Displaying items by tag: Kino Lorber Studio Classics

We’ve got two more new disc reviews for you to check out today, just as Comic-Con officially gets underway down in San Diego...

Stephen has taken a look at Michael Tuchner’s Fear Is the Key (1972) on Blu-ray from Arrow Video.

And Dennis has offered his thoughts on Étienne Périer’s When Eight Bells Toll (1971) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

We’ve also got several good new title announcements to report this afternoon here at The Bits...

First, Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment has revealed that a Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga – Black & Chrome Edition will be available Digitally on 8/13. The color version is already set to debut on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD on 9/24. And you will be able to get the Black & Chrome Editions of both Furiosa and Mad Max: Fury Road in the forthcoming Mad Max 5-Film 4K Collector’s Edition, which is also due on 9/24 (pre-order here). This new Black & Chrome Edition was created by George Miller, who feels that it distills the essence of the film into something more pure and classical (per comments on social media).

Universal will release Jeff Nichols’ The Bikeriders (2024) on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray on 8/13, with the Digital release set for 8/9. The film stars Jodie Comer, Austin Butler, Tom Hardy, Michael Shannon, Michael Faist, and Norman Reedus. The Blu-ray editions will feature Dolby Atmos audio, and the 4K will boast HDR10 high dynamic range. Extras will include feature commentary with Nichols and 3 featurettes (Johnny, Benny & Kathy, The Era of The Bikeriders, and The Filmmaker’s Eye: Jeff Nichols). You can see the cover artwork below the break. [Read on here...]

Afternoon, Bits readers! We’ve got something very special to share with you today here at the site, but first we also have some more new disc reviews...

Our very own Tim Salmons has delivered his thoughts on Roy William Neill’s Black Moon (1934) on Blu-ray from Columbia Pictures and Via Vision’s Imprint Films label. Tim has also taken a look at Jay Levey’s UHF (1989) in 4K Ultra HD from Shout! Studios in honor of the film’s 35th anniversary!

And Stuart has offered his take on another classic film, Arthur Ripley’s The Chase (1946) on Blu-ray from the good people at Kino Lorber Studio Classics. Enjoy!

Now then, some of you may remember that way back in 2010, visual effects pioneer Douglas Trumbull proposed an elaborate documentary on the making of Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). Unfortunately, he was never able to get Warner Bros. to fund the project, which was known as Beyond the Infinite, and the man sadly passed away in 2022 (you can read our salute to him here).

You may also remember that back in 2016, I published an in-depth look at the various behind-the-scenes books on the making of the film, Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: The Ultimate Trip in Print, here at The Bits website.

Well... back in September I was honored to be contacted by my friends Michael and Denise Okuda (of Star Trek fame) to participate in a new documentary they were producing on 2001 with the team at OTOY. So I spent a lovely evening up in Burbank with Mike, Denise, and my old friend Roger Lay, Jr. (who created many of the excellent documentaries on Paramount’s Star Trek Blu-rays in recent years) shooting an interview about the film and its place in cinema history. Today, I am very pleased to say that the result of their work is finally available for all of you to see for yourselves! [Read on here...]

We’ve got a pair of new disc reviews for you here at The Bits today...

Dennis has turned in his thoughts on Paul Brickman’s Risky Business (1983) on Blu-ray from the Criterion Collection (a 4K UHD review is also forthcoming).

And Stuart has chimed in with his look at James Beshears’ Homework (1982) on Blu-ray from Unearthed Films.

In announcement news today, Kino Lorber Studio Classics has revealed that Umberto Lenzi’s Battle of the Commandos (1969) is coming soon to Blu-ray, a film that features Jack Palance and Curd Jürgens. Also coming soon to Blu-ray from KLSC is Terence Young’s The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders (1965).

While it’s not quite announcement news, based on new Amazon listings it appears that Paramount is going to be releasing Gore Verbinski’s The Ring (2002) in 4K Ultra HD and 4K Steelbook on 10/15. The film was previously made available on the format only in the Scream Factory’s The Ring Collection 4K set back in March. It appears To Catch of Thief is finally coming to 4K as well that same day, in the same Paramount Presents packaging that the 2020 Blu-ray edition was released in. And Tim Burton’s Sleepy Hollow is being reissued as a 4K Steelbook package on 10/8. You can see the cover artwork for some of them below the break. [Read on here...]

We have several more new disc reviews for all of you to enjoy today, including...

Stuart’s look at Ting Shan-hsi’s A Queen’s Ransom (1976) on Blu-ray from Eureka Entertainment, Alain Cavalier’s Fill ‘er Up with Super (1976) on Blu-ray from Radiance Films, Peter Bogdanovich’s Daily Miller (1974) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics, and William Wyler’s Friendly Persuasion (1956) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.

Dennis’ take on Raoul Walsh’s Pursued (1947) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics and Fred Zinnemann’s Act of Violence (1949) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.

And Stephen’s thoughts on Paul Schrader’s Touch (1997) on Blu-ray from Vinegar Syndrome’s Cinématographe line.

We have a bunch more new Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD reviews cooking as well—the whole team is working on reviews over the weekend—so be sure to watch for more here at The Bits next week.

