The Empty Acre (2007)
Picture:
C Sound: C Extras: C- Feature: C-
How
glutted is the straight-to-Horror-DVD market getting? How about two films with almost the same
story and one almost working, while the other is a dud? Couple goes to farm area with child where
supernatural terror and weird neighbors await with possible fatal
consequences. One was The Cradle with Lukas Haas that had it
going until the very end. The other is
the unfortunate and dull-on-arrival Patrick Rea flick The Empty Acre (2007, from Cinema Epoch) making its quick DVD
debut.
Far from
the masterwork some sources seem to be willing to yap about all the time, this
one has a barren dead space that kills, but it takes more than repeat zoom-ins
to the same spot to build any suspense.
The unknown cast talks more at than too each other, the camerawork and
directing have little distinction and all in all, this was as instantly
forgettable as it was everything we have seen before, but much better. At least it did not put this critic to sleep.
The
anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 image is weak, as shot on digital video which
may or may not be HD and has problems with detail, color and definitely
depth. There are even aliasing
troubles. With this transfer being so
weak, it is hard to tell for certain.
The Dolby Digital 2.0 mix is barely stereo, weakly recorded and has
limits from taping on the set and locations.
Extras include the original theatrical trailer, stills, alternate ending
as ineffective as the one used, deleted scenes that add nothing and an audio
commentary track by the makers which is the oddest thing here.
- Nicholas Sheffo
