Burning Palms Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Burning Palms" provides a moderately satisfying visual experience, capturing the digital look characteristic of its RED camera origin. The 1080p/AVC encode offers clear and sharp visuals with notable facial detail in close-ups and well-defined texture on characters' clothing. However, there are occasional soft shots that detract from the overall clarity. Color rendering is realistic but somewhat flat, primarily due to the inherent cinematographic choices rather than the transfer itself.

Despite efforts to deliver visual appeal, the Blu-ray transfer has some significant shortcomings. Blacks provide some depth but can often crush fine detail in faces and fabrics and harbor noticeable noise, especially in shadow areas. Highlights occasionally appear blown-out, indicative of limitations in exposure compensation typical of many mid-range digital rigs. The color palette fluctuates, sometimes offering a vivid, graphic novel-like brightness and at other times fading into almost brownish hues that lack vibrancy. While this transfer is likely the best possible given the source material, it leaves room for improvement.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track for "Burning Palms" offers a serviceable but ultimately underwhelming audio experience. The sound mix is predominantly low-key, fitting the film’s overall tone. Instances of intense audio are sparse, with a trip to a bass-heavy nightclub being the most notable exception. Ambience usage, such as ocean sounds and LA traffic, is subtle, primarily relegated to the rear channels where it occasionally complements Matthew Margeson's score and incidental music. The result is an audio track that is clear and full, although not particularly dynamic or punchy.

Dialogue clarity is maintained throughout the film, although some voices appear low in the mix, which can make whispers hard to hear. Despite these inconsistencies, dialogue remains intelligible and unmuddled. The film tends to be front-centric due to its dialogue-heavy nature, with minimal engagement from the surround channels even in crowded scenes such as restaurants or clubs. The LFE is modest and doesn’t provide substantial support even during scenes with hip-hop music blaring in a club. Optional English SDH and Spanish subtitles are available, presented in easy-to-read white lettering. While the audio presentation does many things right, there are areas where "Burning Palms" could have seen improvement.

The Blu-ray release of "Burning Palms" is notably lacking in substantial extras, featuring only a single standard definition trailer spanning two minutes. Despite the professional execution, the absence of behind-the-scenes featurettes or interviews with the director and stars—common inclusions that offer insight and context—is disappointing. For enthusiasts hoping for deeper engagement or additional content, this minimalistic offering falls short of expectations.

Extras included in this disc:

Trailer: A standard definition trailer showcasing the movie.

"Burning Palms," directed by Christopher Landon, ambitiously attempts to shock and provoke with five distinct tales centered on societal taboos in Los Angeles. Despite its bold tagline, "Five Tales That Will F#%! You Up 4 Life," the film fails to deliver genuinely impactful content, often relying on clichéd and contrived scenarios instead. Characters come across as one-dimensional and unlikeable, as demonstrated in the first tale, "The Green-Eyed Monster," where Chloe (Emily Meade) and her father Dennis' (Dylan McDermott) unsettlingly close relationship fails to elicit anything beyond discomfort and derision. This sense of superficial connection extends throughout the film, resulting in uninspired narratives that lack the depth needed for genuine satire or meaningful commentary.

Of the five segments, "This Little Piggy" and "Man Eater" stand out but still fall short of their intended impact. "This Little Piggy" diverges into dark comedy with its focus on Ginny (Jamie Chung) who becomes obsessively neurotic after complying with a minor sexual request from her boyfriend, Chad (Robert Hoffman). While the absurdity of a lingering 'poop finger' does amuse, it hardly achieves the film's claimed life-altering effect. Conversely, "Man Eater," featuring Zoe Saldana as a rape victim seeking a warped sense of connection with her aggressor, shows some promise due to Saldana's compelling performance. Her nuanced portrayal offers a brief respite from otherwise hollow storytelling.

Other narratives such as "Buyer’s Remorse" and "Kangaroo Court" fail spectacularly in their misguided attempts at satire and social commentary. The former blunders through a racially insensitive depiction of a gay couple adopting a black market child, while the latter's ill-conceived depiction of rich kids' misconduct is simply over-the-top and unbelievable. Ultimately, "Burning Palms" feels forced and insincere in its attempts to shock, offering more irritation than intrigue. Technical proficiency in Blu-ray presentation cannot salvage a fundamentally flawed and grating viewing experience.

The Blu-Ray release of "Burning Palms" offers a well-intentioned attempt at dark satire that ultimately falls flat. The movie, directed by Christopher Landon, bundles together five loosely interconnected stories filled with supposedly provocative content aimed at pushing societal boundaries. Unfortunately, this results in a disjointed narrative lacking depth and coherence. The characters are largely unlikable and poorly developed, making it difficult for viewers to maintain interest or empathy. The film suffers from a lack of serious engagement with its themes, relying instead on shock value that feels forced and unearned.

Technically, the Blu-Ray presentation is competent with a clean transfer that boasts crisp visuals and solid audio quality. Yet, these technical merits can't redeem the film itself. "Burning Palms" seems more interested in provoking for its own sake rather than offering any substantive insights or satisfying storytelling. The writing does little to elevate the film's scattered premise, leaving viewers with a series of uncomfortable vignettes that fail to coalesce into a meaningful experience. Furthermore, despite its attempts at edginess, the film often borders on the puerile rather than the profound.

In conclusion, Burning Palms is a misfire both narratively and thematically. Its contempt for its characters and audience does nothing to endear itself and only serves to alienate viewers. If you're looking for a film that challenges norms while providing thoughtful content, this isn't the right choice. Save your time and avoid this one unless you’re inexplicably drawn to cinematic disappointments.