HNS received an advanced copy of the Blu-ray for ‘BlacKkKlansman’ in exchange for a review. Check out our thoughts on this great product below!
FILMMAKERS:
Cast: John David Washington, Adam Driver, Topher Grace, Corey Hawkins
Original Score: Terence Blanchard
Costume Design: Marci Rodgers
Editor: Barry Alexander Brown
Production Design: Curt Beech
Director of Photography: Chayse Irvin, CSC
Executive Producers: Edward H. Hamm Jr., Jeanette Volturno, Win Rosenfeld, Matthrew A. Cherry, Marcei Brown
Produced By: Sean McKittrick, Jason Blum, Raymond Mansfield, Shaun Redick, Jordan Peele, Spike Lee
Based on the Book By: Ron Stallworth
Written By: Charlie Wachtel & David Rabinowitz and Kevin Willmott & Spike Lee
Directed By: Spike Lee
Follow the incredible true story of Ron Stallworth, an African-American police officer who infiltrates the Ku Klux Klan in the unbelievably bold, BlacKkKlansman, arriving on Digital and the all-new digital move app MOVIES ANYWHERE on October 23, 2018 and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-rayTM, DVD and On Demand on November 6, 2018 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Hailed by critics as “hugely entertaining” (Stephanie Zacharek, Time) and “electric” (Eric Cohn,Indiewire), BlacKkKlansman comes from acclaimed producers Sean McKittrick (Get Out, Band Aid), Jason Blum (Get Out, Whiplash), Raymond Mansfield (Get Out, Band Aid), Jordan Peele (Get Out, “The Last O.G.”), Spike Lee (Malcolm X, “She’s Gotta Have It”), and Shaun Redick (Get Out, Band Aid).
Based on the book Black Klansman by Ron Stallworth, BlacKkKlansman is filled with outstanding performances from an all-star cast led by John David Washington (“Ballers,” Malcolm X), Adam Driver (Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Logan Lucky), Topher Grace (Interstellar, “That 70’s Show”) and Laura Harrier (Spider-Man: Homecoming, The Last Five Years) alongside an incredible roster of supporting talent including Alec Baldwin (“Saturday Night Live,” Mission Impossible – Fallout), Corey Hawkins (Straight Outta Compton, Kong: Skull Island), Ryan Eggold (“The Blacklist,” “Sons of Liberty”) and Paul Walter Hauser (I, Tonya, Super Troopers 2).
From visionary filmmaker Spike Lee comes the incredible true story of an American hero. In the early 1970s Ron Stallworth (Washington) becomes the first African-American detective in the Colorado Springs Police Department. Determined to make a difference, he bravely sets out on a dangerous mission: infiltrate and expose the Ku Klux Klan. He recruits a seasoned colleague, Flip Zimmerman (Driver), into the undercover investigation. Together, they team up to take down the extremist organization aiming to garner mainstream appeal. BlacKkKlansman offers an unflinching, true-life examination of race relations in 1970s America that is just as relevant in today’s tumultuous world.
Packed with bold and provocative moments from beginning to end, BlacKkKlansman on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital comes with exclusive bonus content that will take viewers deeper into this timely and moving true story.
BONUS FEATURES ON 4K ULTRA HD, BLU-RAYTM, DVD AND DIGITAL
- A Spike Lee Joint – Producer Jordan Peele, cast and film subject Ron Stallworth discuss the unique experience of working with iconic director Spike Lee.
- BlacKkKlansman Extended Trailer Featuring Prince’s “Mary Don’t You Weep”
BlacKkKlansman will be available on 4K Ultra HD in a combo pack which includes 4K Ultra HD Blu-rayTM, Blu-rayTM and Digital. The 4K Ultra HD disc will include the same bonus features as the Blu-rayTM version, all in stunning 4K resolution.
- 4K Ultra HD is the ultimate movie watching experience. 4K Ultra HD features the combination of 4K resolution for four times sharper picture than HD, the color brilliance of High Dynamic Range (HDR) with immersive audio delivering a multidimensional sound experience.
- Blu-rayTM unleashes the power of your HDTV and is the best way to watch movies at home, featuring 6X the picture resolution of DVD, exclusive extras and theater-quality surround sound.
- Digital lets fans watch movies anywhere on their favorite devices. Users can instantly stream or download.
- MOVIES ANYWHERE is the digital app that simplifies and enhances the digital movie collection and viewing experience by allowing consumers to access their favorite digital movies in one place when purchased or redeemed through participating digital retailers. Consumers can also redeem digital copy codes found in eligible Blu-rayTM and DVD disc packages from participating studios and stream or download them through Movies Anywhere. MOVIES ANYWHERE is only available in the United States. For more information, visit https://moviesanywhere.com.
