Sunset Society Blu-ray Review

"Sunset Society" arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of MVD Visual and Cleopatra, sporting an AVC encoded 1080p transfer framed at a 1.78:1 aspect ratio. The video quality offers a mixed bag due to the film's distinct stylistic choices. Scenes set in contemporary settings and specific animated interstitials impress with sharpness and fine detail, showcasing the Blu-ray format's capabilities effectively. The overall clarity in these segments is commendable and provides a crisp viewing experience, ensuring high-quality visual engagement.

However, the majority of the film, comprising footage that the character Cross pursues, suffers significantly from unconventional lighting, uncertain focus pulls, and intentionally added combing effects. These elements disrupt the general detail levels and can detract from viewer immersion. The intended visual style, although unique, poses challenges to maintaining consistent video quality. For potential buyers, a review of various screenshots included in other sources is advised to gain a comprehensive understanding of the varied sharpness and clarity throughout this Blu-ray presentation.

While "Sunset Society" aims for a particular aesthetic, it inadvertently hampers what could otherwise be a seamless visual experience. The intentional video degradation may appeal to some but can hinder overall viewer satisfaction for others expecting typical Blu-ray standards.

The audio presentation of "Sunset Society" on Blu-ray has some notable attributes, although it may not meet the expectations of audiophiles accustomed to high-resolution audio formats. Cleopatra has opted for a Dolby Digital 5.1 track instead of lossless options, which is somewhat surprising given the music-centric nature of the film and the label's background. Nevertheless, the 5.1 track provides consistent immersion and relatively forceful low-frequency effects during key moments.

Despite the PCM format's limitations, the overall audio quality maintains decent clarity and prioritization. The film’s frequently noisy ambiance is handled well, ensuring dialogue and sound effects are distinguishable. However, specific character dialogues, notably Lemmy’s, may pose challenges due to his tendency to mumble, compounded by the absence of subtitle support.

In summary, while the audio presentation of "Sunset Society" delivers a reasonably immersive experience through its Dolby Digital 5.1 track, featuring moments of robust LFE and overall clarity, it falls short of what could be achieved with lossless audio formats. The decision to use Dolby Digital 5.1 instead of more advanced audio codecs remains a point of critique, particularly for discerning listeners.

The Blu-ray release of "Sunset Society" distinguishes itself with unique packaging and a fair array of supplementary materials. Despite some issues with the oversized packaging, which includes a four-fold case with various illustrations and a vinyl record, the extras on the disc contribute meaningfully to the set. However, the on-disc extras tend to be sparse and brief. The standout on-disc extra is the "Lemmy Statue Unveiled at the Rainbow Bar and Grill" video, although it's somewhat hindered by the crowded filming environment. Notably, the slide shows and trailers also offer some additional value but are overall quite minimal.

Extras included in this disc:

• Lemmy Statue Unveiled at the Rainbow Bar and Grill: A brief video capturing Lemmy's statue unveiling amid a crowd.
• Slideshow: A brief slideshow presentation.
• Trailers: Includes trailers for "Sunset Society" and other Cleopatra releases.

"Sunset Society" blends the talents of rock and horror icons in a peculiar yet somewhat disjointed narrative. Set against a backdrop of mythologically and rock 'n' roll-themed visuals, the film features heavy metal legend Lemmy Kilmister as Ace, leading a secret vampire society in Hollywood. The plot revolves around a missing video that threatens to expose their vampiristic lifestyle. The inclusion of animated segments featuring Lemmy’s voice, due to his passing in 2015, provides a unique interplay between animation and live-action.

The opening scenes exhibit an engaging semi-animated aesthetic before transitioning into live-action with Charlie (Ben Stobber), whose party is disrupted by Mr. Cross (Robert Donavan) and his enforcer Burton (Josh Fallon) searching for the incriminating video. Rock aficionados may appreciate appearances by names like Ron Jeremy, Dizzy Reed, and Tracii Guns, yet their performances don’t quite match their musical prowess. The film intertwines flashbacks and scenes from the missing video, which, despite their potential for intrigue, often fall flat due to talky, less engaging sequences.

Phoebe Dollar's vampiress Sophia introduces some tension within the vampire society, culminating in a twist involving a cunning Catholic school girl. Though the film energetically channels a quasi-hallucinatory vibe, complete with head-banging music, it struggles to resonate as either genuinely frightening or humorous. "Sunset Society" ultimately emerges as an eccentric mishmash of rock ethos and horror tropes—intriguing for its cameos and gothic aesthetics but lacking in cohesive storytelling.

"Sunset Society" is one of those peculiar films whose appeal may hinge more on its eclectic cast rather than its storyline. The narrative structure is chaotic, and performances vary widely, with some not quite reaching professional standards. Despite these drawbacks, the film offers intriguing content layered beneath stylistic excesses and fragmented storytelling techniques. Cleopatras’ decision to release a music-centric film with lossy audio quality may be a sticking point for audiophiles, yet they have compensated with an aesthetically pleasing package, including notable non-disc extras for potential purchasers.

This Blu-Ray release does come with several special features that add to its overall appeal. Notable among these is the featurette "Lemmy Statue Unveiled at the Rainbow Bar and Grill," offering a brief yet poignant display of Lemmy's statue and its impact on fans. Additionally, a slideshow and trailers for "Sunset Society," "Devil's Domain," and "Black Room" provide a broader context of the publisher's catalog. The Limited Edition package enhances the offer with an etched 7-inch vinyl single, a CD soundtrack of the movie, and a standard definition DVD, making it highly collectible. The run is limited to 2000 units, but there’s also a less elaborate standard DVD release available for those who aren't interested in the additional paraphernalia.

In conclusion, "Sunset Society" is a mixed bag that could attract fans of its diverse cast despite its narrative flaws and audio shortcomings. The video presentation and supplementary materials make for an engaging physical release that collectors may appreciate, even as the movie itself may not reach the heights of mainstream appeal.