The Jesus Rolls Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "The Jesus Rolls" on Blu-ray delivers commendable quality across various essential parameters. The imagery benefits from clean lines, crisp details, and warm flesh tones that, while not razor-sharp, never appear soft or dull. Colors are rendered naturally, exhibiting ample saturation and vivid textures. The black levels are above average, ensuring good shadow delineation that exposes visible details even during low-light scenes and dark areas. This elevates the visual experience, making the video well-suited for the Blu-ray format.

The digitally filmed content looks quite satisfactory on Blu-ray, offering a clear picture with ample detail. Facial features such as hairs, wrinkles, and makeup present with healthy clarity even at medium distances, and the same level of sharpness applies to clothing and varied environments throughout the film. Natural and manmade elements enjoy fine practical definition and elemental sharpness. Colors generally maintain a neutral contrast with high-yield tonal output, particularly noticeable in scenes featuring flashy cars, natural greens, and select attire. Even though occasional noise and sporadic banding can be seen—such as in the bowling alley walls around the 40-minute mark—the overall picture quality excels far more often than not.

"The Jesus Rolls" Audio Presentation Review:

The Jesus Rolls comes with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack that delivers a solid auditory experience, if not a spectacular one. The audio mix excels particularly in music reproduction, offering rich and spacious sound across the front channels. From the opening song accompanying Jesus' release from prison, the music is handled with pleasant accuracy, delivering a balance of low-end push and surround integration that contributes to a robust stage presence. The film’s soundtrack also incorporates some exquisite atmospheric details, such as the idyllic nature sounds highlighted in chapter nine, enhancing the viewer's immersion.

Despite its strengths, the audio presentation's limitations are also noteworthy. The film doesn’t demand overwhelming audio intensity, and this is reflected in the handling of action effects. Gunshot sounds, though present sporadically, lack the depth and punch that might be expected in more action-centric films; the single shot in chapter two is particularly unimpressive in this regard. Nevertheless, dialogue is clear, well-prioritized, and naturally positioned in the front-center channel, crucial for a dialogue-heavy film like this one. Overall, while not awe-inspiring, the audio execution effectively supports "The Jesus Rolls" without drawing attention to its few shortcomings.

The Blu-ray release of "The Jesus Rolls" offers a singular but notable extra: a relaxed yet engaging audio commentary by director John Turturro and co-star Bobby Cannavale. While the absence of additional features, digital copies, and a slipcover might disappoint some, this commentary stands out for its candid insights and enjoyable pacing, even proving more captivating than the film itself in certain aspects. Positioned under the setup menu, this commentary provides ample behind-the-scenes anecdotes and perspectives that enrich the viewing experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Features director John Turturro and co-star Bobby Cannavale discussing the film.

John Turturro's "The Jesus Rolls" delivers an unconventional narrative, diverging significantly from its renowned predecessor, "The Big Lebowski." Instead of retaining the spirit of the Coen Brothers' classic, the film, co-written and directed by Turturro, ventures into uncharted territory by repurposing the character Jesus Quintana into a central figure in a quasi-remake of the controversial 1974 French film "Going Places." This drastic tonal and thematic shift may come as a surprise and potential disappointment to those expecting a resonance with its predecessor. The plot unfolds around Jesus, freshly out of prison, teaming up with his old friend Petey (Bobby Cannavale) and entangling themselves with Marie (Audrey Tautou) in a series of small-time criminal escapades and meandering self-exploration.

The film is characterized by its episodic structure, lacking the cohesive, plot-driven focus that one might anticipate. The narrative is built on loosely connected exploits that highlight their individual and collective sexual explorations and aimless criminal activities. From stealing cars to engaging in a three-way romance, these characters drift from one scenario to another without significant progression or resolution. Despite the movie's effort to echo the whimsical escapades reminiscent of 1970s French cinema, it predominantly misfires, failing to provide a clear direction or substantial character development. The essence of Jesus Quintana, largely adored for his quirky bowling alley antics, finds little space here, only briefly revisiting the lanes nearly 40 minutes into the film.

Performance-wise, Turturro’s Jesus lacks the vibrant energy that once defined the character, while Cannavale's Petey offers a subdued presence. Audrey Tautou stands out with her effervescent portrayal of Marie, bringing a light-heartedness that somewhat uplifts the film’s meandering pace. However, the overall impact remains underwhelming. While "The Jesus Rolls" can be seen as a bold artistic endeavor that tries to explore new dimensions, it ultimately leaves viewers disconnected and scrambling for the familiarity and charm of the 1998 cult classic.

"The Jesus Rolls" struggles to find its footing both in terms of narrative rhythm and overall direction. The film's detachment from the vibrant universe of "The Big Lebowski" leaves it feeling disconnected and unengaging. Despite an energetic performance by Tautou, the movie largely fails to leave a significant impact, falling into the territory of inconsequential filmmaking. Screen Media's Blu-ray release, however, does offer commendable video and audio quality, ensuring that at least the technical presentation is up to par.

The Blu-ray includes a commentary track which adds some value for those intrigued by behind-the-scenes insights. The audio presentation captures the film’s soundtrack with clarity, and the video transfer is crisp, reflecting careful attention to detail during production. While the movie might not hold substantial appeal for everyone, its audiovisual elements are delivered proficiently, indicating that the Blu-ray format has been utilized effectively to enhance the viewer experience.

In conclusion, "The Jesus Rolls" may not achieve narrative or thematic depth, leaving much to be desired in terms of story engagement. Nevertheless, the Blu-ray does stand out for its technical prowess, with high-quality audio and video components that deliver a polished viewing experience. Those curious might find it worth a rental for its performances and commentary but should temper expectations regarding its connection to its predecessor.