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    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    As Above So Below

    Featured In Issue 193, January 2015

    3D Picture4
    Sound5
    WSR Score3
    Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
    (Studio/Distributor):
    Universal Studios Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number):
    61142521
    (MPAA Rating):
    R
    (Rating Reason):
    (Retail Price):
    $
    (Disc Type):
    (Widescreen Edition):
    Yes
    (Full Screen Edition):
    (Running Time In Minutes):
    93
    (Color Type):
    Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access):
    Yes
    (Closed Captioned):
    (Regional Coding):
    (Theatrical Year):
    (Theatrical Release):
    (Direct-To-Video Release):
    (Disc Release Date):
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    (Director):
    John Erick Dowdle
    (Screenplay/Written By):
    (Story):
    (Music):
    (Director Of Photography):
    (Production Designer):
    (Visual Effects):
    (Costume Designer):
    (Editor):
    (Supervising Sound Editors):
    (Re-Recording Mixers):
    (Executive Producers):
    (Co-Producers):
    (Producers):
    (Academy Awards):
    (Principal Photography):
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
    (Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
    (Disc Soundtrack):
    DTS HD Lossless 7.1
    (Theatrical Sound):
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (DTS Bit Rate):
    (Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
    (Additional Languages):
    (Subtitles):

    In As Above So Below, archeological adventurer Scarlett (Weeks) and language expert George (Feldman) lead a team of intrepid explorers on a search from the fabled Philosopher's Stone in the eerie labyrinths beneath the streets of Paris. Lost in the twisted and claustrophobic maximum housing, the mortal remains of more than six-million souls, they discover the lost scripts hidden in the catacombs for generations, plunging them into hell, for a nightmarish ordeal with a shocking conclusion.

    Special features include an inside featurette (HD 03:39) and an UltraViolet digital copy.

    The 1.85:1 1080p AVC picture is a shaky hand-held, low-budget digital camera production, but the imagery is remarkably natural in appearance, with the feel of a documentary. The cameraman or woman who captures the imagery is never seen. The imagery shakes virtually continuously, making numerous segments difficult to follow. Fleshtones are decently captured. Object hues and clothing also appear natural. Contrast is decent, as well as shadow delineation. Viewing this is challenging and uncomfortable due to the constant visual motion effect.

    The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1-channel soundtrack, while dialogue focused, delivers quite an impressive holosonic® dynamic soundfield experience with all eight channels fully engaged, with a powerful SPL presence. When engaged fully, the surrounds are aggressively directionalized. The music score is eerie and includes chanting and unsettling sounds. Atmospherics are also unsettling at times, with special effects effectively replicating rock cave-ins deep within the catacombs. Deep sub-25 Hz bass is delivered by the .1 LFE and heightens the claustrophobic eeriness. Throughout, dialogue is intelligible, with decent spatial integration with the narrow passage ways of the catacombs. With unexpected bolts of full-on SPL, powerful LFE, and the overall claustrophobic sonics, this is an intense, unnerving soundtrack.

    Reason #14 Why Readers Love Widescreen Review:

    Well, I spent most of my young years in the military (U.S. Ranger). My father really got me going in home theatre gear. There’s nothing like getting a good movie on DVD, turning on my HDTV, my Sony a/v receiver, and sitting down for good quality entertainment. I still enjoy the articles and reviews you give me. Please keep doing a great job. I look forward to the next issue.

    Michael A Schlosser
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