Bloodstone Blu-ray Review
Score: 72
from 3 reviewers
Review Date:
Bloodstone's plot feels overcomplicated and humor falls flat, though the technical merits and well-crafted supplementary package make it noteworthy for collectors.
Disc Release Date
DTS-HD MA
Video: 74
Despite some rough moments and spikes in grain, Arrow Video's Blu-ray release of Bloodstone offers a surprisingly gorgeous 2K restoration with accurate skin tones, lush colors, deep black levels, stable presentation, and commendable detail, particularly in natural environments.
Audio: 75
Bloodstone's audio presentation features DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and LPCM 2.0 tracks. The 5.1 track provides good ambient spatial accuracy and dynamic gunfire muscle, although mainly utilizes the rears to swell the score. Dialogue is mostly clear across both tracks, with notable low-end presence in the stereo version.
Extra: 73
Extras on the Bloodstone Blu-ray include two insightful commentaries—one from director Dwight H. Little and another from journalist Bryan Reesman—plus an eccentric 28-minute self-interview by Nico Mastorakis and an informative 22-minute audio essay on Rajinikanth by Josh Hurtado, though it suffers from poor sound quality; trailers and a 28-still image gallery round out the offering.
Movie: 52
Bloodstone, a B-grade action film set in India, features Tamil superstar Rajinikanth in his first English language role and boasts exotic location scenery. Despite its attempt at mimicking '80s adventures like Romancing the Stone, it suffers from unexciting pacing, lackluster performances, and disjointed dialogue.
Video: 74
Arrow Video’s Blu-ray release of "Bloodstone" showcases a surprisingly impressive 2K restoration from the original 35mm interpositive, utilizing an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The meticulous restoration, conducted by Silver Salt Restoration in London, has resulted in a presentation that maintains a highly organic appearance with well-resolved grain. Detail levels are commendably high throughout most of the film, with the saturated palette capturing lush, vivid hues particularly well in natural environments. Skin tones are accurate, and the deep black levels coupled with excellent shadow detail contribute significantly to the visual depth. Brightness and contrast levels are ideal, and the overall presentation remains stable with no visible damage.
However, some discrepancies are present. The transfer contains variable moments, especially noticeable in sequences involving optically printed titles where the grain spikes conspicuously, and detail levels subsequently drop. While these instances are generally brief and sporadic, they do impact sections of the viewing experience. Despite these fluctuations, the sharpness and reasonable detail bring the scenery to life, especially the rich representation of Indian landscapes captured in 1988. Arrow's encoding handles grain effectively, ensuring that no print damage distracts from the viewing experience. The restoration adeptly heightens colors without bleed, offering controlled primaries and spot-on flesh tones.
In summary, this Blu-ray transfer of "Bloodstone" is largely commendable for its ability to deliver vivid and lush visuals with consistent detail and color accuracy. Aside from minor inconsistencies in grain management, Arrow Video has successfully curated a high-definition version of a cult classic, making it an excellent addition for fans.
Audio: 75
The Blu-ray audio presentation of "Bloodstone" offers both DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and LPCM 2.0 tracks, delivering strong performance across various parameters. The 5.1 track notably enhances the film's somewhat anachronistic arena rock soundtrack, giving it noticeable expansion and presence in surround mode. Outdoor scenes benefit from spatially accurate placement of ambient environmental sound effects, adding depth and immersion. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly, although the thick accents might necessitate the use of optional English subtitles for some viewers.
Notably, the DTS-HD 5.1 mix effectively spaces out sound effects and score, providing dynamic muscle to gunfire sequences while maintaining clarity in dialogue exchanges, despite occasional overdubbing. However, the track does not involve the rear channels extensively, largely relegating them to swelling the score. The 2.0 LPCM track also presents a commendable audio experience with wide front soundstage separation and noticeable low-end thumps from the music. While lacking the broader spatial immersion of its 5.1 counterpart, it compensates with clear and well-ranging sound—offering a more focused but equally satisfying auditory experience.
