Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.0

Clay Pigeons Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov August 17, 2021

David Dobkin's "Clay Pigeons" (1998) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The supplemental features on the disc include exclusive new audio commentary recorded by the director and vintage promotional materials. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

David Dobkin is an honest man. Before I sat down to listen to the exclusive audio commentary he recorded for this recent release, I wondered whether he would acknowledge the obvious connection that exists between his film Clay Pigeons and Joel and Ethan Cohen’s film Blood Simple. He did. He also explained why his film looks and moves as it does. The explanation did not surprise me at all because I could instantly tell where the inspiration for it came from, but it was nice to get a confirmation. One more thing that needs to be made perfectly clear. Clay Pigeons isn’t a copycat. While it has a recognizable style, it does some pretty interesting things to acquire a unique identity and the effort is pretty great.

The events in Dobkin’s film take place in a small town in Montana where everybody knows each other. (In the commentary, Dobkin reveals that he actually shot in Utah). While getting drunk at a remote location on the outskirts of town, best friends Clay (Joaquin Phoenix) and Earl (Gregory Sporleder) come to a quick consensus that the former has been secretly seeing the latter’s wife, Amanda (Georgina Cates). However, instead of going back to town and trying to work things out with his wife, or beating up Clay, Earl blows his brains out. The stunned Clay is then left to figure out how to quickly get rid of the body without being linked to it and what to do with his mistress-turned-widow. Soon after, Sheriff Mooney (Scott Wilson) and his deputies discover Earl’s truck in a giant pit and Clay is informed that his best friend has finally done what a lot of people could see coming -- put an end to his misery. Back in town Amanda is given the awful news as well, but instead of grieving she becomes seriously upset with Clay’s decision not to share her bed again. While to recollect his thoughts at the local bar Clay then befriends Lester (Vince Vaughn), a bubbly out-of-towner, and they begin spending time together. But when more bodies begin popping up around town and Clay reappears on Sheriff Mooney’s radar, the FBI dispatches special agents Shelby (Janeane Garofalo) and Reynard (Phil Morris) to find out whether he might be an elusive serial killer they have been trying to nab for years.

There is quite a bit of disturbing material in Clay Pigeons, but its special sense of humor effectively tones it down and makes it appear entirely casual. Then Dobkin introduces and maintains a Wim Wenders-esque pacing which ensures that his film evolves into a genuine Americana. Sound familiar? It should, because this is precisely how Blood Simple is conceived as well.

What makes Dobkin’s film different is its reluctance to permanently enter noir territory. It comes close, but I think that Dobkin was smart to realize that it won’t do particularly well there with the tiny budget he had to work it. (Blood Simple was not made with an astronomical budget either, but less than fifteen minutes into it you can easily tell that a lot of very particular work is being done to get the noir ambience right. Lighting, camerawork and editing are very precise). In Clay Pigeons, a lot comes together in a very organic way, and while it isn’t always pitch-perfect, it looks and feels right.

Garofalo is the only member of the otherwise terrific cast that is somewhat problematic. The FBI agent she plays is supposed to appear coherent and authoritative, but her attitude leaves a drastically different impression. Most of the time it looks like she is reluctantly subbing for the real FBI pro that could not make the trip to Montana.

John Lurie delivered an oddly minimalistic but very effective soundtrack that provides the film with a terrific late ‘90s edge. Also used are original tunes by The Verve Pipe, Sister Hazel, Firewater, Tonic, Old 97's, and Collapsis,

Clay Pigeons Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Clay Pigeons arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber.

The release is sourced from an old and unfortunately rather weak master that was supplied by Universal Pictures. Excluding a few darker sequences -- such as the footage from the popular bar -- the rest of the film tends to look unnaturally sharp and contrasty. During daylight footage this effect can become quite distracting, but there is well-lit indoor footage that is problematic as well. Grain can appear somewhat smeary, which suggests that some digital enhancements were applied on the master. This is the reason why fluidity isn't convincing. (During quick pans and zooms the smearing becomes a serious issue). The primary colors are stable, but quite a few darker nuances are either flattened or lost. Image stability is good. A few white specks remain, but there are no large damage marks, debris, cuts, warped or torn frames to report. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Clay Pigeons Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature.

I viewed the entire film with the 5.1 track and did a few random tests with the 2.0 track. I was quite impressed with the quality of the lossless track, and particularly the manner in which it handles John Lurie's unusual score. At times it felt like the relationship between the music and the ambience was copied to imitate what Wim Wenders has done in some of his films. I liked it a lot. Clarity, sharpness, and dynamic balance are excellent. The 2.0 track is very strong as well. In fact, for what it does, I think that it is on par with the 5.1 track.

Clay Pigeons Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary - if you enjoy Clay Pigeons, you should listen to this exclusive new audio commentary that David Dobkin recorded for this release. I mentioned elsewhere in the review that he is very honest man and his comments on the stylistic appearance of his film are outstanding. Mr. Dobkin also has some excellent observations about the '90s and the type of films that other young directors like him were shooting after doing TV work.

• Trailers and TV Spots - a couple of vintage U.S. trailers and TV spots for Clay Pigeons.

Clay Pigeons Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The relationship between Clay Pigeons and Blood Simple is instantly recognizable. However, in Clay Pigeons a lot comes together in a very organic way, and while it isn't always pitch-perfect, it looks and feels right. I think that this is why this film can delight in so many unexpected ways -- it is wild and yet somehow totally normal. It is too bad that it did not make it into the Criterion Collection because it deserves to be there. Kino Lorber's release is sourced from an old and rather weak master, but features an outstanding exclusive new audio commentary recorded by director David Dobkin. Pick up a copy for your collection, but only when you find the release heavily discounted. RECOMMENDED.