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Texas Killing Fields

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    Mark Tolch
    Senior Member

  • Texas Killing Fields



    Released By: Anchor Bay
    Released On: 01/31/2012
    Director: Ami Canaan Mann
    Cast: Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Sam Worthington, Sheryl Lee, Steven Graham, Chloe Grace Moretz
    Purchase From Amazon

    The Film:

    It seems to me that if you've got a desolate highway-side stretch of land known as “The Killing Fields”, it might be a good idea to build a well-lit parking lot with a whole lot of security cameras to stop folks from dumping bodies there. But no such parking lot (or lighting, or cameras) exists along Interstate 45 between Houston and Galveston, Texas, the real-life crime scene involving over 30 victims...the area that inspired Federal Agent Don Ferrarone to write the screenplay for Ami Canaan Mann's new film, Texas Killing Fields.

    Brian Heigh (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) is an out-of-town detective, transferred to Texas City just in time to find himself in the middle of a series of grotesque murders. Paired up with the hot-headed Mike Souder (Sam Worthington), Brian seems more content to make sure that the kids from broken homes are off the street before dark. But when one of the teenaged girls he has chosen to look out for goes missing, more than likely a victim of the man who has been dropping teenaged girls off in the Killing Fields with their hands missing, Brian goes outside of his jurisdiction and teams up with Pam, another cop who just happens to be his partner's ex-wife. In a proverbial race against time, Brian and Mike find themselves in a town with too many suspects; is the killer the gangsta pimp who turns out girls from the local orphanage, or his Pontiac-driving buddy with the swastika tattoo on his neck? Is it one of the workers from the nearby refinery, or somebody closer to the victims?

    Texas Killing Fields has a lot going for it. The two leads are pretty awesome together, with Morgan playing the spiritual truth seeker against Worthington's skull-cracking truth seeker. A good cast of supporting characters doesn't hurt either; Stephen Graham (Boardwalk Empire, This Is England) needs more screen time, but chews it up while he's there, Chloe Grace Moretz (Let Me In, Kick-Ass) holds her own plenty well, and hey, it's always nice to see Sheryl Lee (Twin Peaks, Backbeat). Ami Canaan Mann (daughter of some guy named Michael) shows off some solid directing chops, most notably during the more violent scenes (go figure), getting the camera right into the action in a way that makes you cringe just a bit in anticipation, and pulling off the rest of the shots in a tasteful, conventional manner.

    But beneath all of these pros, one glaring con remains…at its base, Texas Killing Fields is little more than your average sort-of-based-on-a-true-story crime thriller. Nothing really notable to see, no surprise endings, no real depth; it's just a film about some stuff that happens, told in a not necessarily compelling manner. So, even though you may find yourself saying “Well, that was not bad” when the end credits roll, there's very little if anything about the film that will stand out in your mind 10 minutes later.

    Video/Audio/Extras:

    Anchor Bay brings Texas Killing Fields to blu-ray in a 2.40:1 transfer that looks sharp and clear, especially considering the number of dark night scenes present. Black levels are solid, and the colours during the daytime scenes pop without saturating the picture. Artifacts are non-existent, and the browns and yellows present throughout make it a warm, pleasant viewing experience. The Dolby TrueHD 7.1 soundtrack is more than adequate for the film, with great use of the surrounds and low frequencies. Dialogue is front, centre, and crystal clear, with good dynamic range and no noticeable flaws.

    The Theatrical Trailer is included on the disc, as well as a feature-length commentary by Director Ami Canaan Mann and Writer Don Ferrarone. The most interesting reveal in the commentary is that New Orleans and Los Angeles stood in for Texas, though Mann does get into some of the shooting techniques she used. Ferrarone comments on some of the character motivations, but mostly talks about the time he spent following detectives around to capture “authenticity” for the story.

    The Final Word:

    A mediocre story with whipped cream on top, Texas Killing Fields is worth checking out just for the performances and directing; but don't expect it to change your life.
    Click on the images below for full sized Blu-ray screen caps!



















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