BLU-RAY REVIEW

Suburbicon

Featured In Issue 224, February 2018

Picture5
Sound4
WSR Score4.5
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):
Paramount Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number):
2083554
(MPAA Rating):
R
(Rating Reason):
Violence, language and some sexuality
(Retail Price):
$$31.99
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
(Running Time In Minutes):
105 Minutes
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
A
(Theatrical Year):
(Theatrical Release):
Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release):
No
(Disc Release Date):
2/6/2018
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
(Director):
George Clooney
(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):
DTS HD Lossless 5.1
(Theatrical Sound):
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(DTS Bit Rate):
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
(Additional Languages):
(Subtitles):

The idyllic town of "Suburbicon" is the perfect place for Gardner Lodge (Damon) to make a home. But beneath this tranquil surface lies a disturbing reality, where nothing is as it seems. When a break-in leads to the shocking murder of his wife (Moore), Gardner must navigate the town's underbelly of deceit and violence to protect his family from further harm. (Gary Reber)

Special features include commentary by George Clooney and Grant Heslov; the featurettes "Welcome To Suburbicon" (HD 29:50), "The Unusual Suspect: Casting" (HD12:49), and "Scoring Suburbicon" (HD 07:54); upfront previews and an UltraViolet digital copy.

The 2.39:1 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 in Panavision® using the Arri Alexa 65 and Arri Alexa XT Plus camera systems and sourced from a 2K master Digital Intermediate format. The picture is stylized to represent the early 1950s, with a realistic production design, comprised of houses, cars, clothing, and racial integration conflicts. This is unusual imagery that is captivating. Color fidelity is excellent with saturated hues that pop. Reds and greens are strongly saturated, as are numerous hues that reflect the stylization. Fleshtones are a bit pasty with "white"-skinned women and flushed-skinned men. Contrast is excellent, with deep blacks and revealing shadow delineation. For much of the early scenes, the imagery is bright but darkens as the suspense develops. Resolution is excellent as well, with fine detail exhibited in facial features, hair and hair lines, skin pores, and object textures. This is an unusually creative and visually engaging picture that is sure to cause conversation.. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is frontal focused except for the orchestra score that aggressively extends to the surround. Alexandre Desplat's music is well recorded with a wide and deep soundstage that envelops the soundfield. The music is a perfect complement. Atmospherics are realistic throughout as well as accentuated sound effects such as car crashes, explosions, and gunfire. Dialogue throughout is intelligible with good spatial integration. This is a really satisfying soundtrack with numerous shifts in character and intensity that effectively complements the uniquely clever Cohen Brothers storytelling. (Gary Reber)