• Aspect Ratio: 1:85:1
• Video Codec: AVC MPEG-4
• Resolution: 1080p/24 (23.976Hz)
• Audio Codec: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
• Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
• Region: A (Region-Locked)
• Rating: R
• Run Time: 80 Mins
• Discs: 1 (1 x Blu-ray)
• Studio: Magnolia Home Entertainment
• Blu-ray Release Date: August 28th, 2012
• List Price: $29.99

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Overall
[Rating:2.5/5]
The Film
[Rating:1.5/5]
Video Quality
[Rating:3.5/5]
Audio Quality
[Rating:4/5]
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:2/5]

Click thumbnails for high-resolution 1920X1080p screen captures

(All TheaterByte screen captures are lightly compressed with lossy JPEG at 100% quality setting and are meant as a general representation of the content. They do not fully reveal the capabilities of the Blu-ray format)

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The Film

[Rating:1.5/5]

Apartment 143 tells the story of a team of parapsychologist sent to investigate a series of anomalous phenomenons in a newly occupied apartment. Phone calls with no caller, mysterious shadows, extraordinary light emissions, flying objects, you know the normal stuff. Using state-of-the-art technology, the team will attempt to contact the “other side” in hopes of figuring out exactly what these beings want. Traveling further into their world, this team just may not return. What results is a rather by the books horror/thriller with few actual scares.

Billed as ‘the first real ghost story’, I’m not too sure if Producers Adrian Guerra and Rodrigo Cortes realize just how many techniques and styles they borrowed from other films, like Paranormal Activity. Obviously I’m completely aware that the Paranormal films aren’t new material in the slightest sense; however, perhaps due to their bigger budgets (and wider releases), every film after them just feels cheap, dull, really lacking any substantial quality to it. With that said, I’ll admit that I had high hopes for this one, especially after reading Producer Rodrigo Cortes name on the back (I’m a huge fan of his 2010 work Buried). Consider this a misstep in an otherwise fine resume, as I found Apartment 143 to be a complete mess from nearly the first frame. The film has no real scares, uses cheap thrills and quick camera movements to create ‘horror’. In the acting department, well the acting also doesn’t do anything to help the film either. Scene by scene, all the actors seemed almost bored. Actually, now that I think about it bored sums up the film quite well.

Video Quality

[Rating:3.5/5]

Apartment 143 arrives with a 1:85:1 framed, AVC/MPEG-4 encoded transfer, which offers up a fairly solid presentation. The footage of which is shot digitally we can assume, is presented well with no instance of print damage or noise. Color reproduction is solid as well with mostly accurate contrast levels (some of the characters have a gold/bronze tint to them), while flesh tones were spot on. Once we switch to a more consistent downgraded video, items like print damage, scratches, noise and grain is present in nearly every moment. Now, clearly these are not ‘issues’ per se, but rather something that brings the themes home. All in all, this isn’t a great transfer but is more one that handles the film well.

Audio Quality

[Rating:4/5]

Featuring a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix, this track fares better than the aforementioned video presentation. Dialogue is well reproduced throughout via the center channel, while a majority of the film’s major sound effects have been purposely placed. Items like a plate falling, background screams and sudden running with heavy breathing, have all been added in with the hopes of creating a sense of horror, of fear. LFE, as well, gives us a bit of deep low-end mostly during the heightened ‘scare’ sequences. All in all, this track has no major issues.

Supplemental Materials

[Rating:2/5]

The included supplements are featured in High Definition:

• Making Emergo (Apartment 143) – Running nearly 16 minutes in length, this gives us a few cast and crew interviews as they comment on the film.
• Special Effects – This runs 5 minutes and glances into how some of the film’s special effects were accomplished.
• Levitating – At 4 minutes, this shows us how the film’s finale was completed.
• Visual Concept – This runs 6 minutes and has Director Torrens speaking on his ‘unique’ film.
• Art Direction & Make Up – At 5 minutes, this shows us how the main apartment set was built.
• Child’s Play – Damian Roman, who plays Benny, speaks for roughly 4 minutes on his involvement in the film.
• Interview with Director Carles Torrens – This runs 19 minutes and is a rather in-depth interview with Director Torrens, as he speaks on the film.
• HDNet: A Look at Apartment 143 – This is your standard HDNet feature, running 5 minutes, that offers footage seen elsewhere.
• Trailer – The film’s trailer is shown.

The Definitive Word

Overall:

[Rating:2.5/5]

While the film didn’t personally do anything for me, fans will be pleased to know that Magnolia has supported the film with a serviceable V/A presentation and a host of quality features. Simply put, if you’re a fan, add this one to your collection. If not, I’d personally say skip this one.

Additional Screen Captures

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Purchase Apartment 143 on Blu-ray at CD Universe

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[amazon-product]B0081HLMRE[/amazon-product]

Purchase Apartment 143 on Blu-ray at CD Universe

Shop for more Blu-ray titles at Amazon.com

Overall
[Rating:2.5/5]
The Film
[Rating:1.5/5]
Video Quality
[Rating:3.5/5]
Audio Quality
[Rating:4/5]
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:2/5]

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