Search DVDBeaver

S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

 

H D - S E N S E I

A view on Blu-ray by Gary W. Tooze

Nine 1/2 Weeks [Blu-ray]

 

(Adrian Lyne, 1986)

 

 

Review by Gary Tooze

 

Production:

Theatrical: Warner

Video: Warner

 

Disc:

Region: FREE! (as verified by the Momitsu region FREE Blu-ray player)

Runtime: 1:56:51.004

Disc Size: 20,704,084,262 bytes

Feature Size: 20,530,323,456 bytes

Video Bitrate: 18.29 Mbps

Chapters: 15

Case: Standard Blu-ray case

Release date: March 6th, 2011

 

Video:

Aspect ratio: 1.78:1

Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps

Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Audio:

DTS-HD Master Audio English 3349 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3349 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Dolby Digital Audio French 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -4dB
Dolby Digital Audio Spanish 192 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -4dB

 

Subtitles:

English (SDH), English, French, Spanish, none

 

Extras:

• Theatrical Trailer (2:37 in 480i)

 

Bitrate:

 

 

Description: A steamy relationship between Elizabeth and John intensifies into an erotic nightmare of fantasy and domination.

***

It follows the two-month affair between Elizabeth, an art-gallery dealer, and John, a Wall Street exec. The relationship spirals downward into raunchier sex (filmed, by the way, quite nicely) but principally is about two adults doing adult things but not acting anything like real adults. Attempts at actual human connection, about the longing to be "good," are present here and make this an above-average erotic film. Rourke is just honing his scumbag, bad-boy persona; but it doesn't overwhelm. Lots and lots of Kim Basinger.

 

 

The Film:

The title refers to the duration of the relationship between self-absorbed Wall Street shark Mickey Rourke and divorced art gallery owner Kim Basinger. Kim is looking for true love, while Mickey is searching for...gosh knows what. His notions of lovemaking include blindfolds, ice cubes, chocolate syrup, and rolling around on spent peanut shells. When the alotted 9 1/2 weeks are up, Kim has finally come to realize that Rourke has been using her. We could have told her that twenty minutes into the film. One of the definitive works in the Mickey Rourke ouevre, 9 1/2 Weeks is deliciously awful, and as such will probably endure as a Camp Classic for the next hundred years. The film is available in both R-rated and unrated versions; either way, it's a hoot.

~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Any story like "9 1/2 Weeks" risks becoming very ridiculous. The actors are taking a chance in appearing in it. Plots like this make audiences nervous, and if the movie doesn't walk a fine line between the plausible and the bizarre, it will only find the absurd. A lot of the success of "9 1/2 Weeks" is because Rourke and Basinger make the characters and their relationship convincing. Rourke's strategy is to never tell us too much. He cloaks himself in mystery, partly for her fascination, partly because his whole approach depends on his remaining a stranger. Basinger's strategy is equally effective, and more complicated. Physically, she looks sensuous and luscious; if you saw her in "Fool for Love," you won't be surprised by the force of her first appearance here. But if she'd just presented herself as the delectable object of all of these experiments, it would have been a modeling job, not acting.

Excerpt from Roger Ebert at the Chicago Sun-Times located HERE

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

I saw 9 1/2 Weeks theatrically but my memory has faded. Its appearance on this Blu-ray transfer from Warner supports some intense grain with an extremely thick look. This is only single-layered but seems to export an authentic representation with the images devoid of sharpness giving way to the softer focus. I can appreciate this style - a juxtaposition of the film's fleeting substance - but those seeking tight visuals should look elsewhere. This Blu-ray is consistent and I believe it to replicate the film's original presentation. Contrast is strong and there are some notable reds. There is minimal noise and no depth.

 

CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audio :

The DTS-HD Master 5.1 at 3349 kbps sounds solid. Aside from the original music by Jack Nitzsche we have strong support from 80's pop including "The Best Is Yet To Come" by Luba, The Eurythmics with "This City Never Sleeps", Corey Hart's "Eurasian Eyes" and the fitting "Slave to Love" by Bryan Ferry. The songs sound impressive with an unheard range or depth exported by FM radio. They really send you on a nostalgic trip back 25 years ago. There are optional subtitles and my Momitsu has identified it as being a region FREE disc playable on Blu-ray machines worldwide.

 

Extras :

Only a trailer. the film is so much visual fluff - there isn't much to discuss.

 

 

BOTTOM LINE:
Despite its superficial MTV-style composure, Nine 1/2 Weeks has some value at seeing the youthful Rourke and Basinger strutting their charismatic stuff onscreen. Yeah - they both have the 'it' quality and the film touches disturbing innuendos - but anymore than that it is simply an edgy soap opera.  A few scenes are interestingly pieced together - with the gloss overwhelming the clumsiness. Elizabeth's slideshow/masturbation is one for the books. The Blu-ray may not appeal to those seeking a glossy, tight, appearance but I suspect it is more authentic as this thick, textured look. We can only endorse to those seeking a distraction - I don't see Nine 1/2 Weeks as a film that will support multiple, repeat, viewings. A positive is the price - Kim may be worth that alone to some. 

Gary Tooze

February 19th, 2012

 


 

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.

Although I never wanted to become one of those guys who focused 'too much' on image and sound quality - I find HD is swiftly pushing me in that direction.

Gary's Home Theatre:

60-Inch Class (59.58” Diagonal) 1080p Pioneer KURO Plasma Flat Panel HDTV PDP6020-FD

Oppo Digital BDP-83 Universal Region FREE Blu-ray/SACD Player
Momitsu - BDP-899 Region FREE Blu-ray player
Marantz SA8001 Super Audio CD Player
Marantz SR7002 THX Select2 Surround Receiver
Tannoy DC6-T (fronts) + Energy (centre, rear, subwoofer) speakers (5.1)

APC AV 1.5 kVA H Type Power Conditioner 120V

Gary W. Tooze

 

       HIGH DEFINITION DVD STORE     ALL OUR NEW FORMAT DVD REVIEWS

 

 




 

Hit Counter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DONATIONS Keep DVDBeaver alive:

 CLICK PayPal logo to donate!

Gary Tooze

Thank You!