Jacob Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Jacob" comes with a 1080p HD transfer framed in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The visual quality reflects the limitations of being shot on lower-end digital cameras, presumably a small Canon DSLR and an HD video camera. While this is commendable for its cost-effectiveness, the picture quality does fall short when compared to productions shot with higher-end equipment like the Arri Alexa or Red cameras. Viewers will notice that overall clarity is relatively soft, particularly in wide-angle shots. However, closeups provide some respite by revealing fine facial and clothing details.

The image quality issues are numerous. Aliasing and moiré patterns often disrupt tight parallel lines and textures, while banding and significant macroblocking are evident, especially in out-of-focus backgrounds. Noise varies dramatically; daytime scenes exhibit a plasticky, texture-less sheen, whereas nighttime scenes suffer from harsh, buzzing noise, making them uncomfortable to watch. The color grading appears aggressive, usually giving images a yellowish cast that occasionally shifts to a strange green tint in shadowed areas. Black levels lack depth, further detracting from the overall viewing experience.

Kino-Lorber's Blu-ray appears true to the source material, but one gets the sense that it needed more meticulous post-production refinements. Details during wide shots are notably soft, while banding issues complicate background visibility. Additionally, there is a pervasive level of noise across various scenes, emphasizing that while the tools used to make "Jacob" are accessible, the resulting video suffers from inherent quality limitations. This is an as-is Blu-ray transfer reflecting the raw capture's compromises rather than an optimized home viewing experience.

The Blu-ray release of "Jacob" offers two audio configurations: a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track and a 2.0 stereo mix. While the inclusion of both options may seem promising, the execution of the 5.1 surround track leaves much to be desired. The primary issue with the multi-channel mix is the glaring misplacement of the dialogue, which unfathomably emanates equally from all main speakers instead of being confined to the front channels where the on-screen action is occurring. This results in a discordant auditory experience where character dialogue can be heard originating from behind the listener’s head, creating a pervasive sense of disorientation.

Compounding this problem, the 5.1 track's approach to sound distribution lacks the expected directional clarity. Instead of seamlessly integrating dialogues, sound effects, and the musical score across different channels, all elements are uniformly amplified across the entire sound system. This removes any intended spatial effect, making it unnaturally loud and ultimately distracting. It appears that much of the audio was integrated during post-production, contributing to a dubbed and artificial feel throughout key scenes. Given these significant shortcomings, it is advisable to switch to the 2.0 stereo mix for a more balanced and coherent auditory experience.

The 2.0 stereo mix, while less immersive in theory, provides a substantially more listenable presentation with clear separation of dialogue and background elements. This setup avoids many of the pitfalls of the 5.1 track, delivering a functional and more satisfying audio experience. However, it is worth noting that the standout element in either configuration is Iain Kelso’s haunting score, an atmospheric composition that arguably deserves a better medium for appreciation. Additionally, prospective viewers should be aware that this release lacks subtitle options, somewhat limiting accessibility.

The extras on the "Jacob" Blu-ray disc provide a comprehensive and insightful behind-the-scenes look into the film's production process. The disc includes two audio commentary tracks: one featuring writer, director, and actor Larry Wade Carrell with his cinematographer, delivering valuable insights for horror enthusiasts and aspiring filmmakers; and another with various actors that is more light-hearted but somewhat disjointed. The standout feature is the extensive one-hour making-of documentary, filled with interviews and on-set footage. Additionally, the disc offers deleted and extended scenes with optional director commentary, storyboard comparisons, actor screen tests, and a pre-production pitch trailer. An interview at the Montreal Comic-Con and a teaser trailer round out the robust selection of features.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentaries: Two tracks; one with the director and cinematographer, the other with actors.
• The Journey of Jacob: Behind the Scenes: Comprehensive making-of documentary.
• Deleted and Extended Scenes: With optional director commentary.
• From Storyboard to Screen: Storyboard-to-film comparisons.
• Interview at Montreal Comic-Con: Director interview at the film's Canadian premiere.
• Screen Tests: Actor rehearsals.
• Pre-Production Pitch Trailer: Initial pitch to investors.
• Teaser Trailer: Teaser for "Jacob".

"Jacob," directed by Larry Wade Carrell, is a testament to the increasing accessibility of filmmaking tools and the eagerness of independent filmmakers to craft their own horror narratives. Utilizing pro-sumer cameras and practical effects, Carrell's Southern slasher film is a nostalgic nod to 80s horror conventions. Despite its do-it-yourself charm and commendable effort in utilizing realistic gore, "Jacob" treads familiar ground, recycling themes and tropes without introducing new ideas to the genre. The film’s atmosphere, characterized by hammy acting and overly-long character development scenes, struggles to maintain a balance between serious horror and comedic parody.

The titular character, portrayed by Dylan Horne, is a hulking, mentally challenged teenager reminiscent of figures from classic literature and horror icons such as Jason Voorhees. The narrative toggles between past and present, setting up Jacob’s descent into violence through his familial relationships. Sissy, his sister, acts as his anchor, which predictably leads to chaos when she is harmed. The storyline weaves through small-town clichés and supernatural elements, although these attempts at depth result in an unfocused narrative. Michael Biehn's brief appearance adds a touch of star power, yet even his role feels like a patchwork of borrowed ideas rather than an innovative addition.

Once the film passes its initial hour of filler-filled exposition, the anticipated bloodshed begins. Practical effects shine with gruesome kills involving dismemberment and visceral gore, paying homage to classic horror techniques. However, the film's lack of tension and a deeply unengaging antagonist undermine these efforts. Jacob's rampage invokes sympathy rather than fear, leaving audiences waiting for scares that never arrive. Moreover, the film's reliance on familiar horror motifs ultimately results in a lackluster experience that can be appreciated only for its indie ingenuity rather than storytelling prowess.

"Jacob" is an independent horror film crafted with evident passion for the genre, but it falls short on several fronts. While the production team’s dedication and do-it-yourself spirit are commendable, the film’s narrative is formulaic and fails to generate genuine scares or suspense. The acting is inconsistent, and the camerawork, likely hindered by budget constraints, does not enhance the viewing experience. Despite these shortcomings, those who appreciate old-school, practical effects in their slasher movies might find merit in the film’s few effective kill scenes executed with real blood.

Kino’s Blu-ray release of "Jacob" stays true to the digital source material, maintaining a visual presentation that reflects the limitations of being shot with small DSLRs. Surprisingly, the image quality is decent considering these constraints. The Blu-ray edition includes extras that highlight the filmmakers' passion for horror, which might intrigue dedicated genre enthusiasts. However, casual viewers will probably find little reason to engage with this title.

Getting an independent movie financed and finished is an accomplishment alone, so I hate to be too hard on Jacob, which was clearly made with a love for the horror genre and a playful do-it-yourself spirit. Unfortunately, the film just doesn't really work—the story is routine, the acting is off, and there's a distinct lack of tension and surprise. Low-budget slasher fans may want to give it a go for the three or four moderately entertaining kill scenes, which were all done the old-school practical way, but more casual genre fans should probably pass. Kino's Blu-ray release is true to the digitally-shot film's sometimes problematic source material, but considering the movie was made with tiny DSLRs, it looks surprisingly decent.