Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker & Uncut Gems reviewed, plus Star Trek: Short Treks, Robert the Bruce & more

Tuesday, 17 March 2020 17:29

Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker & Uncut Gems reviewed, plus Star Trek: Short Treks, Robert the Bruce & more

by Bill Hunt

All right, with all of these coronavirus lockdowns happening, it seems as if Hollywood is slowing its roll on home video announcements. Most of our studio contacts are now working from home, like the rest of us. So we don’t have a lot of news to talk about today, but we’re adjusting by working on more new disc reviews for you to enjoy.

And we’re starting today with a BIG one: I’ve just posted my in-depth look at JJ Abrams’ new Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker on 4K Ultra HD from Disney and Lucasfilm. The disc offers tremendous A/V quality and limited—but really good—extras, including a terrific feature length documentary on the making of the film. The disc streets on 3/31, and the film is actually available now (a week early) on all the usual digital services. Though I should caution you, if you really care about maximum A/V quality, this disc blows the streams away. Of course, your individual needs and requirements will vary. [Read on here...]

Some of you have asked if we’ll be reviewing the other Star Wars catalog titles on 4K Ultra HD too. And the answer is absolutely 100% we will—we just don’t know yet when we’ll get our hands on the discs. Disney doesn’t typically send out its catalog 4Ks for review, so we might get them tomorrow, we might get them a week before street, or we might get them on street date like everyone else. But one way or another, we will be reviewing all 10 of the other films in-depth here at The Bits. So be sure to watch our social media feeds (and here for updates).

Meanwhile, Dennis has turned in a review of Josh and Benny Safdie’s Uncut Gems on Blu-ray. The film stars Adam Sandler and is being released by A24 and Lionsgate. You’ll find that here.

And we do have a little bit of “odds and ends” release news to report today...

CBS has revealed that they’re going to be releasing Star Trek: Short Treks on Blu-ray on 6/2.

Some of you may recall that I recently reviewed the UK import Blu-ray of Angus MacFadyen’s recent Braveheart sequel, Robert the Bruce, here at The Bits. Well good news for US fans: Screen Media has picked up the rights and plans to release it here on 6/2 as well (click here to pre-order).

Meanwhile, Universal has set Stella Meghie’s The Photograph for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 5/12.

Shout! Factory has added Nick Peet’s Lazy Susan to their Blu-ray slate for May. Look for it on 5/12.

IFC Films will release Tea with the Dames, staring Judi Dench , Maggie Smith , Eileen Atkins and Joan Plowright, on Blu-ray and DVD on 5/5.

Sony has set Bad Boys for Life for release on 4/28 and you can see the final Blu-ray and 4K cover artwork below.

AGFA is releasing the 1989 cult film The McPherson Tape (aka UFO Abduction) on Blu-ray on 4/28.

And Severin Films is releasing Jimmy T. Murakami’s 1986 nuclear winter animated film When the Wind Blows on Blu-ray on 4/21.

Finally, a quick note: We’ll have a new History, Legacy & Showmanship column from our own Michael Coate here at The Bits tomorrow, so be sure to watch for it then.

We’ll leave you with a look at the Blu-ray and 4K cover artwork for a number of titles now available for pre-order on Amazon.com (just click the covers)...

Stay tuned...

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Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker & Uncut Gems reviewed, plus Star Trek: Short Treks, Robert the Bruce & more

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