Displaying items by tag: Lionsgate

Let’s have a quick round-up of Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD release news, and then I must dive back into my own review work over the next several days...

First up, it does indeed appear that Disney is preparing a 4K Ultra HD release of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. I’ve now got multiple retail and industry sources confirming this. However, don’t expect the sequels to be announced anytime soon. It’s possible that the studio is planning to release more films in the series next year if this first one sells well (and possibly promoted by the success of the films in streaming on Disney+) but for now Curse of the Black Pearl seems to be the only film immediately in the offing.

Also, while we’re on the topic of Disney, it seems that the Heat 4K release continues to be in limbo, but is still expected to arrive on the format sometime next year.

Meanwhile, Denis Villeneuve’s Dune is definitely shaping up for release on Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD in early January sometime. Info some retailers suggests that the studio is targeting 1/11/22 as the street date. And for those of you who have been waiting, not only does it finally arrive in theaters tomorrow (with sneak peek preview screenings tonight in many US cities), the film premieres IN JUST TWO HOURS in 4K with HDR and Dolby Atmos on HBO Max. So get ready to enjoy a helluva good cinematic experience. [Read on here...]

We’re starting out the new week today here at The Bits with a trio of new disc reviews...

First up, Tim and I have taken a look at Arrow Video’s terrific new Limited Edition Blu-ray of Ridley Scott’s Legend. The 2-disc set is absolutely loaded with vintage and new extras, and it includes the US Theatrical Cut newly-remastered from a 4K scan, as well as the Director’s Cut. Legend is a challenging title for a lot of reasons, but Arrow’s done a really great job with this one. If you’re a fan of the film, this is as good as it’s ever looked, and this is essentially a complete archive of all the previous special features and more.

Also today, Stephen has reviewed Chloe Zhao’s first film, Songs My Brothers Taught Me, newly-released on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber. If that name is familiar, it’s because Zhao is the filmmaker who’s just made The Eternals for Marvel Studios. It sounds like this earlier work is pretty terrific.

And finally, Dennis has given Wallace Worsley’s 1923 version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame a look on Blu-ray from Kino Classics. As many of you will already be aware, this version features the great Lon Chaney in the role of Quasimodo. It’s worth a look if you haven’t seen it yet.

While we’re on the subject of Universal Monsters, I’m currently working on a review of the Universal Classic Monsters: Icons of Horror Collection in 4K and should have that up by the end of the week. I’m giving myself the week to work on it, however, because I’m attending a studio screening of Denis Villeneuve’s Dune tomorrow afternoon. And I have a sneaking suspicion that’s going to occupy my mind for the next few days afterwards. I’ll definitely post a few non-spoiler thoughts about that film as well this week, rest assured. [Read on here...]

We’ve got a quick release news update here at The Bits for you today. But first, more new disc reviews...

I’ve just given a pair of titles from Sony’s new Columbia Classics: Volume 2 box set a look in 4K Ultra HD, including Carol Reed’s Oliver! (1968) and Otto Preminger’s Anatomy of a Murder (1959). That last review includes film comments by our dear friend Barrie Maxwell, the late great Digital Bits classic film columnist.

Also, Tim has taken a look at Random Space Media’s recent Resident Evil: Six Movie Collection, which includes the first six films in that series in 4K Ultra HD. It’s very similar in content to Sony’s 2020 release and it’s an all-region Australian import.

And Stephen has reviewed Ari Aster’s Misdommar: Director’s Cut in 4K Ultra HD, which is only available directly from A24 via their online web shop.

All of these releases are well worth a look for cinema fans, so do check out the reviews.

Just to give you a sneak peek at what’s coming next review-wise, I’m going to continue working my way through Sony’s Columbia Classics: Volume 2 4K titles as well as the Universal Classic Monsters: Icons of Horror Collection in 4K. All of those reviews should be posted here at The Bits by mid next week. Tim’s also working on Legend on Blu-ray from Arrow, and Stephen and Dennis are working through a stack of new titles too. So stay tuned for lots more reviews in the week ahead and beyond. [Read on here...]

We start today with three more new disc reviews.

First up is my look at Random Space Media’s recent Breaking Bad: The Complete Series Blu-ray box set, an all region release that includes the Netflix streaming sequel El Camino. Note that this set is currently selling for the same price on Amazon as Sony’s wide-release Blu-ray set that does not include the sequel film.

Also today, Tim has posted his thoughts on Roland Klick’s Deadlock (1970), a fascinating film newly released in 4K by Subkultur Entertainment via Vinegar Syndrome.

And Stephen has turned in a new 4K review as well, this one of Stephanie Rothman’s Terminal Island (1972) on Ultra HD, also from Vinegar Syndrome.

Now then, in announcement news today, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has made their Mad Max Anthology official for release on 4K Ultra HD and Digital on 11/2, just as we’ve been expecting for weeks now. [Read on here...]

Afternoon, everyone! I trust you all had a great weekend.

We’ve got some more new disc reviews for you today, as expected, with more on the way all week long.

First up, I’ve given Tom Lowe immersive and mesmerizing native 4K documentary Awaken a look on Ultra HD from our friends at Gunpowder & Sky and DUST, via Vinegar Syndrome. Think Samsara and Baraka and you’re in the fight ballpark. The film is really gorgeous and it’s a nice 4K release, so do give it a look if you’re interested.

Also today, Tim has reviewed the great Carl Reiner’s Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (1982) a look on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics. As most of you know, this classic comedy stars Steve Martin.

