Special Effects Blu-ray Review

Olive Films presents Larry Cohen's "Special Effects" Blu-ray in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, and offering a 1080p high-definition transfer. The overall visual quality is commendable, though some minor encoding optimizations could enhance it further. The film's grain is consistently visible and well-resolved, giving it an authentic cinematic feel. Colors remain stable, showcasing a good range of nuances, with excellent image stability throughout. Despite occasional tiny specks, the Blu-ray is void of significant debris or defects, contributing to a clean viewing experience. (Note: This is a Region-A locked Blu-ray release, requiring a compatible player.)

The transfer features impressive detail and clarity, portraying textures such as clothing patterns and fabric wrinkles with precision. While the inherent grain lends a bit of softness to the image, the overall sharpness and definition are satisfactory. Depth is decent, offering clear foreground and background separations with detailed imagery depending on the focus. In darker scenes, the grain structure is more pronounced, occasionally obscuring finer details, yet black crush is minimal and under control.

Color reproduction hits the vibrant sweet spot of the 80s without bleeding or excessive vibrancy. Highlights include well-rendered pinks, reds, and purples. Skin tones appear natural and consistently accurate throughout different scenes. Even minor details like scratches, dried blood, and makeup brush strokes are visible in close-ups. The print is clean with a nice layer of grain and minimal noise or artifacts, contributing to an overall enjoyable viewing experience for fans of this classic film.

The Blu-ray release of "Special Effects" features an English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track with optional English SDH subtitles. The track, although not recently remastered, delivers consistently pleasing depth and quality. Dialogues are rendered cleanly and stably, making them very easy to follow. There is minor imbalance at times but it’s hardly distracting.

This 2.0 Mono DTS-HD MA track stands out for its well-maintained dynamics, presenting a clean, crisp sound that avoids any sense of being dated. The mix seamlessly integrates vocals, effects, and music. The real highlight is the score, with synthesizers adding vibrant layers to the background and sometimes taking the forefront with strong presence. Despite being a mono mix, the audio has good low-frequency extension, providing a satisfying listening experience without relying on modern surround sound techniques.

In sum, the audio presentation on this Blu-ray does a commendable job of ensuring clarity and depth throughout, particularly with dialogue reproduction. The mix achieves good clarity and superb audibility, capturing all nuances including breaths and fine diction details. This release surpasses expectations for a film from its era, offering a robust and immersive auditory experience.

The extras on the Blu-ray release of "Special Effects" are an excellent addition for fans and cinephiles alike, offering insightful content that delves deeply into both the making of the film and its broader cultural significance. The standout feature is an audio commentary by director Larry Cohen, moderated by filmmaker Steve Mitchell, which provides comprehensive details about the production history, socio-cultural context, and the contributions of the cast and crew. The original trailer is also included, enhancing the nostalgic value of this release. These thoughtfully curated extras significantly enrich the viewing experience and provide substantial value for anyone interested in cinematic history and production techniques.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailers: Original trailer for Special Effects. Not subtitled.
• Commentary: Larry Cohen discusses in detail the film's production history, socio-cultural environment, and contributions of cast and crew, moderated by Steve Mitchell.

Larry Cohen’s Special Effects (1984) is an engaging, gritty neo-noir film recently released on Blu-ray by Olive Films. The narrative follows Keefe Waterman, played by Brad Rijn, a naive Oklahoma country boy who ventures into the dark side of New York City searching for his wife, Mary Jean (Zoë Lund). Keefe's search takes a sinister turn when Mary Jean falls victim to the ambitious yet shady film director Chris Neville (Eric Bogosian), who brutally murders her on camera. The plot twists as Keefe becomes entangled in Neville's manipulative schemes, ultimately becoming part of a film project that relays the real-life murder.

The film often evokes comparisons to Brian De Palma’s work due to its '80s sleaze element and a synthesizer-driven soundtrack reminiscent of Pino Donaggio's compositions. Cohen’s directing style is notably raw and unrefined, giving the film a rough glamour that paradoxically enhances its appeal. The characters remain unapologetically flawed, their bleakness underscoring the unyielding noir atmosphere. Michael Minard's synth-heavy score complements this aesthetic effectively, channeling a retro vibe akin to Jan Hammer's iconic Miami Vice soundtrack. Notable is Cohen’s use of sets and lighting, which elevate the film's visual flair despite its limited production values.

While Special Effects has moments of dark humor and satirical swipes at Hollywood archetypes, its overarching tone remains shadowy and indulgent. The film showcases some compelling performances, particularly from Lund and Bogosian, though some may find Bogosian's portrayal over-the-top. While it can feel somewhat drawn out, Cohen’s ability to maintain intrigue performs adequately throughout the runtime. Overall, Special Effects stands as a peculiar yet captivating entry in Cohen’s filmography, worthy of attention for its atmospheric score, intricate plot twists, and the raw charm that only the '80s could muster.

Larry Cohen's "Special Effects" stands as a quintessential '80s genre film that will resonate with aficionados of Brian De Palma and Abel Ferrara's work. Despite certain discernible flaws, the movie carries an inherent rough, retro charm that captivates. Olive Films has delivered a commendable Blu-ray presentation, ensuring the visual transfer maintains a filmic look true to its original texture. The audio track is robust, providing a clear and immersive experience. Additionally, this release is enhanced by an insightful new audio commentary featuring Larry Cohen himself, which offers valuable context and enriches the viewing experience.

"Special Effects" might be categorized as a lesser-known thriller from its era, yet it retains a distinct allure that justifies a revisit. Olive Films' Blu-ray proves to be a worthy addition to any collection, with a presentation that satisfies both dedicated fans and new viewers alike. The image quality preserves the film's authentic aesthetic, while the sound fidelity exceeds expectations, contributing to a gratifying auditory engagement.

In conclusion, "Special Effects" on Blu-ray by Olive Films is highly recommended. The film's unique retro glamour, coupled with Olive Films' solid technical execution and the engaging new commentary by Larry Cohen, renders this release a must-have for genre enthusiasts. The current competitive price point further enhances its appeal, making it an excellent acquisition for anyone interested in exploring or revisiting this distinctive cinematic experience.