Displaying items by tag: Vinegar Syndrome

We have four new disc reviews for you to enjoy today, including...

Tim’s look at Giuliano Carnimeo’s The Case of the Bloody Iris (1972) in 4K Ultra HD from our friends at Celluloid Dreams... and we mean friends literally—the company was launched by former DVD Review editor Guido Henkel and his son Lucas. (Congrats to both of them on their first successful title!)

Stuart’s take on George Roy Hill’s The Little Drummer Girl (1984) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.

Stephen’s thoughts on John Mackenzie’s The Long Good Friday (1980) in 4K Ultra HD from Arrow Video UK, a region-free British import title.

And Dennis’ look at Chad Ferrin’s H.P. Lovecraft’s The Old Ones (2024) on Blu-ray from Vinegar Syndrome.

Also, we’ve just posted a massive update of our Release Dates & Cover Art section featuring all the latest Blu-ray, DVD, and especially 4K Ultra HD titles that are available for pre-order on Amazon.com. There are tons of new titles, and remember that anytime you order one using our links you’re helping to support our work here at The Bits (and we really do appreciate it)!

We’ve also got some great release news for you today, starting with word that Arrow Video has just announced their forthcoming Shawscope: Volume Three Blu-ray box set, which will street on 11/26. [Read on here...]

We start today with more new disc reviews, including...

Stephen’s look at John Flynn’s Rolling Thunder (1977) and Kimberly Peirce’s Carrie (2013) in 4K Ultra HD, as well as Jonathan Kaplan’s Over the Edge (1979) on Blu-ray, all from Shout! Factory.

Stuart’s take on Ken Loach’s documentary The Spirit of ‘45 (2013) on Blu-ray from Vinegar Syndrome and Alain Cavalier’s Le Combat dans l’île (1962) on Blu-ray from Radiance Films.

And Dennis’ thoughts on Kino Classics’ Vitagraph Comedies Blu-ray, featuring 40 classic shorts on three discs.

Now then, in terms of actual announcement news, we’ve got a couple of items for you and they’re pretty great. But there’s even more unofficial news, that’s no less exciting! Let’s get to the actual announcement news first...

It starts today with word that Janus Films will be debuting a brand new 4K restoration of Akira Kurosawa’s legendary epic Seven Samurai (1954) next month in New York and Los Angeles! You’ll be able to see it on 7/5 at the Film Forum in NYC and on 7/7 at the American Cinematheque’s Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles. This is only my favorite film of all time. I will absolutely be at that Egyptian Theatre screening, and the fact that this restoration is now complete surely means that a physical 4K Ultra HD is coming later this year from Criterion as well. You can see the poster for this release at left, and the trailer is available for reviewing below the break. [Read on here...]

Our second news update of the day starts with a little bit of breaking news: Paramount has just made David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker’s Top Secret! (1984) and David Fincher’s Zodiac (2007) available in 4K Digital on Apple TV, Vudu, Kaleidescape, and more. Given the amount of effort Fincher puts into his remasters, we believe it’s safe to assume that Zodiac will be coming to physical 4K Ultra HD from Paramount sooner than later as well.

Zodiac, it should be remembered, was shot mostly in 10-bit RAW in 1080p HD (4:4:4) using the Thomson Viper FilmStream camera, along with some footage in 35 mm photochemical film (Super 35 format). But anyone who doubts that it could look great upscaled and remastered in 4K would do well to take a look at HBO’s Game of Thrones: The Complete First Season in 4K UHD (which we’ve reviewed here). The advantages of high data rate and low compression, combined with an HDR grade, could really make a difference. Zodiac in particular was very well lit and photographed. Personally, I’m eager to get a look at it.

Also today, Arrow Video has announced their August slate, which includes a UK-only 4K Ultra HD release of Michael Lehmann’s Heathers (1988) on 8/5, followed by a slew of titles on 8/26. Among them are Robert Rodriguez’s Desperado (1995) in 4K Ultra HD and The Mexico Trilogy box set (both in the UK, US, and Canada), which includes El Mariachi (1992) and Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003) in Blu-ray, as well as the Desperado 4K. [Read on here...]

All right, we’ve got a big news update here at The Bits for you today, and we’ll be back with a second update early tomorrow morning—there’s a ton of new title announcements, breaking news, and rumors to address at the moment. So let’s get started.

First, as always, some new disc reviews...

Tim has turned in his thoughts on Hanna-Barbera’s animated Scooby-Doo! and the Reluctant Werewolf (1988) and Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School (1988) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.

