Displaying items by tag: Synapse Films

Greetings Bits readers!

So you may have noticed some funkiness going on over the last week or so here at The Digital Bits website.

Back on March 27 (see our post here), I told you that we were fighting the scourge of AI companies relentlessly sending bots to crawl our site to scrape for content to train their LLMs. It got so bad that we essentially have had to move the site and use Cloudflare to block them.

That was frustrating enough, but the process of moving hasn’t been smooth. And we’ve had several other disruptions over the last week, including (currently) to our email. So if you’re trying to reach us and your messages are getting bounced back or not delivered properly, rest assure we’re aware of it and are working to get it sorted.

Thanks for your patience!

All part of the frustrations of trying to run a website in the 21st century… especially in a world of AI, which is probably only going to make things on the Internet worse. [Read on here...]

All right, we’ve got a bit of ground to cover today, and it’s going to feel a little bit like whiplash. But first, as always, we have some new disc reviews to share with you…

Tim has taken a look at Michael Felsher’s Hearts of Darkness: The Making of The Final Friday (2025) on Blu-ray from Synapse Films.

Stephen has offered his thoughts on Simon Wincer’s The Phantom (1996) in 4K Ultra HD from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

And Dennis has shared his take on Arthur Penn’s Target (1985) on Blu-ray from Imprint Films.

Definitely be sure to watch for more new disc reviews over the next few days.

Now then… the positive news we have for you today is that our friends at the Criterion Collection have just announced their July Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD release slate, which includes some gems as always and some nice surprises too. [Read on here...]

Cheers, Bits readers!

We’ve got one last My Two Cents update for you this week with some great new disc reviews, as well as some great new Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD release news. Let’s hit those reviews first…

I’ve just updated our dear late friend Barrie Maxwell’s review of William Wyler’s Ben-Hur (1959) to cover Warner’s stunning new 4K Ultra HD restoration of the film, which streets next week. It’s truly one of the great classic film presentations we’ve seen on this format to date, and certainly not to be missed.

Dennis and Tim have checked in with thoughts on a pair of Agatha Christie film adaptations in 4K Ultra HD from Kino Lorber Studio Classics, including John Guillerman’s Death on the Nile (1978) and Guy Hamilton’s The Mirror Crack’d (1980).

Dennis has also reviewed Michael Winner’s The Mechanic (1972) and Antonia Bird’s Priest (1994) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics and Imprint, respectively.

Tim has posted his own reviews of Alberto Cavalcanti, Charles Crichton, Basil Dearden, Robert Hamer’s Dead of Night (1945) anthology on Blu-ray from KLSC as well as Chor Yuen’s The Jade Tiger (1977) from Arrow’s Shawscope: Volume 3 Blu-ray box.

Stephen has reviewed Emma Seligman’s Bottoms (2023) on Blu-ray from KLSC.

And Stuart has taken a look at Hideo Gosha’s Gate of Flesh (1988) on Blu-ray from Toei via 88 Films.

We have lots more great 4K reviews cooking for next week as well, believe me.

Also here at The Bits today, we’ve posted an update of our Release Dates & Artwork section featuring all the latest Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD cover artwork with Amazon pre-order links. As always, whenever you order anything after clicking to Amazon though one of our links (like this one) you’re helping to support our work here at the site and we appreciate it!

Now then, first things first: Our retail and industry sources have informed us that Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment’s much anticipated 4K Ultra HD release of the Wachowski’s Speed Racer (2008) should street on or about 5/19. So adjust your plans accordingly. Go Speed Go!

Of course, the big news today is that our friends at the Criterion Collection have just unveiled their May slate of Blu-ray and 4K titles. And any slate that includes more Kurosawa in 4K UHD is a good one. [Read on here...]

We have several new disc reviews for you here at The Bits today, including…

Tim’s look at John Hough’s Twins of Evil (1971) in 4K Ultra HD from Imprint Films and Via Vision, as well as his review of the final film in Criterion’s The Wes Anderson Archive in 4K Ultra HD, specifically The French Dispatch (2021).

Dennis’ review of Michael Stasko’s Vampire Zombies… from Space! (2024) on Blu-ray from MVD and Cleopatra Entertainment).

Stephen’s thoughts on John Carpenter’s Vampires (1998) in 4K Ultra HD from Via Vision Entertainment.

And finally, Stuart’s take on the Columbia Noir #7: Made in Britain Blu-ray box set from Indicator, which includes A Prize of Gold (1955), The Last Man to Hang (1956), Wicked as They Come (1956), Spin a Dark Web (1956), The Long Haul (1957), and Fortune Is a Woman (1957).

More reviews are forthcoming, so be sure to check back for them.

Also, before we get to the news today, we’ve just posted our latest update of our Release Dates & Artwork section featuring all the latest Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD cover art and Amazon pre-order links. As always, whenever you order literally anything from Amazon after clicking through one of our links (like this one), you’re helping to support our work here at The Bits and we really appreciate it! [Read on here...]

We’re going to do a bit of an early 2026 4K new round-up here at The Bits today, catching you all up on the latest announcements and release news from our industry sources.

First though, a few more new disc reviews…

Stuart has taken a look at the BBC’s Death Valley: Season One on DVD from Warner Bros.

Dennis has given William Keighley’s The Bride Came C.O.D. (1941) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.

And Stephen has offered his thoughts on Neil Marshall’s The Descent (2005) as found in a new 20th Anniversary 4K Steelbook from Lionsgate Limited.

As always, more new disc reviews are forthcoming, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for them.

Now then, just as a quick reminder, we recently revealed here on The Bits (see this link) that Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment is planning a very nice slate of 4K catalog releases for 2026, including William Wyler’s Ben-Hur (1959) and Alan J. Pakula’s All the President’s Men (1976)—already set for release on 2/17—as well as Chuck Russell’s Eraser (1996), Alfonso Cuarón’s Gravity (2013), Tim Burton’s Mars Attacks! (1996), Neil Jordan’s Interview with the Vampire (1994), Victor Fleming’s Gone with the Wind (1939), and P. T. Anderson’s Magnolia (1999) which are all TBA for later this year.

Then on New Year’s Eve, we broke the news (see this link) that Warner is also planning a new 4K Ultra HD release of the Wachowski’s Speed Racer (2008) this year as well. [Read on here...]

We’ve got three more new disc reviews for all of you to enjoy today, including…

Tim’s thoughts on Jess Franco’s The Castle of Fu Manchu (1969) in 4K Ultra HD from Blue Underground as well as David Schmoeller’s Crawlspace (1986) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

And Stephen’s take on Stephen Sayadian’s Café Flesh (1982) on Blu-ray from Mondo Macabro.

Before we get going today, it looks like we finally know what the next two Steven Spielberg films are that are going to be released in 4K Ultra HD: Multiple retail sources are reporting that both Minority Report (2002) and Catch Me If you Can (2002) are coming to the format before the end of the year from Paramount. Street date for each is TBA, but this isn’t entirely surprising—both films have been recently available Digitally in 4K. As more information comes in, we’ll be sure to let you know.

Speaking of Paramount, their long-delayed 4K Ultra HD Steelbook release of Karyn Kusama’s Æon Flux (2005) is finally set for 10/7.

Also, we have a street date for Christopher McQuarrie’s Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (2025) on Blu-ray, DVD, 4K Ultra HD, and 4K Steelbook. Look for it to arrive on 10/14. [Read on here...]

We’ve got SIX more new disc reviews for you all to enjoy today, including...

Dennis’ reviews of Stanley Donen’s Arabesque (1966) in 4K Ultra HD and Dick Powell’s The Conqueror (1956) on Blu-ray, both from Kino Lorber Studio Classics, as well as Ryan Kruger’s Street Trash (2024) on Blu-ray from Vinegar Syndrome, and Jonathan Mostow’s Breakdown (1997) in 4K Ultra HD from Paramount Home Entertainment (the 4K reviews with an A/V assist by Tim).

And Tim’s reviews of the third title in Arrow Video’s Shawscope: Volume Two Blu-ray box set—Disciples of the 36th Chamber (1985)—and also Bob Clark’s Murder by Decree (1979) in 4K Ultra HD from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

Speaking of Arrow Video, the company has just announced its June slate of Blu-ray and 4K titles, which includes Rowdy Herrington’s Road House (1989) on Blu-ray and 4K UHD + Blu-ray (in the UK only) on 6/2, Joseph Sargent’s The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974) on Blu-ray and 4K UHD + Blu-ray (in the UK only) on 6/9, Dominic Sena’s Swordfish (2001) on 4K UHD + Blu-ray (in the UK, US, and Canada) on 6/9, Peter Weir’s Witness (1985) on Blu-ray and 4K UHD + Blu-ray (in the UK only) on 6/16, and Alex Proyas’ Dark City (1998) on Blu-ray and 4K UHD + Blu-ray (in the UK, US, and Canada), Yoshiyuki Kuroda’s The Invisible Swordsman (1970) on Blu-ray (in the UK, US, and Canada), and Sergio Leone’s The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1966) on Blu-ray and 4K UHD + Blu-ray (in the UK only) all on 6/23. [Read on here...]

We have more new disc reviews for you all to enjoy today here at The Bits, including...

Tim’s reviews of Charles Martin Smith’s Trick or Treat (1986) in 4K Ultra HD from Synapse Films and Robert Altman’s McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971) in 4K UHD from our friends at The Criterion Collection.

Stephen’s take on Kazuki Ōmori’s Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989) in 4K Ultra HD from Criterion.

Dennis’ thoughts on Fred Burnley’s Neither the Sea Nor the Sand (1972) on Blu-ray from Vinegar Syndrome.

And Stuart’s looks at Patrice Leconte’s Half a Chance (1998) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics and Montgomery Tully’s The Terrornauts (1967) on Blu-ray from Vinegar Syndrome.

In announcement news today—well, it’s not exactly an official announcement yet, but—Studio Distribution Services has just listed the James Bond 007 Sean Connery 6-Film Collection for release in 4K Ultra HD (click here) and 4K Steelbook Limited Edition (click here) on Amazon from MGM and WBDHE. There’s no street date yet listed, but we expect them to arrive on or about 6/3. The sets will include the films Dr. No (1962), From Russia with Love (1963), Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965), You Only Live Twice (1967), and Diamonds Are Forever (1971). There’s no cover art yet, and we’re still awaiting an official press release. Nor is there any sign of UK listings yet, but that’s likely to change soon. Click on the links to pre-order them. [Read on here...]

We’re closing out the week here at The Bits with a trio of new disc reviews, including...

Tim’s review of Alfred Sole’s Alice, Sweet Alice (1976) in 4K Ultra HD from Arrow Video.

Stephen’s review of Howard Hawks’ Hatari! (1962) in 4K Ultra HD from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

And Stuart’s review of Bruce Weber’s Let’s Get Lost (1988) on Blu-ray from Kino Classics.

Also today, our friends at Vinegar Syndrome have revealed a number of new March Blu-ray and 4K titles, including Richard Loncraine’s Brimstone & Treacle (1982) in 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray (with Dolby Vision), a double-feature Blu-ray of Hung-Chuen Lau’s Devil Fetus (1983) and Ngai Choi Lam’s Her Vengeance (1988), Forgotten Gialli: Volume Eight on Blu-ray—which includes Alberto Negrin’s Rings of Fear (1978), Tano Cimarosa’s Reflections in Black (1975), and Demofilo Fidani’s A.A.A. Masseuse, Good-Looking, Offers Her Services (1975)—Miguel Angel Martinez’s 38 Especial (1992) on Blu-ray from Degausser Video, Gene Saks’s Last of the Red Hot Lovers (1972) on Blu-ray from Cinématographe, and Peter Greenaway’s The Belly of an Architect (1987) on Blu-ray from Vinegar Syndrome Labs. All are set to ship later this month. [Read on here...]

We have two more new disc reviews for you today here at The Bits...

Stuart’s look at A Man Called Shenandoah: The Complete Series (1965-66) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.

And Dennis and Tim have taken a look at Guillermo del Toro’s Cronos (1992) in 4K Ultra HD from Criterion.

The big news today is that Arrow Video has just unveiled their full Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD release slate for May, which is set to include D.W. Medoff’s I Will Never Leave You Alone (2023) on Blu-ray (in the UK only) on 5/5, Robert Wise’s The Andromeda Strain (1971) in 4K Ultra HD (in the US, UK, and Canada) on 5/13, Jim Isaac’s Jason X (2001) and Adam Marcus’ Jason Goes to Hell (1993) both in 4K Ultra HD (in the US, UK, and Canada) on 5/20, Sergio Leone’s For a Few Dollars More (1965) on Blu-ray and 4K UHD (in the UK only) on 5/26, and Adilkhan Yerzhanov’s Steppenwolf (2024) on Blu-ray (in the US, UK, and Canada) on 5/27. [Read on here...]