My Two Cents
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.
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...]