Displaying items by tag: Michael Coate

“Had GoldenEye failed, that would have been it for 007.” — John Cork

The Digital Bits is pleased to present this retrospective commemorating the 20th anniversary of the release of GoldenEye, the 17th (official) cinematic James Bond adventure and, most notably, the first to star Pierce Brosnan as Agent 007.

As with our previous 007 articles (available here, here, here, and here), The Bits continues the series with this retrospective featuring a Q&A with an esteemed group of James Bond authorities who discuss the virtues and shortcomings of GoldenEye and analyze whether or not the passage of time has been kind to the film. [Read on here...]

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All right, this morning’s post is a quick one, but we do have some interesting announcements and street date confirmations for you today…

First up, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment has set Mistress America for release on 12/1, followed by Transporter: Refueled on 12/8, Fantastic Four on 12/15, and Hitman: Agent 47 on 12/29, all on both Blu-ray and DVD.  [Read on here…]

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We’ve got a couple things for you today...

First up, our own Michael Coate has just posted a new History, Legacy & Showmanship column featuring a look back at Disney’s animated classic Fantasia on the occasion of the film’s 75th anniversary. It includes a new interview with film historian Jeff Kurtti. Do give it a look.

Also today, we have a pair of new Blu-ray reviews: my thoughts on Lionsgate’s new Mr. Holmes, directed by Bill Condon and starring Ian McKellen as Sherlock Holmes. And we have Doogan’s thoughts on Akira Kurosawa’s terrific Ikiru, in honor of Criterion’s new Blu-ray release which streets on 11/24. Both films are terrific and the discs are well worth your attention. Enjoy the reviews.  [Read on here…]

“Fantasia went so far beyond the standards of the day that it was well and truly ‘ahead of its time,’ and ‘one of a kind.’” — Disney Historian Jeff Kurtti

The Digital Bits is pleased to present this retrospective commemorating the diamond anniversary of the release of Fantasia, Walt Disney’s innovative and acclaimed third feature-length animated production (after Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Pinocchio) featuring Leopold Stokowski conducting the Philadelphia Orchestra over the memorable fusion of image and music.  [Read on here...]

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With Paramount’s long-awaited (and lovingly-restored) My Fair Lady: 50th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray finally arriving in stores today, our own Michael Coate has published a look back at the film’s original theatrical release along with a new roundtable interview with historians about the film’s legacy. You can find that in his History, Legacy & Showmanship column today. Enjoy!

Also today, Tim Salmon’s Halloween Hangover Blu-ray review for the day is Shout!/Scream Factory’s Gravy. There are just four reviews left, so be sure to check back each day between now and Saturday.  [Read on here…]

[Editor’s Note: This article was originally scheduled to appear a year ago for the film’s 50th anniversary. The article was delayed so that it could be published to coincide with the delayed but now available Blu-ray Disc release.]

“My Fair Lady is probably the greatest popular smart musical ever made. The melodies soar, the characters endear and engage, and the wit of so much pointed commentary on social class, gender, money, and surface appearances never lapses into self-conscious cleverness.” — film historian and author Matthew Kennedy  [Read on here...]

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All right, today’s Halloween Hangover review from Tim is a look at the Region B release of Killer Klowns from Outer Space on Blu-ray from Arrow Video in the UK. That’s an old favorite of ours here at The Bits and it sounds like the disc improves on MGM’s US Blu- ray release a good deal. Do check it out.

Also today, we’re highlighting Michael Coate’s look back at Back to the Future on this the semi-official “Back to the Future Day” on the Internet (a.k.a., the day in the future Marty visits in the film). Everybody start hydrating your pizzas and drinking Pepsi Free. [Read on here…]

“Four Stars! One of the most endearing and accomplished of entertainments. The writing here is really the star. It would be a classic even in Hollywood’s golden era.” — Gene Siskel, Chicago Tribune/At the Movies

The Digital Bits is pleased to present this retrospective commemorating the 30th anniversary of the release of Back to the Future, Robert Zemeckis’s “comedy adventure science fiction time travel love story” starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd.  [Read on here…]

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We’ve got a couple good things for you here at The Bits today, plus some good new release news too...

First up, Michael Coate has posted a nice look back at Stanley Kubrick’s Spartacus in honor of the film’s newly-remastered Blu-ray re-release by Universal. You’ll find that today in Michael’s History, Legacy & Showmanship column.

And Tim has posted the next installment of his Halloween Hangover, featuring a review of Manos: The Hands of Fate on Blu-ray from Synapse Films.  [Read on here…]

“This was the world of Spartacus…when Antoninus traded the luxury of Rome’s most palatial household to battle by the side of Spartacus…and learned that a slave can live, fight, die better than any Roman!”

The Digital Bits presents this retrospective on Spartacus, commemorating the 55th anniversary of its original release and the recent release of the film on Blu-ray.  [Read on here...]