|
Firstly, a massive thank you to our Patreon supporters. Your generosity touches me deeply. These supporters have become the single biggest contributing factor to the survival of DVDBeaver. Your assistance has become essential.
What do Patrons receive, that you don't?
1)
Our
weekly
Newsletter
sent to your Inbox every
Monday morning!
Please consider keeping us in existence with a couple of dollars or more each month (your pocket change!) so we can continue to do our best in giving you timely, thorough reviews, calendar updates and detailed comparisons. Thank you very much.
|
|
Search DVDBeaver |
S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r |
Directed by E. Elias Merhige
USA 2004
|
From filmmaker and nightmare-conjurer E. Elias Merhige (Begotten, Shadow of the Vampire) comes a visionary twist on the psychological suspense-thriller. When tortured FBI agent Thomas Mackelway (Aaron Eckhart, The Dark Knight) is called in to investigate a series of bizarre murders, the trail leads to the enigmatic Benjamin O’Ryan (Ben Kingsley, Sexy Beast). Trained in a secret government program (enabling elite agents to telepathically get into the minds of killers), O’Ryan himself is hunting down what he has labeled the ultimate serial killer and manifestation of evil—Suspect Zero. Mackelway, now reunited with his former partner (Carrie-Anne Moss, The Matrix), must determine if O’Ryan’s ability to identify with the murderers has turned him into the very same type of monster he is trying to bring to justice. Featuring cinematography by Michael Chapman (Taxi Driver, Invasion of the Body Snatchers), Suspect Zero is a “stunningly original” and “audacious” (Los Angeles Times) glimpse into the heart and mind of evil. *** If you're into serial-killer thrillers, you'll want to see Suspect Zero if only to soak up the genre's reliable penchant for creepy atmosphere and creepier behavior. Dark, anguished, and saturated with superficial style, it's a passable exercise in mystery from E. Elias Merhige, who fared better (both critically and artistically) with his acclaimed 2001 film Shadow of the Vampire. The directorial vision evident in that film is also apparent here, but it's pretentiously over-indulged in a grisly plot about the tormented victim of a secret, psychically abusive crime-fighting program (Ben Kingsley) whose pursuit of serial killers in New Mexico is designed to lure a similarly tormented FBI agent (Aaron Eckhart) and his understanding partner (Carrie-Anne Moss) into an investigation that grows increasingly violent and tragically intense. Like Eckhart's character, you may need a handful of aspirin after subjecting yourself to Merhige's visual excess, but as yet another variant of Se7en, Suspect Zero scores points for attempting something different. |
Posters
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Theatrical Release: August 27th, 2004
 |
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
Review: Kino - Region FREE - 4K UHD
| Box Cover |
|
CLICK to order from:
Also available on Blu-ray (that is included with the 4K UHD)
Bonus Captures:
|
| Distribution | Kino - Region FREE - 4K UHD | |
| Runtime | 1:39:34.259 | |
| Video |
1.85 :1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-rayDisc Size: 39,936,657,171 bytesFeature: 34,088,521,728 bytesVideo Bitrate: 38.93 MbpsCodec: MPEG-4 AVC Video |
1.85:1 2160P 4K Ultra HD Disc Size: 77,413,958,865 bytesFeature: 75,762,723,648 bytesVideo Bitrate: 74.85 MbpsCodec: HEVC Video |
|
NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
||
| Bitrate Blu-ray: |
|
|
| Bitrate 4K Ultra HD: |
|
|
| Audio |
DTS-HD Master
Audio English 2364 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 2364 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 /
48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit) Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps |
|
| Subtitles | English (SDH), None | |
| Features |
Release Information: Studio: Kino
1.85:1 2160P 4K Ultra HD Disc Size: 77,413,958,865 bytesFeature: 75,762,723,648 bytesVideo Bitrate: 74.85 MbpsCodec: HEVC Video
Edition Details: 4K Ultra HD disc • Audio commentary by Director E. Elias Merhige
Kino - Region 'A' -
Blu-ray
Chapters 9 / 10 |
|
| Comments: |
NOTE:
The below
Blu-ray
and
4K UHD
captures were taken directly from the respective
discs.
