The witch DVD is a movie that has gained popularity among horror movie fans. The film, released in 2015, is set in 17th century New England and tells the story of a Puritan family who is faced with supernatural occurrences in their isolated farm. The witch DVD, directed by Robert Eggers, incorporates elements of horror, psychological thriller, and historical fiction to create a unique viewing experience. It is known for its atmospheric cinematography, authentic period setting, and slow-burning tension that keeps the audience on edge throughout the film. The witch DVD explores themes of religious fanaticism, the breakdown of family, and the supernatural. The film centers around the character of Thomasin, a young girl accused of being a witch and causing misfortune to her family.
The eco-friendly keepcase is covered by a glossy slipcover reproducing the same unconventional, vaguely spoilerific cover art. The only insert supplies your code and directions for the Digital HD with UltraViolet that is included with your purchase.
He discusses shooting in Ontario and, less extensively, Massachusetts , points out cost-cutting measures taken to stretch the low budget, testifies to the historical accuracy of even the smallest details, and acknowledges sparing use of CGI. It was treated like other mainstream horror movies, too; given a wide release in over 2,000 theaters, where even in February its fourth place opening with the weekend s second highest per-theater average among wide releases seemed pretty impressive.
The film centers around the character of Thomasin, a young girl accused of being a witch and causing misfortune to her family. As the story unfolds, it becomes unclear whether the supernatural events are a result of witchcraft or the paranoia and hysteria of the family members. The witch DVD received critical acclaim for its originality and its ability to create a haunting and eerie atmosphere.
The witch dvd
Writer/Director: Robert Eggers
In its opening credits, The Witch is given the subtitle A New-England Folktale and that's not merely a ploy to attract residents of America's Northeast. The closing credits include a disclaimer that much of the film's depictions and dialogue have been taken directly from journals, diaries, and court records.
In 1630, a family of six devout Puritans from England is banished from an American plantation community over the "prideful conceit" of patriarch William (Ralph Ineson, who you might but probably should not remember from his recurring role in the UK's "The Office"). William, his wife Katherine (Kate Dickie), and their four children try to make it on their own as farmers residing near a forest. The family's latest addition, the infant Samuel, disappears during a game of peekaboo with eldest daughter Thomasin (Anya Taylor-Joy), an incident that understandably weighs down on the entire clan.
After Thomasin and eldest son Caleb (Harvey Scrimshaw) go missing in the woods and return worse for the wear, the family must confront the evil forces afflicting them. Suspicion falls upon Thomasin, but no one in the family, not even young twins Mercy (Ellie Grainger) and Jonas (Lucas Dawson) can be ruled out from having had a hand in these troubling occurrences.
Written and directed by young newcomer Robert Eggers, The Witch is not your typical horror film. So many of those are interchangeable tales of haunted houses and psycho killers. They're almost always contemporary too. The Witch, on the other hand, commits to its distant period setting. The dialogue is evidently authentic and sometimes difficult to hear or understand, but you're able to follow along enough to get a sense of this settler family's faith and fears.
The distinctive setting and texture renders The Witch uniquely atmospheric. How many times have you seen a movie where a family dinner gets interrupted by the sound of bleating goats? Not many, eh? The dramatized era and historical research require a different mindset of the viewer, which in turn makes it easier for the film to disarm with unpredictability. Possibilities are raised but not oversold, leaving us to speculate who or what is really behind these mysteries.
Though perhaps not well-documented, it should be well-known that critics appreciate movies that are different. We watch hundreds of movies every year and many of them are alike. Something bold enough to stand out as truly original tends to be celebrated. The Witch certainly was, drawing critic approval ratings in the 80s and 90s on Metacritic and Rotten Tomatoes. Those favorable reviews, quite rare for a genre whose lack of originality is often bemoaned, may have sparked some contrarian reactions from the general public. Even on IMDb, a site which skews towards serious and discerning young male moviegoers, the film carries a fairly average 6.9 out of 10 user rating.
In truth, the modest rating may also reflect that The Witch isn't the most accessible or digestible of movies. It's got the make-up of an art house picture but belongs to a genre that doesn't typically feature prominently in art houses. It was treated like other mainstream horror movies, too; given a wide release in over 2,000 theaters, where even in February its fourth place opening (with the weekend's second highest per-theater average among wide releases) seemed pretty impressive. The film held okay for a second weekend in which it expanded slightly. Then it began to drop in a fairly steep if not that unusual fashion. Mostly done, it's sitting on $25 million domestic and $32 million worldwide, potent sums for a starless film that reportedly cost just $1 million to produce. It is a close second place behind Ex Machina among all the theatrical releases of A24, a young studio whose frequent acclaim has not often translated to commercial success.
