We're kicking things off here at The Bits today with a new Blu-ray Disc review. Our own Tim Salmons has checked in with his thoughts on Warner's recent Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows: Parts 1 & 2 - 2-Film Ultimate Edition Blu-ray box set. Enjoy!

In release news today, Warner Home Video has begun announcing the DVD release of some of those Samuel Goldwyn they got the rights to last year. On 1/15, look for Wuthering Heights (via HBO), The Best Years of Our Lives, The Bishop's Wife, Guys and Dolls, Hans Christian Andersen and The Pride of the Yankees. There's no word yet of Blu-ray releases, but we're looking into it.

Speaking of HBO (via Warner), look for Veep: The Complete First Season on DVD only on 3/26.

Warner has also begun soliciting many of those catalog titles recently licensed for BD and DVD release from Paramount. Watch for a huge list of them to start arriving in stores on 1/1 on both formats. It doesn't appear to include anything new yet - it look to all be titles that have been previously available.

Image Entertainment has set The Beverly Hillbillies: Collector's Edition (a "Best Of" Set), BMF: The Rise and Fall of a Hip-Hop Drug Empire, Bonanza: Collector's Edition (another "Best of") and The Solomon Bunch for release on 2/5, followed by The Complete Adventures of Flash Gordon (4 pack), The Cyclist, Hitler's Forgotten Nazis and Naked City: 20 Star-Filled Episodes on 2/19, and a David E. Talbert Triple Feature (What Goes Around Comes Around, Love in the Nick of Tyme and Mr. Right Now!), Fast Girls and Nobody Gets Out Alive on 2/26. All are DVD only.

On the Disney front, I'm sure many of you heard about their big digital distribution deal with Netflix from the other day - starting in 2016 Netflix will get exclusive digital rights to the entire Disney library of titles, including Pixar, classic animation and live action, and even the Star Wars and Marvel franchises. In the realm of physical discs, it appears that the studio may be finally getting ready to release The Muppet Movie: Nearly 35th Anniversary Edition on Blu-ray next year - a trailer for the title appears on their new The Odd Life of Timothy Green Blu-ray. This would be in addition to the Who Framed Roger Rabbit?: 25th Anniversary Edition that's already planned for release in HD in 2013. Thanks to Bits reader Bill M. for the update.

Also, we've hard back from 20th Century Fox about that Die Hard: 25th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray box set due on 1/29. It will include the theatrical cut of Live Free or Die Hard only. A LOT of your have been hoping for the unrated cut on Blu-ray and rest assured we've let Fox know this.

And finally today, Bits reader Sidney S. sent us this interesting bit of news: It seems that the BBC have officially remastered the first color Doctor Who story from way back in 1963 – Spearhead from Space – and they're releasing it on Blu-ray in July worldwide as part of the Doctor Who 50th anniversary celebration next year (7/13 is the tentative street date).

That's all for now. Stay tuned...

- Bill Hunt

All right, more announcement news today...

First, Sony has set Company of Heroes for Blu-ray and DVD release on 3/19, based on the THQ video game of the same name. A pair of featurettes will be included as extras.

Inception Media Group has set Pathfinder: In the Company of Strangers and Ghost Trap for DVD only release on 1/8.

PBS will release NOVA scienceNOW: Can I Eat That? on DVD only on 12/11, followed by Cuban Missile Crisis: Three Men Go to War, NOVA ScienceNow: Can Science Stop Crime? and NOVA ScienceNow: What Are Animals Thinking? on 12/18. PBS will also release Frontline: Climate of Doubt on DVD only on 1/1/2013.

Warner Home Video will release Tom and Jerry: Pint-Sized Pals on DVD only on 3/5 (SRP $19.97). Shorts included on the 2-disc set will include Love That Pup, Babysitting Blues, The Dog House, Game Set Match, That’s My Pup, Happy Go Ducky, Hic-cup Pup, That’s My Mommy, Pup on a Picnic, Little Quacker, Puppy Tale, Southbound Duckling, Barbecue Brawl, Just Ducky, Endless Bummer, Cat Show Catastrophe, Little School Mouse, Kitty Foiled, Robin Hoodwinked, Ho Ho Horrors, Jungle Love, The Two Mouseketeers, Royal Cat Nap, Touché, Pussy Cat!, The Vanishing Duck, Mice Follies, Cat Nebula, The Egg and Jerry, Adventures in Penguin Sitting and Tot Watchers.

