DEATH WARRANT (1990) MVD Collector's Edition 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray Review

DEATH WARRANT (1990) 

Collector's Edition 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray

Label: MVD Rewind Collection/4K LaserVision Collection 

Region Code: Region-Free

Rating: R

Duration: 89 Minutes 3 Seconds 

Audio: English LPCM 2.0 Stereo with Optional English Subtitles 

Video: HDR10 2160p 4K Ultra HD Widescreen (1.85:1) 

Director: Deran Sarafian

Cast: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Patrick Kilpatrick, Cynthia Gibb, Art LaFleur, Robert Guillaume

Death warrant (1990) is directed by Deran Sarafian (Alien Predators) and was written by David S. Goyer (Dark City) starring fist-foot wunderkind Jean-Claude Van Damme (Cyborg) as an undercover Royal Canadian Mounted Police detective Louis Burke who finds himself way out of his jurisdiction in Los Angeles in pursuit of the savage serial killer "The Sandman" (Patrick Kilpatrick, Class of 1999) who murdered his partner. He tracks him down to a dilapidated warehouse and takes the guy down, filling him with hot lead, before uttering the awful line "You're under arrest". OMG, boring, where's the zingy one-liner? Apparently he hangs around L.A. long enough that he is tasked by the State's Attorney General Tom Vogler (George Dickerson, Death Wish 4: The Crackdown) to go undercover inside a maximum-security Harrison State Prison in California to investigate a spate of mysterious inmate deaths, posing as a armed robbery felon. No one will know his true identity once inside, aside from state attorney Amanda Beckett (Cynthia Gibb, Jack's Back) who poses as his wife and gets information from her conjugal visitations. inside Burke befriends a couple of the inmates, including Hawkins, played by Robert Guillaume, who most of a certain age will remember as the titular character from the hit 80s TV sitcom Benson, but it takes a while to get to what' happening inside, turns out to be a corrupt organ-harvesting operation which involves the prison officials, as well as including nefarious prison guard Sergeant De Graff (Art LaFleur, The Blob) and the prison doc Dr. Gottesman (Armin Shimerman, Arena), as well as someone high up on the food chain outside of the prison. Just as he discovers the truth he is surprised by the return of The Sandman, who apparently did not die after being shot repeatedly by Burke, transferred in to eliminate Burke before he can spill the beans incriminating all involved. The finale features Burke and The Sandman fighting in front of a fiery basement furnace while inmates line-up to cheer on the final showdown, which for some reason brought to mind the cult from the Stallone vehicle Cobra.  

The flick is pretty entertaining, JCVD kicks plenty of ass here with Burke getting down to business in short order establishing himself in the prison hierarchy, beating ass and delivering several patented JVCD in the lunch commissary and the laundry room when violent criminals come at him, and that final fight in front of the open furnace-boiler is a banger, The Sandman proves somewhat unstoppable, even surviving being JCVD-kicked into into the fire, emerging to fight again, "You can't kill me, Burke. I'm the Sandman", 

before having his head properly impaled and gruesomely twisted to finish the deal. 

The flick is pretty dang entertaining, everything feels heightened, there's a proper sense of claustrophobia and conspiracy, and the action set-pieces are well executed and shot. The one scene that had me gob-smacked was during one of the conjugal visits between Burke and his fake-wife, an US attorney, from out of nowhere while exchanging information they just start having sex, which might've made sense had they built up to it, like there was some sort of lingering attraction between them, but nope, and mind you this is just after having been stripped searched by a seedy prison guard, it just seemed very awkward and forced to me, and took me right out of the moment. Also, not the the film felt reality based in anyway, but when The Sandman emerges from the fiery furnace to fight again, it had a supernatural vibe, almost like he was a supernatural villain along the lines of a Freddy Kruger, complete with a burnt face, having already survived being shot six times at the start of the film, it just felt a little incongruous to the prison action-flick that we'd been watching up to this point, c'mon, who's watching early 90's action flicks for realism? 

I'm not sure what, but when I was in my teens I had an aversion to '80s/90s action flicks, at least those associated with particular "action-stars" like JVCD and especially Steven Seagal, don't ask me why, I just did. I still watched stuff like Big Trouble In Little China, the Lethal Weapon flicks, and the Stallone and Schwarzenegger vehicle with no problem, but there were a handful of action-stars that just felt cheesy to me, and I counted JVCD among them, but lumping him in with Seagal is a tad unfair, I still think that guy was a clown. Thanks to MVD and their recent 4K JVCD upgrades I have been watching the JVCD flicks first time, I literally have never watched these films at the cinema, VHS, DVD or even Blu-ray, which sort of boggles my mind, I mean these have all had previous home video releases and not once was I ever tempted to pick one up or rent them, such is the power of preconceived biases. So, as these have been released on 4K I've been on a fun action-flick adventure, which has given me a latent appreciation for JVCD and his action-man prowess, I see the appeal that made him such an iconic action star in the 90's, and I no longer have a JCVD aversion, I am a fan, and every time one gets the 4K upgrade I've been having a blast finally catching up them.  

