A few words about…™ Once Upon a Time in Hollywood — in 4k UHD Blu-ray

4 Stars As a 4k Blu-ray, Columbia's release is gorgeous, with rich deep blacks, great color, and no age related artifacts. And it's true 4k.

For those who may be unaware of Quentin Tarantino as a filmmaker, be advised that you’ll not be witnessing something that will be receiving the proprietary Dove label. And while there is a place for Hallmark films, it’s not one of those, either.

You should also be aware, going in, that any film with a title that begins with the words “Once Upon a Time…” may not be seeing a film based solely upon accurate historical events.

One of the things that I love about QT’s work, is that he tends to bend time, space and facts, and create from them something acutely wonderful and entertaining.

And so it is with his 9th film, not counting his non-directorial attachments, and extras, such as the 2005 CSI two-parter, which should be required viewing. You can find it here:

https://www.amazon.com/CSI-Investigation-Danger-Two-disc-Blu-ray/dp/B006CR2P7Q/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=CSI+grave+danger&qid=1576077106&sr=8-1

Have I mentioned that I love this film?

Everything about it.

The casting, cinematography, screenplay, production design, set decoration — everything.

It’s the closest one will get to Hollywood in 1969, without being there.

I’ll not go into plot, or storyline in any way, as I don’t want to spoil anything for the three people who may have somehow missed it theatrically.

As a 4k Blu-ray, Columbia’s release is gorgeous, with rich deep blacks, great color, and no age related artifacts. And it’s true 4k.

But there’s a small conundrum here.

Screening via projection, imho, the HDR affected the blacks and gray scale too much, while on an OLED, it appeared much closer to the theatrical experience in 4k. I seem to recall the theatrical being presented in Dolby Atmos, but I could be wrong. The disc is DTS-HD MA 7.1.

The new 4k is priced right, at $28 street, and has some wonderful extras.

For those too young to view an R rated film, please ask for parental permission before doing so. You might just end up wanting to be a filmmaker.

Image – 5

Audio – 5 (DTS-HD MA 7.1)

Pass / Fail – Pass

Very Highly Recommended

RAH

Robert has been known in the film industry for his unmatched skill and passion in film preservation. Growing up around photography, his first home theater experience began at age ten with 16mm. Years later he was running 35 and 70mm at home.

His restoration projects have breathed new life into classic films like Lawrence of Arabia, Vertigo, My Fair Lady, Spartacus, and The Godfather series. Beyond his restoration work, he has also shared his expertise through publications, contributing to the academic discourse on film restoration. The Academy Film Archive houses the Robert A. Harris Collection, a testament to his significant contributions to film preservation.

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skylark68

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Great review as always, I don’t watch CSI but QT directing and writing a 2 part episode might be worth checking out.

As far as the film goes, I was immersed and loved every minute of it. I wasn’t around in ‘69, but I sure felt like I was there while watching this film, especially when riding in the Cadillac with the tunes on. Especially when “Hush” by Deep Purple was cranked up.
 
alstein

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I loved is film. And what a bitter sweet ending that was! I have a 4K Blu-ray player which I purchased in anticipation of my eventually buying a 4K tv. This player is connected to my 1080p tv. I’ve ordered the 4k edition of this film which also includes the blu ray. Will I get better results playing the 4K Blu-ray ? Or should I stick with the regular. Thanks.
 
Robert Harris

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alstein said:
I loved is film. And what a bitter sweet ending that was! I have a 4K Blu-ray player which I purchased in anticipation of my eventually buying a 4K tv. This player is connected to my 1080p tv. I’ve ordered the 4k edition of this film which also includes the blu ray. Will I get better results playing the 4K Blu-ray ? Or should I stick with the regular. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Might be worth testing, and reporting your findings. If I were to guess, I’d go with the standard issue Blu, as the 4k might have a tendency toward dark.
 
