Blu-ray Movie Reviews

Monster’s Ball is a chilling tale centered in a racist small town in Louisiana. Here a family of correctional facility workers has to deal with the hate and loathing of each other and those around them. Hank seems tormented by his bigot father and how to deal with his troublesome son. After an incident on death row, the father and son end up in a fatal fight. You can really see how this affects Hank who almost takes on a new role in his life departing from the moral standards his family exuded. He then meets Leticia, a widowing mother whose son meets a tragic end. Together they look past their differences and step above the chaos around them.

This is a riveting film full of moral ambiguities. It is a film that portrays how upbringing can really affect someone especially in a family of hate. Filled with outstanding performances and beautiful cinematography this was a delight to watch. This Blu-ray edition is the uncut version of the film which ups the ante a bit in the sex department with the graphic sequence between Berry and Thornton.

The HD presentation is a bit of a mixed bag and doesn’t showcase the benefits of a top tier Blu-ray transfer. The image has average depth and dimension but detail is a bit flat and uninspiring. Facial features are obscured and look clayish and ringing is evident through the majority of the film. The color palette is a bit washed out giving the image a bit of a dull look. While slightly better than what we’ve seen on DVD, this is a disappointment for an HD master.

The DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack is a nice improvement over the video presentation. This is not an overly dynamic film but it has a very effective score that does a great job with mood and atmosphere. The soundstage has a very open quality and there are some interesting sound cues throughout that make the most of the limited mix. Dialogue is the key player here and the balance and tone is very natural and imaging is excellent.

Extras include a feature commentary with the director and screenwriters along with some production features that take you on set and include interviews with the cast and director. Music selections from the film are highlighted and some deleted scenes are included along with the trailer.

Monster’s Ball has always been a great, though slightly disturbing, piece of drama. The performances alone warrant a viewing for fans of great drama. Unfortunately the video presentation falls pretty short here making this one a rental at best on Blu-ray.