It is likely that the monitor
you are seeing this review is not an
HDR-compatible
display (High Dynamic Range) or Dolby Vision, where each pixel can be assigned with a wider
and notably granular range of color and light. Our
capture software if simulating the HDR (in a uniform manner) for standard
monitors. This should make it easier for us to review more
4K UHD titles in the
future and give you a decent idea of its attributes on your system. So our
captures may not support the exact same colors (coolness of
skin tones, brighter or darker hues etc.) as the
4K system at your home. But the
framing, detail, grain texture support etc. are, generally, not effected by
this simulation representation.
NOTE:
We have reviewed the following 4K
UHD packages
recently:
Count Dracula
(software uniformly simulated HDR),
Full Circle - The Haunting of Julia
(software uniformly simulated HDR),
The Warriors
(software uniformly simulated HDR),
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
(software uniformly simulated HDR),
Blackhat
(software uniformly simulated HDR),
Mark of the Devil
(software uniformly simulated HDR),
Barbarella
(software uniformly simulated HDR),
The Last Picture Show
(software uniformly simulated HDR),
The Man Who Knew Too Much
(software uniformly simulated HDR),
Rope
(software uniformly simulated HDR),
Frenzy
(software uniformly simulated HDR),
American Graffiti
(software uniformly simulated HDR),
East End Hustle (software uniformly simulated HDR),
Three Days of the Condor
(software uniformly simulated HDR), Witness
(software uniformly simulated HDR),
Fascination
(software uniformly simulated HDR),
Lips of Blood
(software uniformly simulated HDR),
The Others
(no HDR),
It Came From Outer Space
(software uniformly simulated HDR),
Don't Look Now
(software uniformly simulated HDR),
Rosemary's Baby
(software uniformly simulated HDR),
The Last Wave
(no HDR),
The Train
(software uniformly simulated HDR),
The Trial
(software uniformly simulated HDR),
The Walkabout
(software uniformly simulated HDR),
Black Magic Rites,
The Night of the Hunted
(software uniformly simulated HDR),
The Rape of the Vampire
(software uniformly simulated HDR),
Gorgo
(software uniformly simulated HDR),
Akira Kurosawa's Dreams
(software uniformly simulated HDR),
The Man From Hong Kong
(software uniformly simulated HDR),
One False Move,
The Tall T
(software uniformly simulated HDR),
Cold Eyes of Fear (software uniformly simulated HDR),
Rules of the Game
(no HDR),
The Manchurian Candidate
(software uniformly simulated HDR),
After Hours,
Rain Man
(software uniformly simulated HDR),
The Changeling
(software uniformly simulated HDR),
The Night of the Hunter
(software uniformly simulated HDR),
12 Angry Men
(software uniformly simulated HDR),
Branded to Kill
(no HDR),
Picnic at Hanging Rock
(software uniformly simulated HDR),
Two Orphan Vampires
(software uniformly simulated HDR),
The Shiver of the Vampires,
Drowning By Number
(software uniformly simulated HDR),
Serpico
(software uniformly simulated HDR),
Cool Hand Luke
(software uniformly simulated HDR),
The Seventh Seal
(software uniformly simulated HDR), The Maltese Falcon
(software uniformly simulated HDR).
On their
4K UHD and
Blu-ray,
Kino give the option of strong DTS-HD Master tracks in either 5.1 surround or
2.0 channel stereo (24-bit) in the
original English language.
"Suspect Zero" has plenty of cool and spooky effects
plus violence - although we rarely see it "in the act".
The surround can heighten scenes with a few deft separations. Quite
good. The
score was by Clint Mansell (Moon,
Requiem For a Dream,
Black Swan) and supports the film's intrigue and suspense adding
a nice flavor to the dark scenes.
Both discs offer optional English subtitles - and the
4K UHD is region FREE,
playable worldwide. The second disc
Blu-ray
is Region 'A'-locked.
