Blu-ray Movie Reviews

A loving family man with a promising future, Wade Porter suddenly loses everything when he accidentally kills the burglar who broke into his home. Convicted of involuntary manslaughter, Wade is sentenced to spend the next three years inside a maximum security facility where the rules of society no longer apply. Forced to share a cell with a notorious mass murderer and subjected to brutal beatings orchestrated by the sadistic head prison guard, Wade soon realizes he's in for the fight of his life and must become the toughest "Felon" of them all if he's to survive the block. For what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. And in state prison, only the strongest will survive.

This was a big surprise on Blu-ray for me. I had never even heard of this film before it showed up on my doorstep for review and I have to say it floored me. This is a very intense drama with great performances and a solid story. The film’s pace and gripping storyline kept me enthralled from beginning to end. Definitely one of the dark horse films of this year and one of the best dramas I’ve seen this year.

The HD presentation is good for the most part and only falls short from the subtle stylizing in the photography. Some of the longer shots look a bit soft but also exhibit a very natural film-like look. Detail in medium shots and close ups is excellent. Contrast wavers a bit but overall it is on the strong side and helps with the depth of image. Colors are a bit oversaturated at times but it is obvious that this is intentional. Overall the look of the film adds a lot to the demeanor of the picture and the HD presentation does a good job with the material.

The 5.1 Dolby TrueHD mix is a great balance of unnerving score and tight dynamics. The score goes a long way in lending to the atmosphere and is rich with deep bass and presence. Dialogue is balanced nicely into the mix and I only hurt a small amount of strain. The soundstage has a very open quality to it and the action that is in the mix is generally quite good.

Extras include a look at the production including the research that went into the story and BD-Live connectivity.

Considering this one didn’t even make a box office appearance that I know of, I was floored by the level of involvement this film brought. This is a great piece of drama with outstanding performances by the whole cast. Sony has done a great job with the presentation and this is one that shouldn’t be missed.