Joel D. Wynkoop's Lost Faith Blu-ray Review
Slipcover in Original Pressing
Score: 57
from 2 reviewers
Review Date:
Wynkoop's 'Lost Faith' blends B-movie action with faith themes, offering nostalgia for SOV enthusiasts on a Blu-ray with a commendable A/V package.
Disc Release Date
DTS-HD MA
Video: 39
Lost Faith's Blu-ray presentation in AVC-encoded 1080p at 1.33:1 aspect ratio mirrors typical SOV titles with washed-out colors, limited detail, and analog artifacts; yet, it holds stable regarding movement and character basics despite its VHS source's age.
Audio: 59
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA track on the Blu-ray provides clear dialogue, despite some sync issues and background noise, while the synth-heavy score effectively energizes action scenes.
Extra: 96
The Blu-ray extras for 'Joel D. Wynkoop's Lost Faith' provide an extensive, behind-the-scenes look into the film's creation, featuring director commentary, making-of documentaries, and archival interviews that showcase both professional insights and the camaraderie of the cast and crew.
Movie: 36
Lost Faith is an entertaining exploitation film that merges martial arts action with religious drama, featuring Joel D. Wynkoop as a devoted husband on a mission to rescue his kidnapped wife amidst a comically inept array of villains, but struggles with amateur performances and heavy-handed moralizing, making it a bizarre yet amusing B-movie experience.
Video: 39
The Blu-ray video presentation of "Joel D. Wynkoop's Lost Faith" effectively captures the essence of the original SOV (Shot-On-Video) production. Presented in its original 1.33:1 aspect ratio and utilizing an AVC-encoded 1080p transfer, the viewing experience focuses more on the historical charm of the source material than on pristine detail. This VHS source transfer, although marred by analog artifacts and limited detail, successfully maintains a cohesive visual aesthetic consistent with similar productions of its era.
The color palette is particularly indicative of its vintage roots, with hues leaning towards a washed-out presentation and skin tones adopting a reddish tinge. The extensive greenery, as well as the brighter clothing featured throughout the film, are handled with adequate fidelity. While the black levels and image noise are suboptimal, they are characteristic of the materials from which this transfer was derived. Despite these inherent limitations, the source displays no major stretches of physical damage, a testament to its careful preservation.
Viewers interested in comparing the quality will find minimal differences when contrasting the main feature with the Original VHS Version included in the bonus features. Both presentations offer insight into the film’s authentic visual style, though the Blu-ray version presents a slightly cleaner, albeit still artifact-laden, experience that stays true to the film's original production values.
Audio: 59
The audio presentation of "Joel D. Wynkoop's Lost Faith" arrives exclusively on Blu-ray with a single 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio track. This audio format, while simple, manages to deliver a decent auditory experience. Dialogue clarity is generally maintained, although it occasionally struggles against inherent technical limitations and ambient background noise. Nonetheless, voiceover recordings are notably well-defined, maintaining coherence throughout.
The soundtrack features an energetic and upbeat synth-heavy score that matches the film's action-driven narrative. The music adds a dynamic layer, effectively amplifying the intensity of the scenes and engaging viewers with its rhythmic beats. Despite minor synchronization issues during dialogue exchanges, the audio track preserves an overall enthusiastic atmosphere, capturing the spirited essence of the film.
In summation, although the audio track in "Joel D. Wynkoop's Lost Faith" does face specific limitations, it consistently achieves a satisfactory listening experience, largely due to the vigorous synth score and distinct dialogue clarity. This DTS-HD Master Audio presentation remains competent for viewers seeking a nostalgic action-oriented cinematic experience.
Extras: 96
The extras included in the Blu-ray of "Joel D. Wynkoop's Lost Faith" offer a comprehensive exploration of both the filmmaking process and Wynkoop’s unique influence on genre cinema. The content delves into various aspects of the 1992 film, ranging from nostalgic archival material to in-depth documentaries. Highlights include the original VHS cut of "Lost Faith," which brings a vintage perspective to the film, paired with insightful commentary by Wynkoop and Sean McCarthy. The making-of documentary "Stay Hungry" offers a detailed behind-the-scenes look that emphasizes Wynkoop’s dedication and the production's unexpectedly professional environment. Short films like "Nekoda" and "The Set-Up" enrich the package by showcasing Wynkoop's evolving vision across different time periods. Overall, the inclusion of these extras creates a dynamic and enriching experience for aficionados of indie films and Wynkoop's creative journey.
Extras included in this disc:
- Introduction by Director / Star Joel D. Wynkoop: Poolside intro where Wynkoop praises his cast and shares production insights.
- Lost Faith Original VHS Version: A slightly shorter edit with additional scenes; includes optional commentary.
- Stay Hungry: The Making of Lost Faith: Documentary featuring behind-the-scenes footage and interviews.
- Dailies Reel: Collection of raw footage showing various scenes being shot.
- Local News Segments: Archival interviews showcasing Wynkoop promoting the film on Florida news stations.
- Alternate Opening
- Alternate Ending
- The Setup: A Super 8mm short film from 1979.
- Nekoda: Pseudo-sequel short film exploring faith-based action themes.
- Joel at Screamfest 2007: Wynkoop interacts with horror icons at a convention.
- Vintage Audition Reel: Displays Joel Wynkoop's acting range.
- Lost Faith Trailer
- Lost Faith TV Spot
- Saturn’s Core Releases
Movie: 36
"Joel D. Wynkoop's Lost Faith" is a film that embodies the chaotic fervor of early 90s DIY action filmmaking, stitched together with fervent martial arts sequences and interwoven with an attempt at religious wandering. The narrative unfolds around Steve Nekoda, played by Wynkoop himself, an action hero inspired by Chuck Norris, who embarks on a solo mission to rescue his abducted wife from an international human trafficking ring. Despite attempting to inject spiritual undertones into the story, the film struggles to maintain consistency, often stumbling over its convoluted directing choices and awkward pace.
