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Monster’s Ball
DVD Review by Yanman |
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“In England, they give the guy a party the night before. They call it the Monster’s Ball.” What is Monster’s Ball about? Is it about love? Or is it about hatred? While the Academy Award Winning film (Best actress Halle Berry) has caused a lot of controversy with it racial theme and its explicit sex scenes, it is larger then any of these things. Monster’s Ball is hard to explain, it is a movie better experienced by each individual, depending on what part of the country a person is from, their ethnic background, or their beliefs, each separate person will get take something different away form this experience. When a man’s life is about to be taken in Georgia’s electric chair (Sean 'Puffy' Combs), there are many people involved in the days leading up to the “big event”. From the inmate’s wife Leticia (Halle Berry) and son Tyrell, to the father and son guards Sonny and Hank (Billy Bob Thornton), these people will all interact on multiple levels. Can a family overcome generations of hate and learn how to love? Can a woman who has lost everything she loves love again? Lion’s Gate Home Entertainment has done a very good job with this made to watch, over and over again DVD. While there is the occasional artifacting in the 16x9 at 2.35:1 video (easily noticeable in the transition from the menus to the opening of the film), they are rarely a distraction from the viewing of the film. The Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack is typical of a dramatic film, infrequently utilizing the full spectrum of the format. Extras include not one but two feature-length commentaries, never-before-seen deleted scenes, over one hour of behind-the-scenes footage and more. Monster’s Ball requires an open mind, if you are easily offended by racial slurs southern stereotypes, or “balls-to-the-wall” sex, then chances are that you will be insulted. Hats off (and every other piece of clothing for that matter) to Halle Berry, for having the guts to do the tough scenes here, it takes vision to see past controversy, risk takers deserve the rewards.
This DVD was reviewed on Yanman.com's Reference Theater #1, using a Toshiba SD-5109 DVD player, Toshiba TW56X81, and M&K 750 THX Speakers. Panamax protects all systems at Yanman.com. |
Monster's Ball "...it takes vision to see past controversy..." Staring: Halle Berry Directed By: Marc Forster Running time: 112 Min Bonus Materials
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