Now then, let’s get right to that surprise! This is a release we’d frankly given up on ever happening, but to our great surprise and delight, Tokyo Shock is bringing the final Zatoichi film not yet released in high definition, Zatoichi (1989 – sometimes called Zatoichi: Darkness is His Ally) to Blu-ray on 8/28! No kidding, at long last this looks like the real deal. You can see the cover artwork above left and also below.
Between that, 2001 in 4K, and Batman: The Animated Series on Blu-ray (which is exepcted to be announced down at Comic-Con in San Diego on Saturday), this really makes our year.
Do we have any X-Files fans in the house? 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment has just confirmed that The X-Files: Season 11 is going to street on Blu-ray and DVD in September. The exact date is TBA, but extras will include 5 featurettes, a gag reel, and audio commentary on select episodes.
Meanwhile, Olive Films has announced that its next Olive Signature Blu-ray release will be The Wachowskis’ Bound (1996). Extras will include both the Theatrical and Unrated versions of the film, audio commentary with writers/directors The Wachowskis (along with actors Joe Pantoliano, Jennifer Tilly and Gina Gershon; film editor Zach Staenberg; and technical consultant Susie Bright), 6 interview featurettes (including Part and Parcel, The Difference Between You and Me, Here’s Johnny!, Hail Ceasar, Femme Fatales, and Modern Noir: The Sights & Sounds of Bound), the film’s theatrical trailer, and an essary by screenwriter/actress Guinevere Turner (American Psycho, Go Fish). The Blu-ray will be limited to 3,500 units.
Finally today, we have some more details on the 4K Ultra HD release of the Jack Ryan 5-Film Collection on 8/21. First of all, the films – which include The Hunt For Red October (1990), Patriot Games (1992), Clear and Present Danger (1994), The Sum of All Fears (2002), and Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014) – will only be available the box set for now on physical 4K UHD, though you’ll be able to buy them individually on Digital. The box will include each film on both 4K UHD and Blu-ray, and you’ll also get a digital code. All the previous extras will carry over. Audio will be English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD on the first four films, with English 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio on Shadow Recruit. We’re awaiting an update on the HDR options.
Now then… many of Criterion’s October titles are now available for pre-order on Amazon, as is Sony’s Fraggle Rock: The Complete Series Blu-ray. So here’s the cover artwork and you can click to visit the pre-order page for each…
And don’t forget, Bits editor Bill Hunt will be hosting the Breaking News from Shout! Factory and Scream Factory panel at San Diego Comic-Con this coming Friday, 7/20, from 7-8PM in Room 32AB. If you’re a fan of either company, you won’t want to miss it. From the Comic-Con schedule: “Join Brian Ward (Sr. Director of Blu-ray and DVD Production) and Jeff Nelson (Sr. Marketing Director) as they make special announcements and unveil exclusive sneak peeks of Shout! and Scream Factory’s upcoming releases. A fan-driven insider’s event filled with lively discussion and a few surprises, this panel discussion and Q&A will be moderated by Bill Hunt of The Digital Bits.” We hope to see you there!
Stay tuned...
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