On Tuesday, The Witch hits Blu-ray and DVD, each equipped with digital copy in matching definition, from A24 video partner Lionsgate.
VIDEO and AUDIO
The Witch utilizes the relatively narrow 1.66:1 aspect ratio that hasn't been in standard use for a long time, especially in America. The Blu-ray presents the film's striking compositions in clean, sharp, and vivid fashion. The 5.1 DTS-HD master audio soundtrack is similarly effective and commendable. The tough to process dialogue will make the disc's lack of a non-SDH English subtitle track a little disappointing for some.
BONUS FEATURES, MENUS, PACKAGING and DESIGN
Extras begin with an audio commentary by writer-director Robert Eggers. He has the enthusiasm of a first-time filmmaker plus even more as someone with a unique, original vision he fully believes in. He discusses shooting in Ontario (and, less extensively, Massachusetts), points out cost-cutting measures taken to stretch the low budget, testifies to the historical accuracy of even the smallest details, and acknowledges sparing use of CGI. It's an above-average track that fans might find worth a listen.
"The Witch: A Primal Folktale" (8:28) is a brief but sufficient making-of featurette. It supplies cast and crew interviews along with some behind-the-scenes still photos.
Next up, a rarity for a Lionsgate title, is a Q & A with cast and crew (27:59) held last February in Salem, Massachusetts. Eggers, Anya-Taylor Joy, author Brunonia Barry, and Salem Witch Trials historian Richard Trask discuss the movie, with a focus on historical accuracy and witchcraft portrayal more than anything else. It's a little choppily edited but has value.
Finally, a 16-still viewer-navigated design gallery shows off costume and character sketches as well as plans for the farm house and photos of its construction.
Found by exploring the disc's files (but not the menu, where it is presumably hidden) is a 6-minute, 28-second outtakes reel, showing off the kid actors being kids and thus requiring direction from both Eggers and their older castmates. It also features an uncooperative canine and helpful crew members.
"Trailers" repeats the disc-opening trailers for Green Room, The Adderall Diaries, Mojave, Tusk and Ex Machina. The Witch's own attention-grabbing trailer is not included.
The menu loops a screen-filling montage of scored clips. The Blu-ray resumes unfinished playback of anything and everything.
The eco-friendly keepcase is covered by a glossy slipcover reproducing the same unconventional, vaguely spoilerific cover art. The only insert supplies your code and directions for the Digital HD with UltraViolet that is included with your purchase.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Though it won't be everyone's cup of tea, The Witch is certainly a breath of fresh air in the stagnant world of horror. Unsettling, atmospheric, and original, this low-budget film warrants a look from more than just genre enthusiasts. Lionsgate's Blu-ray gets the job done.
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Reviewed May 16, 2016.
Text copyright 2016 DVDizzy.com. Images copyright 2015 A24 Films, Parts & Labor, RT Features, Rooks Nest Entertainment, Maiden Voyage Pictures, Mott Street Pictures,
and Lionsgate. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
VIDEO and AUDIO
The film was praised for its attention to detail and historical accuracy, showcasing the bleakness and harshness of life in the 17th century. The performances by the cast, particularly Anya Taylor-Joy as Thomasin and Ralph Ineson as the father, were also widely praised. While The witch DVD may not be for everyone, as it has a slower pace and a focus on psychological horror rather than jump scares, it is highly recommended for fans of atmospheric and thought-provoking horror films. It is a movie that lingers long after the credits roll, leaving viewers with a sense of unease and questioning the nature of evil and the power of fear..
Reviews for "The Witch DVD: Is Evil Inherited or Learned?"
- John - 1 star - I found "The Witch" to be incredibly boring and slow-paced. The whole movie seemed to drag on and I kept waiting for something exciting or scary to happen, but it never did. The storyline was confusing and the characters were uninteresting. Overall, I was very disappointed and would not recommend this movie.
- Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "The Witch" after hearing all the hype, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. I found the dialogue to be difficult to understand at times with the heavy accents and old English language. The scares were few and far between, and I was left feeling underwhelmed. The atmosphere was well-done, but it wasn't enough to make up for the lackluster plot.
- Mike - 2 stars - "The Witch" was marketed as a terrifying horror film, but I found it to be more of a slow-paced psychological drama. While the acting was decent, the story just didn't captivate me. The ending left me confused and unsatisfied, and I felt like I had wasted my time watching this film. I can understand why some people may enjoy it, but it definitely wasn't for me.
- Emily - 3 stars - I had heard mixed reviews about "The Witch", so I went into it with an open mind. While I appreciate the effort put into creating a suspenseful and atmospheric setting, I was left feeling underwhelmed. The pacing was too slow for my liking, and I found it difficult to fully connect with the characters. However, I can see why some people may enjoy this film, as it offers a unique approach to the horror genre.