Adrenaline:
Feel The Rush
(1996/Ronin Flix*)/Final
Justice
(1984/*both MVD Blu-rays)/Many
Saints Of Newark
(Sopranos
prequel*)/Snowpiercer:
The Complete Second Season
(*both 2021/Warner Blu-rays)
Picture:
B+/B-/B-/B+ Sound: B+/B-/B/B+ Extras: C-/C/C/B Main
Programs: C/C/C+/B-
Now
for more mystery, crime and thriller tales in the following
releases...
Christopher
Lambert (Highlander,
Greystoke)
and Natasha Henstridge (Species
films) star in the post apocalyptic action film Adrenalin:
Feel The Rush
(1996), which is similar in style and look to other sci-fi action
films of the time like Timecop
and maybe some inspiration from the Terminator
franchise. The cult film label Ronin Flix continues here with
releasing interesting cinema (they also released some notable Italian
horror titles last year and Lawnmower
Man 2
along with this) and, despite the lack of extras, are a label on the
rise.
In
these odd and uncertain times, it's a bit heavy when the basis of the
future-set film is centered around a global virus, but here we are in
this picture, where the world is divided by the sick and the healthy,
and a group of cops must stop a contagious murderer before he spreads
a deadly disease even further. Granted the film takes place in 2017
Boston, but some of the visuals are pretty haunting and could trigger
some that are concerned about the growing pandemic problems in
reality.
Adrenalin
is presented in 1080p high definition with an MPEG-4 AVC codec, a
widescreen aspect ratio of 2.35:1, and audio mixes in English,
lossless DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit) and DTS-HD MA
2.0 Stereo (48kHz, 24-bit). This is a nice Blu-ray presentation with
nothing glaring that makes one think otherwise. The film is nicely
shot and does have that sort of '90s action 35mm look that is unique
to the period and hard to exactly explain.
The
only extra is a Trailer.
Adrenalin
isn't a bad movie, per say, and has some interesting action and
ideas. There is a certain level of campiness to it, but overall it's
not bad to revisit.
Greydon
Clark
(Satan's
Cheerleaders,
Joysticks,
Black
Shampoo)
has managed to direct some memorable low budget films and always
worked well outside the big budget major feature film system, but
Final
Justice
(1984) is simply not one of his better films, a revenge film Joe Don
Baker made before his series of Bond film appearances and after a few
films with Clark. He plays a Texas lawman out to get a high Mafia
gangster criminal (Venantino Venantini) no matter the cost of
boundaries crossed, geographical, political or legal.
Too
ad the script is dull, formulaic and predictable. Even by this time,
this formula was played out and even a brief turn by legendary
singer/actor Rosanno Brazzi cannot save this one. Running a mere 86
minutes and shot in several locations, it could be worse, but it just
does not try anything new and Clark simply plays it too safe. For
fans and completists only.
The
1080p 1.78 X 1 digital High Definition image transfer can show the
age of the materials used, but this is far superior a transfer to all
previous releases of the film despite its often soft appearance and
age in places. Shot on 35mm film, color often saves the
presentation. The sound is here in PCM
2.0 Stereo (if that) and can sound a little louder than it needs to,
but is fine for its age and budget otherwise.
Extras
include a mini poster, while the disc adds a feature length audio
commentary track by three members of Hack The Movies (Tony Piluso,
Newt Wallen & Crystal Quin) that is not bad, an Original
Theatrical Trailer, 74-minutes-long Making Of featurette with Clark
among those interviewed.
Alan
Taylor's The
Many Saints Of Newark
(2021) is the long-awaited and somewhat controversial prequel feature
film to the huge hit HBO TV series The
Sopranos
and many expected it to be more about Tony Soprano's early years.
His younger self does turn up here (played by the late James
Gandolfini's son Michael) and other known characters show up, but the
screenplay (despite being co-written by the series' ingenious creator
David Chase) goes off into other directions and the film is very
uneven as a result.
