Motherless Brooklyn

In "Motherless Brooklyn," Lionel Essrog (Norton), a lonely private detective living with Tourette Syndrome, ventures to solve the murder of his mentor and only friend, Frank Minna (Willis). Armed only with a few clues and the engine of his obsessive mind, Lionel unravels closely guarded secrets that hold the fate of New York in the balance. In a mystery that carries him from gin-soaked jazz clubs in Harlem to the hard-edged slums of Brooklyn and, finally, into the gilded halls of New York's power brokers, Lionel contends with thugs, corruption and the most dangerous man in the city to honor his friend and save the woman who might be his only salvation. (Gary Reber)

Special features include commentary with Director Edward Norton, the featurette "Edward Norton's Methodical Process" (HD 09:38), four deleted scenes (HD 05:19), upfront previews and a Movies Anywhere digital code.

The 1.85:1 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 Arri Alexa Mini and XT camera systems and sourced from a 2K master Digital Intermediate format. The picture is beautifully stylized in period imagery with a rich and warm color palette. The jazz club scenes are beautifully atmospheric and nicely lit. Colors are warm but the look exhibits a stylized naturalness. Contrast is excellent. Black levels are deep and shadow delineation is excellent. Highlights are naturally bright and realistic. Resolution is a bit soft but complementary to the creation of the period's stylization. This is a very filmic presentation that is a real looker with terrific cinematography and one that is engaging throughout. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is nicely crafted with realistic dynamics and natural low-frequency support. The score features jazz segments often with Wynthon Marsalis on trumpet, a performance in a jazz club, and the orchestral score, all of which perfectly create mood. The music is enveloping throughout the soundfield. Atmospherics sound realistic with nicely enveloping surround ambience. Sound effects, such as gunfire, automobiles, and trains, all sound realistic with effective surround energy. Dialogue is intelligible throughout with decent spatial integration. Edward Norton's narration is perfectly frontal. This is a wonderful-sounding holosonic® soundtrack that perfectly supports the storytelling. (Gary Reber)