Nightmare at Noon Blu-ray Review

Arrow Video’s Blu-ray release of "Nightmare at Noon" offers an impressive visual presentation with a newly minted 2K restoration. The film, shot on 35mm with Panavision equipment, unfolds in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio. This transfer provides a vibrant showcase, particularly in the brightly lit outdoor scenes where Utah's red sandstones and the expansive blue skies truly shine. The film's high definition presentation, managed at a healthy bitrate, ensures that textures and fine details, like the complex patterns in denim fabrics and the rugged features of George Kennedy’s face, are crisply rendered.

Despite some minor variances in grain and clarity—especially noticeable in certain indoor police station scenes—this new release significantly enhances the prior edition by Shout! Factory, with superior detail and depth. Arrow Video’s effort is complemented by strong grain management, which ensures stability throughout the film. The color palette is robust with a striking range of reds, blues, and greens that mirror the diverse tones of the desert landscape. While flesh tones can verge on being slightly orange, they usually maintain a natural appearance.

Overall, the transfer's vivid colors and deep black levels provide an immersive viewing experience. The lush greens and reds are especially pronounced, contrasting elegantly against the browns and tans of the desert. In sum, Arrow Video has delivered a meticulously restored version of "Nightmare at Noon," making it a definitive upgrade for admirers of this cult classic.

The Blu-ray of "Nightmare at Noon" offers robust audio options with DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and LPCM 2.0, providing a dynamic auditory experience. The 5.1 surround track notably enhances outdoor scenes, bringing expansive soundscapes and engaging effects, particularly during high-intensity sequences like car crashes and explosions. Hans Zimmer and Stanley Myers' score benefits from an increased spatial dimension in the DTS-HD track, although it doesn’t reach the pinnacle of their notable works. Dialogue is delivered with clarity, though occasional issues arise with certain characters becoming momentarily unintelligible, notably in the lower registers of action scenes.

The 5.1 track features effective sound separation and immersive panning, creating a lively atmosphere with pronounced background ambience and frequent activity in bass-heavy elements, like explosions and gunfire. The LPCM 2.0 stereo track offers a more concise auditory backdrop, presenting dialogue slightly elevated for improved intelligibility compared to the surround mix. While some dialogue exchanges may experience brief drop-ins of clarity, these elements do not significantly detract from the overall listening experience.

Both tracks are generally free of hiss and pops, maintaining clean and clear sound integrity throughout. While there might be minor instances where the mix in bigger shootouts loses sharpness, resulting in an echo effect, these moments are minimal and do not impede enjoyment. Subtitles in English SDH and Greek add an accessible layer for a broader audience. Overall, the audio presentation on this Blu-ray is compelling, fortifying the film's tension and action with impressive auditory dynamics.

Arrow's Blu-ray release of "Nightmare at Noon" delivers a comprehensive suite of extras that offer a deep dive into the film's production and the careers of its cast. The highlight is "The Films of Nico Mastorakis," an engaging retrospective featuring insightful interviews and archival footage, expertly curated by Mastorakis himself. "Behind the Scenes Cuts" provides an intriguing juxtaposition of raw behind-the-scenes clips with snippets from the finished film. The "On Set Interviews" collection, although showcasing some video artifacting, offers candid conversations with key cast members. Additional insights are provided through individual segments on actors Wings Hauser, Bo Hopkins, Kimberly Beck, George Kennedy, and Brion James. A trailer and an image gallery backed by a Stanley Myers and Hans Zimmer score cap off the extras.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Films of Nico Mastorakis: Insightful retrospective with archival footage.
• Behind the Scenes Cuts: Raw behind-the-scenes footage.
• On Set Interviews: Interviews with the cast.
• Wings Hauser: Feature on actor Wings Hauser.
• Bo Hopkins: Feature on actor Bo Hopkins.
• Kimberly Beck: Feature on actress Kimberly Beck.
• George Kennedy: Feature on actor George Kennedy.
• Brion James: Feature on actor Brion James.
• Trailer: Original promotional trailer.
• Image Gallery: Production stills with musical accompaniment.

"Nightmare at Noon," directed by Nico Mastorakis, is a 1988 film that has garnered a mixed reputation over the years, with some viewers appreciating it as a "so bad it’s good" spectacle while others see more merit in its execution. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Moab, Utah, the film indulges in the alluring desolation of an isolated town besieged by a mad scientist's malevolent experiment. The plot revolves around The Albino, a taciturn yet sinister figure whose scheme to poison the local water supply turns unsuspecting citizens into frenzied marauders.

Central to this visceral narrative are visitors Ken and Cheri Griffiths, along with hitchhiker Reilly, whose encounter at a diner sets off a cascade of chaos. The film transitions from horror-driven suspense to western motifs complete with horseback shootouts amidst Utah's iconic arches. Mastorakis weaves elements reminiscent of Romero-esque horror with classic western showdowns, enhancing the intriguing amalgamation with a soundtrack co-composed by Stanley Myers and Hans Zimmer. The narrative shift is brought vividly to life by committed performances; Wings Hauser portrays a self-absorbed attorney, while Bo Hopkins delivers an engaging, scene-stealing presence. Meanwhile, George Kennedy lends gravitas to his role as Sheriff Hanks, despite showing signs of weariness.

The charm of "Nightmare at Noon" lies in its audacious amalgamation of genres and explosive action sequences. While the movie offers scant narrative coherence—most notably in its portrayal of the Agency for the Protection of the Environment's cryptic motives—it compensates with sheer entertainment value and stunt spectacles, including an infamous helicopter chase scene. Though lacking logical depth, this sci-fi horror-western mélange is a visual treat and caters to genre aficionados craving both absurdity and excitement.

"Nightmare at Noon" hits the shelves with a robust Blu-ray release courtesy of Arrow Video, undoubtedly raising the bar for this cult classic. Known for its schlocky and overtly cheesy narrative, this sci-fi action thriller is a dynamic cocktail of absurdity and entertainment. Commanding a potent cast, it weaves a tale reminiscent of 50's alien contamination films layered with the explosive action hallmark to Nico Mastorakis' work. This release is especially engaging for B-movie aficionados who cherish an afternoon filled with unapologetic thrills.

The technical quality of this Blu-ray is commendable, offering a superior transfer that surpasses previous editions such as the Scream Factory's version. This meticulous 2k restoration ensures rich visuals and pristine audio, bringing every frantic scene to life with renewed clarity. The appeal extends beyond the film itself, as Arrow Video compliments the release with an enticing array of bonus features, making it attractive for enthusiasts desiring both nostalgia and extra content. These supplements align well with Arrow Video's reputation for comprehensive and well-curated add-ons, enhancing the overall viewing experience.

Conclusively, "Nightmare at Noon" is a well-rounded Blu-ray package that marries nostalgic cinematic flair with modern restoration efforts. While the narrative may lean towards the ludicrous, those drawn to its particular brand of eccentricity will find it a noteworthy addition to their collection. Its deliberate cheesiness, paired with solid technical merits and an ample set of extras, makes it a recommendable pick for fans and B-movie lovers alike. Whether enjoyed as a solo watch or at an entertaining gathering, this release promises to revive the bizarre charm of Mastorakis' artistry efficiently.