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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r |
directed by Patty Jenkins
USA 2003
The true-life story of Aileen Wuornos, a prostitute executed in 2002 in Florida after being convicted of murdering six men. While Wuornos confessed to the six murders, including a policeman, she claimed to have killed only in self-defense, resisting violent assaults while working as a prostitute. In 1989-90, a love story unfolds in the midst of the horrors and pathologies of two misfits: Wuornos (Charlize Theron), a drifter prostitute and Selby Wall (Christina Ricci), sent by her parents to live with an aunt in Florida in order to "cure her homosexuality". Nearing suicidal despair, Aileen wanders into a bar, where she meets Selby and falls in love. To keep her and Selby's relationship alive, she continues hooking, only to fuel an increasingly escalating deadly rage, a fury vented with a lurid string of killings and the media's sordid designation of her as the first female serial killer--a monster. ***
I confess that I walked into the screening not knowing who the star
was, and that I did not recognize Charlize Theron until I read her name in
the closing credits. Not many others will have that surprise; she was just
honored as best actress of the year by the National Society of Film
Critics. I didn't recognize her -- but more to the point, I hardly tried,
because the performance is so focused and intense that it becomes a fact
of life. Observe the way Theron controls her eyes in the film; there is
not a flicker of inattention, as she urgently communicates what she is
feeling and thinking. There's the uncanny sensation that Theron has
forgotten the camera and the script and is directly channeling her ideas
about Aileen Wuornos. She has made herself the instrument of this
character. Excerpt from Roger Ebert's review at the Chicago Sun Times located HERE |
Posters
Theatrical Release: November 16th, 2003 - AFI Film Festival
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
Comparison:
Metrodome (Two-Disc Special Edition) - Region 2 - PAL vs. First Look Pictures - Region 'A' - Blu-ray vs. Second Sight - Region 'B' - Blu-ray |
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BONUS CAPTURES: |
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Distribution |
Metrodrome Region 2 - PAL |
First Look Pictures Region 'A' - Blu-ray |
Second Sight Region 'B' - Blu-ray |
Runtime | 1:44:16 (4% PAL speedup) | 1:48:49.523 | 1:48:46.394 |
Video |
1.85:1 Original Aspect Ratio
16X9 enhanced |
1080P Single-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 24,029,180,772 bytes Feature: 22,005,626,880 bytesVideo Bitrate: 22.784 MbpsCodec: MPEG-2 Video |
1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 46,351,317,179 bytesFeature: 31,219,805,568 bytes Video Bitrate: 31.84 MbpsCodec: MPEG-4 AVC |
NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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Audio | English (Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS, 2.0 Stereo) |
Dolby TrueHD Audio English 1488 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz /
1488 kbps / 16-bit (AC3 Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 448 kbps) Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / Dolby Surround |
DTS-HD Master Audio English 1902 kbps 5.1
/ 48 kHz / 1902 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps /
16-bit) Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -30dB |
Subtitles | English, none | English, Spanish, none | English (SDH), none |
Features |
Release Information: Studio: Metrodrome Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details: Chapters 16 |
Release Information: Studio: First Look Pictures
1080P Single-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 24,029,180,772 bytes Feature: 22,005,626,880 bytesVideo Bitrate: 22.784 MbpsCodec: MPEG-2 Video
Edition Details:
• Previews Chapters 1 |
Release Information: Studio: Second Sight
1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 46,351,317,179 bytesFeature: 31,219,805,568 bytes Video Bitrate: 31.84 MbpsCodec: MPEG-4 AVC
Edition Details: Chapters 12 |
Second Sight - Region 'B' - Blu-ray
Comments |
NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc. ADDITION: Second Sight Films Blu-ray (August 2022): Second Sight Films have transferred Patty Jenkins' Monster to Blu-ray. Unlike the First Look Blu-ray from 13-years before this has an AVC encode and, hence, the image looks far smoother in-motion than First Look's sloppy MPEG-2. It has almost a 50% higher bitrate. Contrast seems more pure - cooler skin tones - and the overall 1080P is an improvement.
