Masks Blu-ray Review

The AVC encoded presentation of "Masks" in its 2.35:1 aspect ratio tends to reach the limits of its HD cinematography. The 1080p visuals offer an acceptable level of detail, particularly in extreme close-ups that highlight the intricacies of characters' panicky reactions and the visceral elements of the gore zones. However, middle and wide shots often suffer from a smeary softness, detracting from overall clarity. This inconsistency, partly intentional depending on the scene, adds a layer of complexity to the viewing experience. Whites occasionally exhibit excessive blooming, creating a distracting glow around characters.

Color rendering, while generally acceptable, struggles to fully harmonize with the film's exaggerated color palette due to some obvious and purposeful filtering. This results in moments where colors appear either oversaturated or lacking precise delineation. Additionally, banding and posterization are present throughout the film with varying intensity, further impacting the visual consistency. The black levels exhibit significant variation; some sequences boast impressive depth and shadow separation, while others appear flat, with soft and hazy blacks. Despite these issues, the image quality is not terrible but does prominently display its inherent faults.

The Blu-ray presentation of "Masks" delivers an exceptional audio experience, primarily through its robust DTS-HD MA 5.1 mix. A key highlight is the meticulously crafted scoring that injects power and definition into the audio landscape. The music retains its dynamism and remains well-balanced alongside dialogue, which, despite some recording limitations, maintains clear intensity. The surround channels successfully contribute to building an atmospheric texture, even though they offer limited definition.

Notably, the German DTS-HD MA 5.1 mix underscores the film's eerie setting with impressive spatial awareness and a mastery of silence, integral to its horror elements. The mix ensures that dialogue remains crisp and upfront without distortion, except where intentional for effect. The blend of sound effects, background atmospherics, and scoring achieves a delicate equilibrium, providing scenes with a sense of depth and dimension. Volume levels are well-calibrated across different audio elements, ensuring consistency and eliminating the need for frequent adjustments, even during quieter conversations. This expert calibration frequently allows for impactful auditory surprises during intense sequences, further enhancing the viewing experience.

The Blu-ray extras of "Masks" offer a comprehensive and insightful experience, providing an in-depth look into the film's production and additional content that expands on the main movie. The behind-the-scenes feature is particularly engaging, showcasing the small crew's creative processes, intimate shooting locations, and inventive lighting techniques, making it a must-watch for film enthusiasts. The deleted scenes, though not essential to the film, add atmospheric depth and mood-enhancing moments. With two trailers, a contemporary music video, a slideshow of publicity stills, and a detailed 22-page booklet featuring interviews and reviews, these extras significantly enrich the viewing experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Booklet: Forward by Andreas Marschall, biography, production stills, review by Kier-La Janisse, and an interview.
• Behind the Scenes: Fly-on-the-wall look at the production.
• Deleted Scenes: Four character moments.
• Slideshow: Publicity stills.
• Music Video: Modern metal sound promotion.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original trailer.
• 2006 Trailer: Updated trailer.
• CD Soundtrack: Contains 21 tracks.
• Baseball Card: Celebrates Susan Ermich as a Reel Gore Girl.

"Masks," a 2011 German horror film by Andreas Marschall, serves as an ambitious homage to Italian Giallo cinema, especially Dario Argento’s "Suspiria." It follows Stella (Susen Ermich), an aspiring actress who enrolls in an enigmatic drama school that employs a forbidden method capable of invoking madness. Marschall meticulously crafts a rich Giallo atmosphere through vibrant colors, eerie sound effects, and a compelling score. However, the film's dedication to replication over innovation sometimes hinders its potential. Despite budget constraints and occasional predictability, "Masks" genuinely surprises with its effective creepiness and genuine commitment to the genre.

Susen Ermich’s portrayal of Stella is compelling; her character’s passion for the art of acting becomes a gateway to exploring Gdula's intense, primal methods banned for their psychological damage. These techniques lead to a series of grim occurrences, including unsettling murders and instances of madness. The film wisely avoids gratuitous exploitation, opting instead to tease and gradually reveal its gory and sexual elements, effectively building suspense and horror. "Masks" may be predictable for seasoned horror fans, but its success lies in delivering these elements with skill and precision, reminiscent of classic Giallo films without succumbing to modern horror's excesses.

While it may not redefine the horror genre, "Masks" stands out as a strong example of underground horror. It doesn't ever feel like a mundane post-2000 horror rehash; instead, it harnesses the essence of Giallo with a fresh twist. Impressively held together by Ermich’s performance and Marschall’s respectful yet inventive direction, the film provides a moody, atmospheric experience filled with unexpected chills. Horror aficionados will appreciate its commitment to the genre’s roots while delivering a nostalgic yet novel experience.

"Masks," directed by Andreas Marschall, presents itself as a nod to the stylings of Argento, potentially appealing to fans of Euro-horror aesthetics. The film strives to create a surreal and haunting atmosphere, priding itself on its ambition despite budget constraints. While it achieves moments that fans of the genre will appreciate, the technical limitations are apparent and sometimes detract from the overall experience. The visual presentation is somewhat marred by inherent defects, which may distract discerning viewers.

RealGore Releasing’s Blu-ray edition of "Masks" is a worthwhile acquisition for horror aficionados, particularly those seeking obscure gems. The package includes a limited edition soundtrack and a booklet filled with interviews that add a valuable context to the viewing experience. Despite the video quality suffering from pre-existing faults, the audio impresses with its clarity and depth. The supplementary features, although sparse in behind-the-scenes content, provide an additional layer for enthusiasts who enjoy delving deeper into their favorite films.

In conclusion, "Masks" may not offer groundbreaking horror but it delivers enough chills and stylistic flair to merit a watch. Its technical shortcomings are overshadowed by moments of striking surrealism that showcase Marschall's clear enthusiasm for the genre. For dedicated horror fans in need of a new fix or collectors of niche European horror releases, this Blu-ray edition from RealGore Releasing is certainly worth considering.