Displaying items by tag: Robert Meyer Burnett

Afternoon, Bits readers and welcome to the new week and, of course, Halloween Eve!

We’ve got a little bit of ground to cover here today, but first I wanted to personally thank all those of you who have signed up to support The Digital Bits via Patreon. Since we first launched our Patreon five days ago, we’re up to 77 backers (and 104 members total), and we really appreciate your support. It means a lot, and it will make a real difference here, let me tell you.

Already, I’ve decided on a couple things: I’m making regular (almost daily) blog posts exclusively for our Patreon supporters that are a little different than the kind of thing I post here and on our social media. For example... my first-take thoughts on things I’m hearing from sources (release news, industry developments, and the like), first impressions on new review discs that I’ve had the chance to look at (before I publish the full in-depth reviews here on the site), and other odds and ends—the kinds of things that offer you a essentially a more personal and candid look behind the scenes here at The Bits. I’m also making the occasional public post for all members there, with information that’s relevant to all our readers—the kind of thing I’m going to share here in a minute today (disc replacement news, a PS5 firmware update of relevance to disc fans, the occasional piece of significant breaking news). And we’ll add more Patreon-exclusive features over time as we get used working there, learning what kinds of perks are possible, and what we can do without dramatically increasing our workload.

Anyway, just know that we really, really appreciate those of you who are willing to support our work with your hard-earned money. Thanks to all 77 paying backers (here’s to reaching 100!) and thanks to all of you who are following us there.

Now then... I’m going to be spending the rest of my day working on a review of Paramount’s Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One in 4K UHD for posting here hopefully tomorrow. But first, there’s some important breaking news... [Read on here...]

Afternoon, Bits readers! We’re back after the long 4th of July holiday here in the States with more reviews and announcements. As always, we’ll start with reviews...

Stuart has reviewed a pair of new Blu-ray titles, including Gregory La Cava’s Lady in a Jam (1942) and also Mervyn LeRoy’s Moment to Moment (1966) from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

Stephen has checked in with his take on William Cameron Menzies’ Invaders from Mars (1953) on 4K Ultra HD from Ignite Films.

And Dennis has offered his look at Vincente Minelli’s The Courtship of Eddie’s Father (1963) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.

Now then, in announcement news today, the big news is that our friends at Shout! and Scream Factory have just unveiled their September Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD release slate, and—as always—there are some gems to report. [Read on here...]

We’ve got a few interesting pieces of announcement news for you today...

First, Paramount has revealed new 4K Ultra HD Steelbook editions of the Mission: Impossible films today. Look for Mission: Impossible and Mission: Impossible 2 on 6/27, followed by Mission: Impossible 3 and Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol on 7/4, and finally Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation and Mission: Impossible – Fallout on 7/11. You can see the Steelbook artwork for each below the break.

Paramount is also releasing an Amaray/wide-release version of Young Sherlock Holmes on Blu-ray on 6/27 (for those of you who passed on the Blu-ray Steelbook release).

Some of you will recall that we recently mentioned that Mill Creek is releasing The Event: The Complete Series on Blu-ray on 6/6. Well, Universal is also releasing La Brea: The Complete Second Season on Blu-ray that same day.

Allied Vaughn has set Ben Steinbauer and Berndt Mader’s comedy documentary Chop & Steele for Blu-ray and DVD on 7/18.

The BBC is releasing Doctor Who: Jon Pertwee – Complete Season Three on Blu-ray on 7/11. [Read on here...]

All right, there hasn’t been a lot of release news to report over the last couple of days, but we do have a bunch of new disc reviews for you to enjoy...

I’ve taken a look at the Criterion Collection’s new 4K Ultra HD release of Ingmar Bergman’s The Seventh Seal (1957), which streets next week.

Tim has reviewed the DreamWorks animated spin-off/sequel Puss in Boots: The Last Wish in 4K Ultra HD from Universal.

Dennis has checked in with his thoughts on Elliott Nugent’s Never Say Die (1939) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

Stuart has offered his take on Fernando Trueba’s Memories of My Father (2020) on Blu-ray from the Cohen Media Group via Kino Lorber.

And finally, Stephen has reviewed Christopher Berkeley and Sam Liu animated Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham in 4K Ultra HD from DC and Warner Bros., as well as Adrian Lyne’s Flashdance (1983) in 4K Ultra HD from Paramount.

As always, more reviews are forthcoming, so be sure to keep checking back for them. [Read on here...]

We’ve got another new disc review for you, or technically two of them: Stephen has checked out George A. Romero’s Martin (1977), which is now available in 4K Ultra HD and 4K Ultra HD Limited Edition from the good folks at Second Sight in the UK. And Stephen has taken a look at both versions for your reading convenience. This is an import release and note that the Blu-ray in the package is Region B only.

Now then, we have a couple of big studio announcements to cover for you today...

First up, Marvel Studios and Disney have officially set Peyton Reed’s Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania for release on Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD on 5/16, with the Digital release expected on 4/18. The 4K SKU will feature HDR10 high dynamic range and Dolby Atmos audio (while the Blu-ray will include 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio).

Extras on all versions will include audio commentary with Reed and writer Jeff Loveness, a gag reel, 2 deleted scenes, and a pair of featurettes (All in the Family and Formidable Foes). You can see the cover artwork at left and also below the break.

