Posted Sun Aug 13, 2023 at 09:00 AM PDT by D. LaFontaine
"You can't wake up if you don't fall asleep" - Augie Steenbeck, Asteroid City.
Probably the slowest week all year for 4K releases, but with the pace we have seen them, it's good to let our wallets recharge just a tad.
Welcome to Volume 4 Episode 11 of our weekly release guide. A look at the highlights of what's coming to disc the week of August 13th - August 19th, as well as a look at announcements from last week.
The new release this week is Babylon 5: The Road Home, a new movie based on the series from several decades ago. If you want to revisit the series on (blu-ray) disc though, you will need to wait until December.
Hopefully this game is over with with Paramount. Produce a 'Paramount Presents' title that was mastered in 4K on blu-ray only, then a few months later, give us a 4K release. This week we see Roman Holiday get this treatment.
Last week Warner Bros. released a basic edition for Enter the Dragon to the US market. This Friday you can get a Collector's Edition Import from Amazon. It's releases like this that echo the sentiments of Bill Hunt's article from last week.
Next week, a new horror comedy from LionsGate with The Blackening, Hackers, Zorro, Nightmare Before Christmas, and more.
A blu-ray counterpart of Babylon 5: The Road Home is available this week.
From Universal, Wes Anderson's latest, Asteroid City hits blu-ray.
New thriller from LionsGate, Confidential Informant with Dominic Purcell and Mel Gibson.
Criterion Collection this week has Dim Sum: A Little Bit of Heart, a film set on the topic of Chinese-American life.
After sitting on hold for quite some time, Hotel Transylvania: Transformania comes to us via Sony Pictures. Absent is the 4K sku that was originally listed on retailer sites. Is it coming, is it going to be only available via import? Sony, you just don't give us the third film in a franchise on 4K and forget the rest.
Also from Sony this week, an action/comedy titled The Machine.
Slow week for anime, highlights are for only The Life of Budori Gusuko and Parallel World Pharmacy.
Another slow category this week, TV on disc. It includes just The Lincoln Lawyer: Season 1.
Between Arrow Video and Shout Factory, you have probably been building your Shaw Brothers Collection. This week from Shout Factory, wait no more, it's Shaw Brothers Classics: Vol. Two.
Honorable Mention: Kino Lorber's next set, Audie Murphy Collection III is available this week.
Here at HDD, we must acknowledge the passing of William Friedkin. Known for several A-List films, I'm sure The Exorcist and The French Connection most recently stick out for various reasons. Check out the article at Vanity Fair.
Universal is continuing to double-dip us with what they call the Universal Essentials Collection. Already out are these special editions for Jurassic Park 4K and The Big Lebowski 4K, coming October 3rd are The Sting 4K and It Came from Outer Space - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray + 3D. The latter is also getting a non-essentials release the same day. Also on October 3rd, Universal Classic Monsters: Limited Edition Collection. Although not an 'essentials' release, it still is a swag-filled edition that would look nice on our video walls.
Which titles are you buying this week? Which ones are on your wishlist, be it to buy as an impulse buy or to wait for the right price?
The latest news on all things 4K Ultra HD, blu-ray and Gear.