Joe Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Joe" offers an exemplary 1080p/AVC-encoded High Definition video presentation, captured with the Arri Alexa Plus camera. Framed in the film's original aspect ratio of 2.35:1 widescreen, the presentation is exceptionally vivid. Detail and clarity stand out, whether in close-ups that highlight skin textures and clothing weaves or in the expansiveness of the natural woodland settings. The cinematography benefits from the camera's capabilities, providing a clean and smooth appearance throughout the film.

The color palette is dominated by natural tones that imbue the film with an autumnal atmosphere. Dominant browns, greens, and greys contribute to the woodland background, which becomes integral to the film's aesthetic. Sunlight filtering through the trees adds a beautiful quality to the visuals, enhancing the realistic portrayal of the environment. Black levels are impressively strong and deep, ensuring excellent shadow detail in darker scenes. The video presentation is free of digital defects, with no artefacts, banding, or crush evident, ensuring a consistently high-quality viewing experience.

Overall image stability is also notable, contributing to a fluid visual experience. Outdoor daylight sequences are particularly striking, showcasing lush and stable colors. The well-lit close-ups are remarkably sharp, sometimes resembling digital photographs. This Blu-ray release provides an excellent technical rendition of "Joe," reflecting the unique style and vision of its creators without any encoding anomalies to detract from the experience.

The Blu-ray of "Joe" features two standard audio tracks: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English LPCM 2.0. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is particularly noteworthy, delivering clear and coherent dialogue that dominates the frontal array throughout the film. The sound design is impressively organic, with naturally-derived effects that enhance the overall ambiance without being distracting. Outdoor scenes benefit from subtle yet palpable surround usage, featuring crinkling leaves, blowing wind, and evocative storm effects such as heavy rain, which adds authentic atmospheric depth.

Jeff McIlwain and David Wingo's ambient soundtrack plays a substantial role in the audio presentation, often underpinning the film's tense atmosphere. While the LFE channel isn't heavily utilized, the brooding intensity of the score provides a consistent source of background material, often elevating the overall listening experience. Although this audio track does not reach demo material levels, it significantly opens up the film compared to the LPCM 2.0 track.

In summary, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track offers a robust audio experience that aligns well with the film's organic sound design. However, the absence of optional English SDH subtitles could pose a challenge for some viewers, particularly with thicker accents. Despite minor drawbacks, the combination of clear dialogue, natural effects, and atmospheric music makes for a compelling and engaging audio presentation.

The Blu-ray release of "Joe" includes a limited selection of extras, which will disappoint those looking for in-depth supplementary material. Key features such as the Director/Composer/Actor Audio Commentary and Origins of Joe Featurette are noticeably absent. What remains is a short, EPK-style Making-Of Featurette that provides minimal insight into the production process, along with a standard film trailer. The Making-Of Featurette includes commentary from director David Gordon Green about the film's creation and atmosphere, and interviews with Nicolas Cage and Tye Sheridan about their roles. Overall, the extras fail to deliver comprehensive behind-the-scenes content.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: Original trailer for Joe, in English.
• Making of Featurette: Insights from the director and lead actors into the film's production and characters.

David Gordon Green's "Joe" (2013) is an evocative and gritty drama that offers a rare glimpse into the deep South’s underbelly, showcasing Nicolas Cage in one of his most compelling roles in recent years. Embedded in a world of raw intensity and disturbing violence, Cage portrays Joe, a gruff ex-con who orchestrates a crew of laborers tasked with poisoning trees for lumber companies. The film depicts Joe's unexpected mentorship of 15-year-old Gary (Tye Sheridan), whose dire circumstances at home drive him to seek solace and stability in Joe's operations. This relationship propels the narrative into a visceral exploration of redemption, survival, and the unwavering human spirit.

"Joe" benefits significantly from its robust ensemble cast, notably including Tye Sheridan, who delivers a stellar performance as the disillusioned yet hopeful Gary. The late Gary Poulter’s portrayal of Gary’s abusive, alcoholic father is hauntingly authentic. The oppressive atmosphere of the unnamed Southern town is tangible throughout, accentuated by the dark, brooding cinematography and evocative score. Cage’s fiery performance, marked by a simmering intensity, finds perfect harmony with the film’s improvisational style, allowing for genuine and often harrowing interactions among characters.

Drawing its narrative from Larry Brown’s acclaimed novel, "Joe" is both disturbingly violent and poetically introspective. The film candidly portrays parts of America seldom depicted with such unflinching realism. Cage’s character navigates this bleak landscape with a blend of inner turmoil and stoic resilience. His relationship with Gary disrupts Joe’s fragile equilibrium, compelling him towards actions that expose the lurking malevolence of their environment. As each main character confronts their moral thresholds, "Joe" emerges as a powerful testament to the complexities of human nature and societal flaws, anchored by masterful performances and Green's adept direction.

"Joe," directed by David Gordon Green, is a captivating film that showcases one of Nicholas Cage's most compelling performances in recent years. Shot with stunning natural cinematography, the film paints a richly textured picture of the South, capturing its essence with an artist’s eye. The evocative score perfectly complements the atmospheric visuals, creating an immersive experience that lingers long after viewing. Green's direction is both personal and profound, marking "Joe" as his best work to date.

Technically, the Region B-locked UK Blu-ray features equally impressive video and audio quality as its US counterpart. However, it is unfortunate that this release is devoid of significant extras, including a commentary and featurette, which are glaring omissions for collectors. This flaw makes sourcing the Region A-locked disc, with its promise of additional content, a more attractive option for serious enthusiasts.

In conclusion, "Joe" is a small but intense film that heralds Nicholas Cage's return to form. Its mesmerizing cinematography and haunting score make it a must-watch. Despite the lack of extras on the UK Blu-ray, the film itself remains highly recommended, especially for those who appreciate nuanced storytelling and powerful performances. It stands out as one of the finest American films of 2014 and is definitely worth adding to your collection.