S&man Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of the Blu-ray release of "S&man" maintains a notably raw and unpolished look, reflecting its original filming conditions. The film intertwines various source materials, including VHS footage, contributing to its amateurish vibe. Despite this, the transfer shows no apparent compression issues or discernible tampering. However, black levels are inconsistent, with some scenes achieving a rich, inky depth while others suffer from crushing and loss of detail. Interview segments, presumably shot with high definition cameras, appear murky and soft, lacking fine detail and exhibiting a smeary quality that suggests possible upscaling.

Color rendition is muted throughout, with the image often appearing washed out. Black levels rarely deepen beyond a grayish sludge. This lack of refined picture quality is somewhat expected given the film's intentionally gritty aesthetic. While the presentation does not fully utilize the capabilities of the Blu-ray format, it aptly represents the source material without significant technical flaws. There are no visible compression artifacts or disc errors during playback, ensuring a stable viewing experience despite the inherent visual limitations. Note that combing artifacts observed in screenshots do not appear when the video is in motion.

The Blu-ray audio presentation of "S&man" makes use of a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, though its execution never fully capitalizes on the format's potential. Despite the inherent limitations, the mix does an effective job with the most crucial element—dialogue. Dialogue remains clear and comprehensible throughout, allowing viewers to stay engaged with the narrative. However, the utilization of surround sound is minimal at best. Director J.T. Petty’s narration is a particular point of discussion; it emanates from all speakers uniformly, creating an unusual auditory experience that may seem overbearing at times. This peculiar choice does not leverage spatial audio to create an immersive sound environment and can sometimes detract from the overall listening experience.

While there is some ambient sound employed during scenes set at conventions and occasional atmospheric noises, these are sparse and do little to enhance the surround effect. The score, however, maintains a satisfactory level of clarity and presence, occasionally emphasizing key moments with notable swelling low-frequency effects (LFE). Despite these occasional highlights, the audio experience remains firmly in the realm of 'serviceable' rather than exceptional. The recording quality of interview subjects is moderately clean, but it lacks the crispness and fidelity that could elevate the overall quality. Consequently, while the DTS-HD MA track does its job adequately, it leaves much to be desired in terms of immersion and dynamic range.

The extras on the Blu-ray of "S&Man" offer a comprehensive behind-the-scenes experience enriched by two audio commentary tracks. The first track features director J.T. Petty and Eric Rost, continuing their on-screen dynamic through engaging, albeit sometimes tedious, exchanges. The second track with Petty and Erik Marcisak provides a candid and insightful discussion into the film's production. Notable inclusions are the complete Episode 11 from the S&Man series, which delves deeply into the character's unsettling activities, and a collection of deleted and extended scenes that add context to Eric Rost’s storyline. Additionally, viewers are treated to disturbing underground film clips, trailers for S&Man films, and previews for other features.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary with Director JT Petty and Erik Marcisak: Insightful discussion revealing production details.
• Audio Commentary with Director JT Petty and Eric Rost: Extended on-screen dynamic, engaging yet exhausting.
• The Complete S&Man Episode 11: Detailed exploration of Eric Rost's character actions.
• Deleted and Extended Scenes: Additional context to the storyline.
• Underground Film Clips: A disturbing clip from Toe Tag Production's August Underground.
• S&Man Film Trailers: Brief previews of Eric Rost's S&Man movies.
• Previews: Trailers for other features.

"S&man" delves into the unnerving intersection of filmmaking and voyeurism, examining how underground horror, especially fetish films, capitalizes on the viewer's inherent voyeuristic tendencies. The film draws from real-life examples to depict scenarios where individuals are unknowingly filmed, invoking a sense of disturbing realism. Director J.T. Petty juxtaposes the raw footage with commentary from bonafide experts and filmmakers to give the quasi-documentary an air of authenticity. The movie’s integration of genuine horror elements with constructed narratives blurs the line between actual and simulated horror, challenging viewers to confront their own motivations for indulging in such content.

The film highlights several underground directors like Bill Zebub, Fred Vogel, and the most enigmatic, Eric Rost. Zebub’s work is purely sensationalistic with sacrilegious imagery aimed at eliciting shock for shock’s sake. Vogel takes a more professional approach, aiming for impeccable realism in grotesque depictions, though his ultimate aim is to outdo even real-life gore. Rost, however, embodies the film's deepest dive into ambiguity. His "S&Man" series is portrayed so realistically that it becomes difficult to discern if his actions are genuine or staged. Petty's interactions with the unsettling Rost emphasize the film’s central theme: the morally ambiguous territory of voyeuristic entertainment.

While "S&man" doesn’t provide definitive answers about viewer complicity in on-screen violence, it fosters substantial discourse on the psychological impacts of horror. The inputs from experts like Carol Clover offer insights into how horror viewers oscillate between sadistic and masochistic viewpoints. However, Petty’s omission of direct audience perspectives could be seen as a missed opportunity to fully explore why viewers are drawn to these dark narratives. Ultimately, "S&man" is a provocative exploration that forces introspection on the nature of our engagement with cinematic terror.

"S&man" offers an intriguing, albeit imperfect, exploration into the psychologically complex nature of horror. As a Blu Ray release, it demonstrates commendable technical quality, though it is the thematic depth that truly stands out. The film delves into the murky realms of faux snuff films, presenting a narrative that oscillates between shocking and silly. Despite its uneven execution, "S&man" succeeds in provoking thought about the darker corners of independent horror filmmaking.

The film's visual fidelity on Blu Ray is noteworthy, capturing the gritty, unsettling ambiance effectively. Both the sound and picture quality are well-rendered, contributing to a visceral viewing experience. The added commentaries provide additional insights, although they exhibit a rather dry tone that might not engage all viewers.

In conclusion, "S&man" is original, a bit shocking, a little silly and not too hard to figure out. I had some fun with it, but more with the world it lived in and less with the movie itself. I spun through the commentaries to get some more insight, which I did, though they were pretty dry. I can recommend a rental to those interested, but that's as far as it will go.