The
VVitch (2015 aka The Witch/Lionsgate Blu-ray)
Picture:
B+ Sound: B+ Extras: C+ Film: B
The
VVitch (2015) is the debut film from Director Roger Eggers and is
everything you look for in a horror film of this nature: creepy
atmosphere, historical accuracy in costume and language, realistic
special effects, and gorgeous cinematography. Though slow at first,
the films slithers along adding more thrills as it goes against the
gothic backdrop of 1630 New England. The special effects are
fantastic as is the eerie score by Mark Korven. I'm sure M. Night
Shymalan is wishing The Village would have turned out this
good.
Exiled
from a puritan community, a farmer (Ralph Ineson), his wife (Kate
Dickie) and four of their children move along and make a home amidst
the backdrop of a very creepy woods. When the youngest son, a baby
named Samuel, suddenly vanishes on the watch of the unusual Thomasin
(Anya Taylor-Joy), the oldest daughter who was watching the boy at
the time of his disappearance and has an unclean past we aren't quite
sure of. With suspicion and paranoia mounting, twin siblings Mercy
(Ellie Grainger) and Jonas (Lucas Dawson) suspect Thomasin of
witchcraft, all of which tests the small family and their visions -
either real or imagined.
The
film looks fantastic on Blu-ray disc with a 1080p high definition
transfer and a widescreen aspect ratio of 1.66.1 and a crisp sounding
English DTS MA (Master Audio) lossless 5.1 track that is
well-recorded and smartly mixed. Despite the fact that the film is
very dark throughout, this doesn't effect the transfer which keeps
the colors even and shadows crisp with nice detail. This film is
definitely more effective when watched at night or in a darkened
room.
An
Ultraviolet copy is also included for your smartphone or tablet.
Extras
include:
Audio
Commentary with the Director Robert Eggers
The
With: A Primal Folklore
Salem
Panel Q&A
Design
Gallery
The
film has been a highlight at Sundance and was a hit with critics, now
see it for yourself (if you haven't yet) on Blu-ray and prepare to be
scared!
-
James Lockhart
https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv/
