Blu-ray Movie Reviews

Becca (Nicole Kidman) and Howie (Aaron Eckhart) are returning to their everyday existence in the wake of a shocking, sudden loss. Just eight months ago, they were a happy suburban family with everything they wanted. Now, they are only posing as normal, blindly looking for footing in a sea of new emotions after the loss of their young child.

Adapted from David Lindsay Abaire's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Rabbit Hole is one of the more disturbing films I've watched in a long time. It hit home with my wife and I since one of our friends lost a child last year and we've seen firsthand how difficult it can be for a young couple to put their lives back together after such a devastating loss. Kidman certainly deserved her Oscar nomination for her gripping performance as the emotionally strapped mother, but this certainly isn't a pick-me-up by any stretch.

Video Highlights

• AVC/1080p encode on a BD-50 discs
• intentionally muted color palette
• Adequate detail and clarity
• Exterior scenes have great depth
• Interior scenes are a tad flat

Audio Highlights

• DTS-HD MA 7.1 soundtrack
• Front-heavy presentation
• Occasional ambient effects in rear speakers
• Intelligible dialog

The cinematography is intentionally understated in order to capture the mood of the main characters, but the detail is strong and the exterior shots look great. The audio track is nothing special, although I love that Lionsgate supports 7.1 soundtracks.

Bonus Materials

• Audio commentary
• Deleted Scenes
• Theatrical trailers

This is a difficult movie to get through due to the subject matter, but it's handled very well and shows how such an emotional shock can strain relationships. The A/V presentation is solid, and this is definitely worth a look due to the strong performances from Kidman and Eckhart.

Release Date: April 19, 2011
Studio: Lionsgate

Movie: 8/10
Picture: 8/10
Sound: 8/10

Review System

Source
Oppo BDP-93 Blu-ray player

Display
JVC DLA-RS40 projector
Stewart FireHawk screen (76.5" wide, 16:9)

Electronics
Integra DTC-80.2 pre/pro
Anthem PVA-7 power amplifier
Belkin PVA-PF60 power conditioner

Speakers
M&K S-150s (L, C, R)
M&K SS-150s (LS, RS, SBL, SBR)
SVS PC-Ultra subwoofer

Cables
Monoprice HDMI cables (source to pre/pro)
Best Deal analog-audio cables
PureLink HDC Fiber Optic HDMI Cable System (15 meters) from pre/pro to projector

Acoustical treatments from GIK Acoustics