I realize Snapshot isn’t a very good film from the story to characters, it’s not even good as an exploitation kind of way, and yet I couldn’t help but to be moderately entertained and drawn toward actress Sigrid Thornton who made it quite watchable.
Snapshot
(1979)
Genre(s): Suspense/Thriller, Horror
Vinegar Syndrome | NR – 92 min. – $32.98 | August 29, 2017
Date Published: 08/18/2017 | Author: The Movieman
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THE MOVIE — 3.0/5 |
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Described as “Ozploitation”, Snapshot aka The Day After Halloween aka The Day Before Halloween aka, etc, isn’t a very good film and suffers from an unfocused story that could’ve been honed in more, slow build-ups that don’t go anywhere and a slew of supporting characters who are creepy, psychotic, assholes and everything in between, mixed in with a main character who is all too naïve and, well, dumb. Thankfully, she’s also beautiful and charming making the film all the more watchable.
The plot revolves around hairdresser Angela (SIGRID THORNTON) working the dead-end job when friend and commercial model Madeline (CHANTAL CONTOURI) offers her a job working a photoshoot for a national campaign. Only caveat: she’ll have to pose topless, albeit from a distance and in the frigid ocean. Given the job will give her $1k, going toward a nest-egg she plans to use to leave the country, she hesitantly accepts. And it’s no wonder why she wants to escape. She has a stalker ex-boyfriend who creepily drives around in an ice cream truck, an all around a-hole boss and a witch of a mother who actually kicks her out leaving Angela’s luggage on the porch and changing the locks. However, even after a successful shoot, the new folks in her life aren’t much better: a photographer enamored with death, taking pictures of dead creatures and Madeline’s husband attempts to seduce her in order to take naked pictures. These are the suspects who are apparently obsessed with Angela going as far as leaving a pig’s head in her bed!
As I said, Snapshot isn’t that good. Characters are thinly written and far too creepy to even be realistic and more than that, motivations of the ultimately culprit is a bit murky, such as why they would even leave a pig’s head. But god help me, I did enjoy some elements, mainly Sigrid Thornton who not only is pretty to look at, yet has the charisma to overcome a lackluster story. |
SPECIAL FEATURES – 3.0/5 |
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This release comes with reversible cover artwork revealing the U.S. poster when it was titled The Day After Halloween. Audio Commentary – This is a newly recorded track featuring Director Simon Wincer, Producer Tony Ginnane, Cinematographer Vincent Monton and Actress Sigrid Thornton and thankfully all the participants are together. With the help of a moderator, they all give little bits of information about the production, filming locations and even the story behind the U.S.’s releases title, The Day After Halloween. Alternate Australian Cut (1:40:25; SD) – This version runs about 8-minutes longer and, based on skimming through, there are certainly some added scenes but not sure if this would’ve drastically made the movie any better, or worse. However, it is in rough shape. Producing Snapshot (27:56; HD) is a new interview with Producer Tony Ginnane. Not Quite Hollywood (36:30l HD) contains interviews (with the likes of Sigrid Thornton, Tony Ginnane, et al) that were conducted for the 2008 documentary of the same name. Lastly there is Behind-the-Scenes & Promotional Still Gallery (4:04; HD) and some TV Spots (0:58; SD). |
VIDEO – 4.0/5 |
| Snapshot makes its North American Blu-ray debut, presented in its original 2.35 widescreen aspect ratio, scanned and restored in 2K from the original 35mm camera negative. Since this probably was a low budget affair, I had low expectations on how this transfer would look, and I actually was pleasantly surprised. Not only are colors rather brilliant and bright, especially the club scenes, but skin tones have a natural appearance and outside of perhaps some minor dust marks, it’s a rather clean looking transfer with great detail especially on close-ups. |
AUDIO – 3.0/5 |
| The disc comes with a 1.0 channel DTS-HD Master Audio track and for the most part it’s serviceable but a bit heavy at times chiefly when it came to the music and even some dialogue would top out, almost screeching. I cut it some slack as perhaps due to the budget they didn’t exactly have top-notch sound design and it’s doubtful any amount of restoration would’ve help much. |
OVERALL – 3.0/5 |
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Overall, I realize Snapshot isn’t a very good film from the story to characters, it’s not even good as an exploitation kind of way, and yet I couldn’t help but to be moderately entertained and drawn toward actress Sigrid Thornton who made it quite watchable. This Blu-ray release through Vinegar Syndrome includes good video, so-so audio and a nice selection of special features. |
Check out some more 1080p screen caps by going to page 2. Please note, these do contain spoilers.