BLU-RAY REVIEW

Dumb Money

Featured In Issue Issue 270, November/December

Picture4
Sound3.5
WSR Score3
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):
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number):
63351
(MPAA Rating):
R
(Rating Reason):
Pervasive language, sexual material, and drug use
(Retail Price):
$38.99
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
(Running Time In Minutes):
105
(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):
12/12/2023
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
(Director):
Craig Gillespie
(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):

"Dumb Money" is the ultimate David vs. Goliath tale, based on the insane true story of everyday people who flipped the script on Wall Street and got rich by turning GameStop (yes, the mall video game store) into the world’s hottest company. In the middle of everything is regular guy Keith Gill (Paul Dano), who starts it all by sinking his life savings into the stock and posting about it. When his social posts start blowing up, so does his life and the lives of everyone following him. As a stock tip becomes a movement, everyone gets rich –– until the billionaires fight back, and both sides find their worlds turned upside down. (Gary Reber)

Special features include filmmaker commentary with Writers & Executive Producers Lauren Schuker Blum & Rebecca Angelo, the featurettes "Fat Cats vs. The Roaring Kitty" (HD 07:44) and "Diamond Hand Ensemble" (HD 05:40), three deleted scenes (HD 02:41), upfront previews and a Movies Anywhere digital copy.

The 2.39:1 1080p AVC picture, reviewed on a VIZIO Quantum X P85QX-JI UHD/HDR display, was photographed digitally and sourced from a 4K Digital Intermediate. The picture appears natural in terms of color fidelity with realistic flesh tones. Hues are generally well saturated. Contrast exhibits generally natural black levels, but shadow delineation is a bit week, while white levels are realistic, Resolution is generally good but overall the imagery appears a bit soft at times though filmic. This will be somewhat challenging to follow for those not familiar with the stock gambling culture. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-Hd Master Audio 5.1-channel soundtrack is dialogue focused but the jargon will be challenging to those not familiar with therms used by stock gamblers. The dialogue is delivered generally fast and requires focus. The other elements are atmospherics, which enhance the realism of the settings, and some sound effects associated with the urban setting. The music score is the most intense element with a strong extension from the frontal soundstage to the surrounds. Bass extension is not really a factor except for use in the music element and the music is mostly responsible for the surround energy. Overall, some viewers will find the soundtrack challenging to follow in terms of jargon and clarity. (Gary Reber)