August 2024 4K and Blu-ray Roundup Roundup: A Kaleidoscope of Ultra HD Gems

Furiosa's soundscape is a relentless beast, captured through an impeccable Dolby Atmos track that envelops you in its chaotic embrace. Dialogue may be sparse, but it cuts through the roaring engines and Tom Holkenborg's pulsating score like a blade, ensuring none of the narrative nuances are lost. The low-frequency effects are a seismic event in themselves, rivaling even the earth-shaking might of epic soundtracks like 'Dune Part 2'. Surround and overhead channels work overtime, projecting the cacophony of war rigs and sandstorms with a gut-punching realism that will leave your speakers—and you—breathless.

The array of extras on 'Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga' dives deep into its creation, though it cheekily omits the desired Black & Chrome version. The showstopper here is the nearly hour-long documentary Highway to Valhalla: In Pursuit of Furiosa, where we traverse through insightful interviews with director George Miller, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Chris Hemsworth. Other gems include Darkest Angel: Anya Taylor-Joy as Furiosa and Motorbike Messiah: Chris Hemsworth as Dementus, each offering rich behind-the-scenes delights. With such a high-caliber visual and auditory immersion plus an engaging peek behind the curtain, this 4K UHD disc is a must-have for both die-hard fans and those ready to dive into Miller's sandy nightmare.

Intriguing sound dynamics define the Dolby Atmos audio track for Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. The track goes beyond DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 by integrating environmental sounds that buzz through all channels. We're thrown into rich soundscapes—imagine falcons shrieking overhead and ocean waves crashing with room-shaking clarity. John Paesano's atmospheric score amplifies the immersive experience, perfectly balanced against clear dialogues like a symphony. Even amidst intense action sequences, low-end support ensures a bone-rattling bass that soars and dives, making you feel every board-smashing hit during pivotal conflicts.

The 4K release comes brimming with extras mainly housed on the supplemental Blu-ray disc. Inside the Lens: The Raw Cut is a standout, offering a split-screen comparison showcasing storyboards, pre-viz VFX, and live-action mo-cap alongside the final film. Commentary from Wes Ball, Dan Zimmerman, and Erik Winquist enriches this feature. Add to that an engaging documentary Inside the Forbidden Zone: Making Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, and fourteen extended or deleted scenes with optional director commentary, this release is a cinephile’s dream. Despite some ups and downs in human character arcs, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes excels both visually and aurally, proving that this franchise still has vibrant life left in its veins. Highly recommended.

Plunge ears-first into the historical soundscape of The Last Emperor with Criterion’s inclusion of both English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 tracks. While purists may revel in the crisp dynamics of the 2.0, offering a nostalgic echo of the original sound design, the 5.1 mix catapults us into a surround experience where Ryuichi Sakamoto, David Byrne, and Cong Su’s Oscar-winning score envelops you like a sonic tapestry. Key sequences, from grand parades to intimate reeducational confinements, unfurl with breathtaking clarity, turning your living room into an acoustic hall of Chinese history. Every whispered intrigue and distant ceremonial gong is faithfully preserved, offering an engaging and immersive auditory experience.

Criterion’s 4K edition of The Last Emperor unfurls an array of bonus features with the grandeur one might expect from royalty itself. Embark on a journey through Bertolucci's creative empire with the audio commentary from Bernardo Bertolucci, Jeremy Thomas, Mark Peploe, and Ryuichi Sakamoto, revealing layers of insight and trivia. The dazzling documentary The Italian Traveler, Bernardo Bertolucci, peers into the geographical inspirations behind his lens, while Postcards from China offers rare footage from the director’s 1985 trip to the Middle Kingdom. Interviews with composer David Byrne and historian Ian Buruma enrich this cinematic history lesson, making it clear that this set is invaluable for film aficionados. In summary, this release isn’t just a movie; it’s an immersive dive into a historic epoch recreated with Criterion’s unparalleled dedication to quality.

If your sound system were a rock stage, Bill & Ted Face the Music on 4K UHD Blu-ray would be the headliner you’d never want to miss. Anchored by a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix, it serves up an auditory feast that balances sharp dialogue with the playful essence of its score—a symphony of witty tones and rock anthems. Surround channels come alive, replicating every fiery crackle or enthusiastic cheer from Hell's diverse venues, while the low-end frequencies punch through with time machine thuds that shake the floorboards. The space between sound effects, dialogue, and music seems as vast and harmonious as the circuits of time themselves, offering an immersive escape that even the most critical audiophile would salute.

The extras section on this disc includes delightful nuggets that keep the spirit alive—from the Comic-Con@Home panel featuring Keanu Reeves, Alex Winter, and others moderated by Kevin Smith, to Be Excellent to Each Other's bite-sized making-of insights. Highlights like Death’s Crib, channeling MTV vibes, add a comedic twist that brings extra zest to this nostalgic journey. While a theatrical trailer is MIA, these features still ensure fans get a peek behind the curtain. In conclusion, Bill & Ted Face the Music in 4K is a ride worth taking again and again, thanks to lively visuals, immersive audio, and entertaining extras. Game on, Wyld Stallyns!

