All right, we’re back with a news update today and we’ve got a bunch of reviews to share with you today as well. Sorry it’s taken a few days to get back to news coverage this week, but I had a bunch of stuff to deal with this week, including checking in with our industry sources but also clearing a few important items off my review stack, after having my mother visiting for about ten days earlier this month.

As such, I’ve recently reviewed Sony’s terrific The Karate Kid: Ultimate Collection in 4K Ultra HD, a 6-film Amazon-exclusive box set that includes all of the films in this series plus some nice extras and great swag as well. It’s definitely worth getting your hands on if you’re a fan of the series.

On Monday, I also reviewed our friends Jeffrey Morris’ excellent new Space: 1999-themed documentary The Eagle Obsession. That’s coming on Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD in 2026, so we’ll cover it then too.

Meanwhile, Tim has reviewed more of Arrow’s Shawscope: Volume Two Blu-ray box set—specifically Chang Cheh’s Ten Tigers of Kwangtung (1980)—as well as Peter Medak’s The Odd Job (1978) and The Ghost of Peter Sellers (2018) both on Blu-ray from Severin Films.

Dennis has taken a look at Alice Wu’s Saving Face (2004) on Blu-ray from the Criterion Collection.

Stephen has offered his thoughts on Martin Scorsese’s Raging Bull (1980) as newly-released in 4K Ultra HD by the folks at Imprint Films, as well as Atsushi Yamatoya’s Inflatable Sex Doll of the Wastelands (1967) and Jiří Barta’s The Pied Piper & Jiří Barta Shorts (1986) both on Blu-ray from Deaf Crocodile.

And Stuart has reviewed Tōru Murakawa’s The Beast to Die (1980) on Blu-ray from Radiance. [Read on here...]

In September of 1975, a new science-fiction series appeared on British television. Created and produced by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, Space: 1999 followed the trials and tribulations of the inhabitants of Moonbase Alpha, after the Moon is accidentally blown out of Earth’s orbit and sent hurtling out into interstellar space. Though the series only ran for two seasons, it picked up a loyal following thanks to a strong cast led by Martin Landau and Barbara Bain (Mission: Impossible), as well as compelling and high-concept storytelling. But one of the show’s greatest strengths was a production design aesthetic that seemed far more plausible and realistic than those of other sci-fi franchises. And no design from Space: 1999 exemplifies this more clearly than the show’s iconic spacecraft, the Eagle Transporter.

Science fiction has certainly shown us other examples of compelling spacecraft on TV and the big screen, including Star Trek’s USS Enterprise and the Millennium Falcon of Star Wars fame. But for anyone interested in spaceflight at the time, the Eagle Transporter—used by the Alphans to shuttle between the Earth and Moon, to travel around the surface, and visit alien planets—seemed like a vehicle that could actually be built, flown, and perform as depicted. That’s because its design has much more in common with NASA’s Lunar Excursion Module (LEM)—which in reality delivered astronauts to the lunar surface six times between 1969 and 1972—than the Enterprise, the Falcon, or any other spacecraft that sci-fi enthusiasts had seen before or since. It’s only natural then that the Eagle has gained a legion of fans over the years. In fact, the author of this review is one of them. [Read on here...]

All right, we’ve got some big news for you today—I’m talking really good stuff. But first as always, we have new disc reviews for you…

I’ve just shared my thoughts on Eleanor Coppola, Fax Bahr, and George Hickenlooper’s legendary Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse (1991) documentary as newly-remastered in 4K Ultra HD, as well as Akira Kurosawa’s Ran (1985) in 40th Anniversary Collector’s Edition 4K Ultra HD, both from the good people at StudioCanal in the UK.

I've also finally posted my review of Guy Hamilton’s Diamonds are Forever (1971) in 4K Ultra HD from Amazon MGM Studios via Warner Bros. Home Entertainment—the last title in the 007: Sean Connery 6-Film Collection 4K box set that I hadn't yet reviewed before the website went wonky a couple months ago. Work getting the site working again and back up to speed prevented me from posting it, so now I'm finally caught up (and I know that some of you were waiting on Diamonds, so there you go).

Also, just yesterday I reviewed Robert Greenwald’s Xanadu (1980) in 4K Ultra HD from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

Stephen has reviewed Kim Ki-duk’s Yongary, Monster from the Deep (1967) in 4K Ultra HD from Vinegar Syndrome.

Stuart has offered his take on Paul Vecchiali’s Rosa la Rose: fille publique (1986) on Blu-ray from Radiance Films, as well as Imprint’s Directed by… David Lean – Volume One Blu-ray box set, which includes In Which We Serve (1942), This Happy Breed (1944), Blithe Spirit (1945), Brief Encounter (1945), Great Expectations (1946), and Oliver Twist (1948).

Dennis has reviewed Hugh A. Robertson’s Melinda (1972) and John G. Avildsen’s Lean On Me (1989) both on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.

And Tim has taken a look at Yoshiyuki Kuroda’s The Invisible Swordsman (1970) on Blu-ray from Arrow Video.

We’ll have more disc reviews for you next week, so be sure to check back then.

Now then… Arrow Video is getting ready to announce its November slate of Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD titles, and retail leaks reveal that it will include some great 4K catalog titles licensed from New Line and Warner Bros! [Read on here...]

Welcome to a new week Bits readers!

We’ve got some great news to report for all of you today, and some sad news as well. But first as always, we have some new disc reviews to share…

Stephen has reviewed Sergio Leone’s The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966) in 4K Ultra HD from Arrow Video in the UK, along with Lucio Fulci’s Zombie Flesh Eaters (1970) (aka Zombie) also in 4K UHD from Arrow UK.

Dennis has taken a look at Silvio Amadio’s The Medium (1980) on Blu-ray from Raro Video via Kino Lorber.

And Tim has shared his thoughts on Renny Harlin’s Deep Blue Sea (1999) in 4K Ultra HD from Arrow Video here in the States.

Lots more reviews are forthcoming all this week, so be sure to check back for them!

Now then… the big news this morning is that our friends at the Criterion Collection have just unveiled November slate of Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD releases! And if you’re a subscriber to our Digital Bits Patreon page, you’ll know that we told you that a few of them were coming some weeks ago (so if you’re not yet a subscriber, trust me: Lots more great 4K catalog titles are coming through the end of the year and into 2026). [Read on here...]

We’ve got some great new disc reviews for you to enjoy today, including…

Stephen’s look at George Stevens’ classic western Shane (1953) in 4K Ultra HD from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

Tim’s thoughts on Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme (2025) in 4K Ultra HD from Universal and Shane Black’s The Nice Guys (2016) in 4K from Second Sight Films in the UK.

Stuart’s take on a trio of TV movies on Blu-ray from KLSC, including Ants! (1977), Tarantulas: The Deadly Cargo (1977), and Terror Out of the Sky (1978), as well as Eiichi Kudô’s Yokohama BJ Blues (1981) on Blu-ray from Radiance Films.

And Dennis’ review of Harold Becker’s The Onion Field (1979) on Blu-ray from Via Vision Entertainment.

Now then… the big catalog release news today is that our friends at Arrow Video have just revealed that they’re releasing New Line’s live action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Trilogy for 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray release in the US, UK, and Canada in December (the US date is 12/16, the UK date is 12/15 or 15 December). There will be regular and Arrow Video Store exclusive packaging. [Read on here...]

We have a few big pieces of announcement news to report today here at The Bits!

But first, we’ve got three more new disc reviews for you, including

Stephen’s look at William Friedkin’s Jade (1995) in 4K Ultra HD from Vinegar Syndrome.

Dennis’ review of Bertrand Bonello’s Zombi Child (2019) on Blu-ray from Film Movement and Vinegar Syndrome.

And Stuart’s thoughts on Richard Bartlett’s Rock, Pretty Baby (1956) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

Now then, in announcement news today, the big news is that Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and DC Studios have officially set James Gunn’s Superman (2025) for Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD release on 9/23, with the Digital release due later this week on 8/15. [Read on here...]

We’ve got three new disc reviews for you today, including…

Stephen’s look at Tonino Ricci’s Night of the Sharks (1988) on Blu-ray from Severin Films.

Stuart’s take on Kinji Fukasaku’s Jakoman and Tetsu (1964) on Blu-ray from 88 Films.

And Tim’s review of Chang Cheh’s Magnificent Ruffians (1979) on Blu-ray from Arrow’s excellent Shawscope: Volume Two box set.

Tim has also posted a review of Paul Spurrier’s Dream! (2025) in a rare installment of his Dailies column, so do give it a look!

In announcement news today, MVD Entertainment has revealed that they’re releasing Tenacious D: The Complete Masterworks – Volume 3 on Blu-ray and DVD on 10/3. It will feature their a complete 16-track concert from their 2023 Spicy Meatball Tour recorded in London’s O2 Arena, along with the band’s animated film Post Apocalypto and music videos for ...Baby One More Time, Wicked Game, Video Games, Fiber d’Lish, Tenacious D’s The Who Medley, You Never Give Me Your Money/The End, and Time Warp. [Read on here...]

In an era when movie musicals can live or die for a myriad of reasons, it’s tough to reconcile with the idea of actually making one, unless you’re chasing a success, such as Universal’s 2024 smash hit Wicked. In all fairness, that film took years to come to the screen after a massively successful run as a stage musical. There was an audience already in place to embrace it, and it not only managed to satisfy its fan base, but bring in outsiders in droves, becoming something of a pop culture phenomenon. It also had an extravagant budget for costumes, sets, make-up, and visual effects on par with many bigger budget comic book movies. Yet despite the ongoing notion that the movie musical is something of a dead genre, it was wildly successful. That’s certainly something that Hollywood, and even entities outside of Hollywood, would want to replicate.

None of that has anything whatsoever to do with Dream!, but it gives you some perspective when a true passion project comes down the line that others may dismiss as woefully derivative. Dream! is nothing of the sort. Instead, it’s the first full-length movie musical made in Thailand in fifty years, complete with an all Thai cast, composer, and orchestra. Directed by actor, writer, and cinematographer Paul Spurrier, and co-written with Jiriya Spurrier, Dream! pays homage to the classic movie musicals of old, with direct allusions to Oliver!, The Wizard of Oz, The Music Man, and The Sound of Music, among others, while establishing a fairy tale atmosphere.

Lek (Amata Masmalai) is a virtuous young girl with an unhappy home life in the mountains of Northern Thailand, dreaming of a day when her and her mother can find happiness. When her mother tragically dies, Lek runs away from home, seeking out a better life on her own terms. Along the way, she meets a variety of characters—some who want to help her, some who want to harm her, and others who choose to ignore her. As a consequence, Lek’s naivete will be tested, while also inadvertently teaching those that she meets the value of being a part of the world. [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...]

All right, folks! We’ve got a bunch of news to catch up on today!

But first as always, we have more new disc reviews for you, including…

Tim’s thoughts on Jess Franco’s The Blood of Fu Manchu (1968) in 4K Ultra HD from Blue Underground and James Whale’s The Old Dark House (1932) in 4K Ultra HD from Eureka! Entertainment in the UK.

Stuart’s take on Léa Domenach’s The President’s Wife (2023) on Blu-ray from the Cohen Media Group via Kino Lorber.

Dennis’ look at John Cromwell’s The Enchanted Cottage (1945) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.

And Stephen’s two cents on Bill Plympton’s Mutant Aliens (2001) on Blu-ray from Deaf Crocodile Films and Lamberto Bava’s Monster Shark (1984, aka Devil Fish) on Blu-ray from Severin Films.

Watch for more reviews tomorrow here at the site.

Now then, the big announcement news today is that Walt Disney Home Entertainment, 20th Century Studios, and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment have announced the long-awaited 4K Ultra HD release of Jim Sharman’s The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) on October 7th! The film is of course based on the musical by Richard O’Brian, and the release is happening in honor of the film’s 50th anniversary. [Read on here...]