Keeping Track DVD - Fun story, budget DVD
Mark Cashman | 09/28/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The movie itself is an enjoyable thriller genre piece, with an intricate but not excessively complex plot and only a few deux ex machina coincidences. What really stands out is the interplay between the two main characters, portrayed by Michael Sarrazin and Margot Kidder. For my money, the best work done by either of them, though Sarrazin is also good in Groundstar Conspiracy (another obscure thriller).
Visuals: Shot in a naturalistic style with good handling of natural lighting, better than average composition and good shot rhythm.
Dialog: Mostly natural and witty, slipping easily between intimate, antagonistic, expository and presentation (Sarrazin plays a newsman). A few stilted instances, usually around technical or business material.
Soundtrack: A good combination of angular avant-garde for the tense sections, some atmospheric synth work for quieter sections, and whimsical melodies for some of the humor. Clear and consistent theme.
DVD Video Quality: Looks like a direct print from the videotape, with no enhancement. A few static-like specks (perhaps original video source defects) on some frames. Smooth tones handled well without banding. Video is full-frame, not letterbox. It is unknown whether this was done originally as a videotape for TV performance or whether this is a result of recording from a video master.
DVD Audio Quality: Good for normal stereo; does not react well to simulated surround (at least on the TV - I used a Sony Vega 27")
Overall: Worth the money. Suitable for family audiences."
FUN, ACTION PACED SPY - THRILLER!
Adrian Kiaser | Sydney, Australia | 06/27/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Canadian production KEEPING TRACK is a well-paced entertainning who dunnit conspiracy mystery. Story centering around two very different lead characters Bank Executive(Margot Kidder) & Jack Hawkins(Michael Sarrazin)a reporternews anchorman. After the twosome unwittingly witness a shoot-out/murder aboard a train enroute to NY the pair become embroiled in deep danger after recovering a suitcase containing $5 Million in US funds and are then forced to solve the mystery and clear their names with the State Government,Mounties, CIA & KGB in hot pursuit to get to them before they discover the coverup and broadcast on air about an issue that go's as far as National security that could upset the balance of power between East & West and make World War III inevitable concerning a scientists 1 of akind prototype doomsday chip.
Both Kidder & Sarrazin are in top form co-starring together again. Previously they have acted together in 1975s Reincarnation Of Peter Proud & 1992s La,Florida. Well executed action sequences and cinematography, direction by Robin Spry of Note: and good musical score.
DVD contains small bonus extras:
Bios (Not enough info)
Filmographys (too breif)
Photo gallery (set to musical/score theme - that was cool)
Low points are a few artefacts/specs on otherwise clean sharp picture but is transferred too dark and requires extra brightness adjustment and fullscreen not widescreen.
However again a riveting gem from the mid 80s and recommended viewing more than once."