Heads up, Digital Bits faithful: The Walt Disney Company, 20th Century Studios, and Concord Theatricals and Originals have just officially announced the 4K restoration, theatrical re-release, and physical 4K Ultra HD release of Robert Wise’s The Sound of Music (1965)! The actual anniversary is on 3/2, but the theatrical and physical media release is currently set for “later this year.”

And if you’re a regular reader of The Bits, you’ll know that we first revealed that this title was coming in 4K UHD all the way back on November 5th of last year, so this will come as no surprise to you! (We also revealed a whole bunch of other 4K catalog titles that day, so you might want to go back and review the entire My Two Cents column from that day if you missed it.)

Here’s the full text of Disney’s press release from this morning...

CELEBRATING SIXTY YEARS OF THE SOUND OF MUSIC

BURBANK, CA (February 20, 2025) – This March 2, 2025 will mark 60 years since the tunes of Rodgers & Hammerstein brought theatrical hills alive with the cinematic treasure The Sound of Music. This year, fans of all ages will experience the heart-warming sights and sing-along sounds of the classic film in a beautifully restored and remastered version to be released in 4K image resolution, courtesy of the precise work endeavored by the Walt Disney Film Restoration team. Over the course of 9 months, the restoration team oversaw digital scanning of preserved film footage and expert clean-up efforts to correct any dirt, warping or other issues encountered. “Our team is honored to care for and re-deliver this classic film to audiences around the world so they can enjoy it in all its originally intended visual and audio glory,” says Kevin Schaeffer, Director, Restoration & Library Management. Weaving artistic skills with innovative technology in a process more delicate than the petals of an edelweiss, the 60th anniversary restoration of The Sound of Music sings with both vibrant color and resounding melody, sharing the cinematic legacy anew for generations to come. [Read on here...]

Afternoon, Bits readers! We have three more new disc reviews for you today, including...

Stephen’s look at Helmut Herbst’s psychedelic animated film The Cathedral of New Emotions (2006) on Blu-ray from Deaf Crocodile Films.

Stuart’s review take on Herbert Ross’s Play it Again, Sam (1972) on Blu-ray from Paramount via Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

And Dennis’ thoughts on Jean Negulesco’s Humoresque (1946) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.

Here at the site today, we’ve just posted the latest update of our Release Dates & Cover Art section featuring all the latest Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K UHD titles that have been added for pre-order on Amazon. You’ll find that here.

Now then... the big release news today is that Lionsgate has officially set Mel Gibson’s Flight Risk (2025) for Blu-ray, DVD, 4K UHD, and 4K Steelbook on 4/1. Look for the 4K to include HDR10 high dynamic range and Dolby Atmos audio. Extras on all SKUs will include the Risk Management: Making Flight Risk featurette and the film’s theatrical trailer. You can see the 4K Steelbook cover artwork at left and also below. [Read on here...]

This is a quick post to let you all know that our Release Dates & Cover Artwork section here at The Digital Bits has just been updated with all the latest Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD cover artwork and Amazon.com pre-order links. Don’t forget that you can select to see just the Blu-ray, DVD, 4K Ultra HD, or even Criterion titles seperately if you like, to help you find exactly the ones you’re looking for. Just click on RELEASE DATES &  ART on the menu bar above to visit the page, and use the search options in the red bar (at the top) to sort by format and date. Once you find a title you like, just click on the cover art and you’ll be taken right to the Amazon.com pre-order page. Thank you for shopping through our links and don’t forget that anytime you order from Amazon through our links, you’re helping to support our work here at The Bits and we really appreciate it! And thanks to our own Russell Hammond for the update work!

- Bill Hunt

We’re starting the week with more new disc reviews here at The Bits, including...

Stephen’s take on John Carpenter’s Ghosts of Mars (2001) in 4K UHD from Shout! and Scream Factory.

Stuart’s look at Richard Thorpe’s That Funny Feeling (1965) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

And Dennis’ thoughts on Jack Haley Jr.’s That’s Entertainment: 50th Anniversary Remastered Edition Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection. And we’ve also fixed his review of Frank Borzage’s The Spanish Main (1945) on Blu-ray—also from Warner Archive—that was displaying oddly here on the site last week.

Now then... the big catalog release news today is that our friend Vincent Pereira has just announced a new remastered Director’s Cut Blu-ray of his excellent A Better Place (1997)! It’s available exclusively from the MVD Shop (click this link), for release on 5/27.

The disc features a new 2K restoration of a 3K scan of the original camera negative and first-generation print elements, and it’s presented in the originally-intended 1.50:1 aspect ratio. Audio will be 5.1 LPCM surround, with optional English subtitles. Extras will include a new introduction by Pereira, the legacy commentary with Pereira and the cast and crew, the 2001 version of the film in SD with stereo audio, vintage introductions by executive producers Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier, the vintage “goof” commentary on the 2001 version, deleted scenes with optional commentary, outtakes and bloopers, and a new 2025 trailer. You can see the cover artwork at left and the trailer is available to view below the break. [Read on here...]

We’re rounding out the week today here at The Bits with three more new disc reviews, including...

Stephen’s look at David Fincher’s The Social Network (2010), as newly upgraded to stand-alone 4K UHD Steelbook with Dolby Vision HDR by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

And Stuart’s thoughts on Brunello Rondi’s Riot in a Woman’s Prison (1974) on Blu-ray from Raro Video via Kino Lorber, as well as Maurice Cloche’s Monsieur Vincent (1947) on Blu-ray from StudioCanal and Kino Classics.

In terms of announcement news, the big item today is that our friends at The Criterion Collection have just revealed their May slate of Blu-ray and 4K titles, which is set to include Norman Jewison’s In the Heat of the Night (1967) (Spine #959 – 4K UHD + Blu-ray) and Jacques Demy’s The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964) (Spine #716 – 4K UHD + Blu-ray) on 5/6, Abbas Kiarostami’s The Wind Will Carry Us (1999) (Spine #1261 – Blu-ray) on 5/13, Bruce Robinson’s Withnail and I (1987) (Spine #119 – 4K UHD + Blu-ray) and How to Get Ahead in Advertising (1989) (Spine #120 – Blu-ray) on 5/20, and a double feature of Richard Lester’s The Three Musketeers (1973) and The Four Musketeers (1974) (Spine #1263 – 4K UHD + Blu-ray and Blu-ray), as well as Charles Burnett’s Killer of Sheep (1978) (Spine #1262 – 4K UHD + Blu-ray and Blu-ray) on 5/27. [Read on here...]

Hey guys… my apologies for the lack of updates over the last couple of days. I’ve had a significant computer issue here that I’ve been dealing with which has basically knocked me offline briefly, but things are finally getting back to normal here today.

In terms of new disc reviews, we’ve got a bunch of great titles for you to read about today…

Tim has posted his take on Michael Anderson’s Orca: The Killer Whale (1977) in 4K UHD and Monk: Season Seven (2008-2009) on Blu-ray both from Kino Lorber Studio Classics, as well as John Carpenter’s Village of the Damned (1995) in 4K UHD from Shout! and Scream Factory.

Dennis has reviewed Sean Mathias’ Bent (1977) on Blu-ray from Vinegar Syndrome and Frank Borzage’s The Spanish Main (1945) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.

Stuart has offered his take on Lina Wertmüller’s The End of the World in Our Usual Bed on a Night Full of Rain (1978), Robert Altman’s A Prairie Home Companion (2006), and Jack Arnold’s Black Eye (1974), all on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.

And Stephen has delivered his thoughts on Stephen Norrington’s Blade (1998) in 4K UHD from Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment.

In terms of new release news, A24 has just announced a shop-exclusive version of Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist (2024) in both 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray that’s due to street in March. The film has been scanned from the original 35mm negatives with the VistaVision footage scanned at 6K, and it will be presented in the proper 1.66:1 aspect ratio on disc. The audio and HDR formats have yet to be announced, but we assume HDR10 high dynamic range at least. [Read on here...]

We’re starting the week here at The Bits with three new disc reviews today, including...

Stephen’s look at André Øvredal’s The Last Voyage of the Demeter (2023) in 4K Ultra HD from Shout! and Scream Factory.

Stuart’s thoughts on The Alaskans: The Complete Series (1959-60) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.

And Dennis’ take on Vincent Sherman’s Nora Prentiss (1947) also on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.

More reviews will follow each day this week, so be sure to stay tuned for them!

Now then, in terms of announcements this afternoon, the big news is that Paramount has just set Michael Gracey’s Better Man (2024) for 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray and DVD release on 5/13, with the Digital due to become available tomorrow, 2/11. Extras will include a pair of behind the scenes featurettes, including (Let Me Entertain You: The Making of Better Man and Monkey Business: The VFX). [Read on here...]

We have a few more new announcements to share with you today, and a little bit of an update...

First, A24 has just announced new A24 Shop-exclusive Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD editions of Halina Reijn’s Babygirl (2024) that are expected to ship in March (street date TBA). The 4K includes HDR10 high dynamic range, while both feature Dolby Atmos audio. Extras on each version will include audio commentary with writer/director Halina Reijn, 2 featurettes (Directing Desire with Halina Reijn and Power Looks: Dressing the Cast of Babygirl), deleted scenes, and a gallery of BTS photography by Niko Tavernise. You can pre-order both versions here.

Meanwhile, our friends at the BFI have just announced new 4K editions of Akira Kurosawa’s Throne of Blood (1957) and Mathieu Kassovitz’s La Haine (1995). The former is set to street on May 19, while the latter arrives on April 14. Both will feature Dolby Vision HDR. You can find those here.

A quick update on those Clint Eastwood 4K titles we mentioned Tuesday, including Pale Rider (1985), Dirty Harry (1971), and The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976): They’re now available for pre-order on the Gruv website, but with no street date listed. We expect official details from Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment in the coming weeks. [Read on here...]