Although
it gets off to a slow start, BROKEN LIZARD’S CLUB DREAD ($28)
proves to be a pretty funny horror movie spoof that manages to push all
the right genre related buttons. CLUB DREAD is a product of the
Broken Lizard comedy troop, who seems to know their way around the typical
slasher flick, although their sensibilities bring a ridiculous quality to
the expected blood and gore. In addition, CLUB DREAD takes place in
a tropical setting, which gives the comedy troop even more license to rev
up the film’s "T&A" factor. CLUB DREAD takes place
on a Pleasure Island, which is owned by recording artist Coconut Pete
(Bill Paxton), who keeps alcohol and sex very high on the resort’s very
short activity list. As the latest batch of vacationers arrive on Pleasure
Island, so begins a sting of killings that begin to decimate the resort’s
rather randy staff. The cast of CLUB DREAD also features Brittany
Daniel, Jordan Ladd, Kevin Heffernan, Jay Chandrasekhar, Steve Lemme, Paul
Soter, Erik Stolhanske and Lindsay Price.
20th
Century Fox Home Entertainment has made CLUB DREAD available on DVD
in a 2.35:1 widescreen presentation that has been enhanced for playback on
16:9 displays (a full screen version is also provided on the flipside of
the disc, but isn’t reviewed here). The widescreen version of CLUB
DREAD has a solid and good-looking presentation that offers a sharp
and reasonably well-defined image. There are occasional shots that appear
a bit soft, but nothing out of the ordinary for a modestly budgeted affair
such as this. Colors usually appear pretty vibrant and flesh tones are
appealing. There are no signs of chroma noise or smearing to mar the color
reproduction. Blacks are accurate, whites are stable and shadow detail is
pretty darn good. The film element used for the transfer has some minor
blemishes, as well as some instances of noticeable grain. Digital
compression artifacts are usually well contained.
CLUB
DREAD comes with a fairly standard comedy mix that is presented in
Dolby Digital 5.1. The forward soundstage tends to dominate the mix, with
much of the film being dialogue driven. There are some good channel
separations across the front for sound effects and music, while the rears
provide ambient sounds, musical fill and the occasional effect. Every
aspect of the sound mix is kept simplistic, but it works effectively
enough with the material. Fidelity is just fine and the bottom end of the
track seems solid enough for the material. The voices are cleanly recorded
and dialogue is always totally understandable. French and Spanish language
tracks are also provided, in addition to English, French and Spanish
subtitles.
.
Full motion video, animation and sound serve to enhance the DVD's
interactive menus. Through the menus, one has access to standard scene
selection and set up features, as well as a few extras. There are two
audio commentaries; the first is with director Jay Chandrasekhar and Erik
Stolhanske and the second features other Broken Lizard troop members Kevin
Heffernan, Paul Soter, and Steve Lemme. Both tracks are interesting,
although the second is a bit more fun. A soundtrack spot closes out the
extras.
If
you are a horror fan, you will probably get a kick out of BROKEN LIZARD’S
CLUB DREAD. The DVD looks and sounds pretty good and is worth checking
out if you are into genre spoofs.
Although
it gets off to a slow start, BROKEN LIZARD’S CLUB DREAD ($28)
proves to be a pretty funny horror movie spoof that manages to push all
the right genre related buttons. CLUB DREAD is a product of the
Broken Lizard comedy troop, who seems to know their way around the typical
slasher flick, although their sensibilities bring a ridiculous quality to
the expected blood and gore. In addition, CLUB DREAD takes place in
a tropical setting, which gives the comedy troop even more license to rev
up the film’s "T&A" factor. CLUB DREAD takes place
on a Pleasure Island, which is owned by recording artist Coconut Pete
(Bill Paxton), who keeps alcohol and sex very high on the resort’s very
short activity list. As the latest batch of vacationers arrive on Pleasure
Island, so begins a sting of killings that begin to decimate the resort’s
rather randy staff. The cast of CLUB DREAD also features Brittany
Daniel, Jordan Ladd, Kevin Heffernan, Jay Chandrasekhar, Steve Lemme, Paul
Soter, Erik Stolhanske and Lindsay Price.
20th
Century Fox Home Entertainment has made CLUB DREAD available on DVD
in a 2.35:1 widescreen presentation that has been enhanced for playback on
16:9 displays (a full screen version is also provided on the flipside of
the disc, but isn’t reviewed here). The widescreen version of CLUB
DREAD has a solid and good-looking presentation that offers a sharp
and reasonably well-defined image. There are occasional shots that appear
a bit soft, but nothing out of the ordinary for a modestly budgeted affair
such as this. Colors usually appear pretty vibrant and flesh tones are
appealing. There are no signs of chroma noise or smearing to mar the color
reproduction. Blacks are accurate, whites are stable and shadow detail is
pretty darn good. The film element used for the transfer has some minor
blemishes, as well as some instances of noticeable grain. Digital
compression artifacts are usually well contained.
CLUB
DREAD comes with a fairly standard comedy mix that is presented in
Dolby Digital 5.1. The forward soundstage tends to dominate the mix, with
much of the film being dialogue driven. There are some good channel
separations across the front for sound effects and music, while the rears
provide ambient sounds, musical fill and the occasional effect. Every
aspect of the sound mix is kept simplistic, but it works effectively
enough with the material. Fidelity is just fine and the bottom end of the
track seems solid enough for the material. The voices are cleanly recorded
and dialogue is always totally understandable. French and Spanish language
tracks are also provided, in addition to English, French and Spanish
subtitles.
.
If
you are a horror fan, you will probably get a kick out of BROKEN LIZARD’S
CLUB DREAD. The DVD looks and sounds pretty good and is worth checking
out if you are into genre spoofs.
