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Dark Skies [Blu-ray]
(Scott Stewart, 2013)
Review by Gary Tooze
Production: Theatrical: Alliance Films Video: EntertainmentOne
Disc: Region: 'A' (as verified by the Oppo Blu-ray player) Runtime: 1:37:08.823 Disc Size: 22,727,870,514 bytes Feature Size: 20,526,336,000 bytes Video Bitrate: 22.35 Mbps Chapters: 18 Case: Standard Blu-ray case Release date: May 28th, 2013
Video: Aspect ratio: 2.4:1 Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio English 3564 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3564 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit / DN -4dB) Commentary:
Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps
/ DN -4dB Dolby Digital Audio French 448 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 448 kbps / DN -4dB
Subtitles: English (SDH), French, none
Extras: • Commentary with writer/director Scott Stewart, producer Jason Blum, executive -producer Brian Kavanaug-Jones and editor Peter Gvozdas • Deleted or Alternate Scenes with optional commentary with writer/director Scott Stewart, and editor Peter Gvozdas (14:23)
Bitrate:
Description: From the producer of Paranormal Activity, Insidious, and Sinister comes Dark Skies: a supernatural thriller that follows a young family living in the suburbs. As husband and wife Daniel and Lacey Barret witness an escalating series of disturbing events involving their family, their safe and peaceful home quickly unravels. When it becomes clear that the Barret family is being targeted by an unimaginably terrifying and deadly force, Daniel and Lacey take matters in their own hands to solve the mystery of what is after their family. Written and Directed by Scott Stewart (Priest, Legion).
The Film: Dark Skies was a derivative yet engaging affair that hit the spot and gave me an hour and a half of genuine chills and thrills. It did right by me by following the two simple rules that usually make for a solid horror experience. Number 1: Introduce me to compelling characters and relationships that I can care about. This one nailed that angle! I fell in love with the family unit here, related to a lot of what they were going through, thought the acting by all was on the money, hence I cared about their fate big time. Big kudos to Keri Russell (Lacy), Josh Hamilton (Daniel) Dakota Goyo (Jesse) and Kadan Rockett (Sam)! They sold me and then some as individuals and a loving family! Shit, the flick even managed to squeeze in a “it's hard and confusing to be a teenager” subplot by way of Dakota Goyo's character's plight which added a sense of pathos and further realism to the story. And with that on its side it gunned out rule Number 2: Put them endearing and credible peeps in harms way. Again, a winner here. Excerpt from SArrowintheHead located HERE
Effectively unsettling, Dark Skies is a science-fiction thriller
that plays like an episode of The
Twilight Zone crossed with
Poltergeist. More chilling than terrifying, this movie’s
predatory aliens are creatures that mostly mess with people’s heads
prior to abducting them. Why they do that seems more related to the
filmmaker’s need to prolong the mystery rather than any innate alien
logic – but what does this measly earthling know?
Image : NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc. Dark Skies looks reasonable on Blu-ray from EOne. It's another modern film shot with the Arri Alexa. There is some depth in the 2.4:1 frame. The visuals seem heavy but smooth in-motion. This single-layered Blu-ray, reproduced a watchable 1080P presentation with no noise or artifacts.
CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
Audio :Another intense DTS-HD Master 5.1 track at a whopping 3564 kbps (24-bit). For horror flics a notable part of the viewing experience is the sound and this track handles the film's diverse requirements - a few intense thumps - with unusual effects and another good score by Joseph Bishara (The Conjuring, Insidious). There are optional English and French subtitles and my Oppo has identified it as being a region 'A' disc.
Extras : EOne include an optional commentary track with writer/director Scott Stewart, producer Jason Blum, executive-producer Brian Kavanaug-Jones and editor Peter Gvozdas and it is production-centric but I enjoyed details on how the project came together and Stewart's input ion the final product. There are also 1/4 hour's worth of deleted or alternate scenes with an optional commentary track via Stewart, and editor Gvozdas. It was interesting to see what got left on the cutting room floor... and why.
BOTTOM LINE: Gary Tooze October 25th, 2016
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About the Reviewer: Hello, fellow Beavers! I have been interested in film since I viewed a Chaplin festival on PBS when I was around 9 years old. I credit DVD with expanding my horizons to fill an almost ravenous desire to seek out new film experiences. I currently own approximately 9500 DVDs and have reviewed over 5000 myself. I appreciate my discussion Listserv for furthering my film education and inspiring me to continue running DVDBeaver. Plus a healthy thanks to those who donate and use our Amazon links.
Although I never wanted to become one of those guys who
focused 'too much' on image and sound quality - I
find HD is swiftly pushing me in that direction. 60-Inch Class (59.58” Diagonal) 1080p Pioneer KURO Plasma Flat Panel HDTV PDP6020-FD
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