Review by Gary Tooze

Production:

Disc:

Video:

Audio:

• Trailer (1:45)
• 16-Page Booklet
• High quality 720p HD Digital Download of the Film

Bitrate:

 

Description: Intense and unpredictable, GRACELAND is the story of family man Marlon Villar, the longtime chauffeur of Manuel Chango a corrupt Filipino politician. One afternoon, while he and his daughter accompany the politician’s daughter home, their car is ambushed in a kidnapping attempt. During the confusion of the ambush, the kidnapping goes horribly wrong and the wrong girl is taken and held for ransom. Marlon is determined to save his daughter, but between the conflicting motives of the kidnappers and Chango, Marlon is forced into a terrible downward spiral. As events unfold, Marlon, Chango, and their families are forced into a game of deceit and betrayal that will leave no one innocent.

 

 

The Film:

Excerpt from The Globe and Mail located HERE

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

Graceland was shot with a Canon 5D (1080P) and put to Blu-ray by Image Entertainment (Drafthouse Films). It tends to have a few more of the weaknesses of this versatile production format looking waxy and soft in-motion. I even notice a touch of edge-enhancement that is probably inherent in the filming process. Predictably it does not handle direct outdoor lighting well but on the positive the appearance is consistent and seems a true representation of the theatrical - warts and all. Obviously no grain texture, mostly a flat, unresponsive image with little depth but close-ups show some decent detail.  This sneaks into dual-layered territory with a middling bitrate. I don't expect that a more robust transfer would dramatically improve the 1080P presentation. It is what it is and I don't have any complaints. This Blu-ray provided me with a riveting and suspenseful presentation.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Option of a DTS-HD Master 5.1 at 2161 kbps or a standard Dolby surround - both in original Tagalog (Philippines) language. Surprisingly the film doesn't have an abundance of aggression. There is some gunplay but beyond that it is mostly dialogue or the sounds of the street which does create some rear channel separations establishing an aura. The English (SDH) subtitles are burned-in yellow (sample below) and my Oppo has identified it as being a region 'A'-locked.

Extras :

 

 

BOTTOM LINE:
Graceland has some very harsh scenes - that are hard to forget. The more I reflect on this film - the more impressed I am with it. On my initial viewing certain plot points seemed odd but I think I understand it better, and will continue to do so, with repeat viewings. The Blu-ray is probably as accurate representation of the a/v as we are likely to get and the supplements are appreciated. The film is strongly recommended! 

Gary Tooze

July 11th, 2013