The Dark Side of the Moon Blu-ray Review

The Dark Side of the Moon on Blu-ray, courtesy of MVD Visual and Unearthed Classics, features an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio derived from a newly restored 4K master. The presentation is generally striking with impressive detail levels, especially in well-lit scenes and close-ups. The color palette is nicely suffused, enriching the minimalistic and often creepy effects such as reptilian eye inserts. However, dimly lit scenes do exhibit a drop in detail, accompanied by minor crush issues. Grain is noticeable throughout, though the encode can be variable, occasionally resulting in slightly pixelated appearances.

Despite some age-related wear and tear visible to eagle-eyed viewers, the restoration maintains high standards with consistent grain reproduction and a sharp transfer that accentuates vivid detail. Facial definitions shine thanks to the source lighting schemes, and extreme close-ups reveal intricate set details, from rust to dirt. Shadows are deep and crushing by design, especially during scenes involving Satanic manipulation. This intentional lighting approach enhances contrast and depth perception beyond typical low-budget expectations. Color saturation is deftly managed with warm flesh tones balancing against the cold steel of the ship interiors, creating a visually pleasing output.

The Blu-ray release of "The Dark Side of the Moon" offers two LPCM 2.0 audio tracks, one labeled as vintage and the other a modern restoration. The vintage track, marred by noticeable amplitude deficiencies and age-related wear, exhibits an audible scratchiness in the dialogue, highlighting its unrestored nature. In contrast, the default modern PCM track elevates the audio presentation with superior clarity and energetic fidelity despite limitations likely tied to the original production's funding constraints.

The synth-laden score benefits from clear soundstage wash through the modern PCM track, ensuring that effects and dialogue are delivered cleanly. However, the stereo split in this mix leaves something to be desired. While the modern mix brings vibrancy and a welcome increase in volume, the channel separation remains somewhat minimal. Dialogue lacks definitive directionality, occasionally sounding dispersed rather than firmly anchored within the soundstage. Despite these minor drawbacks, the overall audio experience is significantly enhanced by choosing the modern PCM track over its vintage counterpart.

The extras on the Blu-ray of "The Dark Side of the Moon" offer an engaging and insightful glimpse into the film's production. Highlights include in-depth Skype interviews with key contributors: actor Alan Blumenfield, make-up artist R. Christopher Biggs, and stuntman Chuck Borden, providing enjoyable behind-the-scenes anecdotes. An informative budget breakdown showcases detailed expenditure insights, complemented by a stills gallery and trailers for related releases. Additionally, there's a thoughtful commentary track by Executive Producer Paul White and Stephen Biro available in the setup menu. All interview footage appears sourced from webcast recordings and preserves their original format.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary with Executive Producer Paul White and Stephen Biro: Available under the Setup Menu.
• Interview with Actor Alan Blumenfield: Fun conversation with set stories.
• Interview with Makeup Special Effects Artist R. Christopher Biggs: Engaging dialogue on special effects.
• Interview with Stuntman Chuck Borden: Insights into stunt work.
• Budget Breakdown: Detailed financial document.
• Stills Gallery: Collection of film-related images.
• Trailers: Includes trailers for "The Dark Side of the Moon" and other Unearthed Films releases.

"The Dark Side of the Moon" presents a unique take on sci-fi horror, ambitively blending eerie space exploration with themes of possession and Christian allegory. Set in 2022, the film follows the crew of Spacecore 1 as they undertake a routine mission to refurbish nuclear defense satellites until unexpectedly encountering a long-lost NASA artifact in the Bermuda Triangle. The narrative alludes to iconic genre films such as “Alien” and “Event Horizon,” employing a cramped spacecraft environment to build tension. With its modest budget, the film relies on practical effects, like contact lenses for a demonic look, rather than monsters, to deliver visual frights.

While the screenplay ambitiously weaves together various elements—from Cold War paranoia to Biblical references and conspiracy theories—it occasionally overreaches, trying to balance too many plotlines simultaneously. Despite its VHS origins, "The Dark Side of the Moon" distinguishes itself from typical direct-to-video offerings by its earnest commitment to a thought-provoking premise. The horror is underpinned by an exploration of human morality, juxtaposing cosmic isolation with hints of theological dread. The isolated crew's descent into sin is provocatively linked to Lucifer himself manipulating them, providing a fresh twist to the familiar possession trope.

Ultimately, the film finds its strength in the interplay between philosophical inquiry and survival horror, leading to a climactic confrontation between good and evil aboard the spaceship. Themes of mistrust, amplified hatred, and rampant murder reflect societal anxieties of the time. However, the film's resolution, involving a nuclear confrontation to subdue the ultimate evil, feels somewhat conventional in the context of Cold War narratives. Yet, "The Dark Side of the Moon" earns its place in genre history through its bold attempt at integrating heavy thematic content within a constrained production framework.

The Dark Side of the Moon on Blu-ray offers an intriguing cinematic experience that marries vintage sci-fi elements with theological undertones, resulting in a unique narrative that transcends its modest production values. The film's VHS-era nostalgia is palpable, and it manages to deliver a handful of effective thrills, which should resonate well with genre enthusiasts. Unearthed Classics has admirably revitalized this title, providing a solid transfer that captures the essence of the original film while enhancing its visual and auditory presentation.

Technically, the Blu-ray release shines with commendable clarity and color accuracy, ensuring that the film’s atmosphere is preserved and even elevated. The disc's audio track, while reflective of the source material's limitations, is adequately balanced and complements the eerie, isolated mood of the space setting. The additional content—comprising behind-the-scenes features and commentaries—adds substantial value, offering fans deeper insights into the film’s production and thematic explorations.

Overall, The Dark Side of the Moon is not without its flaws, but it remains an engaging piece for those who appreciate retro sci-fi with a twist. This release by Unearthed Classics is commendable for its attention to detail and respect for the original work, making it a worthwhile addition to any collection.

The Dark Side of the Moon is kind of unashamedly lo-fi, but for fans of this kind of entertainment redolent of the VHS era, the film gets the job done and provides a couple of okay jolts along the way. Unearthed Classics has provided a release with generally strong technical merits and some enjoyable supplements for those considering a purchase. Combining derivative space-faring sci-fi with religious parable, The Dark Side of the Moon is unique enough to overcome its low-budget origins.