Director of Photography Andrzej Sekuła filmed American Psycho on Super 35 film. Because it was composed with a widescreen release in mind, opening up the matte reveals a significant amount of vertical background information:
Likely "HE," referring to High Efficiency Video Coding, a compression standard that maintains high quality at smaller file sizes. Availability and Versions American.Psycho.2000.Open.Matte.1080p.BluRay.HE...
Watching this film in open matte changes your viewing experience. In the widescreen format, specific details during the
In the widescreen format, specific details during the chaotic violence are framed out to maintain a sleek aesthetic. The open matte version reveals more of the environment during intense moments. Viewers see more of the floor and ceiling during the infamous chainsaw chase and the axe delivery scene. 3. The Television Broadcast Origin In the widescreen format
The x265 codec makes this ideal for high-quality archival.
While open matte releases are highly prized for providing "more picture," they do come with a caveat. Because the top and bottom of the frame were never intended to be seen by theater audiences, open matte versions occasionally expose production equipment.
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