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A few words about...™ Kiss of the Spider Woman -- in Blu-ray
Hector Babenco's Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985), is the most important and interesting independent film thus far to have been released on Blu-ray.
To go into the story line is to damage the experience, and I'll not do that.
Suffice to say that William Hurt (who won the Best Actor award for his performance), along with the great Raul Julia and Sonia Braga, form a trio that is not easily forgotten.
Released by what appears to be a new entity, Independent Cinema Restoration Archive via City Lights, the film looks much as it did the last time I saw it on 35mm film. Grain may have been reduced a bit, but it appears not at the detriment of the overall image.
The original monaural audio track is available, along with a 5.1 remix.
There is also something else here that helps to create the illusion of film, and that is that the element used for transfer shows very slight wear and tear of the laboratory life of an independent, most likely after being removed from Metrocolor.
Occasional minus density, a fine mark or scratch here and here. Nothing problematic.
I can only assume that cost kept the film from being digitally spruced up.
The transfer itself is fine, yielding a quality Blu-ray. Make no mistake. One will not be selecting KotSW to show off a system.
There are plenty of discs available for that.
Kiss of the Spider Woman is about script, acting, cinematography and overall quality filmmaking.
Those who have never experienced it are in for a treat.
As a note, City Lights has set up an interesting distribution deal. The film will be available exclusively on disc as well as download via Amazon for a limited period, (October 21) after which it will be found in normal distribution channels.
Very Highly Recommended.
RAH
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