In announcement news today, our friends at Imprint Films have just unveiled their October Blu-ray and 4K slate, which will include Luca Guadagnino’s Suspiria (2018) in 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray, The Blair Witch Project Collection on Blu-ray—which includes The Blair Witch Project (1999) and Book of Shadows: Blair Witch (2000)—Alberto De Martino’s The Antichrist (1974) on Blu-ray, James W. Roberson’s Superstition (1982) on Blu-ray, Dick Richards’s Death Valley (1982) on Blu-ray, and the Directed By… Roman Polanski Blu-ray box set—which includes Bitter Moon (1992), Death and the Maiden (1994), and The Ninth Gate (1999). The street date for all is 10/30, and each is limited to 1500 copies. You can see what the titles look like below the break. [Read on here...]

All right, first things first today—this is officially Prime Day on Amazon.com, so there are a TON of deals to be had on all kinds of items from Blu-rays, DVDs, and 4Ks, to books, computer stuff and all kinds of household items.

As you know, The Digital Bits is an Amazon Affiliate, so whenever you’re planning on shopping for literally anything from Amazon—particularly on a day like today—we’d sure appreciate it if you started by clicking on one our affiliate links first (like this one, or the logo below).

It makes a huge difference for us in keeping The Bits going, so thank you in advance for your support!

Now then, we’re starting today with three more new disc reviews from our staffers here, including...

Tim’s thoughts on Peter Collinson’s The Italian Job (1969)—a big favorite of ours here at The Bits—in 4K Ultra HD from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

Stuart’s take on Anthony Mann’s The Tin Star (1957)—a great VistaVision Western starring Henry Fonda and Anthony Perkins—on Blu-ray from Arrow Video.

And Dennis’ look at Alfred Hitchcock’s Mr. & Mrs. Smith (1941)—a classic Robert Montgomery and Carole Lombard screwball comedy—on Blu-ray from the good people of the Warner Archive Collection.

More reviews are forthcoming this week, so be sure to check back for them!

Now then, we’ve got some very good release physical media news for you today, starting with this: I’ve confirmed that the new US 4-disc Godzilla Minus One: 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray Deluxe Collector’s Edition from Toho is just the latest of multiple planned physical media releases of the film. More editions are apparently “coming soon” in the months ahead. So expect wide-release versions eventually, and probably international SKUs as well. That’s definitely good news for fans around the world, and there are definitely a lot of you out there! [Read on here...]

Good afternoon, Bits readers! We’re starting the new week today with a pair of new disc reviews from a new staff reviewer... Sam Cohen!

We’ll let Sam introduce himself to all of you...

“Hello, Digital Bits readers! I’m Sam Cohen and I cannot be more excited to join the incredible team here, as well as engage with our readers about everything going on in the physical media world. My journey with film started when I was a wee tot growing up on Cape Cod and not caring much about the beach, then it developed into a full-blown addiction when my Dad exposed me to so many classics at such a young age. Naturally, that love for film didn’t let up and only blossomed as I got older, and my studies as a communication professional helped me prepare for the wild world of film criticism. My writing has been featured at Sumo Skinny, Under the Gun Review, EDGE Media Network, High-Def Digest and now, here!

“While my day job is dedicated to Search Engine Optimization (SEO), I’m deeply passionate about all the boutique and studio releases that keep flying our way at a breakneck pace, and even have a nice movie theater that I built into my basement with an LG OLED display plus a 7.1.2 Dolby Atmos surround sound system from Klipsch. My favorite directors include Claire Denis, George Miller, Michael Mann, Frank Tashlin and Jacques Rivette, among many, many others.

“I’m elated to be here amongst other physical media experts and look forward to covering, discussing and living with all of these wonderful films on disc that continue to keep our passion for film fresh and unrelenting. Oh, and if you’re asking who is my favorite boutique label? It’s Mondo Macabro, with those sickos at Vinegar Syndrome and film lovers at Arrow Video tied for second. Check out Mondo Macabro for some of the weirdest and grotesque genre oddities from across the world.” [Read on here...]

We’ve got two new disc reviews for you today, as well as some great release news. But first those reviews...

Dennis has turned in his thoughts on director Leslie Fenton’s Saigon (1948) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics. The film stars Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake.

And Tim has taken a look at the new Wes Craven Film Collection on Blu-ray from Via Vision Entertainment down under, a region-free box that includes Deadly Blessing (1981), The Serpent and the Rainbow (1988), and The People Under the Stairs (1991).

And now for that great piece of release news: We’ve been wondering for a while now who was going to be releasing Toho’s outstanding Godzilla Minus One (2023), directed by Takashi Yamazaki, on physical media here in the States, and now we know... it’s Toho themselves!

Toho has decided to release their excellent 4-disc box set Godzilla Minus One: Blu-ray Deluxe Japan Collector’s Edition to US customers exclusively on Godzilla.com! For $65, you’ll get the exact same box set that was released in Japan (and that our own Stephen Bjork reviewed here at The Bits back in May) in the same packaging, simply re-authored with English menus and the option to select the theatrical release English subtitles for Godzilla Minus One and Godzilla Minus One/Minus Color. [Read on here...]

