Displaying items by tag: MGM

Afternoon, Bits readers and welcome to the new week and, of course, Halloween Eve!

We’ve got a little bit of ground to cover here today, but first I wanted to personally thank all those of you who have signed up to support The Digital Bits via Patreon. Since we first launched our Patreon five days ago, we’re up to 77 backers (and 104 members total), and we really appreciate your support. It means a lot, and it will make a real difference here, let me tell you.

Already, I’ve decided on a couple things: I’m making regular (almost daily) blog posts exclusively for our Patreon supporters that are a little different than the kind of thing I post here and on our social media. For example... my first-take thoughts on things I’m hearing from sources (release news, industry developments, and the like), first impressions on new review discs that I’ve had the chance to look at (before I publish the full in-depth reviews here on the site), and other odds and ends—the kinds of things that offer you a essentially a more personal and candid look behind the scenes here at The Bits. I’m also making the occasional public post for all members there, with information that’s relevant to all our readers—the kind of thing I’m going to share here in a minute today (disc replacement news, a PS5 firmware update of relevance to disc fans, the occasional piece of significant breaking news). And we’ll add more Patreon-exclusive features over time as we get used working there, learning what kinds of perks are possible, and what we can do without dramatically increasing our workload.

Anyway, just know that we really, really appreciate those of you who are willing to support our work with your hard-earned money. Thanks to all 77 paying backers (here’s to reaching 100!) and thanks to all of you who are following us there.

Now then... I’m going to be spending the rest of my day working on a review of Paramount’s Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One in 4K UHD for posting here hopefully tomorrow. But first, there’s some important breaking news... [Read on here...]

Welcome to the first week of April, everyone!

As you might expect, over the weekend we’ve posted several more new disc reviews for you all to enjoy, including...

My reviews of Jonathan Frakes’ Star Trek: Insurrection (1998) and Stuart Baird’s Star Trek: Nemesis (2002) in 4K Ultra HD from Paramount. That completes my look at all four of the newly-remastered Star Trek: The Next Generation feature films in 4K.

Stuart’s thoughts on Clarence Brown’s Wife vs. Secretary (1936) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection and Milton Moses Ginsberg’s The Werewolf of Washington (1973) on Blu-ray from Kino Classics.

And last but certainly not least, Stephen’s in-depth review of Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske, and Clyde Geronimi’s original classic animated Cinderella (1950) in 4K Ultra HD from Disney, currently available from the Disney Movie Club, but coming widely later this year.

Key note about Cinderella—it looks like Disney’s actually done this one right, with a stunning 4K remaster that respects the film’s original photochemical production by leaving its line-work, fine detail, and grain structure fully intact! This really bodes well for future 4K animated titles from the studio, and one certainly hopes that all of these original animated classics will be revisited on the format going forward. [Read on here...]

We’ve got a bunch more great announcement news for you this afternoon, along with new disc reviews as always. So let’s start with the latter first...

Stuart has posted his take on Paolo Heusch and Brunello Rondi’s A Violent Life (1962) on Blu-ray from Raro Video.

Stephen has offered his thoughts on Stuart Gordon’s From Beyond (1986) in 4K Ultra HD from Vinegar Syndrome.

And Tim has gone way down the rabbit hole with Turbine Media’s fantastic new Knight Rider: The Complete Series – 40th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray box set, a whopping 23-disc release that includes all four seasons of the original Knight Rider with (for the first time ever on home video) all of the original music re-instated. You also get Knight Rider 2000, Knight Rider 2010, and Team Knight Rider: The Complete Series, as well as a bonus disc with legacy extras and new material. This is truly the ultimate collection for fans of the film, and the best part is that it’s an ALL-REGION release. But it’s only available directly from Turbine’s online shop, so act fast if you want it. And don’t miss Tim’s review!

Now then, the big announcement news today is something I’ve personally been lobbying the studio for behind the scenes for well over a decade. And I am absolutely thrilled to see that it’s finally happened: Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment has officially set Max Fleischer’s Superman 1941-1943 for Blu-ray and Digital HD release on 5/16! [Read on here...]

We have some major release news to report today, but first we’ve got more new disc reviews...

Stephen has delivered his thoughts on Walter Hill’s Streets of Fire (1984) in 4K Ultra HD from Shout! Factory. As fans will no doubt already know, this one is a real cult cinema gem, and it sounds like the 4K release is pretty fantastic, including terrific video and audio quality, as well as a great new feature-length documentary on the making of the film by Daniel Griffith’s Ballyhoo Motion Pictures. Don’t miss it.

Also today, Tim has reviewed another film from Arrow’s Shawscope: Volume One Blu-ray boxed set, specifically Chang Cheh’s Shaolin Temple (1976) (aka Death Chamber).

Stuart has taken a look at Anthony Mann’s El Cid (1961) which is now available in a new Japanese-import Blu-ray release from Happinet.

And finally, Dennis has offered his take on Julien Duvivier’s Flesh and Fantasy (1943) on Blu-ray from Universal Pictures via Vinegar Syndrome.

As always, more reviews are forthcoming, so be sure to keep on the lookout for them.

Now then, the big release news today is big indeed: Disney and 20th Century Studios have just officially announced the 4K Digital release of James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water on 3/28. This will include Dolby Atmos audio and over three hours worth of bonus features (more on that in a minute). Studio sources have also reached out to us to confirm that the physical Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD release is forthcoming and will be announced at a later date. It simply appears that the studio intends to squeeze every possible dime out of this film at every level of distribution. [Read on here...]

