Back To Black

"Back To Black" is the story of pop culture icon Amy Winehouse (Marisa Abela) from her early rise to fame in Camden through the making of her groundbreaking album, Back To Black, that catapulted Winehouse to global fame. Told through Amy’s eyes and inspired by her deeply personal lyrics, the film explores and embraces the many layers of the iconic artist and the tumultuous love story at the center of one of the most legendary albums of all time. (Gary Reber)

Special features include commentary with Director Sam Taylor-Johnson, the featurettes "Transforming Into An Icon" (HD 07:47) and "Music As The Heartbeat" (HD 03:09) and a Movies Anywhere digital copy.

The 1.85:1 1080p AVC picture, reviewed on a VIZIO Quantum X P85QX-JI UHD/HDR display, was photographed digitally using the Arri Alexa 35 camera system and sourced from a 2K Digital Intermediate. The picture is a big softly focused and photographed to emulate a filmic look produced by Invizigrain. Color fidelity is stylized and varies depending on the setting with particular stylization during Amy's stage performances. Colors for the most part appear realistic, though colors lack particularly strongly saturation, but instead appear subdued. Flesh tones are generally natural in appearance. Contrast exhibits blacks that are limited in deepness and shadow delineation that is not well defined. White levels appear realistic. Resolution lacks fine detail, even during closeups. Yet the imagery is appealing with a filmic quality. This is a satisfying picture that is compelling. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1-channel soundtrack delivers excellent fidelity during the music sequences. Marisa Abela plays the late Amy Winehouse and she does all of the vocals too. Bass extension sounds natural. Atmospherics sound realistic and nicely complement the various settings. Sound effects also complement the proceedings. Together, they provide an wide and deep soundstage and soundfield envelopment with surrounds quite active and strong. Foley sound effects are perfectly in sync with picture. The music sounds great with generally good dynamics and Amy's vocals are front and center. As the story progresses the music becomes more energetic and dynamic. Dialogue is often challenging to understand due to a thick Londoner English accent. Dialogue is at times wanting in spatial integration. Overall, this is satisfying holosonic® soundtrack that will please fans of Amy's music. (Gary Reber)