Overall, whether choosing to engage with the enhanced environmental surround of the 5.1 DTS-HD track or opting for the precise, clear separation of the LPCM stereo track, "Bloodstone" provides quality audio options that cater to varying listener preferences. Both versions ensure a coherent and engaging auditory experience conducive to the film’s adventurous tone.
Extras: 73
The Blu-ray extras for "Bloodstone" offer a solid blend of insightful commentary and engaging content, providing fans with a comprehensive behind-the-scenes look at the film. Notably, there are two audio commentaries: one features director Dwight Little and is hosted by Michael Felsher, and the other showcases the expertise of journalist Bryan Reesman. "Keepin' It to Myself," by Nico Mastorakis, delivers an eccentric but informative self-interview, including rare outtakes. Josh Hurtado's "From Bollywood to Bloodstone" offers a deep dive into the legacy of Indian superstar Rajinikanth, albeit with suboptimal audio quality. The disc also includes trailers and an image gallery, rounding out a robust selection of extras.
Extras included in this disc:
- Commentary by Dwight Little and Michael Felsher: Insightful discussion on Little's filmmaking experiences.
- Commentary by Bryan Reesman: In-depth film analysis.
- Keepin' It to Myself: Unique self-interview with Nico Mastorakis.
- From Bollywood to Bloodstone: Audio essay on Rajinikanth by Josh Hurtado.
- Original Theatrical Trailer
- 2020 Re-Issue Trailer
- Image Gallery
Movie: 52
"Bloodstone" is an emblematic product of the late 1980s, created with a dual purpose: filling cable television schedules and catering to the video rental market. The film attempts to recapture the adventure and romance found in movies like "Romancing the Stone," but falls short of a cohesive narrative. Lushly shot in India, it boasts the first English-language performance from Tamil superstar Rajinikanth, albeit marred by the misspelling of his name in the credits. The plot centers around a cursed, priceless ruby that repeatedly changes hands, yet despite a promising premise, the disparate elements fail to fully gel.
The narrative begins with an ancient Indian ritual involving a ruby adorned with a princess's blood, believed to imbue it with magical properties. Subsequently, we follow an American couple, Sandy and Stephanie McVey, who unwittingly become embroiled in an international heist upon meeting a suspicious Brit named Jack Kehler during their train journey. As the plot twists and turns similarly to Hitchcock's "The Man Who Knew Too Much," it devolves into a lackluster caper. Director Dwight H. Little, known for titles like "Halloween 4" and "Marked for Death," does not manage to harness the film's potential dynamism. Moreover, lead actors Brett Stimely and Anne Nicholas exhibit scant chemistry, contributing to the narrative's stumbling pace.
Nevertheless, "Bloodstone" manages to inject some moments of energy through its secondary characters and vibrant setting. Rajinikanth stands out, offering both combat prowess and comic relief, balancing an otherwise tepid storyline marked by forced buddy-cop humor. Sadly, racial insensitivity mars parts of the film, including Charlie Brill's portrayal of an Indian detective in culturally insensitive makeup and accent. While the film does provide some picturesque Indian landscapes and at times attempts to bridge cultural divides, its narrative thinness and inconsistent pacing deter it from achieving more than momentary entertainment value.
Total: 72
The Blu-ray release of Bloodstone presents a largely nostalgic experience that falls short due to a convoluted plot and inconsistent humor. The film, although derivative in narrative, does benefit from intriguing locations that add a layer of genuine interest. The attempts at humor, unfortunately, feel forced and miss the mark, creating an uneven tonal balance throughout the runtime. However, it's noteworthy that the technical quality of both audio and video is solid, offering a clean and appealing visual presentation that will satisfy home theater enthusiasts.
This release comes packed with comprehensive and insightful supplemental content. The first audio commentary, led by Michael Felsher, features an informative conversation with director Dwight H. Little on his filmmaking journey and specific experiences with Bloodstone. The second commentary, delivered by journalist Bryan Reesman, dives deep into the film’s production with palpable enthusiasm. Also included is the captivating making-of feature "Keeping it to Myself" by Nico Mastorakis, which stands out for its detailed behind-the-scenes look, complemented by rare outtakes. The thoughtful audio essay "From Bollywood to Bloodstone" by Josh Hurtado explores Rajinikanth's monumental rise in Indian cinema. Moreover, the set includes a fascinating image gallery and a 24-page insert booklet with an essay by Mark Cunliffe and extensive restoration details.
