Minari (Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Lionsgate
Release Date: May 18, 2021
Rating: PG-13
Film: 4.5/5
 
Plot
A tender and sweeping story about what roots us, Minari follows a Korean-American family that moves to an Arkansas farm in search of their own American Dream. The family home changes completely with the arrival of their sly, foul-mouthed, but incredibly loving grandmother. Amidst the instability and challenges of this new life in the rugged Ozarks, Minari shows the undeniable resilience of family and what really makes a home.
 
My Thoughts
This is the second of the Best Picture nominees I’ve seen and I loved it, especially compared to the ultimate winner, Nomadland, which I found to be much too depressing and woke. This is a real-life story about an immigrant Korean family trying to make their own way in America while scraping by on a farm in Arkansas. The husband and wife aren’t on the same page, which causes friction for the entire family, but the kids do what they can to keep the peace. The film is loosely based on writer/director Lee Isaac Chung’s own upbringing and retells some of the stories of his youth. In told it’s a fabulous bit of filmmaking and you’ll fall in love with the debut performance of Alan Kim, the winner of the Critics Choice award—he steals every scene he’s in and I’ll guarantee you’ll never think of Mountain Dew the same way again.
 
The cinematography is excellent and translates well to Blu-ray. The audio tack is a bit understated given the dramatic subject matter, but the ambience of the wilderness is excellent and the subs will wake up during a thunderstorm.
 
 
Video 4.5/5
 
Audio 4/5 (DTS-HD MA 5.1)
 
Special Features:
 

• Deleted Scenes
• Sowing Seeds: Making Minari
• Audio Commentary with Writer-Director Lee Isaac Chung and Actress Yuh-jung Youn

 

 
 
Conclusion
Given the pandemic, 2020 wasn’t a year to write home about in regard to new films, but Minari is a breath of fresh air and would be my choice for Best Picture. Unlike Nomadland, it’s an uplifting tale that’s completely relatable to anyone who has faced struggles in life and persevered through them. Definitely check this one out because it get my highest recommendation.
 
 
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 Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: URC MX-980
M&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 controlling all subwoofers
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling

PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner

[Douglas.barnum]

Ordered this based upon your review.  Looking forward to seeing it!!  Thanks.

[David Vaughn]

Ordered this based upon your review.  Looking forward to seeing it!!  Thanks.

Awesome. Let me know what you think. 

[Ralph P.]

Greetings,

Nice review Dave. I agree wholeheartedly... 


Regards,

[David Vaughn]

Greetings,

Nice review Dave. I agree wholeheartedly...


Regards,

Thanks Ralph. How about a Mountain Dew? I'll make it for you special

[Douglas.barnum]

Awesome. Let me know what you think.

Watched it tonight and enjoyed it.  It was exactly as you wrote in your review.  I've had mountain water a lot in my life so can relate. 

[David Vaughn]

Watched it tonight and enjoyed it.  It was exactly as you wrote in your review.  I've had mountain water a lot in my life so can relate. 

No there's a story you HAVE to tell

[Douglas.barnum]

No there's a story you HAVE to tell

Wait that wasn't quite what I meant.  Yikes.  Rule is always pour your own mountain dew. 

[bmoney]

another blind viewing based on your review!  thanks!

[David Vaughn]

another blind viewing based on your review!  thanks!

Let me know what you think of it. 

[bmoney]

i def will