Written by: Michael Den Boer on June 9th, 2010
Theatrical Release Date: USA, 2009
Director: David Schmidt
Writer: David Schmidt
Cast: Leah Myette, Katherine Herrera, Michael Klug, Tirf Alexius, Amy E. Harmon, Jen Albert, Michael Merritt, James Polak, Deborah Webb
DVD-R Released: May 25th, 2010
Approximate Running Time: 101 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Full Frame
Rating: NR
Sound: Dolby Digital Stereo English
Subtitles: N/A
DVD-R Release: Sword & Cloak Productions
Region Coding: Region 0 NTSC
Retail Price: $14.95
Synopsis: A young woman abandons her musical career when a obsessed fan kills someone close to her. Needing a place to stay the young woman goes to stay with her friend, an artist who owns a decaying apartment building. Shortly after her arrival the young woman is plagued nightmares and an uneasy feeling that something sinister lurks in the apartment building.
House of Black Wings is a Lovecraftian inspired tale stepped in the supernatural. The H.P. Lovecraft story that this film’s plot most resembles is his short story ‘The Music of Erich Zann’. Inspirations can only take you so far as this independently made feature film has a myriad of problems like a lethargic pacing and uneven performances from the cast. The film’s opening set up also takes too long to get to where this film wants to go. And when it appears that this film has found its voice. Things once again go awry by the time the film’s conclusion rolls around. Also those expecting bloodshed should look elsewhere. As this film is all about using eerie atmosphere to elicit scares. This film’s greatest strength is its interesting premise. And yet the end result is a mundane horror film that never fully realize its potential.
The DVD:
House of Black Wings is presented in its intended 1.33:1 full frame aspect ratio. Colors and flesh tones look accurate. Black levels look average and details generally look crisp during the daytime / scenes with more lighting. While some of the nighttime / darker scenes lack the same clarity.
This release comes with one audio option, a Dolby Digital stereo mix in English and removable English SDH subtitles. The audio sounds clear and balanced.
Extras for this release include a trailer for the film (2 minutes 50 minutes – 1.33:1 full frame), a image slide show, a outtake reel (9 minutes 11 seconds – 1.33:1 full frame), a behind the scenes segment (15 minutes 5 seconds – 1.33:1 full frame) and a enthusiastic audio commentary with director David Schmidt, assistant director Chris Hyatt and cinematographer Clare Martin who cover the various aspects of this production. Overall House of Black Wings gets a well rounded release.
Note: This release is a burn on demand DVD-R.