Reviewer’s thoughts:
As this is a review of the Blu-ray release, and not a review of the film, I won’t go into details about the film, but I must note that it is one that should be watched. It tells such an important real life story that should be heard. So if you haven’t yet seen the film, I highly recommend it! It will have you feeling all kinds of emotions.
This product comes with both the Blu-ray disc and a digital download code of the film. The digital download code is something crucial that consumers are really wanting in their products so I am really glad to see it included. It makes viewing the film easy and accessible from multiple platforms. The artwork of the Blu-ray is great. It features our lead actor John David Washington standing in front of an American flag that is black and white instead of the normal red, white and blue. The imagery here is great. The back cover features some photos from the film, description, special features and fine print. Also to be noted is the Certified Fresh seal from Rotten Tomatoes. The Blu-ray does come with a cover for added protection that is identical to the case inside.
So now let’s get to the insides. Inside is your digital download code insert and Blu-ray disc. The Blu-ray disc has both the film itself and special features all on it. The special features are always my favorite part of any DVD or Blu-ray I buy. I love watching all of the behind the scenes and little tidbits I didn’t get to hear about in theaters. This Blu-ray we received for review featured two special features. The Blu-ray of BlacKkKlansman only provides a few features, but they don’t disappoint.
The first special feature on the Blu-ray is “A Spike Lee Joint” with a runtime of 05:09. It starts with a series of snippets (no dialogue) of the film, and leads directly into the cast and creators singing Spike Lee’s praise. I love how tangible their excitement is here. Several of the actors stressed that the second they heard Spike Lee’s name attached as Director, they said yes without hesitation, and without knowing much else about the film. My favorite part is the very first person to give Spike Lee the seal of approval is the real Ron Stallworth himself. This also gives viewers who aren’t as familiar with the background of the film a little more info about Ron’s story of being the first African American police officer to serve the Colorado Springs Police Department. We get brief interviews with Producer Jordan Peele, Topher Grace, Laura Harrier, John David Washington and more.
The second special feature was the BlacKkKlansman Extended Trailer Featuring Prince’s “Mary Don’t You Weep.” This feature was also relatively short at 04:29. It starts off hilariously with Topher Grace’s character saying “God Bless white America” followed by the words “Dis joint is based upon some fo’ real, fo’ real sh*t” across the screen to introduce us to the feature. The feature has the song “Mary Don’t You Weep” playing in the background as snippets of the film (no dialogue) are played out. This feature really sets the overall mood and feel of the film and felt like a very artistic snapshot of the film.
Here are the exact specs, for those technologically inclined:
TECHNICAL INFORMATION 4K ULTRA HD:
Street Date: November 6, 2018
Copyright: 2018 Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
Selection Number: 62200089/62200094 (CDN)
Layers: BD-100
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 16:9 2.40:1
Rating: R for language throughout, including racial epithets, and for disturbing/violent material and some sexual references
Video: 2160p UHD Dolby Vision/HDR 10
Languages/Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish and French Subtitles
Sound: English Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Digital 2.0, French Dolby Digital Plus 7.1, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1
Run Time: 2 hour 14 minutes
TECHNICAL INFORMATION BLU-RAYTM:
Street Date: November 6, 2018
Copyright: 2018 Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
Selection Number: 62200089/62198763 (CDN)
Layers: BD-50
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 16:9 2.40:1
Rating: R for language throughout, including racial epithets, and for disturbing/violent material and some sexual references
Languages/Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish and French Subtitles
Sound: English Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Digital 2.0, French Dolby Digital Plus 7.1, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1
Run Time: 2 hour 14 minutes
TECHNICAL INFORMATION DVD:
Street Date: November 6, 2018
Copyright: 2018 Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
Selection Number: 62198630/62198633 (CDN)
Layers: DVD 9
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen 16:9 2.39:1
Rating: R for language throughout, including racial epithets, and for disturbing/violent material and some sexual references
Languages/Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish and French Subtitles
Sound: English Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Digital 2.0, Spanish and French Dolby Digital 5.1
Run Time: 2 hour 14 minutes
Overall, this is a very solid Blu-ray product of an amazing film. Definitely worth the buy!
Website: http://uni.pictures/Blackkklansman
Trailer: http://uni.pictures/BlackkklansmanTrailer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackkklansman
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlacKkKlansman
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackkklansman
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