directing Wings, The Public Enemy, Nothing Scared, and The Ox-Bow Incident.

The Story of G.I. Joe is based on journalist and war correspondent Ernie Pyle’s reports from North Africa and Italy. The Story of G.I. Joe is a tribute to the American infantryman (aka G.I. Joe) of C Company, 18th Infantry, who saw combat in Tunisia and Italy. Though some of the cast are made-up actors, 150 actual soldiers appeared in The Story of G.I. Joe. Besides helping actors prepare for their roles, many of the soldiers were given dialog.

The Story of G.I. Joe has a documentary-in-the moment vibe, which greatly enhances its realism. The characters are the focal point, and the performances are all outstanding. Though Burgess Meredith (Rocky) is perfect in the role of Ernie Pyle, it is Robert Mitchum’s (The Night of the Hunter) portrayal of Lt. Walker that steals the show. This would be a breakout role for Robert Mitchum in which he would receive his one and only Oscar nomination.

From a production standpoint, there is no area where The Story of G.I. Joe does not excel. The solid production design, blown-out buildings, enhances authenticity, and the battle sequences are exemplary. Also, William A. Wellman's direction is never showy; he lets the characters take center stage. Ultimately, The Story of G.I. Joe is a powerful and unflinching portrayal of war.

The Story of G.I. Joe gets an excellent release from Ignite Films that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and informative extras, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

The Giant Spider Invasion – Dark Force Entertainment (4k UHD)

Theatrical Release Date: USA, 1975
Director: Bill Rebane
Writers: Richard L. Huff, Robert Easton
Cast: Steve Brodie, Barbara Hale, Robert Easton, Leslie Parrish, Alan Hale Jr., Bill Williams, Kevin Brodie, Christiane Schmidtmer 

Release Date: December 10th, 2024
Approximate Running Time: 79 Minutes 46 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio / 2160 Progressive / HEVC / H.265 / HDR10
Rating: PG
Sound: DTS-HD Mono English
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $39.95

"giant arachnids from outer space begin to invade Earth after a huge black hole appears in a farmer's field outside a small town in Wisconsin. A NASA scientist deduces the invasion is the result of some sort of intergalactic gateway and devises a plan to stop the huge, hairy, creeping crawlers from devouring the local population.." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 5/5

The Giant Spider Invasion comes on a 66 GB dual layer 4K UHD.

Disc Size: 58.4 GB

Feature: 57.7 GB

The source looks excellent; colors are nicely saturated, image clarity, black levels, and compression are solid, and the image retains an organic look.

Audio:

This release comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD mono mix in English with removable English subtitles. Any limitations of the audio are related to its low budget. That said, the dialog comes through clear enough to follow, and range-wise, things sound very good.

Extras:

Extras for this release are limited to an audio commentary titled Demon Dave & Joe’s 'Savage Tracks Vol 3’ with ‘Demon’ Dave DeFalco, Joe Rubin, actors Doug Dunning and Randy Cognata.

Summary:

Giant spiders from another dimension invade a rural town in Wisconsin.

The creative force behind The Giant Spider Invasion is Bill Rebane, a DOY filmmaker, and though most of his films were shot in Wisconsin, he was able to get name actors to appear in his films. Many of his films succeed because his imagination exceeds any budget or other limitations. Case in point: The Giant Spider Invasion, a film that features a solid premise, and it is overflowing with enthusiasm.

When it comes to Z-grade cinema, far too many people go into these films with negative thoughts. And though many of these films deserve the scorn they get, there are far too many instances to count of films that are actually a lot of fun when given a fair shake. That said, it's best to go into these types of films with tempered expectations.

The most surprising aspect of The Giant Spider Invasion is its cast and how entertaining their performances are. There are several notable cast members: Barbara Hale (Perry Mason), who portrays a scientist, and Alan Hale Jr. (Gilligan's Island), who portrays a bumbling sheriff. In the case of the latter, his character and the absurd-looking giant spiders provide all of the humor.