We’re back today with some release news as well as a bunch more new disc reviews, including...

My take on Alex Garland’s Civil War (2024) in 4K Ultra HD from A24 and Lionsgate, a film I didn’t even want to see but that I ended up really impressed with, that also happens to be the most demo-worthy 4K release since Dune: Part Two, Oppenheimer, and Top Gun: Maverick. It also has a terrific documentary from our old friend Charles de Lauzirika, so it’s well worth your time.

Stephen’s thoughts on Abel Ferrara’s Bad Lieutenant (1992) in 4K Ultra HD from Kino Lorber Studio Classics, as well as the Wachowskis’ Bound (1996) in 4K Ultra HD from Criterion.

Dennis’ review of Sidney J. Furie’s The Lawyer (1970) and Frank Tuttle’s The Hour Before Dawn (1944) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

And finally, Tim’s look at J. Lee Thompson’s Death Wish 4: The Crackdown (1987) and Allan A. Goldstein’s Death Wish V: The Face of Death (1994) on Blu-ray also from KL Studio Classics.

We definitely have more reviews cooking at The Bits, but with the 4th of July holiday here in the States falling on a Thursday (tomorrow) this year, we’re giving everyone the next few days off to recharge with their families. So we’ll be back on Monday with more new reviews and—we would imagine—plenty of breaking release news too.

In announcement news today, Kino Lorber Studio Classics has revealed that Ralph S. Singleton’s Graveyard Shift (1990) is coming soon to 4K Ultra HD. Also newly-revealed as coming soon to Blu-ray is Willard Juyck’s Best Defense (1984). [Read on here...]

All right, we haven’t had a lot of news updates this week, because frankly there just hasn’t been a lot of news to report. And also because we’ve all been working on a lot of disc reviews for you to enjoy. In fact, today we have no less than TEN to share with you, including...

My thoughts on Guy Ritchie’s The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (2024) in 4K Ultra HD from Lionsgate, Akira Kurosawa’s Dreams (1990) in 4K UHD from The Criterion Collection, and Gil Kenan’s Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024) in 4K UHD from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

Tim’s review of Ernie Fosselius’ Hardware Wars (1978) on Blu-ray and Albert Band’s Ghoulies II (1987) in 4K UHD from the MVD Rewind Collection, Gualtiero Jacopetti and Franco Prosperi’s Goodbye Uncle Tom (1971) in 4K from Blue Underground (which is definitely not for the faint of heart), and Jason Reitman’s Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021) in 4K UHD from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

Dennis’ take on Ted Geoghegan’s Brooklyn 45 (2023) on Blu-ray from Shudder.

And Stephen’s look at Mark Waters’ Mean Girls (2004) on 4K Ultra HD from Paramount, as well as the import version of Michael Mann’s Ferrari (2023) in 4K UHD from Neon and Sky via Universal in UK.

More reviews are on the way for Monday, including my look at Luc Besson’s La Femme Nikika (1990) in 4K from Sony, and Alex Garland’s Civil War (2024) in 4K from Lionsgate, so be sure to watch for them.

Also, just a heads up: Our very own Russell Hammond has posted the new update of our ever-popular Release Dates and Cover Art section (see Cover Art above), which includes all the latest Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD cover art and Amazon.com pre-order links. As always, you can sort by date, by format, even isolate the Criterion titles! And as an Amazon Affiliate, literally anything you order from Amazon after clicking to them through one of our links (like this one) goes to help support our work here at The Bits and we greatly appreciate it! [Read on here...]

We’re starting the new week here at The Bits, as always, with more new disc reviews...

Stephen has turned in his thoughts on Albert Magnoli’s celebration of all things Prince, Purple Rain (1984), in 4K Ultra HD from Warner Bros. Discover Home Entertainment. The film celebrates its 40th anniversary this summer, and the city of Minneapolis has been partying all weekend in honor of it (more on that here).

Also, I’ve shared my thoughts on Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999) in 4K Ultra HD from Paramount Home Entertainment. I’m not sure the title actually needed a 4K upgrade, but what the heck—blame Canada. You can read all the details here.

And Dennis has shared his perspective on The Wachowskis’ Bound (1996), which is new on Blu-ray (and 4K UHD) from our friends at The Criterion Collection.

More reviews are forthcoming this week, so be sure to stay tuned for them.

Now then... we’ve got a pretty significant piece of industry news to share with you today. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has completed an “umbrella” distribution deal with Studio Distribution Services (SDS) that covers not only their own Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD product, but also titles from Lionsgate and Disney (along with 20th Century Studios, Touchstone, Hollywood Pictures, and the other Disney-owned labels), which Sony produces for those studios. We first broke the news of this for our Patreon subscribers over the weekend.

The reason this deal is important is that it guarantees Sony, Disney, 20th Century Studios, and Lionsgate a direct and stable distribution channel for their physical media product into Walmart stores. And as we’ve reported previously, Walmart is the biggest disc retailer in North America with a whopping 45% share of the disc sales market (as of earlier this year—that number may have grown a bit with the recent exit of Best Buy, which had approximately 4% of the business). [Read on here...]