6.5 | / 10 |
Users | 4.5 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.2 |
An eight-year-old boy tries to investigate the mysterious knocking sounds that are coming from inside the walls of his house, unveiling a dark secret that his sinister parents have kept hidden from him.
Starring: Lizzy Caplan, Antony Starr, Cleopatra Coleman, Steffanie Busey, Woody NormanHorror | 100% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
French: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
English, English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Digital copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 1.5 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
If you were like most kids, you probably had an irrational fear (or two, or several). The whole aspect of goblins hiding in closets and/or under beds was exploited to delirious effect in Monsters, Inc., while efforts like The Babadook utilized that same basic premise with decidedly less cheery results. In a way, Cobweb might be seen as a kind of sibling to The Babadook, with an ultimate reveal that kind of hilariously makes this film a sibling of a different sort and may recall such gonzo efforts as "The Thing and I" from The Simpsons' Treehouse of Horror VII episode. The result is often undeniably disturbing, and some of the practical effects are quite spooky, but Cobweb never really builds to the emotional catharsis it seems to be aiming for.
Cobweb is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Lionsgate Films with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.39:1. The IMDb lists the Sony Cine Alta Venice as the camera of choice, but fails to specify the resolution of the DI, which I frankly suspect could have been 4K due to some impressive detail levels in some especially dimly lit environments. A lot of the film is graded coolly, which emphasizes a kind of wintry as opposed to autumnal look, but a few isolated outdoor and/or well lit moments really pop quite well and provide excellent fine detail levels. The last third or so of the film both literally and figuratively descends into darkness, and there are some passing deficits in shadow definition which probably only up the angst level. I noticed no compression oddities.
Cobweb may not offer anything really innovative in its DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, but it's still an unsettling, almost hallucinogenic immersive experience at times, especially with the pitter patter of little (?) feet and/or the totally bizarre sound of a long tress of spider encrusted hair being dragged across the floor (if you see the film, you'll understand). Drum & Lace's score also nicely engages the side and rear channels. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English and Spanish subtitles are available.
My irrational fear as a kid had to do with my parents' custom designed midcentury modern home in the mountains outside of Salt Lake City, where the architect had crafted a really spectacular two story staircase where there weren't risers and so you could look through the treads to a huge picture window looking out on the Salt Lake valley. I was never that consumed with the view, though, because especially at night I kept imagining there was some kind of (invisible) monster that was going to reach through those openings between the treads and grab my ankles as I attempted to either ascend or descend the staircase. Anyone who has experienced similar irrational fears will be completely simpatico with poor little Peter in this film, but the surrounding story is probably both too muddled and ultimately illogical to ever deliver its intended force. Technical merits are generally excellent and the three short supplements appealing, for anyone who may be considering making a purchase.
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