Displaying items by tag: The Digital Bits

“The Flintstones was the first animated sitcom in television history. They paved that gravel road and it’s been smooth traveling ever since.” — Steve Cox, author of Mining Bedrock: The Voices Behind Television’s First Animated Sitcom, The Flintstones

The Digital Bits and History, Legacy & Showmanship are pleased to present this retrospective commemorating the 60th anniversary of the broadcast premiere of The Flintstones, Hanna-Barbera’s animated series set in the Stone Age (but inspired by The Honeymooners and mid-20th Century suburban America) that introduced the world to Fred and Wilma Flintstone, Barney and Betty Rubble, Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm, Dino, Mr. Slate, The Great Gazoo, and a host of other memorable supporting characters.

The popular series (recently released on Blu-ray and reviewed here) originally ran in prime time on ABC from 1960 to 1966 and spawned numerous spin-offs, TV specials, movies and tie-in merchandise. It premiered 60 years ago this autumn, and for the occasion The Bits features a Q&A with a trio of pop culture and animation historians who reflects on the series’ appeal six decades after its debut. [Read on here...]

We’re starting things off today with no less than FOUR new disc reviews here at The Bits...

First, Tim has a look for you at director Ryland Brickson Cole Tews’ Lake Michigan Monster (2018), a wonky low-budget cult film on Blu-ray from Arrow Video. He’s also posted his thoughts on Guy Hamilton’s Evil Under the Sun (1982), an Agatha Christie adaptation on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics featuring Peter Ustinov as detective Hercule Poirot.

Meanwhile, I’ve just posted a review of South Korean filmmaker Yeon Sang-ho’s latest film, Peninsula, the sequel to his excellent 2016 zombie thriller Train to Busan. That’s on 4K Ultra HD from our friends at Well Go USA. I also posted a look at Weathering with You (2019), the latest anime from Your Name director Makoto Shinkai, coming soon from GKids and Shout! Factory in a 4K Ultra HD Limited Collector’s Edition.

And more Blu-ray and 4K reviews are on the way, rest assured. There are a number of good titles coming in right now, and we’re working our way through them as fast as we can. [Read on here...]

All right, we’re kicking off the week with several new disc reviews...

I’ve just posted my thoughts on Damien Chazelle’s Whiplash (2014) in 4K from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, along with Neill Blomkamp’s District 9 (2009) in 4K also from Sony, and the new Buck Rogers in the 25th Century: The Complete Collection on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

We also have two new disc reviews from Dennis, including Tay Garnett’s Seven Sinners (1940) from Kino Lorber Studio Classics, and Norman Jewison’s Moonstuck (1987) from Criterion, both on Blu-ray.

Tim’s working on more Blu-ray reviews too, and I have several more new and recent 4K title reviews in progress as well.  And yes, if you’re wondering, we are planning to review Second Sight’s Dawn of the Dead: Limited Edition 4K box set as soon as we get our hands on it. [Read on here...]

We have a couple things for you today...

First, Tim has posted a review of Nick Castle’s The Last Starfighter (1984), now available on Blu-ray from our friends at Arrow Video. Sounds like it’s a pretty great disc, so do check it out here.

Also today, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has just officially announced the 4K Ultra HD release of Neill Blomkamp’s Elysium on 2/9. The disc will include Dolby Atmos audio.

Extras on the 4K disc will include 4 featurettes (Exoskeletons, Explosions and the Action Choreography of Elysium, The Hero, The Psychopath and the Characters of Elysium, The Art of the Elysium Miniatures, and Bugatti 2154), plus theatrical trailers. [Read on here...]

All right, it’s FINALLY official.

As we’ve been expecting for weeks now, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has just issued their press release announcing the Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD release of Christopher Nolan’s Tenet on December 15th (SRP $44.95, $35.99, and $28.98 respectively).

You can see the 4K Ultra HD cover artwork at left and also below, along with the Blu-ray and DVD cover art.

