All right, I shouldn’t have tell any of you what today is... it’s Towel Day!

And also, of course, the 40th anniversary of a little film called Star Wars. Not Episode IV. Not A New Hope. Star Wars.

To recognize the occasion, we’ve got a couple things for you here at The Bits today.

First up, our very own Michael Coate has updated and expanded his excellent History, Legacy & Showmanship retrospective column, A Force to Be Reckoned With: Remembering “Star Wars” on its 40th Anniversary. He’s combed newspaper archives all across North America to produce a definitive history of the film’s debut theatrical release back in 1977-1978. Every theater that showed the film, the day it opened in that theater, all of it. Trust me, I’ve learned from personal experience that one’s memory of seeing the film back in 1977 is not as accurate as Michael’s exhaustive research – he’s sent me the vintage microfilmed newspaper clippings to prove it. [Read on here…]

Before we get started today, we’ve updated our recent review of Lionsgate’s Ex Machina in 4K Ultra HD format to include more accurate information about the film’s DI resolution, which is full 4K. Special thanks to Bits reader Ryan F. for the heads-up on the info from American Cinematographer magazine.

Also, our own Russell Hammond has updated the Release Dates & Artwork section for this week with all the latest Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD cover artwork and Amazon.com pre-order links. As always, whenever you order literally anything from Amazon after clicking to them through any of our links, you’re helping to support our work here at the site and we truly do appreciate it. [Read on here…]

We’ve got another couple of disc reviews for you today. First, I’ve updated Tim Salmons’ Blu-ray review of Alex Garland’s Ex Machina to cover Liongate’s new 4K Ultra HD release, due on 6/6. It’s selling for just $16.77 right now on Amazon.

Tim has also taken a look at Umbrella Entertainment’s Australian but Region Free double feature of Electric Boogaloo & Machete Maidens Unleashed! on Blu-ray. Enjoy!

In release news today, it appears (based on numerous retail sources and pre-order listings) that Warner’s Kong: Skull Island has been set for release on Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD on 7/18. We’re waiting on official specs, details, and cover artwork from the studio. [Read on here…]

All right, I believe we promised some new disc reviews for you today. So here’s my thoughts on 20th Century Fox’s Logan and Lionsgate’s Dredd in 4K Ultra HD, as well as Tim’s thoughts on Never Too Young to Die on Blu-ray from Shout! Factory.

We’ll have a couple more for you tomorrow, including Ex Machina in 4K. Logan and Dredd are worth your time, as movies and also as great A/V experiences. Logan shines in full 4K and Dredd is a 2K upsample, but really dazzles with HDR. Do give them a look. [Read on here…]

All right, we’ve got a bit of good new release news for you today.

First though, we’ve got a BUNCH of new Blu-ray and 4K reviews for you to enjoy this afternoon. I’ve posted my thoughts on Universal’s brand new Dracula: The Complete Legacy Collection and The Mummy: The Complete Legacy Collection sets, plus I’ve updated our old friend Barrie Maxwell’s review of Lionsgate’s 3:10 to Yuma to reflect the new 4K Ultra HD release. Also, Tim Salmons has checked in with this thoughts on Scream Factory’s new Tales from the Hood: Collector’s Edition, The Screaming Skull, and I Bury the Living Blu-rays.

And if you think that’s good, check back on Monday when we’ll have reviews for you of 20th Century Fox’s Logan and Lionsgate’s new Ex Machina and Dredd releases, all in 4K Ultra HD format. [Read on here…]

All right, here’s great news for fans of director Luc Besson and 4K Ultra HD: As we predicted earlier this week (see our story here), Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has officially announced the 4K Ultra HD release of Besson’s The Fifth Element and Léon: The Professional on 7/11, timed to coincide with the theatrical release of Besson’s new science fiction film Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets just ten days later.

Both discs will include both 4K and Blu-ray Discs, the latter containing all of the archival special features. Each 4K disc will include Dolby Atmos audio. Léon: The Professional will include both the theatrical and extended cuts in full 4K resolution. And The Fifth Element will include the all new The Director’s Notes: Luc Besson Looks Back featurette. [Read on here…]

All right, we’ve got just a couple things for you today...

First, we’ve posted the weekly update of our handy Release Dates & Artwork section with all the latest Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD cover artwork and Amazon.com pre-order links. As always, anytime you order literally anything from Amazon through our links you’re helping to support our work here at The Bits and we really do appreciate it.

Also, as you can see (at left and below), we’ve posted the cover artwork for Mill Creek’s Shakes the Clown Blu-ray, which is indeed now pre-orderable on Amazon at this link. We know a few people who’ve been waiting for that one.

Now then... [Read on here…]

We’ve got some great new title announcements for you today!

First or all, The Criterion Collection has just revealed their August Blu-ray and DVD slate, which breaks down as follows. Look for Michael Curtiz’s The Breaking Point (Cat #889 – Blu-ray and DVD) on 8/8, Mike Leigh’s Meantime (Cat #890 – Blu-ray and DVD) and an updating of Ronald Neame’s Hopscotch (Cat #105 – Blu-ray, DVD, and iTunes) on 8/15, and Sacha Guitry’s La Poison (Cat #891 – Blu-ray and DVD) and an updating of Alex Cox’s Sid & Nancy (Cat #20 – Blu-ray and DVD) on 8/22. Also, it now appears that Orson Welles’ Othello (Cat #870 – Blu-ray and DVD) has finally been rescheduled for release on 9/26. We’ve updated our Criterion Spines Project page accordingly. [Read on here…]

We have a late update of the site with some breaking news...

FUNimation has just announced that it officially plans to release Toho’s live action Shin Godzilla (2016) on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital HD on 8/1. The film was directed by Hideaki Anno and Shinji Higuchi. You’ll be able to watch the film in the original Japanese with English subtitles or in a new English language dub. The package will also include special features TBA. [Read on here…]

Afternoon, folks. We’re going to get you caught up on some recent release news today and we also have a preview of some interesting 4K Ultra HD titles our industry and retail sources suggest are coming before the end of the year.

But first, I want to apologize for the lack of posts late last week. On Tuesday morning, I came down with the flu. It pretty much put me out of action from Wednesday night through Friday. Seriously, I had the whole fever and body aches routine going for a good 36 hours – no fun. Moral of the story is: Get your flu shots, kids. There’s a bad one going around. In any case, thanks for your patience while I get back up to speed.

In announcement news today, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has set Daniel Espinosa’s recent sci-fi thriller Life for release on 6/20 on Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD. The Digital release is expected on 6/2. The extras on all versions will include deleted scenes, unseen Astronaut Diaries, and 3 featurettes (Claustrophobic Terror: Creating a Thriller in Space, Life: In Zero G, and Creating Life: The Art and Reality of Calvin). No word yet on the 4K SKU’s audio or HDR. [Read on here…]