ManW_TheUncool

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Yeah, I'm one of "the three people..." and was debating on making this a release day/week purchase, which is unusual for me, especially for the 4K pricing, but think I'll go ahead and even run to the local BB to get it...

Mostly just wanted confirmation of the 4K disc quality before pulling the trigger...

Thanks, RAH! And thanks also for the CSI rec --- will definitely check it out...

_Man_
 
Patrick McCart

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Saw this theatrically and loved it. Tarantino, not unlike Scorsese, offers a cinematic treat that's both entertaining and gives you a bit of a cinema history lesson.

Seems like a perfect storm for UHD between it being a Sony release, mostly shot anamorphic on 35mm, and lensed by Robert Richardson.
 
Mark-P

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By coincidence, I watched it on iTunes in 4K last night (via projection). I’m glad I had avoided all spoilers, because I was in for an entertaining ride and the destination was not at all what I anticipated! Loved it. Yes the HDR is on the darker side for this title. I don’t understand why some HDR titles look normal while others veer toward dark. I guess every HDR renderer has their own ideas about how it should be used.
 
Scott Merryfield

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ManW_TheUncool said:
Yeah, I'm one of "the three people..." and was debating on making this a release day/week purchase, which is unusual for me, especially for the 4K pricing, but think I'll go ahead and even run to the local BB to get it...

Mostly just wanted confirmation of the 4K disc quality before pulling the trigger...

Thanks, RAH! And thanks also for the CSI rec --- will definitely check it out...

_Man_
Click to expand...

Okay, I am the second of "the three people". So, who wants to admit to being the third one? ;)

I love QT's work, but we just don't go to the movie theater anymore. I was going to await a price drop on this one and rent it from Amazon (have some digital credits), but instead took advantage of a $10 off code at Fandango Now to buy the 4K/HDR streaming version for $9.99. I hope to watch it tomorrow or Friday.
 
davidmatychuk

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I went with the Collector's Edition (4K, Blu-Ray, Digital Copy, Mad Magazine parody, Italian movie poster, vinyl 45) and I haven't watched it yet, but I laughed out loud when I opened it up and saw what was included, in its own section of the packaging, to go with the 45. Everyone I showed it to laughed out loud too. Delightful!
 
Mark Booth

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I watched the 4K Blu-ray yesterday via Panasonic UB9000 player and Sony XBR940E (LCD). I never felt the image was too dark.

Fabulous film! 5 out of 5 stars. For me, it's QT's best film so far. It displaced my previous favorite, 'Inglorious Basterds', which now sits at #2.

Mark
 
Josh Steinberg

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Robert Harris said:
9th film
Click to expand...

10th film:
1. Reservoir Dogs
2. Pulp Fiction
3. Jackie Brown
4. Kill Bill Vol 1
5. Kill Bill Vol 2
6. Death Proof
7. Inglorious Basterds
8. Django Unchained
9. The Hateful Eight
10. Once Upon A Time

Don’t fall for his silly numbering reality denying matrix. Kill Bill was released as two films, is only available for purchase as two films, came out in separate calendar years and carries separate copyrights. There is no objective measure by which it can be considered one film. That it began life as one screenplay doesn’t change the fact that that one screenplay was made into two movies.
 
Neil Middlemiss

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Josh Steinberg said:
10th film:
1. Reservoir Dogs
2. Pulp Fiction
3. Jackie Brown
4. Kill Bill Vol 1
5. Kill Bill Vol 2
6. Death Proof
7. Inglorious Basterds
8. Django Unchained
9. The Hateful Eight
10. Once Upon A Time

Don’t fall for his silly numbering reality denying matrix. Kill Bill was released as two films, is only available for purchase as two films, came out in separate calendar years and carries separate copyrights. There is no objective measure by which it can be considered one film. That it began life as one screenplay doesn’t change the fact that that one screenplay was made into two movies.
Click to expand...
Don't die on that hill, Josh :)
 
Wayne_j

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I am willing to let him count what he was intending to be a single film as a single film.
 
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