My Two Cents
Thursday, 16 June 2016 15:32

Criterion’s September includes Dekalog, Blood Simple & Cat People (1942), new Universal 4K artwork & more

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[Editor’s Note: Be sure to follow us on Twitter @thedigitalbits @BillHuntBits and on Facebook here and here. And you can help support The Bits by pre-ordering Blu-rays and other items from Amazon through this link.]

All right, we’ve got a few more interesting items to report for you today...

First up, we’ve been waiting to hear back from Paramount regarding their plan to fix the error in the Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan – Director’s Cut Blu-ray and initiate a replacement program. Our sources tell us that this is going to happen, it’s just a matter of the studio getting all the details lined up and then making an announcement. We expect to hear something soon (probably in the next week or two) and we’ll let you know when we do.  [Read on here…]

The big piece of announcement news today is that Criterion has just revealed their September slate of titles, and it’s outstanding. Look for Carol Reed’s Night Train to Munich (Cat #523 – Blu-ray and DVD) on 9/6, Kenji Mizoguchi’s The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum (Cat #832 – Blu-ray, DVD, and Hulu Plus) on 9/13 along with the return to print of their amazing Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman Blu-ray set (Cat #679 – see our in-depth review here), Joel and Ethan Coen’s Blood Simple (Cat #834 – Blu-ray and DVD) and Jacques Tourneur’s 1942 Cat People (Cat #833 – Blu-ray and DVD) on 9/20, and Mark Robson’s Valley of the Dolls (Cat #835 – Blu-ray and DVD), Russ Meyer’s Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (Cat #836 – Blu-ray and DVD), and Krzysztof Kieślowski’s Dekalog (Cat #837 – Blu-ray and DVD) on 9/27. Oh, HELL yeah! That slate should be enough to make any cinephile smile, and if it doesn’t: Check your pulse. Very exciting indeed. We’ve updated our Criterion Spines Project page here at The Bits accordingly. Here’s a look at some of the BD cover artwork (we’ll add pre-order links as they go live)...

Dekalog (Criterion Blu-ray Disc)    Cat People (1942 - Criterion Blu-ray)    Blood Simple (Criterion Blu-ray)

The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum (Criterion Blu-ray Disc)    Valley of the Dolls (Criterion Blu-ray)    Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (Criterion Blu-ray)

In other news today, the Warner Archive has set The Deadly Trackers (1973) for Blu-ray release soon (street date TBA). The film stars Richard Harris and Rod Taylor. Pre-orders haven’t started yet, but should soon. You know what I’d like to see the Archive bring to Blu-ray? How about the Chevy Chase titles Modern Problems (1981) and Under the Rainbow (1981)? And how about Akira Kurosawa’s Dreams (1990) and Rhapsody in August (1991)? Anyone? [Editor’s Note: Good news... Dreams IS coming... from Criterion. See this link. Thanks to Bits reader Chad D. for the heads-up!]

Anyway, Kino Lorber has revealed they’re working on releases of The Park is Mine (1985) and Moving Violations (1985) both for Blu-ray and DVD. Street date is TBA.

Meanwhile, we have a look for you at the official cover artwork for Universal’s first four 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray titles. Lucy, Lone Survivor, and Oblivion are all due on the format on 8/9, and The Huntsman: Winter’s War is due on 8/23 (with the regular Blu-ray and DVD versions). A key note on Luc Besson’s Lucy: Portions of the film were shot on 65mm IMAX format so, like Paramount’s newly released Star Trek Into Darkness (see our review here), the film should look amazing in 4K UHD format. Here’s the cover artwork, with Amazon.com pre-order links if available. Note that we’ve included art and links to a couple other recently announced 4K titles as well...

The Huntsman: Winter's War (4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc)    Oblivion (4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc)    Lucy (4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc)

Lone Survivor (4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc)    Man of Steel (4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc)    Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc)

Finally today, we have word that Studio Canal has completed a new 4K remaster of the original Highlander film. It’s going to be released on Blu-ray in the UK on 7/11 as a new Highlander: 30th Anniversary Edition. I believe Lionsgate owns the US distribution rights to the title, so we’re checking with them to see if a US release is in the offing. More as we hear anything. Meanwhile, here’s a look at the trailer for the release...

Back tomorrow with more. Stay tuned...

- Bill Hunt (@BillHuntBits)

 

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