Displaying items by tag: Paramount

Afternoon, Bits readers! We’ve got something very special to share with you today here at the site, but first we also have some more new disc reviews...

Our very own Tim Salmons has delivered his thoughts on Roy William Neill’s Black Moon (1934) on Blu-ray from Columbia Pictures and Via Vision’s Imprint Films label. Tim has also taken a look at Jay Levey’s UHF (1989) in 4K Ultra HD from Shout! Studios in honor of the film’s 35th anniversary!

And Stuart has offered his take on another classic film, Arthur Ripley’s The Chase (1946) on Blu-ray from the good people at Kino Lorber Studio Classics. Enjoy!

Now then, some of you may remember that way back in 2010, visual effects pioneer Douglas Trumbull proposed an elaborate documentary on the making of Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). Unfortunately, he was never able to get Warner Bros. to fund the project, which was known as Beyond the Infinite, and the man sadly passed away in 2022 (you can read our salute to him here).

You may also remember that back in 2016, I published an in-depth look at the various behind-the-scenes books on the making of the film, Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: The Ultimate Trip in Print, here at The Bits website.

Well... back in September I was honored to be contacted by my friends Michael and Denise Okuda (of Star Trek fame) to participate in a new documentary they were producing on 2001 with the team at OTOY. So I spent a lovely evening up in Burbank with Mike, Denise, and my old friend Roger Lay, Jr. (who created many of the excellent documentaries on Paramount’s Star Trek Blu-rays in recent years) shooting an interview about the film and its place in cinema history. Today, I am very pleased to say that the result of their work is finally available for all of you to see for yourselves! [Read on here...]

We’ve got a pair of new disc reviews for you here at The Bits today...

Dennis has turned in his thoughts on Paul Brickman’s Risky Business (1983) on Blu-ray from the Criterion Collection (a 4K UHD review is also forthcoming).

And Stuart has chimed in with his look at James Beshears’ Homework (1982) on Blu-ray from Unearthed Films.

In announcement news today, Kino Lorber Studio Classics has revealed that Umberto Lenzi’s Battle of the Commandos (1969) is coming soon to Blu-ray, a film that features Jack Palance and Curd Jürgens. Also coming soon to Blu-ray from KLSC is Terence Young’s The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders (1965).

While it’s not quite announcement news, based on new Amazon listings it appears that Paramount is going to be releasing Gore Verbinski’s The Ring (2002) in 4K Ultra HD and 4K Steelbook on 10/15. The film was previously made available on the format only in the Scream Factory’s The Ring Collection 4K set back in March. It appears To Catch of Thief is finally coming to 4K as well that same day, in the same Paramount Presents packaging that the 2020 Blu-ray edition was released in. And Tim Burton’s Sleepy Hollow is being reissued as a 4K Steelbook package on 10/8. You can see the cover artwork for some of them below the break. [Read on here...]

We’re starting things off this week as always with another new disc review...

Stephen has just checked in with his in-depth thoughts on Roman Polanski’s Chinatown (1974) in 4K Ultra HD, a new Paramount Presents title that also includes Jack Nicholson’s 1990 sequel, The Two Jakes, on Blu-ray. Sounds like it’s a pretty good release, so do give it a look.

Speaking of good 4K, I had the great fortune yesterday afternoon to attend the West Coast premiere of the new Janus Films 4K restoration of Akira Kurosawa’s legendary masterpiece Seven Samurai (1954), which was held at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. It was my... I don’t know, forty or fiftieth viewing of the film? And I brought my friend Tom Beckett-Maines along for his first ever viewing. It goes without saying that we both enjoyed the film, and it was very encouraging to experience it with a packed crowd filled with young people who were really into it. Tip of the hat to the American Cinematheque for a great screening. If I lived a little closer to L.A. I would definitely become a card-carrying member, because they always do it right.

I think we can reasonably expect that Seven Samurai will be announced for physical 4K Ultra HD release by Criterion sooner rather than later, and I personally can’t wait for it. I still have a few “holy grail” physical media releases on my bucket list, and one of them is surely a Blu-ray/4K Ultra HD upgrade of Criterion’s wonderful AK100 DVD box set. But I’ll take all the Kurosawa I can get in 4K in the meantime. [Read on here...]

We’re back today with some release news as well as a bunch more new disc reviews, including...

My take on Alex Garland’s Civil War (2024) in 4K Ultra HD from A24 and Lionsgate, a film I didn’t even want to see but that I ended up really impressed with, that also happens to be the most demo-worthy 4K release since Dune: Part Two, Oppenheimer, and Top Gun: Maverick. It also has a terrific documentary from our old friend Charles de Lauzirika, so it’s well worth your time.

Stephen’s thoughts on Abel Ferrara’s Bad Lieutenant (1992) in 4K Ultra HD from Kino Lorber Studio Classics, as well as the Wachowskis’ Bound (1996) in 4K Ultra HD from Criterion.

Dennis’ review of Sidney J. Furie’s The Lawyer (1970) and Frank Tuttle’s The Hour Before Dawn (1944) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

And finally, Tim’s look at J. Lee Thompson’s Death Wish 4: The Crackdown (1987) and Allan A. Goldstein’s Death Wish V: The Face of Death (1994) on Blu-ray also from KL Studio Classics.

We definitely have more reviews cooking at The Bits, but with the 4th of July holiday here in the States falling on a Thursday (tomorrow) this year, we’re giving everyone the next few days off to recharge with their families. So we’ll be back on Monday with more new reviews and—we would imagine—plenty of breaking release news too.

In announcement news today, Kino Lorber Studio Classics has revealed that Ralph S. Singleton’s Graveyard Shift (1990) is coming soon to 4K Ultra HD. Also newly-revealed as coming soon to Blu-ray is Willard Juyck’s Best Defense (1984). [Read on here...]

Morning everyone, and welcome to the first week of July!

I’ve been very busy over the weekend working on new disc reviews, frankly probably a little too hard—I should probably have taken more of a break to recharge. Nevertheless, I’ve completed a trio of new reviews for you all to enjoy, so today we present...

My take on Luc Besson’s La Femme Nikita (1990) new on 4K Ultra HD Steelbook from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment—a great 4K remaster of one of my favorite films.

My look at Ron Frank’s funny and poignant documentary Remembering Gene Wilder (2023) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber—which covers the actor’s life and career in detail, and features interviews with Mel Brooks and other friends.

And finally, my review of a surprise title that just arrived on Sunday morning: Jan de Bont’s Twister (1996) in 4K Ultra HD from Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment—a terrific remaster that leaves this film looking and sounding better than it ever has before.

I’m also working to finish another review today, which is Alex Garland’s Civil War. I expect to have that up here by tomorrow. And of course, the rest of the Bits team is working on new reviews as well, so be sure to check back for those over the coming days.

Now then, in announcement news this afternoon, Universal has officially set David Leitch’s The Fall Guy (2024) for release on Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD on 7/23. The package will include both the Theatrical Cut and an Extended Cut of the film with 20 minutes of additional footage. Extras will feature audio commentary on both of those with director Leitch and producer Kelly McCormick, a gag reel, alternate takes, the 5-part Stunts on Stunts: Breaking Down the Action documentary, and 6 featurettes (Making a Meta Masterpiece, How to Break a World Record, Nightclub Mayhem, The Art of Doubling, Making Metalstorm, and Falling for The Fall Guy with Rob Reese). You can see the cover artwork at left and also below. [Read on here...]

We’ve got some great release news for you today to start out the new week.

And we’ve also got more new disc reviews for you, so let’s get to the latter first...

Over the weekend, Stephen posted his thoughts on Disney+ and Marvel’s new release of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier: The Complete First Season (2024) in 4K Ultra HD. He’s also given Riccardo Freda’s The Horrible Dr. Hichcock (1962) a review in 4K Ultra HD from Vinegar Syndrome.

Not to be outdone, Tim has reviewed Hanna-Barbera’s animated The Jetsons Meet the Flintstones (1987) on Blu-ray from our friends at the Warner Archive Collection, as well as Paul Leni’s The Cat and the Canary (1927) on Blu-ray from Eureka Entertainment.

Lots more reviews are on the way this week, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for them!

Now then, in announcement news, let’s start with the big one first... GKids and Shout Factory have officially set Hayao Miyazaki’s animated The Boy and the Heron (2023) for release on Blu-ray + DVD, 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray, and 4K UHD + BD Steelbook on 7/9! The Digital release expected on 6/25. [Read on here...]

We’ve got a big new disc review for you all today here at The Bits, and it’s a title that a lot of you have been waiting for: My look at Tony Gilroy’s Andor: The Complete First Season (2023) in 4K Ultra HD Steelbook from Lucasfilm and Disney! All the details are in the review, but suffice it to say that the release absolutely does not disappoint. The video quality is stunning.

We’ve also got a bunch of recent reviews that our staffers have shared over the last few days that I need to round up here for you guys, including...

Stephen’s reviews of Sergio Martino’s The Great Alligator (1979) in 4K Ultra HD from Severin Films, Rod Lurie’s The Last Castle (2001) in 4K Ultra HD from Kino Lorber Studio Classics, John Ford’s 3 Godfathers (1948) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection, and Walter Hill’s The Long Riders (1980) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

Tim’s reviews of Frank Henenlotter’s Basket Case (1982) in 4K Ultra HD from Arrow Video, Michael Laughlin’s Strange Invaders (1983) on Blu-ray from Imprint, and Hanna-Barbera’s animated Scooby-Doo Meets the Boo Brothers (1987) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.

And finally, Dennis’ review of Nancy Savoca’s Dogfight (1991) on Blu-ray from the Criterion Collection.

Meanwhile, we have a couple or housekeeping items to report here at The Bits today... [Read on here...]

Morning, folks!

All right, Tim is going to have a couple of new disc reviews posted here at the site shortly, and I’ll be back tomorrow with more release news, plus my own in-depth review of Andor: The Complete First Season in 4K Ultra HD.

I’ve actually been working on that over the weekend, but my father-in-law has also been visiting with us here for the past week or so, and he’s headed off to the airport this evening for his return flight home. So, real life calls.

In the meantime, we do have a few pieces of release news that are kind of important to share with you all this morning. So let’s get right to them...

The first comes to us by way of the Warner Bros. Shop in the UK, which has now revealed that Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest (1959) is finally coming to 4K Ultra HD later this year in honor of the film’s 65th anniversary! We don’t yet have a street date, but you can see the expanded packaging mock-up below the break. [Read on here...]

To kick off a new week today, we have some interesting release news and a new disc review to share as well. Let’s get to the latter first...

Tim has offered his thoughts on Michele Soavi’s The Church (1989) in 4K Ultra HD from our friends at Severin Films.

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

Also today here at The Bits, we’ve expanded our Patreon poll about Lionsgate 4K catalog Steelbooks to our Twitter/X page with just a day and a half left. The question is: Lionsgate Home Entertainment is developing a new line of 4K Ultra HD catalog Steelbooks, including many titles released previously as Best Buy exclusives, and they’d like your opinion: Would you prefer the covers to 1) feature newly-created custom artwork, or 2) the film’s original poster artwork? You can vote right now here on Patreon or here on Twitter/X and please take a moment to do so before the polls end on Wednesday. Thank you!

Now then, the big release news today is that Criterion has just announced its July 2024 slate of Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD titles, and this batch has some real gems as well as a couple of surprises. [Read on here...]

We have six new disc reviews for all of you to enjoy today, including...

Stuart’s look at Denys Arcand’s Dirty Money (1972) and Paul Vecchiali’s The Strangler (1970) both on Blu-ray from Vinegar Syndrome.

Dennis’ take on Norman Jewison’s The Thomas Crown Affair (1968) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics

And Stephen’s look at Robert Benton’s Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) and Stanley Kramer’s Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967) in 4K from Sony’s Columbia Classics 4K Ultra HD Collection: Volume 4 box set, as well as Michael Mann’s Ferrari (2023) in Blu-ray from Neon via Decal Releasing.

All are well worth a look, so we hope you enjoy them. And more are forthcoming.

Before we get to announcement news today, Amazon has finally made Andor: The Complete First Season and Obi-Wan Kenobi: The Complete Series available for pre-order in 4K Ultra HD Steelbook format. (The Blu-ray Steelbook pre-orders should soon be live as well.) We’ve included the links and cover art below. [Read on here...]