10 Cloverfield Lane – Blu-Ray Movie Review

Synopsis

After surviving a car accident, Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) wakes up to find herself in an underground bunker with two men. Howard (John Goodman) tells her that a massive chemical attack has rendered the air unbreathable and their only hope of survival is to remain inside. Despite the comforts of home, Howard’s controlling and menacing nature makes Michelle want to escape. After taking matters into her own hands, the young woman finally discovers the truth about the outside world. The outside is dangerous, but the inside is terrifying.

Specifications

Paramount Pictures
2016, Color, 1 hour 40 minutes
Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (Atmos), 1.35:1 Aspect Ratio
Starring: John Goodman, Mary Elizabeth Winstead & John Gallagher Jr.
Directed by: Dan Trachtenberg & JJ Abrams

Rating

Entertainment:

Video:

Audio:

Extras:

Violence: Yes
Sex: No
Language: Mild

Commentary

This movie came in under the radar with few trailers prior to general release. That works in its favor, as people who went into the theaters did not know what to expect. The first three quarters of the movie play out as a psychological thriller. Goodman’s character…is he crazy or are we the crazy ones for not believing him. His performance really shines here as he really plays a creepy character.

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Not till the last quarter of the film do you start to question his benevolence. The ending 15 minutes of the film were not as strong as the first part, but it is interesting…and fun. Abram’s said that this movie is a distant cousin to his other hit, Cloverfield. Fortunately, we don’t get a “shaky cam” story like Cloverfield. This is not your typical Hollywood fare, but you will find it intense and surprisingly chilling.

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Technical

Most of this movie was shot in the Bad Robot studios in an underground bunker. The picture quality is very good and in spite of it being under ground the lighting is good. Skin tones are natural, color solid and very little film grain is noted; most likely this was shot digitally. Sound is clear and the sub and surrounds jump into action near the end. Unlike the Star Trek flicks, there are virtually no flare effects here.

Extras

Commentary with the two directors and over 30 minutes of behind the scenes footage. A DVD and digital copy are included. I also received 3 puzzle pieces which I put together. Their purpose is mystifying, unless they are from that one scene in the movie…

Jim Milton

Jim Milton has been interested in high fidelity since his college years in the late 70's. It was there that he first became interested in classical music. He has been part of choral music, both in opera and oratorio and is an avid collector of classical music from the Baroque through the Romantic periods. He enjoys an occasional night at Boston Symphony Hall or attending an organ concert at Merrill Auditorium in Portland, ME. Currently he is the director of Nuclear Medicine at the North Shore Medical Center, located just outside of Boston. He also serves as an adjunct professor for Salem State University where he teaches a course in nuclear instrumentation. During his leisure time, he enjoys listening to his music collection and an occasional movie with his wife of 30+ years. Living on the longest stretch of sandy beach north of Boston offers him plenty of opportunities to take a relaxing stroll or soak up some sun. "Remember, acquiring good A/V gear takes lots of time...but doesn't necessarily take lots of money."