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    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    Back To Black

    Featured In Issue Issue 274, July/August

    Picture4
    Sound4.5
    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):
    Universal Studios Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number):
    1000837099
    (MPAA Rating):
    R
    (Rating Reason):
    Drug use, language throughout, sexual content and nudity
    (Retail Price):
    $29.98
    (Disc Type):
    Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
    (Widescreen Edition):
    Yes
    (Full Screen Edition):
    (Running Time In Minutes):
    122
    (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):
    7/23/2024
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    (Director):
    Sam Taylor-Johnson
    (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 7.1
    (Theatrical Sound):
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (DTS Bit Rate):
    (Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
    (Additional Languages):
    (French Language):
    (Spanish Language):
    (Subtitles):

    "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)

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    Gabriel Lowe
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