We’re tracking a bunch of things today here at The Bits, so let me just give you a quick rundown.

First of all, Shudder and RLJE Films have set Rebekah McKendry’s Glorious for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 3/14.

For you UK readers, Eureka is releasing a new Masters of Cinema Blu-ray edition on May 22nd... Andrzej Żuławski: Three Films. Żuławski was a Polish filmmaker with a reputation as maverick. The three titles will include his debut film, The Third Part of the Night (1971), The Devil (1972), which was banned for 16 years in Poland, and the unfinished science fiction On the Silver Globe (1988), which the Polish government actually ordered destroyed, but the negatives survived and the film finally premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 1988. Having all three of these preserved and released on Blu-ray is a minor miracle, so this should be a fantastic box set.

Meanwhile, 88 Films has revealed three more Italian deep catalog 4K Ultra HD titles for release in the months ahead, including Antonio Margheriti’s The Ark of the Sun God (1984) on 3/10, followed by Andrea Bianchi’s Burial Ground (1981) on 5/29, and Marino Girolami’s Zombie Holocaust (1980) on 6/26. [Read on here...]

We’ve got no less than four new disc reviews for you today, starting with...

Stephen’s looks at Valerio Zurlini’s Le Soldatesse (1965) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber and Raro Video, Robert Siodmak’s The Devil Strikes at Night (1957) on Blu-ray from Kino Classics, and Matt Reeves’ Cloverfield: 15th Anniversary Limited Edition in 4K Ultra HD Steelbook from Paramount.

And our old friend Dr. Adam Jahnke and yours truly have taken a look at John Sturges’ classic Western, The Magnificent Seven (1960), coming soon on 4K Ultra HD from Shout! Factory.

Be sure to watch for more new disc reviews over the coming days.

Now then, it seems to be a rather slow day in terms of title announcements and new disc release news, but we do have one interesting item for you... [Read on here...]

We’ve got another new disc review for you this morning...

Tim has taken a look at Peter Medak’s The Changeling (1980) on 4K Ultra HD from the good people of Severin Films.

And we have update on a few titles we’ve been talking about in recent days here at The Bits as well..

First, let’s talk Rocky in 4K Ultra HD... we’ve now learned that the first four films will be available in single-film 4K UHD Steelbooks at Best Buy, while other retailers will carry the 4-film Rocky: The Knockout Collection 4K Ultra HD box set on 2/28. This set will include Rocky, Rocky II, Rocky III, and Rocky IV in both the original theatrical cut and Stallone’s new Rocky vs. Drago: The Ultimate Director’s Cut. You can see the cover artwork at left. [Read on here...]

We’ve got some announcement news and a couple of reviews to share with you for our first My Two Cents update of 2023...

Starting as always with those reviews, Tim has posted his thoughts on Reacher: Season One in 4K Ultra HD from Paramount.

Meanwhile, Dennis has offered his take on Lou Adler’s Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains (1982) on Blu-ray from Paramount via Imprint Films, as well as Nathan H. Juran’s Attack of the 50 Ft. Woman (1958) on Blu-ray from our friends at the Warner Archive Collection.

More reviews are forthcoming, so be sure to stay tuned for them.

And in the event you missed it, some of you longtime readers might enjoy my New Year’s Eve look back at twenty-five years of The Digital Bits. It’s certainly been an adventure and we’re all very glad to have you along with us on the journey!

Now then, Disney appears to be re-issuing many of its Disney Animated, Pixar, and Star Wars slate of 4K Ultra HD titles throughout the coming year, exclusively at Best Buy stores, in new “Disney 100” Steelbook packaging. [Read on here...]

“Fiddler on the Roof belongs on the list of the best and most successful musicals, which would include West Side Story, My Fair Lady, and The Sound of Music.” — Matthew Kennedy, author of Roadshow!

The Digital Bits and History, Legacy & Showmanship are pleased to present this retrospective commemorating the golden anniversary of the release of Fiddler on the Roof, the popular, award-winning screen adaptation of the Broadway musical and the writings of Sholem Aleichem.

Directed by Norman Jewison (In the Heat of the Night, Moonstruck), Fiddler starred Topol (Flash Gordon, For Your Eyes Only) as Tevye, the poor Jewish milkman determined to marry off his daughters amidst turmoil in his small Ukrainian village.

Also starring Norma Crane, Leonard Frey, Molly Picon, and Paul Mann, and featuring Oscar-winning cinematography, music, and sound, Fiddler rolled out to movie theaters, initially as a roadshow, beginning fifty years ago this autumn. [Read on here...]

Today’s update here at The Bits will be a quick one, as we have one major title announcement to report, plus what appears to be an audio problem on a key forthcoming 4K catalog title that we’re tracking.

First though, we have a few new disc reviews for you...

Tim has posted his thoughts on Wes Craven’s The Hills Have Eyes (1977), as released in 4K Ultra HD by our friends at Arrow Video.

Meanwhile, Stephen has checked in too with his thoughts on Wes Craven’s Scream (1996), newly released in 4K Ultra HD by Dimension Films via Paramount.

And Dennis has weighed in as well with his two cents on Liesl Tommy’s recent Aretha Franklin biopic, Respect, new on Blu-ray from MGM via Universal Pictures. [Read on here...]