Displaying items by tag: Back the Bits

We have a lot of ground to cover today to close out the first partial week of 2025, starting with more new disc reviews...

First up, Tim has taken a look at Russ Meyer’s Vixen! (1968) in 4K Ultra HD from the good folks at Severn Films, and he’s also reviewed Marco Brambilla’s Demolition Man (1993) in 4K from Arrow Video.

Dennis has turned in his thoughts on Alan Crosland’s The Beloved Rogue (1927) on Blu-ray from Kino Classics.

Stuart has checked in with his take on Ted Hooker, Jack Cardiff, and Freddie Francis’ Cruel Britannia (1971-1974) on Blu-ray from Vinegar Syndrome, as well as Kinji Fukasaku’s The Threat (1966) on Blu-ray from Arrow Video, and Jules Dassin’s Topkapi (1964) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

And finally, Stephen has offered his reviews of Corey Yuwn’s Yes, Madam! (aka In the Line of Duty II) (1985) and Arthur Wong and Brandy Yuen’s In the Line of Duty III (1988) each on Blu-ray from 88 Films, as well as Michael Schaack’s animated but rarely-seen classic Felidae (1994) in 4K Ultra HD from Deaf Crocodile Films.

As always, more reviews are on the way next week, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for them.

Now then, we have a bunch of release news and official title announcements to share with you today, so let’s dive right in...

First, Universal Studios Home Entertainment has officially set Jon M. Chu’s Wicked: Part One (2024) for Blu-ray, DVD, 4K Ultra HD, and 4K Steelbook release on 2/4. The 4K disc will feature Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos audio, and all the SKUs will include over an hour of bonus features, including deleted and extended scenes, audio commentary with the director, a second audio commentary with stars Cynthia Ervio and Ariana Grande, the Making Wicked documentary, and a sing-along viewing option for the film. You can see the final cover artwork at left and also below the break. [Read on here...]

On this the final day of 2024, it’s only natural for us to take a look back and reflect on the many amazing Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD releases we’ve been blessed with over the past year. And it’s certainly been a tremendous year, especially for the 4K format.

So with that in mind, we’ve asked our team members here at The Digital Bits to weigh in with their favorite picks and honorable mentions.

The mandate to our team was simple: Pick your ten favorite discs of the year, and fell free to include some additional honorable mentions if you wish. Present them in any order you like, and say as much or as little about them as you like.

Any title—Blu-ray, DVD, or 4K Ultra HD—released in the calendar year 2024 qualified for consideration, and we extended that just a tad to include any title we received for review in 2024 period (so you’ll note that a couple of the titles mentioned technically street in January). Given how many discs are shipping late (or are getting delayed due to high demand), we felt this was a reasonable allowance.

So without further ado, here (below the break) are our picks for The Best Discs of 2024! [Read on here...]

We’ve got a couple of good things to share with you today, starting with new discs reviews. Among them are…

My look at John Ford’s legendary Western classic The Searchers (1956) in 4K Ultra HD from the Warner Archive, an absolutely stunning title that I think deserves to be considered the 4K Disc of the Year.

Stephen’s review of Sydney Pollack’s Tootsie (1982) in 4K Ultra HD from Sony via their excellent Columbia Classics: Volume 5 box set, as well as David Chung’s Royal Warriors (1986) on Blu-ray from 88 Films.

And Dennis’ review of Buster Keaton’s Seven Chances (1925) and Sherlock Jr. (1924) on Blu-ray from Kino Classics.

All three are well worth a look, and we’re going to have more new disc reviews here on Wednesday.

Also today, our own Michael Coate has just shared a new History, Legacy & Showmanship column today featuring film historian and author Nat Segaloff as they celebrate the 50th anniversary of John Guillermin’s The Towering Inferno (1974). It’s a short read, but still well worth your time. [Read on here...]

All right, we have just a few final items of business to cover on this short Christmas week...

First, I’ve just posted my in-depth review of Paramount’s stunning new 70th anniversary edition of Michael Curtiz’s White Christmas (1954) in 4K Ultra HD.

The very first VistaVision film ever has been fully restored from the original camera negative and it’s simply gorgeous. It’s a holiday classic that stars Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen, and it’s well worth a look on 4K disc for cinephiles.

Also, in a bit of release news today, our friends over at Kino Lorber Studio Classics have revealed that Penelope Spheeris’ Black Sheep (1996), starring Chris Farley and David Spade, is set for release on 4K Ultra HD on 3/25. [Read on here...]

Afternoon, everyone! We’re starting the short Christmas week here at The Bits with more new disc reviews as always. Today, we’ve got...

Tim’s review of Shawn Levy’s Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) in 4K Ultra HD from 20th Century Studios and Marvel, via Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

Stephen’s review of Roman Polanski’s The Tenant (1976) in 4K Ultra HD from Paramount via Vinegar Syndrome.

And Dennis’ take on Vincent Sherman’s The Return of Doctor X (1939) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.

We also have a few more new disc reviews for you from late last week, in case you missed them, including...

Tim’s review of Monk: Season Six (2007-2008) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

Stuart’s review of Richard Thorpe’s Three Little Words (1950) on Blu-ray from Warner Archive.

Dennis’ look at Umberto Lenzi’s Battle of the Commandos (1969) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

Stephen’s review of William Friedkin’s The Hunted (2003) on 4K Ultra HD from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

Stuart’s look at Claude Autant-Lara’s Enough Rope (1963) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

And finally, my review of Robert Meyer Burnett and Max Allan Collins’ True Noir: The Assassination of Anton Cermak 10-part audio drama from Imagination Connoisseurs Unlimited.

Also, just so you know, we’re not done yet: Look for at least one more new disc review tomorrow before the Christmas holiday, and lots more after we get back from the break next week. [Read on here...]

