• I Have Become 4K, Destroyer of Finances - HDD's 4K UHD & Blu-ray Shopping Guide Nov. 19, 2023

    Posted Sun Nov 19, 2023 at 09:00 AM PST by
    HDD 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Shopping Guide 11-19

     With Black Friday towards the end of the week, and the US celebrates the Thanksgiving Holiday on Thursday, it is very uncharacteristic for so many 4K titles to be released on such a week. From the latest Expendables, the second half of Barbenheimer, the latest Saw film, catalog title with Richard Kimble, Stalag 17, and so much more! Did you save any money for your holiday meal, or Black Friday, or Cyber Monday? This week is another whopper!

     Welcome to Volume 4 Episode 25 of our weekly release guide. A look at the highlights of what's coming to disc the week of November 19th - November 25th, as well as a look at announcements from last week.

     

    4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Releases-

     With new releases first, let's post them by order of Rotten Tomatoes scores.

     It seems only fitting that the other half of Barbenheimer (Oppenheimer) takes first place under our Rotten Tomatoes (RT) criteria. This film ranked very high among audiences and critics (currently 91/93). Available in Standard Edition, Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook and WalMart Exclusive Icon Edition packages. For an amusing image (and article) about Barbenheimer, head on over to Wired Magazine.

        

     

     With two more new releases this week, you would be wrrriight if you guessed Saw X to have the higher RT score (89 audience/80 critics). Surprisingly, LionsGate did not opt for a SteelBook option here.

     

     And lastly, Expend4bles (Expendables 4), with a bunch of well known talent, a terrible score of 14% among reviewers, but a 71% audience score. You can get this as a Standard Edition, an Amazon Exclusive and/or a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook. Walmart also has a 4-film SteelBook collection of their own available as well. This franchise to me is like Lethal Weapon, Con Air or Armageddon, I watch them every so often, but leave any critical thinking at the door, and bring in the popcorn (or chicken wings or whatever is your fancy).

      

     

     Before moving on to deep catalog titles, let's go back to 2022 and distributor CrunchyRoll for Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero. This one also has an Amazon Exclusive SteelBook.

     

     Next from Universal, Love Actually, which is donning a 20th Anniversary Edition.

     

     From Warner Bros and celebrating a 30th anniversary, The Fugitive starring Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones. Altrertantely, you can get this one as a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook.

     

     Mean Streets is available from Criterion Collection this week, and you guessed it, it had its 50th Anniversary. If swag is your thing, Second Sight UK has a fat-pack currently slated for January 15th which has the same source transfer, but with their usual swag packed edition.

     

     From Kino Lorber, Stalag 17 with William Holden and Billy Wilder. And keeping with the theme, this one had a 70th Anniversary.

     

     On to double-dips of sort. If you bought the Resident Evil Movie Collection a couple of years ago, now you can buy it all over again, but in a SteelBook Package and a Dolby Vision upgrade.

     

     You can also get Train to Busan / Peninsula in a 2-film collection package.

     Next week, despite conflicting with Cyber Week, there are actually *more* titles available than this week, Wandavision, Barbarella, Tremors 2, The Sandman Season 1, The Monster Squad and so much more!

     

    Blu-ray releases-

     Blu-ray counterparts of the above 4K releases include Oppenheimer from Universal Pictures, Saw X and Expend4bles from LionsGate, Mean Streets from Criterion and Stalag 17 from Kino Lorber.

     As far as blu-ray releases, someone did get the memo that this is a holiday week that includes Black Friday, so there are fewer titles to choose from.

     From Janus Contemporaries via Criterion, The Eight Mountains, Tori and Lokita and Godland are available this week. Under Criterion's own label, La cérémonie.

     

     Anime highlights this week include two super long titles, Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?! Season 4 Part 1 and Peter Grill and the Philosopher's Time Super Extra: Collector's Edition (SteelBook).

     

     Under the Indicator Series label, look for The Criminal Acts of Tod Slaughter: Eight Blood-and-Thunder Entertainments this week.

     Another box set delayed a little bit but available this week (I think), Doctor Who: Limited Edition Complete New Who Collector's Blu-ray Giftset.

     

     The Police Academy Collection is available on the Shout Select label this week. Previously the only way to own these movies on blu-ray was to import them, I look forward to seeing how this set compares.

     

     Also from Shout Factory, another box set, Farscape: The Complete Series. Again, same question arises, how does this one compare to the set released over a decade ago?

     

     Honorable Mention: Not exactly AAA material, but Kino Lorber this week has Babes in Toyland. We've seen it on TV enough times, now we can get it on disc!

     

    Notable announcements from last week:

     A very exciting story (for MANY of us) came out on Monday, I am referring to news about those James Cameron titles we have waited decades for! Yup, The Abyss, True Lies, Aliens. And, in a relatively short time, special editions of both Avatar movies. One thing Cameron movies have done to my wallet, they've made it a bit lighter. I have lost count how many time I have bought T2 over the years. Paramount already has Titanic slated for next month in two editions as well. According to Bill Hunt at The Digital Bits, he said Dolby Vision is finally coming to the physical releases. Which, from Disney, no doubt a demand from Mr. Cameron! Even though the official press release says the 4K edition has Dolby Vision, so many times in the past that meant streaming 4K only, so thank you Bill for confirming it with 100% certainty.

     Monday was also the chosen day for Criterion to announce their February slate. After Christmas was supposed to be a time to lick our financial woulds and it looks like Criterion has lined up January and February with some solid releases.

     Vinegar Syndrome has reminded us that recovering from Christmas expenses might be pretty difficult, Subscriber Week runs January 1 - 7. Take a look at an aricle from Matthew Hartman a couple of years ago. It made me take the leap and subscribe, and I renewed the very next year, with plans on doing it again.

     Paramount has announced that a 4K release of Varsity Blues will be available on January 9th.

     Sony Pictures has announced a 4K SteelBook for The Raid: Redemption, with a street date of January 16th.

     If you were wondering if Sony was going to release another Columbia Classics box set, wonder no more as Columbia Classics Volume 4 is arriving on February 13. Visit the link for the full press release.

     

     Next week I expect this paragraph to be pretty empty, most studios are running on a skeleton crew, smaller labels are getting ready for Black Friday.

     

    4K Release Calendar

    2K/BD Release Calendar

    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?



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  • Time To Equalize Your Finances - HDD's 4K UHD & Blu-ray Shopping Guide November 12, 2023

    Posted Sun Nov 12, 2023 at 09:00 AM PST by
    High-Def Digest 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Shopping Guide 11-12-2023

     Yep, it's ramping up to be an expensive month for us collectors and enthusiasts. This week in 4K we see a bunch of SteelBooks that we were led to believe were Walmart exclusives, but aren't, an early Steven Spielberg movie titled Duel, Rudy, Equalizer 3 and more.

    Welcome to Volume 4 Episode 24 of our weekly release guide. A look at the highlights of what's coming to disc the week of November 12th - November 18th, as well as a look at announcements from last week.

    4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Releases-

     We have no import Monday releases to mention this week. Kicking off New Release Tuesday, The Equalizer 3 with Denzel Washington comes as a Standard Edition, a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook and as a 3-film Collection. This makes two weeks in a row that Sony breaks the mold and makes their SteelBook release a Best Buy Exclusive instead of a general release. WHY? Did they miss the memo that Best Buy is ending support for movie discs?

       

     

     Next, from Warner Bros, The Nun II gets a standard edition release. Considered a relatively weak film in the franchise, we would still love to be able to get all of them in 4K. Plus you would get the completionists buyers too. Hint Hint.

     

     Where to go from here with the hefty list if catalog titles? Why not Terms of Endearment, a "Highly Recommended" Paramount Presents release?

     

     Last week had an early George Lucas film, this week we get an early Steven Spielberg release titled Duel. This one comes as a Standard Edition and as a Gruv Exclusive SteelBook and released by Universal Pictures.

     

     Doubling back with Sony, NOT a retailer exclusive and returning to a normal Sony release pattern, Rudy dons a 4K SteelBook release this week. And sort of a double-dip, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse / Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse gets a Collector's Edition release this week.

     

     Criterion Collection this week has The Last Picture Show.

     

     First time to 4K disc, The Twilight Saga 15th Anniversary Edition gets a  Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook collection.

     

     Now for that list of SteelBooks from RLJ & Image Entertainment that were originally listed to be Walmart Exclusive SteelBooks, Arizona, Color Out of Space, The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then the Bigfoot (first time to 4K disc in the U.S.) and Sympathy for the Devil, which also debuts to 4K disc.

     

     Next week there are three new releases (Expend4bles, Oppenheimer and Saw X), Harrison Ford stars as Richard Kimble, Stalag 17, Mean Streets and more!

     

    Blu-ray releases-

     Blu-ray counterparts of the above 4K releases include The Equalizer 3 and The Equalizer 3-Movie Collection from Sony, The Nun II from Warner Bros. and The Last Picture Show from Criterion. Doubling back, The Equalizer 3 also has a Walmart Exclusive SteelBook option. Again, Walmart is opting for a blu-ray exclusive and not a 4K.

     The rest of this category has got a decent quantity of releases this week.

     From Sony Pictures Classics, The Fog of War: Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara to a catalog Tri-Star Pictures of Guarding Tess. Lookie, a third release from Sony's catalog, Johnny Five in Short Circuit 2.

     

     Under the LionsGate label, a week almost never passes without an action/thriller release. This week look for Desperation Road in a DVD case that also includes the blu-ray and digital. Still unsure of the strategy of their recent blu-ray in a DVD case releases.

     The next Vestron Collectors Series release via LionsGate comes out this week, Blue Steel with Jamie Lee Curtis.

     

     Anime highlights include Bluelock Part 1, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations: Set 16, and a live-action title Spirited Away: Live on Stage.

     Under the Warner Archive Label this week, look for In Love and War and Rapa Nui.

     

     For All Mankind: Season One debuts to disc as well this week. This is the more recent highly rated TV series from Apple TV.

     More TV on disc includes Justified: City Primeval Season One from Sony and Leave It to Beaver: The Complete Series from Universal.

     

     Shout Factory has martial arts action with The Sonny Chiba Collection: Volume 2.

     Just like the last entry in the 4K releases section above, RLJ and Image Entertainment has blu-ray SteelBooks (not Walmart exclusives) for Bone Tomahawk, Clean, I Kill Giants, PG: Psycho Goreman, Vesper and Werewolves Within .

     Extra Special Interest: This week the Disney Legacy Animated Film Collection (Walmart Exclusive) streets. If I had a spare $1.5K laying around, I would seriously consider grabbing it.

     

     Next week in the blu-ray category we get sort of a break. Some of us will need it because there is a little think called Black Friday!

     

    Notable announcements from last week:

     Paramount has revealed 4K and blu-ray discs for Pet Sematary: Bloodlines with a December 19th street date. I find it a pleasant surprise to see a 4K of this.

     Sony has revealed that Spike Lee's School Daze 35th Anniversary Edition will be getting a 4K release on December 12th.

     This section might be a little weak this week but believe me, it's not doom and gloom. There were a lot of smaller announcements and reveals during the week. Check out our release calendar for updates.

    4K Release Calendar

    2K/BD Release Calendar

    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?



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  • Car Go Vroom, 4K UHD & Blu-ray Shopping Guide - November 5, 2023 Go Aaaaaaaah

    Posted Sun Nov 5, 2023 at 09:00 AM PST by
    4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray shopping Guide Gran Turismo

     Unlike last week, this week is a walk in the park for 4K titles. As we hinted last week though, there are still a few worthy titles to ponder. From George Lucas' beginnings, a video game adaptation of a different color with David Harbour, David Harbour in a Santa suit, and more! If you have not done so already, read Matthew's article about how ooooooows AND aaaaaaahs this month is going to have!

     Welcome to Volume 4 Episode 23 of our weekly release guide. A look at the highlights of what's coming to disc the week of November 5th - November 11th, as well as a look at announcements from last week.