Image Entertainment has set The Devil's in the Details for Blu-ray and DVD release on 2/7.

Also Kino Lorber have announced their February Blu-ray and DVD release slate as follows: On the Kino Lorber label, look for The Pool on DVD only on 2/5, followed by Hipsters on DVD only on 2/19 and Over Your Cities Grass Will Grow on DVD only on 2/26. On the Redemption Films label, look for the Satanic Cults Collection (including Satanic Sluts: The Black Order Cometh, Satanic Sluts II: The Black Masses and Satanic Sluts III: Scandalized) on DVD only and Die Screaming, Marianne, House of Whipcord: Remastered Edition, Schizo: Remastered Edition and The Comeback: Remastered Edition on Blu-ray only on 2/12, followed by Jean Rollins' Zombie Lake: Remastered Edition and Jess Franco's Oasis of the Zombies: Remastered Edition on Blu-ray and DVD on 2/26.

Discovery Channel has set Surviving the Cut 2 for DVD only release on 1/15, followed by Finding Bigfoot on 1/22 and Your Worst Animal Nightmare on 1/29.

And Sony has set The New Girl for DVD only release on 1/22.

Stay tuned!

- Bill Hunt

All right, here at The Bits today, our own Russell Hammond has just updated the Release Dates & Artwork section with all the latest Blu-ray, DVD and Video Game cover artwork and Amazon.com pre-order links. As always, a portion of anything you order from Amazon after clicking through to them from our links goes to help support our work here at The Bits and we really appreciate it. Don't forget as well that Amazon is continuing to run great deals on movies, hardware and other items right up through Christmas, so if there's something you're looking for there are probably deals to be had.

In announcement news today, we already mentioned that MGM and Fox are releasing Woody Allen's Sleeper and Hannah and Her Sisters on Blu-ray Disc on 1/15, but here's exciting news: They've officially set the recently-remastered The Terminator for Blu-ray release on 2/19, complete with 5.1 DTS-HD MA audio. It IS the confirmed remaster. Extras will include 7 deleted scenes and 2 featurettes (Creating The Terminator: Visual Effects & Music and Terminator: A Retrospective). And on 1/29, look for the Die Hard: 25th Anniversary Blu-ray Collection, featuring Die Hard, Die Hard 2: Die Harder, Die Hard with a Vengeance and Live Free or Die Hard, as well as an all-new bonus disc called Decoding Die Hard. The bonus disc will include 7 featurettes (Modern-Day Hero, Along for the Ride, Bad to the Bone, Punishing Blows, Explosive Effects, Reinventing the Action Genre and The Right Hero for the Right Time).

Meanwhile, Sony has set Robot and Frank for DVD only release on 2/12. Look for it to include audio commentary with director Jake Schreier and writer Christopher Ford and a poster campaign gallery. Sony has also set A Perfect Ending for DVD only release on 2/5, and Kill for Me for DVD only release on 2/12.

Anchor Bay Entertainment and The Weinstein Company have set the high school football documentary Undefeated for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 2/9.

Shout! Factory has set Rocko's Modern Life: The Complete Series for DVD release on 2/26.

And Warner Home Video has moved the street date for its Gossip Girl: The Complete Sixth and Final Season DVD release from 2/19 to 2/12. Adjust your plans accordingly.

Here's a look at the Blu-ray cover artwork for Fox and MGM's The Terminator (Remastered), Sleeper and the Die Hard: 25th Anniversary Blu-ray Collection.  Sleeper is now available for pre-order on Amazon - we'll add links to the other two as they become available...

Stay tuned...

- Bill Hunt

All right, we’ve got a couple things for you here at The Bits today…

First, in case you missed it when we first posted it on Friday, I’ve taken a closer look at CBS’ new Star Trek: The Next Generation – Season Two Blu-ray release for you.  The set arrives in stores tomorrow (12/4).  The video remastering isn’t quite as good as Season One, but the extras are terrific.  Don’t miss it!

Speaking of Star Trek: The Next Generation, you’ll find the cover artwork for Season Three (due early 2013) below.  Look for it in the March/April time frame – official street date and details are TBA.

Also here at The Bits today, our own Mario Boucher has posted a good new feature article – The Men Behind Men in Black 3 – which looks behind-the-scenes on the creature effects work of the legendary Rick Baker on Sony’s Men in Black 3.  The Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray and DVD versions all hit store shelves on Friday.  Enjoy!

In announcement news today, Entertainment One has just set David Cronenberg’s Cosmopolis for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 1/1/2013 (SRP $29.98 and $24.98).  Both will include the Citizens of Cosmopolis featurette, audio commentary with Cronenberg and video interviews with the cast and crew.  You’ll find cover artwork below.

Also today, Disney has officially announced details on the Blu-ray 3D Combo, Blu-ray Combo and DVD release of Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie on 1/8/2013 (SRP $49.99, $39.99 and $29.99).  All three versions will include footage of the Frankenweenie touring exhibit and Plain White T’s Pet Sematary music video.  To this the Blu-ray versions will add the all-new Captain Sparky vs. The Flying Saucers animated short, the original Frankenweenie live-action short and the Miniatures in Motion: Bringing Frankenweenie to Life featurette.

As promised, here’s the Blu-ray cover artwork for CBS’ Star Trek: The Next Generation – Season Three (TBA), Entertainment One’s Cosmopolis and Disney’s Frankenweenie (BD3D version)…

Stay tuned!

- Bill Hunt

The wacky world of Men in Black 3 showcases the talents of Rick Baker and the visual effects wizards at Sony Studios.

In a recent exclusive interview, I had the opportunity to meet with Hollywood legend Rick Baker, a special makeup effects artist who received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on November 30.

All right, we’re closing out the week with a new Blu-ray review that will be of interest to you Trek fans: My take on CBS’s new Star Trek: The Next Generation – Season Two which arrives in stores next Tuesday.  The extras on this season are outstanding, including an absolutely terrific cast reunion documentary – don’t miss it!

In announcement news today, IFC Films has set the romantic drama Liberal Arts for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 12/18 (SRP $29.98 and $24.98).

Amazon.com now has Fox’s Laura (1944) available for pre-order on Blu-ray Disc with a street date of 2/5 (SRP $24.99).  Thanks to multiple Bits readers who sent this in.  Note that Amazon also has Fox’s Gentleman’s Agreement (1947), How Green Was My Valley (1941) and Wild River (1960) set for BD release on 1/15.  MGM’s Hanna and Her Sisters and Sleeper (both Woody Allen films) are due on BD on 1/15 according to the retailer.

In other news today, this will make some of you nostalgic: IHS Screen Digest is reporting that digital projection has officially surpassed traditional film projection around the globe – truly the end of an era.  Analog film projection will represent just 37% of all theatrical projection around the world by the end of this year, with that number expected to decline to just 17% by 2015.

Along those lines, Wired has a piece up today on the efforts of photographer Joseph O. Holmes to document analog film projection booths before they’re gone for a new coffee table book called The Booth.  I spent many an hour in just such a booth in college at UW – Madison back in the day.  Digital projection is terrific, but I’m sure going to miss the clatter of those old projectors.

Also today, Anchor Bay Entertainment and the Dark Delicacies bookstore in Burbank, CA are holding a special signing event on 12/4 featuring some of the cast and crew of the remade Silent Night.  The event starts at 7PM.  Dark Delicacies is located at 3512 W. Magnolia Blvd in Burbank (818-556-6660).

Have a great weekend everyone!

- Bill Hunt

All right, here at The Bits today, our own Dr. Jahnke has turned in a review of Kino’s new Santa Claus Conquers the Martians on Blu-ray. Don’t miss it!

We’ve also got a bunch of title announcement odds and ends for you...

Sony has revealed the list of extras that will be included on their Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray and DVD release of Hotel Transylvania on 1/29. All three will include audio commentary (with director Genndy Tartakovsky, producer Michelle Murdocca, and visual effects supervisor Daniel Kramer), 3 deleted scenes, Tartakovsky’s Goodnight, Mr. Foot mini-movie, the Problem (Monster Remix) music video by Becky G Featuring will.i.am and a “making of” the music video featurette. To this the Blu-ray versions will add 3 animation progression reels and 2 featurettes (Meet the Staff and Guests: Voicing Hotel Transylvania and Making the Hotel).

Warner Home Video has announced the 22-episode DVD only release of Scarecrow & Mrs. King: The Complete Fourth Season on 1/22 (SRP $39.98).

Well Go USA Entertainment is releasing the steampunk/martial arts actioner Tai Chi Zero on Blu-ray and DVD on 1/22 (SRP $29.98 and $24.98), from the creators of the IP Man films.

