Displaying items by tag: Bill Hunt

Welcome to a new week, Bits readers! And the theme of this week is all about disc reviews. We’ve posted no less than SEVEN of them over the weekend, and we have lots more coming in the next few days, including some MAJOR and long-awaited 4K titles. But more on that in a minute.

To start today, we’ve got new reviews of the following titles...

My take on Scott Beck and Bryan Woods’ 65 (2023) in 4K Ultra HD from Sony, along with William Hanna and Joseph Barbera’s feature-length animated classic Hey There, It’s Yogi Bear! (1964) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection), as well as John Frankenheimer’s classic actioner Ronin (1998) in 4K Ultra HD from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

All three titles are worth a look, and Ronin looks absolutely spectacular—it’s mastered from a recent 4K scan, and both the Blu-ray and the 4K disc in the package are a major improvement over the previous Arrow Blu-ray release, which was certainly good for its day. You definitely don’t want to miss that one.

Also today, we have Stephen’s review of Patrice Leconte’s Man on the Train (2002) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber.

We have Dennis’ thoughts on Raymond Griffith: The Silk Hat Comedian on Blu-ray from Undercrank Productions, which includes Paths to Paradise (1925) and You’d Be Surprised (1926).

And we close things out with Tim’s look at James Wan’s Dead Silence (2007) in 4K Ultra HD from Scream Factory, as well as Kevin Reynolds’ Waterworld (1995) in 4K Ultra HD from Arrow Video! [Read on here...]

We start today with four new disc reviews, with more on the way...

Tim has reviewed Kevin Smith’s Mallrats (1995) in 4K Ultra HD from Arrow Video.

Stephen has turned in his thoughts on Terry Gilliam’s The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988) in 4K Ultra HD from Criterion, as well as Jim McBride’s The Big Easy (1986) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

And Stuart has taken a look at Susan Seidelman’s Making Mr. Right (1987) on Blu-ray, also from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

Meanwhile today, we have a bunch of announcement news to report, starting with this: Rhino/Parlophone are releasing D.A. Pennebaker’s Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1979) in a new 2CD + Blu-ray package in the UK on 8/11 in honor of the film’s 50th anniversary! The package will include the remastered soundtrack album, as well as the acclaimed concert film itself newly restored in 4K from the original negatives. Note that while this is a UK release, the Blu-ray is coded for all regions and will include both 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and the original stereo in PCM format. Both the film and soundtrack have also been restored to completion for the first time, and now include The Jean Genie/Love Me Do medley and Round and Round featuring Jeff Beck.

You can read more here, and you can see the packaging at left and also below. [Read on here...]

All right, we’ve got a lot of ground to cover today, including a bunch of new Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD release news. But first, we have more new disc reviews for you as always...

Tim has taken a look at Zack Snyder’s Dawn of the Dead (2004) remake in 4K Ultra HD from Scream Factory, as well as Chester Fox and Alex Stevens’ Massage Parlor Murders (1973) in 4K UHD from Vinegar Syndrome.

Stephen has reviewed Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger’s The Red Shoes (1948) in 4K Ultra HD from Criterion.

And Stuart has offered his thoughts on Charles Barton’s Double Crossbones (1951) and Richard Goldstone and John Marks, Jr.’s No Man Is an Island (1962) both on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics, as well as Frank Capra’s State of the Union (1948) on Region B Blu-ray from Indicator and Powerhouse Films.

Watch for more new disc reviews tomorrow and all this week.

Now then, let’s get to that release news. We’ll start with the officially-announced titles first...

Paramount Home Entertainment has just set John Hughes’ Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) for release on 4K Ultra HD on 8/1. It will include both Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos audio. In a nice surprise, extras will include Hughes’ original director’s commentary, which hasn’t been available since the 1999 DVD release. You’ll also get 5 legacy featurettes (including Getting the Class Together: The Cast of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, The Making of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Who is Ferris Bueller?, The World According to Ben Stein, and Vintage Ferris Bueller: The Lost Tapes). You can see the cover art at left and also below. [Read on here...]

We have two more new disc reviews for you to enjoy today...

