Duplitech was selected by MVD Entertainment Group to remaster the 35th anniversary edition of the 1988 classic RAIN MAN, starring Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise.
"MGM Studios, the owner of the United Artists Library of Films, continues to open the vaults for 4K remastering to the folks at Kino Lorber, Shout! Factory, The Criterion Collection, and now for the first time MVD Entertainment Group.
Eric D. Wilkinson supervised the 35th Anniversary 4K restoration with a major assist from Barry Levinson. Duplitech in Torrance, CA, handled the 16-bit 4K scan of the original camera negative (1.85:1 aspect ratio) and restoration. First off, the film grain is completely intact on screen without any sign of over-management. The 4K looks phenomenal with close-up clarity and nicely composed wide shots from foreground to background elements. Daylight scenes are spectacular with its added field of focus and color fidelity.
The HDR10 and Dolby Vision grading provides a more balanced color palette – especially with facial toning that bleeds toward a red tint on the Blu-ray. That’s a common issue with the limited color spectrum of Standard Dynamic Range encoded on 1080p discs. The HDR highlights expansion also keeps the brightest area under control and gives a stronger and richer mid-tone base. The HDR10 hits 1006 nits and averages 139 nit, while the video fluctuates from 30 Megabits per second to 80 Mbps.
And for anyone that hasn’t upgraded to 4K, the enclosed Blu-ray (or sold separately) is also sourced from the new 4K master, which provides a nice bump in quality over the old and tired MGM Blu-ray.
“Rain Man” premiered in December 1988, accumulating a substantial $172 million domestic box office. Cruise’s performance clearly deserved his first Academy Award nomination. But, he didn’t have to wait long since his next role as Ron Kovic in “Born on the Fourth of July” earned a Best Actor nod.
This first 4K Marquee Collection presentation from MVD Entertainment Group is the start of something special."
— Bill Kelley III, High-Def Watch producer