A24’s meticulously restored 4K edition of Stop Making Sense is finally here, delivering the legendary Talking Heads concert film in stunning visual and audio clarity that fans have long awaited. This deluxe collector’s edition not only revives the iconic 1984 performance with a newly discovered original negative and remastered Dolby Atmos sound but also includes extended cuts and rare footage, making it the definitive way to experience this groundbreaking concert movie. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer, nothing beats owning this immersive 4K restoration that celebrates the film’s 40th anniversary in spectacular style.
A24’s Stop Making Sense restoration will include the remastered movie in several forms, all including “Cities” and “Big Business / I Zimbra,” two sections of the film previously thought lost.
Per A24’s news release, the original negative for the edits of these songs were lost, but the production company pulled from other footage (being captured by the multiple cameras running over the three nights of performances at Hollywood’s Pantages Theater) and was able to reconstruct a new 4K ultra HD edit from the previously unused (and even unseen) footage. And here you thought heaven was a place where nothing ever happens!
This is a pretty big get, even for folks who pop their at-home copy into the DVD player once a month. Stop Making Sense is the kind of performance that simply crackles in every instance; the band is on, and the show’s energy never flags, even when the BPMs do. Just about every song is made better in the show, and rewatches are rewarded with wall-to-wall bangers and new appreciation for Jonathan Demme’s thoughtful framing of a band grooving their way through the void.
Really, the less we say about it the better, but it deserves to be acknowledged what a great run this film has had. Beyond being directed by Demme, beyond capturing the Talking Heads at the height of their fame (and their “David Byrne expanding the band” phase), even beyond setting the bar for concert movies for 40 years, Stop Making Sense has proved itself to be a classic for the ages. The A24 rerelease hung around theaters for 19 weeks, outearning its original 1984 debut and even several quieter first-run movies like Skinamarink.
With a film like this, there’s no need to wait ’til the party’s over; as anyone who’s seen it can attest, you can throw this bad boy on anytime, be it a bustling party, a lazy Saturday cleaning your beautiful house, or when you want to simply rise above the earth on a bit of heavenly rock perfection. This is a film for more than once in a lifetime, is what I’m saying.
A24 is selling the 4K Blu-ray exclusively through its store, for $58. (A standard Blu-ray version is available for $53.) Additionally, there will be fresh merch: the soundtrack on vinyl, shirts, and a coaster set. Nothing is better than this (is it)?
Why is Kraven The Hunter best to be seen in movie theaters on 12/13?
Kraven The Hunter is shaping up to be an exciting cinematic experience that is best enjoyed on the big screen for several reasons:
Visceral Action and Visuals
The movie is rated R for “strong bloody violence”, which suggests intense and graphic action sequences. The theatrical experience will allow viewers to fully immerse themselves in the visceral nature of Kraven’s hunting abilities. Reports from CinemaCon footage describe Kraven “shredding his victims viscerally” and scenes where “blood pours freely over the screen”. These intense visuals are likely to have a much stronger impact when viewed on a large theater screen.
Unique Tone and Direction
Unlike previous PG-13 entries in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, Kraven The Hunter is taking a bolder, R-rated approach. This shift in tone and content makes it a standout film that pushes the boundaries of superhero movies. Experiencing this new direction for Marvel characters in a theater setting will allow audiences to fully appreciate the filmmakers’ vision.
Impressive Cinematography
Given that Kraven is a hunter, the movie is likely to feature expansive natural settings and thrilling chase sequences. Director J.C. Chandor, known for visually striking films like All Is Lost and A Most Violent Year, is likely to deliver stunning cinematography that will be best appreciated on a large screen with high-quality projection.
Immersive Sound Design
As a film centered around a character with heightened senses, Kraven The Hunter is likely to feature an intricate and immersive sound design. Modern theater sound systems will allow viewers to fully experience the auditory landscape of Kraven’s world, enhancing the overall viewing experience.
Communal Viewing Experience
Watching Kraven The Hunter in a theater provides a shared experience with other fans. Given the film’s unique approach and potential for shocking moments, experiencing the audience’s reactions in real-time can add to the enjoyment of the movie.
IMAX Availability
The film will be available to watch in IMAX, offering an even more immersive experience with enhanced picture and sound quality. This premium format is exclusive to theaters and cannot be replicated at home.
By seeing Kraven The Hunter in movie theaters, viewers can fully appreciate the film’s intense action, unique approach to the character, and high production values in a way that home viewing simply cannot match.
How does the R-rating enhance the viewing experience of Kraven The Hunter
The R-rating for Kraven The Hunter enhances the viewing experience by allowing the film to showcase more intense and graphic violence, particularly in its action sequences, which aligns with the character’s feral and brutal nature. This rating permits the depiction of strong bloody violence and language, making the fights more visceral and realistic, and enabling audiences to see Kraven’s use of edged weapons in detail-something that is often restricted in PG-13 superhero films.
The R-rating also sets Kraven The Hunter apart from most other Spider-Man universe movies, offering a more mature and gritty tone that appeals to adult audiences seeking something different from the standard superhero formula. However, some critics and viewers have noted that the film could have leaned even further into its R-rated potential, as certain scenes felt toned down and did not fully utilize the freedom the rating allowed. Despite this, the R-rating still provides a unique edge, making the action more impactful and the overall experience more intense and memorable for fans of darker, more violent comic book adaptations.
