Displaying items by tag: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Today’s update is just a quick one, but we have more reviews for you and some great announcement news too...

First up, I’ve just taken an in-depth look at Imprint’s new Space: 1999 – The Complete Series Ultimate Edition Blu-ray box set, which is far and away the most comprehensive version of the series released yet on this format. It contains all 48 episodes of the series in 1080p (the Network remasters) with the correct mono & 5.1 audio mixes (not the flawed 5.1 from the Shout! Factory set), PLUS nearly all of the special features from the Network Blu-ray sets, AND nearly all of the recent Shout! Factory exclusive extras, AND all four compilation films too! It even comes with a new 48-page liner notes book, The Making of Space: 1999, by Ian Fryer of Fanderson. Best of all? It’s an ALL REGION release, so there’s not need to have an all-region Blu-ray player to watch the contents. As an Australian import, it’s a little pricey. But if you’re a fan of this series, trust me when I say that this is definitely the Blu-ray set you want.

Also today, our own Tim Salmons has taken a look at Imprint’s new Blu-ray edition of Mike Newell’s The Awakening (1980). And he’s reviewed the recent Scream Factory version of The Awakening as well, for the sake of comparison. [Read on here...]

We’ve got more great new disc reviews for you to enjoy today, as well as more release news too...

First up, Tim has posted his thoughts on Richard Alan Greenberg’s Little Monsters (1989), coming on 9/15 to Blu-ray from Lionsgate via their Vestron Video Collector’s Series.

Tim has also given William Witney’s Master of the World (1961) a look on Blu-ray, a hybrid adaptation of a pair of classic Jules Vern novels (Robur the Conqueror and Master of the World). That arrives on Blu-ray on 8/31 from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

And finally, Tim has taken Roger Corman’s The Raven (1963) out for a spin on Blu-ray, starring Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, and Boris Karloff. That’s also coming from Kino Lorber Studio Classics on 8/31.

In terms of announcement news today, the big one is that Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has officially revealed a title we’ve had on our 4K List here at The Bits for a while now: J. Lee Thompson’s The Guns of Navarone. Look for it to arrive on 4K Ultra HD on 10/12 in honor of the film’s 60th anniversary. [Read on here...]

We’re rounding out the week with a bit of new announcement news here at The Bits...

I’ll have a review of Akira Kurosawa’s Ran in 4K Ultra HD for you later today as well, but first I wanted to jump in early with some breaking news.

Universal Monsters fans may be pleased to learn that Tod Browning’s Dracula (1931) is now available for purchase on iTunes/Apple TV in 4K UHD with HDR. And the SRP is just $4.99. It looks fantastic—the high dynamic range really does make a difference in subtle things, like shadow detailing, candle and moonlight luminance, Dracula’s glowing white eyes, and the like.

As I mentioned in my review of the complete Universal Monsters Blu-ray Collection back in 2018, all of these films were remastered from new 4K scans. So potentially, they could all be made available in native 4K, both digitally and on disc. And in fact, we’ve had Dracula on our 4K Ultra HD Release List here at The Bits for many months now. Both Dracula and Frankenstein celebrate their 90th anniversaries this year. The Mummy turns 90 next year, while The Wolf Man celebrates its 80th anniversary in 2021. [Read on here...]

All right, it’s been a busy last several days here at The Bits. For one thing, just personally, I had my mother visiting from North Dakota all last week for the first time in over two years given the pandemic. And that was great, but of course it set me back on 4K review work (which I intend to catch up on this week).

I’ve also just spent most of today on the phone with industry sources, gathering information for our big preview of 4K Ultra HD catalog releases that are coming in the second half of 2021. And that’s the crux of today’s post here at The Bits, but more on that in a minute.

First, we have a couple more new disc reviews to share with you...

Dennis has posted his thoughts on Andrew V. McLaglen’s 1965 Civil War drama Shenandoah, which stars Jimmy Stewart. The film arrives on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics on 7/27.

And Stephen has offered a look at John Sturges’ acclaimed 1959 western Last Train from Gun Hill, a VistaVision classic newly released on Blu-ray as part of the Paramount Presents line-up. [Read on here...]

All right, we’re starting this afternoon with a few more new disc reviews for you to enjoy...

Stephen has posted his thoughts on Curtis Bernhardt’s 1929 silent drama The Woman One Longs For, featuring only the second starring role for actress Marlene Dietrich. That’s now available on Blu-ray from Kino Classics.

Also, Dennis has offered a look at John Farrow’s 1949 film noir Alias Nick Beal, available on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics. Do give both of them a look.

In Blu-ray release news today, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and DC have just set Batwoman: The Complete Second Season for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 9/21 featuring all 18 episodes along with deleted scenes, a gag reel, and 2 featurettes (Villains Analyzed and Never Alone: Heroes and Allies).

WBHE has also set the animated Straight Outta Nowhere: Scooby-Doo Meets Courage the Cowardly Dog for release on DVD and Digital on 9/14. [Read on here...]

We’ve got a new disc review today from Tim—actually a pair of reviews, but it’s essentially the same title in two different packaging SKUs—featuring his thoughts on John McTiernan’s Last Action Hero (1993) in 4K Ultra HD and 4K UHD Steelbook from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Sounds like it’s a good release, so do give it a look.

Now then, the big news today is that Criterion has officially announced their September slate, which is set to include Neil Jordan’s Mona Lisa (Blu-ray and DVD – Spine #107) on 9/14, Gina-Prince-Bythewood’s Love & Basketball (Blu-ray and DVD – Spine #1097) and Johnnie To’s Throw Down (Blu-ray and DVD – Spine #1092) on 9/21, and Luchino Visconti’s The Damned (Blu-ray and DVD – Spine #1098) and Melvin Van Peebles: Four Films (Blu-ray only, includes The Story of a Three Day Pass – Spine #1093, Watermelon Man – Spine #1094, Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song – Spine #1095, and Don’t Play Us Cheap – Spine #1096) on 9/28. You can see the cover artwork for Melvin Van Peebles: Four Films at left and also below the break. Click here for all the A/V and extras details on the Criterion website.

We’ve updated our Criterion Spines Project pages here on The Bits accordingly. [Read on here...]

We’ve got some bit 4K release news for you today, but first more new disc reviews...

Stephen has posted his thoughts on Rod Lurie’s The Outpost: Extended Director’s Cut in 4K Ultra HD from Screen Media. Sounds like it’s a good film, but be aware that this is one of those rare 4K releases that doesn’t include HDR.

Also today, Dennis has reviewed Gus Trikonis’ Take The Job and Shove It (1981) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

More reviews are on the way for later this week. (And yes, I’m still waiting on Zack Snyder’s Justice League in 4K, but I will review that the moment it arrives.) [Read on here...]

All right... we have just a quick update here at The Bits for you today, because I have family visiting this weekend for the first time since before the pandemic.

The big thing we have for you this afternoon is of course this: I’ve posted our in-depth review of the Indiana Jones: 4-Movie Collection in 4K Ultra HD from Paramount Home Entertainment and Lucasfilm. The remastered 4K image on the first three films is spectacular, while the fourth film at least benefits some from HDR and some 4K-scanned footage from the camera negative here and there (shots without VFX). Meanwhile, the new Ben Burtt Dolby Atmos mixes are all demo-worthy across the board.

There are no new extras in the set and the packaging is terrible, but the picture and sound upgrade is so significant that most fans will be willing to overlook it. The set is definitely not to be missed, and you’ll find all the in-depth details right here in our review. [Read on here...]

We start our post today with two new Blu-ray Disc reviews...

Tim has taken a look at Richard Fleischer’s Million Dollar Mystery (1987) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics, which streets on 5/25.

And Dennis has chimed in with his thoughts on Gilbert Cates’ The Last Married Couple in America (1980), which just arrived last week (on 5/4) also from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

Also, though I forgot to mention it in our last post, Dennis has also recently reviewed Hubert Cornfield’s The Night of the Following Day (1969) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics, a film that stars Marlon Brando and Richard Boone and also streets on 5/25. So do give those a look if you’re interested.

Now then, in announcement news today, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has officially set Space Jam for release on 4K Ultra HD and Digital 4K on 7/6, just as we expected. [Read on here...]

All right, we haven’t posted a news update in a few days, because frankly there hasn’t been a ton of news to report, and also because we’ve been working on more new discs reviews. To that end we’ve recently posted...

My thoughts on Rob Reiner’s The Princess Bride, as released late last year on 4K Ultra HD by Turbine Media in Germany. The accompanying Blu-ray is locked to Region B, but the 4K disc is compatible with UHD players worldwide, and the image quality is absolutely gorgeous.

My review of Tim Burton’s Big Fish, newly released on 4K Ultra HD here in the States by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

Tim’s take on Rolf de Heer’s Bad Boy Bubby (1993), which dropped back in February on region-free Blu-ray from Umbrella Entertainment.

And Dennis’ look at Richard C. Sarafian’s Eye of the Tiger (1986), coming soon on Blu-ray from Scorpion Releasing via Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

More reviews will follow next week, including my thoughts on Arrow Video’s recent UK release of Kinji Fukasaku’s Battle Royale in 4K, among others. So be sure to check back then. [Read on here...]