American Mary Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "American Mary" demonstrates an impressive execution of visual design, expertly highlighting Brian Pearson's effective use of Red Epic cameras. The AVC-encoded 1080p transfer, maintaining the original 2.40:1 aspect ratio, captures the film with remarkable clarity and detail. Blacks are profoundly deep with well-delineated shadows, creating a dim and mysterious atmosphere appropriate for the film's settings. Details of facial features, costumes, and props, including the various surgical instruments, stand out clearly whenever in focus. The film features a generally cool color palette in Mary's environments, contrasted by warmer tones in settings such as Billy's club, although colors like red are deliberately dulled to align with the movie's overall chilly aesthetic.

The encoding generally handles Red footage well, with an average bitrate of 19.94 Mbps ensuring that scenes are free from significant artifacts or noise. Although minor banding occurs sporadically, it remains largely inconspicuous and does not detract from the viewing experience. The balance between contrast and brightness is commendably well-maintained, with accurate black levels and natural flesh tones. The colors are bold and rendered cleanly, especially visible in green and red hues. The overall visual quality delivers a finely composed transfer that elevates this twisted low-budget horror flick, effectively reflecting its dark and atmospheric roots.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track for "American Mary" is an atmospheric yet somewhat understated presentation. It provides a general ambiance that fits the film's setting, but opportunities for elaborate surround activity are sparse. Key scenes, such as the Bourbon a Go Go club and a raucous party, mainly utilize the surround array to effectively position music. Dialogue is consistently clear and well-prioritized, ensuring that essential communications are intelligible without volume adjustments. The score, primarily composed by Peter Allen, enhances the eerie atmosphere, and the high-fidelity renditions of Ave Maria at pivotal moments deliver a flawless and progressively disturbing effect.

Despite its front-heavy design, the audio is nicely balanced across the three main channels with adequate separation. Although off-screen effects and movement lack the immersive quality found in more dynamic mixes, the music steps in to make up for this by broadening the soundstage. Low bass elements surprise with their depth and presence, adding weight to the overall mix. However, the dynamic range remains relatively flat and uniform, not pushing boundaries but staying clean and stable. The rear channels activate strategically for key screams, shrills, and ambient effects but don't offer continuous engagement. Overall, this DTS-HD MA 5.1 track is sufficient for its purpose, providing a solid auditory experience fitting for the genre while being sure to please within its scope.

The extras on the "American Mary" Blu-ray disc provide a comprehensive and engaging insight into the film's production, showcasing the dynamic efforts of the Soska Sisters and their cast. The audio commentary, filled with lively discussions and anecdotes from directors Jen and Sylvia Soska, actresses Katharine Isabelle, and Tristan Risk, offers fans both insight and entertainment, although Isabelle’s audio quality is somewhat compromised. The making-of featurette is a standout, presenting raw, behind-the-scenes footage that delivers an unfiltered look at the hard work and unique makeup processes involved. Lastly, the trailers effectively tease and promote the film and other related projects. This collection of extras is a valuable addition for enthusiasts of the film.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary with Directors Jen & Sylvia Soska: Engaging and anecdotal insights from directors and cast.
• The Making of American Mary: Behind-the-scenes footage showcasing the film's production.
• Trailer: A promotional trailer for "American Mary".
• Additional Trailers: Trailers for related films at startup.

Jen and Sylvia Soska, under the banner of Twisted Twins Productions, deliver a thought-provoking and gruesome film with "American Mary." The movie, a polished follow-up to their debut "Dead Hooker in a Trunk," delves into the world of underground body modification through the journey of med student Mary Mason, played by Katharine Isabelle. Desperation drives Mary to balance her surgical residency with high-paying, illicit procedures after an unexpected opportunity at a strip club. The story explores themes of empowerment and vengeance as Mary navigates her conflicting roles and ever-deepening moral quandaries.

The film's plot unfolds elegantly, blending horror with dark humor and psychological tension. Isabelle’s portrayal of Mary is a study in restrained intensity; she adeptly conveys Mary’s inner turmoil and growing detachment while maintaining an intriguing mystery. Supporting characters, like the unsettling Beatress with a surgically fixed Betty Boop face, enrich the narrative’s dive into grotesque personal transformations. Tone shifts seamlessly between unsettling horror scenes and moments of dark hilarity, ensuring that even the most graphic sequences are delivered with an original, often feminist perspective.

While the film maintains energy throughout, some mid-section pacing issues reflect the challenges faced in narrative direction. Critics note the inclusion of a largely purposeless detective subplot and occasional emotional beats that fail to resonate deeply. However, these are minor distractions from an otherwise gripping film. Rooted in gore yet avoiding gratuitousness, "American Mary" subverts genre norms by keeping the focus on character development and thematic exploration over mere shock value. Despite its low-budget constraints and rushed production schedule, "American Mary" stands as a noteworthy contribution to modern horror, showcasing the Soskas' distinctive voice and vision.

"American Mary", directed by the Soska Sisters, is an exceptional entry in the body modification horror genre. The film’s narrative centers on Mary Mason, a medical student entangled in an underground world of extreme body modification. Katharine Isabelle’s performance as Mary is compelling, offering a darkly humorous and unsettling portrayal that engages viewers from start to finish. Despite its low budget, the film's technical execution is commendable with excellent picture quality and robust audio on the Blu-ray release, although the bonus material could be more substantial.

The film creates an alternate dreamworld that effectively immerses its audience, reminiscent of works by Clive Barker and David Cronenberg. The story is unapologetically grotesque, comparable to titles like 'The Human Centipede', and it delves deep into themes that challenge conventional aesthetics and morality. While some narrative elements, such as Mary’s ambiguous backstory and the character of Billy, may invite scrutiny, these potential shortcomings do not detract significantly from the overall experience.

Overall, "American Mary" is highly recommended for genre fans who appreciate morbidly comedic and provocatively twisted tales. The film stands out for its unique narrative and strong lead performance, making it a must-watch for those drawn to exploitation horror. Engage with this Blu-ray whether through a theater screening or a convenient pre-order, and be prepared for a gripping journey into a darkly fascinating world.

One can quibble with American Mary on numerous points, and it's easy to imagine studio executives noting the film to death. Mary's backstory remains opaque; the character of Billy hovers somewhere between thug and white knight; and it's hard to believe that the underground culture of body modification manages to flourish without a frightening number of casualties from post-surgical complications. But all this is beside the point. Effective horror movies aren't about realism, but about establishing an alternate dreamworld that feels real while it lasts. The Soskas have done that with American Mary in a manner that stands favorable comparison with acknowledged masters such as Clive Barker and David Cronenberg. Highly recommended.