Meanwhile, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and DC have also just set David F. Sandberg’s Shazam! Fury of the Gods for release on Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD on 5/23, with the Digital release due tomorrow on 4/7. Both the Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD will feature Dolby Atmos audio, while the 4K will include both HDR10 and Dolby Vision high dynamic range. [Read on here...]

We start today with four more new disc reviews...

Stephen has taken a look at Calin Cazan, Dan Chisovski, and Mircea Toia’s animated The Son of the Stars (1985) on Blu-ray from Deaf Crocodile and Vinegar Syndrome.

Dennis has checked in with his thoughts on Darren Aronofsky’s The Whale (2022) on Blu-ray from Lionsgate, a film that just netted star Brendan Fraser the Academy Award for Best Actor.

And Stuart has taken a look at Vincente Minelli’s The Long, Long Trailer (1954) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection, along with Ulli Lommel’s The Devonsville Terror (1983) on Blu-ray from Vinegar Syndrome.

More reviews are forthcoming, so be sure to stay tuned for them.

Also today, we’ve posted our latest update of the Release Dates & Artwork section (see the Cover Art link at the top of the website), which includes all the latest Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD cover artwork and Amazon.com pre-order links. As always, a portion of anything you order after clicking to Amazon from one of our links goes to help support our work here at The Bits and we really do appreciate it. [Read on here...]

We’re rounding out the week here at The Bits with a little bit more announcement news today, but first a couple more reviews...

Tim offered his thoughts on Travis Knight’s Kubo and the Two Strings in 4K Ultra HD from Laika via Shout! Factory—both the regular Amaray version as well as the Steelbook packaging.

Pressing on to this afternoon’s release news, Kino Lorber Studio Classics has just revealed that they’re bringing Charles Laughton’s classic noir thriller The Night of the Hunter (1955) to 4K Ultra HD on 5/30, complete with a new scan and Dolby Vision HDR grade.

Also newly revealed as coming to Blu-ray from KLSC are Dave Thomas’ The Experts (1989) on 5/9 and Robert Aldrich’s Hustle (1975) on 5/16.

In addition, they’re working on “coming soon” Blu-ray releases of René Clément’s The Day and the Hour (1963)—this one mastered from a new 4K restoration by Gaumont—as well as Stephen Norrington’s Death Machine (1994). [Read on here...]

Okay, there’s not a ton of news worth reporting today here at The Bits, but we do have a few quick things for you.

As is often the case, we’ll start with some new disc reviews...

Tim has posted his thoughts on Jim Wynorski’s The Return of the Swamp Thing (1989) in 4K Ultra HD from Lightyear Entertainment. He’s also taken a look at Stuart Barge’s Julius Caesar (1970) on regular Blu-ray from Imprint Films.

And Stephen has given David O. Russell’s Amsterdam (2022) a spin on 4K Ultra HD from 20th Century Studios.

More reviews are forthcoming, so be sure to stay tuned for them.

In terms of actual title announcements, Music Box Films has announced that Martika Ramirez Escobar’s Lenor Will Never Die is now available on Digital and is also coming to Blu-ray and DVD on 3/14. [Read on here...]

First things first this afternoon: I posted a review here at The Bits yesterday of John Sturges’ 1969 spaceflight drama Marooned on all-region import Blu-ray from the good folks at Imprint Films. It’s definitely worth tracking down for fans.

And I’ll have more new reviews this week as well, including my take on Criterion’s For All Mankind in 4K, which will be posted here on The Bits tomorrow.

Now then, let’s get to the main event for today’s My Two Cents update...

Last night I had the privilege of attending the debut screening of Robert Wise’s 4K-remastered Star Trek: The Motion Picture – Director’s Edition at Paramount, some 21 years after attending the premiere of the 2001 DVD version in the same theater. And I’m thrilled to report that it’s absolutely spectacular. [Read on here...]

First things first today: The Criterion Collection has just announced their April Blu-ray and 4K release slate and—as always—it’s another great list of titles.

Look for Alex Cox’s Walker (Spine #423 – Blu-ray and DVD) on 4/12, Vittorio De Sica’s Miracle in Milan (Spine #1119 – Blu-ray and DVD) and Frank Tashlin’s The Girl Can’t Help It (Spine #1120 – Blu-ray only) on 4/19, and Arie and Chuko Esiri’s Eyimofe (This Is My Desire) (Spine #1121 – Blu-ray and DVD), Bertrand Tavernier’s ‘Round Midnight (Spine #1122 – Blu-ray and DVD), and Al Reinert’s For All Mankind (Spine #54 – 4K Ultra HD – Blu-ray and DVD already available) on 4/26. You can see the 4K art for For All Mankind on the left, and we’ll post the rest of the cover artwork over the next few days as the titles become available for pre-order on Amazon.

Here’s some more great breaking news: Our friends at Powerhouse Films have just informed us that their outstanding Indicator label—which already delivers fantastic special edition Blu-ray titles to the UK and European market—is officially coming to the US!

The company has partnered with Distribution Solutions, a division of Alliance Entertainment, to ensure that retailers throughout North America will be able to carry Indicator releases. These will include Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Sunrise, Critics Choice, and DiabolikDVD. The first Indicator titles should start becoming available here in the US starting this week. [Read on here...]