But the other reason I’ve been a little absent here in recent months, ast least review-wise, is that I’ve been dealing with a health scare. At the risk of TMI, it had to do with a prostate/colon issue that’s been persistent since January, but thankfully I’ve finally gotten to the bottom of it and all is well. On a related note, when you reach the age of 50 (I’m 54), it becomes very important to be proactive in term of screenings for various things. Suffice it to say: When your doctor recommends a colonoscopy, don’t be afraid to do it. They’re easy now, and it’s a lot better to find problems when they’re little then when they’re more serious. In any case, as I said all is now well, and I am much relieved. But it’s been weighing heavy on my mind these past few months, which has made it difficult to focus on completing reviews. Rest assured though, more are definitely on the way now. So thanks for your patience!
In announcement news today, the big news is that Disney has finally officially announced the long-awaited and highly-anticipated 4K Ultra HD release of director Michael Mann’s Heat (1995)! Look for it to street on 8/9 with HDR10 high dynamic range and 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio sound. The package will be a 3-disc set, including the film in 4K UHD plus HD on Blu-ray, along with a Blu-ray bonus disc. Both movie discs will include audio commentary with the director. The bonus disc will include a Q&A with Michael Mann, another with Christopher Nolan, the 3-part “making of” documentary, deleted scenes, and 2 featurettes (Pacino and De Niro: The Conversation and Return to the Scene of the Crime). To celebrate the release, there’s a special screening happening at the Tribeca Film Festival on 6/17, featuring appearances by Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Michael Mann. Mann has also written a sequel novel, Heat 2, which arrives in bookstores the same day the 4K edition streets. You can see the cover artwork for the 4K above left and also below. We’ll post the Amazon link as soon as it goes live.
Also today, Lionsgate has just announced the 7/5 Blu-ray, DVD, 4K Ultra HD, and Digital release of Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert’s Everything Everywhere All at Once (SRP $39.99, $26.96, and $42.99 respectively). The 4K will include Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos audio. Extras on the Blu-ray SKUs will include audio commentary with Kwan and Scheinert, 2 featurettes (Almost Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Everything Everywhere All at Once and Putting Everything on a Bagel: Cooking up the Multiverse), deleted scenes with optional commentary, outtakes, a music video, and the film’s trailer.
Lionsgate has also set a number of recent 4K Digital releases for their debut on physical 4K Ultra HD, including The Kid and Gamer on 7/19, and Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar and Primal on 7/26.
And I’ve got a little bit of breaking news for you today: I’ve confirmed with multiple sources now that Criterion is preparing a physical 4K Ultra HD release of David Lynch’s Lost Highway. Look for that to be announced in the weeks ahead. As many of you know (and has been reported on The Playlist), Janus Films is debuting the film’s new 4K restoration at Film at the Lincoln Center in New York City on 6/24, and a nationwide theatrical re-release will follow in the weeks after. Watch for the physical 4K UHD release to arrive probably in September.
On the standard Blu-ray front, Universal has announced the Blu-ray and DVD release of Stephen King’s Firestarter (2022) on 6/28 (a Digital release is expected on 6/12). The release will include over an hour of special features, among them an alternate ending, 7 deleted and extended scenes, a gag reel, audio commentary with director Keith Thomas, and 4 featurettes (A Kinetic Energy, Spark a Fire, Igniting Firestarter, and Power Struggle). You can see the cover artwork below.
Kino Lorber Studio Classics has announced additional catalog titles for Blu-ray release in August, including Samson and the 7 Miracles of the World (1961) on 8/16, and Mata Hari (1985), Summer Heat (1987) and The Tenth Man (1988 TV movie) on 8/30.
And our friends at the Warner Archive Collection have revealed a pair of new catalog Blu-ray titles streeting in July, including The Frisco Kid (1979) on 7/12 and Adventures of Don Juan (1948) on 7/19!
Finally today, here’s a bit of DVD only news: MPI Media Group is releasing The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet: The Complete Seasons 1 & 2 on DVD on 6/21. The series has been restored and remastered in 4K from original picture and sound elements at the UCLA Film & Television Archive in honor of its 70th anniversary. Apparently, it will also be available digitally in HD.
We’ll leave you with a look at the cover art for Heat, Firestarter, and more (with Amazon links if available)...
Back tomorrow with more. Stay tuned!
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