Rituals Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		2.5
Audio		3.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		2.5

Rituals Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf February 19, 2019

“Rituals” aims to be a Canadian version of “Deliverance,” only with a bit more emphasis on a malevolent force from the shadows shorting the lives of regular men embarking on an adventure in the deep woods. The screenplay by Ian Sutherland has an idea, moving away from typical terror to something character-based, with the players making trouble for themselves while being stalked by a mysterious stranger. “Rituals” has the direction but no real feeling of movement, with argumentative behavior often dominating the feature, making the central crisis more about bickering than heated situations of survival.

Out in the Canadian wilderness, a group of estranged doctors are trying to enjoy their yearly get-together, planning a trek through the “Cauldron of the Moon.” Their journey is quickly cut short by a mysterious outsider who doesn’t want the men near, and soon confusion turns into panic, with the men battling the elements and one another as they scramble away from an unknown enemy who wants them dead. Such a premise for “Rituals” is typically treated with concentration on the chase, but director Peter Carter goes for unease, splitting focus between the doctors and their inexperience with the wild and their hostility toward one another, with years of resentment emerging once murder enters the situation.

Rituals Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Trying to give "Rituals" a shot at Blu-ray distribution, Scorpion Releasing provides a "Brand new 2018 HD scan of the best film elements available." It's a warning on the back cover and displayed before the movie, with the company making it crystal clear that what's here isn't quite up to HD standards. The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation is far from pristine, utilizing a pinkish print, which struggles to retain some level of a normal colors. Skintones are bloodless and locations lack the snap of nature most greenery provides. Hues are muted overall, and delineation has a difficult time, working through milkier blacks, which diminish evening events. Detail isn't there, but clarity isn't completely reduced, finding some life with close-ups and vista shots, handling distances relatively well. Wear and tear is present throughout, with a few lengthy scratches, judder, and speckling detected.

Rituals Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix also deals with age issues, offering a steady listening event that's not big with crisp definition. Dialogue exchanges are intelligible but lack sharpness, managing argumentative behavior adequately. Atmospherics are constant, with the sounds of rushing water most common, preserving the great outdoors aspect of the feature. Scoring is minimal, never overwhelming the action.

Rituals Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features producer/actor Lawrence Dane.

• Interview (21:05, SD) with Dane examines his first encounter with the script, which inspired him to produce the feature, also securing a role for himself. The casting of Holbrook is explored, with the respected thespian presented with a rugged character he rarely plays, bringing his natural athleticism with him. Dane praises the choice to shoot in continuity, which supplied the cast with a stronger sense of danger and physical decline, securing a level of authenticity to the work. The interviewee goes on to explain the killer's motivation and his own professional crisis during the shoot, offered the comfort of a T.V. series while "Rituals" was in production, electing to stick with his own project. The chat closes out with reflections on career highlights, including "Only God Knows," "Bear Island," "Nothing Personal," "Head On," "Scanners," and "Heavenly Bodies," which was intended to be a television movie for Playboy before being picked up for a theatrical release.

• Interview (10:15, SD) with Robin Gammell is a short conversation with the actor, who describes what it was like working with his "Rituals" co-stars and managing comfort in the remote locations, which forced him to confront his wariness of heights. Gammell provides an overview of past work, sharing anecdotes about "Lipstick," "Highpoint," "The Pyx," and "A Man Called Intrepid."

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:58, HD) is included.

Rituals Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Rituals" finds its way to dangerous events, but it's mostly one long sustained shouting match between irritable characters. Carter doesn't trust the power of silence, and while the feature gets off to a promising start with talented actors, it fatigues quickly, reaching a point where the roving ghoul might have a valid point in his desire to slaughter the doctors. "Rituals" has select moments of shock, but it's not a robust thriller, becoming more of a theater piece than an ultraviolent walk in the woods.