Blood Simple (1984)
Studio: MGM/20th Century Fox
Theatrical Release: January 18, 1985
Blu Ray Release: August 30, 2011
R
Review by James Klein
As the summer was ending, MGM released four films by the very talented Coen Brothers on blu ray. One of their biggest hits, Fargo, was re-released on blu ray but Miller's Crossing, Raising Arizona, and Blood Simple have all come out for the first time in HD. While I haven't seen the other films on blu ray yet (I do own the previous version of Fargo and that looks pretty damn good), it was the Coen Brothers first film Blood Simple that I had never seen all the way through and was most excited about. This is the film that put the brothers on the map and Blood Simple still holds up today as a modern day crime thriller that is still captivating after 27 years.
Like a 1940's film noir, Blood Simple starts off quickly with its dark and offbeat tone as Ray and Abby are driving in a car at night during a rainstorm. Abby tells Ray about her troubles with her husband which Ray just responds with, "I'm no marriage counselor." As the two talk, Ray admits his feelings for her and the two pull off to a motel for a love making session. Little do they know, they've been tailed by a P.I. (M Emmett Walsh) hired by Abby's husband (Dan Hedaya). After a violent confrontation with Abby and her husband, he hires the same P.I. again to kill his wife and her lover. That's when the film takes a few twists and turns that make this simple (pun intended) thriller exciting and original.
While the characters can be quirky and strange (M Emmett Walsh steals the movie in my opinion) the Coen Brothers mostly focus on style rather than substance. There are a ton of various camera angles and tricks along with some beautiful cinematography by Barry Sonnenfeld (he went on to direct The Adams Family and Get Shorty). The music by Carter Burwell is also quite moody which works perfect with Blood Simple's many fascinating visuals. The Coens film debut isn't without flaws as the pacing does get bogged down and even though this is their director's cut which is in fact shorter than the original version, it still could have used some more trimming.
When I first put in the blu ray, I was disappointed. The picture looked so grainy and just didn't look sharp at all. This was during the opening credits. Suddenly, as soon as the opening credits ended, the film instantly looked great and crystal clear. The sound was fine and even though I didn't notice many rear channel sound effects, the dialog and music were fine.
The blu ray comes with a rather strange special feature. It has an audio commentary track by Kenneth Loring of Forever Young Films. This is a made up character and company and I can't seem for the life of me to figure out what this commentary track is suppose to be. While Blood Simple does have a few comedic moments, its a straight up thriller so why make a fake commentary and make wise cracks during the film? I must be missing the joke as just listening to the opening of the commentary, this Kenneth Loring sounds as if he came straight out of a Christopher Guest mockumentary. The guy tries too hard to be funny and comes off as more groan inducing and annoying. Aside from the original red band trailer, that's it for special features.
While the Coens have tackled various genres from straight up comedies, to musicals, to mob films, to westerns, to romantic comedies; their first film would make a great double feature with Fargo in theme and style. While watching Blood Simple, I almost wish the Coens would go back and start doing some of these crazy camera tricks again in their new movies as it made Blood Simple much more entertaining and memorable. And above all, fun.
Theatrical Release: January 18, 1985
Blu Ray Release: August 30, 2011
R
Review by James Klein
As the summer was ending, MGM released four films by the very talented Coen Brothers on blu ray. One of their biggest hits, Fargo, was re-released on blu ray but Miller's Crossing, Raising Arizona, and Blood Simple have all come out for the first time in HD. While I haven't seen the other films on blu ray yet (I do own the previous version of Fargo and that looks pretty damn good), it was the Coen Brothers first film Blood Simple that I had never seen all the way through and was most excited about. This is the film that put the brothers on the map and Blood Simple still holds up today as a modern day crime thriller that is still captivating after 27 years.
Like a 1940's film noir, Blood Simple starts off quickly with its dark and offbeat tone as Ray and Abby are driving in a car at night during a rainstorm. Abby tells Ray about her troubles with her husband which Ray just responds with, "I'm no marriage counselor." As the two talk, Ray admits his feelings for her and the two pull off to a motel for a love making session. Little do they know, they've been tailed by a P.I. (M Emmett Walsh) hired by Abby's husband (Dan Hedaya). After a violent confrontation with Abby and her husband, he hires the same P.I. again to kill his wife and her lover. That's when the film takes a few twists and turns that make this simple (pun intended) thriller exciting and original.
While the characters can be quirky and strange (M Emmett Walsh steals the movie in my opinion) the Coen Brothers mostly focus on style rather than substance. There are a ton of various camera angles and tricks along with some beautiful cinematography by Barry Sonnenfeld (he went on to direct The Adams Family and Get Shorty). The music by Carter Burwell is also quite moody which works perfect with Blood Simple's many fascinating visuals. The Coens film debut isn't without flaws as the pacing does get bogged down and even though this is their director's cut which is in fact shorter than the original version, it still could have used some more trimming.
When I first put in the blu ray, I was disappointed. The picture looked so grainy and just didn't look sharp at all. This was during the opening credits. Suddenly, as soon as the opening credits ended, the film instantly looked great and crystal clear. The sound was fine and even though I didn't notice many rear channel sound effects, the dialog and music were fine.
The blu ray comes with a rather strange special feature. It has an audio commentary track by Kenneth Loring of Forever Young Films. This is a made up character and company and I can't seem for the life of me to figure out what this commentary track is suppose to be. While Blood Simple does have a few comedic moments, its a straight up thriller so why make a fake commentary and make wise cracks during the film? I must be missing the joke as just listening to the opening of the commentary, this Kenneth Loring sounds as if he came straight out of a Christopher Guest mockumentary. The guy tries too hard to be funny and comes off as more groan inducing and annoying. Aside from the original red band trailer, that's it for special features.
While the Coens have tackled various genres from straight up comedies, to musicals, to mob films, to westerns, to romantic comedies; their first film would make a great double feature with Fargo in theme and style. While watching Blood Simple, I almost wish the Coens would go back and start doing some of these crazy camera tricks again in their new movies as it made Blood Simple much more entertaining and memorable. And above all, fun.
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