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The Movie:
Director Phillip Noyce("Patriot Games", "The Saint") directed this small but intense thriller starring Sam Neill and Nicole Kidman as a couple who pick up a stranded drifter(Billy Zane) and fine out that he's not what he first appears to be. Noyce has crafted a solid thriller that doesn't waste much time getting to the point in its 90 minute running time, and once it really gets going, the picture moves at an enjoyably rapid clip.
Performances from both Neill and Kidman are quite good and even Zane manages to be a moderately scary bad guy.
The DVD
VIDEO: Warner Brothers has done a new anamorphic transfer of "Dead Calm" in the original 2.35:1 aspect ratio. While there are some faults, the image looks pretty darn respectable for a film that's about 10 years old at this point. Images remain sharp, and even dimly lit scenes have pleasing detail, although the daylight scenes tend to fare better overall. Colors are definitely very nice as well, looking nicely saturated.
There are some flaws that pop up - some slight shimmering here and there, and a number of sequences where grain is apparent. There are a couple of sequences where pixelation is slight. A stray mark or two on the print appears, but doesn't distract. Not an unwatchable transfer, but there are definitely some problems.
SOUND: A fairly basic presentation in terms of audio, "Dead Calm". The score really remains the only element with much presence, and dialogue sounds clear but a little thin.
MENUS:: Essentially just the cover art with the score playing in the background.
EXTRAS: All we get is the film's theatrical trailer.
Film Grade
The Film B
DVD Grades
Video 78/C = (312/400 possible points)
Audio: 82/B+ = (328/400 possible points)
Extras: 70/C- = (210/300 possible points)
Menus: 70/C- = (140/200 possible points)
Value: 80/B- = (240/300 possible points)
TOTAL: 1230/1600
DVD GRADE:C/76%
FILM GRADE: B
DVD GRADE: C
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