Dark Horse is the latest in a long line of forgettable direct-to-video horror movies. The acting isn’t very good and the story not well developed. Not even the reliable Tobin Bell, outside of the laugh-induced hair that rivals Lundgren’s in Enemies Closer, can help turn this around.
Dark House
(2014)
Genre(s): Horror, Suspense/Thriller
Cinedigm | R – 102 min. – $34.95 | March 11, 2014
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MOVIE INFO: DISC INFO: Audio: English (DTS-HD MA 5.1) |
THE MOVIE – 1.75/5
Plot Outline: Nick Di Santa (LUKE KLEINTANK) is tormented by his ability to touch someone and see exactly how they will die. On his twenty-third birthday Nick is summoned by his mother (LESLEY-ANNE DOWN) to the asylum where she has been institutionalized since his childhood. Nick is stunned by her revelation that the father he thought was dead is really alive and may know the origin of Nick’s terrible gift. Nick sets out to find his father with his best friend Ryan (ANTHONY REY PEREZ) and pregnant girlfriend Eve (ALEX MCKENNA).
But what starts as a simple road trip to meet the father he never knew soon becomes a horrific nightmare when it leads the trio back to the same abandoned mansion, a house that only existed in Nick’s childhood imagination—or so he thought. Finally succumbing to the will of the house, Nick becomes embroiled in a battle with a dark figure (TOBIN BELL).
Quick Hit Review: Below average horror-thriller schlock with substandard acting from a mostly unknown cast and the couple with any extensive history are either barely in it (Down) or barely recognizable (Bell) who sports a hilariously bad hair weave. Adding to that, the story also isn’t very compelling. Director Victor Salva might have the passion for filmmaking but this one is the latest stinker to go along with Rosewood Lane (and its best intentions) and even Jeepers Creepers 2 and should be skipped.
SPECIAL FEATURES – 1.0/5
The singular extra is The Making of Dark House (20:44) featurette providing behind-the-scenes footage.
VIDEO – 4.25/5
Dark House arrives on Blu-ray from Cinedigm presented with a 2.35 widescreen aspect ratio and a nice-looking 1080p high-definition transfer. The movie looks like it was shot digitally as its extra clean and free of grain. Detail is sharp and colors, during the few daylight scenes, are well balanced, and the night time scenes are stark and don’t show major signs of artifacts or pixilation.
AUDIO – 4.0/5
The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track provided is effective though nothing outstanding. Dialogue levels sound crisp and clear while the other elements, such as ambient noises and the horror/thrill scenes make some use of the front channels with the rear speakers being relegated for ambient noises and such.
OVERALL – 2.0/5
Overall, Dark Horse is the latest in a long line of forgettable direct-to-video horror movies. The acting isn’t very good and the story not well developed. Not even the reliable Tobin Bell, outside of the laugh-induced hair that rivals Lundgren’s in Enemies Closer, can help turn this around. The Blu-ray has acceptable audio/video transfers and the solo feature is mostly throwaway material.
Published: 03/15/2014