Written by: Michael Den Boer on October 30th, 2007
Theatrical Release Dates:
USA, 2006
Director: Scott A. Martin
Cast: Lee Christian, Jeanie Cheek, Tamara Taylor Baber, Lacey Berry,
Ron Burgher, Nate Cyrier
DVD released: September 25th, 2007
Approximate running time: 115 minutes
Rating: NR
DVD Release:
Salvation Films/Redemption
Region Coding: Region 1 NTSC
Retail Price: $24.95
Synopsis: A serial killer named Michael reaches out to an unknown reporter in hopes of getting his story of rape and murder to the masses.
Hurt is yet another dark journey into the mind of a serial killer and while the way in which the story is told is kind of new the end result feels like been there done that. The bulk of the story is told via video tapes the killer made and these are shown in between his interview sessions with a reporter. Oddly enough the violence or should I say lack of violence is very tame as virtually everything in terms of killing and most of the nudity and rape is done suggestively and not in your face.
One other complaint about the film is its long running time of nearly two hours the story could have been told easily in about 80 to 90 minutes and lost none of its impact. The cast if filled with many colorful characters and all the main leads are delightful to watch as the create chaos. The acting is one of the films stronger assets. Ultimately fans of films about serial killers are the ones who will most enjoy this film while the rest of us will find ourselves watching our watches in hope that the film is almost over.
- 1.85:1 & 2.35:1 Letterboxed Widescreen
- Shot on Digital Video
- Transfer is Interlaced
Audio:
- Dolby Digital Stereo English
Audio:
- A audio commentary with director Scott A. Martin
- Theatrical Trailer for Hurt
- Photo gallery (24 stills)
- Trailers for other Redemption titles current on or soon to be released on DVD
- Promo for the book "Blood & Honor"
Overall:
Hurt was filmed in multiple aspect ratios (1.85:1 & 2.35:1). The film also uses different sources through out the film where some moments look rougher more degraded and this looks on purpose. Overall despite the low budget nature of the source and the non anamorphic transfer the end result is more then adequate. English is the only audio option included and the audio mix sounds clear and at times robust. Outside of the films trailer and a stills gallery the only real extra pertaining to the main feature “Hurt” is an audio commentary with director Scott A. Martin. Hurt gets a above par release from Redemption films that visual would have benefited greatly from an anamorphic and progressive transfer.