    4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Releases-

     Import Monday begins with an anime 4K, Nadia: Secret of the Blue Water: Part 1 - Limited Edition. I wish I had more info to share, part 2 (coming next month) appears to NOT be a Limited Edition. To make it even more confusing, there's an Ultimate Edition release on Thursday that is Part 1 and Part 2 together. I've already taken one for the team, so one would guess GKIDS will announce something soon.

     Domestic Tuesday's new release is for Gran Turismo starring David Harbour. This one is available as a standard edition and as a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook, which is actually out of the norm for Sony (SteelBook, normal, Best Buy, not).

        

     

     Next on the semi-new release list, Violent Night, with more David Harbour action. This one appears to be a true 4K release and not an MOD release, and is available as a standard edition and as a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook.

        

     

     Under the Shout Select label, Fargo finally sees light of day. This one was hinted (but not announced) quite early in the year.

     

     One of George Lucas' early success stories was with American Graffiti. And this one is available as a standard edition and as a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook.

        

     

     How about some Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd fun with Trading Places from Paramount?

     

     And a little more comedy with Scrooged, also from Paramount.

     

     Sony's next batch of 4K with Dolby Vision Upgrades in a SteelBook package are available this week, Black Hawk Down and The Guns of Navarone.

     And NOT a Dolby Vision upgrade from Universal, Scarface is available as a double-dip in a Best Buy Exclusive Steelbook option.

     Next week, a bunch of SteelBooks that we thought were Walmart Exclusives, but are not. Also, Stephenie Meyer series in 4K, Equalizer 3, Terms of Endearment, Nun 2, Duel, and a return of wallet-busting action!

     

    Blu-ray releases-

     Blu-ray counterpart of the above titles includes just Sony's Gran Turismo, available as a Standard Edition and as a Walmart Exclusive SteelBook (this makes two weeks in a row now that the Walmart Exclusive has not been 4K).

     Like the 4K category, this week there is a slight dip in the number of blu-ray titles released this week.

     New comedy/drama from Sony titled The Miracle Club. Does releasing a 2023 film under the "Sony Pictures Classics" label allow them to opt out of a digital code?

     

     Paramount is tugging at your purse strings in several ways. First, the collectible mega-set Star Trek: The Picard Legacy Collection. It is a handsome looking set, but what would sell it to me is if they sold it is a hybrid 4K and blu-ray set like LionsGate did with Evil Dead.

     

     And next, a pair of South Park releases, South Park: The Complete Twenty-Sixth Season and South Park: The Streaming Wars.

     Anime highlights include Beast Tamer: The Complete Season, Classroom of the Elite Season 2, More than a Married Couple, but Not Lovers. and My Dress-Up Darling: The Complete Season, which is available as a Standard Edition and as a Limited Edition.

     Fortunately for us, a week doesn't go by without a Criterion Collection release. This week look for Jackie Chan: Emergence of a Superstar.

     

     LionsGate this week is offering Clerks I-III Premium Box Set. Just my opinion, but to me this set would be "premium" if it were 4K. It certainly is an interesting looking set though.

     Honorable Mention: The Universal MOD label (think Warner Archive Collection, but Universal) has a handful of Marx Brothers releases this week. They include Animal Crackers (1930), The Cocoanuts, Duck Soup, Horse Feathers and Monkey Business.

     Special Interest title this week, The American Buffalo - A Film by Ken Burns is certainly worth checking out, if that is your area of interest.

    Notable announcements from last week:

     Shout Factory has revealed their January line-up. Although there are no 4K titles in the batch, there are a few that are definitely worth checking out. A couple of the titles feature Charles Bronson or Chuck Norris, and no doubt the budgets were a bit low for these productions that a 4K doesn't make sense. Titles include Ernest & Célestine: A Trip to Gibberitia, Forced Vengeance, Funeral Home, Jennifer 8, St. Ives, Street Girls, Telefon and (Stephen King's) Thinner.

    4K Release Calendar

    2K/BD Release Calendar

    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?



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  • PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie Barks at Blu-ray on December 12

    Posted Mon Oct 30, 2023 at 06:12 PM PDT by
    PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie

    The family-friendly film will make the perfect stocking stuffer for the kids this holiday season when it arrives on Blu-ray on December 12. Digital is now available.

    When a magical meteor crash lands in Adventure City, it gives the PAW Patrol pups superpowers, transforming them into The MIGHTY PUPS! But they face their mightiest challenge yet when the pups' archrival Humdinger breaks out of jail and teams up with Victoria Vance, a mad scientist, to steal the superpowers for themselves. With the fate of Adventure City hanging in the balance, the Mighty Pups have to stop the supervillains before it's too late.

    PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie - Blu-ray 

    PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie 

    Specs have yet to be revealed, but supplements include: 

    • PAW-Somely Mighty Pups — Get ready to fly high with Skye (McKenna Grace) as she breaks down the amazing superpowers that the crystals bestow on the pups. Plus, see the team's all-new super-suits and their mighty upgraded vehicles.
    • A Totally PAW-Some Cast — Meet the pup-tastic cast and see the incredible young talent behind the voices of Chase, Skye, Liberty, and the Jr. Patrol pups. Additionally, meet the actors who brought reporter Sam Stringer and the villainous Victoria Vance to life.

    Pre-orders should be available any day now and here is the full press release:


    PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie™ arrives on Digital October 31 and will debut on Blu-ray™ and DVD on December 12

    A hit with audiences and critics alike, the exciting and inspiring new adventure PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie™ arrives for families to enjoy together at home when it becomes available to buy on Digital October 31, 2023!  The delightfully entertaining movie will debut on Blu-ray™ and DVD on December 12, just in time for holiday gift-giving.

    “An action-packed adventure for the entire family” (FOX-TV) hailed as “heartwarming and fun” (Crosswalk), PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie™ follows the fan-favorite pups as they take on new adventures with all-new superpowers and prove that even the smallest pup can make the biggest difference!

    Fans who purchase the film on Digital*, Blu-ray or DVD will be on a roll with fun-filled bonus content, including a look at the team's amazing superpowers, all-new super-suits, and upgraded vehicles with none other than Skye herself.  Plus, go inside the voiceover booth to hear from the actors who voice your favorite characters!  Bonus content is detailed below:
    • PAW-Somely Mighty Pups — Get ready to fly high with Skye (McKenna Grace) as she breaks down the amazing superpowers that the crystals bestow on the pups. Plus, see the team's all-new super-suits and their mighty upgraded vehicles.
    • A Totally PAW-Some Cast — Meet the pup-tastic cast and see the incredible young talent behind the voices of Chase, Skye, Liberty, and the Jr. Patrol pups. Additionally, meet the actors who brought reporter Sam Stringer and the villainous Victoria Vance to life.
    PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie™ and PAW Patrol: The Movie™ will also be available in a 2-movie collection on Digital.

    Synopsis
    When a magical meteor crash lands in Adventure City, it gives the PAW Patrol pups superpowers, transforming them into The MIGHTY PUPS!  But they face their mightiest challenge yet when the pups' archrival Humdinger breaks out of jail and teams up with Victoria Vance, a mad scientist, to steal the superpowers for themselves. With the fate of Adventure City hanging in the balance, the Mighty Pups have to stop the supervillains before it's too late.

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  • MI: SOW (Save Our Wallets) From the 4K UHD & Blu-ray Shopping Guide - October 31, 2023

    Posted Sun Oct 29, 2023 at 09:00 AM PDT by
    High-Def Digest Shopping Guide October 31st

     A blue beetle, half of an impossible mission, a witness and more Hitchcock, oh my! The Halloween holiday is on Tuesday and we've got a few choices to ponder. It's hard to ignore all the great titles coming out this week, your wallet will self destruct in 30 seconds!

     Welcome to Volume 4 Episode 22 of our weekly release guide. A look at the highlights of what's coming to disc the week of October 29th - November 4th, as well as a look at announcements from last week.

    4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Releases-

     Before we get to all that stuff mentioned above, import Monday has the M3GAN SteelBook set that the US should have had, just not as a very limited edition that sold out in a couple of days.

     It is a bit tough deciding which domestic new release to lead off with, a DC universe with a ton of characters or an umpteenth sequel in a successful series. Both titles scored in the 90s for audiences on Rotten Tomatoes.

     So, let's begin with Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One from Paramount, which comes as a standard edition and as a SteelBook edition (NOT a Best Buy Exclusive). This one rated high among audiences and critics.

         

     

     Blue Beetle from Warner Bros is next. On the 4K front we get a standard edition and a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook. Audiences loved it, critics were all over the place.

        

     

     Staying with Warner Bros and DC, DC Animated Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes & Huntsmen, Part Two also streets this Tuesday.

     

     Catalog titles next, a Capelight Pictures release in the US, Limbo (2021). Distributed by MVD with both German and English soundtracks, as well as the original Cantonese version.

     

     Sorry to confuse you, it's not intentional. Arrow Video's Witness, which stars Harrison Ford and Kelly McGillis streets this week. Amazon says it is due next week, but the source (Arrow Video) says this week.

     

     A pretty full week for Universal Pictures Releases, first let's look for The Alfred Hitchcock Classics Collection Vol. 3. Not like the previous two volumes, this time we also get the individual releases the same week, which are Frenzy, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Rope, Topaz and Torn Curtain.

     

     Animal House gets a Universal Essentials Collection this week.

     

     Schindler's List also gets an Essentials Collection release too. And on this one, you can also get it (minus the swag) as a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook.

     

     And the final title this week from Universal, Jurassic World: The Ultimate Collection. This is a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook Collection and, quite frankly, the individual covers for each film are actually well done. SOLD!

     

     Next week, a film that got George Lucas on the map (no, not Star Wars, no, not THX1138), Gran Turismo (no, not the video game), Scrooged, Violent Night and more.

     

    Blu-ray releases-

     Blu-ray counterparts to the above titles include Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One from Paramount, Blue Beetle from Warner Bros, which includes the standard edition, a Target Exclusive Edition and a Walmart Exclusive SteelBook which I truly wish was 4K due to its better cover art, Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes & Huntsmen, Part Two which is also from Warner Bros., and Witness from Arrow Video. Amazon concurs on the release date for Witness on blu-ray.

     

     There are quite a few releases in the blu-ray category, let's sort though some of the highlights...

     As far as actual NEW stuff, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 comes to us via Universal. As of press time Amazon still doesn't realize that it comes out on Tuesday, thanks to the typical zero-day notice from Universal. And naturally, there is a three-film collection to go with this. Also, catalog title Stealing Christmas gets a blu-ray debut as well.

     

     Lionsgate this week has a couple of films in DVD cases that also include blu-rays and digital codes. Action/crime film Retribution (2023) and action/thriller King of Killers. Are they finally dumping 25+ year old technology (DVD) and just clearing out the cases?

     Criterion Collection this week has the horror/thriller Nanny (2022).

     

     The Warner Archive Collection this week is offering Dance, Fools, Dance which features a well-known cast, Double Trouble with Elvis Presley and Mad City, a crime drama with Dustin Hoffman and John Travolta.

     

     Anime highlights include Cybersix: The Complete Series, Goku Midnight Eye: The Complete OVA Series, Jujutsu Kaisen: Season 1, Part 2, which comes as a standard edition and as a limited edition, Phantom of the Idol Complete Collection and The Wonderful World of Puss 'n Boots.

     Special Interest: Over the years we have bought multiple editions of these Christmas collections and each time they give us just a little bit more, here we go again with The Complete Rankin/Bass Christmas Collection. Off the bat I can see The Year Without a Santa Claus is something that was previously unavailable and hard to find, even on DVD. Could this be the most complete, (minus a 4K aspect) to hold in your hands at one time? Probably.

     

    Imprint Films' October batch is also available via Amazon US on Friday, titles include:

     

    Notable announcements from last week:

     LionsGate has officially announced the 4K release of The Twilight Saga [15th Anniversary] as a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook for November 14th. We have had it listed for some time now.