NOTE: We have added 50 more large
resolution Blu-ray captures
(in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE
On their
Blu-ray,
Second Sight Films use a DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround track (16-bit)
or a 24-bit linear PCM stereo option - both in the
original English language. There are some separations although nothing
particularly head-turning and there is some healthy bass in shocking
gunfire etc. Mostly it is fairly passive - dialogue building characters
- with a score by "BT" (Brian Wayne Transeau) (The
Fast and the Furious) including pieces "Childhood Montage",
"Girls Kiss", "The Bus Stop", "Turning Tricks", "First
Kill", "Job Hunt", "Bad Cop" and others. There is a lot of popular music
representing the time period including memorable songs by Duran Duran, A
Flock of Seagulls, Peaches & Herb, Blondie, INXS, Journey, Molly
Hatchet, REO Speedwagon, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Humble Pie etc. It
sounds strong if not overwhelmingly dynamic.
Second Sight include optional English (SDH)
subtitles and
their
Blu-ray is Region
'B'-locked.
In terms of extras - Second Sight have stacked the package. We get the
older audio commentary with writer / director Parry Jenkins, actor /
producer Charlize Theron and producer Clark Peterson as found on the
2004 Metrodome DVD. Also repeated is the 1/4 hour Based on a True
Story: The Making of Monster, 20-minutes of Deleted and Extended
Scenes with director commentary (on the DVD), the 15-minute
Monster: Evolution of the Score with BT explaining how he got
involved and specifics plus the 25-minute Monster: The Vision and
Journey - as C.P. described below; "Jenkins, Theron and Ricci
talk about the feeling of the film and of course about Aileen Wuornos."
New are Making a Murderer: a new 45-minute revealing interview
with director Patty Jenkins, Producing a Monster: a new 20-minute
interview with producer Brad Wyman and Light From Within: a new
3/4 hour interview with DoP Steven Bernstein which I found particularly
interesting. There is also an original trailer and the package has
limited edition contents including a handsome rigid slipcase with new
artwork by Daniel Benneworth-Gray, and a soft cover book with new essays
by Anton Bitel, Hannah Strong & Shelagh Rowan-Legg plus 6 collectors'
art cards. 2003's Monster is a biographical crime-drama film, based on serial killer Aileen Wuornos (executed by lethal injection in 2002), written and directed by Patty Jenkins in her feature directorial debut. It is always referenced by many for Charlize Theron's (who also produced Monster) award-winning performance advanced extensively by her remarkable make-up, clothing, body language and her eye control. She is a stunningly attractive women who made an incredible big-screen metamorphosis to become Wuornos. She walked away with many 'Best Actress' awards including a Silver Bear, a Golden Globe and an Oscar. Roger Ebert cited Theron's role as "one of the greatest performances in the history of the cinema." The Wuornos character, history and circumstances are so ugly with such a strong vιritι expression (there are moments of, post-criticized, sympathy) - that it is a hard film for some to watch. There is a voyeuristic quality to the viewing of Monster. I really enjoyed watching it again on this superior Second Sight a/v Blu-ray, revisiting the commentary and indulging in the new, 1 3/4 hours, supplements that revealed much of the impressive filmmaking process. Monster is a very unique and memorable film experience. This justifiable extensive package is strongly recommended! Second Sight are really advancing their UK-based label with these fabulous Blu-rays. *** ADDITION: First Look - Region 'A' Blu-ray - August 09': The image improvement is definitely there but being an MPEG-2 encode (same as the DVD - as opposed to, standard for hi-def, MPEG-4 AVC or VC-1) it is no where near the strength that the format can go to. Detail is better, colors tighten up and the 1080P visuals even show a shade of depth. The DVD looks to have a shade of green beside the single-layered Blu-ray. The First Look disc runs in the theatrical running time (as opposed to the 4% PAL speed-up of the Metrodome DVD). The Blu-ray offers TrueHD audio but it's not a barn-burner at less than 1500 Kbps. The film has a few aggressive moments and some, disheartening, gunplay and the track supports it with some lean separations. The US disc offers optional English or Spanish subtitles and my