Ballast Blu-ray

Ballast

 (2008)

Drama



In the Mississippi Delta, a mother and her 12-year-old son try desperately to escape the poverty that rules the region. But their efforts are confounded when the boy's attempts to win the favor of his fellow teens lead him into a dangerous situation with a lonely and broken man

For more details about Ballast on Blu-ray, see the Ballast Blu-ray Review

Ballast Blu-ray, Video Quality

 


Kino International has given Ballast a weighty appearance on Blu-ray, offering up a 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer that well represents the film’s stark and austere imagery. I’m admittedly in love with the cinematography here—it’s coldly perceptive, with depth and beautiful use of focus—and I’m happy to note that this transfer from 35mm to high definition never hampers the film with any technical shortcomings. My only real complaint—and this is a source issue—is that white specks are occasionally visible on the print. It’s never to the point of distraction, but they are noticeable. In all other ways, this is a solid presentation; it’s not as crisp or clean as the latest big-budget extravaganza, but the film’s intentions are aptly met. As you can tell from the screenshots, almost the entire film is cloaked in somber bluish-grey tones. Even if they aren’t vivid, the colors here have a depth and presence, never appearing washed out or unstable. There are exceptions—James’ red polo shirt is extremely bright and saturated in comparison, which I have to think is intentional. Black levels too are strong, and while there is a bit of crush, this is part of the visual aesthetic of the film, which predominately relies on natural light sources and deep shadow. Clarity is astute, especially for a film shot almost entirely hand- held. Fine facial detail is easily discernable, and the surrounding rural wasteland is keenly resolved. Grain can get a bit heavy during some of the darker scenes, but it has an organic quality that suits the nature of the film.

Ballast Blu-ray, Audio Quality

 


There’s only one instance of music in Ballast—a jukebox plays a tune while Lawrence is sitting in a bar. This lasts for about three seconds. There’s no score, no strings to cue our sentiments or pounding rhythms to drive the tension. Like No Country For Old Men, the soundscape here is completely natural, built upon airy ambience, the crunch of gravel underfoot, the slamming of a car door, and the various mundane sounds of a mundane life. While not quite as detailed and immersive as the Coen brothers’ classic, Ballast’s Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround track pairs perfectly with its bleak visuals. Sounds are clean and weighted and resonate with the appropriate acoustics. The rear channels frequently broadcast an outdoorsy hush; wind blowing softly, crickets singing in the evening, a car passing somewhere in the distance. When the train roars past, we even get some deep LFE rumbling. Dialogue is mostly clean and comprehensible. I say mostly because JimMyron Ross mutters occasionally and it’s sometimes difficult to make out what he’s saying. The other leads are clearly understood throughout. In general, the mix is balanced and the sound editing is excellent, using naturally occurring noises to emotional effect.