The Haunting in Connecticut

The Blu-ray release of "The Haunting in Connecticut" boasts a commendable 1080p, 2.35:1-framed transfer that begins with vibrant, natural colors and sharp detail, bringing the early, brighter scenes of the film to life with impressive clarity. Notably, a blue shirt and brown kitchen cabinets shine in a breakfast scene, displaying a depth and tangibility that speak to the quality of the transfer. However, as the narrative darkens with its move to Connecticut, there’s a deliberate shift in visual tone. Colors become subdued, and the overall picture takes on a heavier, grainier texture in keeping with the film's thematic progression to a more sinister ambiance. This transition, while effective for mood setting, tends to compromise the vividness of earlier scenes and masks some finer details under a veil of grain that is inconsistently heavy across various scenes.

Flesh tones throughout the film are uneven, often leaning towards a paler spectrum which, while it can be attributed to character conditions or environmental effects within the narrative, does not always translate well to high definition. Similarly, the blacks critical to the film’s spooky atmosphere are generally managed well but without remarkable depth or definition. They sometimes fall into muddiness, obscuring finer details especially in shadow-heavy sequences. The varying appearance of the haunted house itself—from warm and inviting to cold and eerie—offers a good test of the transfer’s range but doesn't consistently showcase the capabilities of high-definition video.

Overall, "The Haunting in Connecticut" on Blu-ray delivers a solid video quality that matches its narrative needs but doesn’t quite stand out as reference material for demonstrating the pinnacle of Blu-ray capabilities. The presentation is fitting for the film’s aesthetic, maintaining a good balance between visibility and atmospheric darkness, yet it lacks the visual pop that might make it a showcase piece for HD aficionados. Grain levels and detail preservation see fluctuation that seems intentional to convey different time periods or supernatural elements but may distract from an otherwise clean presentation.

The audio presentation of "The Haunting in Connecticut" on Blu-ray is an exceptional showcase of the capabilities of the DTS-HD MA 7.1 lossless surround sound track. With meticulous attention to detail, the soundscape fully immerses the listener in the eerie world of the Campbell family, employing the entire 7.1 speaker configuration to its utmost potential. The audio track excels not only in delivering the expected haunted house sound effects—creaking floors, ethereal whispers, and sudden screams—but also in the precise placement of these sounds, creating a spooky ambiance that feels as if it envelops the viewer. The multidirectional sound effects cleverly utilize the expansive soundstage, drawing the audience deeper into the film's unsettling atmosphere.

The technical prowess of this soundtrack lies in its ability to balance intense scare cues with subtle atmospheric sounds. An exemplary scene showcases this balance: soft chirping birds in a serene outdoor moment demonstrate a sophisticated use of background noises, providing a realistic and immersive experience without overshadowing the main action. The film's score complements these elements perfectly, maintaining clarity and resonating effectively across the channels to enhance the eerie mood. Furthermore, dialogue is rendered with crisp precision, ensuring that every whispered threat or desperate plea is heard clearly, contributing significantly to the gripping narrative without any loss of fidelity.

Lionsgate's audio treatment for "The Haunting in Connecticut" Blu-ray is undeniably a triumph, offering a compelling auditory experience that matches, if not surpasses, the visual terror. This soundtrack stands out not just for its technical excellence in utilizing a 7.1 configuration but also for its nuanced understanding of sound as an essential storytelling tool. The result is a deeply atmospheric and thoroughly engaging horror movie experience, where the audio plays a pivotal role in building tension and drawing viewers into the supernatural world of the Campbell family.