From a production standpoint, The Giant Spider Invasion is arguably Bill Rebane’s most polished film. The premise is well-executed, and at just under 80 minutes, the narrative never overstays its welcome. Other strengths include strong visuals, and the score does a great job reinforcing the mood. Ultimately, The Giant Spider Invasion is a fun film in the style of 1950s sci-fi.

The Giant Spider Invasion gets a first-rate release from Dark Force Entertainment that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and an entertaining audio commentary, highly recommended.

Note about the 4K screenshots: It is not possible to make Dolby Vision or HDR10 screenshots that faithfully match the experience of watching a film in motion on a TV. Instead of not having any screenshots, all of the 4K screenshots are m2ts taken with a MPC-HC player and lossless PNGs.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Silent Bite – Cleopatra Entertainment (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: USA, 2024
Director: Taylor Martin
Writer: Simon Phillips
Cast: Luke Avoledo, Nick Biskupek, Camille Blott, Louisa Capulet, Sayla de Goede, Dan Molson, Simon Phillips, Chad Ridgely, Kelly Schwartz, Sienna Star, Michael Swatton, Paul Whitney

Release Date: November 12th, 2024
Approximate Running Time: 90 Minutes 8 seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 English, LPCM Stereo English
Subtitles: English SDH
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $24.95

"'Twas the heist before Christmas. A team of bank robbers attempt to lay low after robbing the town's bank on Christmas Eve. A down on his luck motel manager agrees to let them spend the night, for a small slice of their ill gotten gains. But the robbers are surprised to find out that they aren't the only people keeping a low profile in the hotel that night; four gorgeous apparent women. The men sense a trap, as anything too good to be true usually is just that. They soon discover the women are all vampires and are very interested in having them for Christmas dinner. Forced not to raise the alarm the men must survive the night, but a difficult choice plagues Blake when he discovers a female hostage who is mid transformation to vampire life." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.25/5

Silent Bite comes on a 25 GB single layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 21.1 GB

Feature: 17.6 GB

The material used for this transfer is in excellent shape. Flesh tones and colors look correct, image clarity and black levels are strong, and compression is very good.

Audio: 4.5/5 (LPCM Stereo English)

This release comes with two audio options, a Dolby Digital 5.1 mix in English and a LPCM stereo mix in English. For this review I only listened to the LPCM stereo audio track. The audio sounds excellent; dialog comes through clearly, and everything sounds balanced and robust when it should. Included are removable English SDH.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a slideshow with music from the film playing in the background, a trailer for Silent Bite (1 minute 19 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), and eight unrelated trailers for films also released by Cleopatra Entertainment.

Summary:

Four bank robbers lay low in a motel after a big heist believed to be empty, only to discover there are vampires waiting to prey upon them.

Silent Bite is yet another in a long tradition of Yuletide horror films. Its narrative pits criminals dressed in Santa suits against vampires. Though there are elements in Silent Bite that have been in countless other horror films, the result is a film that never falls into the by-the-numbers trappings that plagued so many modern horror films.

The opening setup draws you in, and the middle section builds anticipation for a bloodletting finale. There is a cat-and-mouse game going on between the criminals and vampires, where the latter is in no hurry to kill their prey. Another strength of the narrative is its ability to build and maintain tension. That said, most of the carnage takes place in the last 30 minutes.

The fully developed characters aid the performers in delivering compelling performances. The strongest performance is Simon Phillips’ (who also wrote the screenplay) portrayal of Father Christmas, the leader of the criminals. The most memorable performance is Sayla de Goede, who portrays Mother, the leader of a group of female vampires.

From a production standpoint, Silent Bite is a film that fully exploits all of its resources. The premise is superbly realized, and a well-constructed narrative where things move quickly. Another strength is the visuals, which do an excellent job of reinforcing the mood. The soundtrack features rock versions of the Christmas songs. Ultimately, Silent Bite is a highly entertaining film that offers something unique in a genre overflowing with films that lack creativity.

Silent Bite gets a strong audio/video presentation from Cleopatra Entertainment, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer