Displaying items by tag: Bill Hunt

We’re starting as always today with new disc reviews! And we’ve got some good ones, including…

My look at Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai (1954) in 4K Ultra HD from the Criterion Collection.

Stephen’s take on Ti West’s MaXXXine (2024) in 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray from A24 and Lionsgate.

Tim’s review of Monk: Season Two (2003-2004) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

Dennis’ thoughts on James Watkins’ Speak No Evil (2024) on Blu-ray from Universal, as well as Zach Clark’s The Becomers (2023) on Blu-ray from Vinegar Syndrome, and Peter Markle’s Youngblood (1986) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

Sam Cohen’s look at Marco Bellocchio’s Kidnapped: The Abduction of Edgardo Mortara (2023) on Blu-ray from the Coen Media Group and Kino Lorber.

And finally, Stuart’s take on Claude Berri’s Tchao Pantin (1983) on Blu-ray from Radiance Films.

More reviews are forthcoming, including my own look on Dean Parisot’s Galaxy Quest (1999) in 4K Ultra HD from Paramount—that disc is expected to arrive here at the office today, so I’ll definitely be spinning it immediately upon its arrival! [Read on here...]

Heads up, Bits readers! For those of you who are into 4K projector news, our friend John Schuermann at The Screening Room A/V in Colorado Springs is hosting a new episode of their Video Podcast tonight to run down the new 2024 lineup of JVC Projectors!

You may recall that I joined the podcast for an episode last year on the future of physical media (available here).

Tonight, John will be joined by Sammie Prescott of Projector Central and Kris Deering of Deep Dive A/V! They’ll have special coverage of JVC’s new NEW DLA-RS1200 / NZ500 projector as reviewed by Sammie and the TSR Crew!

The fun starts tonight at 7 PM Mountain (9 PM Eastern). [Read on here...]

We’ve got more new disc reviews to share with you today, to start the new week out right…

As promised, I’ve shared my in-depth thoughts on Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest (1959) in 4K Ultra HD from Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment, and you’ll be pleased to know that it’s stunning. What’s more, those of you who saw the promotional trailer for the remaster need not worry—its missing fingers and cigarette are untouched in the actual 4K master. The film looks really great.

Also today, Stephen has taken a look at Shout! Factory’s new Limited Edition 4K Ultra HD box set of Jim Henson’s Labyrinth (1986).

Tim has offered his thoughts on Barry Sonnenfeld’s Addams Family Values (1993) in 4K Ultra HD from Paramount Pictures Home Entertainment.

And Sam has reviewed Nikhil Nagesh Baht’s Kill (2023) in 4K Ultra HD Steelbook from Lionsgate.

Next up on my review stack is Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles (1974) in 4K Ultra HD from Warner, but first I may share my look at Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai (1954) in 4K UHD from Criterion, provided my copy arrives in the mail today as expected. Either way, both reviews should be posted in the next couple days.

Speaking of Criterion, the company has just unveiled its February 2025 release slate, as follows… [Read on here...]

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.

First, I’m sure that most of you have seen today’s first news update here by now: Lucasfilm and Disney just announced the 4K Ultra HD Steelbook release of Ron Howard’s Willow (1988).

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...]

All right, today is Election Day here in the States, which means that partisans on both sides (and everyone in between) are feeling grumpy, nervous, or just over the whole damn thing. Some folks this evening or tomorrow—or at some point in the next two months—will be happy-ish. But while none of this feels normal, it may actually be the new normal, and that too is unsettling for lots of people.

Given all of that, I wanted to share a post today here at The Digital Bits that might actually serve as a balm or a ray of sunshine for movie and 4K fans—or at least a bit of welcome news—no matter what the outcome of today’s voting might be. So stay tuned for that in a moment.

First though, we’ve got a trio of new disc reviews to share with you here today, including...

Stephen’s take on Robert Rossen’s All the King’s Men (1949) in 4K Ultra HD from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment’s new Columbia Classics 4K Ultra HD Collection: Volume 5 box set.

Dennis’ review of Robert Rossen’s Body and Soul (1947) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

And Stuart’s thoughts on Alberto Cavalcanti’s Nicholas Nickleby (1947) on Blu-ray from Kino Classics.

More reviews are definitely on the way soon, including my own look at Arcane: League of Legends in 4K UHD from GKids and Shout! Studios. So be sure to watch for them. [Read on here...]

Heads up, Bits readers! We’ve got big breaking news to report this afternoon!

Our friends at the Warner Archive Collection are about to announce their first-ever 4K Ultra HD catalog release, and it’s none other than John Ford’s legendary Western classic The Searchers (1956)!

The film stars John Wayne, Natalie Wood, Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles, and Ward Bond.

The title will be available on 12/17 as both a 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray Combo (SRP $29.99) and a separate Blu-ray Disc release (SRP $21.99), each meticulously restored and remastered from the film’s original VistaVision negative!

Better still, the 4K disc has been compressed and authored by the fine team at Fidelity in Motion (FIM), with encoding specifically designed to fit UHD100 and BD50 discs, thus allowing for maximum data rates.

The 4K disc itself will include only the film and the audio commentary, so the image will have plenty of room to breathe. And the 4K disc will also be compatible with both Dolby Vision and HDR10 high dynamic range.

Both the 4K and Blu-ray will include the film’s original mono audio track, “restored from the best available source materials to provide a clean and dynamic audio presentation.” [Read on here...]