Displaying items by tag: Bill Hunt

We’ve got a few new disc reviews to start the new week off today, including…

Tim’s thoughts on Charles Lamont’s Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1953) in 4K Ultra HD from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

Stephen’s look at James Ivory’s Maurice (1987) in 4K Ultra HD from the Cohen Film Collection and Kino Lorber.

Todd’s take on the 6-film After Dark: Neo-Noir Cinema – Collection Four (1990-97) on Blu-ray from Imprint Films (which includes Wild at Heart, Unlawful Entry, The Getaway, Mulholland Falls, Freeway, and City of Industry).

And Stuart’s reviews of Bertrand Blier’s Buffet froid (1979) on Blu-ray from Indicator and Jean Aurel’s Manon 70 (1968) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

Now then… the big release news is that Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and Marvel have just officially set Destin Daniel Cretton’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026) for release on Blu-ray, DVD, 4K Ultra HD Steelbook format on 12/15, with the Digital release expected next week on 10/6! [Read on here...]

We’re closing out the week here at The Bits with more new disc reviews, and some great release news too! But as always, let’s cover those reviews first…

I’ve just shared my in-depth look at Fred M. Wilcox’s landmark science fiction classic Forbidden Planet (1956) in 4K Ultra HD from Arrow Video!

Tim has shared his take on Mario Bava’s A Bay of Blood (1971) in 4K Ultra HD from Severin Films, along with Sidney Lumet’s 12 Angry Men (1957) in 4K Ultra HD from the Criterion Collection, and Carol Reed’s The Third Man (1949) in 4K Ultra HD from Lionsgate Limited.

Todd has offered his two cents on Lo Go and Godfrey Ho’s Blu-ray double feature of Born a Ninja (1988) and Commando the Ninja (1988) from Wild Eye and Visual Vengeance.

Stuart has weighed in on Sam Wood’s Ivy (1947) on Blu-ray from Powerhouse and Indicator, as well as John Ford’s classic The Wings of Eagles (1957) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.

And finally, Stephen has delivered his in-depth reviews of Robert Wise’s West Side Story (1961) in 4K Ultra HD from Germany’s Capelight Pictures, as well as George P. Cosmatos’s Of Unknown Origin (1983) in 4K Ultra HD from Vinegar Syndrome.

Watch for more reviews all next week!

Now then, before we get to the news, we also want to let you know that our own Russell Hammond has just updated our Release Dates & Cover Art section with all the latest Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD cover art and Amazon pre-order links! As always, whenever you order literally anything from Amazon after clicking to them from one of our links here, you’re helping to support our work here on The Bits and we really appreciate it! [Read on here...]

We’ve got some big 4K Ultra HD release news for you today, but first we have more new disc reviews, including…

Tim’s look at the Looney Tunes Collector’s Vault: Volume 3 Blu-ray from our friends at the Warner Archive Collection.

Dennis’ thoughts on Vincent Sherman’s All Through the Night (1942) on Blu-ray, also from the Warner Archive Collection.

And Stuart’s take on Georges Franju’s first feature, La Tête contre les murs (1959, aka Head Against the Wall) on Blu-ray from the good people at Radiance.

We’ve got a couple of great 4K reviews coming tomorrow as well, so be sure to check back for them!

Now then… the big release news today is that Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures’ home entertainment team has just announced the 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray release of a pair of fan-favorite Nicolas Cage films… Simon West’s Con Air (1997) and Jon Turteltaub’s National Treasure (2004)! [Read on here...]

All right, we’re starting a new week with a ton of new disc reviews, including…

Tim’s look at Adam Carter Rehmeier’s Carolina Caroline (2026) on Blu-ray from Magnolia, and Imprint Asia’s Shaw-Shock: Shaw Brothers Horror Collection – Volume 1 (1976-1984) Blu-ray boxed set, featuring The Oily Maniac (1976), Seeding of a Ghost (1983), and Sex Beyond the Grave (1984).

Dennis’ take on Barry Levinson’s Wag the Dog (1997) and Ray Enright and Raoul Walsh’s Montana (1950) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.

Stuart’s thoughts on Jorge Fons’ Jory (1973) and Alberto De Martino’s Blazing Magnum (1976) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics, David Gleeson’s Once Upon a Time in Cinema (2026) on DVD from Kino Lorber, and Terence Young’s Red Sun (1971) in 4K Ultra HD from Arrow Video (a tag-team review with Tim).

And finally, Todd’s reviews of Francesco Lucente’s Starbright (2026), Paradise Bungalows (1987), and Badland (2007) all on Blu-ray from MVD Visual, and Imprint’s Film Focus: Philip Seymour Hoffman (1999-2007) Blu-ray box set, which includes Flawless (1999), Owning Mahowny (2003), and Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead (2007) on Blu-ray.

Watch for more new disc reviews tomorrow and all this week!

Now then, the big news today is that Paramount has finally reached a deal with a group of states (led by California) seeing to block its merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, which clears the way for the merger to happen. This will prevent Paramount from leaving the state. In exchange, Paramount has agreed to establish a board of journalists to ensure the independence of CNN and CBS News, they’ve agreed to distribute 30 films per year in theaters, and they’ve agreed to spend an additional $1.5 billion on film production and increase the percentage of those films made in the US. Unfortunately, the FCC has also allowed Paramount to sell a 49.5% equity stake in the company to the sovereign wealth funds of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. But at this point, it is what it is. (You can read more today on Variety, the NY Times, and Ars Technica, among many other places.) [Read on here...]

All right, we’ve got just a quick update for you here at The Bits today, but it’s a good one.

Our friends at the Criterion Collection have just unveiled their final titles of 2026, and the December slate is a dandy!

On December 1, look for Robert Altman’s Nashville (1975) (Spine #683 – 4K + BD and BD) and Pietro Germi’s Divorce Italian Style (1961) (Spine #286 – 4K + BD and BD).

Following on December 8 are Werner Herzog’s Grizzly Man (2005) (Spine #1339 – BD) and Anthony Minghella’s Best Picture-winning The English Patient (1996) (Spine #1338 – 4K and BD)!

And on December 15, look for Eclipse Series 50: Sara Gómez’s Revolutionary Cuba on Blu-ray—which includes 15 films (One Way or Another, I’ll Go to Santiago, Excursion to Vueltabajo, Guanabacoa: Chronicle of My Family, And… We’ve Got Sabor, On the Other Island, An Island for Miguel, Treasure Island, Local Power, Popular Power, A Documentary About Transit, On Sugar Workers’ Quarters, My Contribution, Year One, Prenatal Care, and About Extra Hours and Volunteer Work)—as well as Ernst Lubitsch’s The Shop Around the Corner (1940) (Spine #1340 – 4K + BD and BD).

Not half bad!

It seems to me that The English Patient is one of the few modern Best Picture-winners not yet available on 4K disc, so it’s great to see it finally (licensed from Miramax via Paramount). It’s also a personal favorite of mine. [Read on here...]

We’ve got lots of new disc reviews for you to enjoy here at The Bits today, including…

Tim’s look at John Guillerman’s King Kong (1976) in 4K UHD from Paramount, Charles Lamont’s Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy (1955) in 4K UHD from Kino Lorber Studio Classics, Mikael Håfström’s 1408 (2007) in 4K UHD from Via Vision, and Norman Jewison’s In the Heat of the Night (1967) in 4K UHD from Criterion.

Stuart’s thoughts on John Ford’s Sergeant Rutledge (1960) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection and the Tales of the Wild West: Collection Two Blu-ray box set from Imprint.

Dennis’ take on William Keighley’s Torrid Zone (1940) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection, Mario Caiano’s Weapons of Death (1977) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics, and Bret Wood’s Hell’s Highway: The True Story of Highway Safety Films (2003) on Blu-ray from Kino Cult.

And finally, Todd’s review of Tulsi and Shyam Ramsay’s Veerana: Vengeance of the Vampire (1988) on Blu-ray from Mondo Macabro.

Stephen has been on vacation for the last week, but he’ll be back to reviewing in a few more days, and of course we have lots more reviews forthcoming from the rest of the team.

Also today here, our own Russell Hammond has posted the latest update of our Release Dates & Cover Art section with all the latest Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K UHD cover art and Amazon.com pre-order links. As always, whenever you order literally anything from Amazon after clicking to them through one of our links, you’re helping to support our work here at The Bits and we greatly appreciate it! [Read on here...]

We’re starting the new week, after the long holiday weekend here in the States, with more new disc reviews from The Bits’ team, including…

Tim’s thoughts on Gary Goddard’s Masters of the Universe (1987) in 4K Ultra HD from Arrow’s new Toy Robot Video sub label, as his thoughts on Kevin Reynolds’ Robin Hood: Price of Thieves (1991) in 4K UHD from Arrow Video proper.

Dennis’ look at Martin Scorsese’s Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974) in 4K Ultra HD from the Criterion Collection (with an assist by Tim), his take on Kino Lorber Studio Classics’ Death Ship/Terror Train Double Feature DVD (1980) (again, with an assist by Tim), and Burt Kennedy’s The War Wagon (1967) on Blu-ray also from KLSC.

