Feast of the Seven Fishes Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Feast of the Seven Fishes" offers a visually competent experience, albeit with some noted limitations. The film, shot in HD with a modest budget, is presented in an AVC encoded 1080p image with a 1.90:1 aspect ratio. The transfer captures a fair amount of detail, especially in close-ups where facial particulars and fibrous clothing textures come through clearly. However, the black levels are lacking depth, resulting in a somewhat milky appearance during darker scenes. Colors are generally pleasing, particularly in scenes adorned with Christmas lighting and during household events where period-specific outfits and decor are showcased. Nevertheless, occasional compression issues such as banding can be observed.

Shout Factory’s encoding on a BD-50 disc emphasizes the cinematography's inherent quality with an excellent AVC encode and a 1.78:1 aspect ratio presentation. The video maintains a sharp and clean look with neutral tonality and accurate skin tones throughout its 99-minute run time. Flesh tones are consistently natural and the clarity remains high, closely replicating the pristine nature of the original digital intermediate. Although not designed to be a demo-level spectacle due to the film's setting and subdued primary color scheme, the overall image quality is impressive. The black levels and shadow delineation perform adequately well, without any significant issues.

Despite the minor visual inconsistencies such as the staged 8MM film clips during the feast sequences, "Feast of the Seven Fishes" delivers a reliable viewing experience by leveraging modern filmmaking tools effectively. While it may not present as flashy or dynamic as other releases, its respectable definition and pleasing qualities make it a solid transfer for this holiday-themed period piece.

The audio presentation of "Feast of the Seven Fishes" on Blu-ray is serviced by a 5.1 DTS-HD MA track that captures performances with notable clarity and precision. Dialogue delivery is sharp and emotive, making even the exaggerated accents easy to follow, and ensuring group interactions are handled with finesse. The scoring is satisfactory but doesn't particularly stand out, offering decent support without overwhelming the other audio elements. While the soundtrack selections seem unusually subdued—a missed opportunity to enhance the period feel with pop and holiday songs—the atmospherics of community bustle and room tones are adeptly rendered as the action moves through various intimate settings like bars and homes.

The surround mix, though largely restrained, provides fine fidelity and lets the dialogue shine clearly without issue. Seasonal Christmas music is nicely integrated throughout the film, spread across the soundstage with good presence and clarity. Proper dynamics and occasional low-frequency effects add moments of punchiness to an otherwise straightforward audio design. The sense of immersion, while not a focal point, is successfully created in select scenes. The overall audio package is quite serviceable for a family holiday movie, making it a competent choice for viewers seeking clear dialogue and a pleasant seasonal soundtrack. Notably, Shout Factory includes a secondary stereo soundtrack in 2.0 DTS-HD MA and optional English SDH subtitles in a white font to accommodate different viewing preferences.

The Blu-ray edition of "Feast of the Seven Fishes" offers an intriguing set of special features that delve into the rich backstory and creative process behind the film. Director Robert Tinnell provides engaging commentary, shedding light on his personal connection to the project. The "Behind the Scenes" featurette explores the film's journey from Tinnell's childhood inspiration to its adaptation as a webcomic, book, and finally a feature film. It includes interviews with cast and crew, highlighting location choices, casting decisions, and the production's technical and weather challenges. Additionally, Tinnell's 2010 short film "The Game" about youth football is included, providing insight into his filmmaking evolution. The Photo Gallery and Theatrical Trailer round out the offerings.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary by Robert Tinnell: Insight into Tinnell's creative process and personal experiences.
• Behind the Scenes: Explores the film's journey, featuring interviews and production challenges.
• The Game: Tinnell's 2010 short film about youth football.
• Photo Gallery: Tinnell’s personal photos from the production.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original trailer for the film.

Feast of the Seven Fishes is a heartwarming holiday movie steeped in nostalgia, reflecting on the Italian-American celebration of Christmas in a West Virginia mining town during the 1980s. Director Robert Tinnell infuses personal elements into this semi-autobiographical story, balancing the holiday spirit with generational dynamics. The narrative centers on Tony (Skyler Gisondo), a young man torn between his family’s expectations at their local grocery store and his aspirations to attend art school. His chance encounter with Beth (Madison Iseman), who is navigating her own path away from wealthy Ivy League expectations, introduces a romance subplot that sometimes diverts attention from the more compelling family interactions.

Visually, Tinnell’s keen eye for period detail and his sincere portrayal of familial bonds stand out. With an impressive ensemble cast including Paul Ben-Victor, Joe Pantoliano, and Lynn Cohen, the film authentically depicts the chaos and warmth of the Oliverio family's preparations for the Feast of the Seven Fishes. While Tony and Beth's romance adds a modern touch, it occasionally feels less engaging compared to the vibrant depiction of family traditions and the spirited interactions among older generations.

Tinnell’s careful attention to the food scenes enriches the viewing experience, almost providing a culinary tour of Italian tradition. Yet, while the film thrives on the strength of its ensemble cast and cultural authenticity, it falters when delving too deep into melodrama concerning Tony's romantic entanglements and family responsibilities. Nonetheless, Feast of the Seven Fishes remains a delightful, earnest holiday movie that vividly captures the essence of familial love and festive cheer, offering a refreshing alternative to formulaic Christmas films.

"Feast of the Seven Fishes" on Blu-ray is a charming addition to any holiday movie collection. The film captures the essence of family camaraderie and the cultural richness of an Italian-American Christmas celebration. Director Robert Tinnell succeeds in portraying genuine moments of familial bonding and quirky kitchen dynamics, which serve as the backbone of the movie. However, the technical aspects leave much to be desired, with noticeable limitations in some visual effects like bluescreen driving shots that detract from the overall experience.

The plot centers around Tony and his week leading up to Christmas, but unfortunately, his storyline feels somewhat meandering and lacks the compelling pull necessary to anchor the narrative. Moreover, actor Skyler Gisondo's performance as Tony doesn't quite deliver the weight needed to drive the film's central arc forward. Despite these shortcomings, when the movie narrows its focus back onto the ensemble cast and their interactions, it finds its groove, eliciting warm, heartfelt moments that invoke nostalgia for past family festivities.

Ultimately, "Feast of the Seven Fishes" succeeds as a heartwarming holiday movie that thrives on its depiction of family ties, love, and humor despite its technical flaws and an underwhelming lead storyline. The Blu-ray release should still appeal to viewers looking to evoke the spirit of Christmas with a touch of Italian flair.