Items filtered by date: September 2024

All right, we have FIVE more new disc reviews for you to enjoy on this lovely Halloween, including...

My thoughts on Robert Harmon’s The Hitcher (1986) in 4K Ultra HD from both Second Sight in the UK and also the Warner Bros. 4K release here in the States.

Stephen’s review of William Friedkin’s ironic The Exorcist (1973) in 50th Anniversary Ultimate Collector’s Edition Steelbook 4K UHD from Warner Bros. in the UK.

And Tim’s look at Wes Craven’s A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) in 4K Ultra HD from New Line and Warner Bros, as well as Michael Dougherty’s Trick ‘r Treat (2007) in 4K Ultra HD from Arrow Video.

As always, more news reviews coming over the weekend and next week, including significant titles. There are just so many titles to cover right now that it’s a little bit overwhelming!

By the way, if you haven’t yet subscribed to our Digital Bits Patreon, we have a really good post over there that fans of catalog 4K releases will be certainly be interested in. Patreon is a great way to help support our work here at The Bits, so we really appreciate it. [Read on here...]

We have no less than six new disc reviews for you today, including...

Stephen’s look at Dario Argento’s Opera (1987) in limited edition 4K Ultra HD from Severin Films.

Stuart’s take on Jean Negulesco’s Jessica (1962) on region-free Blu-ray from Imprint and Via Vision, as well as Fernando Di Leo’s Madness (1980) on Blu-ray from Raro Video and Kino Lorber.

Dennis’ thoughts on Curtis Bernhardt’s Conflict (1945) and George Stevens’ I Remember Mama (1948) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.

And Tim’s look at James Signorelli’s Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (1988) in 4K Ultra HD from Arrow Video.

Note that we have several more reviews coming tomorrow that are specifically Halloween-themed. And watch for more on Friday and over the weekend.

Now then, the big news today is that Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has just set Seinfeld: The Complete Series for release on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray on 12/17 in honor of the series’ 35th anniversary! And here’s the cool part: while the Blu-ray will feature the episodes reframed in 1.78:1, the limited edition 4K set will feature them in the original 1.33:1 broadcast ratio. [Read on here...]

We have no less than four new disc reviews for you to enjoy today, and--surprise!--I even managed to finish one for a change...

First, Tim has taken a look at Sidney Lumet’s excellent Murder on the Orient Express (1974) in 4K Ultra HD from Kino Lorber Studio Classics, as well as Hanna-Barbera’s animated Top Cat: The Complete Series (1961-1962) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.

Also, Dennis has reviewed another Warner Archive title: Norman Foster’s Journey Into Fear (1943) on Blu-ray.

And finally today, I’ve shared my thoughts on M. Night Shyamalan’s Signs (2003), a tense and effective alien invasion thriller, on 4K Ultra HD from Touchstone Pictures, Disney, and Buena Vista Home Entertainment.

As always, more reviews are forthcoming this week, so be sure to stay tuned for them!

In announcement news this afternoon, there is just not much to report. But we do have a couple things for you...

First, Paramount is reissuing Sergio Leone’s Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) as a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo on 1/14, simply without the Paramount Presents packaging. It also looks like the studio is doing the same thing with Roman Polanski’s Chinatown (1974) that same day. We assume they’re the same 4K discs as before. (If otherwise, we’ll confirm and post an update here.) You can see the new cover art for the former at left and also below. [Read on here...]

We’ve got one more new disc review to close out the week...

Stuart has turned in his take on Michel Boisrond’s Naughty Girl (1956) on Blu-ray from Kino Classics. It’s a French comedy starring Brigitte Bardot.

And more reviews are forthcoming, including possibly starting this weekend. So be sure to keep your eyes peeled both here and on our various social media (including @billhuntbits and @thedigitalbits).

Now then, the big news today is that our friends at Arrow Video have just unveiled their January Blu-ray and 4K slate.

And as you might expect, it includes a couple of long-awaited gems, as well as a few titles other labels have released previously (but Arrow always makes their own versions special). [Read on here...]

Here’s a big one, folks! We’ve got more great Disney 4K Ultra HD news to report for you today.

Remember how we’ve been saying that Disney (since their distribution deal with Sony) is going to be expanding their physical 4K UHD releases? Well, today we bring you breaking news of more Disney+ original series coming to 4K Ultra HD! And these are some major titles!

Here’s the studio’s official press release (be sure to read to the very end for some additional comments of our own)...

FOR THE FIRST TIME ON 4K ULTRA HD!
THE MANDALORIAN SEASON 3, AHSOKA SEASON 1, HAWKEYE SEASON 1 AND LOKI SEASON 2

NEW COLLECTOR’S EDITIONS FROM LUCASFILM AND MARVEL STUDIOS, WITH STEELBOOK PACKAGING, EXCLUSIVE ART, NEW BONUS FEATURES, AND COLLECTOR CARDS ARRIVE ON DECEMBER 3

BURBANK, CA. (October 24, 2024) – The Walt Disney Company has revealed that four all-new collector’s editions of popular Disney+ Original series from Lucasfilm and Marvel Studios will be available on 4K UHD on December 3. The special must-have releases feature sleek SteelBook packaging, exclusive concept art cards and never-before-seen bonus content, making them an absolute must-have for fans to add to their collection.

The titles, all to be released on December 3, 2024, are:

• Star Wars: The Mandalorian – The Complete Third Season
• Star Wars: Ahsoka – The Complete First Season
• Marvel Studios’ Hawkeye – The Complete First Season
• Marvel Studios’ Loki – The Complete Second Season

All four titles will be available to pre-order from October 31, 2024.

Like the previous Lucasfilm and Marvel Studios Collector’s Editions released earlier this year (Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi, Star Wars: Andor Season 1, Marvel Studios’ The Falcon and The Winter Soldier Season 1 and Marvel Studios’ Moon Knight Season 1), each of these new releases will be available nationally on 4K UHD SteelBook with brand-new box art designed by popular artist Attila Szarka and collectible concept art card. [Read on here...]

All right, our news update for this afternoon begins with a few more new disc reviews, including...

Dennis’ take on Steven Shainberg’s Secretary (2002) on Blu-ray from Via Vision’s Imprint Films, along with Richard Crine’s Synanon (1965) on Blu-ray also from Imprint Films.

And Stuart’s review of Roger Donaldson’s Marie: A True Story (1985) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.

We’ve also posted our weekly update of the Release Dates and Artwork section here at The Bits (last night—thanks to our own Russell Hammond for his hard work on it), which features all the latest Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD cover artwork and Amazon.com pre-order links. As always, whenever you order literally anything from Amazon after clicking to them through one of our links (like this one), you’re helping to support our work here at The Bits and we really appreciate it!

In more announcement news today, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has just revealed the Blu-ray and DVD release of Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock – Season 1 on 11/19! This will include all 14 episodes with English Dolby Digital 5.1 audio, audio commentary on 3 episodes with puppeteers John Tartaglia and Karen Prell, a Blooper Reel, and 4 sing-a-longs. You can see the Blu-ray cover art at left. [Read on here...]

We’re starting today with a bunch of new disc reviews here at The Digital Bits, including...

Tim’s look at George A. Romero’s Land of the Dead (2005) in 4K Ultra HD from Scream Factory.

And Stephen’s thoughts on Carlo Ledesma’s The Tunnel (2011) on Blu-ray from Umbrella Entertainment and Vinegar Syndrome, as well as John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein’s Game Night (2018) on 4K Ultra HD from Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment.

We have more new disc reviews coming this afternoon and tomorrow as well, so be sure to keep watching for them.

We’re also going to be trying out a new approach to sharing these news updates here on the site. Rather than simply posting one long update a day, I’m going to try posting two shorter updates, one late morning (US Pacific time) and one later in the afternoon. The idea is that shorter updates are a little easier to manage, so I’ll be able to get breaking news up a little more quickly here. So be sure to check back later today for a second news post.

Now then... first up in announcement news today, Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment has officially set Todd Phillips’ Joker: Folie à Deux (2024) for release on Blu-ray, DVD, 4K Ultra HD, and 4K UHD Steelbook on 12/17, with the Digital release due on 10/29. You can see the cover artwork at left and also below. [Read on here...]

We have three new disc reviews for you this afternoon, including...

Sam’s take on Glenn Ficarra and John Requa’s Focus (2015) in 4K Ultra HD from Warner Bros.

Tim’s review of the new Scooby-Doo! and the Witch’s Ghost (1999) and Scooby-Doo and the Alien Invaders (2000) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.

And Stuart’s thoughts on Sidney Lanfield’s You’ll Never Get Rich (1941) on Region B only Blu-ray from Powerhouse Films’ Indicator label in the UK.

As for release news, there’s not a ton of it to report today, however we do have a couple of fun items for you...

First, Paramount has officially set the animated Transformers One for release on Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD on 12/17, with the Digital release expected tomorrow on 10/22. Extras will include 5 behind-the-scenes featurettes (including In the Beginning, World Building on Cybertron, Together As One, The Iacon 5000, and The Battle for Cybertron). You can see the cover artwork below the break.

Speaking of Paramount, they along with CBS have set Blue Bloods: The Final Season and Blue Bloods: The Complete Series for DVD only release on 12/17 as well. Extras on the final season will include deleted scenes, 2 featurettes (The Story of the Reagans and May the Road Rise Up to Greet You), and a gag reel. [Read on here...]

We’ve got three more new disc reviews for you to enjoy today as we close out the week, including...

Stephen’s look at the new I Walked with a Zombie/The Seventh Victim: Produced by Val Lewton 4K Ultra HD release from Criterion.

Dennis’ take on John Farrow’s Botany Bay (1953) on Blu-ray from our friends at Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

And Stuart’s thoughts on William Dieterle’s Red Mountain (1951) on Blu-ray also from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

In announcement news today, Imprint Films has just revealed a new trio of Imprint Asia Blu-ray releases for release in January (street date 1/8/25) that includes Jia Ling’s Yolo (2024), Sun Zhou’s Zhou Yu’s Train (2002), and the Erotic Ghost Story Trilogy (1990–1992) box set, which offers Lam Ngai Kai’s Erotic Ghost Story (1990), Peter Ngor’s Erotic Ghost Story II (1991), and Kai-Ming Lai’s Erotic Ghost Story III (1992). Those first two are available here in their very first appearances on Blu-ray anywhere.

Not to be outdone, Umbrella Entertainment’s February slate will include Jon S. Baird’s Filth (2013), Neil Jordan’s The Crying Game (1992), Kim Ki-duk’s Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring (2003), and E.L. Katz’s Azrael (2024) on Blu-ray, along with Lynne Ramsay’s You Were Never Really Here (2017) in 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray, all on 2/5. [Read on here...]

All right, we’ve got some big announcement news to report today, as well as some very interesting industry news. But first, more new disc reviews...

Stuart has turned in his thoughts on Franco Zeffirelli’s The Taming of the Shrew (1967) on Blu-ray from Via Vision’s Imprint Films label, as well as Robert Clouse’s Black Belt Jones (1974) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.

And Dennis has turned in a look at Todd Solondz’s Happiness (1998) on Blu-ray from the Criterion Collection.

Also here at The Bits today, we’ve posted major updates of our 4K Ultra HD Release List, as well as our Release Dates & Cover Art section, both of which feature all the latest Amazon pre-order links. So be sure to check those out, and remember that we’re an Amazon Affiliate which means that clicking through one of our links (like this one) before shopping for literally anything from Amazon is a great way to help support our work here at the site. It makes a BIG difference. So thank you!

Now then, speaking of Criterion, let’s get right to today’s big release news: Criterion has just announced their January 2025 release slate, and every single title will include 4K UHD! On 1/7, look for Yojimbo/Sanjuro: Two Samurai Films by Akira Kurosawa, which itself has no Spine # but which includes 4K UHD upgrades of Yojimbo (1961) (Spine #52 – 4K+BD) and Sanjuro (1962) (Spine #53 – 4K UHD + BD). Following on 1/14, you’ll get Jean Eustache’s The Mother and the Whore (1973) (Spine #1245 – 4K+BD, BD & DVD) and Richard Pryor’s Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling (1986) (Spine #1247 – 4K+BD & BD). On 1/21, look for Stephen Frears’ The Grifters (1990) (Spine #1246 – 4K+BD & BD). And finally, 1/28 will bring Anthony Mann’s Winchester ‘73 (1950) (Spine #1247 – 4K+BD & BD). You can see the cover artwork at left and below the break. [Read on here...]