     Arrow Video has revealed their January slate of releases. For North America we will be seeing Conan the Barbarian, Conan the Destroyer and The Conan Chronicles (which includes both Conan movies), available on blu-ray and 4K fat-packs. The single UK title is Carrie, available as a 4K fat-pack. No doubt we are asking if the Carrie release offers anything different (other than the swag) over the US release from Scream Factory.

     

    4K Release Calendar

    2K/BD Release Calendar

    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?



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  • Kenneth Branagh's A Haunting in Venice Dated & Detailed for Blu-ray 11/28

    Posted Mon Oct 23, 2023 at 08:57 AM PDT by
    A Haunting in Venice

    After 2017’s Murder on the Orient Express and last year’s Death on the Nile, Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh) is on the case once more in A Haunting in Venice - arriving on Blu-ray on November 28th.  Digital and HULU will be available on Halloween.  

    The film also stars Kyle Allen, Camille Cottin, Jamie Dornan, Tina Fey, Jude Hill, Ali Khan, Emma Laird, Kelly Reilly, Riccardo Scamarcio, and Michelle Yeoh.

    A Haunting in Venice is set in eerie, post-World War II Venice on All Hallows’ Eve and is a terrifying mystery featuring the return of the celebrated sleuth, Hercule Poirot. Now retired and living in self-imposed exile in the world’s most glamorous city, Poirot reluctantly attends a séance at a decaying, haunted palazzo. When one of the guests is murdered, the detective is thrust into a sinister world of shadows and secrets.

    A Haunting in Venice - Blu-ray

    Bonus Features

    • Murder, Death and Haunting: Discover the secrets behind the scenes of A HAUNTING IN VENICE. Join Kenneth Branagh and his team as they bring Agatha Christie's classic Poirot novel ‘Hallowe’en Party’ to life with elaborate ensemble scenes and extravagant sets.
    • Deleted Scenes: Check out these scenes that didn’t make the final cut:
      • Morning Routine
      • The Doge’s Palace
      • Halloween Party Extended
      • Desdemona’s Warning
      • Children’s Story
      • Poirot Needs Air
      • Guarding The Gates
      • Secret Doorway Extended
      • Ferrier’s Shouts
      • Poirot Pauses for Thought
      • Journey Home

    *Bonus features vary by product and retailer

    Pre-orders for A Haunting in Venice should be available soon and the release will be in stores on November 28th. Here's the full press release:


    A black background with gold text

Description automatically generated

     

    PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS FACT SHEET

     

    Release Date
    Digital: October 31
    Physical: November 28
     
    Product SKUs
    Digital: 4K UHD, HD, SD
    Physical: Blu-ray (Blu-ray + Digital Code), DVD
     
    Feature Run Time
    Approx. 103 minutes
     
    Rating
    U.S. Rated PG-13
          
    Aspect Ratio
    Digital: 1.85:1
    Physical: 1.85:1

    Disc Size
    Blu-ray: 50GB
    DVD: 8.5GB

    U.S. Audio
    Blu-ray: English 7.1 DTS-HDMA and 2.0 Dolby Digital Descriptive Audio, Spanish and French 5.1 Dolby Digital
    DVD: English, Spanish and French 5.1 Dolby Digital, English 2.0 Dolby Digital Descriptive Audio
    Digital: English Dolby Atmos (UHD only, some platforms), English 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, English Descriptive Audio 2.0 Dolby Digital (some platforms)

    U.S. Subtitles
    Blu-ray: English SDH, Spanish, French
    DVD: English SDH, Spanish, French
    Digital: English SDH, French, Spanish (some platforms)

     

    Bonus Features*

    Murder, Death and Haunting: Discover the secrets behind the scenes of A HAUNTING IN VENICE. Join Kenneth Branagh and his team as they bring Agatha Christie's classic Poirot novel ‘Hallowe’en Party’ to life with elaborate ensemble scenes and extravagant sets.

     

    Deleted Scenes: Check out these scenes that didn’t make the final cut:

    • Morning Routine

    • The Doge’s Palace

    • Halloween Party Extended

    • Desdemona’s Warning

    • Children’s Story

    • Poirot Needs Air

    • Guarding The Gates

    • Secret Doorway Extended

    • Ferrier’s Shouts

    • Poirot Pauses for Thought

    • Journey Home

     

    *Bonus features vary by product and retailer

     



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  • 4K UHD & Blu-ray Shopping Guide Will Devour Our Wallets! - October 22, 2023

    Posted Sun Oct 22, 2023 at 09:00 AM PDT by
    4K UHD and Blu-ray Shopping Guide October 2022

     There's no rest for our bifolds as we look at a couple of great imports, prehistoric sharks in Meg 2, that movie before Silence, a Paramount mega-set, and more!

     Welcome to Volume 4 Episode 21 of our weekly release guide. A look at the highlights of what's coming to disc the week of October 22nd - October 28th, as well as a look at announcements from last week.

    4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Releases-

     Where to begin with Import Monday, that's a tough one as there are a couple of goodies.

     Will Criterion or another label do this one in the US? For now though, StudioCanal offers us Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai to 4K disc. If you want to get the SteelBook instead, there's that option too.

     

     Kino Lorber has Red Dragon this week, but Universal UK has Hannibal in a collector's edition SteelBook.

     From Arrow video, Hellraiser: Quartet of Torment. This set includes all four films in 4K. Alternately, you can get the Arrow Store Exclusive with a different cover art.

     

     I generally don't mention a title I already placed in the guide that gets moved back a few weeks at the last second, but this week I will because of its gravity. The Exorcist 50th Anniversary UK Collector's Set is available this week from Amazon US. The fancy Bible set also streets as well, but prepare to be scalped on that one.

     Now on to Domestic Release Tuesday.

     For the new release this week, Meg 2: The Trench comes as a standard edition and as a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook.

          

     

     There's a handful of catalog titles this week too, beginning with a pair of Kino Lorber titles. First, from the mind of the horror master himself (Stephen King), Cujo. Nice doggie, sit.

     

     Hannibal Lecter's next film, Red Dragon, also brought to us from Kino Lorber. This release officially means you should now own the trilogy, if you don't count the prequel that never made it to blu-ray disc.

     

     From Powerhouse/Indicator, Fascination and Lips of Blood.

     

     From Sony Pictures, The Muppets Take Manhattan. Muppets is an interesting property because most of it is owned by Disney, so it is doubtful the rest will come to 4K. Never say never though.

     

     Godzilla (1998) gets a SteelBook upgrade with upgraded HDR (Dolby Vision). How many early Sony titles still remain that did not get DV?

     From LionsGate, Le Mépris (Contempt) gets the 4K treatment. If you wish to also get it bundled with the original blu-ray for $5 more, there's this option too.

     

     The Miramax thriller The Others gets a Criterion 4K release this week.

     

     The Toxic Avenger Collection releases this week (I think) after several delays.

     Paramount Scares Vol. 1, a rather handsome looking set also debuts this week just in time for Halloween. For some of us, this means double-dipping on just about everything. However as a marketing standpoint, film #5 claims to be a debut to 4K, check out or review for more info.

     

     And lastly, Korean crime/drama Decision to Leave is also available from MUBI.

     Next week offers up DC's Blue Beetle, the next Mission: Impossible, another Hitchcock Collection and more!

     

    Blu-ray releases-

     Blu-ray counterparts of the above 4K titles include Meg 2: The Trench from Warner Bros, Cujo from Kino Lorber, Fascination and Lips of Blood from Powerhouse/Indicator and The Others from Criterion. Also, as we commonly see, there is a 2-film collection for The Meg.

     From Warner Archive Collection this week, look for Before Night Falls, Christopher Strong, Palmetto and Rock Around the Clock.

     

     Kino Cult #1, Lorna The Exorcist, Kino Cult #2, Alien Outlaw and Kino Cult #3, The Dark Power become available this week. Both #2 and #3 films star Lash La Rue while #1 is helmed by Jess Franco.

     

     TV on disc this week includes The Boys: Season 3, Dark Winds: Season Two and Murdoch Mysteries: Season 16.

     

     Anime highlights include just Overlord IV Season 4, which comes as a standard edition and as a limited edition.

     Arrow Video brings more martial arts action with The Iron-Fisted Monk. This one has two choices for English dubbed audio.

     On the same topic of martial arts action, Shout! Factory also offers Shaw Brothers Classics: Vol. Three this week. Maybe a Shaw Brothers fan can help me out here... between the Arrow Video sets and the Shout! Factory sets, is there a lot of overlap? Is it all fresh?

     

     Honorable Mention: Hallmark Entertainment appears on track with releasing multiple titles to blu-ray. This week's batch includes Five More Minutes: Moments Like TheseThe Gift of Peace, Haul Out the Holly, A Magical Christmas Village and A Maple Valley Christmas.

     

    Notable announcements from last week:

     Anyone that buys merchandise from Rightstuf Anime already knows this, to those that don't, here's the 4-1-1. They merged with CrunchyRoll (fka FUNimation) last year, now when you visit their site it directs you to CrunchRoll's site instead to fill your needs. This is not more doom and gloom for physical media, just another consolidation. We have seen other companies directly distribute their products, the case here is they will distribute their own product, as well as other related products. With rumors about Walmart negotiating to buy SDS, that could be a good thing too. Maybe not, your thoughts?

     Criterion Collection's January Slate has been revealed. A considerable number of titles including several 4Ks. Do check it out.

     Confirmed street dates round up includes Oppenheimer for 11/21, Saw X for 11/21, Titanic (James Cameron) for 12/5 and Expendables 4 for 11/21.

    4K Release Calendar

    2K/BD Release Calendar

    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?



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  • Roger Corman's The Terror Getting 60th Anniversary Blu-ray with The Little Shop of Horrors 12/12

    Posted Fri Oct 20, 2023 at 03:01 PM PDT by

    Roger Corman's classic The Terror starring Jack Nicholson and Boris Karloff has been newly restored from the 35mm archival elements for the film's 60th anniversary and will be released on Blu-ray on December 12. As a bonus, the Blu-ray will also include The Little Shop of Horrors (1960).

    Film Masters is preparing Rogercorman's classics The Terror (1963) and Little Shop of Horrorsfor Blu-ray on December 12th.

    The two sides of Roger Corman are represented with The Terror (1963) and The Little Shop of Horrors (1960). Corman's Gothic, spooky side is on display in The Terror, an atmospheric horror tale of a French soldier whose encounter with a ghostly woman leads him to a mysterious castle full of dark secrets. The pairing of a youthful Jack Nicholson as the soldier and veteran Boris Karloff as the castle's owner make The Terror a memorable example of Corman's mid-sixties Goth period. Though Corman is credited as director, several others took a turn behind the camera, including Nicholson himself, Monte Hellman, and Francis Ford Coppola. Meanwhile, Corman's more whimsical side is on display in The Little Shop of Horrors. This legendary cult film features a bumbling florist's assistant who creates a giant plant that happens to crave human blood. The usual Corman stock company is on hand, including Jonathan Haze and Dick Miller, plus a cameo by Nicholson as a dental patient with a high threshold for pain.

    The Terror / The Little Shop of Horrors - Blu-ray

    Besides a new HD transfer, supplements will include: Full length commentary for 'The Terror' by C. Courtney Joyner and Dr. Steve Haberman, Full length commentary for 'Little Shop of Horrors' by Justin Humphreys and Special Guest, Full color inserted booklet with original essays, Featurette by Howard S. Berger provides a fresh look at 'The Terror', 'Hollywood Intruders: The Filmgroup Story: Part Two'; an original Ballyhoo Motion Pictures Production.

    Pre-orders for The Terror (1963): Special Edition (w/The Little Shop of Horrors) are up now and the release will be in stores on December 12th.


