My Two Cents
We’ve got more new disc reviews for you today here at The Bits and some great release news as well to close out the week. So let’s get right into it...
First up, I’ve posted my review of James Cameron’s The Terminator (1984) in 4K Ultra HD from MGM and Warner Bros. It’s the best AI remaster yet from Lightstorm and Park Road Post, not to mention one that I think is going to pleasantly surprise a lot of people. (Hint: There’s grain.) BTW, I’m also working on my review of Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest (1959) in 4K, which I expect to share over the next 24 hours or so, so be sure to keep checking back. And Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles (1974) will follow shortly after that.
Tim has turned in his thoughts of Alexandre Aja’s Crawl (2019) in 4K UHD from the Paramount Scares: Volume 1 box set. He’s also taken a look at Lindsay Shonteff’s The Million Eyes of Sumuru (1967) in 4K from Blue Underground. And he’s reviewed Monk: Season One (2002) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics as well today.
Stephen has taken a look at Elia Kazan’s On the Waterfront (1954) in 4K UHD from the new Columbia Classics 4K Ultra HD Collection: Volume 5 box set.
Sam has given Philippe Mora’s Howling II: Your Sister Is a Werewolf (1985) and Chih-Hung Kuei’s Corpse Mania (1981) a look in 4K UHD from Vinegar Syndrome.
And finally, Stuart has offered his take on John “Bud” Cardos’ Kingdom of the Spiders (1977) on Blu-ray from Kino Cult, as well as Fritz Lang’s You and Me (1938) on Region B Blu-ray from Powerhouse Films’ Indicator label. [Read on here...]
Heads up, Bits readers!
I just wanted to jump in here this afternoon to share a bit of news and a bunch of new disc reviews that we’ve prepared for today.
Call it a hunch, but I have a strong suspicion that this release is meant to set up a second 4K Steelbook release coming in 2025, specifically of the more recent Disney+ streaming series Willow (2022). That show was cancelled and pulled from Disney+, allegedly for cost-cutting reasons, and a good way to try to recoup a little of that investment would be to sell it on 4K disc and possibly Blu-ray. So I think that’s a pretty good possibility next year.
Meanwhile, here at the site today, we’ve just posted our weekly update of the Release Dates & Artwork section (you’ll find that here) featuring all of the latest Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD cover and Amazon.com pre-order links. (Thanks to our own Russell Hammond for his work on that.)
Speaking of which, John Ford’s The Searchers (1956) is finally up for pre-order on Amazon in 4K for the stunning price of just $29.99... [Read on here...]
We’ve got some more good catalog 4K news to report for you today, folks...
Lucasfilm and Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment are officially announcing the 4K Ultra HD Steelbook release of Ron Howard’s beloved fantasy adventure Willow (1988) this morning!
And here’s the official word, straight from the studio...
GEORGE LUCAS AND RON HOWARD’S TIMELESS TALE ARRIVES ON 4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY DISC FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER!
Watch The Oscar-Nominated* Adventure Arriving on December 10th
BURBANK, CA (November 12, 2024) – Fans will enjoy the iconic fantasy epic, Willow, from legendary filmmakers, George Lucas and Ron Howard, when it arrives on December 10th in a breathtaking collectible 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook. The film will also be available to buy on digital platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango at Home.
Nominated for two Oscars, the 1988 timeless classic follows a young farmer, Willow Ufgood (Warwick Davis), who is chosen to undertake a perilous journey to protect a special baby from an evil queen.
*Best Effects, Sound Effects Editing and Best Effects, Visual Effects. [Read on here...]
All right, as promised we have a bunch of new Blu-ray reviews for you today and 4K review as well, with still more set to follow all this week. We’re starting this morning with...
My review of Ron Howard’s excellent Formula 1 racing drama Rush (2013) in 4K Ultra HD from Shout! Factory, featuring stunning HDR and a new Atmos mix on a 100 GB disc.
Stephen’s look at Michael Cimino’s Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974) as re-issued in a new Blu-ray edition by Kino Lorber Studio Classics—the same disc that was included with their excellent 4K release last year.
Stuart’s thoughts on Damiano Damiani’s A Man on His Knees (1979) on Blu-ray from Radiance Films and Steven Hilliard Stern’s Rolling Vengeance (1987) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.
And Dennis’ take on Norman Taurog’s Words and Music (1948) on Blu-ray from the MGM library via the Warner Archive Collection.
Now then... given that this is Veteran’s Day, a Federal holiday here in the States, there’s not a ton of release news to report, but we do have a couple of things to share with you regardless... [Read on here...]
Heads up Bits readers…
I just wanted to check in here today to let you all know that we’re working on new disc reviews, the first of which should start going live here on the website over the weekend.
There’s not a ton of release news to report today, however I am happy to say that the SRPs for the new Star Wars Disney+ 4K Ultra HD Steelbooks (due on 12/3) have finally come down to rational levels Amazon. So here are the pre-order links:
The Mandalorian: The Complete Third Season (4K)
Ahsoka: The Complete First Season (4K)
Hawkeye: The Complete First Season (4K)
Loki: The Complete Second Season (4K)
Also today, it appears that the Warner Archive Collection’s new 4K and Blu-ray release of John Ford’s The Searchers (1956) have now been listed on Amazon, but the pre-orders are not yet live. But here are those links... [Read on here...]