Displaying items by tag: Criterion Premieres

As we so often do, we’re starting the new week here at The Bits with more new disc reviews, including…

Tim’s look at Riccardo Freda’s The Ghost (1963) in 4K Ultra HD from Severin Films, as well as Louis Malle’s The Fire Within (1963) on Blu-ray from Umbrella Entertainment.

Stephen’s thoughts on Can Evrenol’s Baskin (2015) in 4K Ultra HD, also from Severin.

Dennis’ take on Kenneth Branagh’s Dead Again (1991) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics, Bruce Robinson’s Withnail and I (1987) on Blu-ray from Imprint Films, and Olaf Ittenbach’s Garden of Love (2003) on Blu-ray from Unearthed Films.

And finally, Stuart’s reviews of George Marshall’s Hold That Blonde! (1945) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics, as well as Warner Archive’s Robert Taylor Collection on Blu-ray, which includes Devil’s Doorway (1950), Westward the Women (1951), Ivanhoe (1952), and The Last Hunt (1956).

Watch for more new disc reviews here all this week!

Now then, last night was the Academy Awards, and I think it’s safe to say that there weren’t too many surprises in terms of winners and losers. I was certainly glad to see Autumn Durald Arkapaw become the first woman to win Best Cinematography for Sinners, and to see Michael B. Jordan to win Best Actor for the same film.

While I’m talking Michael B. Jordan, this is a good time to mention that he was great in the very first thing I ever saw him in as well, which was NBC’s Friday Night Lights (2009-2011) TV series. The show is fantastic, and it doesn’t get nearly the love it deserves. If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend it. The series brilliantly chronicles small town life in America, and it’s about a lot more than just high school football (though that part is great too). Do give it a look—I think you’ll really enjoy it [Read on here...]

Cheers, Bits readers!

We’ve got one last My Two Cents update for you this week with some great new disc reviews, as well as some great new Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD release news. Let’s hit those reviews first…

I’ve just updated our dear late friend Barrie Maxwell’s review of William Wyler’s Ben-Hur (1959) to cover Warner’s stunning new 4K Ultra HD restoration of the film, which streets next week. It’s truly one of the great classic film presentations we’ve seen on this format to date, and certainly not to be missed.

Dennis and Tim have checked in with thoughts on a pair of Agatha Christie film adaptations in 4K Ultra HD from Kino Lorber Studio Classics, including John Guillerman’s Death on the Nile (1978) and Guy Hamilton’s The Mirror Crack’d (1980).

Dennis has also reviewed Michael Winner’s The Mechanic (1972) and Antonia Bird’s Priest (1994) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics and Imprint, respectively.

Tim has posted his own reviews of Alberto Cavalcanti, Charles Crichton, Basil Dearden, Robert Hamer’s Dead of Night (1945) anthology on Blu-ray from KLSC as well as Chor Yuen’s The Jade Tiger (1977) from Arrow’s Shawscope: Volume 3 Blu-ray box.

Stephen has reviewed Emma Seligman’s Bottoms (2023) on Blu-ray from KLSC.

And Stuart has taken a look at Hideo Gosha’s Gate of Flesh (1988) on Blu-ray from Toei via 88 Films.

We have lots more great 4K reviews cooking for next week as well, believe me.

Also here at The Bits today, we’ve posted an update of our Release Dates & Artwork section featuring all the latest Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD cover artwork with Amazon pre-order links. As always, whenever you order anything after clicking to Amazon though one of our links (like this one) you’re helping to support our work here at the site and we appreciate it!

Now then, first things first: Our retail and industry sources have informed us that Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment’s much anticipated 4K Ultra HD release of the Wachowski’s Speed Racer (2008) should street on or about 5/19. So adjust your plans accordingly. Go Speed Go!

Of course, the big news today is that our friends at the Criterion Collection have just unveiled their May slate of Blu-ray and 4K titles. And any slate that includes more Kurosawa in 4K UHD is a good one. [Read on here...]

All right, let’s knock out a few more new and recent disc reviews here at The Bits, shall we? Today, we’ve got for you…

Tim’s thoughts on Isle of Dogs (2018) in 4K from Criterion’s The Wes Anderson Archive box set, as well as Chor Yuen’s Clans of Intrigue (1977) on Blu-ray from Arrow’s Shawscope: Volume Three box set.

Stuart’s review of Gordon Douglas’ The Iron Mistress (1952) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.

And Stephen’s take on Andrew Davis’ Under Siege (1992) in 4K Ultra HD from our friends at Arrow Video!

More reviews are forthcoming, so be sure to check back.

Also today, we’ve just updated our Release Dates & Artwork section here at The Bits with all the latest Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K UHD cover art and Amazon pre-order links.

Now then, the big news today is that the Criterion Collection has just unveiled their April slate of Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD titles, and as always there are some real gems! [Read on here...]

All right, let’s start catching up on some of the recent Blu-ray and 4K announcement news of recent days…

Just today, our friends at Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment officially announced the 4K Ultra HD release of P.T. Anderson’s Boogie Nights (1997) on 12/16. The 4K package (available in both Amaray and Steelbook packaging) will include the film in 4K only, plus a Digital Code. But you’ll also get both new and legacy extras.

New extras include a pair of American Cinematheque discussion panels, one with the director and actor John C. Reilly, and one with just Anderson separately. You’ll also get the original P.T. Anderson commentary, the actors commentary (with Don Cheadle, Heather Graham, Luis Guzman, William H. Macy, Julianne Moore, John C. Reilly, Mark Wahlberg, and Melora Walters), some 30-minutes worth of deleted scenes, The John C. Reilly Files (another 30 minutes of outtakes and extended sequences), and Michael Penn’s Try music video.

Speaking of Warner and P.T. Anderson, the studio has also announced the Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD of Anderson’s new film One Battle After Another (2025). Look for it to street on 1/20/26, with the Digital version now available. The press release also indicates that a collectible Steelbook version will also be available sometime in “Spring 2026” featuring a host of special features newly-created by Anderson that are yet to be revealed. [Read on here...]

We’ve got three more new disc reviews for you today, including…

Tim’s look at Gary Sherman’s Raw Meat (aka Death Line) (1972) in 4K Ultra HD from Blue Underground.

And Stuart’s thoughts on Imprint’s Blu-ray double feature of Don Sharp’s The Thirty-Nine Steps (1978) and Anthony Page’s The Lady Vanishes (1979), as well as Charles Brabin’s The Beast of the City (1932) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.

Also, we’ve done more updating of our 4K Ultra HD Release List here at The Bits today, and we’ve also uploaded the latest update of our Release Dates & Artwork section here at the site. So please do check those out. And remember that anything you order from Amazon after clicking through one of our affiliate links in either of those sections goes to help support our work here at The Bits and we appreciate it!

In announcement news today, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will release Kogonada’s A Big Bold Beautiful Journey (2025) on Blu-ray and DVD on 12/23. The film stars Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell. [Read on here...]