My Two Cents
Thursday, 15 October 2015 15:53

Blu-ray & DVD News – McHale’s Navy, A Bucket of Blood, The Bat, Witch Mountain & new Sony 4K projectors too

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Tim’s big Halloween Hangover review fest continues today with his look at Synapse Film’s new Curtains: Special Edition on Blu-ray, an interesting 1983 slasher by one Jonathan Stryker.

I’ve also tossed another Blu-ray review into the mix this week with a look at Warner’s new Team America: World Police disc, which just arrived in stores on Tuesday. It’s... well, the A/V quality isn’t bad, but if you were hoping the DVD extras would carry over, you’re going to be disappointed.  [Read on here…]

In announcement news today, Shout! Factory has just announced a 21-disc McHale’s Navy: The Complete Series DVD box set for release on 11/17 (SRP $169.99, but you can pre-order it on Amazon now for $124.99). All 138 episodes will be included, along with two full-length feature films: McHale’s Navy (1964) and McHale’s Navy Joins the Air Force (1965). The set will also include The Crew Reunion piece, which features Ernest Borgnine, Tim Conway, Carl Ballantine, Bob Hastings and Edson Stroll sharing their memories of the show. And it comes in military-style foot locker packaging. You can see it here (and click to pre-order on Amazon)...

McHale's Navy: The Complete Series (DVD)

Meanwhile, Fox has announced the release of an 8 Films to Die For collection on digital on 10/16 and on DVD on 10/27. The films include Re-Kill, Murder in the Dark, The Wicked Within, Lumberjack Man, Suspension, Unnatural, Bastard, and Wind Walkers.

PBS has announced the release of Mary Tyler Moore: A Celebration on DVD on 11/17. They also have the Widower coming on Blu-ray and DVD on 10/20.

As we mentioned yesterday, the Film Detective and Allied Vaughn will release Roger Corman’s A Bucket of Blood (1959) on Blu-ray on 10/20 (SRP $14.99). Look for 1.85:1 video with mono sound and English subtitles. They also have The Bat (1959) coming that same day (SRP also $14.99), also in 1.85:1, mono sound and English subs. There are no extras. Both titles are mastered from the original 35mm film elements.

Here’s something interesting: Disney has just released its classic Escape to Witch Mountain and Return from Witch Mountain on Blu-ray, but only as Disney Movie Club Exclusives.

And don’t forget that Twilight Time’s recent slate of Blu-ray titles is now available for pre-order here on their website, including John Carpenter’s Vampires, Black Widow, Count Yorga, Vampire, Devil in a Blue Dress, Scream and Scream Again, and Strange Invaders.

Let’s talk a little 4K hardware news today as well…

Sony Electronics has just announced a line-up of new 4K Ultra HD-compatible home theater front projectors at the CEDIA convention today. The new projectors include the VPL-VW665ES and VPL-VW365ES, which will be available later this month (SRP $14,999 and $9,999 respectively). They’ve also announced a new 4K laser front projector (for high-end home theater installations), the VPL-VW5000ES, which is due next Spring for an SRP of $60,000. There’s also the VPL-HW65ES, which is a newly-updated 1080p projector (SRP $3,999). The VPL-VW665ES and VPL-VW365ES deliver native 4K resolution and full HD 3D, with a lamp rated to last 6,000 hours. The VPL-VW665ES is compatible with HDMI input of HDR (High Dynamic Range) content with a 300,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. Both use advanced SXRD panels, Sony’s TRILUMINOS engine design, and Motionflow picture technology. From the press release...

"Both new models allow users to enjoy up-to-date 4K content services through the latest connectivity options using the latest HDMI standard and HDCP 2.2. A built-in RF 3D transmitter provides interface to industry-standard 3D glasses with a strong wireless signal for wider coverage and 3D synchronization stability. Professional calibration features allow operators to expertly adjust the picture to suit the viewers’ tastes. These color correction tools allow access to adjust the hue, saturation, and brightness of each color and the color space for red, green, blue respectively, to their desired level."

Here’s a look at the VPL-VW665ES...

Sony's VPL-VW665ES 4K projector

All right, that’s all for now. Back tomorrow with more. Stay tuned...

Bill Hunt

 

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