BLU-RAY REVIEW

Monolith

Featured In Issue 272, March/April

Picture4.5
Sound5
WSR Score4
Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
(Studio/Distributor):
Well Go USA
(Catalog Number):
WGU03673B
(MPAA Rating):
R
(Rating Reason):
Language
(Retail Price):
$29.98
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
(Running Time In Minutes):
94
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
A
(Theatrical Year):
(Theatrical Release):
Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release):
No
(Disc Release Date):
4/23/2024
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
(Director):
Matt Vesely
(Screenplay/Written By):
(Story):
(Music):
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer):
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor):
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers):
(Co-Producers):
(Producers):
(Academy Awards):
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
(Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
(Disc Soundtrack):
DTS HD Lossless 5.1
(Theatrical Sound):
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(DTS Bit Rate):
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
(Additional Languages):
(Subtitles):

In "Monolith,z" while trying to salvage her career and rehabilitate her tarnished reputation, a disgraced journalist (Lily Sullivan) begins digging into a strange conspiracy theory via a controversial new investigative podcast. But as the evidence begins leading uncomfortably close to home, she will be forced to grapple with the web of lies at the heart of her own story. (Gary Reber)

Special features include commentary with Writer Lucy Campbell, Producer Bettina Hamilton and Director Matt Vesely, a behind-the-scenes featurette (HD 07:49). theatrical trailer and upfront previews.

The 2.00:1 1080p AVC picture, reviewed on a VIZIO Quantum X P85QX-JI UHD/HDR display, was photograph digitally using the Arri Alexa camera system and sourced from a 2K Digital Intermediate. The picture's visuals are almost entirely situated in the journalist;s home office while she records her podcasts and make phone calls. During such segments almost the entire palette is slathered in a blue-green ambiance. Yet the interviewer's flesh tone appears relatively natural and jumps out of the frame with natural color. Contrast is dampened down with depressed white levels, and revealing shadows and soft black levels result in a slightly hazy look at times. Still, resolution reveals overall good detail, especially during midrange shots and closeups of facial features, clothing fabrics and objects. Detail levels overall are variant depending on the lighting. Overall, this is a captivating visual experience that is mysterious, (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1-channel soundtrack is a spooky affair with a moody music score that provides an enveloping soundfield experience. The entire movie is dialogue focused with conversations during a podcast or over the phone with various people who are never seen on screen. The podcast journalist edits these probing conversations to serve her podcast's purpose. All the while in the background are effective ambiance atmospherics such as wind and movements within the journalist's home. The atmospherics and sound effects are also comprised of weird hallucinatory sonics, which at times are supported with deep sub-25 Hz bass in the .1 LFE. These soncis extend to the surrounds to envelope. Dialogue is intelligible throughout with convincing spatial integration, especially with respect to the people's voices on the other side of the line. Fidelity throughout is excellent. This is a well-crafted holosonic® soundtrack that delivers emotionally charged and disturbing sound elements. (Gary Reber)