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4K Ultra HD movie reviews: ‘Nightmare Road’ and ‘Last Night in Soho’



Here’s a look at a pair of psychological thrillers now available in ultra-high definition disc format.

nightmare street (Walt Disney Studios Home EntertainmentR-rated, 2.39:1 aspect ratio148 minutes, $49.98) — Filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro’s latest film to be nominated for an Academy Award is based on William Lindsay Gresham’s 1946 novel and presents a simmering melodrama colored by its own brand of macabre.

Set in this early 1940s film noir, the psychological thriller centers around ambitious vagrant vagrant Stan Carlisle (Bradley Cooper), who leads an oppressive life to find a job whenever he can, but eventually finds a job in a traveling circus. He uses the opportunity to the fullest.

Carlisle finds kinship and conflict with a number of corrupt carnival folks, including electric girl Molly Cahill (Rooney Mara).)A freak show freak who is brutally exploited by strongman Bruno (Ron Perlman), the world’s smallest man, Major Mosquito (Mark Povinelli), and circus boss Clem Hoatley (Willem Dafoe).

Carlisle finally learns the secrets of the mind-reading tricks of the seer Madam Zeena Krumbein (Toni Collette) and her alcoholic husband Peter (David Strathairn). He convinces the new love of his life, Molly, to be his sidekick and go to the big city in search of riches by performing a psychic act.

A shrewd psychiatrist for the rich, Dr. With the help of Lilith Ritter (Cate Blanchett), the action goes too far, taking advantage of the grieving elite and escalating the risks for Mr. Fraud may occur to contact the dead in the great faraway.

The stellar cast, led by Mr. Cooper, confronts audiences with quite a number of twists and turns, with an irony-drenched conclusion.

Del Toro and cinematographer Dan Laustsen’s meticulous visual presentation, which portrays spirit painter Edward Hopper while bringing the old, art deco-rich period piece to noirish life.

UHD rendering from 4K mainstream format enhances an almost antique-coloured image for visually stunning images throughout. Pale gold or bronze glazed over major city locations (especially Dr. Ritter’s wood-panelled office) provides a clarity to shady and sultry open-air circus zones.

The best extras: On the included Blu-ray of the movie, viewers get three full-length images, totaling approximately 25 minutes, covering an overview of the movie; casting; a slightly deeper dive into production design (even using actual carnival props from the 1930s); art deco spaces; and period costume (242 costume changes during carnival only).

Last Night in Soho (Universal Studios Home Entertainment)R-rated, 2.39:1 aspect ratio116 minutes, $44.98 — Director Edgar Wright takes audiences on a nostalgic trip to one of London’s most popular locations in the 1960s in a supernatural thriller now available in 4K disc format.

Co-written by Mr Wright, the story finds a modern country girl, budding fashion designer and retro 1960s sweetheart Eloise Turner (Thomasin McKenzie) and gets her chance to shine after being accepted to College London. Fashion.

After a bad experience with her college roommate, she moves into an off-campus apartment and mysteriously enters the life of another woman, an almost-twin, named Sandie (Anya Taylor-Joy), which takes her back to her favorite decade.

However, the personality of her new vision changes from an aspiring singer to prostitute under the control of Jack (Matt Smith). Now caught in Sandie’s world as the first observer at night, Eloise loses her grip on reality and begins to interact in both worlds.

The intriguing premise shines through with a fantastic soundtrack and elegant fashion and production design, but it turns into a somewhat predictable horror movie with its frantic ending.

The UHD visual presentation never disappoints, thanks to Mr. Wright and cinematographer Chung-hoon Chung’s passion for not only capturing a detailed look at highlights like the Café de Paris, but also the constant use of neon palettes that include saturated reds, purples, pinks. and green tones on the screen.

And the soundtrack includes The Who’s “Heat Wave”, James Ray’s “Got My Mind Set On You”, Sandie Shaw’s “(There’s) Always There to Remind Me”, The Walker Brothers’ “Land of 1000” Dance” and “Happy Home” by Siouxsie and Banshees.

The best extras: Viewers receive a pair of optional commentary pieces that pretty much cover the production’s deconstruction. Both are directed by Mr. Wright and are assisted by co-writer Krysty Wilson-Cairns on one piece, and by editor Paul Machliss and composer Steve Price on the other.

The piece featuring both authors was hilarious as they talked as if they were over lunch, recounting their personal experiences in London and Soho that helped build the story while keeping the story nostalgic.

The trio track is more technical in nature and heavily focused on the music – I rarely hear a composer in an on-demand interpretation – and I’m equally immersed in the various production details and location footage. The movie is definitely worth watching a third time.

However, that’s not all. The disc also includes roughly 50 minutes of short teasers covering a cast of Eloise and Sandie; cinematography as well as visual effects used to create ghostly creatures; explanation of some mirror effects; dance sequence; recreating a 1960s Soho; and the director’s obsession with returning to the 1960s.

Also, for those who admire the deeper details of the filmmaking process, rough animated storyboards for a quartet scene; and the technical parts like hair and makeup tests, and the magic behind the dance scene seen during Steadicam camera rehearsals





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