TNMC
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DARK DAYS
Movie: 10/10
When I first looked at this DVD, I dreaded to watch it. It looked depressing and just dark. Which it is, however, this is one of the best documentaries I've ever seen, haunting and well deserving of the praise listed on the box (a big winner at Sundance and with the critics). It's an account of the homeless living in New York City's Penn Station, in sewers and tunnels, in heaps of trash. Very eye opening and shocking, it teaches you a lot. This film almost reminded me of Scared Straight, it should be seen by everyone. What adds to the film's presentation is the photography (gritty black and white, why use something luxurious?) that won the Sundance award for cinematography. The score is also very chilling and adds to the overall tone of the film. The documentary reminded me a lot of Requiem for a Dream, it's a train wreck that will make you cry and isn't something you want to watch, but you do anyway and when it's done it's one of the most powerful experiences in your life. I don't even know what to bitch about.
Video: 8/10
Gritty black and white in widescreen. I don't want anything else. Nothing of reference quality though. There are a few negative transfer blips, but very few. It adds to the grit.
Audio: 8/10
Again, it's not the best, it's a gritty tone that adds to the film. Stereo and 5.1, very nicely done. Excellent score too.
Extras: 8/10
This disc is pretty well done with a very nice 45 minute documentary with interviews with the director, composer, and the homeless. It covers virtually everything in the film's process and it's really well done. There is also a so-so commentary that the director does, he's kind of quiet though. Sometimes I didn't even notice the commentary was playing. There is also a nice assortment of deleted scenes with director's notes (not commentary), a history of the Penn Station "tunnel" (nice, however, it's text), a follow up with the people in the documentary (I was glad this was there), biographies, and a trailer. Very nice, too bad the commentary wouldn't have been as good as the rest. (At least it had one though.) Maybe a commentary with the homeless would have been nice?
Overall: 8/10
A very well done documentary, absolutely haunting. Loaded with special features too!
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