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A view on Blu-ray by Gary W. Tooze

Goodbye World [Blu-ray]

 

(Denis Hennelly, 2013)

 

 

Review by Gary Tooze

 

Production:

Theatrical: Gather Films

Video: Phase Four Films

 

Disc:

Region: 'A' (as verified by the Oppo Blu-ray player)

Runtime: 1:40:56.050

Disc Size: 19,776,109,795 bytes

Feature Size: 17,892,980,736 bytes

Video Bitrate: 20.97 Mbps

Chapters: 16

Case: Standard Blu-ray case

Release date: June 3rd, 2014

 

Video:

Aspect ratio: 2.35:1

Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps

Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Audio:

Dolby Digital Audio English 448 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 448 kbps / DN -4dB
DUBs:

Dolby Digital Audio French 448 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 448 kbps / DN -4dB
Dolby Digital Audio Spanish 448 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 448 kbps / DN -4dB
Commentary:

Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -4dB

 

Subtitles:

None

 

Extras:

• Commentary with director and co-writer Denis Hennelly and co-writer and producer Sarah Adina Smith and producer Matthew G. Zamias

• World Premiere Q+A at the Los Angeles Film Festival (7:26)

 

Bitrate:

 

 

Description: When a mysterious cyber-attack cripples civilization, James and his old college friends retreat to a remote country home, where they must cope with an uncertain future while defending themselves against desperate outsiders who will do anything to survive.

 

 

The Film:

A major cyber-attack cripples the U.S, prompting estranged friends to gather at an off-the-grid home in an attempt to escape rising social unrest in this apocalyptic thriller. Years ago, James (Adrian Grenier) sensed that society was on the verge of collapse. In a bid to be proactive, he moved his family, including his wife Lily (Kerry Bishe) and their young daughter, to a secluded Northern California home. There, thanks to solar panels that power their home and fertile gardens to provide sustenance, James and his family learn to become self sufficient. Then one day, seemingly out of nowhere, a viral text message with the subject "Goodbye World" attacks utility services, plunging the entire country into darkness. When James' old college friends turn up on his doorstep, he welcomes them with open arms. But it isn't long before their comfortable sense of community begins to grow sour, and with martial law declared, a new rule of law pushes tensions to the breaking point.

Excerpt from MRQE located HERE

Blame it on the Mayans, maybe, but 2012 and 2013 have seen a host of films with apocalypse on the brain, from big budget action flicks to meta-comedies like “This Is The End,” to smaller, more realistic dramedies like “It’s A Disaster." Director Denis Henry Hennelly’s “Goodbye World” falls more in line with the latter, situating a group of seven college friends in a Northern California cabin in the wake of a cyber attack. While it has its funny moments, it’s definitely not a comedy, but it seeks to acknowledge the weird ways in which people react to times of crisis, especially amongst this particular group, with their complicated personal histories. Will they implode from their own internal strife or outside threats?

Excerpt from The Playlist located HERE

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

Goodbye World looks quite good on Blu-ray from Phase Four Films. This is only single-layered with a low-ish bitrate but is thoughtfully shot and the 1080P brings out the country-side colors effectively. It may be a shade less crisp, and contrast not at premium levels that dual-layering might have corrected. Skin tones seem true - and there is no noise. I saw some depth and detail in close-ups was acceptable, if not stellar. This Blu-ray doesn't have any major flaws but also doesn't excel dramatically. If gives a reasonable HD presentation.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audio :

Unfortunately, a lossy audio track - a standard Dolby Digital 5.1 surround that isn't overly challenged by the film which has less-aggressive action and more dialogue-driven scenes. There isn't much to separate but the track seems to support most of the film with consistency. There is a score by Eric D. Johnson that I didn't find impacting. There are no subtitles and my Oppo has identified it as being a region 'A'-locked disc.

 

Extras :

Included is a commentary with director and co-writer Denis Hennelly and co-writer and producer Sarah Adina Smith and producer Matthew G. Zamias. It starts out quite light and fun but some more production-specific topics are covered. They tend not to take it too seriously. I probably appreciated when Adina Smith called her father for his opinion on the film. There is also a 7.5 minute World Premiere Q+A at the Los Angeles Film Festival.

 

 

BOTTOM LINE:
I have two major issues with Goodbye World - and they both, more or less, involve the marketing. The title seems to have less to do with the film content and more to do with enticing 'Apocalyptic' fan interest - ditto for the Blu-ray cover - which has even less to do with what transpires in the film and, again, appears to be attempting to ride a wave of, flavor-of-the-week, popularity. Also, Adina Smith's father made a good point in the commentary when he said (paraphrasing) "... you have to stop making films that you like, and start making films that other people like". Critical reaction was poor, but I don't think it's such a bad movie that some script-tweaking, and a bigger budget, couldn't have resolved. I watched it right through - so that is a positive. Of course, it is no where in the league of Take Shelter - as one film with similarities beyond their Indie roots.  The Blu-ray does its job, but even at this reasonable price - we'd say "pass" despite enjoying some aspects of the production. 

Gary Tooze

May 20th, 2014

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 5000 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

 

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