Observance
(2015/Artsploitation Films Blu-ray + Umbrella Entertainment Import
DVD separate releases/comparison)
Picture:
B+/B- Sound: B+/B- Extras: C/B Film: C
PLEASE
NOTE: The Import
DVD version of this film is now only available from our friends at
Umbrella Entertainment in Australia, can only play on DVD players
that can handle the PAL DVD format and can be ordered from the link
below.
Inspired
by Hitchcock's classic Rear Window, the 2015 psychological
thriller Observance, directed by Joseph Sims-Dennett is a well
shot and cleverly executed thriller that was a hit on the film
festival circuit and is now hitting disc. The film stars Lindsay
Farris, Stephanie King, Brendan Cowell, John Jarratt, and Benedict
Hardie.
Plagued
by the death of his young son, a Private Investigator (Farris) ends
up in a disgusting apartment building where he is assigned to watch a
young woman (King). During his investigation, he starts to notice
that she is being harmed by a man and decides to take steps to help
her. Little does he know but a sinister presence is about to plague
him and consume his life like never before.
The
film has some good jump scares and powerful imagery including several
interesting editing choices (namely effective transitions) that are
pretty breathtaking. Though the film is primarily in one location
and features a limited cast, it uses its surroundings well to drive
up some scares.
Obviously,
the Blu-ray version of the film is superior to the DVD version with
more texture and detail. The Blu-ray is presented in 1080p high
definition with a widescreen aspect ratio of 2.35:1 and a superior
English lossless DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 5.1 surround track.
Meanwhile, the DVD from Umbrella is presented in anamorphic 2.35:1
widescreen and a lossy 5.1 stereo track, which looks and sounds fine
for DVD, plus it has more definition than a U.S. DVD since it is in
the PAL format, not NTSC.
The
Umbrella DVD version surprisingly has one more extra than the other
version: A Preface to Observance: Featurette with actors Stephanie
King and Lindsay Farris and an Interview with Director Joseph
Sims-Dennett, Producer Josh Zammit, and Lead Actor Stephanie King.
Meanwhile,
the Artsploitation Blu-ray edition features A Preface to Observance
plus Trailers for other films in the Artsploitation catalogue. Huge
fans might land up wanting both.
The
Artsploitation version is out at better outlets in the U.S.,but to
order the
Umbrella import DVD, go to this link:
http://www.umbrellaent.com.au/
-
James Lockhart
https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv/