Stone Blu-ray Review

"Stone" delivers a solid 1080p High Definition video presentation on US Region A-locked Blu-ray, accurately maintaining the original widescreen 2.4:1 aspect ratio. The transfer retains a natural grain structure, offering a film-like texture. Detail is consistently commendable, particularly in close-ups where facial lines and individual hairs are distinctly visible, adding to the realism and authenticity of the characters. Medium and long shots are generally good but some exhibit slight softness, especially in dimly lit scenes. Fortunately, digital imperfections such as artefacting, edge enhancement, or noise are conspicuously absent, ensuring a clean viewing experience.

The color palette is well-executed. While prison interiors appear cold with greys and beiges, exterior scenes benefit from warm hues, injected by sunlight. There's a rich contrast with inky black levels and pure whites, providing excellent depth. Graveyard shifts in tone, like a slight push towards red in an early church scene, impact flesh tones but generally remain naturalistic. Shadow delineation is superior in nocturnal scenes, making it easy for viewers to pick out subtle details without straining their vision.

Overall, despite minor issues such as sporadic softness and the occasional strong black levels, the Blu-ray video quality of "Stone" stands out. It effectively supports the film's aesthetic intention and enhances the director John Curran’s keen visual style. This high-quality transfer ensures "Stone" remains engaging, drawing the audience deeper into the narrative.

The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track for "Stone" manages to deliver clear and well-defined sound, though it remains largely unremarkable given the film's dialogue-driven nature. The dialogue, ranging from De Niro's quiet reflection to his familiar, more intense rants, is consistently clear and dominates the frontal array. However, whispered segments can occasionally challenge comprehension. While the track does feature some subtle atmospheric effects—buzzing insects and ambient noise in both prison and outdoor scenes—the surround channels see minimal action, rendering the overall auditory experience somewhat flat. The bass response is notably absent, reflecting the soundtrack's lack of bombast.

Despite its limitations, the audio track does offer moments of precision and engagement. The surrounds occasionally deliver subtle elements like chirping birds, buzzing insects, and gentle breezes, achieving distinct stereo separation and some seamless pans. Particularly striking is the cacophony of competing radio talk shows in the opening titles, anchored precisely across specific channels. While sound effects are sparse, they are handled adeptly when present; telephone rings and similar accents provide unexpected jolts, contributing to the film’s atmosphere. Though overall lacking in sonic excitement, the track smartly maximizes its limited sound design to deliver an above-average auditory experience.

In summary, while the film does not inherently promise much audio drama, the Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track demonstrates technical competence in handling dialogue and limited sound effects efficiently. It delivers a stable, if not particularly exciting, sonic landscape that serves the film's narrative focus well enough.

The Blu-ray extras for "Stone" are disappointingly sparse and conventional. The primary supplement, "The Making of Stone," is a brief, 6-minute featurette that offers minimal insight beyond what a typical extended trailer might provide. While it gives a glimpse into the story, cast, and some thematic elements, it lacks depth and substance. Despite featuring commentary from prominent actors such as Robert De Niro, Edward Norton, and Milla Jovovich, the piece remains a shallow EPK (Electronic Press Kit). Additional content includes the original theatrical trailer and previews for other Anchor Bay titles. Fans hoping for a rich array of supplements or insightful commentary will find this collection lacking.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Making of Stone: A brief, superficial look at the story and cast.
• Stone Theatrical Trailer: The original theatrical trailer for the film.
• Previews: Trailers for additional Anchor Bay Blu-ray titles.

"Stone," directed by John Curran, delves into complex themes of spirituality, sin, and redemption. Prison parole officer Jack Mabry (Robert De Niro) is nearing retirement but is determined to see his final cases through, including Gerald "Stone" Creeson (Edward Norton), a convict who acknowledges his guilt but considers the parole process futile. Stone leverages his seductive girlfriend, Lucetta (Milla Jovovich), to manipulate Mabry, unraveling the latter's repressed anger and desires, thereby threatening Mabry’s career and marriage. The film, with its heavy Christian symbolism and moral quandaries, attempts to explore human nature and the ambiguity between right and wrong, although it often feels preachy and overbearing.

The movie's strength undeniably lies in its performances. Norton delivers a compelling portrayal, skillfully blending elements from his past roles to bring Stone to life. Despite not reaching the heights of their past collaborations such as in "The Score," both Norton and De Niro provide nuanced portrayals that elevate the film. De Niro's character is a complex duality—an ostensibly upright officer whose hidden volatility makes him empathetic yet deplorable. Jovovich shines as Lucetta, balancing innocence and predation in a way that is both captivating and unsettling. The vivid character portrayals draw the audience in, even when the film’s narrative and thematic ambitions fall short.

"Stone" presents an intrinsic dialogue between old and new spiritual paradigms, causing polarized reactions due to its overt religious discourse. While the plot can seem far-fetched, the actors' intricate performances and Curran's poetic visual style lend depth to the characters’ struggles. The tension gradually intensifies, capturing viewers even if the story’s ultimate pursuit of profound meaning remains elusive. Despite failing to completely satisfy its lofty thematic ambitions, "Stone" is a well-acted and thought-provoking film that resonates with its exploration of inner turmoil and moral ambiguity.

"Stone," a taut psychological drama starring Robert De Niro and Edward Norton, delivers riveting performances that hold an otherwise uneven film together. The movie's strength lies in its character studies and its exploration of potent themes, although it doesn't quite achieve the thematic depth it aims for. Milla Jovovich adds another layer of intensity with her compelling portrayal, contributing to the overall dynamic. Despite these strengths, the narrative’s lofty spiritual themes falter, leaving the final picture somewhat incomplete.

From a technical standpoint, the Anchor Bay Blu-ray release of "Stone" is commendable. The video presentation is notably strong, capturing detailed visuals that enhance the viewing experience. The audio track, while fair, isn't extraordinary but serves the film well enough. However, one significant shortcoming is the lack of substantial extras, which are disappointingly minimal and do not add much value to the overall package.

While "Stone" may not appeal to everyone, it remains an interesting watch for those who appreciate well-crafted direction and intense character studies. It’s a thinking man’s film and will likely spark conversation once the credits roll. Given its strengths and weaknesses, a rental is recommended for most viewers. Nonetheless, for those who value potent performances and intricate psychological drama, this Blu-ray might be worth keeping.

For as lofty a film as Stone wants to be, it might be best remembered for the re-pairing of Ed Norton and Robert De Niro and for a lingering shot of a topless Milla Jovovich that's by itself sure to sell a few copies of the film on home video. Stone's overreaching spiritual themes never quite resonate the way they should; the film works as a solid Psychological Drama but it's clear that the movie never finds the thematic weightiness it so desperately craves. Stone is worth a watch; it's a thinking man's film for sure and it's definitely going to serve as a topic of discussion once the credit roll, but the final picture is in need of some tweaking if it's to be all it can be. This Anchor Bay Blu-ray release of Stone yields a fair audio track and a strong video presentation. The extras, however, are disappointingly slim. Worth a rental.