The
cast includes landing Ray Liotta for more scenes than expected, plus
Alessandro Nivola, Jon Bertenthal, Leslie Odom, Jr., Billy Magnussen,
Corey Stoll and Vera Farmiga, but the story has a few too many
cliches that make it look more like a Scorsese imitator than it ought
to, considering the show it is connected to. Some of it gets gross,
but one too many such moments cut into building any kind of story arc
fans of the original show have come to expect. Some of the period
recreation does work and plays well, but sometimes even that rings
fake or untrue. This is for fans only, if that, and they should skip
a sequel movie. Plans are for a prequel series, which mighty force
them to work harder to make the storylines work better.
The
1080p 2.35 X 1 digital High Definition image transfer is an HD shoot
that has been stylized to look old by the slight cliche of slight
fading, which includes the color pallet, which is a little more teal
than it should be, so this is a little softer than it should be,
though maybe the 4K version we hope to see later will look better or
make more visual sense. It really deviates a little too much from
the look of the series, which did not help it with fans. The
DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 5.1 lossless mix sounds fine for what it is,
often dialogue-based, with a better budget and better-than-usual
choice of classic hit songs, but do not expect too much more form the
soundtrack save a consistent soundfield.
Extras
include Digital Code, Deleted Scenes and a Making Of featurette, but
you can read all about the original series, starting with our
coverage of The
Complete Series
Blu-ray box set (no 4K edition yet) at this link:
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/13361/The+Sopranos:+The+Complete+Series+(1999+-
Last
up, genre movie superstar Jennifer Connelly returns in the action
packed Snowpiercer:
The Complete Second Season
(2021),
which is based on the film and graphic novel of the same name by
acclaimed filmmaker Bong Joon-ho (Parasite).
A
sci-fi drama set in a world where unique and strong trains are more
than just a mode of transportation, but a shelter and way of life
against the vicious snow covered outside world. This new season has
startling characters revelations that I won't spoil and amps up the
action and tension set forth in the first season (reviewed elsewhere
on this site.) Despite being a network based series, the film has a
cinematic vibe that makes it feel like it a premium network offering,
which is good for the material.
Snowpiercer
also stars Daveed Diggs (Hamilton),
the incomparable Sean Bean (Lord
of the Rings,
Game
of Thrones),
Rowan Blanchard, Alison Wright (The
Americans),
Mickey Sumner (Battle
of the Sexes),
Iddo Goldberg (Peaky
Blinders),
and Katie McGuinness (Dirty
Filthy Love),
with Lena Hall (Hedwig
and the Angry Itch).
10
episodes include The
Time of Two Engines, Smolder to Life, A Great Odyssey, A Single
Trade, Keep Hope Alive, Many Miles From Snowpiercer, Our Answer For
Everything, The Eternal Engineer, The Snow Must Go On,
and Into
the White.
Snowpiercer
episodes are presented in 1080p high definition with an MPEG-4 AVC
codec, a widescreen aspect ratio of 1.78:1, and audio mixes in
lossless English DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit) mixes.
This is an improvement over the original network broadcast by a mile
and commercial and watermark free.
Special
Features include (per the press release):
The
Great Engineer: Bringing the Mysterious Mr. Wilford Aboard:
Go behind-the-scenes with the cast for an in-depth exploration of the
god-like Mr. Wilford as brought to life by Sean Bean.
Season
2 Overview:
An exciting and exclusive look at the second season with the cast.
Behind
The Character: Mr. Wilford:
The cast discusses the mythical character of Mr. Wilford played by
Sean Bean.
Season
2 Roundtable:
Take a seat with the cast and crew as they have a round table
discussion about the show's characters and story.
and
Daveed
Diggs Season 1 Recap:
The exciting first season of Snowpiercer
is recapped through the POV of its main character Layton (Diggs).
If
you liked the original Snowpiercer
movie, then the series is definitely worth checking out. It's not
perfect, but is a nice extension of the original source material and
is nicely made with strong performances and interesting characters.
For more on the show, here's the link to our coverage of the debut
season...
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/15851/Doom+Patrol:+The+Complete+Second+Season+(B
And
the book that inspired the series and its feature film predecessor...
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/12615/Snowpiercer:+Vol+1+++2+By+Jacques+Lob+(201
-
Nicholas Sheffo (Justice,
Newark)
and James Lockhart
https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv/