In announcement news, really the biggest bit of news isn’t actually disc related. Well, at least not YET anyway. David Lynch, Mark Frost, and Showtime have announced that they’re bringing Twin Peaks back to TV as a 9-episode Showtime limited series in 2016. Every episode will be directed by Lynch personally. Here’s the official “announcement” trailer...
I suppose we shouldn’t be surprised given how supportive CBS has been of the Blu-ray release. Makes perfect sense. I’m not sure that the show needs a continuation, but that’s how such things go these days, so best that the original creators are directly involved. Fingers crossed it will meet expectations.
In title announcement news today, Warner Home Video has set Into the Storm for Blu-ray, DVD, and digital release on 11/18 (SRP $35.99 and $28.98 for the discs). Extras will include a trio of featurettes (Into the Storm: Tornado Files, Titus: The Ultimate Chasing Vehicle, and Fake Storms: Real Conditions).
Anchor Bay and Starz have set Black Sails: The Complete First Season for Blu-ray, DVD, and digital release on 1/6/15 (SRP $59.99 and $49.98 for the discs). All 8 episodes will be included, along with 6 featurettes (Black Sails: A Look Inside, Dress to Kill, Pirate Camp, Folklore Is Finished: Pirate Politics, A Place in History, and Building the Behemoth).
And here’s something awesome: Our friends at Twilight Time have announced their anticipated Blu-ray release slate for November and December, as well as January and February of 2015, and it includes some real gems. On 11/11, look for Birdman of Alcatraz (1962), Judgment at Nuremberg (1961), When the Wind Blows (1986 – with Jimmy Murakami: Non-Alien – 2010), Flaming Star (1960), Bunny Lake is Missing (1965), and one of my all-time favorites, The Twilight Samurai (2002). On 12/9, look for Yentl (1983), Funny Lady (1975), Inherit the Wind (1960), Heaven and Earth (1993), The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1968), and The Fortune (1975). On 1/20, look for The Bride Wore Black (1968), The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985), Breaking Away (1979), a Fright Night: 30th Anniversary Special Edition (1985), and Bandit Queen (1994). On 2/10, watch for Lenny (1974), Love and Death (1975), The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre (1967), Stormy Weather (1943), and To Sir, with Love (1967). Finally, on 2/24, look for Zardoz (1974). THAT... is a terrific slate of catalog titles. Absolutely something for everyone, including some rare gems and cult classics.
Now then... we also have today an updated statement from Criterion on their potentially defective discs situation. Here’s the deal...
“We have confirmed that certain Blu-ray discs pressed at a replication facility that we used for a period in 2010 have become defective, showing a noticeable bronze discoloration on the underside and developing playback problems. We have confirmed the problem on seven titles, but not on all copies. All of these titles have since been re-pressed at a different pressing plant, and the vast majority of discs in circulation should not be affected.
The potentially affected Blu-ray titles are: Summer Hours, Walkabout, Paris, Texas, M, The Seventh Seal, Pierrot le Fou, Howards End
If you have found that your Blu-ray copy of one of these titles does not play, please send your disc in to the following address for a replacement: Jon Mulvaney – The Criterion Collection, 215 Park Avenue South, 5th floor, New York, NY 10003
Please include only your disc – no packaging – along with the address to which you’d like us to mail your replacement. We will not be replacing or exchanging packaging. There is no need to email us in addition. If we learn that other titles are similarly defective, we will add them to the list and continue to replace them as well. Thank you for your patience and understanding.”
So there you have it. If they add more discs to this list, we’ll keep you updated.
Finally today, we’ve have some new BD cover artwork for you to check out (with Amazon.com pre-order links as always) including a look at FUNimation’s regular Cowboy Bebop: The Complete Series BD packaging. Here you go...
Back tomorrow with more. Stay tuned!
- Bill Hunt