Displaying items by tag: The Film Detective

Okay, we’ve got some serious ground to cover in today’s My Two Cents update, so let’s get right to it...

First, we’ve just posted Michael Coate’s brand new History, Legacy & Showmanship column here at The Bits, featuring a terrific new retrospective of George Lucas’ THX 1138 in honor of the film’s 50th anniversary (which was last week on 3/11 – the piece was delayed due to a technical issue). The column takes an in-depth look back at the original theatrical release and also features a great roundtable discussion with film historian Chris Barsanti, documentary filmmaker Gary Leva, and original Director of Fan Relations at Lucasfilm Craig Miller. I think you’ll really enjoy it. So you’ll find that here.

Next up, as some of you may have noticed over the weekend, we posted word on Saturday (see here) that video distributors had begun listing a 4-film Indiana Jones Collection for release on 4K Ultra HD on 6/8. This is still not to be considered official until Paramount and Lucasfilm make their actual announcement, however be aware that I’ve now confirmed it with multiple film industry sources in addition to retail and distribution sources. And it’s really not all that surprising given that 6/12 is marks the 40th anniversary of the original film’s theatrical release. We expect the set to include all four existing films in 4K with HDR10 high dynamic range and the previous DTS-HD Master Audio lossless sound mixes (but that’s still subject to change). [Editor’s Note: We’ve just confirmed that the set WILL include Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos audio. Details to follow shortly.] The 5-disc set will also include a disc of bonus features that are TBA. Of course, we’ll post more information on this as it comes in.

The other big news today is that our friends at The Criterion Collection have just unveiled their June slate of titles. [Read on here...]

All right, first things first today: I’m pleased to report that we did not have to evacuate from these wildfires here in SoCal after all. But it was a long night while we waited to find that out. Thankfully, when I stepped out this morning, it appeared that the fires had moved farther away from us, not closer. And this afternoon the evacuation orders all around us were lifted. So... whew!

It’s going to take a couple days to get back to normal around here, but I count that as a good problem to have, considering the alternative.

Now then... the big news today is that our industry and retail sources are telling us that Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is quietly preparing to release Neill Blomkamp’s Elysium, Rian Johnson’s Looper, and Andrew Niccol’s GATTACA in 4K Ultra HD early in 2021. Elysium and Looper are already available digitally in 4K, and a few European retailers have listed GATTACA for physical 4K release in March. [Read on here...]

All right, we’ve got some more announcement news for you today...

First up, our friends at Kino Lorber Studio Classics have revealed that they’re releasing Clint Eastwood’s High Plains Drifter (1973) on Blu-ray on 10/27. It’ll include a new audio commentary by filmmaker Alex Cox, new interviews with actors Marianna Hill and Mitchell Ryan, a vintage promo for the film restored in HD, Trailers from Hell segments with Josh Olson and Edgar Wright, a poster and image gallery, 2 theatrical trailers (in HD), a TV spot, a radio spot, and a limited edition slipcase.

But that’s not all: Also coming to Blu-ray that day is Don Seigel’s Two Mules for Sister Sara, starring Eastwood and Shirley Maclaine, featuring new 4K restorations of both the 112-minute International Cut and the 104-minute Domestic Cut. Extras will once again include a new audio commentary by filmmaker Alex Cox, At Home with Clint (a vintage candid interview with Clint Eastwood in HD), a poster and image gallery, the theatrical trailer (in HD), 2 TV spots, 4 radio spots, and a limited edition slipcase.

Also coming soon from KL Studio Classics is Oz Scott’s Bustin’ Loose (1981) starring Richard Pryor. And the company has just kicked off its “Lazy Hazy Crazy Summer” sale on over 500 in-stock titles. It runs until 8/3. [Read on here...]

Well, last night I finished the Star Wars—all 11 films in 4K. Pretty good, I have to say. I guess the thing I was most surprised by, now that we know it’s a larger narrative—and that some of the films are admittedly better than others—is that it all works together so well. The larger narrative does fit together pretty nicely. Admittedly, the sequel films feel a little more distant from the original trilogy than the prequels do, but visually and tonally they’re actually closer in spirit. Anyway, it’s an interesting experience and one I’m glad I waited for 4K to have. The films have never looked or sounded better, imperfect though some of them are.

All right, let’s have a news post, shall we?

First up here today, Tim has just turned in a review of Richard Stanley’s Color Out of Space on 4K Ultra HD from RLJ Entertainment. It’s an interesting film (and a solid disc) that’s worth a look. You’ll find that here. [Read on here...]

The big release news today is that Universal has officially set Dolittle for release on Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD on 4/7, with the Digital release expected on 3/24. It appears that the 4K will include both HDR10 and HDR10+, plus Dolby Atmos audio. Extras on all versions will include 6 behind-the-scenes featurettes (Talk to the Animals, Robert Downey Jr. & Harry: Mentor and Mentee, Becoming the Good Doctor, Antionio Banderas: Pirate King, The Wicked Dr. Mudfly, and A Most Unusual House.

Universal has also set Francis Annan’s Escape from Pretoria for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 4/7.

Meanwhile, Lionsgate has set The Last Full Measure for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 4/21, with the Digital release due on 4/7. [Read on here...]

All right, today is a work holiday for many here in the U.S., but we do have some interesting new release news for you all regardless.

First up, new signals from retail sources (including Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and others) are suggesting that Disney and Lucasfilm are planning to release Rogue One: A Star Wars Story on Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D, and DVD on 4/4, instead of the date previously listed by retailers which was 3/28. Until this weekend, Best Buy was taking pre-orders with no date listed, but that’s now been pulled, suggesting that an official announcement may be coming any day. Stay tuned for official details.

Speaking of Disney, the studio has confirmed that it’s currently working on new Walt Disney Signature Edition Blu-ray releases of Fantasia and Bambi. The latter film has been out of print on Blu-ray here in the States for a number of years now, so that’s certainly good news for fans. You can learn a bit more here. [Read on here…]

We’ve got three new Blu-ray reviews for you all to check out today, starting with Tim’s look at The Film Movement’s new Dementia 13, one of the first films directed by Francis Ford Coppola. It was also produced by Roger Corman. Do check it out. Also, I’ve turned in in-depth reviews of Criterion’s new Blu-ray edition of Dr. Strangelove, or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, as well as the first entry in Shout! Factory’s new Shout Selects line, The Adventure of Buckaroo Bandai Across the 8th Dimension. Both titles are well worth your time and money, so do give them a look.  [Read on here…]