    60th Anniversary Edition of Roger Corman’s

    The Terror on Blu-ray & DVD, Dec. 12th

     

    Two-Disc Collection Packed With Special Features, Including Bonus Film

    The Little Shop of Horrors (1960) and Film Commentary by Star Jonathan Haze

     

    ROCKPORT, Mass. — December 2023 — For Immediate Release — The duality of Roger Corman is on display, showcasing his spooky gothic side with The Terror (1963) — marking the 60th anniversary of its release this year — and his more whimsical side with The Little Shop of Horrors (1960) in this double-feature, special-edition, two-disc, collector’s set, on Blu-ray and DVD Dec. 12 from Film Masters.

     

    In The Terror—with an all-new HD restoration from 35mm archival elements — an 18th century French Lieutenant in Napoleon's army encounters the ghostly apparition of a young woman (Sandra Knight). Curiosity leads Lt. Andre Duvalier (Jack Nicholson) to the castle of Baron Von Leppe (Boris Karloff), where he notices a painting of the Baron's late wife Ilsa, who looks identical to the ghostly woman. Determined to unravel the castle's mystery, Duvalier learns that the Baron has many terrifying secrets. Though officially credited to Corman, The Terror had a total of five collaborative directors, including NicholsonMonte Hellman and Francis Ford Coppola.

     

    Said Film Masters President Phil Hopkins, “The Terror has languished in the public domain for decades. We’re delighted to have put together a celebratory and thought-provoking version with an award-winning team of contributors. Fans of the film will appreciate the editorial bonus features, which take a much-needed deep dive into this infamous Corman classic.”

     

    If you're young enough, this tale of a man-eating plant might scare you … If you're old enough, it'll make you laugh! In a newly restored HD version, The Little Shop of Horrors is the insane story of Seymour (Jonathan Haze), a lonely florist, and his hungry plant, Audrey, for whom he goes to great lengths to ensure that his green friend is fed and happy. With a cast that also includes Dick MillerJackie JosephMel Welles and a very young Jack Nicholson as a scene-stealing dental patient with a high threshold for pain, Corman and screenwriter Charles Griffith give us a comic horror masterpiece for the ages. A film so enduring that it inspired a Broadway musical, which led to a remake of the film that was nominated for two Oscars. See the original that started it all!

     

    SPECIAL FEATURES:  C. Courtney Joyner and Dr. Steve Haberman join us for a commentary track on The Terror and author Justin Humphreys with the film’s star, Jonathan Haze, provide commentary for The Little Shop of Horrors; Joyner provides an essay on the Karloff/Poe connection; Mark McGee pens liner notes for The Little Shop of Horrors; Ballyhoo Motion Pictures continues Hollywood Intruders: The Filmgroup Story with part two of the featurette; a featurette by Howard S. Berger, “Ghosts in the Machine: Art & Artifice in Roger Corman’s Celluloid Castle” provides a fresh look at The Terror; and recut trailers, based on the original theatrical trailers.


    Both films are presented with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1. Discs are region free and include English SDH.  Audio is DTS-HD/Dolby AC3s.

     

    About Film Masters:

    Film Masters is a consortium of historians and enthusiasts who seek to celebrate the preservation and restoration of films. We are archivists, committed to storing film elements for future generations and reviving films that have been sitting dormant for decades. By scanning in 2K and 4K, we give these lesser-known films the red-carpet treatment they deserve. Leveraging modern means of distribution to release forgotten films back into the world, we also produce original bonus materials, including feature-length documentaries, which aid audiences in contextualizing and celebrating these works of art as they were meant to be.  Visit us online at: www.FilmMasters.com

     

    The Terror The Little Shop of Horrors

    Film Masters

    Genre: Horror / Comedy

    Original Release: 1963 / 1960 (B+W)

    Not Rated

    Format: Blu-ray & DVD

    Running Time: 80 Minutes / 73 Minutes (Plus Special Features)

    Suggested Retail Price: Blu-ray $29.52 / DVD $19.95

    Pre-Order Now

    Street Date: Dec. 12, 2023

    Catalog #:  Blu-ray SKU FMB004 / DVD SKU FMD004

    UPC Code:  Blu-ray #760137137566 / DVD #760137137573

     

     

     

     

    60th Anniversary Edition of Roger Corman’s

    The Terror on Blu-ray & DVD, Dec. 12th

     

    Two-Disc Collection Packed With Special Features, Including Bonus Film

    The Little Shop of Horrors (1960) and Film Commentary by Star Jonathan Haze

     

    ROCKPORT, Mass. December 2023 For Immediate Release The duality of Roger Corman is on display, showcasing his spooky gothic side with The Terror (1963) — marking the 60th anniversary of its release this year — and his more whimsical side with The Little Shop of Horrors (1960) in this double-feature, special-edition, two-disc, collector’s set, on Blu-ray and DVD Dec. 12 from Film Masters.

     

    In The Terror—with an all-new HD restoration from 35mm archival elements — an 18th century French Lieutenant in Napoleon's army encounters the ghostly apparition of a young woman (Sandra Knight). Curiosity leads Lt. Andre Duvalier (Jack Nicholson) to the castle of Baron Von Leppe (Boris Karloff), where he notices a painting of the Baron's late wife Ilsa, who looks identical to the ghostly woman. Determined to unravel the castle's mystery, Duvalier learns that the Baron has many terrifying secrets. Though officially credited to Corman, The Terror had a total of five collaborative directors, including Nicholson, Monte Hellman and Francis Ford Coppola.

     

    Said Film Masters President Phil Hopkins, “The Terror has languished in the public domain for decades. We’re delighted to have put together a celebratory and thought-provoking version with an award-winning team of contributors. Fans of the film will appreciate the editorial bonus features, which take a much-needed deep dive into this infamous Corman classic.”

     

    If you're young enough, this tale of a man-eating plant might scare you … If you're old enough, it'll make you laugh! In a newly restored HD version, The Little Shop of Horrors is the insane story of Seymour (Jonathan Haze), a lonely florist, and his hungry plant, Audrey, for whom he goes to great lengths to ensure that his green friend is fed and happy. With a cast that also includes Dick Miller, Jackie Joseph, Mel Welles and a very young Jack Nicholson as a scene-stealing dental patient with a high threshold for pain, Corman and screenwriter Charles Griffith give us a comic horror masterpiece for the ages. A film so enduring that it inspired a Broadway musical, which led to a remake of the film that was nominated for two Oscars. See the original that started it all!

     

    SPECIAL FEATURES:  C. Courtney Joyner and Dr. Steve Haberman join us for a commentary track on The Terror and author Justin Humphreys with the film’s star, Jonathan Haze, provide commentary for The Little Shop of Horrors; Joyner provides an essay on the Karloff/Poe connection; Mark McGee pens liner notes for The Little Shop of Horrors; Ballyhoo Motion Pictures continues Hollywood Intruders: The Filmgroup Story with part two of the featurette; a featurette by Howard S. Berger, “Ghosts in the Machine: Art & Artifice in Roger Corman’s Celluloid Castle” provides a fresh look at The Terror; and recut trailers, based on the original theatrical trailers.


    Both films are presented with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1. Discs are region free and include English SDH.  Audio is DTS-HD/Dolby AC3s.

     

    About Film Masters:

    Film Masters is a consortium of historians and enthusiasts who seek to celebrate the preservation and restoration of films. We are archivists, committed to storing film elements for future generations and reviving films that have been sitting dormant for decades. By scanning in 2K and 4K, we give these lesser-known films the red-carpet treatment they deserve. Leveraging modern means of distribution to release forgotten films back into the world, we also produce original bonus materials, including feature-length documentaries, which aid audiences in contextualizing and celebrating these works of art as they were meant to be.  Visit us online at: www.FilmMasters.com

     

    The Terror / The Little Shop of Horrors

    Film Masters

    Genre: Horror / Comedy

    Original Release: 1963 / 1960 (B+W)

    Not Rated

    Format: Blu-ray & DVD

    Running Time: 80 Minutes / 73 Minutes (Plus Special Features)

    Suggested Retail Price: Blu-ray $29.52 / DVD $19.95

    Pre-Order Now

    Street Date: Dec. 12, 2023

    Catalog #:  Blu-ray SKU FMB004 / DVD SKU FMD004

    UPC Code:  Blu-ray #760137137566 / DVD #760137137573

     

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  • We're Going to Beach All Over This 4K UHD & Blu-ray Shopping Guide - October 15, 2023

    Posted Sun Oct 15, 2023 at 09:00 AM PDT by
    High-Def Digest 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Shopping Guide 10-15-2023

     If you survived financially from the past two weeks, maybe a congrats goes out to you! This week there is a slight reprieve in the 4K category as we see the Barbie movie, a remake of Haunted Mansion, a remake of The Blob, several animated releases, and more!

     Welcome to Volume 4 Episode 20 of our weekly release guide. A look at the highlights of what's coming to disc the week of October 15th - October 21th, as well as a look at announcements from last week.

    4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Releases-

    Warner Bros. taking a page from Universal's play book with Barbie (the movie) getting literally a 10 day advanced notice. This film is listed as Warner's top-grossing film, ever. Taylor's Swift's Eras Tour movie looks like it might be on the way to that same achievement, assuming (best I can tell) it is also a Warner Bros property.

     

     Next, the animated film Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match which is also from Warner Bros. The colors of the cover give me a Grand Theft Auto Vice City sort of vibe.

     

     Disney hits the new releases 4K category another week in a row with Haunted Mansion, a remake of the film from 20 years ago. This one is available in the same peculiar release pattern of a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook, a Walmart Exclusive, nothing from Target, and, if you want the standard edition you need to go to the Disney Movie Club. Are they trying to promote the movie club, promote retailer exclusives, sabotage the format, or are they just trying to confuse everyone?

      

     

     Before we go deep catalog, 2021 anime Evangelion: 3.0+1.11 Thrice Upon a Time gets a 4K Collector's Edition from GKids/Shout! Factory.

     On to catalog titles, the 1988 remake of The Blob gets a standard release and a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook. This breaks from the normal release pattern in that more recent Shout SteelBooks have not been retailer exclusives, but this one is.

        

     

     From Sony Pictures, 1973 drama/romance The Way We Were finally sees light of day. It had been listed on Amazon for awhile but then the listing went cold.

     

     And closing out the 4K category, The Wicker Man comes to us domestically via LionsGate as a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook. A more elaborate release came out a few weeks ago from StudioCanal.

     Next week a couple of decent imports on Monday, Meg 2, Toxie, Paramount Scares, and more!

     

    Blu-ray releases-

     Blu-ray counterparts of the above releases include Haunted Mansion from Disney, Barbie and Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match from Warner Bros and Evangelion: 3.0+1.11 Thrice Upon a Time from GKIDS.

     For the rest of the blu-ray category, we see a moderate amount of releases. October 31st looks pretty heavy, but that's a couple of weeks out.

     If the Arrow Academy still existed, this film would be under that label, The Desperate Hours comes via Arrow Video.

     

     From Criterion Collection, Freaks / The Unknown / The Mystic: Tod Browning’s Sideshow Shockers.

     First batch of Janus Contemporaries (distributed by Criterion) debut this week. Look for EO, The Innocent and No Bears.

     

     There is a fair amount of TV on disc this week. Titles include The Crown: The Complete Fifth Season, Psych: The Complete Collection, Rabbit Hole: Season One, Titans: The Complete Fourth Season, Titans: The Complete Series and The Walking Dead: The Complete Collection. I used to be that guy that would question what the point in a complete series set is because fans usually buy each season as they come out. But with The Walking Dead I never got the seasons, so it's time to pounce so that I can truly see what all the hubbub is.

     

     Anime highlights this week? Of course, look for Chihayafuru (Season 3) Premium Box Set, Naruto Shippuden Set 1 and Pokémon XY: Mega 3-Movie Collection. The Pokémon set is worth noting because there have been some gaps in our video walls for Pokémon movies if we rely on domestic releases only. Diancie & the Cocoon of Destruction had a brief appearance in the Japan market with a Japanese only soundtrack, while the other two films were German or UK releases.

     

     Since his passing, some of Robin Williams' films have sort of been stored away in a deep vault. This week though thanks to Kino Lorber, we can check off The Best of Times from the list.

     

     Worth a look, Well Go USA releases 3 Days in Malay, a story based on WWII. Dunkirk it is not, but it still sounds like it might be worth of a rent before you buy film.

     Next week looks about like this week. 'til then....

    Notable announcements from last week:

     Onesie Twosie is the name of the game for announcements You have to figure announcements today are for releases around the time of The Holidays or just after, which is typically a slow time of year.

     Links are live for the 4K standard and SteelBook releases of Young Guns, which streets December 5th by the way. Youg Guns II is from a different studio, but you can still hope. Hello, Sony?

     MVD's next Laservision Collection title is Cutting Class 4K, with a street date of January 16. This one dons spine number 4.

     Revealed late in the week, Best Buy has decided to call it quits in the physical movie media market after the holidays. Anyone that has been in a physical store location has probably noticed entire aisles converted to other things we buy every week, like, phone cases and electric scooters. I think what threw everyone off though is that they are doing this action in all of their stores, as well as online. We had speculated over the past year that they were just simply shifting to online only. My 'local' store has struggled to keep even half their shelves stocked with movies. It doesn't take a genius to realize why that category has been underperforming, especially when half or more of the shelves sit empty. A recent internet outage at my home has reminded me why physical media is so important. (Not that I needed a reminder anyway.)

     

    4K Release Calendar

    2K/BD Release Calendar

    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?



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  • The Devil is in the Details of the 4K UHD & Blu-ray Shopping Guide - October 8, 2023

    Posted Sun Oct 8, 2023 at 09:00 AM PDT by
    October 9th 4K UHD and Blu-ray Shopping Guide

     Let's call this the first one-two 4K assault of our wallets for the month of October. Last week, this week, a slight pause next week, repeat. On the 4K circuit we see Disney's Snow White, M3GAN, Pumpkinhead, Rosemary's Baby, Beast Wars and more!

     Welcome to Volume 4 Episode 19 of our weekly release guide. A look at the highlights of what's coming to disc the week of October 8th - October 14th, as well as a look at announcements from last week.

    4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Releases-

     Import Monday first. From 88 Films, Hell of the Living Dead.

     From Arrow Video, The House by the Cemetery. This film has been domestically by Blue Underground, so there is that option.

    Domestic Tuesday normally begins with new releases, but this week (per the title of this guide) we kick off with Rosemary's Baby. Nowadays we take a lot of content of films for granted. When this one came out it was quite controversial for the boundaries it crossed. Each generation has a film that does just that. I remember the controversy around Silent Night, Deadly Night.

     

     We now return to our regular programming with the new release this week, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, which is available as a standard edition and as a limited edition SteelBook.

        

     

     M3GAN is the latest in Universal's wave of double-dip to 4K titles. This one is available as a standard edition and as a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook. The UK is getting a spiffier edition in a couple of weeks which sold out pretty quickly.

        

     

     A Bronx Tale gets a 4K release from a small label named Tribeca Film.

     

     From Scream Factory, Pumpkinhead gets a standard edition release and a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook. A couple of the sequels to this series got so bad they were good, but not available on blu-ray. How 'bout a set of the sequels Scream Factory, even if only on blu-ray?

        

     

    From Disney, with no Movie Club Exclusive shenanigans, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is available as a standard edition and as a 'Disney 100' style Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook. Kind of hoped for a fancy SteelBook, but Disney is in their '100' mode.

     

    Videodrome gets a Criterion Release this week. It was almost one year ago that the UK got several versions of Arrow Video releases of this film. It was assumed that Criterion would pick this up, afterall it's David Cronenberg, and here we are.

     The rest of the 4K category is more or less double-dips with SteelBook packaging. Titles included in this include Friday the 13th from Paramount, Halloween Trilogy (2018 - 2022) [Best Buy Exclusive] from Universal and Terrifier 2 from Cinedigm.

     Next week, living in a Barbie World (for real this time!), Haunted Mansion reboot, Wicker Man and more!

     

    Blu-ray releases-

     Blu-ray counterparts of the above releases include Transformers: Rise of the Beasts from Paramount and A Bronx Tale from Tribeca Film.

     Look for fresh horror from 20th Century Studios with The Boogeyman.

     

     Sticking with a horror theme, Winnie the Pooh: Blood & Honey gets a blu-ray this week, but only as a Walmart Exclusive SteelBook.

     

     Anime highlights include The Eminence In Shadow (Season 1) Complete Collection, Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions! Ultimate Collection and Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club Season 2.

     

     After multiple pushbacks, Hard Boiled II - The Last Blood might actually be releasing this week.

     LionsGate's action/thriller this week is King of Killers. They certainly keep em going.

     

     Yellowjackets: Season Two comes to us this week via Showtime Entertainment.

     

     Honorable mention this week goes out to Shout Factory for the release of Wallace & Gromit: The Complete Cracking Collection.

     

    Notable announcements from last week:

     Shout Factory's various labels have a large slew of upcoming titles and I am pretty stoked about a lot of them. In no particular order, they are Spirited Away: Live on Stage, Shaw Brothers Classics: Vol. Four, Shaun The Sheep: The Complete Series, Showdown At The Grand, Clue (1985) 4K, Masaaki Yuasa: Five Films, The Man In The Iron Mask 4K, Last Man Standing, The Dead Zone 4K, Point Break (1991) 4K, The Kill Room, The Kill Room 4K, JFK 4K and The Ring Collection 4K. You can thank me for The Ring Collection coming to 4K because I bought a German import of this on blu-ray not that long ago.

    4K Release Calendar

    2K/BD Release Calendar

    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?



    Continue Reading
  • Greta Gerwig's Worldwide Blockbuster Barbie Dressed Up Dated and Detailed for Blu-ray and 4K UHD

    Posted Tue Oct 3, 2023 at 10:48 AM PDT by
    Barbie Greta Gerwig Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling

    Warner Brothers' highest-grossing film EVER Barbie directed and co-written by Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling will debut on home video on Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on October 17.

    EXTRA will also launch a Barbie theme-week beginning on October 16.

    To live in Barbie Land is to be a perfect being in a perfect place. Unless you have a full-on existential crisis. Or you’re a Ken.

    Barbie - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray 

    Barbie - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray 

    Barbie - Blu-ray 

    Barbie 

    Both Blu-ray packages will include Dolby Atmos soundtracks and supplements will include: 

    • Welcome to Barbie Land – featurette
    • Becoming Barbie – featurette
    • Playing Dress-Up – featurette
    • Musical Make-Believe – featurette
    • All-Star Barbie Party – featurette
    • It’s A Weird World – featurette

    Pre-order Barbie on Blu-ray and 4K UHD Blu-ray today and here is the full press release:


     

    The Highest Grossing Film of 2023 Worldwide

     

    BARBIE

    Take her home on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD on October 17

     The number one global release in Warner Bros. Pictures history from writer/director Greta Gerwig with more than $1.43 billion worldwide arrives to buy on DVD formats.

     EXTRA to feature a week-long “Barbie” theme week beginning on 10/16

     Available to buy from major retailers including Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Best Buy.

     

     

    Burbank, CA, October 3, 2023 – “Barbie,” the box office smash hit and global phenomenon, arrives for purchase on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD on October 17. From Oscar-nominated writer/director Greta Gerwig (“Little Women,” “Lady Bird”), “Barbie,” stars Oscar-nominees Margot Robbie (“Bombshell,” “I, Tonya”) and Ryan Gosling (“La La Land,” “Half Nelson”) as Barbie and Ken. Gerwig directed “Barbie” from a screenplay by Gerwig & Oscar nominee Noah Baumbach (“Marriage Story,” “The Squid and the Whale”), based on Barbie by Mattel. 

     

    Barbie” has taken the box office by storm, earning more than $1.43 billion worldwide to become the highest grossing film in Warner Bros.’ 100-year history; the highest grossing film ever from a female filmmaker at the domestic box office; and is the largest worldwide film release of 2023.

     

    “Barbie” is also available for Digital ownership at home on participating digital platforms where you purchase movies, including Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, Google Play, Vudu, and more.

    Barbie” also stars America Ferrera (“End of Watch,” the “How to Train Your Dragon” films), Kate McKinnon (“Bombshell,” “Yesterday”), Issa Rae (“The Photograph,” “Insecure”), Rhea Perlman (“I’ll See You in My Dreams,” “Matilda”), and Will Ferrell (the “Anchorman” films, “Talladega Nights”).  The film also stars Michael Cera (“Scott Pilgrim vs. the World,” “Juno”), Ariana Greenblatt (“Avengers: Infinity War,” “65”), Ana Cruz Kayne (“Little Women”), Emma Mackey (“Emily,” “Sex Education”), Hari Nef (“Assassination Nation,” “Transparent”), Alexandra Shipp (the “X-Men” films), Kingsley Ben-Adir (“One Night in Miami,” “Peaky Blinders”), Simu Liu (“Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”), Ncuti Gatwa (“Sex Education”), Scott Evans (“Grace and Frankie”), Jamie Demetriou (“Cruella”), Connor Swindells (“Sex Education,” “Emma.”), Sharon Rooney (“Dumbo,” “Jerk”), Nicola Coughlan (“Bridgerton,” “Derry Girls”), Ritu Arya (“The Umbrella Academy”), Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Dua Lipa and Oscar-winner Helen Mirren (“The Queen”).

    The film’s producers are Oscar nominees David Heyman (“Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood,” “Marriage Story,” “Gravity”), Robbie (“Birds of Prey,” “Promising Young Woman,” “I, Tonya”), Tom Ackerley (“Promising Young Woman,” “I, Tonya”) and Robbie Brenner (“Dallas Buyers Club”), with Gerwig, Baumbach, Ynon Kreiz, Richard Dickson, Michael Sharp, Josey McNamara, Courtenay Valenti, Toby Emmerich and Cate Adams serving as executive producers.

     

    Synopsis:

    To live in Barbie Land is to be a perfect being in a perfect place.  Unless you have a full-on existential crisis. Or you’re a Ken.

     

     

    4K UHD, BLU-RAY & DVD ELEMENTS

    “Barbie” 4K UHD and Blu-ray contain the following special features:  

     

    • Welcome to Barbie Land – featurette
    • Becoming Barbie – featurette
    • Playing Dress-Up – featurette
    • Musical Make-Believe – featurette
    • All-Star Barbie Party – featurette
    • It’s A Weird World – featurette

     

    BASICS

     

    4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD Street Date: October 17, 2023

     

    Running Time: 114 minutes

    Rating: PG-13 for suggestive references and brief language

     

    4K UHD: ATMOS TrueHD, DLBY/DGTL

    Blu-ray: ATMOS TrueHD, DLBY/DGTL

    DVD: DLBY/DGTL

     

    PRODUCT                                                                                        ERP

    4K UHD + Digital                                                                              $29.99

    Blu-ray + Digital                                                                                 $24.99

    DVD                                                                                                   $19.99

     

    THE CREDITS

     

    About “Barbie”

    From Oscar-nominated writer/director Greta Gerwig (“Little Women,” “Lady Bird”) comes “Barbie,” starring Oscar-nominees Margot Robbie (“Bombshell,” “I, Tonya”) and Ryan Gosling (“La La Land,” “Half Nelson”) as Barbie and Ken, alongside America Ferrera (“End of Watch,” the “How to Train Your Dragon” films), Kate McKinnon (“Bombshell,” “Yesterday”), Issa Rae (“The Photograph,” “Insecure”), Rhea Perlman (“I’ll See You in My Dreams,” “Matilda”), and Will Ferrell (the “Anchorman” films, “Talladega Nights”).  The film also stars Michael Cera (“Scott Pilgrim vs. the World,” “Juno”), Ariana Greenblatt (“Avengers: Infinity War,” “65”), Ana Cruz Kayne (“Little Women”), Emma Mackey (“Emily,” “Sex Education”), Hari Nef (“Assassination Nation,” “Transparent”), Alexandra Shipp (the “X-Men” films), Kingsley Ben-Adir (“One Night in Miami,” “Peaky Blinders”), Simu Liu (“Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”), Ncuti Gatwa (“Sex Education”), Scott Evans (“Grace and Frankie”), Jamie Demetriou (“Cruella”), Connor Swindells (“Sex Education,” “Emma.”), Sharon Rooney (“Dumbo,” “Jerk”), Nicola Coughlan (“Bridgerton,” “Derry Girls”), Ritu Arya (“The Umbrella Academy”), Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Dua Lipa and Oscar-winner Helen Mirren (“The Queen”).

