My Two Cents
We have just a couple of quick things to report here at The Bits today, news-wise...
First, Kino Lorber Studio Classics has just revealed that John Hughes’ Career Opportunities (1991) and Phil Alden Robinson’s Sneakers (1992) are both coming to 4K Ultra HD on 4/22, each with Dolby Vision HDR.
Second, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has added a single-film 4K Ultra HD Steelbook edition of Ivan Reitman’s Stripes (1981) for release on 4/29. Note that this version of Stripes will include Dolby Vision HDR, unlike the version included previously with the Columbia Classics 4K Ultra HD Collection: Volume 2 box set back in 2021.
Likewise, Sony’s newly-announced Gandhi 4K Steelbook (which we talked about yesterday, also for release on 4/29) will include Dolby Vision as well, unlike the edition included with the Columbia Classics 4K Ultra HD Collection: Volume 2 box set in 2020.
Meanwhile, Severin has set Aldo Lado’s Night Train Murders (1974) for 4K Ultra HD release on 4/29.
And Arrow Video has finally announced their complete April release slate (in addition to the previously announced Leone titles—see our column yesterday). You’ll find the details and cover artwork below the break. [Read on here...]
Three more new disc reviews are available here at The Bits today, including...
Stephen’s look at Joseph Cates’s Who Killed Teddy Bear? (1965) in 4K Ultra HD from Vinegar Syndrome’s excellent and endlessly surprising Cinématographe label.
Stuart’s review of Don Siegel’s Edge of Eternity (1959) on Blu-ray from Powerhouse Films via their Indicator brand.
And Dennis’ take on H.C. Potter’s Mr. Lucky (1943) on Blu-ray from RKO via our friends at the Warner Archive Collection.
We’ve also just completed a major update of our 4K Ultra HD Release List here at The Bits with a ton of new titles, including some of the latest announcement news just breaking today. That news includes...
Word that Arrow video is releasing Sergio Leone’s beloved Dollars Trilogy in 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray in the UK only over the next few months. [Read on here...]
Today’s new disc reviews here at The Digital Bits include...
Stephen’s review of Michael Ritchie’s Prime Cut (1972) in 4K Ultra HD from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.
Dennis’ review of Budd Boetticher’s The Killer is Loose (1956) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.
Tim’s reviews of Fred Walton’s April Fool’s Day (1986) in 4K Ultra HD from Kino Lorber Studio Classics and Arch Oboler’s Domo Arigato (1973) on Blu-ray 3D from BayView Entertainment with the help of the 3-D Film Archive.
And Stuart’s look at William A. Fraker’s Monte Walsh (1970) on Blu-ray, also from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.
Here at The Bits today, we’re also sharing new updates of our Release Dates & Artwork section (with all the latest cover artwork and Amazon.com pre-order links) as well as our 4K Ultra HD Release List. So be sure to watch for those shortly.
In terms of announcement news, we expect Disney to release their CG-animated Moana 2 (2024) on Blu-ray, DVD, 4K Ultra HD, and 4K Steelbook formats on 3/18. [Read on here...]
Our new disc review for today is none other than Stephen’s look at Wolfgang Petersen’s The NeverEnding Story (1984) in a terrific new 4K Ultra HD Limited Edition box set from our friends at Via Vision’s Imprint Films label. The 5-disc set has been released to honor the film’s 40th anniversary and includes multiple cuts of the film plus the 2024 Life After The NeverEnding Story documentary. And it comes in a package that replicates the book as seen in the film. It’s pretty special, so do give Stephen’s thoughts a look here.
Now then... the big news today is that Severn Films has just announced the Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD release of two more classic Russ Meyer films, including Motorpsycho (1965) and Up! (1976). Pre-orders start today, with the street date set for 4/29. Each has been scanned from the original camera negatives. Look for HDR10 on the 4K discs with mono audio, plus new and archival special features that include audio commentaries and more.
Shout! Factory has begun announcing its April slate, which will include Chris McKay’s Renfield (2023) in 4K Ultra HD, Paul Briganti’s Please Don’t Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain (2023) on Blu-ray, and Mamoru Hosoda’s Summer Wars (2000) on both Blu-ray and 4K Steelbook (the latter for GKids) on 4/1, followed by Carol Frank’s Sorority House Massacre (1986) on 4K + BD on 4/8, Craig Zobel’s The Hunt (2020) on 4K on 4/22, and Peter Hyams’ Timecop (1994) on 4K + Blu-ray on 4/29. [Read on here...]
Afternoon, friends! We have three new disc reviews for you today, including...
Stephen’s look at Ramón Menéndez’s Stand and Deliver (1988) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.
An update of our old friend Todd Doogan’s 2010 Blu-ray review of Akira Kurosawa’s Yojimbo (1961) and Sanjuro (1962) by Tim Salmons, to cover the Criterion Collection’s new 4K Ultra HD release.
And finally today, Dennis’ look at Anand Tucker’s The Critic (2023) on good old fashioned DVD from Greenwich Entertainment and Kino Lorber.
In terms of announcement news this afternoon, the big news is that HBO has made its planned 4K Ultra HD Steelbook Limited Edition re-release of The Last of Us: The Complete First Season official for 3/18, in anticipation of the debut of Season Two on Max in April.
Also, the A24 shop is releasing an exclusive Blu-ray version of Greg Kwedar’s Sing Sing (2023) with an expected street date TBA for March. You can pre-order it here. The disc will include audio commentary with the director, producer, editor, and cinematographer, 2 featurettes (Trust the Process and Sing Sing Correctional Facility Premiere), deleted scenes, and a gallery of behind-the-scenes photography by Greg Kwedar, Dominic León, Daniel Order, and Pat Scola. [Read on here...]