Romeo is Bleeding (1993)
Company: Twilight Time
Starring: Roy
Scheider, Gary Oldman, Lena Olin, Anabella Sciorra, Juliette Lewis, David
Proval, Will Patton
My Review and Thoughts:
My Rating: 4 out of 5
To me this is a perfect choice for a Twilight Time Special
Edition Blu-ray. This is one of the most underrated films out there. I
absolutely love this movie. I have seen it so many times and it is always a
treat to revisit it again. Now on a lovely high quality Blu-ray that Twilight
Time has specialized it giving this overlooked gem a new and worthy product. Yes the movie has it's flaws but I feel that the over all story, thick characters, and Neo-Noir darkness, makes this film stand out.
Starring one of my all-time favorite actors Gary Oldman. Oldman
is one those actors that to me is a priceless performer that never fails in
creating characters that so out there, or so memorable that you the viewer can’t help
but praise him. From 1987’s Prick Up your Ears, 1992’s awesome performance in
Bram Stoker’s Dracula and to my all-time favorite performance by him 1994’s Masterpiece
Leon: The Professional and so many others. He is a master actor that I praise
100 percent.
Also starring one of the beautiful goddesses of cinema Lena Olin.
She aces her part in this film and is a character to always remember. Her
alongside Oldman is just plain priceless. The movie was critically hated, but
Lena and Oldman was praised. I personal think this film is hugely underappreciated
and has a perfect dark atmosphere to storytelling. Also starring the wonderful
Juliete Lewis, always a treat to see. Also the one of kind Roy Scheider, I still
can’t believe he is no longer with us. The whole movie has an amazing flawless
cast to it.
This also stars an actor that I have always believed has
never gotten the lime light he deserves. He is a constant performer of excellence.
A tough guy, or bad guy persona, cop, just a unique and multi-talented
performer I speak of non-other than Will Patton. Patton is a golden ticket when
it comes to acting. The characters he plays in films are always displayed
flawless to the point he can get under your skin and bring out the nerves to a
boiling and that’s true quality in acting, bringing out an emotional response
in the viewer.
The plot to the film is very straight forward but very
complex in character and action. This is a true neo-noir reality that is done
in a modern beauty of violence, but yet takes from all the classic's of Noir films of the
past. Your main character Jack is a corrupt cop that works with the mafia and
is paid for his deeds. Now Jack has a loving wife Natalie who is played
flawless by the very beautiful and talented Annabella Sciorra. Now he has a
fling on the side, a mistress. His world is grand, that is until enter a Russian
female mob assassin, both psychotic and clever.
Directed by Peter Medak. Medak will always be praised by me
for he directed one of my favorite horror films of all time. One of the best
ghost stories ever created. 1980’s The Changeling starring the masterpiece
worthy actor George C. Scott. Medak has away with breathing life into his
pictures and making them form a reality around the viewer watching. Romeo is
Bleeding is a prime example of that reality. His characters on screen are so
well displayed that there is an underlining everyday reality to them. His
direction is often dark and thick, and yet displays itself in a humanly aura of
belief.
Twilight Time did another amazing job in picking a film that
I feel is overlooked and pushed away. This had amazing performances and a
classic style of Noir that runs through its veins. It has a beating heart of violence and a no holds bar intensity of story and complex unique characters.
Audio/Video:
My Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Twilight Time never really fails when it comes to an amazing
transfer. Solid sound quality. Crisp vibrant imagery. The film has never looked
any better. I have seen this movie countless times, on VHS or TV and even DVD, but the quality on this Blu-ray is amazing. The dark tones are perfect, and the
imagery displays itself in a new fresh reality.
LANGUAGE: English
VIDEO: 1080p High Definition / 1.85:1
AUDIO: English 2.0 DTS-HD MA
SUBTITLES: English SDH
Extras:
My Rating: 1 out of 5
Sadly, slim pickings on the extras. But the movie itself in
1080p High Definition is an extra all in itself.
Isolated Score Track (with some effects). Man behind the
music has been a part of many movie soundtracks. Well over 100 films. Just to
name a few, 1986’s The Hitcher, 1991’s Point Break, 1992’s A River Runs Through
It, and so many countless others. His passion shines in his music. His music
ability of Jazz, electronic or classical reality just becomes a part of the
many films that he has left his stamp of sound on.
Original Theatrical Trailer
Overall:
Yes, again I have no complaint on this perfect transfer to
1080p. Twilight Time chose a film worthy to praise. So many put this film down
or pick it a part and I don’t understand way, I think it’s a brilliant Neo-Noir
flick of Bad guys and worse style of characters. The performances are spot on.
The direction I feel works. In the end I feel it’s a movie that is worthy to
praise because of its many qualities, and Twilight Time has done this film
justice.
INFO:
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the wonderful Twilight Time Blu-rays. The main page that gives you these
beautiful releases on top quality Special Editions.
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