Lionsgate Home Entertainment will release Titanic: Blood & Steel on Blu-ray and DVD on 12/4. They’ve also set Anger Management: Season One for release on both formats on 1/8.

Artsploitation Films has Hard Romanticker set for DVD release on 1/22.

Anchor Bay Entertainment has set Officer Down for Blu-ray and DVD release on 1/22, starring Stephen Dorff and James Woods. Look also for Pascal Hérold’s reimagined Cinderella on DVD only on 12/26. And of course, their recent remake of the Christmas horror classic Silent Night is due on Blu-ray and DVD on 12/4.

Paramount and Comedy Central are releasing Gabriel Iglesias Presents Stand-Up Revolution on DVD on 12/21. They’ve also set Tosh.0: Deep V’s for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 12/21. In addition, Tosh.0: Cardigans Plus Casual Jackets will be released on DVD only as a Walmart exclusive that same day.

Paramount and Nickelodeon will release Nickelodeon Favorites: Rootin’ Tootin’ Wild West! on DVD only on 1/29.

Vanguard will release Here’s the Kicker and Scape on DVD on 1/29.

Pathfinder will release the Korean apocalypse tale End of Animal on DVD on 1/22.

Shout! Factory has set Slugterra: Return of the Shane Gang Makes for DVD release on 2/12. Shout! has also confirmed the Blu-ray release of The Seven-Per-Cent Solution on 1/22, followed by Ridley Scott’s The Duellists on BD on 1/29.

Here’s an odd-ball release: Entertainment One has set the Osama Bin Laden/zombie flick Osombie: The Axis of Evil Dead for release on Blu-ray/DVD combo on 12/11. Nope, not kidding.

IFC has Sleepwalk with Me coming on DVD only on 12/19.

For you music fans, MVD Entertainment Group will release the 2-disc concert tour film The Yardbirds: Making Tracks on DVD on 12/11.

Stay tuned!

- Bill Hunt

Welcome to Dailies, a column dedicated to bringing you both the obscure and the mainstream on DVD and Blu-ray. Being that a lot of us seem to have such a large appetite for varying film genres, this column will cover virtually everything I can get my grubby little paws on. Some of it will be good, and some of it not so much, but hopefully it will illuminate a few titles that you might not have seen otherwise, or perhaps just needed a reminder about. Either way, enjoy!

In this week’s entry, we’re going to be taking a look at a couple of new titles from the folks over at Shout! Factory via their new Scream Factory label: The Island and Death Valley. I gotta tell you, I’m just thrilled to bits with the quality of product that this company is putting out. Their transfers may not be the best that money can buy, nor are all of them overloaded with supplemental features, but they do give new life to mostly unseen sci-fi and horror film titles that a lot of us have either never heard of or have forgotten about. They cover some pretty high profile titles like Halloween II and They Live, but for me the real cream of the crop is the unseen stuff.

All right first up today, our own Tim Salmons has delivered a new Dailies column with a look at a pair of new Scream Factory titles from Shout! – The Island and Death Valley. Enjoy!

We also have a number of new announcements to report today, as follows…

Paramount has Top Gun 3D coming to Blu-ray 3D on 2/19 (SRP $39.99). The should be about a week after it’s planned February 3D theatrical release. Best Buy has it available for pre-order, though it’s not yet up on Amazon.

Best Buy also has Ben Affleck’s Argo listed for Blu-ray Combo release on 2/19 (SRP $29.98 for BD). Obviously that title isn’t yet officially announced by Warner (and there will certainly be a DVD as well) but we’d expect the press release soon.

Meanwhile, Disney has relisted their delayed Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase One – Avengers Assembled 10-disc/6-film BD box set for release on 4/2/2013. (SRP $219.00). Amazon current has it up for pre-order for $197.10. The set includes The Avengers, Captain America: The First Avenger and Thor on BD and BD3D, as well as Iron Man, Iron Man 2 and The Incredible Hulk on BD. The set will include exclusive looks at Iron Man 3 and other forthcoming Phase Two films, plus swag.  Here’s a look at the revised briefcase packaging (click on the image to go to the Amazon.com pre-order page)…

Warner has announced a trio of new TCM Greatest Classic Films: Legends DVD collections for release on 3/12, including Judy Garland (For Me and My Gal, The Harvey Girls, In the Good Old Summertime and Summer Stock), Natalie Wood (Splendor in the Grass, Gypsy, Sex and the Single Girl and Inside Daisy Clover) and Sidney Poitier (Blackboard Jungle, Edge of the City, Something of Value and A Patch of Blue). SRP is $27.92 each.

