My Two Cents
Today’s update is a brief one, because we’re working on a number of things here at the site today. But we start with a couple of new disc reviews...
Dennis has checked out Ridley Scott’s Thelma & Louise (1991) as newly released on Blu-ray by The Criterion Collection.
And Stuart has weighed in with his thoughts on Kino Lorber Studio Classics’ Arsène Lupin Collection on Blu-ray, which includes Jacques Becker’s The Adventures of Arsène Lupin (1957), Yves Robert’s Signed Arsène Lupin (1959), and Édouard Molinaro’s Arsène Lupin vs. Arsène Lupin (1962).
More reviews are forthcoming, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for them.
Now then, we have three significant pieces of news to report...
First, Kino Lorber Studio Classics has revealed that they’re working on a new 4K Ultra HD release of Fred Zinnemann’s classic western High Noon (1952), starring Gary Cooper, Grace Kelly, Thomas Mitchell, Lloyd Bridges, and Katy Jurado. That’s currently listed as coming soon. [Read on here...]
JAMES CAMERON’S GLOBAL PHENOMENON
AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER ARRIVES ON BLU-RAY, BLU-RAY 3D AND 4K ULTRA HD ON JUNE 20
PLUS: EXPERIENCE THE ORIGINAL AVATAR REMASTERED IN STUNNING 4K AT DIGITAL RETAIL AND ON BLU-RAY DISC JUNE 20
BURBANK, CA (May 22, 2023) – On June 20, Avatar fans have double cause for celebration as Avatar: The Way of Water makes its long-awaited debut on 4K UHD, Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray and DVD and the original Avatar arrives for the first time on 4K UHD in High Dynamic Range to digital retailers and on Blu-ray disc.
Avatar: The Way of Water release will include over three hours of bonus content featuring the filmmakers, cast and crew.
The 4K UHD edition of the original Avatar has both existing and new bonus features including Memories From Avatar, where Producer Jon Landau leads a spirited conversation with cast members, Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver and Stephen Lang, recalling warm memories from production and reflecting on the extraordinary success of the film. Plus Avatar: A Look Back, provides a retrospective where cast and filmmakers reflect on their extraordinary journey making Avatar, the groundbreaking technologies they used to create an unparalleled cinematic experience, and the profound effect the film had on audiences worldwide.
Nominated for numerous Academy Awards including Best Picture, Avatar: The Way of Water became the third highest-grossing film of all time worldwide and set a new benchmark for visual effects. Produced by Cameron and his longtime partner Jon Landau, the 20th Century Studios—Lightstorm Entertainment production stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Cliff Curtis and Kate Winslet. Joining the illustrious adult cast are talented newcomers Britain Dalton, Jamie Flatters, Trinity Jo-Li Bliss, Bailey Bass and Jack Champion. The screenplay is by James Cameron & Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver, with story by James Cameron & Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver & Josh Friedman & Shane Salerno. David Valdes and Richard Baneham serve as the film’s executive producers. [Read on here...]
Afternoon, folks!
This is just a quick and rare weekend My Two Cents here at The Bits in celebration of the fact that today marks a major movie anniversary: 43 years ago today, The Empire Strikes Back was released into theaters!
As many of you can attest firsthand, the event was certainly life changing for all those of us who were there to experience it as teenagers.
And to celebrate the occasion, I’d like to call your attention to a trio of great History, Legacy & Showmanship columns here at The Bits written by our own Michael Coate:
Empire @ 40: Remembering the Early 70mm Cut from 12/21/20.
Betting the Ranch: Remembering "The Empire Strikes Back" on its 40th Anniversary from 5/21/20.
The Force Defeated: Remembering "The Empire Strikes Back" on its 35th Anniversary from 5/21/15.
But that’s not all! [Read on here...]
We’ve got three more new disc reviews for you today...
First, I’ve taken a look at Apple TV’s For All Mankind: Season One, as released on Region B Blu-ray in the UK by Dazzler Media. This is one of my favorite series—and alternate history of NASA’s space program in a world where the Soviets beat America to the Moon in the 1960s, co-created by Ron Moore of Battlestar Galactica, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Outlander, which starts as a Mad Men-like period drama and gradually moved into the territory of science fiction with each new season. Dazzler’s release is the only place you can get the series on physical media, and I’ll be reviewing Season Two on Blu-ray shortly as well.
Also, Dennis has reviewed Mike Hodges’ I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead (2003) and Bernardo Bertolucci’s Little Buddha (1993) on Blu-ray from Imprint Films and Via Vision in Australia.
Speaking of Imprint Films, the company has just unveiled its August Blu-ray slate, which is set to include the following... Film Focus: Jennifer Connelly—which includes Career Opportunities (1991), Waking the Dead (2000), and House of Sand and Fog (2003)—Film Focus: Jessica Lange—which includes Frances (1982), Crimes of the Heart (1986), Music Box (1989), and Losing Isaiah (1995)—Alan Rudolph’s Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle (1994), Karen Moncrieff’s Blue Car (2002), and Steven Zaillian’s Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993). [Read on here...]
We have a few more new disc reviews for you all to enjoy here at The Bits today...
Stephen has reviewed the animated All-Star Superman in 4K Ultra HD from Warner and DC, as well as Elizabeth Banks’ Cocaine Bear on Blu-ray from Universal. The less said about that last one the better, but tip of the hat to Stephen for taking one for the team on this title.
Also, Stuart has turned in his thoughts on George Sherman’s Tomahawk (1951) and the anthology title If I Had a Million (1932), both on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.
There’s not a lot of major release news today, but we do have a couple items to report...
Undercrank Productions is releasing Raymond Griffith: The Silk Hat Comedian on Blu-ray + DVD on 6/13. The set presents two of the star’s surviving silent comedies, Paths to Paradise (1925) and You’d Be Surprised (1926), in new 2K restoration scanned from 35 mm elements in the possession of the Library of Congress. Each will feature new musical scores by Ben Model. [Read on here...]