Momitsu tells me this Blu-ray is Region 'A'-locked. We seem to get the same supplements, that Stan discusses below) minus the commentary, one of the featurettes and the deleted /extended scenes. Kind of funny about the package - you know a digital production is stretching things when it advertises 'Scene Selection' as a bonus feature - but there is actually only one chapter stop - so they can't even toot their horn over that! First Look have created some decent-to-strong Blu-ray offerings in the past - but I don't feel this is one of them. This may be the best Monster looks for your home theater so far - but it's a far cry from the definitive package. First Look seem to know this as the best thing about it is the price - less than $13 at the writing of this review. If you haven't seen it - go for it... but it's not worthy of a double dip in my opinion. Gary W. Tooze ***
ON THE METRODOME DVD: The DVD's picture is mostly sharp and with
good contrast. Because the film has a raw, gritty look, the picture
seems a little hazy, but I think that's a creative choice by director
Patty Jenkins (that works in my opinion). The audio quality is very
good as well. The rear speakers are mostly occupied by the soundtrack,
and sometimes by background details. The dialogue is clear and
perfectly understandable. Disc 2 presents the documentary "Monster: The Vision and Journey" and offers interesting insights into the film by its participants. Jenkins, Theron and Ricci talk about the feeling of the film and of course about Aileen Wuornos. There's another similar feature named "The Making of a Monster" which contains material from Nick Broomfield's documentary "Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer" and the press conference for "Monster" in London. "Deleted & Extended Scenes" features an interesting dream sequence, an extended monologue by Aileen sitting on the couch talking to Selby, a scene in which Aileen witnesses a newsflash about one of her murders, a few very funny outtakes at the job interview and an extended performance at the bus station (which is one of the most dramatic and perfectly acted scenes in the film). Every sequence can be viewed with additional commentary by Patty Jenkins. Then there's another interview feature with Jenkins and composer BT
providing information about the music score of the film and a film
making demo which may be inventive but isn't really useful. Trailers
and filmographies can be found as well. |
DVD
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Second Sight Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray
CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
1) Metrodome (Two-Disc Special Edition) - Region 2 - PAL TOP2) First Look Pictures - Region 'A' - Blu-ray MIDDLE 3) Second Sight Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM |
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1) Metrodome (Two-Disc Special Edition) - Region 2 - PAL TOP2) First Look Pictures - Region 'A' - Blu-ray MIDDLE 3) Second Sight Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM |
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1) Metrodome (Two-Disc Special Edition) - Region 2 - PAL TOP2) First Look Pictures - Region 'A' - Blu-ray MIDDLE 3) Second Sight Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM |
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1) Metrodome (Two-Disc Special Edition) - Region 2 - PAL TOP2) First Look Pictures - Region 'A' - Blu-ray MIDDLE 3) Second Sight Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM |
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1) Metrodome (Two-Disc Special Edition) - Region 2 - PAL TOP2) First Look Pictures - Region 'A' - Blu-ray MIDDLE 3) Second Sight Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM |
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1) Metrodome (Two-Disc Special Edition) - Region 2 - PAL TOP2) First Look Pictures - Region 'A' - Blu-ray MIDDLE 3) Second Sight Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM |
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1) Metrodome (Two-Disc Special Edition) - Region 2 - PAL TOP2) First Look Pictures - Region 'A' - Blu-ray MIDDLE 3) Second Sight Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM |
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BONUS CAPTURES: |
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Distribution |
Metrodrome Region 2 - PAL |
First Look Pictures Region 'A' - Blu-ray |
Second Sight Region 'B' - Blu-ray |