Now then, the unofficial news...
Following up on our Disney animated Blu-ray report from a few weeks ago, Amazon.com has just listed The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad and Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers for BD release on 8/12.
Also today, sources tell us that Funimation is soon to announce the U.S. BD release of Ghost in the Shell: Arise – Borders 1 & 2. They’re also looking at the U.S. release of Cowboy Bebop: The Complete Series as a likely fourth quarter 2014 title on Blu-ray.
While we’re on the subject of possible upcoming BD titles, here’s the one bit of bummer news: Industry sources also tell us that Network in the U.K. still hasn’t decided whether or not they’re going to release Space: 1999 – Season Two on Blu-ray. They’ve apparently been considering the release for months, but still have not pulled the trigger. We’re working to learn more on this, so we’ll update as we can.
By the way, you remember how we originally broke the news that The X-Files would be getting an HD “remastered” make-over for possible Blu-ray release a couple years ago (see our reports here and here)? Well, we’re now hearing that HTV Illuminate is apparently nearly done with their work on the HD remaster of the entire series. It’s still not yet been slated for Blu-ray release by 20th Century Fox, nor has it appeared in HD on Netflix, but remastered episodes are already running in syndication on the new El Rey Network and on the German TV network ProSieben Maxx HD. Apparently it started back in January in Germany and screenshots have been appearing around the Net recently. Here’s an example (all credit out to the unknown person who originally posted the screenshot):
Finally today, here’s a little treat for you 007 fans that our friend (and BD producer) Robert Meyer Burnett alerted us to this afternoon: The website The 007 Dossier has just posted MP3 files of the “banned” Criterion laserdisc audio commentaries for the films Dr. No, From Russia with Love, and Goldfinger! These tracks were recorded by Criterion for their original LDs way back in 1991 and were initially released, but Albert Broccoli felt they were unacceptable and had them all pulled and re-issued without the tracks. Now you can finally download them and enjoy, so be sure to head over there ASAP if you’re a Bond fan. They’re well worth the time.
Here’s a look at the Blu-ray Disc cover artwork for Scream’s The Legend of Hell House, Leviathan and Phantom of the Paradise...
Stay tuned...
- Bill Hunt