Sound of Metal - May 31st 2021

[CelestialAgent]

One of the big Oscar contenders tonight is being released on Blu-ray by Sony at the end of next month. There's a Criterion edition planned for 2022, but I don't know if any other territories will do a Blu-ray. Sony's previous UK release of Amazon titles like The Boys and Honey Boy were Region B, so I'm not sure this will be region free.

Riz Ahmed stars as a troubled heavy metal drummer in this drama directed by Darius Marder. Former drug addict Ruben (Ahmed), who performs as one half of the duo Blackgammon with his girlfriend Lou (Olivia Cooke), has his life upended when he suddenly loses his hearing. Forced to cancel their tour, Ruben remains in denial about his prognosis until he attends a support group for the deaf where he learns to embrace his new reality.

https://store.hmv.com/store/film-tv/...sound-of-metal

Based on Sony's history, I would be surprised if this had extras, maybe the odd promotional featurette that's easily found on YouTube, but I would be shocked if they produced extras or even had EPK interviews they could include in lieu of anything else. I'm sure there might be some good festival Q&As they probably won't include though.

Interesting to note how weird release times are with the pandemic. The film was originally set for 29th January in UK cinemas, was released on Prime Video on 12th April, will be in cinemas on 17th May (so hopefully I'll be able to see it on the big screen?), and then released on disc 31st May.

Vertigo Releasing are putting this in cinemas so I thought they might license this out to Second Sight for a Blu-ray (Vertigo are also responsible for the UK cinema and VOD release of Host), but I guess this is the best we'll get.

[rapta]

Since it's being put out by Sony, surely they might do what they did with Certain Women and release the Criterion disc shortly after? This could just be an awards-triggered release to get some sales (for those that don't use streaming).

Great film, by the way. Really impressive filmmaking, writing, acting, sound design...all of it, basically. Riz Ahmed was electric in the lead role. Paul Raci was very good, subtle first-time actor. Cooke and Amalric have rarely been this interesting either. Great stuff, will definitely watch again!

[ManBeast]

Looked great on Prime. Will definitely keep an eye out for a nice physical release.

[CelestialAgent]

Back cover posted which confirms this should be barebones. Shame especially as the recorded Q&A in the cinema was quite good but a physical release is better than nothing. Stage 6 Films was one of the production companies, hence why this is being distributed to physical media through Sony Pictures Releasing International. So, the film has basically three UK distributors, only one of which is actually affiliated with Amazon:

Amazon Prime Video as a "Amazon Original" - streaming
Vertigo Releasing - cinemas
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment - physical media

[Trevorblu66]

Bought this morning. Picture quality is fantastic.

[Jorvic]

Watched this last night. Agree that the performances of Riz Ahmed and Paul Raci were first-rate.

The film that it most reminded me of is Foxcatcher – with the similar pacing and emphasis on quiet interspersed with some panoramic landscape shots.

[scorsese1]

Does anybody know if this disc has subtitles for the sign language dialogue? The US criterion disc lacks the subtitles for this film in those parts.

[mogwai_macabre]

Originally Posted by scorsese1

Does anybody know if this disc has subtitles for the sign language dialogue? The US criterion disc lacks the subtitles for this film in those parts.

I'd love to know this as well

[djhig]

Originally Posted by scorsese1

Does anybody know if this disc has subtitles for the sign language dialogue? The US criterion disc lacks the subtitles for this film in those parts.

It doesn't until about halfway through (after the scene at the slide). I think this is a conscious choice to put the viewer in the the same place as Ruben - you gain understanding as he does.

[mogwai_macabre]

Originally Posted by djhig

It doesn't until about halfway through (after the scene at the slide). I think this is a conscious choice to put the viewer in the the same place as Ruben - you gain understanding as he does.

But you’re confirming this disc does include them after that point in the movie? That’s how the subtitles worked on streaming, but missing completely from the Criterion disc.

[djhig]

Originally Posted by mogwai_macabre

But you’re confirming this disc does include them after that point in the movie? That’s how the subtitles worked on streaming, but missing completely from the Criterion disc.

Yep, they're included after that point, but there's only maybe 10 lines of dialogue and I don't know how much it adds to the experience.