‘Dream House’ is a nightmare

“DREAM HOUSE”

Blu-ray widescreen and DVD widescreen, 2011, PG-13 for violence, terror, some sexuality and brief strong language

Best extra: In “Building the Dream House,” set designers explain the careful consideration that went into building the main set. It’s always amazing to see such gigantic efforts come together so well on screen.

THIS IS THE kind of movie that leaves you thinking about what could have been. Although scraps of a tingling psychological thriller, mystery/horror flick remain, most of the movie is an unkempt cluster of clichéd mystery twists. Had “Dream House” worked even slightly harder to conceal its secrets (and had there been more of them) it may have fared better with audiences.

Will Atenton (Daniel Craig) quits his job as a book publisher to spend more time with his wife (Rachel Weisz) and two daughters in their newly purchased dream house. Their idyllic life looks too good to be true – and it is. As Atenton unravels the dark history of their beloved home, he winds up learning more about himself than he is prepared to face.

Part of what keeps us drawn in to “Dream House” is the gorgeous set and Caleb Deschanel’s dream-like cinematography. Universal did a nice job with the Blu-ray transfer, especially considering the variety of filters used throughout the film. Although a few scenes look a touch soft, overall the picture is sharp and viable. Color tones scale from warm to cool seamlessly as realities in the movie change.

The soundtrack doesn’t get under your skin as is often the case in the best thrillers. Largely, it floats along unnoticed, ratcheting up slightly for a few of the more intense scenes. What is there comes through clearly and doesn't compete with dialogue. 

The skimpy offering of extras might be a sign of apparent neglect at the end of the film’s creation. “Burning Down the House” and “Dream House,” both in HD, focus on the building and destruction of one of the film's uncredited characters – the house. What is particularly interesting is director Jim Sheridan’s (“My Left Foot” and “In the Name of the Father”) complete aversion to CGI effects, instead opting for in-camera effects. It was perhaps one of the better directorial decisions made. 

“Dream Cast” introduces the cast members by name but offers little else. “A Look Inside” is nothing more than an extended trailer.

It’s hard to recommend anyone buy a movie that isn’t worth watching more than once (if even that.) To give viewers so few bonus features on top of that – well, you’ll see why it’s hard to make the case for this one.

— Olivia Hubert-Allen

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