The Review at a Glance: (max score: 5 )
Film:
Extras:
Audio/Video total rating:
( Max score: 100 )
89
Studio and Year: Sony Pictures - 2012
MPAA Rating: R
Feature running time: 110 minutes
Genre: Comedy
Disc Format: BD-50
Encoding: AVC (MPEG-4)
Video Aspect: 2.40:1
Resolution: 1080p/24
Audio Format(s): English DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio
Subtitles: English, English SDH, Spanish
Starring: Colin Farrell, Christopher Walken, Wood Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, Abbie Cornish, Zelijko Ivanek, Tom Waits, Olgo Kurylenko, Gabourey Sidibe
Written & Directed by: Martin McDonagh
Music by: Carter Burwell
Region Code: A
Blu-ray Disc release Date: January 29, 2013
"They won’t take any Shih Tzu…."
Film Synopsis:
Marty (Colin Farrell) is a struggling writer who dreams of finishing his screenplay “Seven Psychopaths” and all he needs is a little focus and inspiration. Billy (Sam Rockwell) is Marty’s best friend, an unemployed actor and part time dog thief, who wants to help Marty by any means necessary. Hans (Christopher Walken) is Billy’s partner in crime, a religious man with a violent past. Charlie (Woody Harrelson) is the psychotic gangster whose beloved dog Billy and Hans have just stolen. Charlie is unpredictable, extremely violent and wouldn’t think twice about killing anyone or anything associated with the theft. Marty is going to get all the focus and inspiration he needs, just as long as he lives to tell the tale.
My Take:
Let me start off by saying that I love “In Bruges” writer/director Martin McDonagh’s 2008 tough guy classic which also stars Colin Farrell. When I saw the trailer for Seven psychopaths I was immediately reminded of In Bruges and eagerly awaited its release on Blu-ray. Not afraid to be politically incorrect, astoundingly graphic or capricious he has once again created a world all his own in this offbeat black comedy. Psychopaths isn’t as fluid as “Bruges” but there is much fun to be found in the film’s deft humor, trippy elements and wonderfully absurd situations. A comrade flick through and through we were often laughing out loud at the sharp dialogue, culturally critical inanity and hijinks contained in the kinetically eclectic narrative. If I had one complaint it would be that the film’s 110 minute runtime coupled with the nature of the theme/plot can be slightly tiring. Trimming twenty minutes off of the screenplay might have smoothed things out. Regardless we had a crackin’ good time and enjoyed the superb cast which in addition to the featured players includes a host of cameos that contribute to the fun. I can’t say that Seven psychopaths is the type of comedy that will appeal to traditional genre fans however those that don’t mind a differing spin may find it has something viable to offer.
Parental Guide:
The rating is for strong violence, bloody images, pervasive language, sexuality/nudity and some drug use.
AUDIO/VIDEO - By The Numbers:
REFERENCE = 92-100 / EXCELLENT = 83-91 / GOOD = 74-82 / AVERAGE = 65-73 / BELOW AVERAGE = under 65
**My audio/video ratings are based upon a comparative made against other high definition media/blu-ray disc.**
Audio: 86
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
Video: 92
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
Seven psychopaths comes to Blu-ray Disc from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment featuring 1080p AVC encoded video that has an average bitrate of 28 Mbps and lossless DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio that has an average bitrate of 3.5 Mbps.
Colors/filtering are effectively used in this film to help set the tone/setting based upon the mood of the scene and characters within it. The chroma range isn’t diverse but hues can vary from being sullen and inanimate to warm and inviting. Skin tones are appropriately bland with natural highlights and descriptive variation. Images onscreen were exquisitely detailed and sharp with superb depth of field and visible texture during wide angle shots. Contrast is spot on and blacks are deep with revealing delineation that provides excellent perceptibility during scenes shot at night or in lower lighting. Grain is visible in moderate layers that impart a filmic texture that doesn’t prove intrusive. The video has a clean, pristine quality that enhanced dimensionality and provided a looking through a window effect.
This is a solid DTS-HD Master Audio encoding that renders this soundtrack well. Dialogue is firmly planted in the center channel and clearly renders voices and effects with appropriate distinction and balance within the front soundstage. Low frequency effects aren’t foundation shaking but the subwoofer is kept busy as it works in tandem with the rest of the system to convey the low level bass impact as dictated by the film’s elements. Dynamic range is good which lends subtle distinction to low level sounds and gravity to broader ones. Based upon the source material this is a nicely balanced audio presentation that makes effective use of the surround platform and sounds quite good.
