A Ghost Story – Blu-ray Movie Review

Synopsis

A young couple lives in a modest house in the country. When a terrible loss befalls them, a ghost appears as an observer. New people take up residence in the house and we learn the history of the land both before and after the home’s existence. All the while, our ghost watches and waits, for what we know not.

Specifications

Lionsgate
2017, Color, Rated R, 1 Hr 32 mins
DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio
Starring: Casey Affleck, Rooney Mara
Directed by David Lowery

Rating

Entertainment:

Video:

Audio:

Extras:

Violence: No
Sex: No
Language: Mild

Commentary

If you’re scratching your head after reading the above synopsis, that about sums up my reaction to this film. I have no issue with movies that have no plot. Many times, the imagery and sound make up for a lack of story. Unfortunately, A Ghost Story doesn’t offer that. There are long sequences where absolutely nothing takes place. It’s like watching footage from a security camera. In a parking garage. Late at night.

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I believe that writer/director David Lowery attempted to create something akin to the moving art installations we sometimes see in museums where a video loop is shown on a flat panel. Mr. Lowery’s loop just happens to be 90 minutes long. The title (and MPAA rating) suggest some sort of horror or suspense film. And the home-movie feel with its 1.33:1 aspect ratio adds the look of found-footage. But in execution, there is simply nothing to react to. A Ghost Story produced no emotional response from me whatsoever.

Technical

There is no issue with the transfer here. The box states the aspect ratio is 1.78:1 but it is actually 1.33:1 with rounded corners. The image is soft with a narrow dynamic range and presented in mostly cool, drab colors. It is appropriate for the subject material but is unlikely to become a home theater demo any time soon.

Audio is minimalistic at best. Dialog is sparse but clearly recorded. Given the long sequences of nothing, I would have expected better use of the surround channels for ambient and ethereal effects but there were none. A Ghost Story had a low budget and its image and sound demonstrate that clearly.

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Extras

Bonus features include two making-of featurettes, a deleted scene, and audio commentary by the director.

Chris Eberle

Chris' passion for audio began when he took up playing the bassoon at age 12. During his third year at the New England Conservatory of Music, he won a position with the West Point Band where he served for 26 years as principal bassoonist. He retired from the Army in 2013 and is now writing full time and performing as a freelance musician in Central Florida. As an avid movie lover, Chris was unable to turn away the 50-inch Samsung DLP TV that arrived at his door one day, thus launching him irrevocably into an obsession with home theater. Dissatisfied with the image quality of his new acquisition, Chris trained with the Imaging Science Foundation in 2006 and became a professional display calibrator. His ultimate theater desires were realized when he completed construction of a dedicated cinema/listening room in his home. Chris is extremely fortunate that his need for quality audio and video is shared and supported by his wife of over 25 years. In his spare time he enjoys riding his recumbent trike at least 100 miles per week, trying out new restaurants, going to theme parks and spending as much time as possible watching movies and listening to music. Chris enjoys bringing his observations and discoveries about every kind of home theater product to as many curious and well-informed readers as possible. He is proud to be a part of the Team and hopes to help everyone enjoy their AV experiences to the fullest.