Cougars Inc. Blu-ray Review

"Cougars, Inc." arrives on Blu-ray with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The picture quality is characterized by a high-definition look [likely captured using the Red camera], which lacks texture and depth, resulting in an overall smooth appearance. Unfortunately, the film suffers from a noticeably aggressive color correction, leading to overly saturated hues and inconsistent color balance. Notably, this results in a pervasive brownish tint across several scenes and coppery skin tones that feel significantly off, even affecting pale-skinned actors. Although exterior scenes occasionally pop with robust saturation, interior shots frequently endure crush and murkiness.

The transfer quality is average at best. Sharpness levels are adequate in some scenes but overall fail to deliver any striking visual impact, resulting in a flat image that lacks dimensionality. Black levels exhibit slight crushing, contributing further to the image’s two-dimensional quality, and casting a dull shadow over key interiors. It’s worth mentioning that the transfer remains free of technical artifacts like noise or banding, which is a positive note. Nevertheless, the oversaturation and color imbalance are persistent issues that detract significantly from the viewing experience.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix of "Cougars Inc." offers a dynamic and robust audio experience, though it leans heavily on front-channel activity. The source cues are reproduced with significant low-end presence and impressive fidelity, making the music tracks stand out with clarity. Dialogue is presented very clearly, but there are instances where it can feel overbearing and somewhat harsh. This front-heavy mix underutilizes the surround channels, resulting in an experience that lacks full immersion.

Ambient sounds, such as those in lively party scenes, do permeate the rear channels, adding depth to specific moments. However, this is sporadically applied and does not contribute to a consistently enveloping audio atmosphere. Despite this, the mix manages to maintain excellent fidelity and a varied dynamic range. Low-frequency effects (LFE), though not overwhelming, are effectively integrated, primarily enhancing the film's soundtrack rather than driving home any impactful sound design.

In summary, while the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix for "Cougars Inc." excels in certain technical areas such as fidelity and dynamic range, its front-centric approach and occasionally harsh dialogue mixing prevent it from delivering a fully immersive audio experience. This is a characteristic blend often found in dialogue-driven comedies, providing what is expected without exceeding expectations.

The Blu-ray extras for "Cougars Inc." provide a mixed bag in terms of content and quality. The Feature Commentary with writer-director K. Asher Levin, actors Kyle Gallner, and Kathryn Morris comes off as informal, often sidetracked by laughter and first-time reactions from Gallner and Morris. This leads to an experience that is more entertaining than informative, with the commentary often overshadowing the film's audio. The Deleted Scene offers additional dialogue between Sam and Dan, enriching the context of Sam’s financial troubles, while Cougar 101 is a short featurette that may not sit well with all viewers due to its crude subject matter. The Trailer is also included, providing a glimpse of the film’s promotional angle.

Extras included in this disc:

• Feature Commentary: Commentary by K. Asher Levin, Kyle Gallner, and Kathryn Morris.
• Deleted Scene: Extra dialogue between Sam and Dan.
• Cougar 101: Prep school guys discussing cougars.
• Trailer: Original promotional trailer.

"Cougars, Inc." attempts to fuse indie charm with raunchy comedy but ultimately fails to capitalize on its promising premise. Directed by K. Asher Levin, the film centers on Sam, played by Kyle Gallner, a troubled teenager navigating his way through the Moore Prep School in California. After being expelled from multiple boarding schools and facing financial difficulties when his mother can no longer afford tuition, Sam stumbles upon a seemingly lucrative venture: an escort service for lonely housewives. The plot catapults forward with Sam and his friends engaging in transactional relationships with older women, one of whom is portrayed by Kathryn Morris.

Despite its potential for dark comedy, the film wavers uneasily between melodrama and awkward humor. Levin's direction exhibits an enthusiastic yet naive approach, resulting in a film that feels slapdash and too self-consciously ironic. The cast, featuring familiar faces like Denise Richards, Rebecca Mader, and James Belushi, does little to elevate the material. Belushi's character, a hip headmaster reminiscing about his youth, and Morris's role as the accessible older woman, strain credibility and fail to resonate emotionally. The screenplay's over-reliance on predictable plot twists and coincidental revelations further hampers the film's cohesiveness.

Levin's attempts at innovation, such as interstitials from Sam's notebook, fall flat and fail to inject the needed vitality into the narrative. While Gallner and Hyland manage to create moments of genuine interaction, their efforts are undermined by inconsistent character motivations and abrupt emotional shifts. The film's tone is a disconcerting mix of sex-fueled escapism and misguided introspection, reminiscent of a misfired attempt at combining the raw energy of "The Graduate" with contemporary indie sensibilities. Ultimately, "Cougars, Inc." falters in its execution, leaving audiences with a disjointed experience that neither amuses nor provokes meaningful reflection.

The Blu-Ray release of "Cougars, Inc." aims to deliver an engaging romantic comedy but ultimately falls short due to its misguided execution and mixed tonal direction. The premise holds significant potential, offering a tantalizing setup ripe for comedic exploitation. However, the film's attempt to balance salacious humor with sincere introspection creates a muddled final product. The narrative struggles with pacing issues, feeling as though key scenes have been left on the cutting room floor. This lack of cohesion undermines the story's effectiveness and leaves audiences grappling with a mix of underdeveloped characters and disjointed plot arcs.

On the technical front, the Blu-Ray provides an average video and audio experience. The picture quality is competent but lacks the crispness and vibrancy expected from modern high-definition transfers. The audio presentation similarly falls into mediocrity, neither enhancing nor detracting significantly from the viewing experience. Additionally, the supplemental features on this release are minimal, providing little incentive for purchase beyond the primary film itself. It’s clear that more expansive bonus content could have helpfully contextualized the movie’s themes or offered insights into its production challenges.

I'm not sure a film like "Cougars, Inc." could have ever worked as anything other than a flat-out raunchy farce. Levin is too high-minded with this premise, and the film spends too much time with needless introspection when it should instead be a crazy quilt of eccentric characters. Adding to the tonal inconsistencies is the fact that the film seems completely slapdash, as if huge swaths of it were left on the cutting-room floor. I doubt any amount of editing could have seriously ameliorated the basic flaw at the core of "Cougars, Inc.," though — it's a film that wants to be salacious and heartfelt at the same time, two elements which rarely if ever mix.