     

    Gerwig directed “Barbie” from a screenplay by Gerwig & Oscar nominee Noah Baumbach (“Marriage Story,” “The Squid and the Whale”), based on Barbie by Mattel.  The film’s producers are Oscar nominees David Heyman (“Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood,” “Marriage Story,” “Gravity”), Robbie (“Birds of Prey,” “Promising Young Woman,” “I, Tonya”), Tom Ackerley (“Promising Young Woman,” “I, Tonya”) and Robbie Brenner (“Dallas Buyers Club”), with Gerwig, Baumbach, Ynon Kreiz, Richard Dickson, Michael Sharp, Josey McNamara, Courtenay Valenti, Toby Emmerich and Cate Adams serving as executive producers.

     

    Gerwig’s creative team behind the camera included Oscar-nominated director of photography Rodrigo Prieto (“The Irishman,” “Silence,” “Brokeback Mountain”), Oscar-nominated production designer Sarah Greenwood (“Beauty and the Beast,” “Anna Karenina”), Oscar-winning costume designer Jacqueline Durran (“Little Women,” “Anna Karenina”), editor Nick Houy (“Little Women,” “Lady Bird”), visual effects supervisor Glen Pratt (“Paddington 2,” “Beauty and the Beast”) and music supervisor George Drakoulias (“White Noise,” “Marriage Story”), with a score by Oscar winners Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt (“A Star Is Born”), who also contributed to numerous songs on the film’s soundtrack.  The soundtrack includes an impressive roster of today’s hottest music artists, including Lizzo, Dua Lipa, Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice with Aqua, Charli XCX, KAROL G feat. Aldo Ranks, Tame Impala, Dominic Fike, HAIM, The Kid LAROI, Khalid, PinkPantheress, GAYLE, Ava Max, FIFTY FIFTY and more.

     

    Warner Bros. Pictures Presents a Heyday Films Production, a LuckyChap Entertainment Production, an NB/GG Pictures Production, a Mattel Production, “Barbie.”  The film is distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.

     

     

    About Warner Bros. Discovery Content Sales

     

    Warner Bros. Discovery Content Sales (WBDCS) is one of the world’s largest distributors of entertainment programming, bringing award-winning movies, television, animation, and digital content produced by Warner Bros. Discovery to the homes and screens of millions across North America. Licensing content from Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Television, HBO, Discovery, Cartoon Network, TBS, and more, WBDCS brings fans of Warner Bros. Discovery’s content even more ways to watch when and how they want across streaming, video-on-demand, cable, satellite and broadcast networks, local television stations, airlines and through digital purchases and physical media sales. 

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  • If It Bleeds In 4K, We Can Watch It - 4K UHD & Blu-ray Shopping Guide - October 1, 2023

    Posted Sun Oct 1, 2023 at 09:00 AM PDT by
    Prey (2022) backdrop Disney 20th Century Studios

    If you shop 4K releases, this week could be just as painful to our wallets as last week. From HuluTV's Prey, Stephen King's The Mist, a new take on Universal Monsters, Disney 100 Steels and more, there is no doubt a lot of something for everyone.

    Welcome to Volume 4 Episode 18 of our weekly release guide. A look at the highlights of what's coming to disc the week of October 1st - October 7th, as well as a look at announcements from last week.

    4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Releases -

    Nothing actually shouts New Release this week, but there are a few recent films getting 4K upgrades. This week we get to build a sandwich, which is a rare event actually.

    First up and considered our first slice of bread, Import Monday brings us the next two "Vault Series" releases from Warner Bros/Universal.

    Vault 007 is Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey and Vault 008 is Apollo 13, with all kinds of well-knowns on both sides of the lens. Both of those releases are quite nice, do check it out. Universal is now releasing other collector-type sets in the US, dubbed Essentials Collection releases, they're not nearly as extensive or as pretty but it is a start. Warner Bros has yet to step it up, instead, we get barebones releases with hideous cover art.

    Now for the filling on our sandwich. Disney's Fox division (20th Century Studios) is first on our docket. The 2022 Hulu TV Original movie Prey comes to physical media as a Standard Edition and as a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook. To those out of the loop, this is a prequel film to the Predator franchise.

          

     The next ingredient is Universal Pictures. Recent Blu-ray release The Black Phone gets a 4K upgrade.

     

    Next up from Universal, It Came from Outer Space, with two different buying options. A standard 4K/3D/Blu-ray option and a similar but different release, but as part of the Essentials Collection line.

     These Essentials releases seem to come in pairs, we also have the opportunity to purchase The Sting with Paul Newman and Robert Redford.

    A Limited Edition Collection of Universal Classic Monsters also streets this week. Amazon is currently showing unavailable, other merchants are likely to see limited shipments as it is not an Amazon Exclusive. Also being broken up from the last monsters set as singles releases, The Bride of FrankensteinCreature from the Black Lagoon, The Mummy (1932) and Phantom of the Opera (1943).

    Done with Universal and moving to Criterion, the Criterion Collection release this week is Don't Look Now. It took awhile from the StudioCanal UK release date, but we finally get it here in the end.

     

    New horror/thriller from Lionsgate Talk to Me, which comes as a standard edition and an Amazon Exclusive. (Bet ya thought I was gonna mention a retailer exclusive SteelBook.)

     

    Let's also eke out a pair of catalog skus from LionsGate, Stephen King's The Mist is available as a standard release and as a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook. On my video wall this get's filed under M, how 'bout yours?

     

     The next batch of Disney 100 SteelBook at Best Buy also release this week, they are Aladdin (1992), The Lion King (1994), The Little Mermaid (1989) and Moana.

     From Scream Factory, Night Of The Demons gets that 4K with Dolby Vision upgrade.

     

     Paramount keeps the momentum this week with Scream 3, available as a standard edition and as a limited edition SteelBook. You can also get the Scream: The Original Trilogy if you haven't been keeping up individually. To those other studios out there, this is how you do it. For a major/semi-major franchise, you don't release the original film, or a random sequel of that film to 4K and then decide to call it quits. We want to see the rest too.

     

     Warner Bros releases a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook of Evil Dead Rise in a similar style as was the European release. I cannot confirm it but I believe this release actually has some extras on disc this time.

     Now for that other slice of bread on the opposite side. Imports towards the end of the week include FOUR different editions of The Black Phone from Turbine Medien group.

     And from Imprint Films, Cross of Iron starring James Coburn.

     Next week we get Pumpkinhead, another recent wave Universal double-dip 4K upgrade, more Disney 100, the latest in the Transformers franchise, and more.

     

    Blu-ray releases -

     Can you say drought, as in Sahara Desert type of drought? That is what the Blu-ray category looks like this week. If you were a small label, this week would be the best week to get something out there.

     Blu-ray counterparts of the above titles include Prey from Disney/Fox, Don't Look Now from the Criterion Collection and Talk To Me from LionsGate.

     Great time to release new editions of Night Of The Demons 2 and Night Of The Demons 3, which come from Scream Factory by the way. My mini-rant above wasn't aimed at this series, carry on folks, nothing to see here except some decently produced sequels.

     

     Netflix Original animated movie Animal Crackers comes to disc this week.

     The LionsGate thriller of the week is Mob Land with John Travolta.

     

     The anime RWBY: Volume 9 comes to disc this week.

     

     Friday releases include Imprint Films editions of Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia, Film Focus: George Peppard and Ray Bradbury’s The Martian Chronicles.

     

    Notable announcements from last week:

     Turbine medien group has announced 4K editions of Renfield and Pearl for December street dates.

     Arrow Video's December slate will incklude The Day of the Locust, Savage Guns: Four Classic Westerns Vol 3 and The Warriors. The Warriors will have a blu-ray edition, a 4K edition and an Arrow Store 4K edition. The UK market is also getting Child’s Play Collection in 4K. Just note that the original film is the 2012 MGM blu-ray, not a 4K. No doubt the original studio playing hardball and leaving Arrow with little choice what they can with this set. If I were to buy this set, it's pretty easy to swap out one disc, so it is still a viable option.

     Second Sight UK will be releasing High Tension to both fat-pack and standard 4K releases on November 27. These frequently come in pairs so I wonder if there is another title I have missed at this point (?)

     

    4K Release Calendar

    2K/BD Release Calendar

    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?



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  • How Deep Is Your Wallet? 4K UHD & Blu-ray Shopping Guide - September 24, 2023

    Posted Sun Sep 24, 2023 at 09:00 AM PDT by

     Hope you got rather deep pockets because this week is ginornmous for both 4K and blu-ray categories. It's nearly the perfect storm. All that is missing are some large box-sets.

     Welcome to Volume 4 Episode 17 of our weekly release guide. A look at the highlights of what's coming to disc the week of September 24th - September 30th, as well as a look at announcements from last week.

    4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Releases-

     OK, let's kick off first with Import Monday. First from Arrow Video, The Psycho Collection. Where Universal released only the original film to 4K, Arrow has the three sequels in glorious 4K as well. Note: I took one for the team and imported this, so Universal will probably announce a similar set next week! My copy arrives Monday.

     

     Next, although Kino Lorber did an excellent job with this title, we do get in import as part of Eureka's 'Masters of Cinema Series' for Touch of Evil. Right off the bat we see this edition has physical swag included, similar to an Arrow Video Fat-Pack. The on-disc features probably vary some, still worth a look.

     Closing out Import Monday, StudioCanal offers up a 5-disc edition of The Wicker Man under their 'Vintage Classics' label. I took one for the team on this one too, but thus far LionsGate is only matching it with a SteelBook 2-disc swagless release in October, so the import is probably the most comprehensive (minus the digital code).

     

     Domestic Tuesday begins with new releases, and first this week we have Disney Pixar's Elemental. And following their current unusual release pattern, the Standard 4K is currently only available via the Disney Movie Club, but there is a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook and a Walmart Exclusive.  Again, Target seems to have lost interest in physical media, no gallery book edition, no art card edition, nada.

         

     

     Staying with Disney, their first of a recent wave of surprise Disney+ releases, Loki: The Complete First Season comes to SteelBook this week.

     

     Paramount this week is offering Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan: Season Three to 4K disc.

     On to catalog titles, Vinegar Syndrome's general release for A Blade in the Dark is available via Amazon (and other retailers).

     Arrow Video offers up a fat-pack release of Carlito's Way. If you want the more traditional cover art, you can get the Arrow Store Limited Edition instead.

     

     Teen horror sequel I Still Know What You Did Last Summer is available via Sony Pictures.

     

     Paramount has broken up the Scream Factory trilogy set and brought us Halloween H20: 20 Years Later as a single film SteelBook release. What this means for the other two movies is currently unknown.

     Sony has Reprint SteelBooks in case you missed out the first go round, titles include Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, plus The Equalizer, The Fifth Element and Ghostbusters & Ghostbusters II.

     Criterion Collectors can pick up Moonage Daydream starring the late David Bowie this week.

     

     A label we don't see very often, Blue Underground releases The Girl from Rio this week, and our review says it is highly recommended.

     Happy belated (or early) Valentines Day from Scream Factory with My Bloody Valentine.

