My Two Cents
Monday, 18 October 2021 15:17

Great Escape, Cry Macho, and Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl in 4K, plus reviews, new Blu-ray announcements and more

by
  • Print
  • Email

We’re starting off the week with a trio of new Blu-ray reviews...

Stephen has taken a look at Nadia Tass’ Malcolm (1986) on Blu-ray from Umbrella Entertainment, along with Ralph Thomas’ Percy (1971) on the format from Code Red via Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

And Dennis has given Jonathan Mostow’s Breakdown (1997) a thorough going-over on Blu-ray via the new Paramount Presents release. As most of you know, the film stars Kurt Russell, J. T. Walsh, and Kathleen Quinlan.

More reviews are on the way all this week, so be sure to check back for them.

Now then, in announcement news today, our friends at Kino Lorber Studio Classics have revealed that they’re prepping a new 4K Ultra HD release of the 1963 John Sturges classic The Great Escape for release sometime in January. [Read on here...]

CLICK HERE to BACK THE BITS in our fight to preserve Physical Media CLICK HERE to shop through our Amazon.com links and SUPPORT THE BITS CLICK HERE to visit The Bits on Facebook CLICK HERE to visit The Bits on Twitter

Fans will know that the release has been problematic on disc, given the condition of the surviving film elements. Presumably, this edition will be mastered from MGM’s most recent 4K scan and digital restoration of the original 35 mm camera negative (and a high-quality interpositive)—the same source that produced the Criterion edition last year. In any case, we’ve updated the 4K Ultra HD Release List here at The Bits, and we’ll post the final street date as soon as it’s announced.

Speaking of 4K, StudioCanal is releasing The Howling: 40th Anniversary Collector’s Edition in the UK on 10/25. You can pre-order that on Amazon.co.uk here or by clicking on the image below...

The Howling (StudioCanal 4K Ultra HD)

STX Films and Metropolitan Video are releasing Kevin Macdonald’s The Mauritanian on 4K Ultra HD in France on 11/22. It will obviously feature original English audio, but keep in mind that any foreign languages spoken in the film will likely have French subtitles only. You can see that here.

Also, multiple retail sources have informed us that Disney is going to be releasing Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl on 4K Ultra HD on 12/28. We’re awaiting official confirmation from sources at the studio and will post an update here when we hear back.

And in new release news, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has just set Clint Eastwood’s Cry Macho for release on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD on 12/7, with the Digital release expected on 11/5. Extras will include Back in the Saddle: The Making of Cry Macho and Macho and the Mustangs. Look for HDR10 high dynamic range and DTS-HD MA audio on the 4K. You can see the cover artwork above left.

Meanwhile, Network in the UK has just released Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s restored Supermarionation series Fireball XL5 on Blu-ray. You can find that here on their website, though be aware it’s a Region B release.

RLJE Films will release the AMC comedy series title Kevin Can F**K Himself: Season 1 on Blu-ray and DVD on 11/16.

Music Box Films has set Pablo Larraín’s Ema for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 12/7.

And Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will release Our Ladies and Never Back Down: Revolt on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital on 11/16.

We’ll leave you today with a look at the cover artwork for a number of upcoming titles, including Cry Macho and the recent Criterion titles. The Amazon.com pre-order links will be added as they go live. And as always, we’re an Amazon Affiliate so a portion of the proceeds from anything you order from the retailer after clicking through one of our links goes to help support our work here at The Bits and we really appreciate it.

A Hard Day's Night (4K Ultra HD) The Piano (4K Ultra HD) Cry Macho (4K Ultra HD)

The Celebration (Blu-ray Disc) Dick Johnson is Dead (Blu-ray Disc) Cry Macho (Blu-ray Disc)

Stay tuned...

(You can follow Bill on social media at these links: Twitter and Facebook)

 

Contact Bill Hunt

Please type your full name.
Invalid email address.
Please send us a message.
Invalid Input