And Stuart has offered his take on Giulio Petroni’s Death Rides a Horse (1967) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics, Piero Regnoli’s The Playgirls and the Vampire (1960) on Blu-ray from Vinegar Syndrome, and Éric Rohmer’s The Aviator’s Wife (1981) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber proper.

More reviews are coming in the next day or two, so be sure to stay tuned for them.

Also, just to let you all know, I’ve shared a new exclusive blog post on The Digital Bits’ Patreon page that I think will get a lot of you physical media fans pretty excited. It’s called 2025 Will Be a Big Year for 4K (and We Should Appreciate Every Minute), and there’s good news in there—remember where you heard it first!—that we’ll be talking about here at The Bits a bunch in the weeks and months ahead. Don’t forget that becoming a paid member of our Patreon (for as little as $6 a month) is a great way to help support our work here at The Bits, and we really do appreciate it!

Now then, the big news today is that Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment has just revealed that they’re releasing Friends: The Complete Series in 4K Ultra HD—no kidding—on 9/24, in honor of the series’ 30th anniversary! We don’t have any other details yet, but the set is now available for pre-order on Amazon for SRP $249.99 (click here for the link). We expect an official press release any day now. While we wait, you can see the cover artwork at left and also below. [Read on here...]

We’ve got no less than eight new reviews for you guys to start the new week out right here at The Bits, staring with Tim’s look at The Good, The Bad, and Huckleberry Hound (1988) from Hanna-Barbera on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.

Dennis has offered his thoughts on Charles Brabin’s The Mask of Fu Manchu (1932) on Blu-ray also from the Warner Archive Collection, as well as Nancy Savoca’s True Love (1989) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

Stuart has delivered four reviews, including Ulrich Seidl’s Rimini (2022) on Blu-ray from Vinegar Syndrome, Jean-Paul Salomé’s La Syndicaliste (2022) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber, John Boorman’s The Emerald Forest (1985) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics, and Robert Allan Ackerman’s Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows (2001) on DVD from Via Vision Entertainment.

And finally, Stephen has got an in-depth review of Alex Proyas’ The Crow (1994) in 4K Ultra HD from Paramount Home Entertainment, which is a gorgeous restoration that should impress most cinephiles.

All of these films are well worth a look, and more new disc reviews are certainly on the way this week, so be sure to watch for them.

Now then, my apologies for the lack of a news update here since mid last week, but I have unfortunately had COVID. Fortunately, a mild case, but enough to knock me out of commission for a few days. But I’m well on the path to recovery and feeling well enough to catch you all up on the latest news here at The Bits today. So let’s get right to it... [Read on here...]

We have a big new disc review for you here at The Bits: Stephen has just taken an in-depth look at the Japanese-import version of Takashi Yamazaki’s Godzilla Minus One (2023) in 4K Ultra HD from Toho. I should not there that there are no English subtitles, but the package is pretty spectacular.

We don’t yet know when the film will be released on disc here in the States, but we’re digging into it and hope to learn more soon.

Meanwhile, we also have more new disc reviews up for you today, including...

Stuart’s reviews of Yūzō Kawashima’s Elegant Beast (1962) on Blu-ray from Daiei via Radiance Films, Jean Renoir’s The Golden Coach (1952) on Blu-ray via Raro Video, and André Melançon’s The Dog Who Stopped the War (1984) on Blu-ray from Vinegar Syndrome.

Dennis’ thoughts on Lou Breslow’s You Never Can Tell (1951) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

And Stephen’s look at the Disney+ series Moon Knight: The Complete First Season (2022) in 4K Ultra HD from Marvel and Buena Vista Home Entertainment.

In terms of announcement news today, Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment and Legendary Pictures have officially set Adam Wingard’s Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024) for Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD release on 6/11, with the Digital release expected on 5/14. Both the Blu-ray and 4K will feature Dolby Atmos. [Read on here...]

We have four new disc reviews to share with you today, as well as some exciting catalog 4K release news! But first those reviews...

Stephen has taken a look at Jack Nicholson’s Goin’ South (1978) in 4K Ultra HD from Paramount and Vinegar Syndrome via their new Cinématographe label.

Dennis has turned in his thoughts on Henry Hathaway’s western 5 Card Stud (1968) on Blu-ray also from Paramount via Vinegar Syndrome.

Stuart has reviewed Franklin J. Schaffner’s Islands in the Stream (1977) on Blu-ray via Imprint Films.

And I’ve just given Peter Gabriel: Back to Front – Live in London (2014) a review in 4K Ultra HD from Real World and Eagle Rock via Mercury Studios.