And Dennis has turned in his thoughts on Neil Jordan’s Mona Lisa (1986), as recently-released on Blu-ray by our friends at The Criterion Collection.

All of these titles are worth a look. [Read on here...]

All right, sorry for the lack of a post yesterday, but we’ve been swamped working on new disc reviews for you guys. And in fact, over the last few days, we’ve posted several of them, including...

My take on Paramount’s new Star Trek: The Original 4-Movie Collection which includes the theatrical edition of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, both versions of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home on both 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Disc.

My in-depth look at David Lynch’s Dune: Limited Edition in 4K Ultra HD from Arrow Video, featuring a gorgeous remastered image and both new and legacy extras.

And also my look at Random Space Media’s recent Battlestar Galactica: The Definitive Collection 36-disc Blu-ray box set, which contains the original 1979 feature film, the original TV series, Galactica 1980, the more recent reboot TV series (plus its tie-in films), and—for the first time in Region A—Caprica: The Complete Series.

But that’s not all: Stephen has posted a review of Paul Morrissey’s Blood for Dracula in 4K Ultra HD from Severin Films.

And Tim has reviewed Smokey and the Bandit on 4K Ultra HD from Universal.

Tim’s also turned in his thoughts on Via Vision’s Hammer Horror: Four Gothic Horror Films box set, which includes Countess Dracula, Hands of the Ripper, Twins of Evil, and Vampire Circus on Blu-ray. [Read on here...]

We’ve got some reviews to catch up on here at The Bits this afternoon...

Over the past couple of days, we’ve posted a number of new Blu-ray reviews, including Stephen’s thoughts on Kensuke Sonomura’s Hydra (2019) from Well Go USA, Savage Steve Holland’s One Crazy Summer (1986) from the Warner Archive Collection, and Jacques Deray’s The Outsider (1983) and Harold Becker’s The Black Marble (1980) from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

And Tim has turned in his thoughts on Tom McLoughlin’s One Dark Night (1983) from the MVD Rewind Collection, the Friday the 13th: 8-Movie Collection from Paramount Pictures Home Entertainment, and Umbrella Entertainment’s Drive-In Delirium: The Final Conflict, which feature a whopping 181 classic film trailers. All of these titles are well worth a look, so do give the reviews a try.

In announcement news today, Criterion has revealed that they’re adding a physical 4K Ultra HD release of Uncut Gems to their November release slate. The Blu-ray and DVD release are moving to 11/23, which is the date the 4K will arrive as well. And all three are getting new cover artwork, which you can now here see on the left and also below. [Read on here...]

All right, we’ve got a few odds and ends to report on for you today...

First up, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will be releasing a new Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone: Anniversary 8-Film Collector’s Edition on 11/2, featuring all 8 films in the series in both 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray, packaged in a cardboard replica of the Hogwarts Express (SRP $139.99). The box will also include a replica train ticket and a photo book featuring a look at props and other items from the films. You can see the open packaging below the break. Before you get too excited, these are the exact same discs released previously. But if you’re a fan and you haven’t yet upgraded to 4K, this might be just the thing.

Also in 4K Ultra HD news today, we’ve learned that Koch Media in Germany has delayed their wide release of David Lynch’s Dune on Blu-ray and 4K (as well as their web store exclusive Dune: Ultimate Edition 4K/Blu-ray set) to 10/14. (It was previously set to street on 8/26). The reason is that this will now be the only place you’ll be able to see Ballyhoo Motion Pictures’ feature-length documentary The Sleeper Must Awaken: Making Dune. As we’ve reported previously, the Arrow Video 4K and Blu-ray release will street on 8/31 as originally planned, but it will no longer include the documentary. Adjust your plans accordingly. [Read on here...]

All right, we have just a couple of quick updates for you here at The Bits today, but first we have a new disc review...

Stephen has taken a look at Stephen Sommers’ G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009) as newly-released on 4K Ultra HD by Paramount. Sounds like it’s a modest but decent upgrade over the existing Blu-ray, so do give it a look if you’re a fan.

Now then, in terms of announcement news, Lionsgate has set writer-director Janicza Bravo’s Zola for release on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital on 9/14. Extras will include audio commentary with Bravo and editor Joi McMillon, the Y’all Wanna Hear a Story: Making Zola featurette, and deleted scenes with optional audio commentary.

Lionsgate will also release Twist on Blu-ray and DVD on 9/28. The film stars Lena Headey and Michael Caine. Extras will include The Artful Dodger: Twist’s Underworld featurette. [Read on here...]

Hope you’re all having a great week so far. I was buried in catch-up work yesterday after having a series of family visits here—our first in two years due to the pandemic—so suffice it to say that there was no news post yesterday.

However, I’ve been on the phone a lot in the last couple of days talking with industry sources, and we’ve got some great new Blu-ray and especially 4K catalog updates for you this afternoon.

FYI, there will be more new disc reviews coming later this week as well, so be sure to check back for those. But let’s get right into the 4K news...

First up, I’ve confirmed with multiple industry sources now that Warner Bros. will be releasing Francis Ford Coppola’s The Outsiders (1983) on physical 4K Ultra HD in early November. Coppola and his American Zoetrope have recently been remastering several of the director’s films in 4K (Lionsgate is releasing a remastered Dementia 13 on Blu-ray and 4K Digital on 9/21 as part of their Vestron Video Collector’s Series, and Paramount is going to be releasing the complete Godfather Trilogy in 4K Ultra HD next year in honor of the original film’s 50th anniversary), so perhaps it shouldn’t come as a surprise. [Read on here...]