The
4K UHD
includes a commentary by
director E. Elias Merhige. He starts out stating that he did not have the
intention to make a serial killer genre film nor a film about serial
killers. He wanted to express the nature of the unconscious, justice and how
the human mind works. He tends to narrate and he actually does a great job
of that both explaining and augmenting the narrative. He can also explain
details like what may be in some of the pictures, intent, character
motivations etc. He is quite matter-of-fact and I thought it was a great
addition to watching
"Suspect Zero" adding another layer.
This commentary is also on the second disc Blu-ray
that includes other extras; What We See When We Close Our Eyes is a
1/2 hour, 2005, 4 part, featurette discussing topics like "Remote Viewing"
and "Psychic Spying" with input from Aaron Eckhart, Ben Kingsley,
director E. Elias Merhige, Carrie-Anne Moss and experts Dr. Dean Radin, Dr.
Jessica Utts, Dr. Baolin Wu and others. I have the feeling it was on the
previous DVD if the film. There is also a 10-minute Remote Viewing
Demonstration with director Merhige, a brief 'alternate ending' with
optional director commentary, two TV spots and US and UK theatrical
trailers.
Firstly,
"Suspect Zero" is exactly the type of film
that 'critics' love to crap all over. It did not do well at the box-office
and the ESP premise can be a tough sell. Now, I am not going to champion
this movie - but I think there is a place for these highly intriguing
psychological thrillers if you are in the mood. I have quite a few in my
digital library. Reality: There was a secret
U.S. Army unit established in 1978 at Fort Meade, Maryland, called
The
Stargate Project. It was constructed to investigate the potential
for harnessing psychic phenomena for military intelligence - primarily
involving something referred to as 'remote viewing'. Remote viewing (RV) is
seeking information utilizing telepathy about events that are hidden from
physical view - usually separated by long distances. The film's story: FBI
Agents Thomas Mackelway (Aaron Eckhart), and Fran Kulok (Carrie-Anne Moss)
are on the trail of a serial killer (Ben Kingsley), who they eventually
conclude is actually killing other serial killers - a 'Suspect Zero',
responsible for a multitude of unsolved murders - leaving no physical
evidence in his wake. Benjamin O'Ryan (Kingsley) learned to harness his
telepathic abilities in an experimental, less-disclosed, military project
and admits, in one scene, to have been in law enforcement. So we have
another element in
"Suspect Zero" - vigilantism... notably
for child abuse/murders. There is a
Zodiac vibe with the investigations - as well as
Se7en
with the conclusion in the desert (New Mexico.)
"Suspect Zero" was produced by Tom Cruise
(his company) and he intended to star in the film initially, but instead
opted for
Eyes Wide Shut - Good move, Tom (how about that in
4K UHD?) I thought the dialogue was a bit
problematic here as was the casting of Eckhart but Carrie-Anne Moss always
looks the part and Ben Kingsley is generally flawless as a frequently scary,
loose-canon, avenger. So, I found enough positives (premise overlap of
serial killer, psychic phenomena and vigilantism) to bother reviewing it.
Kino's
4K UHD
of "Suspect Zero" gets a flawless a/v release, director
commentary and probing featurette. To each his own. |
Menus / Extras
Kino - Region FREE - 4K UHD
 |
 |
 |
Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
CLICK EACH BLU-RAY and 4K UHD CAPTURE TO SEE IN FULL RESOLUTION
 |
|
1) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray TOP 2) Kino - Region FREE - 4K UHD BOTTOM
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Examples of NSFW (Not Safe For Work) CAPTURES (Mouse Over to see- CLICK to Enlarge)
 |
 |
 |
 |
More full resolution (3840 X 2160) 4K Ultra HD Captures for Patreon Supporters HERE
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Box Cover |
|
CLICK to order from:
Also available on Blu-ray (that is included with the 4K UHD)
Bonus Captures:
|
| Distribution | Kino - Region FREE - 4K UHD | |
|
Search DVDBeaver |
S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r |
DONATIONS Keep DVDBeaver alive:
CLICK PayPal logo to donate!
|
Gary Tooze
|
|
Thank You!