Warner also has a host of animated titles coming to Blu-ray on 3/12, including Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman, Superman: Brainiac Attacks, Scooby-Doo and the Legend of the Vampire, Scooby-Doo and the Loch Ness Monster, Scooby-Doo and the Monster of Mexico, Scooby-Doo and the Samurai Sword and Tom and Jerry: Shiver Me Whiskers. SRP is $14.98 each.

And here’s something cool for you classic fans: Warner is gearing up to release The Best Years of Our Lives on Blu-ray Disc in 2013. Amazon.ca currently has it listed for 11/5/2013, which seems like a strange date. Nevertheless, we know it’s coming and that IS official artwork (see below).

20th Century Fox has set the comedy 30 Nights of Paranormal Activity with the Devil Inside the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 1/15. Extras will include a behind-the-scenes featurette.

Sony has set Seven Psychopaths for Blu-ray and DVD release on 1/29 (SRP $35.99 and $30.99). No word yet on special features but both will feature UltraViolet. Here Comes the Boom and Celeste and Jesse Forever will follow on both formats on 2/5 (SRP also $35.99 and $30.99). Look also for Searching for Sugar Man on Blu-ray and DVD from Sony on 1/22.

Sony will also release Charlie Chase Shorts: Volume 1 as an MOD DVD-R title on 1/1. Included will be Man Bites Lovebug, The Mind Needer, The Chump Takes a Bump, Rattling Romeo, Skinny the Moocher, The Awful Goof, The Heckler, South of the Boudoir and A Nag in the Bag.

Lionsgate has set Caught on Tape and Celebrate with Clifford for DVD only release on 2/5, followed by Black Game and Storage Wars: Volume 4 on DVD and The Perks of Being a Wallflower on both Blu-ray and DVD on 2/12.

Also today, Shout! Factory has set Tiny Toon Adventures Crazy Crew Rescues! for DVD release on 1/8 (SRP $19.97).

And Anchor Bay Entertainment will release Seal Team Six: The Raid on Osama Bin Laden on Blu-ray and DVD on 1/8 (SRP $24.99 and $19.98). The film recently debuted on the National Geographic Channel.

Here’s a look at the cover artwork for Fox’s 30 Nights of Paranormal Activity with the Devil Inside the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (BD), Image’s recent The Dick Van Dyke Show: The Complete Series (now available) and Warner’s The Best Years of Our Lives (BD - TBA)...

Stay tuned!

- Bill Hunt

Afternoon, movie fans! Hope you all had a wonderful and LONG Thanksgiving holiday week and weekend. As most of you probably know, today is Cyber Monday which means there are still lots of great holiday shopping deals to be found online on places like Amazon.com, where you can get Farscape: The Complete Series on Blu-ray for just $60 - a whopping 70% off the regular SRP. That’s just one of hundreds of BD and DVD titles on sale at Amazon today, so do check it out. Barnes and Noble has many titles on sale for 60% off as well. Good deal hunting!

In announcement news today, Warner and the BBC have set the Brit drama Ripper Street for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 3/12 (SRP $34.98 and $29.98).

Universal will release Pitch Perfect on Blu-ray Combo and DVD on 12/18.

Disney has set Marvel Ultimate Spider-Man: Avenging Spider-Man for DVD only release on 2/5, followed by Marvel the Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes! Volume 6 on DVD on 2/19.

Cult Epic has set Hysteria for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 3/12 (SRP $29.98 and $24.98).

Magnolia will release Sushi Girl on both formats on 2/19 (SRP $29.98 and $26.98).

PBS has slated Nova: Ultimate Mars Challenge for release on BD and DVD on 2/19 (SRP $29.99 and $24.99).

And Inception Media has set the classic On Approval (1944) for Blu-ray release on 2/12 (SRP $34.98).

Finally today, we’d like to take a moment to acknowledge the passing of actor Larry Hagman, best known to millions of TV viewers as J.R. Ewing on both the classic and recent revival series Dallas. I’ll always fondly recall him for playing the astronaut Tony Nelson on the classic I Dream of Jeannie. And of course Hagman had many other parts on TV and in film over the years. He was 81.

Stay tuned!

- Bill Hunt