Hollow Point, The (Blu-ray) (2016)

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General		Extras
Category	Crime	Trailer-x 4 for other Eagle Entertainment releases Reversible Cover
Rating
Year Of Production	2016
Running Time	96:52
RSDL / Flipper	No/No	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Ads Then Menu
Region Coding	2,4	Directed By	Gonzalo López-Gallego
Studio Distributor	Eagle Entertainment	Starring	Patrick Wilson Ian McShane Lynn Collins James Belushi John Leguizamo Karli Hall
Case	Standard Blu-ray
RPI	?	Music	Juan Navazo

Video		Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame	None	English DTS HD Master Audio 5.1
Widescreen Aspect Ratio	2.40:1
16x9 Enhancement
Video Format	1080p
Original Aspect Ratio	2.35:1	Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures	No
Subtitles	None	Smoking	Yes
		Annoying Product Placement	No
		Action In or After Credits	No

     The premise of The Hollow Point is that the Mexican drug cartels have plenty of guns but ammunition is scare so there is a new occupation along the US / Mexican border; people in small towns in the US buy ammunition legally and smuggle it across the border. Wallace (Patrick Wilson) is appointed Sheriff of one such small town on the Arizona / Mexico border, replacing the alcoholic Sheriff Leland (Ian McShane) who has crossed the line too many times. Wallace has previous history in the town, including with waitress Marla (Lynn Collins), and is unpopular but when Marla’s new boyfriend Ken goes missing after an ammunition run across the border, Wallace investigates. It transpires that Ken has disappeared with $250,000 of cartel money and a hitman for the cartel, Atticus (John Leguizamo), is after Ken, the money, and anyone else involved. When Wallace’s first confrontation with Atticus results in Wallace’s hand being cut off, his investigation becomes personal, especially as Marla is also on Atticus’s list for execution. Wallace is convinced that sleazy used car dealer Shep (James Belushi) is involved and with Leland’s help sets out to protect Marla and stop Atticus. In doing so, however, they will blur the line between justice and revenge.

     The Hollow Point is an impressive crime thriller by director Gonzalo Lopez-Gallego (Open Grave (2013)). As far as I can tell the film did not have a theatrical release anywhere, but it does not feel cheap or shoddy. The script by Nils Lyew is tight but it still allows for each main character, even Atticus, to be developed beyond a cipher and to have some background, although the background is more hinted at than over-elaborated and the audience is required to fill in the gaps. Even minor but important characters like Lilly (Karli Hall) have depth. I have read some criticism of the film that there are too many gaps, but I think it works very well as it is; it maintains momentum and tension and throws in a few nice twists as well. The actors are also good, with standouts being veterans Ian McShane and James Belushi, who get their teeth into every scene. Shot in Utah, the desert landscapes look stunning, courtesy of cinematographer Jose Juan Navazo.

     The Hollow Point is a surprising, and rather unpredictable film, with an interesting ending. The action is well staged, favouring sudden and sharp bumps rather than extended sequences, and there are unexpected car impacts that will make you jump. Perhaps surprisingly, the film is also quite amusing in places with some nice dialogue.

     The Hollow Point provides a slightly different viewpoint of the conflicts along the US / Mexico border but the issues it raises about corruption, justice, revenge and relationships are universal.

Video

     The Hollow Point is presented in an aspect ratio of 2.40:1, in 1080p using the MPEG-4 AVC code.

     The film looks great. Colours are glossy and natural with beautiful desert landscapes and sunsets, detail is strong, blacks solid and shadow detail very good. Brightness and contrast is consistent, skin tones natural.

     I did not notice any artefacts or marks.

     There are no subtitles.

Video Ratings Summary

Sharpness
Shadow Detail
Colour
Grain/Pixelization
Film-To-Video Artefacts
Film Artefacts
Overall

Audio

     The only audio choice is English DTS-HD MA 5.1.

     Dialogue is mostly clear, although there are some indistinct lines when subs would have helped. Outside of the action the surrounds were quite subtle featuring ambience and music. During the action scenes the gunshots reverberate and punches connect; the sudden impact of vehicles is loud and sharp. The sub-woofer supported the impacts, gunshots and the music.

     The score by Juan Navazo is effective and is augmented by some country music songs.

     There are no lip synchronisation issues.

Audio Ratings Summary

Dialogue
Audio Sync
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts
Surround Channel Use
Subwoofer
Overall

Trailers

     Trailers for Vigilante Diaries (1:42), Gridlocked (1:06), American Hero (2:10) and The Preppie Connection (1:45) play on start-up. They cannot be selected from the menu.

Reversible Cover

    Our release seems the same as the US version.

     There have been numerous films about the battles against the drug cartels along the US / Mexico border and I have reviewed a few on this site including a big Hollywood production, Sicario, and a documentary, Cartel Land. The Hollow Point takes a slightly different slant on the conflict but is certainly not out of its league against the blockbusters. In its own right it is a well made, well plotted and well acted crime thriller. If the subject, the cast or the genre is of interest you should check this one out. I don’t think you will be disappointed.

     The video and audio are very good. Extras are only trailers for other films.

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall