First up, not exactly an announcement, but we’ve learned from director Christopher McQuarrie (via Twitter) that Mission: Impossible – Fallout will feature the IMAX presentation when it arrives on 4K Ultra HD later this year. It’s possible that the Blu-ray release will as well. McQuarrie has also confirmed that he and actor Tom Cruise are recording an audio commentary track for the release. So watch for that on Blu-ray and 4K.
Speaking of Paramount 4K titles, we’ve been informed that review product for their Jack Ryan 5-Film Collection suffered a delay, which means we’re probably going to get our hands on the disc on or slightly after street date (tomorrow). A lot of you have been asking when we’re going to review these films and the answer is as quickly as we can when the discs arrive. So hopefully watch for our thoughts on all five films in 4K this week.
Now then, some of you have asked us if Fox’s Die Hard: 30th Anniversary Edition on Blu-ray, which is set for release on 9/25, will feature a new BD disc based on the recent 4K scan available on Ultra HD (and reviewed here at The Bits). The answer is no – that’s confirmed with the studio. If you want the new transfer, 4K Ultra HD is it.
Here’s some great Blu-ray news, though: Lionsgate has just announced their next Vestron Video Collector’s Series title, due on 10/23, and it’s none other than Stephen King’s Maximum Overdrive. You can see the cover artwork above and to the left there.
Lionsgate has also set A Prayer Before Dawn for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 1/9. And they’ve announced Bo Burnham’s coming-of-age drama Eighth Grade for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 10/9.
Kino Lorber will release James Foley’s The Chamber (1996) on Blu-ray on 11/13 as part of their Studio Classics line-up. Also coming soon from them on Blu-ray is Robert Altman’s The Gingerbread Man (1998).
Shout! Factory and GKids have set the anime Fireworks for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 11/20, from the producer of Your Name.
Scream Factory will be releasing the IFC Midnight film What Keeps You Alive on Blu-ray and DVD in November. Street date is 11/27.
Scream Factory has also set The [REC] Collection for release on Blu-ray on 9/25, featuring [REC], [REC] 2, [REC] 3: Genesis, and [REC] 4: Apocalypse.
Mill Creek Entertainment has moved the street date for their Strait-Jacket/Berserk double feature Blu-ray from 8/21 to 9/25. Adjust your plans accordingly.
For you UK readers, Eureka! has set Troll: The Complete Collection for Blu-ray release on 8 October, featuring Troll, Troll 2, and Best Worst Movie, complete with new and legacy extras.
HBO has set Succession for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 11/6.
RLJE Films will release Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich on Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD on 9/25.
Also on the 4K front, it appears that Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is reissuing a number of their DC live action superhero films with new packaging on 10/2, which could suggest it’s part of the marketing push to support their upcoming 4K Ultra HD release of Superman: The Movie on that date or shortly around then. As soon as we hear official word from the studio, we’ll let you know.
And finally, Studio Canal is going to be releasing more John Carpenter catalog titles on 4K Ultra HD in France and elsewhere in Europe in November, including The Fog and Invasion Los Angeles (aka They Live). It remains to be seen who will distribute those here in the U.S. (if anyone). We’re checking with sources regardless.
One other bit of news: Our old friend and occasional Bits contributor Mark A. Altman has just published a new book called So Say We All: The Complete, Uncensored Oral History of Battlestar Galactica. Our own copy is on the way, but we hear it’s pretty good. You can pre-order it here (or by clicking on the cover artwork at the left there.
Speaking of this, the American Cinematheque is going to be honoring the 40th anniversary with a screening, Q&A and book signing this coming Friday night (8/24) at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. They’re showing a double-feature of Mission Galactica: The Cylon Attack and Battlestar Galactica: Razor. The first film starts at 7:30 PM but Mark will be signing his book in the lobby starting at 6:30 PM. And there will be an introduction and Q&A with members of the cast and crew before each film. Hope to see you there! Click here for the details.
All right, we’ll leave you with a look at one more Talking Blu with The Digital Bits, featuring our own Tim Salmons talking about the recent Blu-ray release of Ninja III: The Domination from Scream Factory on Midnight’s Edge. You can watch that here...
Of course, we’d also be remiss if we didn’t send out a big Happy Birthday to Tim today. He’s busy celebrating with his Mom and family, and we hope he has a great day. Send him a little love via Twitter and Facebook today if you get the chance.
That’s all for now. Stay tuned...
(You can follow Bill on social media at these links: Twitter and Facebook)