7.2 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Communist leader James "Jimmy" Gralton is deported from Ireland in the 1930s for operating a dance hall where he shares his political views, including criticism of the Catholic Church's restriction of free speech.
Starring: Jim Norton (I), Brian F. O'Byrne, Andrew Scott, Francis Magee, Karl GearyDrama | Insignificant |
Biography | Insignificant |
History | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
French: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English, English SDH, French
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
"Change" isn't a political catch word that's unique to the past few years. Call it "change," "progress," or anything of the sort, but there's always been an anti-establishment movement around the world, in some form or fashion, since, probably, the establishment of the base political system and certainly through all of its radically different permutations over the years. Sometimes that "change" comes at the end of a gun and sometimes it's a simple act of defiance, like dancing or speaking out against the way things are. Jimmy's Hall is the latest from controversial socialist Director Ken Loach (Kes). It tells the story of a man's return to his roots and his work to upset a staunch, tradition-steeped world with a new way of living and thinking that puts him in the crosshairs of both the local authorities and the church.
Reopening.
Jimmy's Hall features a beautiful 1080p transfer. The green Irish countryside presents with a dazzling array of bright greens that are the unequivocal color highlight. Much of the rest of the palette is a bit dreary and dull, with grays and blues and earthy shades dominating. Various clothing accents, however, are impressively cheery. Detailing is terrific throughout. Light grain hovers and accentuates the entire image. Heavy period clothes reveal intricate seams and stitches. Old wooden crates, carts, and furnishings in the hall are revealed in all their weathered splendor. Facial definition is effortlessly complex. Black levels tend to push a bit too bright, but flesh tones are fine though a bit varied under different lighting conditions. No print damage is evident, and neither is any sort of compression artifacting. This is a brilliant presentation from Sony.
Jimmy's Hall features an excellent DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. While there's not much aggressive action to report, Sony's audio presentation handles the movie's largely simple requirements very well. Musical definition impresses, whether light score or more robust Jazzy dance music in the hall. The former is a little more timid, lighter, and without much heavy-duty surround information, but the latter plays with impressive, robust presence, terrific instrumental detail, and full-room immersion. Light natural ambient effects help define various exteriors, whether gentle breezes pushing through the soundstage or singing birds off to the sides and rears. A large get-together upon Jimmy's return home at film's start fills the listening area with the pleasing sound of crowded chatter. Dialogue is presented with firm center placement, excellent definition, and only a few brief occurrences of prioritization issues with music that's a touch too loud. Father Sheridan's voice reverberates through the church with impressive natural presence in chapter seven.
Jimmy's Hall contains a standard issue set of supplements, including a commentary, deleted scenes, a featurette, and a trailer.
Jimmy's Hall doesn't tell a groundbreaking story of rebellion against the establishment, but it's a well made movie, tonally focused, confident in construction, and sure of its message. Acting and production design are strengths and the beautiful irish countryside is alone worth the price of admission. Sony's Blu-ray release of Jimmy's Hall features standout video and audio. Supplements are the definition of format average. The disc is worth a watch if only for the beautiful film-quality transfer, but the movie is very good, too. Recommended.
(Still not reliable for this title)
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