My Two Cents
We’ve got some great announcement news to report here at The Digital Bits today, at the start of a new week...
First of all, our friends at Kino Lorber Studio Classics have begun announcing new 4K Ultra HD catalog titles licensed from Paramount, which so far include Stephen Surjik’s Wayne’s World 2 (1993) and Peter and Bobby Farrelly’s Kingpin (1996). We also expect Ken Finkleman’s Airplane II: The Sequel (1982) to be revealed soon as well. All are reported to be “coming soon” and we expect more titles to be revealed in the weeks ahead.
While we’re talking KL Studio Classics, we’ve learned that their already announced 4K release of Dante’s Peak (1997) has been delayed from its original 2/11 street date to 5/27. So adjust your plans accordingly.
Meanwhile, Paramount has officially set Star Trek: Section 31 (2025) for Blu-ray, DVD, 4K Ultra HD Steelbook, and Digital release on 4/29. Extras will include 5 featurettes (Art Squad, Alpha Squad, Stunts Squad, Gear Squad, and Georgiou) as well as a gag reel. (Though based on the reviews, the entire film may as well be a gag reel.) The Blu-ray SKUs will include Dolby Atmos audio.
Neon has set Steven Soderbergh’s Presence (2024) for Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD release on 5/20. [Read on here...]
We have two more new disc reviews for you today here at The Bits...
Stuart’s look at A Man Called Shenandoah: The Complete Series (1965-66) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.
And Dennis and Tim have taken a look at Guillermo del Toro’s Cronos (1992) in 4K Ultra HD from Criterion.
The big news today is that Arrow Video has just unveiled their full Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD release slate for May, which is set to include D.W. Medoff’s I Will Never Leave You Alone (2023) on Blu-ray (in the UK only) on 5/5, Robert Wise’s The Andromeda Strain (1971) in 4K Ultra HD (in the US, UK, and Canada) on 5/13, Jim Isaac’s Jason X (2001) and Adam Marcus’ Jason Goes to Hell (1993) both in 4K Ultra HD (in the US, UK, and Canada) on 5/20, Sergio Leone’s For a Few Dollars More (1965) on Blu-ray and 4K UHD (in the UK only) on 5/26, and Adilkhan Yerzhanov’s Steppenwolf (2024) on Blu-ray (in the US, UK, and Canada) on 5/27. [Read on here...]
We’ve got a bunch of new disc reviews up this week for your reading enjoyment here at The Bits, including...
My thoughts on Milos Forman’s Amadeus: Theatrical Cut (1984) in 4K Ultra HD from Warner Bros. as well as Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II (2024) in 4K Ultra HD from Paramount.
Tim’s reviews of Alfred Sole’s Alice, Sweet Alice (1976) and Robert Rodriguez’s The Mexico Trilogy (1992-2003) in 4K Ultra HD from Arrow Video, as well as The Project A Collection (1983-87) in 4K UHD from 88 Films.
Dennis’ looks at Dick Lowry’s Last Stand at Saber River (1997) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection and Melville Shavelson’s Houseboat (1958) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.
Stuart’s review of Gregory La Cava’s Gabriel Over the White House (1933) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.
And finally, Sam Cohen’s take on Gillian Armstrong’s Little Women (1994) in 4K Ultra HD from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. [Editor’s Note: There is apparently an audio issue with this disc that’s described in the review. Sony is aware of the problem and investigating. We’ll report back here once they figure it out and launch a disc replacement program.]
There aren’t a lot of new announcements to report today, but Kino Lorber Studio Classics has set Gary Sherman’s Vice Squad (1982) for 4K Ultra HD release on 5/13. [Read on here...]
We’ve got several new 4K and Blu-ray reviews for you all to enjoy today, including...
Stephen’s exhaustive and in-depth take on David Fincher’s Panic Room (2002) in 4K Steelbook from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, as well as his thoughts on Peter R. Hunt’s Shout at the Devil (1976) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics, and also Tobe Hooper’s Lifeforce (1985) in 4K Ultra HD from Arrow Video in the UK. And for the record, I think Stephen’s take on Panic Room is right on the money and well worth reading for 4K enthusiasts. (Especially you young whippersnappers who seem to think a 4K disc must be absolutely reference quality to have any value—gather ‘round, Professor Bjork is teaching class.)
My review of Sergio Leone’s Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) in 4K Ultra HD from Italy’s Eagle Pictures via their 4Kult line, a disc that features an encode optimized for a 100GB disc (and which is a notable improvement over the Paramount Presents 4K release).
Dennis thoughts on Carl Reiner’s Summer Rental (1985) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.
And finally Tim’s look at the excellent Tom and Jerry: The Complete CinemaScope Collection on Blu-ray from our friends at the Warner Archive Collection.
More reviews are on the way this week, including my thoughts on Gladiator II and Amadeus in 4K, Tim’s look at Arrow’s Mexico Trilogy in 4K, and more. So be sure to keep your eyes peeled for those.
In announcement news today, Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment has now confirmed that non-Steelbook 4K versions of all the recent Clint Eastwood titles are due on 4/15 as well, including Dirty Harry (1971), The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976), and Pale Rider (1985). It looks like all three films will feature new Dolby Atmos mixes with HDR10 high dynamic range. You can see the Amaray covers below the break. [Read on here...]
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...]