• Just in time for COBRA KAI: Season 4, Sony sets a 3-film KARATE KID COLLECTION for 4K Ultra HD on 12/7!
    Just in time for COBRA KAI: Season 4, Sony sets a 3-film KARATE KID COLLECTION for 4K Ultra HD on 12/7!
  • Bill reviews Imprint's new SPACE: 1999 – THE COMPLETE SERIES ULTIMATE EDITION on All Region Blu-ray
    Bill reviews Imprint's new SPACE: 1999 – THE COMPLETE SERIES ULTIMATE EDITION on All Region Blu-ray
  • Warner Bros. finally makes its 4-film MAD MAX ANTHOLOGY box set official for 4K Ultra HD on 11/2
    Warner Bros. finally makes its 4-film MAD MAX ANTHOLOGY box set official for 4K Ultra HD on 11/2
  • Bill reviews Random Space Media’s BREAKING BAD: COMPLETE SERIES Blu-ray, which includes EL CAMINO
    Bill reviews Random Space Media’s BREAKING BAD: COMPLETE SERIES Blu-ray, which includes EL CAMINO
  • Hal Ashby’s HAROLD AND MAUDE (1971) arrives on Blu-ray on 12/7 as a Paramount Presents release
    Hal Ashby’s HAROLD AND MAUDE (1971) arrives on Blu-ray on 12/7 as a Paramount Presents release
  • Bill checks out M. Night Shyamalan’s beautifully-remastered UNBREAKABLE (2000) on 4K Ultra HD from Disney
    Bill checks out M. Night Shyamalan’s beautifully-remastered UNBREAKABLE (2000) on 4K Ultra HD from Disney
  • Bill spins Jonathan Demme’s THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS (1991) in 4K UHD from Kino Lorber Studio Classics
    Bill spins Jonathan Demme’s THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS (1991) in 4K UHD from Kino Lorber Studio Classics
  • Tim reviews Dario Argento’s THE CAT O’NINE TAILS (1971) in 4K Ultra HD from Arrow Video
    Tim reviews Dario Argento’s THE CAT O’NINE TAILS (1971) in 4K Ultra HD from Arrow Video
  • Stephen looks back at Martin Scorsese’s CASINO (1995) on 4K Ultra HD from Universal
    Stephen looks back at Martin Scorsese’s CASINO (1995) on 4K Ultra HD from Universal
  • Bill checks out Frank Darabont’s THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION on 4K Ultra HD from Warner Bros.
    Bill checks out Frank Darabont’s THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION on 4K Ultra HD from Warner Bros.
  • Bill rides along with Vin Diesel’s crew in Justin Lin’s outrageous F9: THE FAST SAGA in 4K UHD from Universal
    Bill rides along with Vin Diesel’s crew in Justin Lin’s outrageous F9: THE FAST SAGA in 4K UHD from Universal
  • Warner Bros. Home Entertainment sets Lisa Joy’s REMINISCENCE for Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD on 11/9
    Warner Bros. Home Entertainment sets Lisa Joy’s REMINISCENCE for Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD on 11/9
  • Criterion's December slate has ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI & LEARNING TREE on BD, plus THE RED SHOES in 4K
    Criterion's December slate has ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI & LEARNING TREE on BD, plus THE RED SHOES in 4K
  • Warner makes their MIDDLE-EARTH: 31-DISC ULTIMATE COLLECTOR’S EDITION official for release on 10/26
    Warner makes their MIDDLE-EARTH: 31-DISC ULTIMATE COLLECTOR’S EDITION official for release on 10/26
My Two Cents
September 29, 2021 - 4:41 pm

Today’s update is just a quick one, but we have more reviews for you and some great announcement news too...

First up, I’ve just taken an in-depth look at Imprint’s new Space: 1999 – The Complete Series Ultimate Edition Blu-ray box set, which is far and away the most comprehensive version of the series released yet on this format. It contains all 48 episodes of the series in 1080p (the Network remasters) with the correct mono & 5.1 audio mixes (not the flawed 5.1 from the Shout! Factory set), PLUS nearly all of the special features from the Network Blu-ray sets, AND nearly all of the recent Shout! Factory exclusive extras, AND all four compilation films too! It even comes with a new 48-page liner notes book, The Making of Space: 1999, by Ian Fryer of Fanderson. Best of all? It’s an ALL REGION release, so there’s not need to have an all-region Blu-ray player to watch the contents. As an Australian import, it’s a little pricey. But if you’re a fan of this series, trust me when I say that this is definitely the Blu-ray set you want.

Also today, our own Tim Salmons has taken a look at Imprint’s new Blu-ray edition of Mike Newell’s The Awakening (1980). And he’s reviewed the recent Scream Factory version of The Awakening as well, for the sake of comparison. [Read on here...]

September 28, 2021 - 5:50 pm

We start today with three more new disc reviews.

First up is my look at Random Space Media’s recent Breaking Bad: The Complete Series Blu-ray box set, an all region release that includes the Netflix streaming sequel El Camino. Note that this set is currently selling for the same price on Amazon as Sony’s wide-release Blu-ray set that does not include the sequel film.

Also today, Tim has posted his thoughts on Roland Klick’s Deadlock (1970), a fascinating film newly released in 4K by Subkultur Entertainment via Vinegar Syndrome.

And Stephen has turned in a new 4K review as well, this one of Stephanie Rothman’s Terminal Island (1972) on Ultra HD, also from Vinegar Syndrome.

Now then, in announcement news today, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has made their Mad Max Anthology official for release on 4K Ultra HD and Digital on 11/2, just as we’ve been expecting for weeks now. [Read on here...]

