Roadkill Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "Roadkill" on Blu-ray is a treat for enthusiasts of low-budget indie cinema, capturing the gritty essence of its black-and-white 16mm cinematography. The film has been meticulously scanned and restored in 4K from the 35mm fine-grain master positive, preserving the cinematic integrity while enhancing the visuals to contemporary standards. The AVC encoded image, with its 1.37:1 aspect ratio, maintains an appreciable balance between whites and pitch-black tones, marrying clarity with the film's inherent graininess.

Detail preservation throughout the restoration is impressive. Interiors are well-captured, offering considerable depth, while exteriors display commendable dimensionality, particularly in rural settings. The visual narrative benefits significantly from the evident clarity in character appearances and clothing textures, allowing viewers to engage deeply with each scene. Despite some jumpy splices in the source material, which are a testament to the film's original low-budget constraints, these do not detract from the overall immersive viewing experience.

The transfer does justice to Miroslaw Baszak’s cinematography, known for its appropriately grimy aesthetics reminiscent of the 80s and 90s independent film style. This nuanced approach harks back to the likes of Jim Jarmusch's work, exuding a remarkable polish that's unmistakably distinct. Both interior and exterior shots are equally striking, boasting bright whites and true black depths that underline Baszak’s expertise in crafting wintery B&W scenes with an exquisite grainy finish. For fans and newcomers alike, this presentation stands as a superb visual homage to "Roadkill’s" unique cinematic art form.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo mix for the Blu-ray release of "Roadkill" is expertly calibrated to emphasize the film’s inherent tonal qualities. This mix retains a sense of authenticity, honoring the original design without resorting to unnecessary enhancements such as a 5.1 upgrade. Dialogue is impeccably clear, capturing the subtleties of accents and performance choices, ensuring they remain prominent amidst the sonic landscape. While a few soundtrack tracks exhibit slight aging, the overall auditory atmosphere is enriched with scenic details that maintain engagement.

"Roadkill" thrives through a purely front-stage auditory presentation, where the interplay between sound effects and music score strategically activates across the stereo channels. Traffic noises seamlessly glide from one speaker to another, creating dynamic movement across the front stage, while Nash the Slash’s score similarly utilizes playful interaction between channels, culminating in vibrant bursts of sound. This directorial choice delivers a coherent and immersive experience, reinforcing the narrative’s context without compromising dialogue clarity, even amidst the energetic backdrop of tracks by The Ramones and Cowboy Junkies.

In summary, the audio presentation of "Roadkill" achieves a perfect balance, providing clarity for dialogue and maintaining a lively presence for both environmental noises and an eclectic soundtrack. This thoughtful design offers a faithful auditory representation of the original experience, capturing the essence of the film with an engaging front-stage stereo mix.

The Blu-ray extras of "Roadkill" offer a comprehensive exploration into the film's production, capturing the unique energy of its Toronto New Wave origins. Notable features include two discerning audio commentaries: one by writer/actor Don McKellar and producer Colin Brunton, and another by film historians Paul Corupe and Jason Pichonsky, providing varied perspectives on the film’s creation. Insightful interviews highlight the contributions of key figures such as actress Valerie Buhagiar and cinematographer Miroslaw Baszak, detailing their innovative approaches and experiences on set. These interviews delve into thematic elements, like the decision to shoot in black and white despite distribution challenges, and the cultural backdrop of 1980s Toronto. A thorough discussion with director Bruce McDonald and a documentary further immerse viewers in the film's creative process, complemented by a theatrical trailer to encapsulate "Roadkill"'s enduring impact.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary #1: Featuring writer/actor Don McKellar and producer Colin Brunton.
• Commentary #2: Featuring film historians Paul Corupe and Jason Pichonsky.
• Rebel Cinema: Interview with Don McKellar.
• Ready for the Ride: Interview with Valerie Buhagiar.
• Rock n' Road: Interview with Colin Brunton.
• Lyrical Surrealism: Interview with cinematographer Miroslaw Baszak.
• Interview: Discussion with director Bruce McDonald.
• On Screen!: Documentary about the making of Roadkill.
• Theatrical Trailer: Promotional video.

Roadkill, directed by Bruce McDonald, is a quintessential piece of late 1980s Canadian indie cinema. It follows Ramona (Valerie Buhagiar), a record intern thrust into a mission to locate a wayward band, Children of Paradise, who have vanished mid-tour around Ontario. McDonald's debut film navigates the landscape with a budget-conscious, quirky charm, prioritizing the journey over the destination. An intriguing mix of pseudo-documentary and episodic storytelling, it finds its identity in its rough aesthetic. Shot on black and white 16mm, the film echoes early works of Jim Jarmusch and injects a distinctive Canadian punk flair, reminiscent of Richard Linklater’s Slacker.

The narrative centers on a diverse array of characters Ramona encounters, each contributing to her surreal voyage. Notably, she crosses paths with Bruce, a director seeking inspiration for his documentary, and Russel, an aspiring serial killer. These interactions highlight the film's absurdity and episodic nature. Roadkill cleverly blurs narrative boundaries, effortlessly transitioning between mockumentary and narrative styles, often dipping into musical montages that feel like standalone vignettes—a stylistic predecessor to the music-driven films of the '90s like The Crow. Despite its apparent chaos, there’s an underlying commentary on societal norms versus artistic freedom.

Essentially, Roadkill is not concerned with realism. It’s an avant-garde ride that celebrates music and the counterculture ethos it encapsulates. With its presentation in 1080p high-definition from a 4K scan and a 2.0 DTS HD-MA stereo audio mix, the Blu-ray offers enthusiasts a deep dive into this peculiar gem. Its bonus content, including insightful interviews, enriches understanding of its cultural significance. Roadkill delivers an experience as much about subverting expectations as it is about embracing its inherent capriciousness.

"Roadkill" is both an engaging homage to a bygone era and an audacious deviation from conventional storytelling. Its narrative, while initially well-directed by McDonald and McKellar, eventually meanders into aimlessness, diminishing the allure of its premise. Despite this narrative drift, the film effectively captures the vibrant essence of Canadian locales and the gritty authenticity of the music industry, providing a rich cultural backdrop. The characters, although veering into whimsy at times, offer sufficient early momentum to engage audiences before the storyline unravels.

The Blu-ray release significantly enhances the film’s appeal with its impressive audio and visual fidelity. Viewers will appreciate the stellar quality of the transfer, which preserves the film’s aesthetic integrity, allowing the atmospheric settings and dynamic performances to shine vividly. Accompanying this are an array of high-quality special features that invite deeper exploration into the film's rebellious spirit and production nuances. These extras are a treasure trove for aficionados, enhancing the overall value of the Blu-ray edition.

In conclusion, while "Roadkill" may falter in delivering a cohesive narrative arc, the strengths in its portrayal of a distinct cultural milieu and auditory appeal are undeniable. The Blu-ray release amplifies these elements with top-tier technical execution and abundant supplementary content, making it a compelling purchase for those intrigued by its unique artistry. Highly recommended for fans seeking nostalgia with a touch of madness.