We’ve got another long-awaited 4K catalog announcement for you today, as well as more new disc reviews including...

Tim’s take on Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024) in 4K Ultra HD and 4K Steelbook from Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment.

And my thoughts on Deborah Chow’s Obi-Wan Kenobi: The Complete Series (2023) in 4K UHD Steelbook from Disney and Lucasfilm via Buena Vista Home Entertainment (a pre-Sony release).

Now then... we’ve also updated our 4K Ultra HD Release List here at the site with new titles, and our Release Dates and Artwork section with all the latest Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K UHD cover artwork and Amazon.com pre-order links. Don’t forget that whenever you order anything from Amazon after clicking to them through one of our links (like this one) you’re helping to support our work here at the site and we appreciate it!

Now then, the big release news today is that Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment has just officially announced a 4K title we first told you has been in the works since 2021. And though it was delayed by developments around the planned sequel (which is now expected to start shooting in 2025), we can finally report that Francis Lawrence’s Constantine (2005) is officially coming to 4K Ultra HD and 4K Digital on 2/18! [Read on here...]

All right, we have another Lionsgate/Tarantino 4K update for you today, but first we also have more new disc reviews to share with you...

Stephen has turned in his thoughts on Robert Wynne-Simmons’ The Outcasts (1982) in a new Deluxe Limited Edition Blu-ray from Deaf Crocodile Films, as well as Disney and Marvel’s Loki: The Complete Second Season in 4K UHD Steelbook.

I’ve offered my thoughts on Lee Isaac Chung’s recent sequel Twisters (2024) in 4K Ultra HD from Universal.

And Dennis has offered a look at Christopher Guest’s For Your Consideration (2006) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection, as well as the Coen Brothers’ No Country for Old Men (2007) on Blu-ray from the Criterion Collection.

More reviews will follow tomorrow and throughout the rest of the week.

Now then, Lionsgate has indeed officially announced Quentin Tarantino’s Jackie Brown, Kill Bill: Volume 1, and Kill Bill: Volume 2 today for 4K Ultra HD release on 1/21. There will be Lionsgate Limited-exclusive Steelbook editions (SRP around $40) on that day, along with wide-release Amaray versions as well. [Read on here...]

[Editor’s Update – 12/17/24 12:01 AM: This original post has been updated to include full disc A/V specs and extras details.]

Heads up, Digital Bits readers…

We’ve learned that Lionsgate is about to announce the 4K Ultra HD Steelbook release of Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill: Volumes 1 & 2 (2003/2004) along with Jackie Brown (1997).

All three titles should appear for pre-order on their new Lionsgate Limited direct-to-consumer website sometime early tomorrow.

Jackie Brown stars Pam Grier as a flight attendant who smuggles money into the US from Mexico for a small-time crime boss, and who is then used as bait by the police to catch him. The film is based on Elmore Leonard’s 1992 novel Rum Punch.

Kill Bill: Volumes 1 & 2 are Tarantino’s martial arts actioners and an homage to the Shaw Brothers, Toshiya Fujita’s Lady Snowblood (1972), and exploitation cinema. It stars Uma Thurman as a woman who vows to get revenge upon the assassins who tried to kill her and her unborn child. [Read on here...]

We’re rounding out the week with three more new disc reviews for you to enjoy here today, including...

My joint review (with longtime Bits contributor Todd Doogan) of Ron Howard’s Willow (1988) in 4K Ultra HD Steelbook from Lucasfilm.

Tim’s review of Monk: Season Five on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

And Dennis’ take on Glenn Andreiev’s Night (1996) on Blu-ray from Vinegar Syndrome.

Now then, the big news this afternoon is that our friends at The Criterion Collection have just announced SEVEN new Blu-ray and 4K titles for release in March of next year, including Henri-Georges Clouzot’s The Wages of Fear (1953) (Spine #36 – 4K + Blu-ray, Blu-ray & DVD) on 3/4, Michael Mann’s Thief (1981) (Spine #691 – 4K + Blu-ray) on 3/11, Kazuki Omori’s Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989) (Spine #1254 – 4K + Blu-ray & Blu-ray) and Charles Chaplin’s A Woman of Paris (1923) (Spine #1253 – Blu-ray & DVD) on 3/18, and Alan Rudolph’s Choose Me (1984) (Spine #1256 – 4K + Blu-ray and Blu-ray) and Arthur Penn’s Night Moves (1975) (Spine #1255 – 4K + Blu-ray and Blu-ray) on 3/25! [Read on here...]

We’ve got more interesting release news to report today, along with more new disc reviews. Among the latter are...

My take on Frank Capra’s Lost Horizon (1937) in 4K Ultra HD from Sony’s excellent new Frank Capra at Columbia Collection box set, which is loaded with great films (20 in all, including 9 of them in 4K). If you’re a fan of Capra’s work, it’s definitely a must-have release.

Also today, Sam has taken a look at Robert M. Young’s Triumph of the Spirit (1989)—which features Willem Dafoe, Robert Loggia, and Edward James Olmos—on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

And Dennis has offered his thoughts on Mario Garcia’s The Throwback (2023) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber proper.

All three films are worth a look, and we have a few more reviews coming tomorrow, including a look at the new 4K Ultra HD release of Ron Howard’s Willow from Lucasfilm.

Now then, in terms of catalog announcement news, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has once again won the day by announcing that they’re releasing David Fincher’s The Social Network (2010) on 4K Ultra HD in Steelbook packaging on 2/18. This is in addition to Panic Room, which was announced yesterday. Note that this film was available previously from the studio in 4K, specifically in the Columbia Classics 4K Ultra HD Collection: Volume 2 box set back in 2021. [Read on here...]