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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r |
(aka " Gifted" or "Gipeuteodeu" or "Sar-in-jae-neung" or "Salinjaeneung")
Directed by Jai-hong Juhn
South Korea 2014
| Director Juhn Jai-hong (who reached
critical acclaim and feminist approval with 2008's
shattering BEAUTIFUL) produced another instant
classic with 2014's riveting and shocking GIFTED.
In this tense thriller an everyday Joe, laid off from
his job, finds a freelance gig that involves nothing in
the way of pay but plenty in the way of murderous
pleasure! A tense and twisted tale of life and death in
modern South Korea - 88 Films is proud to give this
underseen (at least in the West) story of shock and awe
an HD British debut!. *** Taking its cue from the common social grievances often found in Korean indie dramas, Gifted, the sophomore effort of Poongsan (2011) helmer Jung Jai-hung, examines the friction between unemployment and consumerist ambitions in modern Korea. Slight and familiar, the film doesn't immediately stand out but when its narrative starts to deviate off the standard template, it isn't long before it goes in a surprising direction. |
Posters etc.
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Theatrical Release:
October 2nd, 2014 (Busan International Film Festival)Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
Review:
88 Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray| Box Cover |
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| Distribution |
88 Films |
| Runtime |
1:42:23.929 |
| Video |
Disc Size: 22,336,243,067 bytes Feature Size: 21,978,771,456 bytes Average Bitrate: 22.98 MbpsSingle-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video |
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Bitrate:
88 Films Blu-ray
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| Audio |
DTS-HD Master Audio Korean 2316 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 2316
kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit) |
| Subtitles | English, None |
| Features |
Release
Information: Studio: 88 Films
Disc Size: 22,336,243,067 bytes Feature Size: 21,978,771,456 bytes Average Bitrate: 22.98 MbpsSingle-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video
Edition Details: Chapters: 8 |
| Comments |
NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc. 88 Films' Blu-ray transfer is single-layered, 1080P and it looks clean and pleasing with detail at premium levels - notable in the complexion and visible make-up of lead Beom-jun Kim. It is in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio but I presume it was shot on digital and its seems a faithful replication of the theatrical presentation with unembellished colors and occasional depth. A solid HD image but not exceptional - as good as it was shot, methinks.
The audio transfer offer a DTS HD Master 5.1 surround or 2.0 channel - 16-bit - in the original Korean language. There are only a few aggressive effects (a couple quite graphic) - no gunplay - and not much in the way of separation. The score is by Woon Sung (only film credit) and is fairly subtle in the background. 88 Films add optional English subtitles on their Region 'B' Blu-ray disc.
The only extras is a trailer but the package has a reversible sleeve
featuring original Korean poster (see below.) Gifted is promising and I enjoyed the Blu-ray presentation but I found some of the character reactions, and dialogue (possibly the translations) - notably Junghwa Bae, as the girlfriend, awkward - not flowing well within the story. Gifted evoked 2001's Mr. Brooks and a bit of the TV show Dexter but I think it would have been more appealing fleshing out his loss of employment and reaction. Even partially disjointed, this isn't a poor execution of a thriller. It has some merit.- Gary Tooze |
88 Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray
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CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
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| Distribution |
88 Films |
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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r |
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Gary Tooze
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