My Two Cents
All right, it’s been a busy last several days here at The Bits. For one thing, just personally, I had my mother visiting from North Dakota all last week for the first time in over two years given the pandemic. And that was great, but of course it set me back on 4K review work (which I intend to catch up on this week).
I’ve also just spent most of today on the phone with industry sources, gathering information for our big preview of 4K Ultra HD catalog releases that are coming in the second half of 2021. And that’s the crux of today’s post here at The Bits, but more on that in a minute.
First, we have a couple more new disc reviews to share with you...
Dennis has posted his thoughts on Andrew V. McLaglen’s 1965 Civil War drama Shenandoah, which stars Jimmy Stewart. The film arrives on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics on 7/27.
And Stephen has offered a look at John Sturges’ acclaimed 1959 western Last Train from Gun Hill, a VistaVision classic newly released on Blu-ray as part of the Paramount Presents line-up. [Read on here...]
All right, we’ve got a bunch of new disc reviews for you to enjoy today, as well as a round-up of the latest release news. Let’s start with the reviews first...
Tim has posted his in-depth look at Severin Films’ The Eurocrypt of Christopher Lee Collection, an 8-disc Blu-ray box set that includes Castle of the Living Dead, Challenge the Devil, Crypt of the Vampire, Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace, The Torture Chamber of Dr. Sadism, and the horror TV program Theatre Macabre.
Meanwhile, Dennis has taken a look at Wesley Ruggles’ The Bride Comes Home (1935) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics. He’s also reviewed Criterion’s new Blu-ray release of Samuel Fuller’s Pickup on South Street (1953).
And Stephen has shared his thoughts on George Lautner’s The Road to Salina on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics, as well as Universal’s 4K Ultra HD release of Phil Alden Robinson’s Field of Dreams.
More reviews are on the way, so be sure to check back for them soon. [Read on here...]
We’re kicking off the new week with more disc reviews...
For those who missed it, I posted my thoughts on Wolfgang Petersen’s In the Line of Fire (from Sony) and Adam Wingard’s Godzilla vs. Kong (from Warner Bros.) in 4K Ultra HD on Friday. They’re very different films, but each looks and sounds terrific, so do give them a look.
Also, Dennis has turned in his comments on George Sherman’s Larceny, a 1948 film noir that’s coming on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics on 7/13.
And Stephen has reviewed Arthur Barron’s Jeremy (1973) on Blu-ray, as recently released on the format by Fun City Editions.
We also have a brand new History, Legacy & Showmanship column from our own Michael Coate, which looks back at the theatrical release of Gordon Parks’ original Shaft in honor of the film’s 50th anniversary. The in-depth piece (four pages in all!) features a new roundtable interview with historians Josiah Howard and Lee Pfeiffer, as well as Shaft super-fan Chris Utley. You’ll find that here and it’s well worth a look. [Read on here...]
This is just a very quick update with some important (and long-awaited) breaking news...
No sooner did I mention (in yesterday’s column) that Warner Bros. Home Entertainment was finally getting ready to release Zack Snyder’s Justice League on disc here in the States (likely in Q3 or Q4), the studio has just made it official.
The 4K release will be a 4-disc set including the complete film in both 4K UHD and Blu-ray in the same package.
Both versions will offer a Dolby Atmos sound mix. The 4K UHD will feature HDR10 high dynamic range.
There are no extras, and no Digital copy is included. [Read on here...]
All right, we’re starting this afternoon with a few more new disc reviews for you to enjoy...
Stephen has posted his thoughts on Curtis Bernhardt’s 1929 silent drama The Woman One Longs For, featuring only the second starring role for actress Marlene Dietrich. That’s now available on Blu-ray from Kino Classics.
Also, Dennis has offered a look at John Farrow’s 1949 film noir Alias Nick Beal, available on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics. Do give both of them a look.
In Blu-ray release news today, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and DC have just set Batwoman: The Complete Second Season for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 9/21 featuring all 18 episodes along with deleted scenes, a gag reel, and 2 featurettes (Villains Analyzed and Never Alone: Heroes and Allies).
WBHE has also set the animated Straight Outta Nowhere: Scooby-Doo Meets Courage the Cowardly Dog for release on DVD and Digital on 9/14. [Read on here...]