In terms of special features, the 4K and Blu-ray versions will include an hour-long documentary on the production called Looking at the World in a New Way: The Making of Tenet. [Read on here...]

All right, review work is continuing here at The Bits and we should have a few new ones up soon. And in the interest of getting back to that, today’s post will be brief.

But Tim has posted his thoughts on Clint Eastwood’s High Plains Drifter (1973) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics, not to mention Michele Massimo Tarantini’s Massacre in Dinosaur Valley (1985) also on Blu-ray from Severin Films.

And Dennis has turned in his thoughts on Phil Joanou’s The Veil (2016) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics as well.

Now then... in announcement news today, Paramount has announced that Melvin Frank and Norman Panama’s 1955 musical-comedy The Court Jester will arrive on Blu-ray on 1/26/2021 as part of the studio’s Paramount Presents line of releases. [Read on here...]

We’re rounding out the week with another new disc review and some great breaking Blu-ray and 4K release news as well.

First up the disc review: I’ve just posted my thoughts on Kino Lorber Studio Classics’ new Blu-ray release of the Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979) feature film, which streets on November 24th. It’s a nice HD presentation and the first time the film has appeared on the format in its 1.85:1 theatrical aspect ratio. Do give it a look.

Also, we may check back in later today with a review of Neill Blomkamp’s District 9 in 4K Ultra HD from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. It’s definitely in progress, so keep your eyes peeled for that.

Now then, in announcement news today, our friends at the Warner Archive Collection have just revealed their December slate of Blu-ray titles, and it’s fantastic. [Read on here...]

We’re working on more new disc reviews here at The Bits today. Specifically, I’ve got District 9 in 4K from Sony, and V for Vendetta in 4K from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. So I’m going to try to get at last one of those up tomorrow. Tim and Dennis have more in progress today as well.

Meanwhile, Tim has a look at Harry Kümel’s 1971 Belgian horror film Daughters of Darkness, now available in 4K Ultra HD from Blue Underground. Tim says the new 4K scan—from the first time taken from the original camera negative—is a revelation. You’ll find his thoughts here.

The big news today is that Discotek Media has just officially announced their long-awaited 4K Ultra HD release of Hayao Miyazaki’s first animated film, Lupin the Third: The Castle of Cagliostro (1979). Look for it to street on 1/26/2021. [Read on here...]

We’re working on more disc reviews here at the site today, but we do have a couple of things for you today…

First up, on Monday night I was able to post my in-depth review of HBO’s Game of Thrones: The Complete Collection in 4K Ultra HD here at The Bits.

It’s a very impressive set, I have to say. It’s not cheap, but if you’re a fan, it’s a better picture and sound upgrade than you might be expecting. You can see all the details for yourself here.

Also, Dennis has turned in his thoughts on Lamont Johnson’s The Groundstar Conspiracy (1972), now available on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics. The Hal Roach Studios/Universal title stars George Peppard.

In announcement news today, Acorn has set the BBC One thriller The Nest for DVD release on 11/17. [Read on here...]

All right, today’s news post here on The Bits will be brief, as I’m working to complete my review of HBO’s Game of Thrones: The Complete Series in 4K Ultra HD.

There’s a LOT of content to cover in the set—but knock wood—I should have my thoughts finished by this evening. The set is impressive, I’ll say that much right now. Great 4K image quality (with both Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10), stunning Atmos sound, and it’s loaded with extras—including much of the content that was on exclusive retailer bonus discs previously. More later. The set streets tomorrow.

Also today, I posted a review over the weekend of Richard Gray’s Robert the Bruce (2019) in 4K, the Braveheart semi-sequel featuring actor Angus MacFadyen reprising his role as the title character. It’s a modest but I think quite good film that I’ve reviewed on Blu-ray previously. Now you can get it from Germany in 4K Ultra HD and it’s actually available on Amazon US right now for just $28.

You can read the review here and order the disc via this link. [Read on here...]