Bonus Features:
Final Thoughts:
Seven psychopaths comes from the mind of writer/director Martin McDonagh and is a cleverly written, wonderfully twisted, and eclectic dark comedy that effectively transports us to his world and allows us to revel in its purposefully offbeat absurdity. It comes to Blu-ray Disc from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment featuring crisp high definition video, excellent lossless sound and a lackluster supplemental offering that is highlighted by a one minute short where cats, featuring the voices of the actors, play several scenes from movie. If you don’t mind a comedy that walks to the beat of a different drummer check out Seven psychopaths on Blu-ray.
Ralph Potts
AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS55 3D Ready 1080p High Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Calman 5 & C6 Meter from Spectracal )
Stewart Filmscreen - Studiotek 130 G3 100” 16x9 Screen
Onkyo PR-SC5508 THX Ultra 2 Audio/Video Processor
Sherbourn Technologies - 7/200 Seven Channel Amplifier
Oppo BDP-103 Universal Disc/3D capable Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Panasonic DMP-BDT310 3D capable Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Toshiba HD-XA2 HD DVD Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Sony Playstation 3 Blu-ray disc Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
System Controller: Apple iPad/iRule Pro HD Universal Remote Control
Canton "Ergo" Series speakers
Axiom Audio QS8 Quadpolar speakers
SV Sound PB-13 Ultra (Rosenut finish)
APC AV S15BLK Power Conditioner/Surge Protector
Wireworld, Better Cables (Silver Serpent) - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
Cool Components - CP-CP102 cooling package
The Review at a Glance: (max score: 5 )
Film:
Extras:
Audio/Video total rating:
( Max score: 100 )
89
Studio and Year: Sony Pictures - 2012
MPAA Rating: R
Feature running time: 110 minutes
Genre: Comedy
Disc Format: BD-50
Encoding: AVC (MPEG-4)
Video Aspect: 2.40:1
Resolution: 1080p/24
Audio Format(s): English DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio
Subtitles: English, English SDH, Spanish
Starring: Colin Farrell, Christopher Walken, Wood Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, Abbie Cornish, Zelijko Ivanek, Tom Waits, Olgo Kurylenko, Gabourey Sidibe
Written & Directed by: Martin McDonagh
Music by: Carter Burwell
Region Code: A
Blu-ray Disc release Date: January 29, 2013
"They won’t take any Shih Tzu…."
Film Synopsis:
Marty (Colin Farrell) is a struggling writer who dreams of finishing his screenplay “Seven Psychopaths” and all he needs is a little focus and inspiration. Billy (Sam Rockwell) is Marty’s best friend, an unemployed actor and part time dog thief, who wants to help Marty by any means necessary. Hans (Christopher Walken) is Billy’s partner in crime, a religious man with a violent past. Charlie (Woody Harrelson) is the psychotic gangster whose beloved dog Billy and Hans have just stolen. Charlie is unpredictable, extremely violent and wouldn’t think twice about killing anyone or anything associated with the theft. Marty is going to get all the focus and inspiration he needs, just as long as he lives to tell the tale.
My Take:
Let me start off by saying that I love “In Bruges” writer/director Martin McDonagh’s 2008 tough guy classic which also stars Colin Farrell. When I saw the trailer for Seven psychopaths I was immediately reminded of In Bruges and eagerly awaited its release on Blu-ray. Not afraid to be politically incorrect, astoundingly graphic or capricious he has once again created a world all his own in this offbeat black comedy. Psychopaths isn’t as fluid as “Bruges” but there is much fun to be found in the film’s deft humor, trippy elements and wonderfully absurd situations. A comrade flick through and through we were often laughing out loud at the sharp dialogue, culturally critical inanity and hijinks contained in the kinetically eclectic narrative. If I had one complaint it would be that the film’s 110 minute runtime coupled with the nature of the theme/plot can be slightly tiring. Trimming twenty minutes off of the screenplay might have smoothed things out. Regardless we had a crackin’ good time and enjoyed the superb cast which in addition to the featured players includes a host of cameos that contribute to the fun. I can’t say that Seven psychopaths is the type of comedy that will appeal to traditional genre fans however those that don’t mind a differing spin may find it has something viable to offer.
