We start today with a pair of new Blu-ray reviews, including Tim’s take on John Waters’ Female Trouble from the Criterion Collection, and also Dennis’ look at The Nun from Warner. More reviews are on the way this week and next, including (next week) several new 4K reviews from myself. Among them will be M:I – Fallout and The Lion King. My wife and I have family visiting here at the moment though, so it’s been tough to break away to do the reviews with the justice they deserve.

The BIG announcement news today is that Universal has officially set Damien Chazelle’s First Man for release on Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD on 1/22, with the Digital release expected on 1/5. Here’s the great news... while the film is presented in its original 2.40:1 theatrical aspect ratio, the final scenes will be presented in full 1.78:1 to preserve the IMAX aspect as seen in theaters. Audio is English Dolby Atmos and the 4K image will include both HDR10 and Dolby Vision.

Extras on the Blu-ray versions will include feature commentary (with director Damien Chazelle, screenwriter Josh Singer, and editor Tom Cross), deleted scenes, and 8 featurettes (including Shooting for the Moon, Preparing to Launch, Giant Leap in One Small Step, Mission Gone Wrong, Putting You in the Seat, Recreating the Moon Landing, Shooting at NASA, and Astronaut Training). This is certainly the 4K Ultra HD I’m most looking forward to right now here at The Bits. It should be terrific. [Read on here...]

[What follows is a feature I wrote for The Daily Oklahoman about one of the greatest movie stars and human beings ever… Burt Reynolds]

Maybe it was the mustache. Or the unscripted quips. Or the genteel Southern manner.

Or just maybe it was that laugh, a cackle delivered by one comfortable in his own skin – inviting his audience gut bust with him, as though they were all in a private joke.

That’s our Burt. And he’s, unbelievably, gone.

Fame, according to Jeanine Bissinger, is “often conferred or withheld just as is love, for reasons and on grounds other than merits.” Burt Reynolds earned his fame with raw boned talent and insight into the business of filmed diversion. [Read on here...]

All right, let’s have a quick update with more breaking release news…

Many months after we first told you it was coming, Universal is finally bringing The Big Lebowski to 4K Ultra HD on 10/16, with both regular and limited editions available (the latter can be seen below, packed with swag). We’re awaiting the official announcement, but both are now listed for pre-order on Amazon.com (click here and here to see them).

Also, the studio is releasing a Jurassic World: 5-Film Collection on 4K Ultra HD on 9/18, day and date with the home video release of Jurassic Park: Fallen Kingdom on Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K. So those of you who waited to pick up all the earlier films in 4K hoping for a 5-film box, now’s your chance. You can see the cover art art right and you can pre-order it here.

Note that we’ve updated the 4K Ultra HD Release List here at The Bits with this information and pre-order links for a number of additional upcoming 4K titles. [Read on here...]

Sometimes it’s wonderful to find someone who hails from the same planet as you. I go to film festivals and am always pleased to find intelligent, well dressed and conversant people on subjects close to my heart. These folks, somewhat like yours truly, are professionals, go to work every day, raise families and live contemplative and productive lives. And, well, like a fool such as I, love, as Pauline Kael once said, “when the lights go down.”

I’ve been extremely lucky – I’ve had mentors and friends who have done their dead level best to educate me in the ways of the world while also sharing their deep and abiding love for everything silver and screen. [Read on here...]

The big news today is that Paramount has just set Alexander Payne’s Downsizing for Blu-ray, DVD, Digital, and 4K Ultra HD release on 3/20. Extras will include 6 behind-the-scenes featurettes (including Working with Alexander, The Cast, A Visual Journey, A Matter of Perspective, That Smile, and A Global Concern). Audio will be DTS-HD MA.

In addition, it looks like Paramount is releasing Cheech & Chong’s Still Smoking on Blu-ray on 4/10, in addition to the Up in Smoke: 40th Anniversary Edition we mentioned on Wednesday.

Now then... if you haven’t already purchased any of Universal’s Despicable Me titles in 4K Ultra HD, the studio is releasing an Illumination Presents: 3-Movie Collection of all three of them on 3/13 for $79.98. [Read on here…]

A little preface – I started writing my little nickel and dime pieces for the holidays not before December 25 but after. And I’ll tell you why. How many of us receive as presents gift cards – they’re easily purchased and delivered. However, many have time limits and they’re incredibly easy to lose. Come on, you’ve lost a few, haven’t you?

So, I write up these fabulous video gifts because you have gift money to spend. And please do so.

When I was in the throes of graduation from Purcell Oklahoma High School about 40 years ago, we Seniors observed a tradition that I’m sure in some form or fashion was copied throughout the country – we had to complete a form that listed our personal “likes.” You know, favorite song, favorite type food, favorite movie, etc. [Read on here...]

All right, we’ve got a couple things for you today here at The Bits…

First, Tim Salmons has just turned in a pair of new Blu-ray reviews, including Shout! Factory’s A Town Called Panic: The Collection and also Scream Factory’s Hell Night: Collector’s Edition. Both are well worth a look.

Also here at The Bits today, our own Russell Hammond has posted the weekly update of the Release Dates & Artwork section featuring all the latest Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD cover artwork and Amazon.com pre-order links. As always, we appreciate it when you shop for great movie titles and other items through our Amazon links, so thank you! [Read on here…]

Afternoon, everyone! All right, we have more big news to report for you today...

The Walt Disney Company has just reached a deal to purchase 20th Century Fox and all related entertainment assets from Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox for a deal reportedly worth in the neighborhood $68 billion. Yes, that includes the rights to the original Star Wars films. 21st Century Fox will retain Fox Broadcasting, Fox Sports, Fox News, and all the Fox TV stations, along with the actual 20th Century Fox studio lot in Century City. You can read more about this here at Variety today.

Now... with this news breaking, naturally the first question movie fans want to know is: Does this mean the original Star Wars is finally going to be released on disc. And the answer is: Cool your thrusters, Space Cowboys. [Read on here…]

Afternoon, folks. We’ve got a bunch of release news to report today and some new disc reviews too. First the reviews...

Our own Tim Salmons has checked in with a look at a pair of All Region Blu-rays from Aussie distributor Umbrella Entertainment, including Drive-In Delirium: ’60s and ’70s Savagery and Drive-In Delirium: Maximum ’80s Overdrive. Be sure to check them out.

We’ve also posted the weekly update of the Release Dates & Artwork section with all the latest Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD cover art and Amazon.com pre-order links. As always, we’d appreciate it if you used our Amazon links (any one of them) when you’re shopping from the retailer. Thank you!

The big news today is that Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has set Dean Devlin’s Geostorm for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 1/23 (SRP $35.99 and $28.98), with a Digital release expected on 1/23. There’s no 4K Ultra HD version currently planned it seems, at least not at the moment. Extras on the Blu-ray will include 3 featurettes (Wreaking Havoc, Search for Answers, and An International Event). [Read on here…]

We have just a couple of quick release announcements and updates to offer you today, before we let you all head out for the weekend…

Shout! Factory has announced The ‘Burbs: Collector’s Edition for release on Blu-ray on 3/20 as part of their Shout Select line.

Also coming that day as part of their Select line is Oliver Hirschbiegel’s Downfall, an absoutely fantastic film about the last days of Hitler in WWII starring Bruno Ganz (and the source of a surprisingly persistent viral YouTube meme you may be familiar with – one of the early versions even referenced The Bits, as some of you longtime readers may recall). Shout! also has Macon County Line coming on 1/16 to the Select line. Extras on these titles are still TBA. [Read on here…]