Blood Money

"Blood Money" is an intense thriller and a retelling of the 1948 action film "Treasure Of The Sierra Madre." John Cusack stars as a dangerous criminal who will stop at nothing to retrieve his money after a robbery gone wrong. The story follows three friends on a wilderness excursion who stumble upon bags of money and suddenly must outrun a white collar criminal hell-bent on retrieving his fortune. Soon, greed and mistrust turn the friends against each other as they wage a desperate fight for survival. (Gary Reber)

Special features include the featurette "Blood Money Uncovered" (HD 15:26), upfront previews, and an UltraViolet digital copy.

The 2.40:1 1080p AVC picture, reviewed on a Sony Bravia Z9D 4K Ultra HD HDR display, upconverted to 2160p with greater resolution and luminance, was photographed digitally using the Panavision Genesis camera system and sourced from a 2K master Digital Intermediate format. The picture is photographed outdoors entirely in a wilderness area alongside a river with rapids. Color fidelity is natural throughout with earthy hues contrasted by four individuals. Clothing varies, but the only vibrant colors reside there, with bright reds, yellows, oranges, and more drab hues. Natural greens and browns exhibited in the wilderness are very realistic. Fleshtones also appear natural. Contrast is well balanced with defined black clothing worn by Cusack and revealing shadow delineation, as displayed in night segments at a campsite and in a dark underground rain collector. Resolution is quite good with defined facial features, hair, beards, clothing, comping gear, and object textures displayed in the rocks and forested areas. Overall, this is a well-produced, realistic depiction of a natural setting and the individuals under pursuit. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is frontal focused with generally subtle surround envelopment. The sonic signature relies on realistic atmospherics of the wilderness and flowing river environment. Everything sounds perfectly natural. Sound effects enhance the atmospherics, such as road noise and gunfire. The music score is nicely recorded with a wide and deep soundstage that at times extends to the surrounds. The music also is recorded with a natural low-frequency presence. The surrounds also get energized with the sound of rapids and gunfire. Dialogue is intelligible throughout, with decent spatial integration. Overall, this is a satisfying and realistic-sounding experience supportive of the picture. (Gary Reber)