Displaying items by tag: Ron Howard

We have a quick update for you today, but it includes some good stuff!

First though, more new disc reviews…

Tim has taken a look at Craig R. Baxley’s Stone Cold (1991) in 4K Ultra HD from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

And Stephen has offered his take on Simon Wincer’s The Phantom (1996) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics, as well as Leni Riefenstahl’s The Blue Light (1932) on Blu-ray from Kino Classics.

Be sure to watch for more review tomorrow and all this week!

And if you’re interested in what’s coming to 4K Ultra HD in terms of catalog titles later this year, you’re definitely going to want to subscribe to our Digital Bits Patreon page, because we’ve been sharing some good stuff there! And Patreon support has become critical to helping us keep The Digital Bits going, so please do consider it (and thank you to everyone who is already a subscriber)!

Now then, our friends at the Warner Archive Collection have just revealed their May Blu-ray slate, and it includes some real gems. [Read on here...]

We’ve got more new disc reviews for you all to enjoy today, including…

Stephen’s take on Ema Tammi’s Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 (2025) in 4K Ultra HD from Universal and also Bill Plympton’s Hair High (2004) on Blu-ray from our friends at Deaf Crocodile Films.

Tim’s review of David Lynch’s Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992) in 4K from Criterion.

Dennis’ look at Terry Jones’ Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979) on Blu-ray from Criterion, as well as Martin Ritt’s Cross Creek (1983) on Blu-ray from Imprint Films.

And finally, Stuart’s thoughts on Raoul Walsh’s Silver River (1948) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.

More reviews are forthcoming all this week, so be sure to keep checking back for them!

Now then… in announcement news today, Kino Lorber Studio Classics has revealed that Howard Hawks’ El Dorado (1966) is “coming soon” to 4K Ultra HD. That’s a Paramount Western featuring John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, and James Caan, featuring a screenplay co-written by Leigh Brackett (The Empire Strikes Back) and music by Nelson Riddle (the 1966 Batman). [Read on here...]

Good afternoon, Bits readers!

All right, let’s try to have a more upbeat post today. I know that yesterday’s post was a little strong, but sometimes you just have to say what you’re feeling, you know?

We’re starting today with more new disc reviews, as we often do, including…

Dennis’ review of Howard Hughes and James Whale’s Hell’s Angels (1930) in 4K from Criterion (with an assist by Tim).

Stuart’s look at Shoshannah Stern’s Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore (2025) on Blu-ray from Kino Lober.

And Tim’s thoughts on The Darjeeling Limited (2007) in 4K UHD from Criterion’s Wes Anderson Archive box set.

More reviews are forthcoming all this week, so be sure to keep checking back!

Now then… the big news today is that Criterion has just revealed their March slate, which includes Luis Buñuel’s Viridiana (1961) (Spine #332) in 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray and Blu-ray on 3/10, Lynne Littman’s Testament (1983) (Spine #1303) on Blu-ray and Claude Sautet’s Classe tous risques (1960) (Spine #434) in 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray and Blu-ray on 3/17, Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon (2023) (Spine #1302) on 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray, Blu-ray, and DVD on 3/24, and finally Claude Lelouch’s A Man and a Woman (1966) (Spine #1304) on Blu-ray and Tsui Hark’s The Blade (1995) (Spine #1305) on 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray and Blu-ray on 3/31. [Read on here...]

First thought, we have more new disc reviews for you, including…

My take on James Gunn’s Superman (2025) in 4K Ultra HD from Warner Bros.

Tim’s thoughts on George P. Cosmatos’ Cobra (1986) in 4K Ultra HD from Arrow Video.

Dennis’ look at Fritz Lang’s You Only Live Once (1937) on Blu-ray from Imprint Films, as well as Norman Taurog’s That Midnight Kiss (1949) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.

Stuart’s take on Richard Thorpe’s Knights of the Round Table (1953) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection and Otto Preminger’s Bonjour Tristesse (1958) on Blu-ray from Indicator, as well as Steve Ryfle and Ed Godziszewski’s new book Godzilla: The First 70 Years (2025) from Abrams.

And finally, Stephen’s thoughts on Michael Mann’s The Keep (1983) as release in 4K Ultra HD Limited Edition by Imprint Films, and also Peter Yates’ Krull (1983) on 4K Ultra HD Steelbook from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

Whew!

Now then, the big piece of news today is that Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has officially set Joseph Kosinski’s F1: The Movie (2025) for Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD release on 10/7. The film is already available for Digital sale on all major platforms. [Read on here...]

Heads up, Bits readers!

I just wanted to jump in here this afternoon to share a bit of news and a bunch of new disc reviews that we’ve prepared for today.

First, I’m sure that most of you have seen today’s first news update here by now: Lucasfilm and Disney just announced the 4K Ultra HD Steelbook release of Ron Howard’s Willow (1988).

Call it a hunch, but I have a strong suspicion that this release is meant to set up a second 4K Steelbook release coming in 2025, specifically of the more recent Disney+ streaming series Willow (2022). That show was cancelled and pulled from Disney+, allegedly for cost-cutting reasons, and a good way to try to recoup a little of that investment would be to sell it on 4K disc and possibly Blu-ray. So I think that’s a pretty good possibility next year.

Meanwhile, here at the site today, we’ve just posted our weekly update of the Release Dates & Artwork section (you’ll find that here) featuring all of the latest Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD cover and Amazon.com pre-order links. (Thanks to our own Russell Hammond for his work on that.)

Speaking of which, John Ford’s The Searchers (1956) is finally up for pre-order on Amazon in 4K for the stunning price of just $29.99... [Read on here...]

We’ve got some more good catalog 4K news to report for you today, folks...

Lucasfilm and Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment are officially announcing the 4K Ultra HD Steelbook release of Ron Howard’s beloved fantasy adventure Willow (1988) this morning!

And here’s the official word, straight from the studio...

GEORGE LUCAS AND RON HOWARD’S TIMELESS TALE ARRIVES ON 4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY DISC FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER!

Watch The Oscar-Nominated* Adventure Arriving on December 10th

BURBANK, CA (November 12, 2024) – Fans will enjoy the iconic fantasy epic, Willow, from legendary filmmakers, George Lucas and Ron Howard, when it arrives on December 10th in a breathtaking collectible 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook. The film will also be available to buy on digital platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango at Home.

Nominated for two Oscars, the 1988 timeless classic follows a young farmer, Willow Ufgood (Warwick Davis), who is chosen to undertake a perilous journey to protect a special baby from an evil queen.

*Best Effects, Sound Effects Editing and Best Effects, Visual Effects. [Read on here...]

All right, as promised we have a bunch of new Blu-ray reviews for you today and 4K review as well, with still more set to follow all this week. We’re starting this morning with...

My review of Ron Howard’s excellent Formula 1 racing drama Rush (2013) in 4K Ultra HD from Shout! Factory, featuring stunning HDR and a new Atmos mix on a 100 GB disc.

Stephen’s look at Michael Cimino’s Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974) as re-issued in a new Blu-ray edition by Kino Lorber Studio Classics—the same disc that was included with their excellent 4K release last year.

Stuart’s thoughts on Damiano Damiani’s A Man on His Knees (1979) on Blu-ray from Radiance Films and Steven Hilliard Stern’s Rolling Vengeance (1987) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

And Dennis’ take on Norman Taurog’s Words and Music (1948) on Blu-ray from the MGM library via the Warner Archive Collection.

Now then... given that this is Veteran’s Day, a Federal holiday here in the States, there’s not a ton of release news to report, but we do have a couple of things to share with you regardless... [Read on here...]

We’ve got some MAJOR announcement news to share with you all today, we’re starting things off as always with four new disc reviews...

Tim has checked in with his thoughts on Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass’ animated The Last Unicorn (1982) in 4K Ultra HD and 4K Steelbook from Shout! Studios.

And Dennis has weighed in with this take on Norman Z. McLeod’s My Favorite Spy (1951) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics, as well as Serge Bourguignon’s Two Weeks in September (1967) on Blu-ray from Kino Classics.

Now then, our friends at Shout! Studios and the Warner Archive Collection have announce major slates of Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD catalog titles for release in November and December!

