Scissors Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Scissors" features an AVC encoded 1080p image with a 1.85:1 aspect ratio that carefully preserves the film's period look. The presentation retains pleasing detail levels, especially in close-ups and textures, despite being sourced from an older scan. Colors are slightly muted, reflecting the film's intended stylistic choices, though primary hues like reds gain prominence in pivotal scenes to enhance psychological intensity. Skintones remain natural, though hues overall aren't particularly vibrant.

While there is some film grain retained to offer a passably clean, filmic authenticity, the grain structure can be notably noisy in darker scenes. These instances can be somewhat distracting but do not detract significantly from the overall viewing experience. Detailed elements like clothing and facial features are consistently well-rendered, contributing to a balanced visual presentation. There are no evident compression artifacts, although slight edge enhancement is present. Black levels maintain depth and clarity without signs of contrast boosting, ensuring shadowy thriller sequences retain essential frame information. The 1080p transfer does a commendable job given the source material, providing viewers with a high-definition, era-appropriate visual representation.

The DTS-HD MA 2.0 audio mix for "Scissors" delivers a largely commendable performance, with an unwavering score that aptly underscores the film's moments without overshadowing the dramatic elements. Instrumentation and music maintain their presence, contributing effectively to the film’s atmosphere. Dialogue clarity stands out, with clean exchanges that avoid slipping into distortion, even during heightened emotional scenes. The track does an impressive job of supporting room acoustics through subtle echo, and while atmospherics are modest, elements like street life are adequately portrayed. Notably, silences are pristine, although the track demands a bit more volume to align with standard listening expectations.

While the audio presentation isn't groundbreaking, it competently meets expectations. Some dialogue moments notably sound flat and canned, betraying their post-production dubbing origins. This is particularly evident in scenes with Steve Railsback, where the authenticity of dialogue exchanges suffers from a slight hollowness and off-pacing. Fortunately, these issues are minimal and do not significantly detract from the overall experience. Imaging within the track offers adequate channel movement to maintain genuine scene dynamics. Additionally, the levels are well balanced, focusing on midranges to ensure a consistent auditory experience without frequent volume adjustments.

The Blu-Ray release of "Scissors" offers a selective, yet intriguing collection of trailers that harken back to the nostalgic charm and stylistic quirks of older films. While there isn't an array of behind-the-scenes features or commentary tracks, the provided trailers serve as effective palate cleansers, transporting viewers to a different era of filmmaking characterized by its unique promotional style. The trailers effectively set up their respective films with a blend of nostalgia and curiosity-inducing content, although there's a noticeable range in presentation quality, from softer, older footage to more polished HD upgrades.

Extras included in this disc:

• Heart of Midnight Trailer: A goofy looking trailer for a potentially enjoyable cheap thrill.
• Jennifer Trailer: Sets up an interesting thriller with an engaging presentation.
• To All A Goodnight Trailer: Features a cheesy horror movie with a killer Santa, capturing the fun essence of older trailers.
• Burnt Offerings Trailer: Promising cast in an older, softer-looking trailer that nonetheless excites with its potential.

"Scissors," a 1991 psychological thriller starring Sharon Stone, represents an uneven chapter in her pre-stardom career. Directed by Frank De Felitta, this film attempts to blend Hitchcockian influences with provocative themes of sexual repression and psychological turmoil but ultimately falters in its execution. Sharon Stone portrays Angie, a psychologically fragile woman recovering from a traumatic attack in her apartment elevator. Despite an evidently committed performance, Stone is left stranded by a screenplay that vacillates between unconvincing suspense and unintended camp.

The film inaugurates with an intriguing premise: Angie, who leads an isolated life restoring antique dolls, is sexually assaulted by a man with a red beard. Defending herself with scissors, she finds solace in neighbor Alex (Steve Railsback), who has his own complexities, including a disabled twin brother, Cole (also Railsback). Compounding Angie's vulnerability is a therapist (Ronny Cox) who ineffectively addresses her trauma by fixating on her sexual repression. The narrative's intended tension dissipates as character motivations appear arbitrary and convoluted, with seemingly significant elements like Cole's aggression and bizarre paintings introduced but never fully explored.

Technical efforts such as Alfi Kabiljo's dedicated score aim to inject intensity but can't compensate for the film's structural weaknesses. "Scissors" aspires to be a deep psychological dissection but instead descends into a mishmash of inconsistent tones and superficial plot devices. Angie's journey from paranoia to entrapment in a stranger's apartment brings the film to its thematic climax but results in more confusion than suspense. Ultimately, "Scissors" is marred by disjointed storytelling and underwhelming dramatic payoff, making it less an effective thriller and more of a curiosity in Sharon Stone's evolving career.

"Scissors" unfolds as a convoluted psychological thriller, imbued with a rich but ultimately disjointed narrative. In the second half, the protagonist Angie is confined within a lavish L.A. apartment, navigating a maze of suspenseful, yet sometimes implausible, scenarios. Director Frank De Felitta attempts to build tension through long sequences focusing on Angie's desperate escape attempts, while broader storylines involving characters like Alex and Dr. Carter add depth but also fragmentation. The film's final minutes are packed with twists intended to shock, yet many of these reveal more unanswered questions than resolutions, leaving the audience with a sense of incomplete storytelling.

Technically, Kino Lorber has provided a respectable Blu-ray release. The image quality represents a clear improvement over its DVD counterpart, though it may not astound high-definition aficionados. The audio track delivers effectively, capturing the film's atmosphere and jump scares aptly. A significant downside is the lack of substantial extras, limited only to a gallery of trailers for other releases, which leaves much to be desired in terms of home entertainment value.

In conclusion, "Scissors" is best suited for Sharon Stone aficionados or those with a keen interest in psychological thrillers—viewers who don't mind a bit of narrative chaos for the sake of a few compelling moments. While this Kino Lorber Blu-ray release serves as an upgrade in terms of technical presentation, it falls short in supplemental content. Approach with tempered expectations; it’s a worthy rental rather than an outright purchase.