Wynkoop’s direction showcases an unwavering dedication to what he enjoys most: martial arts and eccentric storytelling. He saturates the film with extended shots of fight sequences and prolonged driving scenes, which serve as both narrative momentum and filler, albeit underlined by a soundtrack courtesy of a local radio station. This juxtaposition of intense martial arts elements with gratuitous behavior strips away potential suspense, as Wynkoop often opts for the novelty of backyard brawls over refining the movie’s narrative or coherent theme.
On the technical front, the film is realized through a shot-on-video presentation, which contributes to its amateur ambiance but also cleverly aligns with Wynkoop’s roots in exploitation cinema. Characters evolve into exaggerated caricatures, with dialogues leaning into absurdity rather than depth. The antagonists function as both comedic relief and societal stereotypes, failing to elevate the film beyond mere B-movie boundaries. While not entirely successful in achieving its philosophical aspirations, "Lost Faith" remains a charming homage to the genre enthusiasts who fancy nostalgia-fueled, spectacle-driven cinema adventures typical of the shot-on-video era. Despite its lack of nuanced writing and polished performances, it offers entertainment for those seeking spirited yet sloppy cinematic endeavors.
Total: 57
"Joel D. Wynkoop's Lost Faith" attempts to capture the nostalgic spirit of 80s martial arts flicks, yet remains rooted in its low-budget origins. Wynkoop, with his Chuck Norris-esque might, shoulders the production with palpable enthusiasm and roundhouse vigor. The narrative, however, stumbles as it tries to blend action with a faith-based storyline, leaving audiences perplexed by its muddled message. Is the film advocating for redemption or reveling in chaotic heroism? This question hangs unanswered as the plot meanders through a series of clumsy yet amusing encounters and boss-like antagonists that give the film a whimsical, video game quality.
The Blu-ray release from Saturn’s Core diligently caters to fans of shot-on-video (SOV) and exploitation films. Given its origins, the audio-visual package is commendable, enhancing the film’s raw aesthetic with notable clarity and definition. Perhaps more intriguing are the extensive bonus features: an alternate cut, an array of short films, and abundant behind-the-scenes insights that enrich the viewing experience for enthusiasts.
In conclusion, while "Lost Faith" teeters between ambitious homage and amateur execution, it is Wynkoop's relentless spirit that offers genuine entertainment value. Though the film’s message gets tangled in its own narrative web, those passionate about niche martial arts cinema or curious about Florida's exploitation scene will find charm in its imperfections. This release is solidly for fans entrenched in the genre's idiosyncrasies, appreciating both its flaws and fervor.
Blu-ray.com review by Brian OrndorfRead review here
Video: 50
The AVC encoded image (1.35:1 aspect ratio) presentation deals with a SOV production, with the viewing experience more about recognizing frame elements than dealing with fine detail....
Audio: 70
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA provides a simple listening event, with reasonably clear dialogue exchanges throughout, though the actors do compete with technical limitations and background noise....
Extras: 100
Dailies and BTS Footage (93:06, SD) offers a look at the creation of takes for "Lost Faith," highlighting cast and crew camaraderie....
Movie: 40
"Lost Faith" isn't too concerned with pace, as the film opens with a display of martial art skill from Steve, who trains in his backyard, and there's plenty of driving sequences, helping to pad out the...
Total: 70
Such aggression is expected, but there's something of a faith-based element to the endeavor, with Steve finding the power of God to help with his mission....
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 40
The AVC-encoded 1080p transfer is on par with other SOV titles with the presentation focusing more on content than detail....
Audio: 60
Music tracks are upbeat showcasing heavy synth work which gets the blood pumping for the action scenes....
Extras: 100
Local News Segments (SD 49:04) Archival interviews and appearances showing Joel Wynkoop promoting Lost Faith on various Florida news stations....
Movie: 40
Wynkkoop’s first feature-length film, Lost Faith would carry with it the same intensity he brought to his acting roles but lacked the unhinged hypersexualized aesthetic that would define his later contributions....
Total: 60
Lost Faith aspires to the heights of those zany 80s martial arts actioners, but with its no-budget production and amateur actors all it has to fall on is Wynkoop's passion and roundhouse kicks....
Director: Joel D. Wynkoop
Actors: Joel D. Wynkoop, David Bardsley, David Lurry, Melisa Sanford
PlotSteve Nekoda is an ordinary man whose life takes a dark turn when his wife, Annie, suddenly disappears. Consumed by grief and determined to uncover the truth, Steve embarks on a relentless quest to find her. His investigation soon reveals a sinister underworld involved in human trafficking, and he discovers that Annie may have fallen victim to this heinous crime. As he delves deeper, he encounters a dangerous and secretive cult that practices brutal rituals, drawing him into their perilous world. Steve's unwavering resolve is tested as he faces ruthless criminals and battles his own fears along the way.
In his search, Steve is forced to confront not only the physical dangers of his mission but also the spiritual challenges that threaten to consume him. He grapples with his faith, seeking guidance and strength to continue when the odds seem insurmountable. As he closes in on the truth, he finds unexpected allies among unlikely acquaintances who share a mutual nemesis with the cult. Navigating through perilous situations, Steve is driven by love and determination to reunite with Annie. The journey demands everything from him: courage, resilience, and a reclaiming of his belief system. As events reach a boiling point, Steve realizes the stakes are even higher than he feared, culminating in a desperate fight for survival against overpowering forces.
Writers: Joel D. Wynkoop
Release Date: N/A
Runtime: N/A
Rating: N/A
Country: USA
Language: English