Diary Of The Dead + Halloween (2007)
Blu-rays (Weinstein/Genius)
Picture: B+/B Sound: B+/B Extras: C+/D Films: C+/D
Catching
up further on their releases in the Blu-ray format, The Weinstein Company has
issued two of their newest high-profile Horror films in the format: Diary Of The Dead and Rob Zombie’s
controversially bad 2007 remake of John Carpenter’s Halloween. To not repeat
ourselves, here are the links to our previous coverage of the films:
Diary Of The Dead DVD w/1968 Night Of The Living Dead upgraded DVD
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/7123/Night+Of+The+Living+Dead+(1968
Halloween 2007 Theatrical Release
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/5906/Halloween+(2007/Theatrical+Film
DVD
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/6315/Halloween+–+Unrated+Director’s+Cut
1978 Film
Blu-ray
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/6153/Halloween+(1978/Blu-ray
I had
higher hopes for Diary since Land Of The Dead (also reviewed on this
site) seemed to fall out of Romero’s control, but the attempt to use Canada for
Pittsburgh is a big failure this time, while the film tries a totally new
approach that has mixed results. The idea
of “The Death of Death” is never fully explored even when the comic
possibilities are and despite some good casting and acting, the supporting
characters tend to steal the show.
As for
the Rob Zombie remake, it is as bad as most people have said, yet the film has
gained a cult following for genre fans.
After looking at it again, it seems the idea with the “white trashing”
of the film as remake seems to think it could be to the original film what Tobe
Hooper’s Texas Chain Saw Massacre
(1974) was to Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho
(1960) but the film is such a mess on so many levels that the “white trash”
angle becomes a spoof of itself very quickly and the zero suspense furthers
what a mess this is. It is not a dark
spoof of the first one, often does not know what it wants to be, but the one
thing it is ultimately is was a big mistake.
With the original needing serious restoration (and a better Blu-ray) and
care, that makes this remake all the more pathetic.
The 1080p
digital High Definition image on both Blu-rays are better than their DVD
predecessors, so they succeed in being better versions visually as they should
be for a better format. The 1.85 X 1
image on Diary is loaded with video,
HD video, faux video and film footage that plays like a documentary as
intended, but the color pallet is very limited and way it was finalized is very
flattened into an almost monochromatic look with mixed results. The image on Halloween is actually a surprise in how good it’s 2.35 X 1 image
looks, despite some grain and stylizing, has some good detail and even color at
times. However, it becomes repetitious
and the use of the scope frame is a disaster, some the original totally
understood.
The Dolby
TrueHD 5.1 mixes on both are better than their DVDs as well, but Diary is somewhat restrained and uneven
to match the documentary location audio, so don’t expect much here. Halloween
is punchy and lively to a fault, as if to cover up for its shortcomings and
showing a lack of confidence on the part of its director, while the dialogue
can be off in spots. Both repeat the
same extras as their best DVD versions, but fans that are interested will like
the enhanced performance. The rest of us
can rent or skip ‘em.
- Nicholas Sheffo
