May 2024 4K and Blu-ray Roundup: Part 2 of 3

The auditory experience on Crimson Peak’s 4K UHD Blu-ray is a symphony of immersive sound. English 7.1 DTS:X brings del Toro’s haunting world to life with meticulous precision and depth. Ambient sounds like creaking floorboards and distant winds are strategically placed, creating a three-dimensional soundscape where even the rustling of Edith's lace-filled gowns is vivid and haunting. The viewer is enveloped by the surround sound effects, while dialogue and the baroque score by Fernando Velázquez remain clear and precisely placed. Whether you’re using the 7.1 surround setup or opting for the DTS-X headphone-specific playback, every sound detail contributes to the chilling atmosphere that defines 'Crimson Peak'.

True to Arrow Video's reputation, the release of Crimson Peak brims with extras that delve deep into its gothic heart. Highlights include an Audio Commentary by Guillermo del Toro, shedding light on his inspirations and creative process. The House Is Alive documentary stitches together intriguing interviews and behind-the-scenes looks, while Hand Tailored Gothic invites you into the world of exquisite Victorian costume design. Deleted scenes, cast interviews, and in-depth visual essays provide a thorough exploration of the film's dark allure. Presented in a beautifully crafted hardback book, this Limited Edition is a must-have for collectors and del Toro aficionados. The culmination of these meticulously curated extras and the peerless technical upgrades make this 4K release an unmissable masterclass in cinematic artistry.

Strutting its stuff alongside this visual feast, the DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio mix revamps the auditory experience of Magic Mike without skipping a beat. Every line of dialogue delivers crystal clarity, while the thumping club tracks and immersive ambient sounds turn your viewing room into a bustling nightclub. While purists might long for a Dolby Atmos remix to elevate the soundscape even further, this mix excels, especially when pumped up to high volumes. The mysteriously omitted foreign dub and subtitle options might leave a few international fans tapping their feet impatiently, but the overall audio experience remains a showstopper.

While the new 4K UHD Blu-ray release of Magic Mike steps up the technical game, its extras might leave fans yearning for a bit more. Gone are the Dance Play Mode and the Extended Dance Sequences, replaced by a solitary featurette: Backstage on Magic Mike. It’s intriguing but hardly exhaustive. Alas, no slipcover or digital copy is found in this package either. Yet, despite the stripped-down extras, the sheer visual and audio upgrade transforms this version into a desirable piece for aficionados of Steven Soderbergh's eclectic oeuvre. A great looking and sounding disc, it provides a good reason to revisit this exuberant slice of cinematic indulgence, captivating as both a visual marvel and an auditory delight.

Paramount's 4K UHD release of Bob Marley: One Love treats us to an astonishingly pristine 2160p/Dolby Vision presentation. This isn't just sharp—it's razor-sharp, capturing every dreadlock with hair-splitting detail. Expect colors that pulsate off the screen with the vibrancy of Marley's music, thanks to the unprecedented depth and vividness afforded by Dolby Vision. The peaks of brightness and the density of black tones balance perfectly, creating an immersive viewing experience that's near spellbinding. From the sun-soaked Jamaican landscapes to the foggy hustle of London streets, the video quality is top-tier, with almost no visible source noise, ensuring a clean, clear, and detailed experience.

The auditory landscape of this release sings in Dolby Atmos, enveloping you in an acoustic embrace that brings Marley's timeless music to life. From electrifying concert sequences to subtle studio sessions, the audio design captures it all with exemplary fidelity. Extras like Becoming Bob Marley and The Story: Bringing Bob Marley’s Story to Life offer insights into the film's production, while extended and deleted scenes provide an added depth. The robust selection of extras, featured on both the 4K and Blu-ray formats, make this a comprehensive package that's as educational as it is entertaining. Paramount's presentation of 'Bob Marley: One Love' in 4K is nothing short of a masterclass in bringing the legacy of a music icon to life.

Despite its visual challenges, 'Imaginary' delights the auditory senses with an impressive Dolby Atmos track that envelops the viewer in an immersive soundscape. The highlight is the petrifying hallway scene where Chauncey’s confrontation shakes the very fabric of normalcy. With an audiovisual palette that enhances thematic elements, such as thunderstorms and whispered secrets, the audio adds layers of depth to the otherwise dim visuals. The mix also includes Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks in Spanish and French, ensuring a wide audience reach. Optional subtitles in English, Spanish, and French ensure that dialogues, crisp and clear, are universally accessible.

Adding to the package, Lionsgate Films provides a behind-the-scenes deep dive with the Imaginary: Exploring the Never Ever documentary and a thoughtful commentary by Jeff Wadlow and DeWanda Wise. Here, viewers uncover production secrets and the creative thought process driving the film. This 18-minute featurette, split into digestible segments, offers a peek into the film's creation, providing valuable context. While the disc excels in audio, the visuals tend to disappoint with overbearing darkness, making detailed scenes hard to discern. Ultimately, 'Imaginary' delivers notable scares and character moments, but its derivative storyline and shadowy presentation hinder its potential as a standout in fantasy-horror cinema.

