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Oppenheimer (4K UHD Blu-ray) review

Oppenheimer (4K UHD Blu-ray) review
« on: November 26, 2023, 01:08:09 PM »


Studio: Universal
 Release Date: November 21, 2023
 Rating:  R
 Film:  4.5/5
 
 Plot
 Written for the screen and directed by Christopher Nolan, OPPENHEIMER, thrusts audiences into the mind of theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy), whose landmark work as the director of the Manhattan Project’s Los Alamos Laboratory created the first atomic bomb. An unprecedented cinematic event, OPPENHEIMER features an all-star cast that includes Emily Blunt, Oscar winner Matt Damon, Oscar nominee Robert Downey Jr., Oscar nominee Florence Pugh, Josh Hartnett, and Oscar winners Casey Affleck, Rami Malek and Kenneth Branagh.
 
 My Thoughts
 I had wanted to see this in theaters but my wife didn’t think she could make it through a three-hour movie without having an intermission to take a bathroom break and she was correct. Thankfully, while watching at home we were able to pause the movie twice during its extended runtime for the requisite bathroom run and to pop some fresh popcorn. As for the movie itself, well, as you can see by my rating above—it’s fantastic.


Christoper Nolan is one of my favorite writers/directors and he’s done an absolutely fantastic job of adapting the book American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer for the big screen. Like most of his movies, this is a film that begs to be watched more than once because the narrative doesn’t roll out in linear fashion and if you don’t have some familiarity with the story, you could find yourself lost pretty easily. While the film looks into the life of Oppenheimer, it also delves into the politics of the time as there were many Americans flirting with the idealistic concept of communism (which sounds great on paper but in reality costs millions of lives in real life), patriotism, scientific ethics, womanizing, and of course, building a bomb that will change the course of history.

I feared that the three-hour runtime would drag when in fact it flew by because the story is so engaging and downright interesting. The acting is absolutely fantastic and I could see multiple Oscars going to Murphy for Best Actor, Downey Jr. for Best Supporting Actor (although Damon may give him a run for his money), Emily Blunt for Best Actress, and Florence Pugh for Supporting Actress. Other awards will be for Best Picture, Adaptation, Cinematography, Sound, and of course, Directing. Shockingly, the film pulled in $950 million at the domestic box office, which is astounding given its R rating, serious subject matter, and its extended runtime. 

The video is presented in a variable aspect ratio that varies between 1.78:1 and 2.20:1 and was shot on three different film stocks—65mm, 70mm, and IMAX and then finished with a 4K master. The results are absolutely picture perfect and I have zero complaints at all with the video presentation other than the changing aspect ratios. I would have preferred a simple scope presentation and be done with it but I have a special preset on my projector that masks the changing aspect ratios and I just watched in in 2.20:1 from beginning to end. I know that’s not how Nolan wanted the film watched, but it’s my home and my rules!

My only complaint with the audio track is that it wasn’t DTS:X but instead a 5.1 track—Nolan for some reason doesn’t like the “new” audio formats. Regardless, this is one of the most dynamic tracks you’ll ever hear. The LFE is deafening and I loved every minute of it (although my wife complained quite a few times that it was too loud—as if there is such a thing!) I engaged Neural:X on my processor to take advantage of every speaker in the room and needless to say, I was quite impressed.
 
 Video 10/10
 Audio 10/10 (DTS-HD MA 5.1)

 
 Special Features:
 
 The Story of Our Time: The Making of Oppenheimer (7-parts)

Trailers
Innovations in Film: 65mm Black-and-White Film in Oppenheimer
Meet the Press Q&A Panel: Oppenheimer
To End All War: Oppenheimer & The Atomic Bomb
 UHD + Blu-ray + Digital Copy
 
 Conclusion
 This is Nolan’s first film with Universal after his long-time relationship with Warner Brothers ended due to a “disagreement” over streaming (which Nolan is not a fan of) and he delivers a cinematic masterpiece for his new studio partner. Even though I went into the film with heightened expectations it delivered the goods and some. In fact, I’ll probably sit down and watch it again over Christmas in order to get even more out of the film. I can’t recommend this one highly enough—be sure to pick it up on UHD.
 
 
 Reference Review System:
 JVC DLA-RS3100 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
 (Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
 Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 110” 2.35:1 Screen
 Trinnov Altitude 16 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-990
 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
 Dual Rythmik FV15HP2
 Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
 Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
 PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner
Blu-ray Reviewer / Technical Writer
Sound & Vision Magazine

Re: Oppenheimer (4K UHD Blu-ray) review
« Reply #1 on: November 26, 2023, 04:32:09 PM »
Thanks for the review.  I'm looking forward to this one as well. 

And I'm glad I'm not the only one that masks the variable aspect ratio down to 2.20:1.  I'm not sure how Nolan views the shifting aspect ratio is as enhancing the presentation, but Atmos or DTS-X Pro is frowned upon, but it's his movie.

