Across the Hall Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Across the Hall" presents a mixed bag of visual experiences, encapsulated in a 1080p AVC MPEG-4 encode at 2.40:1. The film suffers from a noticeable softness and indistinctness throughout, significantly lacking fine detail even in close-ups, with longer shots faring much worse. While colors are generally strong, the overall palette leans heavily on dirty browns, grimy grays, and sickly greens. The contrast tends to run warm, but issues with shadow delineation and black levels are pronounced. Black levels are often inconsistent, appearing washed-out and grayish at times, although some might argue this complements the film's seedy hotel setting. Despite these flaws, the red neon sign outside the hotel injects a bit of vibrant color into an otherwise murky presentation.

In terms of detail, there are moments where the transfer excels, particularly in close-ups that reveal excellent texture definition in elements such as the porter's uniform and the old painted walls. Skin tones generally appear lifelike and realistic, although there are instances where they take on a yellowish or pallid hue. The film also exhibits some grain and digital noise, especially over darker scenes, indicating minimal tampering with the original film grain. However, banding issues do arise in subtle color gradients around light sources. Additionally, blurry or hazy shots and some noticeable color bleed raise questions about whether these were aesthetic choices by the filmmakers or limitations of the transfer.

Overall, while "Across the Hall" on Blu-ray offers moments of visual fidelity that suggest a competent transfer, pervasive technical shortcomings—particularly with black levels, shadow detail, and overall clarity—detract from the viewing experience. The poor lighting and uninspired cinematography are further marred by these transfer issues, leaving the final product feeling somewhat cheap and unrefined.

The audio presentation of the Blu-Ray for "Across the Hall" features a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that, while functional, does not deliver any striking auditory experiences. Dialogue clarity is a focal point and generally remains clean and distinguishable, although there were moments when some lines came across slightly muffled. Composer Bobby Tahouri's score is detailed yet somewhat dynamically thin and lifeless, with high-pitched wails occasionally becoming intrusive. However, the bass presence within the score is notably strong, providing some depth.

The surround sound capabilities are modest, with the rear channels receiving minimal engagement, predominantly reserved for environmental sound effects such as rippling thunder and pouring rain. Unfortunately, the overall sense of immersion is quite limited. Sound effects, like the repetitive closing of elevator doors on a metal trash bin, are convincing but sparse. The mix maintains a basic dialogue-driven approach that succeeds in conveying the narrative without any elaborate sound design.

Overall, this is a straightforward, workmanlike audio track that performs its primary function without any notable flourishes or theatrics. The significant elements—dialogue, music, and occasional ambient effects—are adequately represented, ensuring that the film's storytelling remains clear, if not particularly immersive.

The Blu-ray extras for "Across the Hall" provide an in-depth and engaging look into the film’s production but suffer from being only standard definition ports from the previous DVD edition. The highlight, the "Making of 'Across the Hall,'" features comprehensive interviews with director Alex Merkin and the cast, including discussions on the transition from a short film to a feature-length production and Elton Brand's involvement. Other extras offer a mix of informative and more skippable content, like "The Call," which showcases behind-the-scenes of a phone call scene, and "Working with Friends," where the camaraderie between actors Danny Pino and Mike Vogel is evident but feels less substantial. Each extra provides valuable, if sometimes cursory, insights that round out this package.

Extras included in this disc:

• Making of 'Across the Hall': Explores themes, production, and interviews with cast and crew.
• Working with Director Alex Merkin: Cast praise Merkin’s directing style with some candid interactions.
• The Call: Behind-the-scenes look at filming a phone call sequence.
• Working with Friends: Discusses the friendship between Danny Pino and Mike Vogel.
• Trailer: Standard definition trailer that undersells the film.

"Across the Hall," one of Brittany Murphy's final films, offers a neo-noirish thriller experience that seeks to evoke the essence of classic Hitchcockian suspense. Set in the dilapidated Riverside Hotel, the story revolves around June (Murphy), her fiancé Terry (Danny Pino), and his best friend Julian (Mike Vogel). The plot unfolds as Terry, armed and suspicious of June's infidelity, checks into the room across the hall from her with murderous intentions. Director Alex Merkin employs non-linear storytelling to unravel the narrative, jumping through timelines and perspectives. While this approach aims to create an intricate web of suspense, it often feels contrived and disjointed, primarily depending on editing rather than substantial character-driven mysteries.

The production boasts moody and atmospheric lighting with sequences that utilize bold colors to emphasize emotional tones. However, despite these visual strengths, the film struggles with a weak script and underdeveloped characters. Pino's portrayal of Terry is lackluster and lacks intensity, while Vogel's performance is energetic but ultimately unconvincing. Brittany Murphy shines brightest, providing depth to her character even amidst a poor script. Nonetheless, her performance is overshadowed by the recent tragedy of her passing, which adds a layer of unsettling poignancy to the viewing experience.

In sum, "Across the Hall" attempts a stylish homage to old Hollywood thrillers but falters due to its convoluted plot and subpar performances. While Brittany Murphy's presence in one of her final roles may draw viewers, the film's promising setup is let down by its execution, making it an intriguing yet ultimately unremarkable entry in the thriller genre.

"Across the Hall" on Blu-Ray delivers a visually appealing but ultimately thin narrative experience. The film, stretching its source material from a short into feature-length, struggles with pacing and depth. Brittany Murphy's presence is a notable draw, offering one of her final performances which may appeal to dedicated fans. Her role brings an element of interest to an otherwise stylistically driven thriller lacking substantial narrative backbone.

The audio-visual quality of the Blu-Ray is solid, presenting a clean and sharp image that enhances the film’s atmospheric tension. However, the audio quality is average, not providing a fully immersive experience. The special features are minimal, nearly identical to those in the DVD version with no significant additions or enhancements. This limited set of extras might dissuade those looking for deeper insights or extended content.

Conclusively, "Across the Hall" struggles to justify its extended runtime and fails to capitalize on its potential. While it’s a visually stylish endeavor and showcases Brittany Murphy in a poignant late-career performance, it offers little else to general audiences. Dedicated fans of the actress might find value in this Blu-Ray release, but for others, it remains a risky acquisition.