Parental Guide:
The rating is for strong violence, bloody images, pervasive language, sexuality/nudity and some drug use.
AUDIO/VIDEO - By The Numbers:
REFERENCE = 92-100 / EXCELLENT = 83-91 / GOOD = 74-82 / AVERAGE = 65-73 / BELOW AVERAGE = under 65
**My audio/video ratings are based upon a comparative made against other high definition media/blu-ray disc.**
Audio: 86
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
- Dynamics:
- Low frequency extension:
- Surround Sound presentation:
- Clarity/Detail:
- Dialogue Reproduction:
Video: 92
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
- Resolution/Clarity:
- Black level/Shadow detail:
- Color reproduction:
- Fleshtones:
- Compression:
Seven psychopaths comes to Blu-ray Disc from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment featuring 1080p AVC encoded video that has an average bitrate of 28 Mbps and lossless DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio that has an average bitrate of 3.5 Mbps.
Colors/filtering are effectively used in this film to help set the tone/setting based upon the mood of the scene and characters within it. The chroma range isn’t diverse but hues can vary from being sullen and inanimate to warm and inviting. Skin tones are appropriately bland with natural highlights and descriptive variation. Images onscreen were exquisitely detailed and sharp with superb depth of field and visible texture during wide angle shots. Contrast is spot on and blacks are deep with revealing delineation that provides excellent perceptibility during scenes shot at night or in lower lighting. Grain is visible in moderate layers that impart a filmic texture that doesn’t prove intrusive. The video has a clean, pristine quality that enhanced dimensionality and provided a looking through a window effect.
This is a solid DTS-HD Master Audio encoding that renders this soundtrack well. Dialogue is firmly planted in the center channel and clearly renders voices and effects with appropriate distinction and balance within the front soundstage. Low frequency effects aren’t foundation shaking but the subwoofer is kept busy as it works in tandem with the rest of the system to convey the low level bass impact as dictated by the film’s elements. Dynamic range is good which lends subtle distinction to low level sounds and gravity to broader ones. Based upon the source material this is a nicely balanced audio presentation that makes effective use of the surround platform and sounds quite good.
Bonus Features:
- (HD) Martin McDonagh’s Seven psychopaths – 2 minutes
- (HD) Colin Farrell is Marty – 1 minute feature
- (HD) Woody Harrelson is Charlie – 1 minute feature
- (HD) Crazy locations – 2 minute featurette
- (HD) Seven psychocats – 1 minute short featuring cats playing the film’s characters voiced by the cast
- (HD) Layers – 1 minute feature
- Ultraviolet Digital Copy
Final Thoughts:
Seven psychopaths comes from the mind of writer/director Martin McDonagh and is a cleverly written, wonderfully twisted, and eclectic dark comedy that effectively transports us to his world and allows us to revel in its purposefully offbeat absurdity. It comes to Blu-ray Disc from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment featuring crisp high definition video, excellent lossless sound and a lackluster supplemental offering that is highlighted by a one minute short where cats, featuring the voices of the actors, play several scenes from movie. If you don’t mind a comedy that walks to the beat of a different drummer check out Seven psychopaths on Blu-ray.
Ralph Potts
AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS55 3D Ready 1080p High Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Calman 5 & C6 Meter from Spectracal )
Stewart Filmscreen - Studiotek 130 G3 100” 16x9 Screen
Onkyo PR-SC5508 THX Ultra 2 Audio/Video Processor
Sherbourn Technologies - 7/200 Seven Channel Amplifier
Oppo BDP-103 Universal Disc/3D capable Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Panasonic DMP-BDT310 3D capable Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Toshiba HD-XA2 HD DVD Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Sony Playstation 3 Blu-ray disc Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
System Controller: Apple iPad/iRule Pro HD Universal Remote Control
Canton "Ergo" Series speakers
Axiom Audio QS8 Quadpolar speakers
SV Sound PB-13 Ultra (Rosenut finish)
APC AV S15BLK Power Conditioner/Surge Protector
Wireworld, Better Cables (Silver Serpent) - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
Cool Components - CP-CP102 cooling package