My Two Cents
Today’s new update is a quickie, as we’re in full Blu-ray and 4K review mode here at the site, trying to catch up on a backlog titles worthy of our attention. As such, we’ve just posted my thoughts on the Russos’ Avengers: Endgame in 4K Ultra HD from Marvel and Disney, along with a tag-team review by Tim and myself of Duncan Jones’ Moon in 4K from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Both are well worth a look, and Endgame in particular really shines in 4K with HDR, with a great Dolby Atmos mix to boot. So don’t miss them.
And we’re working on more, including Jonny Quest: The Complete Series, Alita: Battle Angel (4K) and much more.
Now then, the big news today is that Paramount has finally relented to releasing its beloved holiday classic It’s a Wonderful Life on physical 4K Ultra HD. Look for it on 10/29, months after it first became available digitally in 4K. The good news is that the film has been completely restored and scanned in full native 4K from the original nitrate camera negative (along with two fine grain masters made in the 1940s), so it should look and sound fantastic. Extras will include the colorized version of the film on Blu-ray along with the classic extras. You can see the cover artwork at the left. [Read on here...]
We’re working on couple of things here at The Bits today...
But first, Tim has posted a few Blu-ray reviews in the meantime, including his own take on the Universal Horror Collection: Volume 2 from Scream Factory, BoJack Horseman: Seasons One & Two from Shout! Factory, and a double feature of Day of the Panther and Strike of the Panther from Aussie distributor Umbrella Entertainment, as well as Dennis’ take on Robin Bissel’s The Best of Enemies from Universal and Grace Quigley from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.
All are well worth a look, so do take a look and enjoy! [Read on here...]
It’s finally available for pre-order and we have the details for you here, Bits readers...
Network Distributing is now officially taking pre-orders for its long-awaited Monty Python’s Flying Circus: The Norwegian Blu-ray Edition box set, with a street date of October 7. [Editor’s Note: This set has been delayed to 11/4. Adjust your plans accordingly.]
The 7-disc set includes all 45 episodes plus extras in the original 1.33:1, restored in 1080 HD, with the original mono audio. The set will be coded for Regions A, B, and C, it’s available in 50i and 60i versions (which you get will be determined by your shipping address), and subtitles will be included in English, French, German, Spanish, Polish, and Portuguese.
Here’s more information on the set, straight from Network themselves... [Read on here...]
All right, we have a quick post for you this morning with breaking release news...
First, Disney has just officially announced not only the Blu-ray, DVD, 4K Ultra HD, and Digital release of Guy Ritchie’s live-action Aladdin, but also the Blu-ray, 4K Ultra HD, and Digital release of the original 1992 animated Aladdin as a new Walt Disney Signature Collection release, both on 9/10. Note that the Digital releases are due on 8/17. Let’s break it down...
Aladdin (2019) will include Dolby Atmos audio and the following extras: Aladdin’s Video Journal: A Fantastic New Point of View, Guy Ritchie: A Cinematic Genie, A Friend Like Genie, the Desert Moon deleted song, 6 deleted scenes (Falling Petals Into OJ, Jafar’s Magic Orrery, Anders’ Gift, Wrong Wishes, Silly Old Fool, and Post Yam Jam Debrief), bloopers, and 3 music videos (Speechless, A Whole New World, and Un Mundo Ideal).
Aladdin (1992) will include Dolby Atmos audio, most of the classic extras (from the previous Blu-ray release) and the following new extras: Sing Along with the Movie, Aladdin on Aladdin, Let’s Not Be Too Hasty: The Voices of Aladdin, and Alternate Endings. [Read on here...]
Criterion’s Godzilla box set is near, plus Simpsons: S19, Addams Family Values, and Rutger Hauer RIP
We’ve got some quick but interesting release news for you today, but first...
Our own Michael Coate has posted his History, Legacy and Showmanship retrospective on the James Bond film Licence to Kill, in honor of its recent 30th anniversary. The piece includes a roundtable discussion with film historians Thomas A. Christie, John Cork, and Andrew McNess. Enjoy!
Now, let’s get right to that news...
It appears that Criterion is about to announce their long-awaited Godzilla: The Showa Era Blu-ray box set, based on a leaked listing that appeared on Target.com (see link here). SRP for the set is expected to be $149.99. The Showa Era (1954-1975) would include essentially the first 15 films in the series, including Godzilla, Godzilla Raids Again, King Kong vs. Godzilla, Mothra vs. Godzilla, Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster, Invasion of Astro-Monster, Ebirah, Horror of the Deep, Son of Godzilla, Destroy All Monsters, All Monsters Attack, Godzilla vs. Hedorah, Godzilla vs. Gigan, Godzilla vs. Megalon, Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla, and Terror of Mechagodzilla. This could be Spine #1000, but we’ll have to wait and see when Criterion makes their official announcement. [Read on here...]