The Blu-ray release of Bloodstone may not break new ground within its genre but offers a respectable exploration of action-adventure tropes while striving, albeit imperfectly, to add fresh dynamics. With its solid technical presentation and extensive supplementary materials, this package is an appealing addition for collectors and fans interested in the filmmaking process and regional cinema cross-overs.
Blu-ray.com review by Jeffrey KauffmanRead review here
Video: 70
Some of these, as in the opening sequence which has optically printed titles, are perhaps more understandable than some later moments where suddenly the grain field spikes pretty dramatically and detail...
Audio: 80
The 5.1 track also opens up many of the outdoor scenes with good spatially accurate placement of ambient environmental sound effects....
Extras: 60
From Bollywood to Bloodstone (1080p; 22:00) is an audio piece by Josh Hurtado about Rajinikanth, which plays to stills of the actor....
Movie: 50
That would seem to give Bloodstone a nice foundational element, with an American married couple traveling in an exotic foreign land in involved in intrigue that they have no real information on, kind of...
Total: 50
Some of the locations are really interesting, but the plot seems tired and ultimately way overconvoluted, and the attempts at breezy humor often fall flat....
The Digital Bits review by Tim SalmonsRead review here
Video: 95
Detail comes through brilliantly, regardless of lighting levels, but impresses the most in natural environments....
Audio: 90
While never allowing for panning activity, the 5.1 track does space out its sound effects and score well enough, giving gunfire extra dynamic muscle....
Extras: 90
Keeping it to Myself is an excellent and eccentric making-of, spearheaded by Nico Mastorakis, who takes us through the background on the film and the making of it, even occasionally including rare outtakes....
Movie: 55
An English language vehicle for Indian star Rajinikanth that self-admittedly apes elements of Romancing the Stone and Raiders of the Lost Ark, the film came and went as just another B grade actioner—not...
Total: 83
Keeping it to Myself is an excellent and eccentric making-of, spearheaded by Nico Mastorakis, who takes us through the background on the film and the making of it, even occasionally including rare outtakes....
DoBlu review by Matt PaprockiRead review here
Video: 80
Giving the Indian scenery a glow, Arrow’s Blu-ray release heightens the color to give these location shots a natural boost....
Audio: 80
The 2.0 track offers wide front soundstage separation, and even some low-end thumps from the music....
Extras: 80
For an additional 23 Bloodstone screenshots, early access to all screens (plus the 120,000+ already in our library), 100 exclusive 4K UHD reviews, and more, subscribe on Patreon....
Movie: 60
Dialog still dismisses India like a third-world country, demeaning their currency as practically worthless, but Rajinikanth’s presence adds slight balance....
Total: 75
Bloodstone doesn’t avoid its genre tropes, but digs into them while at least attempting to break from foreign inequality....
Director: Dwight H. Little
Actors: Brett Stimely, Rajinikanth, A.R. Nicholas
PlotIn the story, a valuable ancient ruby known as the Bloodstone is stolen from an Indian temple by criminals intent on selling it for a fortune. Meanwhile, an American couple, Sandy and Stephanie McVey, arrive in India for their vacation. Unwittingly, Sandy comes into possession of the Bloodstone after it’s hidden in his luggage by the thieves trying to evade capture. As the criminals realize Sandy's role, they scheme to retrieve the gemstone from him.
Simultaneously, an Indian police officer named Inspector Ramesh starts investigating the crime. Unaware of Sandy's accidental involvement, Ramesh follows leads that bring him closer to uncovering the truth. Tensions rise as the criminals close in on the McVeys, forcing Sandy and Stephanie into a desperate struggle for survival. Alongside Ramesh, they must navigate dangerous encounters and unravel the mystery of the Bloodstone if they hope to escape with their lives.
Writers: Curt Allen, Nico Mastorakis
Release Date: 07 Oct 1988
Runtime: 91 min
Rating: PG-13
Country: United States, India
Language: English