My Two Cents
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...]
Afternoon, Bits readers! We have three more new disc reviews for you today, including...
Stephen’s look at Helmut Herbst’s psychedelic animated film The Cathedral of New Emotions (2006) on Blu-ray from Deaf Crocodile Films.
Stuart’s review take on Herbert Ross’s Play it Again, Sam (1972) on Blu-ray from Paramount via Kino Lorber Studio Classics.
And Dennis’ thoughts on Jean Negulesco’s Humoresque (1946) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.
Here at the site today, we’ve just posted the latest update of our Release Dates & Cover Art section featuring all the latest Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K UHD titles that have been added for pre-order on Amazon. You’ll find that here.
Now then... the big release news today is that Lionsgate has officially set Mel Gibson’s Flight Risk (2025) for Blu-ray, DVD, 4K UHD, and 4K Steelbook on 4/1. Look for the 4K to include HDR10 high dynamic range and Dolby Atmos audio. Extras on all SKUs will include the Risk Management: Making Flight Risk featurette and the film’s theatrical trailer. You can see the 4K Steelbook cover artwork at left and also below. [Read on here...]
This is a quick post to let you all know that our Release Dates & Cover Artwork section here at The Digital Bits has just been updated with all the latest Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD cover artwork and Amazon.com pre-order links. Don’t forget that you can select to see just the Blu-ray, DVD, 4K Ultra HD, or even Criterion titles seperately if you like, to help you find exactly the ones you’re looking for. Just click on RELEASE DATES & ART on the menu bar above to visit the page, and use the search options in the red bar (at the top) to sort by format and date. Once you find a title you like, just click on the cover art and you’ll be taken right to the Amazon.com pre-order page. Thank you for shopping through our links and don’t forget that anytime you order from Amazon through our links, you’re helping to support our work here at The Bits and we really appreciate it! And thanks to our own Russell Hammond for the update work!
- Bill Hunt
We’re starting the week with more new disc reviews here at The Bits, including...
Stephen’s take on John Carpenter’s Ghosts of Mars (2001) in 4K UHD from Shout! and Scream Factory.
Stuart’s look at Richard Thorpe’s That Funny Feeling (1965) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.
And Dennis’ thoughts on Jack Haley Jr.’s That’s Entertainment: 50th Anniversary Remastered Edition Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection. And we’ve also fixed his review of Frank Borzage’s The Spanish Main (1945) on Blu-ray—also from Warner Archive—that was displaying oddly here on the site last week.
Now then... the big catalog release news today is that our friend Vincent Pereira has just announced a new remastered Director’s Cut Blu-ray of his excellent A Better Place (1997)! It’s available exclusively from the MVD Shop (click this link), for release on 5/27.
The disc features a new 2K restoration of a 3K scan of the original camera negative and first-generation print elements, and it’s presented in the originally-intended 1.50:1 aspect ratio. Audio will be 5.1 LPCM surround, with optional English subtitles. Extras will include a new introduction by Pereira, the legacy commentary with Pereira and the cast and crew, the 2001 version of the film in SD with stereo audio, vintage introductions by executive producers Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier, the vintage “goof” commentary on the 2001 version, deleted scenes with optional commentary, outtakes and bloopers, and a new 2025 trailer. You can see the cover artwork at left and the trailer is available to view below the break. [Read on here...]
We’re rounding out the week today here at The Bits with three more new disc reviews, including...
Stephen’s look at David Fincher’s The Social Network (2010), as newly upgraded to stand-alone 4K UHD Steelbook with Dolby Vision HDR by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.
And Stuart’s thoughts on Brunello Rondi’s Riot in a Woman’s Prison (1974) on Blu-ray from Raro Video via Kino Lorber, as well as Maurice Cloche’s Monsieur Vincent (1947) on Blu-ray from StudioCanal and Kino Classics.
In terms of announcement news, the big item today is that our friends at The Criterion Collection have just revealed their May slate of Blu-ray and 4K titles, which is set to include Norman Jewison’s In the Heat of the Night (1967) (Spine #959 – 4K UHD + Blu-ray) and Jacques Demy’s The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964) (Spine #716 – 4K UHD + Blu-ray) on 5/6, Abbas Kiarostami’s The Wind Will Carry Us (1999) (Spine #1261 – Blu-ray) on 5/13, Bruce Robinson’s Withnail and I (1987) (Spine #119 – 4K UHD + Blu-ray) and How to Get Ahead in Advertising (1989) (Spine #120 – Blu-ray) on 5/20, and a double feature of Richard Lester’s The Three Musketeers (1973) and The Four Musketeers (1974) (Spine #1263 – 4K UHD + Blu-ray and Blu-ray), as well as Charles Burnett’s Killer of Sheep (1978) (Spine #1262 – 4K UHD + Blu-ray and Blu-ray) on 5/27. [Read on here...]