The audio options on this release are just as impressive, headlined by a Dolby Atmos mix that envelopes the listener in a chaotic but beautifully orchestrated soundscape. Carved to perfection, the Atmos track stands tall with engaging surround effects and dynamic range, especially during the gnarly dismemberment scenes that turn your living room into a zany horror fest. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix is no slouch either, boasting clear dialogue and vibrant ambient sounds that continue to impress. Whether you're savoring every humorous quip or bracing yourself for a zombie attack, this multi-dimensional sound experience adds rich layers to Soavi's visionary direction.

The 4K UHD release doesn't just shine in picture and sound—it also comes loaded with extras that fans will devour. Highlights include an audio commentary by Michele Soavi and screenwriter Gianni Romoli in Italian with English subtitles, offering deep insights into the film's creation. Additionally, interviews with Rupert Everett, Anna Falchi, and Soavi himself reveal fascinating tidbits about the production. From the archival making-of featurette to the vividly restored trailers, this release is a must-have for any fan of cult horror. Severin Films has done a commendable job curating a package that not only preserves but enhances Cemetery Man's legacy.

Prepare to lend your ears to the cosmic cacophony as Killer Klowns from Outer Space brings forth its DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix. Yet, while the front channels pulsate with the oddball synth score and alien chittering, the balance occasionally falters—like juggling one too many circus balls. Dialogue can swing from crystal clear to being overwhelmed by the boisterous background noise. Couple small phase shift oddities at the 1:43 and 28:38 timestamps add to the audio rollercoaster, which persist across both the 5.1 and 2.0 tracks. Despite some promising rumbles when the alien ship descends, and crisp high frequencies bouncing around, the soundstage lacks immersion, making you yearn for stronger low-end support. It’s a soundscape as quirky and unpredictable as the Klowns themselves—an apt, if imperfect, audio ride.

Enter the big top of extras, where this 4K edition of Killer Klowns from Outer Space does not shy from spectacle. Leading the parade is an engaging commentary track by the Chiodo Brothers, revealing the tricks up their sleeves during production. The 'Making of Killer Klowns' is a delightfully in-depth documentary, while featurettes like 'Komposing Klowns' and 'Visual Effects with Gene Warren Jr.' serve as love letters to the film’s technical artistry. Rediscover early Chiodo projects, laugh through bloopers, or dive into deleted scenes with optional commentary for buried gems of the filmmaking process. Packaged by Shout Factory in a Limited Edition SteelBook, this collection is a treasure chest for fans, rounding out a vibrant 4K presentation that cements this release as the ultimate carnival of 'Killer Klowns' madness.

The auditory journey of American Sniper in its Dolby Atmos mix is nothing short of exhilarating. While it isn't the most aggressive use of Atmos, it offers a moderate yet impactful soundscape, capturing the chaotic essence of war and the silence of aftermath with equal authenticity. Overhead channels subtly augment the immersive experience, with gunfire and explosions reverberating in a way that brings the battlefield to your living room. Low-frequency rumblings add heft, enhancing the impact of every action sequence. The surround sound detail is meticulously spread, enriching each moment with spatial precision, making sure that John Williams's powerful score and crisp dialogue delivery hit with every emotional beat.

The 4K UHD release is more than just a visual upgrade; it’s a comprehensive package with an arsenal of extras. Features like One Soldier's Story: The Journey of American Sniper and Chris Kyle: The Man Behind the Legend peel back the layers of both the man and the myth, offering valuable context and depth. New additions such as Clint Eastwood: A Cinematic Legacy – The Heart of a Hero and Guardian further enrich this release, inviting viewers behind the scenes of this multifaceted production. While the omission of a Blu-ray copy might irk some collectors, the digital code and slipcover offer added convenience. Overall, this 4K edition is a definitive must-have for Eastwood enthusiasts and collectors, celebrating both the film’s technical achievements and its narrative depth.

Paramount’s restoration, sourced from the original 35mm Techniscope negatives, brings the gritty splendor of this Western to life with HDR10 and Dolby Vision, accentuating the rich color palette and deep shadow details. Iconic close-ups detailed with the subtlest textures reveal Leone’s film as an auteur’s visual feast. However, the grain structure, essential to its authentic aesthetic, gets somewhat undermined by noise reduction techniques. Moreover, the BD-66 compression does no favors, resulting in occasional visual artifacts, especially noticeable in mid-range shots and panoramic sky sequences. Despite these setbacks, the presentation remains visually superior to previous releases, brimming with visual charm.

The 4K release is complemented by a Blu-ray packed with a rich selection of extras. Noteworthy among them is a fresh audio commentary by the Spaghetti Western Podcast hosts Jay Jennings and Tom Betts, along with a reflective snippet by Leonard Maltin. Legacy commentaries from John Carpenter and Christopher Frayling offer an additional layer of depth. Featurettes such as An Opera of Violence and Something to Do with Death delve into the film’s thematic essence, while archival galleries and a theatrical trailer round out the package. Despite some technical compromises, this UHD edition stands as the finest home video presentation of Once Upon a Time in the West, making it an essential addition to a cinephile’s collection.