Kaleidoscope Blu-Ray Review

IFC Midnight, under the always fantast Scream Factory banner continue to release fantastic horror, and thriller titles and Kaleidoscope is no exception.

Kaleidoscope is about a weird ex con named Carl.  He lives in a crummy high rise apartment, which when it comes to thrillers is always a bad setting.  The film unfolds through various clips of Carl's clouded mind in a way Kaleidoscope crystals turn.

Carl is one of the most social awkward characters I have seen, and he is portrayed marvelously by Toby Jones.  He's awkward with everyone most of all women.  So like any weirdo or creep he decides to pick up a girl on the internet. Her name is Abby and she's clearly out of Carl's league. Happy go lucky and Fun loving, which is a complete 360 from Carl.  It makes you wonder if she has some sort of underlying intentions with Carl.

Carl, has lots of issues, the main one being his insane mother who shows up to visit him.  When she finds out he has a date she cant wait to meet her until Carl tells her "That would be hard as I told her you were dead"

Carl's relationship with his mother is not a good one.  He has trauma from childhood that has now unfolded and come to the surface causing him to turn violent.  We get to watch all this come to life through various flashbacks in Carl's mind that are strung together like Kaleidoscope pieces.

As good as Toby Jones is it is Anne Reid as Carl's mom Aileen who steals the film.  AN overprotecting, loving, evil, domineering woman she plays her part with such scorn that she takes the lead in every scene she is in.  I personally would have preferred to see the film focus on here and her views of the past.

The film is a well acted and very well done psychological thriller that any genre fan should enjoy.  It clocks in at a lean 99min and as its under the Scream Factory label you know it looks great.  The release comes with a few special features as well

• The Making Of Kaleidoscope
• Working In The Studio
• Keeping Up With The Joneses
• Theatrical Trailer

Well worth picking up when your in the mood for a well acted mind bending thriller.  I recommend it.

Overall 3 out of 5 Stars!