BLU-RAY REVIEW

Possession, The

Featured In Issue 174, February 2013

Picture5
Sound4.5
WSR Score4
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):
Lionsgate Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number):
36351
(MPAA Rating):
PG-13
(Rating Reason):
Mature thematic material involving viiolence and disturbing sequences
(Retail Price):
$39.99
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
No
(Running Time In Minutes):
92
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
A
(Theatrical Year):
2012
(Theatrical Release):
Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release):
No
(Disc Release Date):
01/15/13
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
No
(Director):
Ole Bornedal
(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):
Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS HD Lossless 5.1
(Theatrical Sound):
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(DTS Bit Rate):
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
(Additional Languages):
(French Language):
(Spanish Language):
(Chinese Language):
(Subtitles):
(Cantonese Language):
(Mandarin Language):
(Japanese Language):
(Italian Language):
(German Language):
(Portuguese Language):

In "The Possession," Clyde (Morgan) and Stephanie Brenek (Sedgwick) see little cause for alarm when their youngest daughter Em (Calis) becomes oddly obsessed with an antique wooden box she purchased at a yard sale. But as Em's behavior becomes increasingly erratic, the couple fears the presence of a malevolent force in their midst, only to discover that the box was build to contain a Dibbuk, a dislocated spirit that inhabits and ultimately devours its human host. (Gary Reber)

Special features include commentary with Director Ole Bornedal, commentary with Writers Juliet Snowden and Stiles White, "The Real History Of The Dibbuk Box" featurette (HD 13:19), the theatrical trailer, and upfront previews.

The 1080p AVC picture is perfectly natural in appearance. The color palette is naturally hued throughout, with balanced tones and accurate fleshtones. Saturation is never exaggerated but is naturally presented. Contrast is excellent, with deep, solid blacks and revealing shadow delineation. Resolution is superb, with revealing fine detail exhibited in facial features, hair, clothing, and object texture. This is an extremely satisfying picture that appears realistic. Based on the article "Jinx In A Box" by Leslie Gornstein. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is nicely produced with excellent fidelity and nuanced dynamics. The orchestral music score is perfectly complementary, with a balanced dynamics and deep bass extension supported by with .1 LFE energy. Atmospherics and sound effects are appropriately creepy at times and nicely accentuated for effect, with an aggressive and immersive soundfield presence. Dialogue intelligibility is excellent and generally well integrated spatially. This is a terrifically haunting sonic experience that heightens the sense of realism. (Gary Reber)