Chupacabra
Territory (2016/Maltauro Blu-ray)/Vampire Bat (1933/Film
Detective Blu-ray)
Picture:
B-/B Sound: B- Extras: C+/B Film: D/B
Now
for two creature features...
Chupacabra
Territory
''Darkness
is born'' in the recent micro-budgeted found footage horror film
Chupacabra Territory (2016) - a film that tries to take the
infamous cryptid and bring it to life ala The Blair Witch Project.
Of course, this footage was ''discovered'' by the Government as
proof of the creature's existence to make it seem all the more real,
however, the bad acting and several cutaways and editing ultimately
take away from any sense of realism or creditability. Worst of all
are the special effects, which mainly consist of several god-awful
digital blood sprays that don't move with the image and look
incredibly fake. As for the Chupacabras themselves, let's just say
they are most effective when they aren't seen.
The
film is directed by Matthew McWilliams and stars indie stars Sarah
Nicklin, Michael Reed, and Alex Hayek.
Four
friends set off with their filmmaking equipment to Pinewood Forest to
find evidence of the Chupacabra, an ancient gnome like species with
red eyes and rat-like stature that kills animals and humans alike.
Of course, these four friends end up encountering the creatures -
capturing conclusive evidence on video and fleeing for their lives in
the process. Will any of them make it out alive? Or will their
blind stupidity get in the way?
Presented
in 1080p high definition with a widescreen aspect ratio of 1.78:1 and
a Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo (448 kbps) track, the presentation is
pretty standard for Blu-ray and look as good as it can. The film
utilizes several different types of cameras from handheld to go pros,
with the occasional static effect to make things seem authentic.
Special
Features...
Interview
with the Cast
An
Interview with Director, Editor, and Producer
Trailer
Photo
Gallery
There's
nothing groundbreaking about this film and it isn't very brave or
overly gory. Just another lackluster entry in the found footage
genre.
Vampire
Bat
Preserved
by the UCLA Film and Restoration Archive and presented on Blu-ray
disc from Film Detective is horror classic Vampire Bat (1933),
which features Lionel Atwill, Fay Wray, Melvyn Douglas, Maude Eburne,
George E. Stone, and Dwight Frye. Made just two years after
Universal's Dracula, the film features highly creative
camerawork for the time and stunning direction by Frank R. Strayer.
In
the remote village of Klineschloss, people are turning up dead and
the victims are found drained of their blood, with many guessing
vampires to be responsible. Police Inspector Karl remains skeptical,
scientist Dr. von Niemann cares for the vampire's victims one by one,
and suspicion falls on simple-minded Herman Gleib because of his over
fondness for bats (he compares them to cats), but is the cause of
these deaths that predictable or is something more sinister at hand?
Presented
in 1080p high definition (black and white) with a full frame 1.33:1
presentation and a lackluster English: DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 2.0
Mono (48kHz, 24-bit) lossless track - the film looks and sounds
better than previous releases but is by no means perfect. Interior
shots always have more detail and clarity than night time exteriors.
The audio dialogue tracks have a slight hiss to them, where other
moments that are quieter do not, as other sites have also mentioned.
I have seen more impressive transfers on other films from this
period, but this is by no means awful.
Special
Features...
Audio
Commentary by Sam Sherman
Featurette:
Becoming the son of Melvyn Douglas
This
is a fun film and it's nice to have it on Blu-ray disc. Though the
presentation isn't perfect, it simply may be the best that the print
can look due to its condition, age and budget limits of the
restoration.
-
James Lockhart
https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv/