Now then, the big news today is that StudioCanal has set a new 4K restoration of Francis Ford Coppola’s neo-noir thriller The Conversation (1974) for release on 4K Ultra HD on July 15 in the UK. This is in honor of the film’s 50th anniversary. The film is also returning to theaters in the UK on July 5.

The legendary film stars Gene Hackman as San Francisco surveillance expert Harry Caul, who finds himself confronted with a moral dilemma when his wiretapped conversation recordings reveal a possible murder. The supporting cast includes John Cazale, Allen Garfield, Cindy Williams, Frederic Forrest, Teri Garr, Robert Duvall, and Harrison Ford. [Read on here...]

We have a new disc review for all of you to enjoy today here at The Bits...

Our own Tim Salmons has just weighed in on the Warner Archive Collection’s Looney Tunes: Collector’s Choice – Volume 1 Blu-ray, which includes 20 classic animated shorts from 1945 to 1959, among them some real rarities. Tim will be reviewing Volume 2 and Volume 3 on Blu-ray soon as well, so watch for those to follow in the coming days.

We’ve also updated our 4K Ultra HD Release List here at The Bits today with some new titles and Amazon.com pre-order links, so you’ll definitely want to check that out here.

And over on our Patreon page today, I’ve shared a feature entitled Steelbooks (And Why Hollywood Loves Them)! that looks back at the origins and history of Steelbook packaging, and why it’s become so popular with both the Hollywood studios and retailers. This post is free and open to everyone for a couple of reasons.

First, we want to give you all a taste of the kinds of content we’re creating exclusively for our paying supporters on Patreon. And second, we’re going to be running a poll on our Patreon page on behalf of a major Hollywood studio that wants your opinion on a Steelbook project they’re considering. That will appear in the next couple days there and it too will be free and available to all. [Read on here...]

Welcome to a new week, Bits-ers! Hope you all had a good one, including all those of you who attended WonderCon in Anaheim this weekend.

Today is obviously April Fool’s Day, but rest assured we aren’t going to waste time with such tomfoolery here at the site this afternoon because we’ve got more new disc reviews for you, as well as some really great actual news too.

Let’s get to those reviews first. Today we have...

Stephen’s review of Ted Kotcheff’s North Dallas Forty (1979) in 4K Ultra HD from Kino Lorber Studio Classics, as well as his take on György Kovásznai’s Bubble Bath (1980) on Blu-ray from Vinegar Syndrome.

And Stuart’s look at William Grefé’s Impulse (1974) on Blu-ray from Grindhouse Releasing, as well as Emmanuel Carrère’s Between Two Worlds (2021) on Blu-ray from Cohen Media Group.

Late last week, we also posted Tim’s reviews of Sam Raimi’s Drag Me to Hell (2009) in both regular and limited edition Blu-ray, as well as his reviews of Quentin Tarantino (etc)’s Grindhouse (2007) in both regular and limited edition Blu-ray, all from Via Vision’s Imprint Films.

And not to be outdone, Dennis has also reviewed Peter Yates’ The Dresser (1983) on Blu-ray from Imprint as well. [Read on here...]

We’re starting this week with a trio of great new disc reviews here at The Bits, including...

Stuart’s thoughts on Kenneth Branagh’s A Midwinter’s Tale (1995) on Blu-ray from Castle Rock Entertainment via the always excellent Warner Archive Collection.

And Stephen’s take on Oldřich Lipský’s The Mysterious Castle in the Carpathians (1981) on Blu-ray from Deaf Crocodile and Vinegar Syndrome, as well as his look at John Carpenter’s Starman (1984) in 4K Ultra HD from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment as featured in their excellent Columbia Classics 4K Ultra HD Collection: Volume 4 box set!

All of these are fascinating titles and well worth a look.

Before we continue, I mentioned Warner Archive a moment ago: All of us here at The Digital Bits would like to take a moment today to salute our dear friend George Feltenstein and everyone who has contributed to the Warner Archive Collection over the years—the fan-favorite boutique label just celebrated its 15th anniversary on Saturday! Here’s to many more years and all the fantastic Blu-ray and DVD catalog titles to come. Well done, folks!

In announcement news today, Kino Lorber Studio Classics has just set Mark DiSalle’s The Perfect Weapon (1991) and Stephen Norrington’s Death Machine (1994) for Blu-ray release on 5/21. The company has also revealed that Gary Nelson’s Noble House (1988) miniseries is coming soon to Blu-ray, and also that Richard Stanley’s Dust Devil (1992) is coming soon to both Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD. [Read on here...]