The Birthday 4K Ultra HD

In "The Birthday," the painfully awkward Norman Forrester (Cory Feldman) chooses the opulent birthday party of his girlfriend Alison's (Erica Prior) wealthy father (Jack Taylor) as the perfect moment to propose. But between bizare encounters with guests and unnervingly polite hotel staff, Norman stumbles into a nightmarish occult conspiracy that threatens not just his relationship but the fate of the world itself. (Gary Reber)

Special features include commentary by Actor Corey Feldman) and Co-Writer/Director Eugenio Mira, "The Shape Of A miracle" new interview with Mira (HD 17:17), "Pathology" breakdown of a scene from the film by Mira (HD 16;42), 2024 Q&A with Feldman and Mira (HD 09:47), original trailer, 20th anniversary trailer, image gallery, reversible sleeve and a collector's booklet.

The 2.39:1 HEVC/H.265 Ultra HD Dolby Vision/HDR10 picture, reviewed on a VIZIO Quantum X P85QX-JI UHD/HDR display, was photographed on 35 mm Kodak film and sourced from a 4K Digital Intermediate of the restored original camera negative by Giant Pictures. Film grain is virtually invisible. The setting is a birthday party in a hotel. The color palette exhibits beautifully saturated hues that are warm and rich with strong primaries that pop. Norman's turquoise tux dress shirt, various women bright red gowns and the hotel's red carpeting and yellow walls all pop. Colors appear natural and vibrant. Flesh tones are natural and healthy. HDR contrast is excellent, Black levels are solid and deep. Shadows are realistic and revealing. White levels are brightly illuminated. The imagery is sharp and clear throughout. Resolution is revealing of fine detail throughout, Facial features reveal skin pores, lines, beard stubble and hair. Clothing is revealing of fabric detail.The hotel furnishings and structural aspects appear realistic, Objects exhibits fine texture, This is a great looking picture that is bright and contrasty. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1-channel soundtrack is dynamic sounding with a focus on dialogue. Atmospherics are reserved, but sound effects excite the sound field. There are lots of sharp, accentuated transient sounds. The orchestra score is forward sounding with a wide and deep soundstage that extends aggressively to the surrounds. The instrumentation features strong brass that cuts through the sound field. Bass response is deep with powerful .1 LFE attack that at times is so intense it is deafening. There is a very long duration powerful .1 LFE bass that could overpower home theatre system not capable of reproducing the intensity duration. Dialogue is intelligible with a strong presence and satisfying spatial integration. This is a terrific holosonic® soundtrack that is fun throughout. (Gary Reber)