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    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    Killer Joe

    Featured In Issue 174, February 2013

    Picture4
    Sound4
    WSR Score3
    Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
    (Studio/Distributor):
    Lionsgate Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number):
    33283
    (MPAA Rating):
    Unrated
    (Rating Reason):
    Strong disturbing violence, sexuality, graphic nudity, drug use and language
    (Retail Price):
    $24.99
    (Disc Type):
    Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
    (Widescreen Edition):
    Yes
    (Full Screen Edition):
    No
    (Running Time In Minutes):
    103
    (Color Type):
    Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access):
    Yes
    (Closed Captioned):
    Yes
    (Regional Coding):
    A
    (Theatrical Year):
    2011
    (Theatrical Release):
    Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release):
    No
    (Disc Release Date):
    12/21/12
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    No
    (Director):
    William Friedkin
    (Screenplay/Written By):
    (Story):
    (Music):
    (Director Of Photography):
    (Production Designer):
    (Visual Effects):
    (Costume Designer):
    (Editor):
    (Supervising Sound Editors):
    (Re-Recording Mixers):
    (Executive Producers):
    (Co-Producers):
    (Producers):
    (Academy Awards):
    (Principal Photography):
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
    (Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
    (Disc Soundtrack):
    (Theatrical Sound):
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (DTS Bit Rate):
    (Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
    (Additional Languages):
    (French Language):
    (Spanish Language):
    (Chinese Language):
    (Subtitles):
    (Cantonese Language):
    (Mandarin Language):
    (Japanese Language):
    (Italian Language):
    (German Language):
    (Portuguese Language):

    "Killer Joe" Cooper (McConaughey) is a Dallas detective who doubles as a hit man with the charm of a southern gentleman. Chris (Hirsch) hires Joe to kill his mother in order to collect her life insurance and pay off his debts. Unable to pay for the service upfront, Joe takes Chris' sister Dottie (Temple) as a retainer until he can be paid. (Gary Reber)

    The unrated version (01:42:59) is presented. Special features include commentary with Director William Friedkin (unrated version only), the featurette "Southern Fried Hospitality: From Stage To Screen" (HD 25:44), an SXSW Q&A with cast (HD 39:28), the SXSW intro by Friedkin (HD 03:41), the "White Trash" Red Band theatrical trailer, and upfront previews.

    The 1080p AVC picture exhibits a densely dark appearance with a nicely saturated color palette. Fleshtones are naturally hued throughout. Resolution is generally good, though, backgrounds are softly focused. Detail is evident in close-ups, which reveal fine textures, but the detail comes and goes. Much of the storytelling is confined to a claustrophobic trailer. The outdoor segments exhibit better clarity and sharpness. Contrast is generally good, though, shadow delineation is often lacking. Still, this is an engaging visual experience that works. (Gary Reber)

    The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is nicely produced, with the trailer sequences exhibiting excellent dialogue reproduction. Dialogue in the outdoor segments is ADR and wanting in spatial integration. The outdoor segments provide good spatial dimensionality and aggressive surround envelopment, with dynamic energy, while the indoor segments are quiet. Atmospherics and special effects enhance the dramatics, especially during the rain storms. Bass extension is heightened during the storm and motor cycle chase scenes. The music score is essentially synthesized and immersive. Overall, this is a well-produced soundtrack with good fidelity and dialogue presence. (Gary Reber)

    Reason #105 Why Readers Love Widescreen Review:

    Since Issue 5 (my first), I focused on reviews of Laser Discs and now DVDs, and From The Editor's Couch. Also, WSR has a lot of punch in the new equipment features. The technical essays have been superb! My home theatre setup depended (and still depends) on knowledge gained from WSR. WSR has become the media reference for me with regard to picture and sound quality assurance in display equipment and widescreen entertainment (movies, music events, and documentaries). I still do not have Issues 1 through 4 or the Premiere Special Edition of WSR and hope you put them on the subscribers' site eventually, so that I can giggle at some of the early typos and slips (if you leave them in). However, I'm sure that the early editions make for interesting historical reading as well, because I believe WSR has moved the display industry forward through the pushing the envelope attitude of Gary Reber. Carry on.

    Jerry Daca
    26864 Mandelieu Drive, Murrieta, CA 92562 • Phone: 951 676 4914 • Fax: 951 693 2960
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