Doesn’t it ever strike these intelligent people as dangerous to be sending electricity through their bodies?
In the end, that´s all "Socket" really has going for it. The script tries to shows the similarities between drug dependency and the electrical charge; by and large, I think the point is hammered home. Maybe a bit too much, but maybe a viewer won´t get it the first time around. (On second thought, the people who need to see the folly of their addictions won´t see themselves in the Bill character anyway.)
VIDEO:
I´m torn as to what to think about the look of "Socket." There aren´t any technical problems with the 1.78:1 anamorphic transfer which stem from the mastering process. Every single negative stems from the low budget nature of the film (it was shot in 9 days). First and foremost, most of the outdoor establishing shots are riddled with noise, near-blocking and a general VHS quality. Indoor shots fare considerably better, as does the electric color palette of neon green and cool blue.
The lighting, while not part of the video transfer by definition, is overexposed in some shots and not bright enough in others, lending a very contrasty look to the production. Facial features in medium and long shots aren´t as detailed as they should be for a new film and the heavy use of red near the end of the film smears just a bit. Most, if not all, of these problems can be attributed to the source material and not the mastering by TLA.
AUDIO:
A couple options here, as is par for the course. English 5.1 and 2.0 tracks, neither of which stands up and demands attention be paid to it…though neither draws undue attention to itself, either. The 2.0 mix was slightly better than the 5.1, bringing a marginally deeper and nuanced sound to the track. This is a dialogue driven movie and, as such, rear speakers (and the sub) don´t get much of a workout. It´s a passable track, again hampered by what was recorded on set. No subtitles are included.
(Two notes: first, some of the early indoor scenes are quite obviously dubbed or otherwise manipulated after principle photography. Their sound does not match that of the rest of the film. And second, I could not toggle between the audio options using the AUDIO button on my PlayStation 3 remote. This is a problem I also had with the previous TLA release, "The Living and the Dead," though not on other discs.)
EXTRAS:
A smattering of the usual bonuses are coupled with an engaging and fun commentary featuring Abley, Long, Montgomery and other members of the cast and crew as they filter in and out of the recording booth. There is rarely a quiet moment in the track, with stories from the set and production issues permeating the commentary. Whether it is Long eating an apple before making out with Montgomery or the inspiration for the music (the remake of "Solaris"), no stone is left unturned. As with other TLA discs, the commentary can only be accessed from the Set Up menu.
Whatever might be left out, though, it mentioned in "Plugging in: The Making of Socket," a 34 minute featurette comprised of seven different sections (Rehearsal, First Day, Makeup, Production Design, Cinematography, Nine Day Schedule and Post Production). Complete with interviews from the entire cast and most of the key production personnel, the making of is more detailed (and, again, more enjoyable) than most. There was a real sense of family and friendship on the set which unfortunately doesn´t come across in the film very well.
Rounding out the disc is a photo gallery with a dozen pictures, running just over a minute and automatically advanced with no background music. And a quintet of TLA Releasing trailers, all for discs already released: "Socket" (1:55); "Naked Boys Singing!" (1:00); "Amnesia: The James Brighton Enigma" (2:48); "Rock Haven" (1:46); and "Boy Culture" (1:46).
PARTING THOUGHTS:
I have to be honest: the sheer impracticality of the premise makes "Socket" a tough watch. While it is faithful to its own internal reality, it makes no pretense to take place in our world, drawing us out of the experience almost entirely. Most of the actors are just a bit too stiff (no pun intended, considering the nudity) and the production often reminds us it´s low budget. And the ending? I have my own theory and the film doesn´t give us any answers. Keep in mind, though, the commentary participants don´t know either. Not even writer Abley. Is that really a good sign?
VIDEO:
I´m torn as to what to think about the look of "Socket." There aren´t any technical problems with the 1.78:1 anamorphic transfer which stem from the mastering process. Every single negative stems from the low budget nature of the film (it was shot in 9 days). First and foremost, most of the outdoor establishing shots are riddled with noise, near-blocking and a general VHS quality. Indoor shots fare considerably better, as does the electric color palette of neon green and cool blue.
The lighting, while not part of the video transfer by definition, is overexposed in some shots and not bright enough in others, lending a very contrasty look to the production. Facial features in medium and long shots aren´t as detailed as they should be for a new film and the heavy use of red near the end of the film smears just a bit. Most, if not all, of these problems can be attributed to the source material and not the mastering by TLA.
AUDIO:
A couple options here, as is par for the course. English 5.1 and 2.0 tracks, neither of which stands up and demands attention be paid to it…though neither draws undue attention to itself, either. The 2.0 mix was slightly better than the 5.1, bringing a marginally deeper and nuanced sound to the track. This is a dialogue driven movie and, as such, rear speakers (and the sub) don´t get much of a workout. It´s a passable track, again hampered by what was recorded on set. No subtitles are included.
(Two notes: first, some of the early indoor scenes are quite obviously dubbed or otherwise manipulated after principle photography. Their sound does not match that of the rest of the film. And second, I could not toggle between the audio options using the AUDIO button on my PlayStation 3 remote. This is a problem I also had with the previous TLA release, "The Living and the Dead," though not on other discs.)
EXTRAS:
A smattering of the usual bonuses are coupled with an engaging and fun commentary featuring Abley, Long, Montgomery and other members of the cast and crew as they filter in and out of the recording booth. There is rarely a quiet moment in the track, with stories from the set and production issues permeating the commentary. Whether it is Long eating an apple before making out with Montgomery or the inspiration for the music (the remake of "Solaris"), no stone is left unturned. As with other TLA discs, the commentary can only be accessed from the Set Up menu.
Whatever might be left out, though, it mentioned in "Plugging in: The Making of Socket," a 34 minute featurette comprised of seven different sections (Rehearsal, First Day, Makeup, Production Design, Cinematography, Nine Day Schedule and Post Production). Complete with interviews from the entire cast and most of the key production personnel, the making of is more detailed (and, again, more enjoyable) than most. There was a real sense of family and friendship on the set which unfortunately doesn´t come across in the film very well.
Rounding out the disc is a photo gallery with a dozen pictures, running just over a minute and automatically advanced with no background music. And a quintet of TLA Releasing trailers, all for discs already released: "Socket" (1:55); "Naked Boys Singing!" (1:00); "Amnesia: The James Brighton Enigma" (2:48); "Rock Haven" (1:46); and "Boy Culture" (1:46).
PARTING THOUGHTS:
I have to be honest: the sheer impracticality of the premise makes "Socket" a tough watch. While it is faithful to its own internal reality, it makes no pretense to take place in our world, drawing us out of the experience almost entirely. Most of the actors are just a bit too stiff (no pun intended, considering the nudity) and the production often reminds us it´s low budget. And the ending? I have my own theory and the film doesn´t give us any answers. Keep in mind, though, the commentary participants don´t know either. Not even writer Abley. Is that really a good sign?
![Happy Days [TV Show]](/images/displaymedia.php?id=25233&sizew=70&cat=3)
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[release]23519[/release]