Tim has taken a good look at Stanley Tong’s Super Cop (1992, aka Police Story 3) in 4K Ultra HD, which is finally available from 88 Films. As many of you will already know, the film stars Jackie Chan and Michelle Yeoh.

And Stephen has turned in his thoughts on The Spierig Brothers’ Undead (2003) on Blu-ray from Umbrella Entertainment and Vinegar Syndrome.

We’ve also got a bunch of new title announcements...

First, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has now officially set Elia Kazan’s East of Eden (1955) and Howard Hawks’ Rio Bravo (1959) for release on 4K Ultra HD and 4K Digital on 7/18, as expected. Per the studio’s press release, both titles have been restored in partnership with Martin Scorsese’s The Film Foundation. Each will feature HDR10 high dynamic range and DTS-HD Master Audio. East of Eden will include the previous audio commentary by film historian Richard Schickel. Rio Bravo will include the previous commentary with filmmaker John Carpenter and Schickel. You can see the cover art at left and also below. Note that both titles are now available for pre-order on Amazon (SRP $33.99 each) by clicking on the cover art below. [Read on here...]

We hope those of you here in the States are all enjoying the long Memorial Day weekend. As it is a work holiday here today, there’s not a lot of official news to report. But we do have some significant 4K news from retail and other sources.

And we have some new disc reviews for you today as well, including...

Stephen’s look at Robert Rossen’s WWII classic They Came to Cordura (1959) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

Stuart’s take on the first season of a French TV title called Paris Police 1900 (2021) on DVD from Kino Lorber.

And Dennis’ review of Alexander Hall’s Little Miss Marker (1934) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

More reviews are forthcoming this all week, so be sure to stay tuned for them. [Read on here...]

All right, we’ve got a few things to share with you today here at The Digital Bits...

First, our own Russell Hammond has completed a major new update of our interactive Release Dates & Cover Artwork section, featuring all kinds of new Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD cover artwork, with Amazon.com pre-order links! All of the latest title announcements are included and we’re going to be adding more every week to keep the section fully up to date. The section also now features an option to sort the displayed page results by format and even by Criterion titles! And as always, whenever you pre-order literally anything from Amazon after clicking through to them from one of our links, you’re helping to support our work here at The Bits and we really appreciate it.

Also, before we get to new release news for this afternoon, today marks the 46th anniversary of the theatrical release of George Lucas’ original Star Wars (1977). It’s also the 43rd anniversary of Richard Marquand’s Return of the Jedi (1983) and the 44th anniversary of Ridley Scott’s Alien (1979). So to celebrate the occasion, we’d like to call your attention to a few of our own Michael Coate’s History, Legacy & Showmanship retrospectives on these films here at The Bits:

A Force to be Reckoned With: Remembering “Star Wars” on its 40th Anniversary

Remembering “Return of the Jedi” on its 30th Anniversary

Celebrate the Love: Remembering “Return of the Jedi” on its 35th Anniversary

Still Screaming in Space: Remembering “Alien” on its 40th Anniversary

All of these are well worth your reading time and are filled with tremendous detail about the production and original theatrical release of these iconic films. [Read on here...]

Today’s update is a brief one, because we’re working on a number of things here at the site today. But we start with a couple of new disc reviews...

Dennis has checked out Ridley Scott’s Thelma & Louise (1991) as newly released on Blu-ray by The Criterion Collection.

And Stuart has weighed in with his thoughts on Kino Lorber Studio Classics’ Arsène Lupin Collection on Blu-ray, which includes Jacques Becker’s The Adventures of Arsène Lupin (1957), Yves Robert’s Signed Arsène Lupin (1959), and Édouard Molinaro’s Arsène Lupin vs. Arsène Lupin (1962).

More reviews are forthcoming, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for them.

Now then, we have three significant pieces of news to report...

First, Kino Lorber Studio Classics has revealed that they’re working on a new 4K Ultra HD release of Fred Zinnemann’s classic western High Noon (1952), starring Gary Cooper, Grace Kelly, Thomas Mitchell, Lloyd Bridges, and Katy Jurado. That’s currently listed as coming soon. [Read on here...]