     

     Under their Shout Select label, Natural Born Killers is available as a Standard Edition and a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook. This might be the first "Select" release I have seen with a slipcover.

     

     How about a pair of great films from Kino Lorber? First a WWII masterpiece starring Burt Lancaster, The Train. And second, Clint Eastwood stars in Thunderbolt and Lightfoot.

     

     Next week no reprieve on your wallets,  It Came from you know where, Hulu original Prey, more monsters, more 4K upgrades and more Disney 100 SteelBooks. Oh, and an appearance from Turbine Medien on Friday.

     

    Blu-ray releases-

     Blu-ray counterparts of the above 4K titles include Disney Pixar's Elemental, Disney+ original Loki: The Complete First Season, Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan: Season Three and Moonage Daydream from Criterion.

     Other TV on disc this week includes Interview with the Vampire: Season One, Mayfair Witches: Season One, Pennyworth: The Complete Third Season and Pennyworth: The Complete Series.

     

     The Warner Archive has a majority of their September titles pushed back a month, but what is available this week is Cats Don’t Dance, Saratoga (1937) and Westward the Women.

     

     Kino Lorber has Death Wish 4: The Crackdown and Death Wish V: The Face of Death. Completionists take note.

     La Bamba gets a Criterion Collection release.

     

     Let's call this one a double-tease because they're blu-ray releases and not 4K releases, and I have questions. Just a few weeks ago Sony gave us a 4K release for the original Insidious movie, this week they give us the newest movie in that series,  Insidious: The Red Door on blu-ray. This week in the 4K section above, we get the first sequel,  I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, but the next sequel, I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer is available on blu-ray only. Don't get me wrong, Sony has been a very good supporter of the 4K format, it's just cases like this that makes me scratch my head a bit.

     From Universal, 2023 crime/drama A Thousand and One. Also look for Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken, which again, 4K buyers have an insatiable appetite, and this one would probably look very good in that format.

     

     If you were waiting for the next release, wait no more, Star Trek: Prodigy: Season 1 - Episodes 11 - 20 comes this week via Paramount.

     

     LionsGate's action/thriller this week is The Engineer.

     Anime highlights this week include Gatchaman Complete Collection, Lonely Castle in the Mirror, Rent-A-Girlfriend: Season 2 and Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon - Season 2, Part 2, which is available as a Standard Edition and as a Limited Edition.

     

     

    Notable announcements from last week:

     Warner Bros has announced thelatest DCU film Blue Beetle will be available October 31 in all the various formats and retailer exclusives. I dig the Walmart SteelBook and the Target Exclusives the best, but unfortunately neither of them include a 4K release.

     Criterion Collection's December slate has been announced. It doesn't have a large quantity of releases, but there might be something that interests you!

     Hey, act fast if you want an upgraded 4K SteelBook release for M3GAN. The UK has it and supplies are very limited.

    4K Release Calendar

    2K/BD Release Calendar

    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?



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  • 4K & Blu-ray Disc News Round-up: You Don't Mess with the Hat...

    Posted Fri Sep 22, 2023 at 11:50 AM PDT by
    Timothy Olyphant as Raylan Givens

    It's time once again to wrap up the week with another abridged version of the latest news.  As always, be sure to check out our release calendars as new 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and Blu-ray titles are being added nearly every day and there's just too many of them to include everything here (especially if you are an anime fan).

    Starting things off is the December slate from The Criterion Collection has been revealed and it appears to be a light month. This wave includes Blast of Silence and The Red Balloon and Other Stories: Five Films by Albert Lamorisse on Blu-ray, as well as Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and Blu-ray.

    Blast of Silence  The Red Balloon and Other Stories  Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio

    Warner Archive has announced their October release slate. The titles include: Mad City (1997), In Love and War (1996), Rapa Nui (1994), The Devil Doll (1936), Double Trouble (1967), and Dance, Fools, Dance (1931). All of them are available on October 31. As a side note, Warner Archive is also prepping Looney Tunes Collector's Choice: Volume 2 for November.

    Warner's latest DC superhero flick Blue Beetle is set to release on home video on October 31. There will be a 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray, plus each will have a retailer exclusive steelbook as well. Check out those details in this post.

    Severin has revealed two upcoming cult classics for 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray: Zombie Holocaust (includes Doctor Butcher M.D.) and Count Dracula (1970). They've even got Cuadecuc, Vampir / Umbracle on the way as well, however only for Blu-ray. Look for these on October 24.

    Zombie Holocaust 4K   Count Dracula 4k

    Sony is bringing Apple TV's For All Mankind: Season One to Blu-ray on November 14. The science fiction series is created by Ronald D. Moore, Matt Wolpert, and Ben Nedivi. The studio also just added Justified: City Primeval: Season One - which brings back Timothy Olyphant in his iconic role as Deputy Marshal Raylan Givens - to Blu-ray on the same date.

    Paramount is set to beam the second season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and Blu-ray on December 5. You can read all about that coverage here.

    Turbine has the world Blu-ray debut of The Exorcist spoof, Repossessed, starring Leslie Nielson and Linda Blair available for purchase next Friday. Bob Logan's 1990 comedy will be available in four exclusive special edition mediabooks.

    And in case you overlooked them late last week, we also covered the announcement for Shout Factory's collector's edition of Fargo on 4K UHD Blu-ray arriving November 7, as well as Studiocanal UK's 4K UHD Blu-ray of Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai starring Forest Whitaker hitting stores on October 23. The latter will also have a SteelBook.

    That's all we have for now, but the churning machine is always going so tune in next time when we have more things to report and have yourselves a wonderful weekend!

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  • Apple TV's For All Mankind: Season One Enters Blu-ray's Orbit on November 14

    Posted Wed Sep 20, 2023 at 08:29 AM PDT by
    For All Mankind TV series

    The first season of the Apple TV original science fiction series created by Ronald D. Moore, Matt Wolpert, and Ben Nedivi comes to Blu-ray via Sony in a 4-Disc set on November 14.

    Imagine a world where the global space race never ended. This thrilling “what if” take on history spotlights the high-stakes lives of NASA astronauts and their families.

    For All Mankind: Season One 

    For All Mankind: Season One 

    For All Mankind: Season One Blu-ray includes 10 episodes on four discs and has a English 5.1 DTS-HD MA soundtrack.  No supplements have been revealed at this time.  

    Pre-orders for For All Mankind: Season One should be available in the coming days and here is the full press release:


    THE FIRST SEASON OF THE ACCLAIMED SERIES
    DEBUTS ON BLU-RAY DISC™
    SEASON ONE
    4-DISC SET AVAILABLE NOVEMBER 14TH 
    SYNOPSIS
    Imagine a world where the global space race never ended. This thrilling “what if” take on history spotlights the high-stakes lives of NASA astronauts and their families.

    DISC DETAILS
    BLU-RAY DISCS
    • 10 episodes presented in High Definition, split across 4 discs
    • 5.1 English audio on each episode
    CAST AND CREW
    Cast: Joel Kinnaman, Michael Dorman, Sarah Jones, Shantel VanSanten, Jodi Balfour, Wrenn Schmidt
    Executive Producers: Ronald D. Moore, Ben Nedivi, Matt Wolpert, Maril Davis, Naren Shankar, Seth Gordon
    Created by: Ronald D. Moore, Matt Wolpert, Ben Nedivi
     
    SPECS
    Run Time: Approx. 612 minutes 
    Rating: Not Rated
    Blu-ray Picture: 1080p Ultra High Definition, 2.00:1
    Blu-ray Audio: English 5.1 DTS-HD MA
     FOR MORE INFORMATION
    Twitter: @SonyPicsHomeEnt
    Instagram: @SonyPicturesHomeEntertainment 
    Facebook: 
    facebook.com/SonyPicturesHomeEntertainment 
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/sonypictures 

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  • Check the cove, men! Over here! It's the 4K UHD & Blu-ray Shopping Guide - September 17, 2023

    Posted Sun Sep 17, 2023 at 10:00 AM PDT by
    The Little Mermaid (2023) backdrop

     There is little doubt that Disney's live-action release of The Little Mermaid will dominate the charts this week, but there are plenty of other catalog and semi-new release upgraded titles to choose from as well.

     Welcome to Volume 4 Episode 16 of our weekly release guide. A look at the highlights of what's coming to disc the week of September 17th - September 23rd, as well as a look at announcements from last week.

    4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Releases-

     As mentioned on the lead-in, Disney's live-action release of The Little Mermaid will dominate the charts this week, where will you be buying yours? Disney is following their strange Strange World model on this one again, which means the standard edition release is presently a Disney Movie Club Exclusive until some date further out, Cinderella was a DMC exclusive for four months, Strange World still is. Fret not though, there are other options available (just like Strange World had), look for either/both a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook Edition as well as a Walmart Exclusive Edition. Once again, absent from this category is a Target Exclusive Edition. Back in the day, their gallery books and art cards were something to look forward to. Hello, Target, are you listening?

          

     

     4K upgrades for somewhat new titles, first from Universal Cocaine Bear gets 4K physical release. You're welcome by the way! I did not think this would get a domestic release so I imported it. Based on the source material, your biggest bang will come from the HDR aspect of it.

     

     And LionsGate and A24's Fall gets a Best Buy Exclusive 4K SteelBook as well.

     

     Whether you file this under B or under L on your video wall, Sony releases a SteelBook of Berry Gordy's The Last Dragon. I go with L, there was no Bruce Lee movie or any other film to be confused with here.

     

     From Warner Bros, William Friedkin's The Exorcist gets two minimalist releases with a Standard Edition and a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook Edition. Again, the UK gets far superior editions with much better cover arts. Can someone from Warner Bros please explain the US strategy here? Hideous covers, minimal special features, no swag.

     From Shout! Factory, The Lost City of Z.

     

     Before The Ring, there was Ringu (Japan), and Arrow Video has it in 4K this week. You can also opt for an Arrow Store Exclusive Edition if you wish.

     

     And in closing the 4K category this week, The Trial (1962) gets a Criterion Collection release this week.

     

     Next week, another Disney repeat with Elemental getting the same type 4K releases as Strange World and The Little Mermaid, Natural Born, Jack Ryan, Carlito, Psycho and Wicker Man imports and more.

     

    Blu-ray releases-

     Blu-ray counterparts of the 4K titles above includes The Little Mermaid, available as a standard edition, a two-film collection, and Criterion also offers up a blu-ray of The Trial (1962).

     We get to recharge our wallets in the blu-ray category this week, next week though is a very different story.

     A drama/romance from LionsGate titled Past Lives is available this week.

     

     Anime highlights include AMAIM Warrior at the Borderline: The Complete Season, Girls Und Panzer (TV Series + OVA) Collection and Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another World - Season 2, available as a Standard Edition and a Limited Edition.

     

     Is this one so bad it's good? Gravitas Ventures is releasing Slotherhouse to audiences this week. Am I steering you wrong to even consider this one?

     Honorable Mention: Mill Creek offers Director Spotlight: Kevin MacDonald which includes State of Play and Black Sea. Both these films have been out of print for awhile and considerably more expensive to purchase.

     Next week, look out, a very active week for the blu-ray category.

     

    Notable announcements from last week:

     No major announcements per se, but we do have something to cover. Check out our disc round up summary for more fun stuff.

     The Alfred Hitchcock Classics Collection Vol. 3 will be released October 31.

     StudioCanal (UK) will have Ghost Dog: The Way Of The Samurai in 4K on October 23rd. No word on a US release yet but it's likely coming, just from which label?

     

    4K Release Calendar

    2K/BD Release Calendar

    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?



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  • Can't Tell A Lie It's Our 4K UHD & Blu-ray Shopping Guide - September 10, 2023

    Posted Sun Sep 10, 2023 at 09:00 AM PDT by
    High-Def Digest Shopping Guide September 10th

    This week we have the opportunity to purchase a pair of Second Sight 'fat-packs', another MVD 'Laservision' title with Ghoulies, a couple of decent catalog 4K upgrades, another Criterion Collection release and an animated Batman movie. We do get a minor reprieve with just a few titles to pick from, but there are still a few that are quite worthy of a purchase.

