Pontypool

Shock jock Grant Mazzy has, once again, been kicked off the Big City airwaves and now the only job he can get is the early morning show at CLSY Radio in Pontypool Ontario, which broadcasts from the basement of the small town's only church.

What begins as another boring day of school bus cancellations, due to yet another massive snow storm, quickly turns deadly when reports start piling in of people developing strange speech patterns and evoking horrendous acts of violence start piling in. But there's nothing coming in on the news wires. Is this really happening?

Before long, Grant and the small staff at CLSY find themselves trapped in the radio station as they discover that this insane behaviour taking over the town is actually a deadly virus being spread through the English language itself.

About the Blu-Ray:

Based on Tony Burgees' novel "Pontypool Changes Everything", Bruce McDonald's "Pontypool" (2009) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Kaleidoscope Entertainment. The supplemental features on the disc include: an audio commentary with director Bruce McDonald and screenwriter and actor Tony Burgees; the Blu-ray exclusive "Pontypool - the Radio Play"; two short films; stills gallery; and more. Region-Free.

Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG- AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Bruce McDonald's Pontypool arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Kaleidoscope Entertainment.

The high-definition transfer is very strong. Clarity is excellent, fine object detail impressive and contrast levels consistent throughout the entire film. On the other hand, Pontypool has been drained of most of its colors, and as a result it truly looks quite cold (black and gray are the two prevalent colors). Edge-enhancement and macroblocking are not an issue of concern. I also did not spot any severe aliasing, ringing or banding. There are no stability issues to report in this review either. Finally, the transfer is free of large scratches, stains, debris, and dirt. (Note: Even though this Blu-ray disc is marketed as Region-B, it is in fact Region-Free. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location. For the record, there is no problematic PAL content preceding its main menu).

There is only one audio track on this Blu-ray disc: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. For the record, Kaleidoscope Entertainment have not provided optional English subtitles for the main feature.

The audio treatment is very good. Even though the rear channels are not overly active, there are some terrific audio effects that really add up quite a bit of flavor to this film (particularity, after the main protagonists lock themselves up in the audio booth). On the other hand, the bass is strong and powerful, and there are a couple of scenes where it will seriously rock your audio system. The dialog is crisp, clear and easy to follow. There are no balance issues with Claude Foisy's music score either. To sum it all up, Pontypool gets a very respectable audio treatment, which I thought was as important as the film's unique visuals.

Audio commentary- a very informative and at the same time entertaining commentary with director Bruce McDonald and screenwriter and actor Tony Burgees. I listened to the entire commentary as I had a number of questions about some of the unusual themes Pontypool tackles, and suffice to say I found plenty of answers. Apparently, this is the first installment in a trilogy which, needless to say, I am now very much looking forward to.

Pontypool - the Radio Play - a Blu-ray exclusive of the play that inspired the film. (57 min, 1080p).

Horror Collection - two short films: Eve, shot in black & white and boasting a terrific ambient soundtrack (13min, 720p); and Dada Dum, also shot in black & white and with a remarkably atmospheric soundtrack (9 min, 720p). The first short, in particular, is notably eerie.

Stills Gallery - a collection of still from the film.

Theatrical Trailer - the original theatrical trailer used by Kaleidoscope Entertainment to promote the film. (2 min, 720p).

Teaser - (2 min, 720p).


Do they stay on the air in the hopes of being rescued or, are they in fact providing the virus with its ultimate leap over the airwaves and into the world?