A quick note before we start today’s post: A bunch of you have e-mailed over the past week or so and I’ve got a bit of a backlog in getting back to everyone. So if you haven’t heard from me yet, I’ll do my best to respond to all of you over the next few days. Thanks for your patience!

Now then... let’s have an overdue announcement news round-up, shall we?

First up today, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is going to be releasing Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire on 4K Ultra HD on 11/7 (SRP $31.99 each), along with the previously revealed Harry Potter 8-Film Collection in 4K UHD (SRP around $215.99). We’re awaiting the studio’s official press release, but Walmart already has the discs listed. Pre-orders are not up yet on Amazon, but we’ll add the links as soon as they are. Audio will be English DTS:X, with HDR10 high dynamic range. You can see the over artwork to the left and also below. [Read on here…]

All right, no official update yet from Disney on the HDR on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 4K. There are reports that Dolby is claiming Dolby Vision will only be on the 4K streaming version, but we haven’t been able to confirm that yet. So stay tuned.

Disney has however, officially just announced (at D23) that they’re releasing Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales on Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD on 10/3, with the Digital release due on 9/19. We know that it will have HDR (so HDR-10, no word specifically of Dolby Vision) and that it will include Dolby Atmos audio. “Bonus material includes a collection of behind-the-scenes, making-of stories, including a conversation with directors Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg; a sit-down with the two young newcomers who play Henry and Carina; the secrets behind the menacing new villain, Salazar, and his ferocious ghost sharks; an on-set visit with Jack’s first mate from all five films; a chat with Sir Paul McCartney who appears as Uncle Jack; and a discussion about the franchise’s legacy; along with hilarious bloopers, deleted scenes and memories from producer Jerry Bruckheimer’s photo diary.” No other details are yet available. You can see the cover art at left.

Meanwhile, we have two new Blu-ray reviews for you today: Tim has checked out Vinegar Syndrome’s Psycho Cop Returns and Psychic Killer, both worth your time if you’re a fan of the genre. Do check them out. [Read on here…]

We have one more new review for you to close out the week: Tim has taken a look at Kazuhiko Yamaguchi’s Wolf Guy on Blu-ray from Arrow Video, featuring the great Sonny Chiba. Do give it a look.

In announcement news today, WB Home Entertainment has just set Shameless: The Complete Seventh Season for Blu-ray and DVD release on 9/26. The studio has also confirmed the 9/19 Blu-ray and DVD release of Arrow: The Complete Fifth Season.

Meanwhile, BBC Home Entertainment has set Ripper Street: Season Five for Blu-ray and DVD release on 8/29.

Universal will release JD Dillard’s Slight on Blu-ray and DVD on 8/1. Also coming that day from the studio on both formats is Joseph Ruben’s The Ottoman Lieutenant. [Read on here…]

We’ve got another History, Legacy & Showmanship column from Michael Coate here at The Bits today, this one looking back at the classic James Bond film You Only Live Twice on its 50th Anniversary. It features another great roundtable discussion with film historians John Cork, Bill Desowitz, Lee Pfeiffer, Bruce Scivally, and Matt Sherman. Don’t miss it!

Also here at the site today, Tim Salmons has a review of Arrow Video’s new Madhouse: Special Edition Blu-ray that’s well worth your time.

The big release news today is that Lionsgate has set The Circle, starring Tom Hanks and Emma Watson, for Blu-ray and DVD release on 8/1, with the Digital HD version due on 7/18. [Read on here…]

The big news today is that Disney has just announced a new Bambi: Anniversary Edition – Walt Disney Signature Collection for release on Blu-ray/DVD combo, DVD, and digital on 6/6 (SRP $39.99). The Disney Movies Anywhere version will be available on 5/23. Extras will include most of the classic Blu-ray bonus features, along with the following all-new content: The Bambi Effect, Studio Stories: Bambi, 2 deleted scenes (Bambi’s Ice and Snow and The Grasshopper), Bambi Fawn facts, and the Oswald the Lucky Rabbit animated short Africa Before Dark. There’s also a digital exclusive short: Celebrating Tyrus Wong. You can see the cover art to the left and below.

The other big news is that HBO has announced the Blu-ray and DVD release of the successful Big Little Lies limited series on 8/1, and the digital version is actually available today for those who can’t wait. Extras will include 6 Inside the Episode featurettes, plus the About Big Little Lies featurette with “never-before-seen cast interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.” [Read on here…]

We have a couple items to report today…

First, a quick note: I’ve updated our post from yesterday (regarding the interview with Kathleen Kennedy on Star Wars) to more accurately reflect the context of her comments. It’s worth giving another look, if you’re interested. Just FYI.