JAMES CAMERON’S GLOBAL PHENOMENON
AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER ARRIVES ON BLU-RAY, BLU-RAY 3D AND 4K ULTRA HD ON JUNE 20

PLUS: EXPERIENCE THE ORIGINAL AVATAR REMASTERED IN STUNNING 4K AT DIGITAL RETAIL AND ON BLU-RAY DISC JUNE 20

BURBANK, CA (May 22, 2023) – On June 20, Avatar fans have double cause for celebration as Avatar: The Way of Water makes its long-awaited debut on 4K UHD, Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray and DVD and the original Avatar arrives for the first time on 4K UHD in High Dynamic Range to digital retailers and on Blu-ray disc.

Avatar: The Way of Water release will include over three hours of bonus content featuring the filmmakers, cast and crew.

The 4K UHD edition of the original Avatar has both existing and new bonus features including Memories From Avatar, where Producer Jon Landau leads a spirited conversation with cast members, Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver and Stephen Lang, recalling warm memories from production and reflecting on the extraordinary success of the film. Plus Avatar: A Look Back, provides a retrospective where cast and filmmakers reflect on their extraordinary journey making Avatar, the groundbreaking technologies they used to create an unparalleled cinematic experience, and the profound effect the film had on audiences worldwide.

Nominated for numerous Academy Awards including Best Picture, Avatar: The Way of Water became the third highest-grossing film of all time worldwide and set a new benchmark for visual effects. Produced by Cameron and his longtime partner Jon Landau, the 20th Century Studios—Lightstorm Entertainment production stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Cliff Curtis and Kate Winslet. Joining the illustrious adult cast are talented newcomers Britain Dalton, Jamie Flatters, Trinity Jo-Li Bliss, Bailey Bass and Jack Champion. The screenplay is by James Cameron & Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver, with story by James Cameron & Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver & Josh Friedman & Shane Salerno. David Valdes and Richard Baneham serve as the film’s executive producers. [Read on here...]

Afternoon, folks!

This is just a quick and rare weekend My Two Cents here at The Bits in celebration of the fact that today marks a major movie anniversary: 43 years ago today, The Empire Strikes Back was released into theaters!

As many of you can attest firsthand, the event was certainly life changing for all those of us who were there to experience it as teenagers.

And to celebrate the occasion, I’d like to call your attention to a trio of great History, Legacy & Showmanship columns here at The Bits written by our own Michael Coate:

Empire @ 40: Remembering the Early 70mm Cut from 12/21/20.

Betting the Ranch: Remembering "The Empire Strikes Back" on its 40th Anniversary from 5/21/20.

The Force Defeated: Remembering "The Empire Strikes Back" on its 35th Anniversary from 5/21/15.

But that’s not all! [Read on here...]

We’ve got three more new disc reviews for you today...

First, I’ve taken a look at Apple TV’s For All Mankind: Season One, as released on Region B Blu-ray in the UK by Dazzler Media. This is one of my favorite series—and alternate history of NASA’s space program in a world where the Soviets beat America to the Moon in the 1960s, co-created by Ron Moore of Battlestar Galactica, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Outlander, which starts as a Mad Men-like period drama and gradually moved into the territory of science fiction with each new season. Dazzler’s release is the only place you can get the series on physical media, and I’ll be reviewing Season Two on Blu-ray shortly as well.

Also, Dennis has reviewed Mike Hodges’ I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead (2003) and Bernardo Bertolucci’s Little Buddha (1993) on Blu-ray from Imprint Films and Via Vision in Australia.

Speaking of Imprint Films, the company has just unveiled its August Blu-ray slate, which is set to include the following... Film Focus: Jennifer Connelly—which includes Career Opportunities (1991), Waking the Dead (2000), and House of Sand and Fog (2003)—Film Focus: Jessica Lange—which includes Frances (1982), Crimes of the Heart (1986), Music Box (1989), and Losing Isaiah (1995)—Alan Rudolph’s Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle (1994), Karen Moncrieff’s Blue Car (2002), and Steven Zaillian’s Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993). [Read on here...]