Mid-Century Blu-ray Review

"Mid-Century" on Blu-ray, presented by Lionsgate Films with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.00:1 aspect ratio, showcases a solid video quality that adheres to what could be humorously dubbed the "Lionsgate's rule of 4" - solid but not spectacular. The digital production presents an appealing visual experience, though it's characterized by a parchment-yellow tint that enhances the film’s vintage aesthetic, especially apparent during 1950s flashback scenes. While this adds to the ambiance, the choice doesn't significantly compromise the detail levels, which remain robust throughout more contemporary scenes. Unfortunately, occasional moments of banding are evident, primarily in dark interior shots, but they don't overwhelmingly detract from the overall experience.

The Blu-ray maintains competent digital capture, likely derived from a 2K DI. Its production design notably excels in presenting intricate textures and details, as seen in plush fabrics on props and costumes, indicating strong attention to detail. Extreme close-ups provide striking, sometimes unsettling clarity on specific elements such as wounds. The color palette frequently trends towards a cool blue tone, adding another layer to the film’s unique aesthetic. Noteworthy are irregular visible banding instances; though the masthead at the disc boot-up displays this anomaly more prominently, it is less pronounced within the film itself. However, attentive viewers might notice rippling effects during scenes involving sudden changes in lighting or when light sources are directed towards the camera, particularly during the film’s concluding sequences.

In summary, "Mid-Century" provides a visually competent presentation with some quirks that contribute to its distinct style. It handles production details respectfully but is accompanied by minor technical blemishes that might catch the eye of a discerning audience. Yet, these issues do not significantly undermine what remains a visually engaging experience.

The audio presentation of the "Mid-Century" Blu Ray features a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that delivers a solid yet unremarkable experience. The mix primarily leans forward heavy, with the score contributing a moody ambiance that fills the surround channels adequately. While not abundant with standout moments, it does provide decent immersion, especially in scenes set in environmental spaces like the Banner home's backyard, where ambient sounds are well-articulated. Dialogue clarity is consistently maintained, ensuring easy comprehension across the runtime.

The low-end spectrum is moderately utilized, adding a satisfactory thump during scare and fright sequences, though it stops short of offering a truly dynamic auditory experience. While not revolutionary, the audio track services the film's tone and atmosphere competently. The inclusion of startle effects enacts some engagement with the subwoofer, offering brief but effective bursts of intensity that could have been capitalized on further to enhance the film's tension.

Subtitles are available in English, French, and Spanish, ensuring accessibility for a broader audience. In summary, while the audio track of "Mid-Century" does an adequate job of supporting the film's narrative through sound, it remains largely functional rather than exceptional, providing a satisfactory but middle-of-the-road listening experience for viewers.

The Blu-ray extras for "Mid-Century" offer an insightful and engaging dive into the film’s creative process. The director, Sonja O'Hara, and writer-producer-actor Mike Stern provide an illuminating commentary that can appeal to both enthusiasts of film production and fans of the movie. Their honest discussion reveals behind-the-scenes intricacies and thoughtful reflections on the thematic elements explored within the film. Supplementing this, the high-definition trailer captures the film's essence effectively, making it a valuable addition for collectors and cinephiles alike. The inclusion of a digital version of the film and a slipcover elevates the value proposition, providing a well-rounded package for physical media collectors.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary with Director Sonja O'Hara and Writer-Producer-Actor Mike Stern: Insightful discussion on film production and thematic elements.
• Trailer: High-definition preview encapsulating the film's essence.

"Mid-Century" endeavors to fuse elements of horror, supernatural thrillers, and sci-fi, ultimately culminating in a movie that is both disjointed and convoluted. The narrative unfolds with promising seeds of intrigue as it introduces eccentric architect Frederick Banner, played with vivid aplomb by Stephen Lang. Through a flurry of flashbacks set in the 20th century, Banner’s character is established as a malevolent presence haunted by his architectural creations and sinister deeds. This initial setup, however, devolves into a labyrinth of plot mechanics that struggle to coalesce into a coherent story.

In contemporary times, we follow the story of Tom Levin (Shane West) and his partner Alice (Chelsea Gilligan), whose stay in the infamous Banner’s home uncovers layers of supernatural and occult complexities. Tom’s fascination with architecture bemuses into eerie exploration as he begins experiencing spectral visions connected to Banner’s past. The script attempts to juggle multiple narrative threads—occasional horror, occult mystery, and personal relationship dynamics—but often falters under its own weight, leading to narrative incoherence and predictability.

Despite the film’s dense plotting, there are interesting concepts like body jumping and soul conduits that hint at potentially engaging material. Yet, these elements are often lost in the overwhelming script clutter and predictable twists that fail to surprise due to early telegraphing of the plot’s resolution. Composer Vivek Maddala's score, though appropriate, does little to elevate the film's overall execution. While Stephen Lang's theatrical performance remains a highlight, "Mid-Century" ultimately struggles to deliver a narrative that can match its ambitious premise, leaving viewers with an amalgam of underdeveloped ideas.

The Blu-ray release of "Mid-Century" by Lionsgate offers a technically competent package, though the film itself struggles with narrative coherence. Directed by Sonja O'Hara and penned by Mike Stern, this thriller is ambitiously constructed but ultimately suffers from an overloaded script that lacks focus. Despite some intriguing concepts and commendable production design, the story fails to gel, resulting in a confusing narrative. The performances are inconsistent, with Stephen Lang standing out as a highlight due to his captivating over-the-top performance, though others fall short of making the screenplay engaging.

Visually, the Blu-ray delivers with a solid aspect ratio of 2.00:1 AVC, ensuring a crisp and immersive visual experience. The audio quality, presented in English DTS-HD MA 5.1, amplifies the film’s tension effectively, offering a robust auditory backdrop to the visuals. However, extras are sparse, limiting the behind-the-scenes insight typically valued by collectors and enthusiasts. The release includes subtitles in English SDH, French, and Spanish, catering to a wider audience but offers only a single language track, which may limit appeal.

In conclusion, while "Mid-Century" boasts strong technical offerings in its Blu-ray format, the convoluted plot and uneven acting dilute its potential impact. The lack of compelling extras further diminishes its value for collectors. This release may only merit a rent for those intrigued by its premise or standout elements like Stephen Lang’s performance. Otherwise, it is recommended to skip this and invest in more coherent and captivating cinematic experiences.