Twixt Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of Francis Ford Coppola's "Twixt" delivers a consistently inconsistent visual experience that aligns with the director's experimental approach to low-budget digital filmmaking. Utilizing a 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer presented in an unconventional 2.00:1 aspect ratio, the film manifests a wild mix of hyper-sharp detail and soft, gauzy images. Around half of the frames showcase fine textures with visible pores on actors' faces and intricate costume details, while the rest appear flat and devoid of depth. The night scenes suffer from similar variability, with some sequences buzzing with source noise and others smoothed by digital noise reduction.

The color grading of "Twixt" is deliberately harsh and stylized, characterized by a mix of day-for-night conversions, selective coloring, and varied contrast levels. This deliberate aesthetic choice results in some surreal dream-world sequences where colors come alive, contrasting with other scenes that look overdone or unrealistic. The black levels are generally deep and inky but are not free from issues. Despite some minor compression artifacts, the Blu-ray transfer can be considered a true-to-source depiction, reflecting Coppola's original vision for this unusual project.

The audio presentation on the Blu-ray release of "Twixt" features a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track that, while serviceable, presents notable opportunities for improvement. Dialogue is consistently clear and well-balanced, with no discernible issues such as pops, cracks, or hissing, making it conducive to understanding throughout the film. Projection from the front speakers is commendable, ensuring the primary audio remains focused and intelligible.

Ambience and environmental sounds like town noises, wind, sirens, and tolling bells emerge periodically from the rear speakers, adding a subtle layer to the overall soundscape. However, despite these efforts, the surround mix feels somewhat underwhelming for a horror film where audio could significantly enhance the suspense. The score by Baltimore-based electro-musician Dan Deacon, although appropriate and never overpowering the dialogue or sound effects, fails to leave a lasting impression.

Overall, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track fulfills its basic requirements but doesn't push the boundaries expected of an immersive horror experience on Blu-ray. Fans of the genre might find the sound design lacking in the kind of atmospheric depth that elevates horror films beyond their visual components. This disc also includes optional English SDH and Spanish subtitles for accessibility.

The Blu-ray release of "Twixt" includes a sparse selection of extras, primarily centered around a documentary by Gia Coppola. This feature, while commendably produced by Coppola's granddaughter, fails to engage due to the lack of compelling content, reflecting the overall reception of the film itself. A more insightful analysis of the film’s experimental process, particularly the live-editing during its roadshow, would have added value. Additionally, the absence of commentary from Francis Ford Coppola is a missed opportunity, as his perspectives could have provided deeper insights into the film’s creation.

Extras included in this disc:

• Twixt - A Documentary by Gia Coppola: A behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film, though not particularly engaging.
• Sneak Peek: Brief sneak peek feature.
• Trailers: Standard trailers for other movies.

Francis Ford Coppola's "Twixt" is, unfortunately, a significant misstep for the legendary director, reflecting a dramatic departure from his celebrated works of the '70s. Born from a melancholic dream Coppola had, the film was originally envisioned as an experimental piece with dynamic, real-time edits facilitated via an iPad during a planned 30-city tour. However, once this tour was canceled, what remains is a convoluted and disjointed horror film that falls far short of Coppola's earlier masterpieces. The plot centers on Hall Baltimore (Val Kilmer), a faded horror novelist who stumbles into a small town and becomes embroiled in a murder mystery laced with supernatural undertones. Unfortunately, the film's arbitrarily dreamlike narrative, clumsy dialogue, and inconsistent tone renders it a tangled mess. Coppola's heavy-handed use of selective coloring, reminiscent of the technique overexploited in amateur photography, further underscores the film's lack of aesthetic coherence, leaving it feeling visually garish and amateurish.

The story attempts to weave various subplots involving a zealous sheriff, an ethereal Edgar Allan Poe, and a spectral girl named V (Elle Fanning). It's clear that "Twixt" aspires to capture the enigmatic allure of David Lynch's "Twin Peaks," yet it ultimately falters due to its incoherent narrative structure and poor pacing. Val Kilmer's portrayal of Hall Baltimore is lackluster and unconvincing, compounded by his awkward and unnecessary impersonations during scenes meant to convey writer's block. Bruce Dern and Elle Fanning attempt to salvage their roles with competent performances but are ultimately hamstrung by a leaden script and erratic storytelling. Technical execution aside, the film's sporadic descent into half-hearted comedy interspaced with feeble attempts at horror further muddles its aim.

While Coppola’s ambition to innovate remains evident, "Twixt" fails to resonate, lacking the artistic judgment that once made his films cinematic milestones. Despite occasional flashes of competent cinematography, the film is burdened with banal dialogues and discordant thematic elements. Ultimately, "Twixt" serves as a cautionary example of how even visionary directors can falter when divorced from their creative zeniths.

Review Summary: Blu Ray of "Twixt"

"Twixt," directed by Francis Ford Coppola, unfortunately stands as a testament to the decline of a once-revered filmmaker. The film's dialogue and story structure are marred by silliness and convoluted pacing, making it almost unwatchable. Despite Coppola's past brilliance, "Twixt" serves as a cautionary tale of creative missteps, lacking the finesse and coherence that his earlier works displayed. The outcome is a movie that ultimately feels more like a curiosity than a viable piece of cinema.

The technical aspects of the Blu-ray presentation also fall short. Both the video and audio quality fail to meet the high expectations set by modern standards, detracting further from an already flawed film. The only additional feature included is uninspired and does little to enhance the overall experience. While it might offer a smidgen of interest to the most devoted Coppola aficionados as an experimental artifact, mainstream audiences will find little to appreciate here.

In conclusion, "Twixt" is best skipped by viewers seeking coherent storytelling or high production values. It's a misfire from Coppola that seems destined to be remembered more as a failed experiment than a serious entry in his filmography. If there's any solace, it's in the hope that Coppola still has worthwhile projects ahead, but "Twixt" isn't one of them.