The Good Book Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "The Good Book" showcases the film in an AVC-encoded 1080p format, with its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, aiming to endow a typically shot-on-video production with a more cinematic feel. Unfortunately, the extensive use of filtering to mitigate the "video-y" appearance significantly impacts the visual detail, stripping away any nuances of facial textures or costume particulars and leaving only a generic appreciation of objects and characters. The attempt to enhance the image often results in a loss of clarity, compounded by the analog fuzz that contributes little to the detail richness.

Color reproduction suffers notably, presenting muddy hues where primary colors lack vibrancy except in select broad set-pieces. The black levels are consistent but do not salvage the experience as much of the film engulfs into poorly lit scenes, challenging even high-end television setups like OLED screens to deliver a satisfying viewing experience. Despite these shortcomings, the source material is in decent condition given the production's inherent limitations, allowing some scenes to effectively maintain visual cohesion when lighting conditions permit.

The audio presentation of "The Good Book" on Blu-Ray employs a 2.0 DTS-HD mix, which offers a nuanced yet distinctly dated auditory experience. This sound profile captures dialogue exchanges with clarity, albeit within the confines of its era's production capabilities and technical limitations. While dialogues primarily rely on post-recorded tracks to ensure a cleaner presentation, on-camera microphone use introduces noticeable echo, particularly in enclosed environments.

Complementing the dialogue, the mix delivers music and effects with a balanced prominence. The synthesized sound that characterizes the film's score is captured effectively, maintaining an appealing quality that resonates with the film's distinctive style. However, despite its clear articulation, the music lacks the sharpness expected from modern audio standards. Nonetheless, the music and effects are thoughtfully integrated, ensuring they enrich rather than overwhelm the film's texture.

Overall, while the 2.0 DTS-HD audio mix may exhibit aspects of antiquity reflective of its original production era, it succeeds in providing a satisfactory and immersive auditory experience. The balance between dialogue, music, and effects ensures that each component is distinct yet harmonious, contributing to the feature's enduring appeal.

The Blu-ray edition of "The Good Book" offers an extensive collection of bonus features designed for enthusiasts interested in film production and behind-the-scenes insights. The package includes an intimate audio commentary by director Matthew Giaquinto and producer Barry Gerdsen, which provides a deeper understanding of the creative process. The standout feature is the comprehensive Making Of, a 53-minute documentary that includes input from various cast and crew members via video conferencing, offering a collaborative perspective on the film's creation. Composer Chris Paine's Isolated Music Cues delivers intriguing insights into the film’s score. Fans will appreciate the unique inclusion of the full version of "Vampire Girlfriend Roommates Part 5," presented in SD format. Additional content includes a photo gallery and a selection of Matthew Giaquinto's short films, highlighting his cinematic journey and narrative style.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Features director Matthew Giaquinto and producer Barry Gerdsen.
• The Making of The Good Book: A detailed examination of the film's production.
• Isolated Music Cues: With insights from composer Chris Paine.
• Behind the Scenes Photos: A collection from the film's inception.
• Vampire Girlfriend Roommates Part 5: A complete film-within-a-film offering.
• Short Films by Matthew Giaquinto: Includes "The Day I Met My Mother," "Finding Destiny," and "Bad Feelings."
• The Between Time: Discussion and presentation of an animated short.
• Proof-of-Concept Trailer: An early promotional glimpse.

"The Good Book" ventures into the speculative realm of a dystopian future where humanity is embroiled in the complex web of media control and cyber paranoia. Directed by Matthew Giaquinto, this ambitious shot-on-video project unfolds in a world where the internet governs societal behavior under a quasi-dictatorial regime. The protagonist, Cyrus (portrayed by Bryan Campbell), is a service technician navigating a wasteland populated by transformed, zombie-like outsiders. Tasked with maintaining digital connections for isolated citizens, Cyrus encounters an enigmatic deity figure played with zeal by Barry Gerdsen. This god-like entity pushes Cyrus towards a profound crisis of faith by urging him to deploy a catastrophic virus intended to dismantle society’s technological crutch.

The film's execution capitalizes on its modest budget, which confines much of the narrative to intimate spaces like rooms and garages. Despite these limitations, it defies its constraints through inventive editing techniques and digital effects that evoke a distinctly student-project ambiance reminiscent of early SOV (shot-on-video) filmmaking. The movie blends philosophical musings on faith with gritty B-movie elements, benefiting from brainstorms such as Mad Max-ian visual cues and suspenseful sequences. However, the film’s narrative depth occasionally flounders amid problematic camerawork and unpolished performances, giving scenes an energetically rough-edged yet captivating quality.

The Good Book draws on cyber-thriller conventions and layers them with a satirical undercurrent of humor, accentuated by its depiction of over-the-top zombie chaos and state-influenced media content. Despite the limitations in production, the film offers a notable exploration of cyber-driven dystopia. It succeeds in creating engaging discourse while delivering enough action and character-driven drama to spur viewer interest, even if just as an intriguing indie entry in the realm of cyberpunk cinema.

"The Good Book" taps into the mid-’90s vein of techno-paranoia, exploring the unsettling consequences of surrendering to the digital realm. The film is ambitious, striving for an elevated sense of paranoia and unreality that is both refreshing and thought-provoking. Despite its lofty goals, director Giaquinto encounters challenges due to amateur performances and budgetary constraints, which occasionally hinder the film's impact. However, his dedication to the thematic core is evident, consistently pushing the narrative towards a pressured and gripping climax.

The Blu-ray release by Saturn’s Core offers a commendable presentation, considering the inherent limitations of the source material. While the video quality meets expectations for a film of this era and budget, it is the audio where this release notably shines. The DTS 2.0 track provides a clear auditory experience, crucial for fully appreciating the film's tension and atmosphere. Additionally, the disc includes a range of bonus features, providing ample exploration opportunities for enthusiasts eager to delve deeper into the film's concept and production background.

In conclusion, "The Good Book" is an intriguing exploration of human detachment in the face of advancing digital control. While the execution may falter at times due to its constraints, the film’s intent and charisma remain poignant and engaging. The Blu-ray delivers a solid experience that complements the film’s ambition and is definitely worth a look for fans of niche '90s cinema and speculative narratives.