Dreamland (Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Paramount
Release Date: January 19, 2021
Rating: R
Film: 3/5

Plot
Academy Award^® nominee Margot Robbie (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood) “is fantastic” (Indiewire) in this “dazzling” (Hollywood Reporter) love story set amidst America’s struggle during the Great Depression. Eugene Evans (Finn Cole, “Peaky Blinders”) dreams of escaping his small Texas town when he discovers a wounded, fugitive bank robber (Robbie). Torn between claiming the bounty for her capture and his growing attraction to the seductive criminal, Eugene must make a decision that will forever affect the lives of everyone he’s ever loved.

My Thoughts
I watched the trailer for this film and while it didn’t grab me, I thought I’d take a flyer on it considering Robbie stars in it and I’m a big fan. From a story perspective, it’s a middling affair and as usual, Robbie owns every scene she’s in. Cole does his best to hold his own and it helps that he’s playing a naïve young man and his inferior action chops next to Robbie help “sell” his role.

My biggest complaint with the film is that it isn’t very believable. You have this killer bank robber on the loose and there isn’t a house-to-house search conducted throughout the county? At a minimum, every barn and structure within a certain radius would have been checked, but for some reason that’s never done. I did like the cinematography and sound design, which look and sound great.

Video 4.5/5

Audio 4.5/5 (Dolby TrueHD 5.1)

Special Features:

• Blu-ray + Digital Code

Conclusion
Robbie’s range as an actress keeps expanding and she’s definitely more than just a pretty face (and body). If you’re a fan of her work then definitely check this one out because she’s the highlight of the show. She does her best with the material but be warned that the “reality factor” is quite low. I also found the pacing to be a bit slow, but it does fit the genre and isn’t a major complaint.



Reference Review System:
 JVC DLA-RS2000 4K Ultra High Definition Front Projector
 (Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
 Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 88” 16x9 Fixed Screen
 Anthem AVM60 Audio/Video Processor
 ATI AT527NC Powering Bed ChannelsATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
 Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
 System Controller: URC MX-980M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
 Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
 SVS PC-Ultra Cylinder Subwoofer
 HSU VTF-15H MK2 Subwoofer
 SVS SB-3000 Subwoofer
JL Audio Dominion D110 Subwoofer x 2 (configured as tandem mid bass modules)
Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
 Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
 PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner

[Ralph P.]

Greetings,

Totally agree Dave. Fair but, unremarkable..


Regards,