NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Vinegar Syndrome Blu-ray (May 2022): Vinegar Syndrome have transferred Vik Rubenfeld's Alien Private Eye to Blu-ray. It is cited as being from "brand new 4K restoration from its original camera negative". It looks like a solid appearance showing the production limitations via 1080P. There are heavy textures in the darker scenes and some inconsistency with flashes of depth and appealing detail. As usual with Vinegar Syndrome - this appears to be a precise representation of the, admittedly pragmatic, original. You can't ask more from this clean and authentic transfer on a dual-layered disc with a max'ed out bitrate.

NOTE: We have added 60 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Vinegar Syndrome use a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel track (24-bit) in the original English language. Alien Private Eye has aggressive moments from martial-arts related fighting to an alien laser beam. Like the video, these effects are subject to the small-scale production limitations. The pop-infused score is by Frank Weber (his only film credit), sounding clean and there is consistent dialogue in the lossless transfer. Vinegar Syndrome offer optional English (SDH) subtitles - see sample below - on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The Vinegar Syndrome Blu-ray offers a new commentary by writer/director/producer Vik Rubenfeld with host Brad Henderson. Vik shows pride about the production and he's enthusiastic regarding 'this new print', the performances and he details the heavy work load to create Alien Private Eye. He recalls the auditions, casting and details of specific scenes, how it took 6 years to raise the money for the production. He seems very happy with his product - which is refreshing to hear. Additionally there is "Master of Suspense" - a 1/2 hour interview with Vik Rubenfeld expanding upon discussion topics from the commentary. He discusses early influences from Dr. Strangelove to Kurosawa's Yojimbo. "Fashion Show Film Noir" is a 10-minute interview with cinematographer Jürg V. Walther. He admits to not even recalling the year Alien Private Eye was made. He talks about his education in Switzerland, enjoyment of Antonioni and Visconti. "Mister Lemro Private Investigator, I Presume" is a 1/4 hour interview with lead actor David "Nico" Hill (Nikki Fastinetti.) He discusses how before this break he was just a surviving individual, teaching martial arts on the side - he recalls doing one Wendy's commercial prior to Alien Private Eye and seeing the advertisement for the role in the paper. The package has reversible cover artwork and a hard slipcase.  

Vik Rubenfeld's "Alien Private Eye" is better than you might expect from an independent, modest budgeted, late 80's effort with this mixed-genre title. It was initially released on VHS and I don't think has ever even been on DVD prior to this. Actually, I wouldn't say it's bad as much as a victim of its budgetary constraints and less-balanced, overly ambitious, filmmaking that can leave you a shade underwhelmed. Many appreciate these grassroots attempts with a strong sense of nostalgia. You can see the labor of love effort put into this sci-fi-, action, neo-noir, horror... and, admittedly, I was entertained.  "Alien Private Eye" fits squarely into Vinegar Syndrome's well-defined niche and they produce excellent Blu-rays. There really isn't anyone like them in cornering this particular market. This has everything - the, lesser seen, film in as good an a/v as the format can support, a director commentary and three interviews - plus handsome packaging. Certainly recommended to their loyal following. 

Gary Tooze