And Todd’s take on Paul Wendkos’ Cannon for Cordoba (1970) on Blu-ray from Imprint, Nicanor Loreti, Fabián Forte, and Luca Castello’s Portraits of the Apocalypse (2024) on DVD from Cleopatra Entertainment, and John Williams’ Watch Me Sleep (2023) on DVD from Wild Eye Releasing.

Watch for more reviews all this week!

Now then… we’ve got a couple of things to talk about today…

First, Amazon MGM Studios and Alliance Home Entertainment have officially set The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power – Seasons One and Two for Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD release on 11/3. There will also be an Amazon-exclusive Limited Edition 4K Steelbook release on 12/1. [Read on here...]

All right, we’ve got a few good reviews to catch up on here, including…

Tim’s take on Hanna-Barbera’s Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying Machines: The Complete Series (1969-70) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.

Stephen’s look at the Full Moon Fright Box: Volume 1 Blu-ray box set from Umbrella Entertainment, and Leni Riefenstahl’s Triumph of the Will (1935) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

Stuart’s thoughts on King Vidor’s The Texas Rangers (1936) on Blu-ray and the Brit Noir Collection III Blu-ray box set, both from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

Dennis’ take on Frank Borzage’s Till We Meet Again (1944) and Alberto De Martino’s The Counsellor (1973) both on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

And finally, Todd’s two cents on Deepak Ramsay’s Aatma: The Ghost and Tulsi and Shyam Ramsay’s Tahkhana: The Dungeon (1986) and Purani Haveli: The Monster Wakes (1989) both on Blu-ray from Mondo Macabro.

Watch for more reviews soon!

Now then, our friends at Lionsgate have informed us that 10,000 more units of their 5-film Rambo Collection 4K Ultra HD package are dropping tomorrow on Amazon. So keep your eyes peeled on this link over the course of the day. [Read on here...]

Welcome to a new week Bits readers—and nearly the start of September!

We’re kicking things off today with several new disc reviews, including…

Stephen’s look at Robert Altman’s Popeye (1980) in 4K Ultra HD from Paramount via Alliance.

Stuart’s review of Robin Davis’ Le Choc (1982) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

And Todd’s review of James Sweeney’s Twinless (2025) on Blu-ray from Lionsgate.

Watch for more new disc reviews all this week!

And our own Russell Hammond has updated the Release Dates & Artwork section with all the latest Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD cover art and Amazon.com pre-order links. We’re an Amazon Affiliate, so whenever you order or pre-order literally anything from Amazon, you’re helping to support our work here at The Bits and we appreciate it!

Now then… we’ve finally gotten a look at Warner’s official press release for Gone with the Wind (1939) in 4K Ultra HD.

There will be three versions—a standard 4K package, a 4K Steelbook, and the Walmart-exclusive (here in the States) 4K Steelbook Collector’s Edition box set with swag. Each will be a 3-disc set containing the film in 4K Ultra HD, split over two discs, plus a Blu-ray of bonus features. No Blu-ray version is included in any of the US SKUs, but you do get a Digital code. [Read on here...]

We’ve got one more new disc review for you to close out the week here at The Bits, which is…

Tim’s review of Gordon Hessler’s Murders in the Rue Morgue (1971) in 4K Ultra HD from Hammer Films in the UK!

Meanwhile, I’ve just gotten my hands on Arrow’s new Forbidden Planet (1956) 4K UHD release, and I can’t wait to give it a spin—that’s another “holy grail” title for me personally, and I bet for a lot of you guys as well. Watch for a review early next week.

All right… speaking of Arrow, the label’s November has indeed been revealed, and it’s a dandy!

Here’s what’s coming...

• the Coen Brothers’ Fargo (1998) – 4K (UK only)
• John Badams’ Wargames (1983) – 4K (UK only)
• Desmond Davis’ Clash of the Titans (1981) – 4K / Blu-ray (US, UK, Canada)
• Robert Aldrich’s The Dirty Dozen (1967) – 4K / Blu-ray (US, UK, Canada)
• ShawScope: Street Gangs of Hong Kong – Blu-ray (US, UK, Canada) – includes The Delinquent (1973), The Teahouse (1974), Big Brother Cheng (1975), Big Bad Sis (1976), The Big Holdup (1975), The Convict Killer (1980), The Brothers (1979)
• The Blade Spares None (1971) / The Hurricane (1972) – Blu-ray (US, UK, Canada)

Not bad at all! And The Dirty Dozen is a very nice surprise. Here’s hoping they’re going to do Where Eagle Dare (1968) at some point too. [Read on here...]