7.1 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
In the Mississippi Delta, a mother and her 12-year-old son try desperately to escape the poverty that rules the region. But their efforts are confounded when the boy's attempts to win the favor of his fellow teens lead him into a dangerous situation with a lonely and broken man
Starring: Michael J. Smith, Sr., Jim Myron Ross, Tarra RiggsDrama | 100% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
English, French, Spanish
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 1.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
“Heavy material carried in the hold of a ship, especially one that has no cargo,” is how one dictionary defines ballast, and this is a perfect metaphor for the heavy material carried in the otherwise empty souls of the three characters who inhabit the bleak world of director Lance Hammer’s stark and elegiac theatrical debut. There’s a lot of heaviness in Ballast—dense anger and compacted resentment, leaden sorrow and calcified regret. And yet, there are also moments of transcendence, of utter profundity and aching truth. It’s rare to see a debut film so aesthetically assured and thematically inclusive.
Michael J. Smith, Sr.
Kino International has given Ballast a weighty appearance on Blu-ray, offering up a 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer that well represents the film's stark and austere imagery. I'm admittedly in love with the cinematography here—it's coldly perceptive, with depth and beautiful use of focus—and I'm happy to note that this transfer from 35mm to high definition never hampers the film with any technical shortcomings. My only real complaint—and this is a source issue—is that white specks are occasionally visible on the print. It's never to the point of distraction, but they are noticeable. In all other ways, this is a solid presentation; it's not as crisp or clean as the latest big-budget extravaganza, but the film's intentions are aptly met. As you can tell from the screenshots, almost the entire film is cloaked in somber bluish-grey tones. Even if they aren't vivid, the colors here have a depth and presence, never appearing washed out or unstable. There are exceptions—James' red polo shirt is extremely bright and saturated in comparison, which I have to think is intentional. Black levels too are strong, and while there is a bit of crush, this is part of the visual aesthetic of the film, which predominately relies on natural light sources and deep shadow. Clarity is astute, especially for a film shot almost entirely hand- held. Fine facial detail is easily discernable, and the surrounding rural wasteland is keenly resolved. Grain can get a bit heavy during some of the darker scenes, but it has an organic quality that suits the nature of the film.
There's only one instance of music in Ballast—a jukebox plays a tune while Lawrence is sitting in a bar. This lasts for about three seconds. There's no score, no strings to cue our sentiments or pounding rhythms to drive the tension. Like No Country For Old Men, the soundscape here is completely natural, built upon airy ambience, the crunch of gravel underfoot, the slamming of a car door, and the various mundane sounds of a mundane life. While not quite as detailed and immersive as the Coen brothers' classic, Ballast's Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround track pairs perfectly with its bleak visuals. Sounds are clean and weighted and resonate with the appropriate acoustics. The rear channels frequently broadcast an outdoorsy hush; wind blowing softly, crickets singing in the evening, a car passing somewhere in the distance. When the train roars past, we even get some deep LFE rumbling. Dialogue is mostly clean and comprehensible. I say mostly because JimMyron Ross mutters occasionally and it's sometimes difficult to make out what he's saying. The other leads are clearly understood throughout. In general, the mix is balanced and the sound editing is excellent, using naturally occurring noises to emotional effect.
Making Of: Scene Development (1080p, 37:45)
After watching Ballast, I really wished the director had opted to do a commentary. The
film
does speak for itself, but I'd love some insight into Lance Hammer's inspirations and influences,
or
even just a few words on how he arrived at the film's visual aesthetic. While a commentary is
sadly
missing, we do get these rehearsal tapes, which show the actors practicing specific scenes, as well
as engaging in some improvised verbal conflict that expands upon their characters. Do note that
while this plays in 1080p—to allow finished clips from the film to be shown in full quality—the
rehearsal tapes themselves are upscaled from standard definition video.
Theatrical Trailer (1080p, 1:39)
Ballast is a bold debut from writer and director Lance Hammer, a film that, in its artistry and intuition, feels like it could've come from one of the great auteurs of the 1970s. It's not for all tastes—this is, in some ways, a deeply sad film—but if you're looking for some honest, serious- minded cinema, Ballast is an excellent choice. Kino International—who also released Buster Keaton's The General this week—delivers a strong presentation here as well, with a lossless TrueHD audio track and a director-supervised 1080p transfer from the film's 35mm interpositive. Highly recommended.
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