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HTF REVIEW: "Blood Work" (with screenshots) (1 Viewer)

Ronald Epstein

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Blood Work




Studio: Warner Brothers
Year: 2002
Rated: R
Film Length: 111 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 16X9 Enhanced Widescreen (2.35:1)
Subtitles: English and Spanish



The key to catching a killer
is only a heartbeat away.

Though the opening of this film could easily remind
you of a Dirty Harry film, Blood Work is
the farthest thing from that series -- it's Eastwood
playing an over-the-hill FBI profiler called back
to duty one more time.

Terry McCaleb (Clint Eastwood) is a famous FBI
profiler who has solved many highly publicized cases
in his day. However, he quickly finds himself in
retirement after chasing down a cold-blooded killer
and ending up with a heart attack as a result. As
we move two years ahead, we find McCaleb with a
transplanted heart and what would seem to be a new
lease on life. Living on his boat, he looks forward
to taking it easy for the rest of his life, that is,
until he meets Graciella Rivers (Wanda De Jesus) who
tells him that his donated heart came from her murdered
sister. As Terry investigates Graciella sister's
murder, he quickly finds unusual details in the
killing and links it to another seemingly random
stickup homicide. Meanwhile, he is getting an
increasing amount of pressure from his doctor
(Angelica Huston), who fears that he is endangering
his own recovery by taking on too much.

One would think that the 72-year-old Eastwood would
bring a tired presence to this film. Actually, it is
that very presence that's a blessing to the film. He
so faithfully portrays a man at an unhappy turning
point in his life who has difficulty getting the job
done.
How is the transfer?
Once again, Warner Brothers has given us a first-rate
transfer. Images are sharp and bright, flesh tones
are accurate and blacks are very deep. There's no
film grain to be seen here at all. Many of the film's
night scenes also remain detailed. What more can be
said here?

The 5.1 Dolby Digital mix has a very warm sound to
it which becomes evident in the opening credits as
deep, bass-filled jazz fills the front channels while
the sounds of Los Angeles city rise up in the rears.
You suddenly hear police calls from the right rear
channel as a helicopter soars across the listening area.
You would think that since this film is mostly
dialogue driven there wouldn't be much emphasis put
on the rear channels. Wrong. The rears always seem
to be alive with ambient noise whether it be the
sound of water and gulls in the harbor or eerie creaks
that emanate from a ship's hollow innards. Overall
LFE activity is minimal, except for adding emphasis
to gunfire.
Special Features

Added features are kept to a minimal here, and there
is no audio commentary.

Making Bloodwork is interesting to watch for
the mere fact that it's Clint Eastwood who is in
charge here. The actor/director talks about his
desire to make films that have enough obstacles
to make the project challenging to him. Jeff Daniels
talks about his character and the difference of
playing besides Jim Carrey vs. Clint Eastwood.
Anjelica Huston and Wanda De Jesus also talk about
working with Eastwood. Wanda goes on to talk about
her individual research into what happens to family
members when they lose a loved one to homicide. Paul
Rodriguez gets into the fun by describing what a
"Rango" is. He also gets quite serious in describing
what a major opportunity it is for him to play in
this film. The featurette ends quite nicely with
Eastwood being completely honest, giving the reasons
why he chooses to direct in this stage of his life.
(length: approx. 18 minutes)

A conversation in Spanish with Clint Eastwood
is a promotional vehicle put together for Spanish
audiences. It gives us a more intimate look at
actors Wanda De Jesus and Paul Rodriguez, who not
only have some funny stories to tell about their
experiences, but talk about the importance of having
films that star Hispanics. We mustn't forget that
there is a huge Hispanic audience out there who look
forward to seeing their kind represented in American
films. Eastwood joins the pair and even tries out
some of his rusty Spanish. Do yourself a favor
and watch this wonderfully warm piece.
(length: approx. 14 minutes)
Finally, there's the film's original theatrical
trailer as well as the teaser trailer.
When you are done watching those, check out the
rather lengthy cast & crew filmography.
Final Thoughts
I found Bloodwork to be a very relaxed and
enjoyable crime mystery. There's nothing flashy
here -- no explosions nor digital effects. What
most attracts you to this film is just watching
Clint Eastwood being Clint and nothing more.
Well worth your time.
Release Date: December 27, 2002
 

likestowatch

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Sep 10, 2000
Messages
99
Good review. I saw this in the theater. More of a rental then one to buy as it is a 'blah' whodunit.
 

Tyler DJW

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Aug 13, 2002
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Tyler
Thanks for the review as always. I must say that this is the worst film I saw this year. It was one where I was hoping for a real plot twist just to prove me wrong, but I was literally able to sit there and predict how the plot would unfold well before McCaleb figured it out. I found most of the roles were just stereotype characters. Achh, I just thought it was terrible. :)
I guess I put it out there as a warning. Hey, it's just one guy's opinion, but I would give this one a miss.
PS - My girlfriend relinquished all movie-selection decisions to me for over a month to make amends for choosing Bloodwork over Minority Report
 

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