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Category:    Home > Reviews > Thriller > Psychological > Murder > Mystery > Australia > Observance (2015/Artsploitation Films Blu-ray + Umbrella Entertainment Import DVD separate releases/comparison)

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/


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