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Unthinkable [Blu-ray]
(Gregor Jordan, 2010)
Review by Gary Tooze
Production: Theatrical: ChubbCo Film Video: Sony Pictures
Disc: Region: FREE! (as verified by the Momitsu region FREE Blu-ray player) Runtime: 1:28:21.296 (extended version another 0:07:17.437 longer) Disc Size: 28,742,061,680 bytes Feature Size: 23,723,808,768 bytes Video Bitrate: 26.93 Mbps Chapters: 16 Case: Standard Blu-ray case Release date: June 15th, 2010
Video: Aspect ratio:1.85:1 Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio English 3653 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3653 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit) Commentary: Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / Dolby Surround
Subtitles: English (SDH), English, none
Extras:
• movieIQ™+sync and BD-Live connect you to real-time
information on the cast, music, trivia and more while
watching the movie!
Bitrate:
Description: The most suspenseful thriller of the year explores just how far we will go to protect ourselves and our country. When a nuclear expert-turned-extremist (Michael Sheen, Underworld) plants devices in three separate cities, the country's counter-terrorism force springs into action and captures him. But the location of his bombs remains a mystery. With time running out, FBI agent Helen Brody (Carrie-Anne Moss, Disturbia) agrees to work alongside a mysterious interrogator known only as "H" (Samuel L. Jackson, Lakeview Terrace), whose ruthless methods get results. But a power struggle develops between Brody, "H', and the terrorist, and what happens next is unbelievable and -ultimately-Unthinkable!
The Film: When a film is banished straight to DVD/Blu-ray we don't get our expectations too damn high. It is, however, not a precursor for ineffectual films - in fact, Unthinkable might be the new poster boy for these occasional exceptions. As a psychological thriller, director Gregor Jordan's (”The Informers”) film, works quite well. Raising the questions of grey-area politic, in this case how the US deals with terrorists, it also scores some heavy points. Performances? Michael Sheen - always brilliant, Carrie-Anne Moss, suitably cloaking her sexuality, as FBI agent Helen Brody - one of her best roles, Samuel L Jackson? - well, I wasn't quite sold on his less formal black-ops interrogator specialist Henry Herald 'H' Humphries. It was by no means a deal breaker but, well...
While Unthinkable left me somewhat hollow - the premise and delivery were taut enough to keep me fairly riveted throughout the entire triangular saga. I do think a reasonable suspension is necessary to swallow all that is on this celluloid fork - but hey, this is the movies. Unthinkable has plenty of dark edges too - torture, children, mass death. Religion is looming but not in the forefront. Points are made in a, kind of, hap-hazard fashion. It's one of those films that I don't suggest will have a lot of staying power but peaks well enough for a solid night in the home theater.
The disc contains the option of the 'R-Rated' Theatrical and the 7-minute longer 'Unrated' Extended Version of the film - seamlessly branched. I don't now what scenes were added but it is suggested that it includes a different ending.
Unthinkable doesn't export a lot of dramatic visuals. In fact most of the film takes place in the, colorless, concealed facility where the interrogation takes place. The Blu-ray is dual-layered with an acceptable bitrate and while the image quality is consistent - it doesn't have a lot to work within the parameters of this film. There is some minor depth and detail is strong enough - notable in the limited closed-ups. Contrast exhibits healthy black levels. Daylight scenes are more impressive but nothing is overly dark. This Blu-ray has an authetic feel probably looking quite similar to the original source.
Audio :It's a very good audio track - a DTS-HD Master 5.1 at 3653 kbps. There are some effects from explosions, gunfire, and, yes, torture implements and screams. The bass response is strong, high end unremarkable but it seems to do a faithful job without any flaws. There are only English subtitles and m y Momitsu has identified it as being a region FREE disc playable on Blu-ray machines worldwide.
Extras :Director Gregor Jordan gives a pretty entertaining commentary. His Aussie accent isn't hard to discern. He covers a variety of topics and it flows reasonably well. There is an untested movieIQ feature but no video featurettes and it looks like Sony bailed on this - hence the move straight to video.
BOTTOM LINE:
Gary Tooze June 10th, 2010
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About the Reviewer: Hello, fellow Beavers! I have been interested in film since I viewed a Chaplin festival on PBS when I was around 9 years old. I credit DVD with expanding my horizons to fill an almost ravenous desire to seek out new film experiences. I currently own approximately 9500 DVDs and have reviewed over 3500 myself. I appreciate my discussion Listserv for furthering my film education and inspiring me to continue running DVDBeaver. Plus a healthy thanks to those who donate and use our Amazon links.
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find HD is swiftly pushing me in that direction. So be
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