Scott
My Room:  26’-1” X 17’-4” X 10’
Equipment:  Monolith HTP-1 feeding X7 and X9 amps, JVC RS3100, Elite Screens 135"", JBL Studio 590 for L, C, R, W, R, 580s for sides and four SCS8 for tops, JTR Captivator 1400 x 4, Panny DP-UB420K, Toshiba HD-A35. Nvidia Shield, Sonos Connect, MX-780 remote

See Youthman's actual tour of my room here: https://youtu.be/PHEaG2xKVhg

Barry

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Re: Oppenheimer (4K UHD Blu-ray) review
« Reply #2 on: November 26, 2023, 05:11:25 PM »
Hi Dave! ! And thanks again.  I have the disc and avoided the three hour movie in the theatre for the same reason as you!

But you mentioned having the jvc projector change aspect ratios. As you know I have a similar projector, how do you do that?
« Last Edit: November 26, 2023, 07:22:46 PM by Barry »
McIntosh MX170 Controller: Projector JVC DLA-RS4100; Screen: Stuart StudioTek130: Amps: McIntosh MC-611(center),MC1.25KW (lf&rt);  Krell S-1500 Atmos/Surround; 4kDVD Panasonic UB9000; Speakers: Revel Ultima Salon 2, Ultima Voice 2, (Surround) W 990, Atmos C763L; Subs: SVS SB-13 Ultras;  Cable: 4K Verizon; Broadcast: Mediasonic HW-150PVR; Wiring: Shunyata; Apple TV,

AVSCraig

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Re: Oppenheimer (4K UHD Blu-ray) review
« Reply #3 on: November 26, 2023, 06:39:26 PM »
Although I watched this in the theater I did not pay attention to how much was 16:9 ( IMAX ) and how much was 2.40:1 percentage wise. Anybody have an idea? 
Direct (585) 671-2972 8:00am - 4:30pm Pacific 
www.avscience.com  craig@avscience.com
We carry projectors, screens, speakers, receivers etc. !!
Twitter - @AVS_Craig Sacramento CA area

Re: Oppenheimer (4K UHD Blu-ray) review
« Reply #4 on: November 26, 2023, 08:41:25 PM »
Hi Dave! ! And thanks again.  I have the disc and avoided the three hour movie in the theatre for the same reason as you!

But you mentioned having the jvc projector change aspect ratios. As you know I have a similar projector, how do you do that?
Barry,

Do you have a scope screen? If not, there's no point in setting it up.

Regardless, I set up a preset to 2.20:1 aspect ratio, then I use the "masking" feature to crop the top and bottom of the image to the diminisions of my screen. That way when it "switches" to IMAX the image above and below the screen is cropped off and isn't projected. 
Blu-ray Reviewer / Technical Writer
Sound & Vision Magazine

bmoney

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Re: Oppenheimer (4K UHD Blu-ray) review
« Reply #5 on: November 27, 2023, 06:45:46 AM »
Great movie. Even better second time around. And yes this is a reference disc through and through :)
SadieMax 2,0 Build thread

Nad t758v3 
7.4.4 diysoundgroup 1099's (3) 
Volt 6 (8 ) 
18" SI subs (4) 
diy 130" 2.40 spandex screen
minidsp 2x4HD
JVC rs600
Lumagen radiance pro 4242
Nvidia shield pro
Emby NAS media player

AVSCraig

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Re: Oppenheimer (4K UHD Blu-ray) review
« Reply #6 on: January 22, 2024, 01:18:23 PM »
Just watched the 4K disc Sat. night with friends - some that had never seen it, some that had. First off, it was a way better experience in my theater than our local IMAX theater. The picture was outstanding - the soundtrack made me wonder if I might blow up some subwoofers at times. I thought it was more gripping the 2nd time around. My guests were on the edge of their seats clutching their wine glasses for the first 2 hours ( at which time we had a pee break ). Great movie!
« Last Edit: January 22, 2024, 06:27:41 PM by AVSCraig »
Direct (585) 671-2972 8:00am - 4:30pm Pacific 
www.avscience.com  craig@avscience.com
We carry projectors, screens, speakers, receivers etc. !!
Twitter - @AVS_Craig Sacramento CA area

bmoney

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Re: Oppenheimer (4K UHD Blu-ray) review
« Reply #7 on: January 23, 2024, 08:57:57 AM »
def a better watch the second time.  i also loved it
SadieMax 2,0 Build thread

Nad t758v3 
7.4.4 diysoundgroup 1099's (3) 
Volt 6 (8 ) 
18" SI subs (4) 
diy 130" 2.40 spandex screen
minidsp 2x4HD
JVC rs600
Lumagen radiance pro 4242
Nvidia shield pro
Emby NAS media player

Re: Oppenheimer (4K UHD Blu-ray) review
« Reply #8 on: January 23, 2024, 02:10:35 PM »
LOVED this in the theater. Looking forward to seeing it again. Will have to give my wife some notes before watching though!

AVSCraig

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  • Home Theater Lover / Sales / Advice
    • AV Science, Inc
Re: Oppenheimer (4K UHD Blu-ray) review
« Reply #9 on: January 23, 2024, 02:27:45 PM »
LOVED this in the theater. Looking forward to seeing it again. Will have to give my wife some notes before watching though!
My wife was surprised I wanted to watch it again so soon, but I was surprised how it was actually more gripping the 2nd time around. Definitely holds up to repeat viewings. 
Direct (585) 671-2972 8:00am - 4:30pm Pacific 
www.avscience.com  craig@avscience.com
We carry projectors, screens, speakers, receivers etc. !!
Twitter - @AVS_Craig Sacramento CA area

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