Warner Bros. doesn’t just stop at visual splendor; the Dolby Atmos track in The Watchers envelops viewers in an audio landscape that’s both eerie and immersive. The Atmos mix effectively uses height channels and surrounds, bringing life to bird calls and creaking trees, enhancing the film’s tension. Despite a few dialogue mixes where characters' voices are drowned out by ambient sounds, the soundscapes are generally well-balanced, with discrete effects and rich low-frequency elements adding depth. Whether it's Mina exploring a Watcher’s lair or the rustling of leaves, your speakers will echo with a terrifyingly enthralling chorus.

Though modest in its assembly, the extras on the 4K UHD Blu-ray provide intriguing peeks behind the scenes. Highlights include Welcome to the Show: The Making of The Watchers, where insights from director Ishana Shyamalan and VFX supervisor Gabriel Regentin come alive. The Constructing the Coop featurette dives into the detailed set design process, while explorations into Irish fairy folklore enrich the narrative fabric. Despite not being as exhaustive as some may hope, these features do add flavor. In conclusion, while [The Watchers] may not fully escape predictable plot arcs, the 4K UHD release is a feast for fans of atmospheric dark fantasy, showcasing Ishana's prowess in cinematography and an engaging audio journey.

If you thought the visuals were jaw-dropping, wait until you get an earful of the bone-rattling Dolby Atmos mix in Poltergeist II: The Other Side. The meticulously crafted soundscape—averaging 3651-5280 kbps—will have you checking behind the couch for spirits. Thunder claps punctuate the air, and spectral sound effects swirl around you, particularly during climactic scenes like the ancient ritual at Spider Rock. However, be prepared for some inconsistent dialogue levels, which could necessitate a couple of volume tweaks mid-viewing. Additionally, Jerry Goldsmith's evocative score, harmonized under the Atmos mix, delivers chills that resonate long after the credits roll.

This 4K release is packed with ghoulish goodies that will please any fan's ghostly cravings. The audio commentary by Michael Grais, moderated by Michael Felsher, offers insider tales that shed light on behind-the-scenes dynamics. Plus, insightful interviews with special effects wizards like Richard Edlund and tributes to H.R. Giger capture the film’s haunting genius. With extras like Robbie's Return, The Spirit World, and Ghostmakers: The Magic of Poltergeist II, you'll delve deeper into the movie's supernatural secrets. Scream Factory’s exquisite package, complete with practical effects and intricate storytelling, ensures this sequel earns its haunting place in horror history.

Slide into the auditory world of Last Year at Marienbad with the film’s French DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track that preserves its eerie, evocative ambiance. The audio experience here is as entrancing as a siren's call, capturing every whispered dialogue and the haunting organ-heavy score by Francis Seyrig with remarkable precision. Though the packaging might mislead with a mention of mono, the disc indeed boasts a DTS-HD MA 2.0 stereo track that wraps you in its soundscape. Every note, every echo integrates into Resnais’ intricate narrative web, offering an audial experience as rich as the visual one.

This release is a cinephile’s dream, brimming with a treasure trove of extras that take you deeper into the mystique of Last Year at Marienbad. Noteworthy inclusions are Tim Lucas' riveting audio commentary and Volker Schlöndorff’s revealing interview touching on filmmaking nuances. The visual essay, Last Year at Marienbad A to Z, dissects the film’s enigma layer by layer. Add to this archival footage, like Memories of Last Year at Marienbad, and you have a scholarly dive into one of cinema's most puzzling treasures. This package isn’t just an upgrade; it's an essential voyage into Resnais’ hypnotic dreamscape.

Diving into the French DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 soundscape of this 4K UHD Blu-ray is like slipping into an old yet perfectly tailored suit. While the audio track mirrors its 2019 predecessor, there's no compromise on quality. The monaural soundtrack remains clean and undistorted, allowing Bob's smooth-talking dialogue and those moody horn solos to shine unfettered. Whether it's the clinking of casino chips or the subtle rustling of the Paris streets, every nuanced sound is captured crisply. Optional English subtitles ensure nothing is lost in translation, though some may wish for slightly larger text. The overall auditory experience remains a clear reflection of Melville's vintage vision.

What makes this release truly irresistible is the treasure chest of extras it offers. Nick Pinkerton's audio commentary teems with nuggets about Paris locations and Melville’s influences, offering a cinephile's delight. Then there's the Diary of a Villain, an evocative program diving into Roger Duchesne's vibrant history, marrying the film’s mystique with real-world allure. Throw in some nostalgic vintage trailers—Le Doulos, Touchez Pas au Grisbi, Razzia sur la chnouf, and Alphaville—and you’ve got yourself a rose-tinted trip down memory lane. In sum, this 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray combo pack is a jackpot win for anyone captivated by classic French cinema; an essential upgrade that pays homage to Melville’s filmic legacy while offering pristine viewing pleasure.