The Warner Archive Collection has revealed 6 new classic Blu-ray titles for release on 11/26, including Jean Negulesco’s Humoresque (1946)—mastered from a 4K scan of original nitrate camera negative—Jack Haley Jr. That’s Entertainment! (1974)—re-constructed from original negatives and preservation elements—The Complete Thin Man Collection (1934-47)—a 6-disc set mastered from 4K scans of the best surviving elements, featuring WS Van Dyke’s pre-Code The Thin Man (1934), After the Thin Man (1936), Another Thin Man (1939), and Shadow of the Thin Man (1941), as well as Richard Thorpe’s Song of the Thin Man (1944), and Edward Buzzell’s The Thin Man Goes Home (1947)—Hanna-Barbera’s animated Wait Till Your Father Gets Home (1972-74) TV series—featuring 48 episodes on 6 discs—Gary David Goldberg’s Must Love Dogs (2005), and finally the Looney Tunes Collector’s Choice: Volume 4 (1937-64)—including 27 classic Looney Tunes fully restored and remastered shorts, including Friz Freleng’s Streamlined Greta Green (1937), Double Chaser (1942), Meatless Flyday (1944), Peck Up Your Troubles (1945), Along Came Daffy (1947), A Bone for a Bone (1951), Muzzle Tough (1954), Stork Naked (1955), Hyde and Go Tweet (1960), Lighter Than Hare (1960), D’ Fightin’ Ones (1961), Devil’s Feud Cake (1963), and Road to Andalay (1964), Tex Avery’s The Sneezing Weasel (1938) and Dangerous Dan McFoo (1939), Tex Avery and Bob Clampett’s The Cagey Canary (1941), Chuck Jones’ Fox Pop (1942), Mouse-Warming (1952), Double or Mutton (1955), and Hopalong Casualty (1960), Robert McKimson’s The Mouse-Merized Cat (1946), Henhouse Henery (1949), Leghorn Swoggled (1951), Muscle Tussle (1953), and Quack Shot (1954), Arthur Davis’ Holiday for Drumsticks (1949), and Norm McCabe’s The Impatient Patient (1942). Whew! [Read on here...]

Boy, we’ve got a bunch of new catalog title announcements for you today, along with a TON of new Blu-ray and 4K cover artwork and Amazon.com pre-order links. But first, we have a few more new disc reviews...

Tim has taken a look at the new animated double-feature of Conrad Vernon and Greg Tiernan’s The Addams Family (2019) and The Addams Family 2 (2021) in 4K Ultra HD from Shout! Studios.

And Dennis has offered his thoughts on Frank Borzage’s The Shining Hour (1938) and King Vidor’s Northwest Passage (1940) both on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.

Now then, let’s dive right into those announcements...

Kino Lorber Studio Classics has just revealed that Sidney Hayers’ Circus of Horrors (1960) is coming to 4K Ultra HD on 10/29, but with an SDR only grade (probably due to limitations with the original camera negative).

Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment and HBO have set Veep: The Complete Series for release on Blu-ray on 10/22, in a new 13-disc set. This follows closely in the wake of Warner’s newly-announced release of The West Wing: The Complete Series in a new 28-disc Blu-ray set on 10/1. Both are obviously timed to the upcoming Presidential Election here in the States. They’re now available on Amazon.com and you can see the cover artwork below the break (click on each to visit the pre-order pages). [Read on here...]

Sorry for the lack of a news update yesterday, but I spent the entire day on the phone with studio and industry sources digging into upcoming 4K catalog titles. Rest assured, I’ll share more on all of that in the days and weeks to come.

In the meantime, we have some great release news for you—which we’ll share in a couple of news posts today—as well as more new disc reviews. Those include...

Stuart’s look at Jerry Hopper’s Alaska Seas (1954) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics, as well as Carlotta Films’ Region B Blu-ray release of Roger Corman’s The Intruder (1962), which is one of his best films and also features one of William Shatner’s early film roles.

Dennis’ thoughts on John Farrow’s Submarine Command (1951) and Charles Vidor’s Thunder in the East (1952) both on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

Tim’s look at the complete Hanna-Barbera’s Superstars 10 (1987-1988) Blu-ray box set from the Warner Archive Collection.

And finally Stephen’s take on Wellson Chin’s The Inspector Wears Skirts 2 (1989) on Blu-ray from 88 Films, as well as Michael Benveniste and Howard Ziehm’s Flesh Gordon: 50th Anniversary Edition (1974) on region-free Blu-ray from Turbine Medien.

Now then... let’s get to the announcement news, because we’ve got a bunch of it. [Read on here...]