Woodshock was a film that was hard to sit through, not because of the emotional plights of its main character played by Kirsten Dunst, but because the story was nonsensical and had a third act that was utterly pretentious, nearly on the same level of Terrence Malick.
Woodshock
(2017)
Genre(s): Drama, Thriller
Lionsgate | R – 101 min. – $24.98 | November 28, 2017
Date Published: 11/24/2017 | Author: The Movieman
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THE MOVIE — 1.0/5 |
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Plot Synopsis: The story is a bit hard to really describe except to say its focuses around a woman named Theresa (KIRSTEN DUNST) who is reeling from the loss of her mother, helping her with committing suicide with a poison laced joint. This isn’t some twist, it was literally revealed within the first 4-minutes… After some time off, she returns to work at a cannabis dispensary owned and run by Keith (PILOU ASBAEK).
When Theresa accidentally mixes up weed laced poison intended for an elderly man wanting to end his pain with that for a good friend who eventually dies, her world comes crumbling down. She deals with the guilt by going down a dark path smoking powerful cannabis which blends reality and fantasy. Quick Hit Review: Woodshock is a slow-plodding, often dull film that becomes Terrence Malick levels of pretentiousness by the third act. The only redeeming value I could come up with was that at least Kirsten Dunst and Pilou Asbæk weren’t bad in their roles, Asbæk especially (he also was probably the best thing about Ghost in the Shell). I don’t know what to make of this movie. Sure, the visuals, courtesy of first-time filmmakers Kate and Laura Mulleavy, who are in fact fashion designers, were interesting but for all that look good, I really couldn’t have cared less about any of these characters or their plights. And then by the third act, I couldn’t really wait for it to be over, albeit there is one scene that was impressively brutal. Shame the rest of the movie wasn’t as remarkable.
I suppose if you enjoy Terrence Malick films like Song to Song or To the Wonder (both movies I hated with a passion mind you), Wondershock might just be for you. Otherwise, entirely skip this. |
SPECIAL FEATURES – 1.25/5 |
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This release comes with a matted slip cover and inside is a Digital HD copy redemption code. The only feature included is Making Woodshock: A Mental Landscape (13:23; HD) featurette. Previews – Good Time, A Ghost Story, The Glass Castle, It Comes at Night, The Disaster Artist |
VIDEO – 4.0/5 |
| There’s actually a lot to appreciate from the 1080p transfer for Woodshock. Presented with a 2.39 widescreen aspect ratio, the detail sometimes is on the softer side, especially for the more distant shots, but colors generally have some nice pop to them, particularly the greens of the neon weed sign that crops up every so often while skin tones do appear natural looking. I didn’t notice any apparent signs of artifacts or aliasing so for the most part it is clean. |
AUDIO – 4.0/5 |
| The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is almost just as surprising. While indeed the majority of the film is dialogue, coming from the center speaker, the depth is on display thanks to the cosmic-esque score from composer Peter Raeburn. The LFE channel does kick on a time or two with minimal effect, however. |
OVERALL – 1.25/5 |
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Overall, Woodshock was a film that was hard to sit through, not because of the emotional plights of its main character played by Kirsten Dunst, but because the story was nonsensical and had a third act that was utterly pretentious, nearly on the same level of Terrence Malick. Nearly mind you. As for the Blu-ray, the video/audio transfers aren’t half bad while the solo feature was okay but not exactly noteworthy. |
Check out some more 1080p screen caps by going to page 2. Please note, these do contain spoilers.