Audio/Video: Death Warrant (1990) makes it's worldwide 4K UHD debut on a region-free 4K UHD from MVD Rewind Collection/4K LaserVision Collection with a "16-Bit Scan of the Original Camera Negative" presented in its original 1.85:1 widescreen aspect Ratio with HDR10 color-grade. The source is in great shape, nary a blemish to note, the naturally course grain is present throughout, and depth and clarity are pleasing. The HDR10 enhanced colors shine, skin tones look accurate, and the black are deep with good shadow detail. The 1080p Blu-ray also looks solid. Audio comes by way of English PCM 2.0 with optional English subtitles, the track is clean and free of his or distortions, dialogue is always easy to discern, the action sequences have some nice impact to them, and the score by Gary Chang (The Island of Dr. Moreau) also sounds great. 

Extras are mostly of the archival variety, porting over the Audio Commentary by Director Deran Sarafian, 10-min Interview with actor Patrick Kilpatrick, 7-min Interview with actor Art LaFleur, and adding the newly minted 35-min Defender of Death: Memories of a Van Damme Classics with Cynthia Gibb interview, which is a career spanning look back. We also get a Photo Gallery, the 1-min Original Theatrical Trailer and a Jean-Claude Van Damme Trailer Gallery including Lionheart, Black Eagle, Knock Off, and Double Impact. 

This new release from MVD Rewind Collection also includes a Limited Edition Slipcover that gives it the look of a worn/bubbled CED video disc, a Reversible Wrap that features both the MVD Rewind Collection and 4K LaserVision Collection branding with different numbered spines, plus a Collectible Death Warrant “4K LaserVision” Mini-Poster tucked away inside that has that cool retro/worn looking the look of a CED (Capacitance Electronic Disc) video disc with a bubbled-label, which always gives me a nostalgic kick. 

Special Features: 

- HD Restoration (16-Bit Scan of the Original Camera Negative) of the film presented in its original 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio in HDR10

- Audio Commentary by Director Deran Sarafian

- Interview with actor Patrick Kilpatrick (HD, 9:59)

- Interview with actor Art LaFleur (HD, 7:20)

- 'Defender of Death: Memories of a Van Damme Classics with Cynthia Gibb' interview (HD, 35:07)

- Photo Gallery

- Original Theatrical Trailer (HD, 1:24)

- Jean-Claude Van Damme Trailer gallery including Lionheart, Black Eagle, Knock Off, Double Impact

- Collectible Death Warrant “4K LaserVision” Mini-Poster

- Reversible Wrap

- Limited Edition Slipcover 

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DEAD MAN'S SHOES (2004) Second Sight Films Blu-ray Review + Screenshots

DEAD MAN'S SHOES (2004)

Label: Second Sight Films

Region Code: B

Rating: Cert. 18

Duration: 90 Minutes 3 Seconds 

Audio: English DTS-HD MA 5.1 Surround with Optional English Subtitles 

Video: 1080p HD Widescreen (1.78:1) 

Director: Shane Meadows

Cast: Paddy Considine, Toby Kebbell, Gary Stretch, Stuart Wolfenden, Neil Bell, Paul Sadot, Seamus O'Neil, George Newton

British revenge-thriller Dead Man's Shoes (2004), directed by Shane Meadows, stars Paddy Considine (At World's End) as a former British soldier Richard who returns to his depressed hometown of Matlock, Derbyshire, a melancholic village where he discovered that in his absence that that a group of low-life drug peddlers have been tormenting his mentally disabled teenage brother Arthur (Toby Kebbell, Alexander).

The thugs include Sonny (Gary Stretch, Savages), Herbie (Stuart Wolfenden, TV's Coronation Street), Soz (Neil Bell, Dune: Part One) Tuff (Paul Sadot), Big Al (Seamus O'Neil, Sightseers) and Gypsy John (George Newton, Control). 

Upon returning he haunts the group, at first uncomfortably hanging around the periphery of their activity, drawing attention to himself in a quietly intimidating way, putting the guys on edge, then starting a pressure campaign of psychological intimidation, before exacting his violent revenge in a deeply disturbing manner, which involves invading their private spaces and drugging them with a debilitating amount of speed and  hallucinogens that he slips into their tea kettle before revealing himself, and carrying out his visceral and psychologically twisted vengeance.

The film is melancholic and deeply psychologically intense; there's a slow burn visceral-ness and uneasy energy the permeates every scene, making it an absolutely hypnotic watch. Paddy Considine turns in a powerhouse performance, his character is just simmering with a barely concealed, grief-fueled anger, coming off as somewhat disturbed individual himself as he deals with issues of regret, guilt and trauma, which eventually escalates into a full-blown rage, donning a creepy military-issue gas mask as the bodies start piling up. 

