Once Upon A Time In Hollywood 4K Ultra HD

Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon A Time In Hollywood" visits 1969 Los Angeles, where everything is changing, as TV star Rick Dalton (DiCaprio) and his longtime stunt double Cliff Booth (Pitt) make their way around an industry they hardly recognize anymore. The movie develops multiple storylines in a tribute to the final moments of Hollywood's golden age. (Gary Reber_

Special features include seven additional scenes (HD 25:01); five featurettes: "Quentin Tarantino's Love Letter To Hollywood" (HD 05:00), "Bob Richardson––For The Love Of Film" (HD 04:34), "Shop Talk––The Cars Of 1969" (HD 05:58), "Restoring Hollywood––The Production Design" (HD 09:18) and "The Fashions Of 1969" (HD 06:37) and a Movies Anywhere digital code.

The 2.40:1/1.33:1 2160p HEVC/H.265 Ultra HD HDR10/Dolby Vision picture, reviewed on a Sony Bravia Z9D 4K Ultra HD HDR display, was photographed on Kodak Vision3 film stock in anamorphic Panavision® using the Aaton A-Minima, Arriflex 435, Bolex Camera and Panavision Panaflex Millennium XL2 camera systems and sourced from a 4K master Digital Intermediate format. Aspect ratio formats are sourced from 8-mm, 16-mm, and 35-mm film stock and result in a presentation in which grain provides a gritty appearance. While color fidelity is excellent and nicely saturated, yellowish-orangish hues tone several sequences. At times colors pop, but mostly the color palette favors warm hues. Fleshtones are natural throughout. HDR contrast is revealing of shadows and variations in black levels, with natural daylight and spot lighting effects. Some of the darkest scenes exhibit a bit of murkiness, but then combined with the grain levels this appears to be part of the stylization Director Quentin Tarantino and Cinematographer Robert Richardson desired. Resolution is excellent, with fine detail revealed in facial features, clothing and costumes, as well as object textures, for an overall vivid presentation.

WOW! segments are 29:45 to 32:30, 48:10 to 49:00, 01:28:36 to 01:32:53, 01:48:00 to 01:52:01 and 01:19:42 to 01:29:30.

This is a terrific stylized cinematic picture with a saturated color palette that is engaging throughout. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 7.1-channel soundtrack features varied and lively music material and the setting, particularly the numerous outdoor scenes, provide enveloping ambient environmental soundscapes. Various scenes, such as those involving crowds, envelop chatter and atmospherics within the soundfield. Sound effects are at times powerful, particularly the panning roar of flamethrower segments. Deep bass enhances the sound effects with support from .1 LFE energy. Foley sound effects are precise and enhance the overall realism. Fidelity and dynamics are excellent. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and intelligibly throughout with good spatial integration. Kurt Russell's narration is perfectly forward. This is a fun soundtrack that does not disappoint. (Gary Reber)