Series 7: The Contenders

• Cert:
• Cat.no: FDVD 079
• Running time: 87 minutes
• Year: 2000
• Pressing: 2001
• Region(s): 2, PAL
• Chapters: 16 plus extras
• Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
• Languages: English
• Subtitles: English
• Widescreen: 1.85:1
• 16:9-enhanced: Yes
• Macrovision: Yes
• Disc Format: DVD 5
• Price: £n/a
• Extras: Trailers for “Late Night Shopping”, “Lucky Break”
  

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  Director:

  Daniel Minahan

Producer:

Screenplay:

Daniel Minahan

Music:

Cast:

Dawn: Brooke Smith
Tony: Michael Kaycheck
Connie: Marylouise Burke
Franklin: Richard Venture
Jeff: Glenn Fitzgerald
Lindsay: Merritt Weaver
Doria: Angelina Phillips
Narrator: Will Arnett

Big Brother. Survivor. We’ve all seen reality TV shows,but Series 7: The Contenders takes things one step further.

There are six contenders: unemployed middle-aged family man Tony (MichaelKaycheck), religious E.R. nurse Connie (Marylouise Burke), elderlypensioner Franklin (Richard Venture), testicular cancer victim Jeff(Glenn Fitzgerald), 18-year-old student Lindsay (Merritt Weaver)and 8-months-pregnant reigning champion of the previous series Dawn(Brooke Smith).

What is it the winner has to do to take the prize? Eat three dry crackers withinthe space of a minute? Avoid saying “I like blinking, I do!” for morethan five seconds? No, they have to kill each other. Of those who sign up forit their numbers are drawn out at random from all the other entrants, they’rerecommended to take with them at least one handgun and one rifle, but they’renot limited to the weaponry they’re allowed.

The film is played out exactly like a brashy American TV show summarised downto 81 minutes plus closing credits. If that sounds like your bag then you’llthoroughly enjoy it. They’re allowed to murder in any normal setting andare only allowed to kill each other and no-one else, but note that some of themurders that occur make for very unnerving viewing, particularly one wherethe victim’s loved ones are looking on from not far away and are apparentlyallowed to do nothing about it as the slaughter continues.

While it’s fantastic and mesmerising to watch, it’s not a film you’ll reallywant to watch more than once – unless you’d watch the omnibus episodes ofBig Brother expecting to see something new?

Presented in the original theatrical ratio of 1.85:1 and anamorphic, thepicture is absolutely flawless. No artifacts, no blemishes, no problemswhatsoever.

Soundwise, it’s in Dolby Digital 5.1 but there’s no sound effects here thatwouldn’t sound any less worthy in standard Dolby Surround because it’s justfor the occasional “whooshy” sound of the ‘programme’s traits, complete withmacho voiceover.

For a rental DVD, there’s zero extras that relate to the film in question.All you do get is two trailers for other recent Brit flicks Late NightShopping and Lucky Break, both of which look quite entertaining, butneither of which can be accessed from the main menu. These only play, normally,when you first put the disc in the player, unless you’re using a DVD-ROM playeror can access individual titles on the DVD.

The menu that you do get is static and silent and offers just the choice ofEnglish subtitles and ‘play movie’, but while there are 16 chapters to thefilm there’s no scene selection menu.

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