Parasite

In "Parasite," meet the Park family, the picture of aspirational wealth, and the Kim family, rich in street smarts but not much else. Be it chance or fate, these two houses are brought together and the Kim's sense a golden opportunity. Masterminded by college-aged Ki-woo, the Kim children expediently install themselves as tutor and art therapist to the Parks. Soon, a symbiotic relationship forms between the two families. The Kim's provide "indispensable" luxury services while the Parks obliviously bankroll their entire household. When a parasitic interloper threatens the Kims' newfound comfort, a savage, underhanded battle for dominance breaks out, threatening to destroy the fragile ecosystem between the Kim's and the Park's. (Gary Reber)

Special featues include a Q&A with Director Bong Joon Ho, two trailers, upfront previews and a Movies Anywhere digital code.

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 using the Arri Alexa 65 camera system at (6.5K) and sourced from a 4K master Digital Intermediate format. Color fidelity is excellent with well-balanced warm and rich hues. The interior gray-dominant hues of the Park residence is contrasted with bright accents and wonderful lighting, which translates to amazing realism. Primaries are strong. Fleshtones retain naturalness throughout. Contrast is excellent with deep, solid black levels, satisfying shadow delineation, and effective spot lighting that enhances the vibrant imagery. Slight noise is detectable during the darkest scenes but is never objectionable or distracting. One would expect that any movie photographed at 6.5K and mastered at 4K would retain excellent resolution at 1080p, as is the case here. Fine detail is particularly evident during closeups and reveals facial complexities, skin pores, hair, clothing and object texture. Interior and exterior environments are rendered faithfully with excellent resolution. Surprisingly, given that the theatrical soundtrack was exhibited in Dolby Atmos and image capture was at 6.5K, the movie has not been released in 4K Ultra HD, at least in the United States. This is a well-crafted visual experience that reeks with realism and image intrigue. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is the only audio option on the disc (only English subtitles are included). Theatrically released in Dolby Atmos, the soundtrack is restricted to a minimal five-channel ear-level presentation. Atmospherics are well crafted to project realism, and surround envelopment is effective throughout with at times aggressive directionalizationn and strong energy. A powerful thunder and rain storm is a highlight of the holosonic® soundfield. The rain pounds, and hearing the soundtrack in one of the Immersive Sound formats enhances its full engagement. Sound effects are realistic sounding as well. The Korean dialogue is nicely integrated spatially and effectively directionalized with fast-appearing English subtitles. The orchestral score is enveloping with an immersive sense of directionality at the soundstage with extension to the surrounds, resulting in an enveloping experience. This is a wonderful soundtrack experience that effectively projects its sonics throughout the soundfield. (Gary Reber)