Displaying items by tag: The Digital Bits

We start today with two more new disc reviews...

Stephen has taken a look at Adrian Lyne’s Indecent Proposal (1993), as recently released in 4K Ultra HD by Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

And Tim has given Paramount’s controversial new 4K Ultra HD release of Sean S. Cunningham’s Friday the 13th (1980) an in-depth look.

That last title has unfortunately caused some debate and division among reviewers and fans of the film for what appear to be revisionist remastering and grading choices, particularly compared to the recent Scream Factory release (which was highly rated by all).

In any case, both titles—and these reviews—are worth your time and attention if you’re a fan of these films.

Also today, we have a bit of 4K Ultra HD release news, first from HBO... [Read on here...]

All right, there’s some big catalog announcement news today, though it won’t come as a surprise to anyone who reads The Bits regularly. But first...

We’ve posted a new Blu-ray review here at The Bits, featuring my take on Akira Kurosawa’s 70 mm masterpiece Dersu Uzala (1975), which is new on Blu-ray from Imprint Films.

It features a best-yet-on-disc 1080p image presentation mastered from a recent 2K restoration of the film. And it adds a bounty of special features, including two new documentary featurettes and a terrific new audio commentary by Japanese film historian Stuart Galbraith IV.

For English-language speakers who have been waiting to see this film on Blu-ray, this disc is long overdue and highly welcome.

Now then, the big release news today is that Paramount has finally officially announced the 4K Ultra HD release of Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction (1994) on 12/6. It’s available in both Amaray packaging and Limited Edition Collector’s Steelbook packaging—both should be widely available. It appears that both Dolby Vision and HDR10 will be included, along with the previous 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio mix. [Read on here...]

We’ve got two more new disc reviews for you today here at The Bits...

Stephen has taken a look at The Films of Doris Wishman: The Twilight Years on Blu-ray from AGFA, Something Weird, and Vinegar Syndrome, a three-disc set that includes seven exploitation films that Wishman directed between 1970 and 1977.

And Dennis has turned in his thoughts on Gordon Hessler’s The Oblong Box (1969), an American International Pictures film on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

As for today’s release news, let’s start with the big announcement up front: Lionsgate has just officially set Russell Mulcahy’s Highlander: Director’s Cut (1986) for release on 4K Ultra HD on 12/13, just as we expected.

Based on a new restoration done by StudioCanal, the disc will feature Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10 high dynamic range, along with 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio surround sound.

Two versions will be available, a wide release 4K in Amaray packaging and a Best Buy-exclusive Steelbook. Each will include the film on Ultra HD and Blu-ray, along with a selection of four art cards. [Read on here...]

We’re starting things off this week with several more new disc reviews and LOTS of announcement news! First up, those reviews...

Stephen has taken an in-depth look at John Carpenter’s supernatural horror classic The Fog (1980) in 4K Ultra HD from Scream Factory, and we have separate reviews for both the wide-release Collector’s Edition and the Steelbook version as well.

Stephen has also offered his thoughts on Taika Waititi’s latest MCU installment, Thor: Love and Thunder, in 4K Ultra HD from Marvel and Disney.

Meanwhile, Dennis has turned in his take on a pair of classic films on Blu-ray, including Sydney Salkow’s Twice Told Tales (1963) starring Vincent Price from Kino Lorber Studio Classics and also John Cromwell’s Abe Lincoln in Illinois (1940) from the Warner Archive Collection.

And Tim has delivered a look at Warner and DC’s long-awaited Deluxe Edition of the animated Batman: The Long Halloween (2021) as well as Random Space Media’s import 4K/Blu-ray 3D double feature of Jumanji: The Next Level (2019) and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017).

As always, more reviews are on the way for tomorrow and all this week, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for them. [Read on here...]

We’ve got three new disc reviews for you today, starting with my take on Paramount’s new George Pal Double Feature of Byron Haskin’s The War of the Worlds (1953) on 4K Ultra HD and Rudolph Maté’s When Worlds Collide (1951) on regular Blu-ray Disc. Unfortunately, both discs are... problematical... as you may have heard here and elsewhere. (And I should note that we have Paramount’s official position on War of the Worlds in the review text.) But they may still be worth your consideration so do check it out.

Also today, Tim has posted his thoughts on Jack Bender’s Child’s Play 3 (1991) in 4K Ultra HD from Scream Factory.

And Stephen has chimed in with his thoughts on Jeff Kanew’s Natural Enemies (1979) on Blu-ray from Fun City Editions via Vinegar Syndrome.

I’ve also just gotten my hands on Imprint Film’s new all-region Blu-ray of Akira Kurosawa’s Dersu Uzala (1975) and it’s pretty terrific. I’ve never seen the film looking better than it does here, and there are some nice extras on board as well, including a cracking new audio commentary by Japanese film expert Stuart Galbraith IV. I’ll have a full review here on The Bits in the next day or two. [Read on here...]

Well, go figure. I’d planned on working on disc reviews today, but it turns out that Paramount’s War of the Worlds (1953) 4K color grading issue isn’t the only problem with that release.

First though, the rest of The Bits team has turned in a couple reviews of their own...

Stephen has taken a look at Pierre Chenal’s Native Son (1951) on Blu-ray from Kino Classics.

And Dennis has reviewed Lewis Milestone and Byron Haskin’s The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946) on Blu-ray as well, from Kino Lorber Studio Classics proper.

Both titles are worth a look, and I promise that more reviews are on tap for next week, including 4K titles.

Now then (speaking of Byron Haskin), I mentioned yesterday that there’s a color grading problem with Paramount’s new War of the Worlds: Paramount Presents 4K Ultra HD release. [Read on here...]

We have a few quick items of you today...

First, Lionsgate has just announced the Blu-ray and DVD release of Kevin Smith’s Clerks III on 12/6, with the 4K Digital release expected on 10/14.

Special features will include audio commentary (with writer/director Kevin Smith, and actors Brian O’Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Trevor Fehrman, and Austin Zajur), 2 documentaries (The Clerks III Documentary and We’re Not Even Supposed To Be Here Today: 3 Decades of Clerks), deleted and alternate scenes, and the theatrical trailer.

We’re still awaiting the final Blu-ray cover artwork for this release, but you can see the film’s promotional art at left.

Lionsgate has also set Fall for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 10/18, with the Digital version expected on 9/27.

1901 Pictures has set the psychological horror film Nix for Digital release on 9/27. [Read on here...]

We’ve got two new disc reviews for you on this lovely Tuesday afternoon, both of them by our own Stephen Bjork...

First up, he’s taken a look at Universal’s CG-animated prequel Minions: The Rise of Gru in 4K Ultra HD.

Stephen has also offered his thoughts on Fernando Di Leo’s The Violent Breed (1984) on Blu-ray from Code Red via Kino Lorber.

As mentioned yesterday, more new disc reviews are on the way including a few great new 4K catalog titles, among them The War of the Worlds from Paramount and The Lost Boys from Warner Bros. So watch for those and more in the coming days.

Now then, in announcement news, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has officially set David Leitch’s Bullet Train (2022) for release on Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD on 10/18, with the Digital release expected on 9/27. [Read on here...]

We’ve got two new disc reviews for you today, as well as more interesting 4K Ultra HD news and a few other things as well. First up, those reviews...

Tim has turned in his thoughts on Kenneth G. Crane’s Monster from Green Hell (1957) on Blu-ray from The Film Detective.

And Dennis has offered his take on Michael Curtiz’s The Scarlet Hour (1956) on region-free Blu-ray from Imprint Films in Australia.

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

The big 4K news today is that Paramount has officially set Walter Hill’s 48 Hrs. (1982) and Another 48 Hrs. (1990) for release on 4K Ultra HD on 12/6, just as we’ve been anticipating. [Read on here...]

Our friends at the Criterion Collection have just unveiled their December Blu-ray slate this afternoon, which is set to include four more interesting titles...

It starts with the Michael Haneke: Trilogy (Spine #1161 – Blu-ray only – includes The Seventh Continent, Benny’s Video, and 71 Fragments of a Chronology of Chance) on 12/6. And following on 12/12 are Todd Haynes’ The Velvet Underground (Spine 1164 – Blu-ray and DVD), Three Films by Mai Zetterling (Spine #1162 – Blu-ray only – includes Loving Couples, Night Games, and The Girls), and finally Michael Schultz’s Cooley High (Spine #1165 – Blu-ray only).

It’s worth noting that The Velvet Underground documentary will include a new Dolby Atmos soundtrack. Click here for more details on all of these titles.

In 4K Ultra HD news today, retail sources are indicating that Universal will release David Gordon Green’s Halloween Ends on 12/27, though do keep in mind that this date is tentative and subject to change, as the film doesn’t actually hit theaters until 10/14. [Read on here...]