Displaying items by tag: The Digital Bits

Morning, folks.  We’ve had pretty strong response to our column from yesterday about out-of-control retail Blu-ray exclusives.  Seems like a lot of you are irritated by this trend as taken to its recent extreme. 

Meanwhile, we’ve got some new announcement and release news for you today…

The big news is that Universal has set Riddick for release on Blu-ray/DVD Combo on 1/14.  The digital release will happen on 12/17.  The BD will include an unrated director’s cut version of the film.  Extras will include 6 featurettes (Riddick: Blindsided, Meet the Mercs, Vin’s Riddick, The World of Riddick, Riddickian Tech and The Twohy Touch).  There will also be a new Riddick: Complete Collection on Blu-ray that same day that includes Pitch Black, The Chronicles of Riddick, Dark Fury and Riddick in one package.  [Read on here…]

All right, in the wake of our report from a few months ago on Paramount’s out-of-control retail exclusives on the Star Trek Into Darkness Blu-ray release (which quickly went viral around the Net and ultimately even inspired a Forbes piece), a follow-up post on this issue here at The Bits was inevitable.  Because the truth is, most of the Hollywood studios are involved in the practice of giving retailers special “exclusive” BD content they can advertise as “only available here!”  In fact, this has been going on for years.  [Read on here...]

Afternoon, folks!  And a special Veteran’s Day nod out to all those of you in uniform who might be serving around the world (and you ex-vets too).

We’re working on more reviews today and we do have one new review for you this afternoon here at The Bits:  Joe Marchese has checked in with a look at Kino’s The Hitch-Hiker (1953) on Blu-ray.  Do check it out.

In announcement news, we’ve got a number of interesting things to report for you today…  [Read on here]

We’re closing out the week with a very quick post.  Just two things in fact…

First, I’ve finally completed my in-depth review of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey – Extended Edition on Blu-ray.  It includes 182 minutes of film (12 of which are new), 182 minutes of audio commentary, and 9 hours and 16 minutes of Appendices material.  That’s one spicy meatball.  And it’s worth digging into if you’re a fan of the film.  As I said yesterday, the footage added into the film doesn’t add up to much, but the documentaries are every bit as good as you’d expect.  If you’re a fan of these films and you enjoyed the previous Lord of the Rings: Extended Editions, don’t hesitate to make the purchase.  [Read on here…]

Afternoon, everyone.  We should have that review of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey – Extended Edition for you tomorrow.  However, the Cliff’s Notes version (for those of you wanting to know if you should buy it or not) is that the A/V quality is excellent, the extended footage doesn’t really add up to much (though there are a couple of nice character-enhancing moments), but the 9-hours worth of documentary material is terrific and well worth buying the disc for all by itself if you’re a Rings or Hobbit fan.  [Read on here…]

Okay, we’ve got a very quick release news update for you to today.  I’m only about halfway through The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey – Extended BD documentary features and I’ve about another 5 hours to go, so I need to get back to it if I’m ever going to get a review posted.

Meanwhile, here’s the latest title announcements…

The Cohen Film Collection is releasing The Vivien Leigh Collection on Blu-ray and DVD on 11/19, including 4 restored classic films – Fire Over England (1937), Dark Journey (1937), Storm in a Teacup (1937) and St. Martin’s Lane (1938).  SRP is $59.98 for Blu-ray and $49.98 for DVD.  [Read on here…]

All right, couple things today…

First, I’ve got that Blu-ray review I promised yesterday: My thoughts on Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel, coming in HD from Warner on 11/12.  I know this film divided movie geeks over the summer, but I have no uncertainty in my feelings for it.  I think it’s a great take on the mythos and a rare superhero film that I’m actually excited about.  And the Blu-ray’s not half bad either.  Do check it out.  [Read on here…]

All right, we’ve got a quick rundown of new release news for you this morning, and then I’ll be back tomorrow morning with a major new Blu-ray review for you.  First though, the news…

Sony has announced that Insidious: Chapter 2 will arrive on Blu-ray Combo and DVD on 12/24 (SRP $40.99 and $30.99).  Extras will include 6 featurettes (Peripheral Vision: Behind the Scenes, Ghostly Transformation, Leigh Whannell’s Insidious Journal, The Haunting of Insidious 2, Work in Progress: On Set Q&A and Insidious: Spectral Sightings).  [Read on here…]

Well folks, we hope you all had a nice Halloween… and we sure hope you all enjoyed this year’s Hell Plaza Oktoberfest.  Dr. Jahnke and the rest of The Bits team pulled out all the stops to make it a goodun for you all, so there you go.  We sure appreciate your readership.

Now then, today’s update is going to be a quick news roundup from the last couple days, and then we expect to be back next week with more reviews, including a couple titles you guys have probably been waiting for, including Warner’s Man of Steel and New Line’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey – Extended Edition among others.  [Read on here…]

Okay, we’ll be back later today with our regular post, but this was too good not to jump in with it immediately.  For about the next 13 hours, Amazon.com is running a “Gold Box Deal of the Day” on Fox’s complete Alien Anthology Blu-ray box set and also the 2-disc Prometheus on Blu-ray – just $20 for the box and $10 for Prometheus!  The Alien Anthology box is one of the best special edition box sets ever produced, created by our old friend Charles de Lauzirika.  So if you’ve been looking at it and haven’t picked it up yet, today’s the day.  You’ll never get a better price than $20!

Back later!  Stay tuned…

- Bill Hunt