From Hell Blu-ray delivers truly amazing video and audio in this excellent Blu-ray release
A clairvoyant police detective must stop the most notorious serial killer in history - Jack the Ripper - before it's too late! Johnny Depp and Heather Graham star in this "engrossing, stylish thriller" (People) that "grips tighter than a chokehold and cut as deep as a knife" (Washington Post)
What happened to the Hughes Brothers? They arrived on the Hollywood on the scene, made a couple of great flicks and then disappeared. Their most recent film, From Hell, is a visual feast with plenty of great performances and an intriguing take on the Jack the Ripper murders that gripped the White chapel region of London in the late 1800s. I hope somebody in Hollywood remembers the Hughes Brothers - - they deserve to be making movies.
Inspector Fredrick Abberline (Johnny Depp) is not your average late nineteenth century detective. He relies on a strange sixth sense that gives him visions of grisly crimes after they have taken place. Unfortunately, Abberline's visions seem to work best when he is as high as a kite on Opium. So, he's a little socially unacceptable. As the White chapel murders begin, only Abberline can see the behavior of the killer. Mary Kelly (Heather Graham), a young prostitute, will help Abberline track the Ripper as he protects her. Driven by his dark and haunted past, Abberline will stop at nothing to catch and unmask the mysterious killer.
Absinthe, take me away...
From Hell is a guilty pleasure of mine. Visually, it is rich with period details and strikingly gritty cinematography. The film's performances are also spot on with even poor Heather Graham doing her very best to fake her way through an English accent. Ultimately, the films supporting cast pitches in nicely and carries some of her weight. Where the film really shines, however, is in its story and the strange Jack the Ripper theory it proposes. I won't spoil any surprises, but it is very well thought out, if not entirely historically accurate. From Hell is based on a very popular graphic novel of the same name by noted storyteller Alan Moore.
It's time to throw down the gauntlet. In my humble opinion, From Hell features one of, if not the, most impressive transfers yet released on Blu-ray. Every bit of rich detail has been perfectly preserved for this release and is presented in pristine and beautifully gritty 1080p. Interestingly, I met the compressionist at Panasonic Hollywood Labs who did this encode and, in speaking with him, his goal was to preserve the beautiful grain structure, black levels and astounding shadow detail found in the film. He has succeeded wildly and From Hell is simply gorgeous on Blu-ray. This is a must own title that is completely transparent to the master.
As impressive as the film's stunning visuals is From Hell's remarkable DTS Master Audio soundtrack. This is a very lively mix that utilizes all of the available surround channels to create a truly immersing experience. Dialogue and music is delicately placed and bass response is massive. There are plenty of low rumbles and effects for your sub in this one, for sure. The most amazing part about this soundtrack, is that I'm only able to listen to the lossy 1.5 mb/s core track and haven't even heard how much of an improvement the Master Audio flags offer. I'll update the review when I have the capabilities to sample the track to its fullest. Either way, this is stunning audio.
-Commentary with the Hughes Brothers, Robbie Coltrane, Rafael Yglesias and Peter Deming
-Deleted Scenes
-Alternate Ending
While From Hell doesn't feature the most comprehensive collection of extras ever collected, the fantastic commentary track almost makes up for it entirely. The Hughes Brothers are a hoot and go into a ton of detail about their choices as directors, Hollywood as well as their struggles getting the film made. Robbie Coltrane adds the nice touch here and there, but the real meat for me is from the comments by Cinematographer Peter Deming. His thoughts on the look of the film add a whole new element to the viewer's appreciation of the complexities of creating the atmosphere that is so necessary in a film like From Hell. The deleted scenes are on the weak side and the alternate ending is pretty pitiful. So, the commentary is really the only worthwhile extra.
From Hell is an engaging and entertaining film that combines a fantastic retelling of the Jack the Ripper crimes with outstanding performances. The film's cinematography is breathtaking and this Blu-ray disc's outstanding AVC encode elevates the material to new heights. Audio is also first-rate with a wonderful balance of raw power and delicate moments. Supplements are a bit on the thin side, but the addicting commentary track should be required listening for fans of the film. All in all, From Hell is highly recommended and is a must own title on Blu-ray.
Fox and MGM have revealed 29 upcoming Blu-ray releases. Included are 19 catalog titles from Fox and MGM, and 10 new release titles to be sold day-and-date with their DVD releases. These titles include 'Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer' and 'Live Free or ...
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