The naturalistic performances are quite wonderful, scenes of the gang hanging out and jawboning about pornography feel authentic and lived-in, it actually makes you sort of like the blokes a bit, well before what is revealed to have transpired involving Richard's teen bother. They see themselves as badass criminals, but who are in reality are really quite buffoonish, which is further symbolized when they pile into a ridiculously tiny Citroën 2CV, which gives it the effect of overcrowded clown car. The defacto leader is Sonny played by Gary Stretch, a former real-life boxer turned actor who musters some low-level thug menace for sure, he's the scummy cream of the low-level criminal enterprise, but even he is literally made a clown of when Richard sneaks into his home and paints his face like a literal clown while he sleeps. It's just painfully obvious that he and his misfit band of wannabe hooligans are out of their league when stacked up against Richard, a former government trained military killing machine for eight years, they just don't stand a chance. 

At the start of the film, we see Richard and his younger brother Arthur wander into town from the highlands, taking up temporary residence in a dilapidated barn on the moors on the edge of town, arriving on their mission of vengeance. Richard is deeply disturbed himself, clearly so enraged by the treatment his teen bother and the treatment visited upon him at the hands of the cruel thugs, that there can only be one way that this all ends, deadly violence. However, even that expected path of revenge defies obvious expectations, ending on a note that is full of despair and pain, with Richard realizing that he has become the very monster that he has set out to destroy.

Audio/Video: Dead Man's Shoes (2004) gets a region B locked Blu-ray from Second Sight Films, shot on Super-16mm, but the original film elements have not been able to be located despite an extensive search, so this Blu-ray is sourced from the dated existing HD digital master with additional clean-up and restoration done by Second Sight Films. The film is presented in 1080p HD framed in 1.78:1 widescreen, the source looks solid, appearing clean but nit scrubbed, maintaining the cold melancholic grit of the film, the greens of the highlands and filth and grittiness of the low-end drug dealers' hangouts look terrific, when the acid kicks in the heightened lighting scheme looks solid. Audio comes by way of English DTS-HD MA 5.1 with optional English subtitles. The track is clean and well-balanced, dialogue is always east to understand, the room acoustics sound natural, and the score is nicely represented. This was a first-time watch for me, and I was surprised to hear my city's own, specifically Tucson band Calexico and French transplants Amor Belham Duo B C, who called Tucson home for a number of years. Other stellar tracks include bits from Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, Robyn Hitchcock and Aphex Twin, 

This is a well-stocked edition from Second Sight Films, starting off with an archival Audio Commentary with Shane Meadows, actor Paddy Considine and Mark Herbert, as well as a new Audio Commentary with director Shane Meadows and producer Mark Herbert, which is terrific, with some years having passed between the last commentary and this one they've had more time for reflection and have plenty more plus to say, and really they do not rea third track, a new Audio Commentary by Andrew Graves and Jon Towlson. 

We also get a 33-min Quite a Journey: a new interview with Shane Meadows and Mark Herbert, 16-min A Very Fine Line: a new interview with actor Toby Kebbell, 19-min The Right Horses: a new interview with actor Gary Stretch, and 17-min Made an Impact: an interview with director of photography Danny Cohen. 

Disc extras are rounded out with 29-min of Deleted and Alternate Scenes, the 25-min archival making of doc In Shane's Shoes, 27-min Short Film: Northern Soul, plus a 4-min Danger Mouse and Jemini Music Video. The single-disc standard edition arrives in a black keepcase with single-sided wrap featuring new artwork by Krishna Shenoi. 

Special Features:

• NEW! Audio Commentary with director Shane Meadows and producer Mark Herbert

• NEW! Audio Commentary by Andrew Graves and Jon Towlson

• Audio Commentary with Shane Meadows, actor Paddy Considine and Mark Herbert

• NEW! Quite a Journey: Interview with Shane Meadows and Mark Herbert (33:10) 

• NEW! A Very Fine Line: Interview with actor Toby Kebbell (16:26) 

• NEW! The Right Horses: Interview with actor Gary Stretch (19:01)

• Made an Impact: an interview with director of photography Danny Cohen (16:52) 

• Deleted and Alternate Scenes (28:45) 

• In Shane's Shoes (25:00)

• Short Film: Northern Soul (27:09) 

• Danger Mouse and Jemini Music Video (3:30) 

Dead Man's Shoe's (2004) is a brilliantly raw-nerved British thriller with plenty of realistic grit that gives is some serious weight, a real gut-puncher. The force-of-nature turn from Paddy Considine is tremendously effective, and the flick really captures that occasionally dark and seedy underbelly of small towns, while also being quite a tense examination of revenge in the service of guilt, grief and regret.

Screenshots from the Second Sight Blu-ray: 

Extras: