Displaying items by tag: The Digital Bits

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Today’s update is a quick one, as I’m trying to get more 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray reviews completed for you guys. But available now here at The Bits (and posted late yesterday) are my thoughts on Fox’s Independence Day: 20th Anniversary Edition and Paramount’s Star Trek (2009). The former streeted last week. The latter should be available today, though we’re hearing reports that supplies are limited at the moment. (If I had to guess why, I would guess that maybe Paramount’s initial replication run was lower until they had a better idea what initial demand would be. But that’s just a guess.) In any case, enjoy the reviews and know that I’m working on a review of Star Trek Into Darkness as well. I should also have Fox’s The Martian: Extended Edition shortly and so that’ll be next up.  [Read on here…]

“The guys who made Jaws and Star Wars have done it again. It’s too good to be true.” — David Ansen, Newsweek

The Digital Bits and History, Legacy & Showmanship are pleased to present this retrospective article commemorating the 35th anniversary of the release of Raiders of the Lost Ark, the immensely popular Spielberg & Lucas action extravaganza that introduced moviegoers to the globe-trotting adventures of Indiana Jones.

Raiders, featuring Harrison Ford as everyone’s favorite archaeologist, opened 35 years ago this week, and for the occasion The Bits features a compilation of box-office data that places the movie’s performance in context, production and exhibition information, a list of the film’s 70-millimeter “showcase” presentations, and an interview segment with a group of Spielberg authorities. [Read on here...]

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All right, those 4K disc reviews are coming. I’ve been working on them like crazy (only taking a break to celebrate my wife’s birthday yesterday). So stay tuned for them starting later today.

In the meantime, we have a new 1080p disc review for you right now: Our own Jim Hemphill has checked in with a look at Cat Ballou on Blu-ray from Twilight Time. Do give it a look.  [Read on here…]

“Leisure rules”

The Digital Bits and History, Legacy & Showmanship are pleased to present this retrospective article commemorating the 30th anniversary of the release of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, the popular teen comedy starring Matthew Broderick.

Ferris, directed by John Hughes (Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club) and also starring Alan Ruck, Mia Sara, and Jeffrey Jones, opened 30 years ago this week, and for the occasion The Bits features a Q&A with author, film historian and John Hughes authority Thomas A. Christie.  [Read on here...]

[Editor’s Note: Be sure to follow us on Twitter @thedigitalbits @BillHuntBits and on Facebook here and here. And you can help support The Bits by pre-ordering Blu-rays and other items from Amazon through this link.]

It’s been a little crazy here the last couple days. Review product for ID4, Star Trek, and Star Trek Into Darkness in 4K Ultra HD has arrived and I’m starting to work on my reviews of each. I’m going to try to post at least one of them today, and maybe another tomorrow. The Martian: Extended Edition should be here early next week, so I’ll get to work on that one too as soon as it comes in.

Meanwhile, we expect to check back in tomorrow with a rare Saturday post featuring a new History, Legacy & Showmanship anniversary retrospective column from our own Michael Coate. So be sure to check back then.  [Read on here…]

[Editor’s Note: Be sure to follow us on Twitter @thedigitalbits @BillHuntBits and on Facebook here and here. And you can help support The Bits by pre-ordering Blu-rays and other items from Amazon through this link.]

Sorry about the lack of a Tuesday post. I was working on a project late on Monday night and ended up not getting a wink of sleep. You know how it happens that, once you start thinking about something you just can’t stop, sleep be damned? So anyway, by Tuesday morning I was exhausted. Nevertheless, it seems there’s been quite a bit of news since then…

First up, it appears that there’s an error on the new Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan – Director’s Cut Blu-ray (see my review here). During the Kobayashi Maru scene that opens the film, the same shot of Sulu is mistakenly repeated twice. Unlike the two lines removed from the DC by director Nicholas Meyer (near the end of the film – see my review) that wasn’t deliberate – it was just a mistake. Hell… I have to say, I missed it too, even though I know the film well and watched it twice. Anyway, the studio is already aware of the issue and almost certainly is going to correct it (in fact, I’m certain they will, but they need to get a statement prepared and get plans in place), which means a organizing a fix and a disc exchange program, etc. As soon as we get the official word back from our contacts there. we’ll let you know.  [Read on here…]

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All right, just so you guys know, it’s my intention to review ID4, The Martian: Extended Edition, Star Trek, and Star Trek Into Darkness on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray format as soon as review product comes in, but 4K product has been running a little late. Rest assured, though, I’ll get to them as soon as possible and to other titles as time permits.

Meanwhile today, our own Tim Salmons has checked in with a rare DVD review this week, featuring Shout! Factory’s recent re-issue of Mystery Science Theater 3000: Volume Two on good old standard-def format.  [Read on here…]

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Okay, folks… we’re closing out the week with just a little bit of release news and some new cover artwork too.

But first, I know many of you Trek fans out there have been waiting for the official word on Paramount’s new Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan - Director’s Cut Blu-ray, and I’m here to give it to you. The new BD, which streets next week (on 6/7), includes both the original theatrical cut and the long-awaited Director’s Cut in full HD, both remastered from a new 4K scan of the original film elements. And it looks fan-freaking-tastic. In fact, it’s more than fair to say that The Wrath of Khan has simply never looked better. The disc also includes all of the extras from the previous Blu-ray and DVD editions and adds a new 28-minute featurette too. RUN, don’t walk, to read my in-depth review here… and then to buy it on Amazon (for just $23) here!  [Read on here…]

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All right, we’re kicking off this Thursday here at The Bits with another new Blu-ray review, and then we’ve got some great announcement news to share with all of you.

First though, Tim has checked in with his thoughts on another fine BD title from our friends at Arrow Video – the Killer Dames box set, which includes Emilio Miraglia’s The Night Evelyn Came Out of the Grave and The Red Queen Kills Seven Times. Do check it out.  [Read on here…]

[Editor’s Note: Be sure to follow us on Twitter @thedigitalbits @BillHuntBits and on Facebook here and here. And you can help support The Bits by pre-ordering Blu-rays and other items from Amazon through this link.]

We’ve got another pair of Blu-ray reviews for you today... Tim has checked in with his Pick-Ups look at Arrow Video’s Bride of Re-Animator and Jim Hemphill has given Sony’s Risen a spin too. Do check them out. 

Also this afternoon, our own Russell Hammond has updated the Release Dates & Artwork section with all the latest Blu-ray and DVD cover artwork and Amazon.com pre-order links. Do remember that anytime you order literally anything from Amazon after clicking to them through any of our links, you’re helping to support our work here at The Bits and we surely do appreciate it. [Read on here…]