September 27, 2021 - 5:45 pm

Afternoon, everyone! I trust you all had a great weekend.

We’ve got some more new disc reviews for you today, as expected, with more on the way all week long.

First up, I’ve given Tom Lowe immersive and mesmerizing native 4K documentary Awaken a look on Ultra HD from our friends at Gunpowder & Sky and DUST, via Vinegar Syndrome. Think Samsara and Baraka and you’re in the fight ballpark. The film is really gorgeous and it’s a nice 4K release, so do give it a look if you’re interested.

Also today, Tim has reviewed the great Carl Reiner’s Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (1982) a look on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics. As most of you know, this classic comedy stars Steve Martin.

And Dennis has turned in his thoughts on Neil Jordan’s Mona Lisa (1986), as recently-released on Blu-ray by our friends at The Criterion Collection.

All of these titles are worth a look. [Read on here...]

September 24, 2021 - 5:09 pm

We’re closing out the week here at The Digital Bits today with another new disc review and a little bit more release news as well...

First up, I’ve given M. Night Shyamalan’s Unbreakable (2000) a look in 4K Ultra HD from Disney. This was an early Vista Series DVD title that eventually found its way to Blu-ray in 2008. But the good news is that not only has the film gotten a terrific 4K remaster for UHD, the Blu-ray in the package is remastered as well. And both are a major improvement over any previous release. I think fans of the film will be pleased with this one.

As always, lots more new disc reviews are cooking for next week, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for them.

Now then... in announcement news today, our friends at Arrow Video have just revealed their December release slate, which includes the previously announced Shawscope: Volume One Blu-ray box set along with My Stepmother Is an Alien on Blu-ray in the US, UK, and Canada, as well as The Last Matinee and the Rainer Werner Fassbinder Collection: Volume II (includes Fear Eats the Soul, Effi Briest, Fox and His Friends & Chinese Roulette, and The Marriage of Maria Braun) on Blu-ray in the UK only, and the Giallo Essentials Collection (includes What Have They Done to Your Daughters?, Torso, and Strip Nude for Your Killer) on Blu-ray in the US and Canada only. The street date for all seems to be 12/7, save for Shawscope: Volume One and My Stepmother Is an Alien, which appear to be due on or about 12/14. You can see the cover artwork for the Fassbinder set above left. [Read on here...]

September 23, 2021 - 10:07 pm

Sorry for the lack of a news update these past few days, folks, but the truth is there just hasn’t been a lot of announcement news to report on here. There are, however, lots of new Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD titles coming in for review, so that’s what we’ve been focusing on. On that note, we have for you today...

My thoughts on Jonathan Demme’s The Silence of the Lambs (1991), which is coming to 4K Ultra HD from Kino Lorber Studio Classics (on 10/19) with a fantastic remastered image and a remastered Blu-ray copy too.

My take on Justin Lin’s F9: The Fast Saga as newly-released on 4K Ultra HD from Universal Studios Home Entertainment.

And my review of Frank Darabont’s The Shawshank Redemption (1994) on 4K Ultra HD from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, a disc that delivers one of the best catalog 4K remasters I’ve seen in a long time.

But that’s not all: We also have Tim’s take on Sandy Harbutt’s Stone (1974) on Blu-ray from Umbrella Entertainment.

And Tim’s review of Dario Argento’s The Cat O’Nine Tails (1971) on 4K Ultra HD from Arrow Video. [Read on here...]

September 20, 2021 - 7:20 pm

We have some new announcement news for you today, but first more reviews...

I’ve posted my thoughts on Marvel’s Black Widow in 4K Ultra HD, directed by Cate Shortland. And surprise, the film is finally available to order from Amazon.com, so there’s that.

Also today, Tim has reviewed Michael Chaves’ The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It in 4K UHD from Warner Bros. Note that the studio is now calling it The Conjuring 3 just to avoid confusion.

And finally, Dennis has turned in his two cents on George Stevens’ A Place in the Sun (1951) as newly-released on Blu-ray as part of the Paramount Presents line-up.

More reviews are coming tomorrow, so keep your eyes peeled for them. [Read on here...]

September 16, 2021 - 6:48 pm

We have just a quick news update for you here today, as I’m personally working on more new 4K reviews...

But Stephen has just turned in his thoughts on Phillipe Labro’s The Hunter Will Get You (1976) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

And Tim has delivered not just one but two new reviews of Bernard McEveety’s The Brotherhood of Satan (1971) on Blu-ray, including this one from Imprint/Via Vision Entertainment and this one from Arrow Video.

Also here at The Bits today, we’ve updated our 4K Ultra HD Release List, to include new 4K titles now available for pre-order, as well as our Release Dates & Artwork section, which has LOTS of new cover artwork for forthcoming Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD titles along with pre-order links. As always, whenever you order literally anything from Amazon after clicking to them from one of our links, you’re helping to support our work here at The Bits and we really appreciate it. [Read on here...]

September 16, 2021 - 12:00 am

This is a quick post to let you all know that Russell Hammond has just posted the weekly update of our Release Dates & Cover Artwork section here at The Digital Bits with all the latest Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD cover artwork and Amazon.com pre-order links. As a NEW feature, the section now lets you search for upcoming Blu-ray titles, DVD titles, AND 4K Ultra HD titles seperately to help you find exactly the ones you’re looking for. Just click on RELEASE DATES & ART on the menu bar above to visit the page, and use the search options in the red bar (at the top) to sort by format and date. Once you find a title you like, just click on the cover art and you’ll be taken right to the Amazon.com pre-order page. Thank you for shopping through our links!

- Bill Hunt

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