Displaying items by tag: Akira Kurosawa

All right, there’s some big catalog announcement news today, though it won’t come as a surprise to anyone who reads The Bits regularly. But first...

We’ve posted a new Blu-ray review here at The Bits, featuring my take on Akira Kurosawa’s 70 mm masterpiece Dersu Uzala (1975), which is new on Blu-ray from Imprint Films.

It features a best-yet-on-disc 1080p image presentation mastered from a recent 2K restoration of the film. And it adds a bounty of special features, including two new documentary featurettes and a terrific new audio commentary by Japanese film historian Stuart Galbraith IV.

For English-language speakers who have been waiting to see this film on Blu-ray, this disc is long overdue and highly welcome.

Now then, the big release news today is that Paramount has finally officially announced the 4K Ultra HD release of Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction (1994) on 12/6. It’s available in both Amaray packaging and Limited Edition Collector’s Steelbook packaging—both should be widely available. It appears that both Dolby Vision and HDR10 will be included, along with the previous 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio mix. [Read on here...]

We’re wrapping up the week here at The Bits with a few new disc reviews...

I’ve turned in my thoughts on Sony’s recent Heavy Metal: Limited Edition 2-Movie Collection, a 4K Ultra HD Steelbook release that include the original film remastered with Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos audio, plus the Heavy Metal 2000 sequel as a Blu-ray bonus.

Tim has taken a look at Umbrella Entertainment’s new Blu-ray release of Heavy Metal, which is available as an all-region import.

Tim has also turned in his thoughts on Christopher Landon’s Happy Death Day and Happy Death Day 2U in 4K Ultra HD from our friends at Scream Factory.

And Dennis closes out our review selections today with a look at Boomerang (1992) on Blu-ray from Paramount. [Read on here...]

We’ve got some big release news today, but first we’re starting the week off with a trio of new disc reviews...

I’ve given Akira Kurosawa’s Ran a look in 4K Ultra HD from StudioCanal and found it to be a pretty impressive upgrade, save for a less than stellar English subtitle translation. It’s definitely worth a look for cinephiles.

Also, I’ve just reviewed Mel Stuart’s Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory in 4K Ultra HD from Warner Bros, a release that celebrates the film’s 50th anniversary. It’s certainly never looked better (and it’s finally presented in the correct 1.85:1 theatrical aspect ratio as well).

Finally, I’ve also posted my thoughts on John Krasinski’s long-delayed A Quiet Place: Part II in 4K UHD from Paramount. It’s a more satisfying film than the original and it looks and sounds terrific, though the extras leave much to be desired.

More new Blu-ray and 4K UHD reviews are on the way later this week, so be sure to keep checking back for them. [Read on here...]

“The Hidden Fortress is an irresistible blend of grand comic adventure with Kurosawa’s emblematic humanism and innovative craftsmanship.” — Stuart Galbraith, author of The Emperor and the Wolf: The Lives and Films of Akira Kurosawa and Toshiro Mifune

The Digital Bits and History, Legacy & Showmanship are pleased to present this retrospective commemorating the 60th anniversary of the release of The Hidden Fortress, Akira Kurosawa’s influential jidai-geki and starring long-time Kurosawa collaborator Toshiro Mifune (Seven Samurai, Throne of Blood, Yojimbo).

The popular Kurosawa film turns sixty this year, and for the occasion, The Bits features a Q&A with film historian and Japanese cinema authority Stuart Galbraith. [Read on here...]