Here at the site today, Tim Salmons has posted reviews of Arrow Video’s House: Two Stories and House: The Collection Blu-ray box sets. One is a U.S. release while the other is a U.K. release (but it plays in both Region A and B). The sets are pretty terrific if you’re a fan, so do give them a look. [Read on here…]

All right, as I work to finish these hardware reviews we’ve some good things for you today here at the site...

First, Tim has posted three new disc reviews, including looks at Synapse Films’ Popcorn Steelbook Blu-ray, Scream Factory’s Slumber Party Massacre II/III Double Feature Blu-ray, and Shout! Factory’s new Mystery Science Theater 3000: Volume XXXVIII DVD set. All are worth a look, so do check them out.

Also today, our own Mario Boucher has turned in a new Inside Cinema report on Warner Bros’ recent Wonder Woman panel from the WonderCon 2017 convention here in Anaheim. Both producer Geoff Johns and director Patty Jenkins were on hand to discuss the making of the film and it sounds as if it’s shaping up nicely. The film arrives in theaters on 6/2. [Read on here…]

All right, first things first today: We have a quick bit of follow-up for you this morning on those annual original Star Wars release rumors, the latest appearance of which caused a bit of a stir yesterday (and which we commented on in yesterday’s post). I know... we’re getting tired of talking about it too, but we have what seems to be rather definitive new information.

We’ve essentially confirmed that Disney’s current 4K scan of the film is the most recent revised version (essentially the latest “special edition”), not the original theatrical edition. What’s more, Disney’s director of Library Restoration and Preservation, Theo Gluck, held a special event at Ohio State University’s Wexner Center for the Arts last night, a presentation called Animation Restoration at Walt Disney Studios. Gluck was asked there about Star Wars and reported that the original cut negative for the film currently exists in its “SE” configuration only. (There’s more info, so do continue on past the jump.) [Read on here…]

All right, we’ve had family visiting for a couple weeks but things have finally started to get back to normal here, so we’re back to our usual daily updates. And we have a bunch of new release news to report today...

First up though, our own Russell Hammond has just posted the weekly Release Dates & Artwork update with all the latest Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K cover artwork and Amazon.com pre-order links. Don’t forget, anytime you order titles through our links you’re helping to support our work here at The Bits and we appreciate it!

Now then, in announcement news today, Lionsgate has just revealed that their next Vestron Video Collector’s Series release will include the Wishmaster Collection: 4-Film Set on 3/28 (SRP $49.99). Wishmaster will include audio commentary (with director Robert Kurtzman and screenwriter Peter Atkins), audio commentary (with Kurtzman and stars Andrew Divoff and Tammy Lauren), an isolated score selections track with an audio interview of composer Harry Manfredini, 6 featurettes (Out of the Bottle, The Magic Words, The Djinn and Alexandra, Captured Visions, Wish List, and Making of Wishmaster), trailers, TV spots, image galleries & more. Wishmaster 2: Evil Never Dies will include audio commentary (with writer/director Jack Sholder), a trailer, and a still gallery. Wishmaster 3: Beyond the Gates of Hell will include audio commentary (with director Chris Angel and cast members John Novak, Jason Connery, and Louisette Geiss), the Making of Wishmaster 3: Beyond the Gates of Hell featurette, and the trailer. And Wishmaster 4: The Prophecy will include audio commentary (with director Chris Angel and cast members Michael Trucco and Jason Thompson), audio commentary (with Angel and actor John Novak), the Wishmasterpiece Theatre featurette, and the trailer. [Read on here…]

We kick things off today here at The Bits with a brand new History, Legacy & Showmanship column from our own Michael Coate. This time, Michael takes a look back at the Bond film Diamonds Are Forever in honor of the film’s 45th anniversary this year (it was originally released in the U.S. on 12/17/1971). His column features another great roundtable discussion with leading Bond experts and film historians, including Jon Burlingame, John Cork, Bill Desowitz, Lee Pfeiffer, and Bruce Scivally. We certainly hope you enjoy it!

Also today, our own Tim Salmons has turned in another new Blu-ray review, this time featuring a look at Arrow Video’s new Creepshow 2: Special Edition. The disc is now available in stores and it’s well worth your time if you’re a fan of the film.  [Read on here…]