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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.

I have already learned more than I wanted to about the techniques of disguise used by makeup artist Toni G. to transform an attractive 28-year-old into an ungainly street prostitute, snapping her cigarette butt into the shadows before stepping forward to talk with a faceless man who has found her in the shadows of a barren Florida highway. Watching the film, I had no sense of makeup technique; I was simply watching one of the most real people I had ever seen on the screen. Jenkins, the writer-director, has made the best film of the year. Movies like this are perfect when they get made, before they're ground down by analysis. There is a certain tone in the voices of some critics that I detest -- that superior way of explaining technique in order to destroy it. They imply that because they can explain how Theron did it, she didn't do it. But she does it.

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

 

 Box Covers

Re-issued in December 2024:

BONUS CAPTURES:

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
Average Bitrate: 9.41 mb/s
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s

1080P Single-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 24,029,180,772 bytes

Feature: 22,005,626,880 bytes

Video Bitrate: 22.784 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-2 Video

1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 46,351,317,179 bytes

Feature: 31,219,805,568 bytes

Video Bitrate: 31.84 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Bitrate DVD

Bitrate First Look Blu-ray

Bitrate Second Sight Blu-ray

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)
LPCM Audio English 2304 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2304 kbps / 24-bit
Commentary:

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:
Widescreen anamorphic - 1.85:1

Edition Details:
• Audio commentary with Charlize Theron, Patty Jenkins and Clark Peterson
• Monster: The Vision and Journey
• The Making of a Monster
• Deleted & Extended Scenes
• Film Making Demo
• Interviews with Patty Jenkins and BT
• Trailers
• Cast Filmographies

DVD Release Date: October 11, 2004
Double Slim Keep Case

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 bytes

Video Bitrate: 22.784 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-2 Video

 

Edition Details:
• The Making of a Monster (14:42)
• Mixing Demo (Music, Effects, Dialogue)
• Interviews with Patty Jenkins and BT 'Evolution of a Score' (15:43)
• Trailer (2:15)

• Previews

Blu-ray Release Date: September 1st, 2009
Standard Blu-ray Case

Chapters 1

Release Information:
Studio:
Second Sight

 

1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 46,351,317,179 bytes

Feature: 31,219,805,568 bytes

Video Bitrate: 31.84 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC

 

Edition Details:
• Archive audio Commentary with Writer / Director Parry Jenkins, Actor / Producer Charlize Theron and Producer Clark Peterson
• Making a Murderer: a new interview with Director Patty Jenkins (47:41)
• Producing a Monster: a new interview with Producer Brad Wyman (20:17)
• Light From Within: a new interview with DoP Steven Bernstein (44:05)
• Monster: The Vision and Journey (25:28)
• Based on a True Story: The Making of Monster (14:42)
vDeleted and Extended Scenes with Director Commentary (17:19)
• Monster: Evolution of the Score (15:45)
• Original Trailer (2:15)

Limited Edition Contents:
Rigid slipcase with new artwork by Daniel Benneworth-Gray
Soft cover book with new essays by Anton Bitel, Hannah Strong & Shelagh Rowan-Legg
6 collectors' art cards

Blu-ray Release Date: August 15th, 2022
Custom Blu-ray Case (see below)

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.

This is certainly a well-packaged DVD. On disc 1 you can view the film with audio commentary by Patty Jenkins, Charlize Theron and producer Clark Peterson.

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.

Pristine picture and sound quality and a lot of interesting bonus material. What do you want more from a DVD?

 - C.P. Czarnecki

 


DVD Menus
 

 

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 TOP

2) First Look Pictures - Region 'A' - Blu-ray MIDDLE

3) Second Sight Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) Metrodome (Two-Disc Special Edition) - Region 2 - PAL TOP

2) First Look Pictures - Region 'A' - Blu-ray MIDDLE

3) Second Sight Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) Metrodome (Two-Disc Special Edition) - Region 2 - PAL TOP

2) First Look Pictures - Region 'A' - Blu-ray MIDDLE

3) Second Sight Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) Metrodome (Two-Disc Special Edition) - Region 2 - PAL TOP

2) First Look Pictures - Region 'A' - Blu-ray MIDDLE

3) Second Sight Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) Metrodome (Two-Disc Special Edition) - Region 2 - PAL TOP

2) First Look Pictures - Region 'A' - Blu-ray MIDDLE

3) Second Sight Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) Metrodome (Two-Disc Special Edition) - Region 2 - PAL TOP

2) First Look Pictures - Region 'A' - Blu-ray MIDDLE

3) Second Sight Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) Metrodome (Two-Disc Special Edition) - Region 2 - PAL TOP

2) First Look Pictures - Region 'A' - Blu-ray MIDDLE

3) Second Sight Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 

 

More full resolution (1920 X 1080) Second Sight Blu-ray Captures for DVDBeaver Patreon Supporters HERE

 

 

 

 Box Covers

Re-issued in December 2024:

BONUS CAPTURES:

Distribution

Metrodrome

Region 2 - PAL

First Look Pictures

Region 'A' - Blu-ray

Second Sight

Region 'B' - Blu-ray




 

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