The Blu-ray extra presentation for "The Haunting in Connecticut" is a comprehensive and engaging exploration into the film's production and inspirations, showcasing a varied array of bonus features. The standout offerings begin with two distinct commentary tracks, both exclusive to the unrated version, providing insight from director Peter Cornwell, key production members, and lead actors like Virginia Madsen and Kyle Gallner, all blending technical detail with engaging anecdotes. A making-of featurette, "Two Dead Boys: The Making of 'The Haunting in Connecticut'," serves up cast and crew perspectives on the project's conception and challenges. Deep dives into the real story behind the movie and eerie practices like post-mortem photography offer viewers a hauntingly fascinating context. Deleted scenes with optional director commentary and a set of high-definition trailers complement the extras. The inclusion of LG Live adds a modern touch, albeit with mixed execution on the digital copy's quality. Overall, these supplements enrich the Blu-ray experience significantly, adding both entertainment and educational value.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary with Director Peter Cornwell, Producer Andy Trapani, Writer Adam Simon, and Editor Tom Elkins: Insightful exploration into the film's making.
• Commentary with Director Peter Cornwell and Actors Virginia Madsen and Kyle Gallner: Engaging track with anecdotes and film insights.
• Two Dead Boys: The Making of "The Haunting in Connecticut": A featurette on the cast, crew, and dark themes of the project.
• The Fear is Real: Reinvestigating the Haunting: A half documentary featuring interviews related to the real-life story behind the film.
• Anatomy of a Haunting: Examines life-after-death themes tied to the movie.
• Memento Mori: The History of Post-Mortem Photography: Explores the tradition of photographing the dead.
• Deleted Scenes with Optional Director Commentary: Additional scenes not in the final cut.
• Film's Trailer and Additional Trailers: Preview of "The Haunting in Connecticut" and trailers for other films.
• LG Live: A feature that overlays widgets with weather, time, and news over the main menu.

The Haunting in Connecticut" emerges as a poignant blend of familial strife and supernatural intrigue, encapsulated within a presentation that is both technically adept and narratively engaging on Blu-ray. At its core, the film navigates the harrowing journey of the Campbell family, led by the stoic Matt (Kyle Gallner) and his devoted mother, Sara (Virginia Madsen), as they grapple with Matt's terminal illness and the subsequent relocation to a house with a malevolent past. This foundation establishes a compelling backdrop that is elevated by credible performances, transforming what could have been a mundane horror experience into one that resonates on a more personal and affecting level.

Despite treading the well-worn path of jump scares and psychological horror, "The Haunting in Connecticut" differentiates itself through its commitment to character development and plot construction. The narrative’s tethering to real-life events lends it an air of authenticity often absent in its contemporaries, yet it's the film’s careful balance between the supernatural elements and the family’s emotional odyssey that fortifies its standing. The technical execution, particularly the Blu-ray’s audio-visual fidelity, accentuates the eerie atmosphere, ensuring that even the film’s more derivative moments are conveyed with a palpable sense of dread.

While it may not redefine the horror genre, "The Haunting in Connecticut" stands as a testament to the effectiveness of blending conventional ghost storytelling with a strong emotional narrative. The film's technical merits on Blu-ray enhance this experience, offering a visually striking and audibly crisp rendition of the haunting story. Its portrayal of a family’s battle against both corporeal and ethereal threats, anchored by solid performances and a nuanced direction, ultimately positions it above many peers that rely solely on horror clichés for impact.

The Haunting in Connecticut" Blu-ray presentation is a mixed bag, combining a middling horror film with a technically commendable home media release. The film itself, while earnest in its effort to deliver chills and thrills, stumbles over its own reliance on worn-out horror tropes, making it feel outdated and unoriginal. Despite its efforts to distinguish itself with well-crafted characters and a somewhat eerie ambiance, it ultimately succumbs to the cliché pratfalls of its genre, relying heavily on predictable jump scares rather than innovating or providing genuinely terrifying moments. This reliance on the familiar not only detracts from the potential impact of its narrative but also places it uncomfortably close to the multitude of forgettable horror entries flooding the market.

On the technical side of things, Lionsgate's Blu-ray release of "The Haunting in Connecticut" fares significantly better than the film's artistic achievements. The video transfer, while somewhat lackluster in vibrancy, is true to the source material, preserving the film's intended visual atmosphere. The audio quality shines with an immersive lossless soundtrack that adeptly elevates the viewing experience far beyond what the film's content alone can provide. The addition of a substantial set of extras further enhances the package, making it a more tempting offer for enthusiasts of the genre or collectors.

In conclusion, while "The Haunting in Connecticut" may not leave a lasting mark on the horror genre due to its overreliance on conventional scare tactics and a storyline that feels all too familiar, its Blu-ray presentation stands out for its commendable audio-visual quality and generous supplementary material. Whether for fans of the genre or collectors looking to complete their horror library, the Blu-ray release offers enough technical value to warrant consideration. However, for those seeking a groundbreaking or deeply unsettling cinematic experience, it might be best viewed as a rental rather than a permanent addition to one's collection.