    Welcome to Volume 4 Episode 15 of our weekly release guide. A look at the highlights of what's coming to disc the week of September 10th - September 16th, as well as a look at announcements from last week.

    4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Releases -

    Import Monday begins with a couple of Second Sight 'fat-packs' that were delayed from a couple of weeks ago. The cause of the delay was to correct a technical issue. Although released in the US market, it's worthy mentioning Second Sight's release of David Cronenberg's Crimes of the Future. You get the usual Second Sight goodness,  a snazzy cover art rigid slipcase, some art cards and a book.

    But wait there's more.... The 2015 horror/thriller It Follows also get a similar style release. Amazon UK has sold out on this one, and Zavvi does not ship to the US, we have updated the link to DiabolikDVD. Because this one did not get a domestic 4K release, so we have listed a standard edition as well.

     And moving on to Domestic Tuesday, MVD's Laservision Collection spine #2 releases this week, which would be Ghoulies. They are trying hard to secure Ghoulies 2 for 4K as well and have even saved spine #3 for it. Wouldn't hold my breath too much, but ya never know.

     Look for Batman: Mask of the Phantasm from Warner Bros. This one comes as a standard edition and as a Best Buy Exclusive Edition.

    We already had Kick-Ass, now it's time for Kick-Ass 2 from Universal, which is available as a standard edition and as a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook.

     Sticking with Universal, Shrek the Third gets a 4K upgrade. No SteelBook on this one either.

     From Paramount Pictures, Kiss The Girls with Morgan Freeman gets a 4K upgrade as well.

     From the Criterion Collection, Walkabout.

     

     Closing out the category with a double-dip from Paramount, a SteelBook release for the recent film Smile.

     Next week we see an uptick of titles with The Little Mermaid (2023), a couple of recent Universal titles with a 4K upgrade, and more.

     

    Blu-ray releases-

     Because the 4K category is mostly titles that have been release to blu-ray already in the past, the only new SKU to come out as a blu-ray counterpart this week is MVD's release of Ghoulies, but as part of the Rewind Collection.

     Also from MVD, Ghoulies II gets a new Rewind Collection release too.

     From Warner Bros, 2023 drama/sports film titled Air.

     

     New horror from LionsGate with Cobweb. And more LionsGate, the 2023 comedy Joy Ride also debuts this week.

     

     How about some classic disaster movies? Shout Factory releases a box set titled Irwin Allen: Master of Disaster Collection.  When I think disaster movies, I think Ernest Borgnine, and he is in this set.

     Anime highlight includes just One Piece: Season Thirteen - Voyage Three.

     TV on disc this week includes Poker Face: Season 1 and The Walking Dead: Dead City - Season One.

     

    Notable announcements from last week:

     Shout Factory has revealed their November releases. Titles include Chopper, Death Wish (2018) 4K, Fargo 4K, Farscape - The Complete Series, The Police Academy Collection (1-7), Silver Bullet 4K, The Sonny Chiba Collection: Volume 2, Surviving the Game and Tales from the Darkside: The Movie 4K. I have questions, but hey, it's a nice slate.

     Universal's next two "Essentials Collection" releases are Animal House 4K and Schindler's List 4K, with a street date of 10/31.

     

    4K Release Calendar

    2K/BD Release Calendar

    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?



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  • My Spidey Senses Have Detected a 4K UHD & Blu-ray Shopping Guide - September 3, 2023

    Posted Sun Sep 3, 2023 at 09:00 AM PDT by
    Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Sony Pictures

     Welcome to September. That could mean a lot of things, but since we generally talk video, what it means is a general increases in volume. This week we could nab the latest Spider-Man, catalog titles like Night of the Comet, Sleepy Hollow, and more.

     Welcome to Volume 4 Episode 14 of our weekly release guide. A look at the highlights of what's coming to disc the week of September 3rd - September 9th, as well as a look at announcements from last week.

    4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Releases-

     Import Monday begins with a pair of swag-filled editions that cause our BP to go up when we think about them because time and time again the US market gets passed over for these awesome editions. Dubbed Vault 005, The Shawshank Redemption and Vault 006, Jaws, these are editions many of us would love to see on our video racks. Universal has released a couple of "Essentials Collections" in the US, and hopefully we have all bought them up, right?

     

     There is one new release this week, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. For an animated movie, it did pretty well at the box office, as did its predecessor. This one is available as a Standard Edition, a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook and as a Two-Film Collection.

          

     

     On to catalog titles, Matilda dons a spiffy SteelBook from Sony Pictures.

     

     From Shout/Scream Factory, Night of the Comet gets a 4K upgrade. Having recently watched the blu-ray, I am eager to see what it looks like now!

     

     I am sure this one will appease lots of viewers, The Princess Bride gets the Criterion 4K treatment.

     

     Heads will roll with this pair of releases of Sleepy Hollow from Paramount Pictures. Available as a Standard Edition and as a Limited Edition SteelBook. The SteelBook is out of stock on Amazon, so you will probably have to seek elsewhere or hope they allocate more once street date hits.

     

     On to a couple of double-dips, and they're all SteelBooks at that. First from Disney, a "Disney 100" edition of Iron Man.

     And lastly, SteelBook releases of The Expendables, The Expendables 2 and The Expendables 3. I personally love how these ones look.

     Next week, Second Sight's fat-pack UK releases of Crimes of the Future and It Follows, animated Batman, another MVD "Laservision" title, and more.

     

    Blu-ray releases-

     Blu-ray counterparts of the above releases includes just one title, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, and just like the 4K category, multiple options. Available as a Standard Edition, a Target Exclusive Fan Edition, a Walmart Exclusive SteelBook and just like above, a two-film collection. If you missed out on the first film,  Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse [SteelBook], a reprint is available as well.

     Star Trek: Picard - The Final Season is available as a Standard Edition and a Limited SteelBook from CBS/Paramount. As this is the 'Final' Season, also look for Star Trek: Picard - The Complete Series.

     

     If the Arrow Academy label were still a thing, I'm reasonably sure that Borsalino would be under that label. Either way, it's available this week, enjoy.

     Harley Quinn: The Complete Third Season is available from Warner Bros. this week.

     

     Anime highlights this week include Call of the Night: Complete Collection, The Girl from the Other Side and Shinobi no Ittoki: The Complete Season.

     

     Sandpiper reissues Clambake starring Elvis Presley.

     Honorable mention horror from Synapse Films, Black Circle.

     Imprint Films' August releases become available at Amazon US on Friday:

     

    Notable announcements from last week:

     Disney has revealed they will be releasing the classic animated Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to 4K disc on October 10th. A "Disney 100" branded SteelBook is also in the mix, but this guy right here wishes it were a colorful traditional Steel release. A fresh restoration has been completed on this one, but expect a standard Disney package with HDR10 on the disc and Dolby Vision on the streaming version,  and all features on the blu-ray. Still baffles me that they never at least copy audio commentaries to the 4K disc.

     

     Sony has announced Insidious: The Red Door for a September 26 blu-ray (no 4K disc) release.

     To those curious as to why the street date for Blackhat from Arrow Video keeps getting pushed back, it's not the usual reasons. Arrow Video has announced they have located and will be including the Director's Cut as well to the package. New street date is October 28th. Great job Arrow with making this possible.

    4K Release Calendar

    2K/BD Release Calendar

    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?



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  • You Can't Fix A Franchise So Destroy Everything! - 4K UHD & Blu-ray Shopping Guide August 27, 2023

    Posted Sun Aug 27, 2023 at 09:00 AM PDT by
    The Flash Movie Warner Bros. backdrop

        Bruce Wayne: If you were to go into the past, you have no idea what the consequences would be.
        Barry Allen: Bruce, I could fix things.
        Bruce Wayne: You could also destroy everything.

     

    This week we get busy with lots of releases in both the 4K and Blu-ray categories. More Chucky, the next Paramount Presents Label release, a 'Condor' movie, and more!

    Welcome to Volume 4 Episode 13 of our weekly release guide. A look at the highlights of what's coming to disc the week of August 27th - September 2nd, as well as a look at announcements from last week.

    4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Releases-

     Import Monday has Arrow Video's take on Terry Gilliam's Time Bandits. No doubt what's on the actual disc is identical to Criterion's release, but we do get a slipcase and swag with this edition. I personally wish Criterion would do some of this.

     The big domestic New Release this week is The Flash. Available in the usual assortment, a Standard Edition, a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook and a Walmart Exclusive. And just like so many recent assortments, Target is absent from the 4K category.

          

     

    We *might* also see Infinity Pool, a SteelBook release from Decal - Neon. We cannot validate this release as Amazon shows it as being unavailable, but here is a Best Buy link that shows it available to order, but they have no cover art, which is inconclusive.

    For catalog titles we begin with a trio of titles from Universal, Battlestar Galactica: The Movie, available as a standard release and a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook release, and the 1998 biopic Elizabeth with Cate Blanchett and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

     

    The third and newest title in the mix is Promising Young Woman.

     

     Next, from Scream/Shout Factory, parts 4 - 7 of the Chucky (Child's Play) movies. Specs for these films are a potential mess, with only one of them listing Dolby Vision and only one of them, the blu-ray, not the 4K having Atmos sound. I get the feeling they all have Dolby Vision and 5.1 sound, multiple requests from Shout went unanswered. No doubt the inevitable reviews will clarify these specs. In sequential order, these films are Bride of Chucky, Seed of Chucky, Curse of Chucky and Cult of Chucky.

     The Paramount Presents label this week has spine number 41 available, Hustle & Flow.

     

     Pair of titles from Kino Lorber this week too, Staying Alive and Three Days of the Condor (aka 3 Days of the Condor).

     

     Amazon is now listing this one as September 12th, but other sources (including Arrowvideo.com) still say 8/29, 2009 remake The Last House on the Left.

     

     If you did not get 'em from Vinegar Syndrome's direct site, now you can get general releases for Gorgo and Terror at Tenkiller.

     And lastly, a Wednesday release at that, The Legend of Boggy Creek. This one has been talked about for some time on Facebook and it looks like it is finally coming out.

     Next week, two Universal "Vault" imports, Night of the Comet, Sleepy Hollow, The Princess Bride and more.

     

    Blu-ray releases-

     Blu-ray counterparts of the above 4K releases includes The Flash available as a standard edition and a Target Exclusive. Also look for Staying Alive and Three Days of the Condor (aka 3 Days of the Condor) from Kino Lorber and The Last House on the Left (2009) from Arrow Video. For a Wednesday release, The Legend of Boggy Creek also gets a blu-ray release.

     A new romcom from Sony Pictures with No Hard Feelings.

     

     A little martial arts action from Arrow Video with New Fist of Fury.

     MGM's catalog batch this week includes Crime & Punishment, Crime + Punishment in Suburbia, Mystery Date, Nobody's Fool (1986), Play Dirty and The Wild Party.

     Anime highlights include A Couple of Cuckoos Season 1 Part 1, Cromartie High School, Re: Cutie Honey, The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2, which is available as a standard edition and as a Limited Edition, Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs and Shadows House Season 2.

     

     From Criterion this week, a drama/romance titled Drylongso.

     Warner Archive's August slate is also this week, titles include Father's Little Dividend, Gay Purr-ee, Little Women (1933), The Life of Emile Zola, Spinout and Wichita.

     

     TV on disc this week, The Flash: The Ninth and Final Season and The Flash: The Complete Series.

     Honorable Mention: Severin Films has a special interest box set titled The Sensual World of Black Emanuelle this week. If this is your type of collection, pounce immediately, it probably won't last long.

     Next week, the U.S. has the Labor Day holiday, and there is a reprieve in this category, call it another chance to recharge your wallet.

     

    Notable announcements from last week:

     Let's call this one a pleasant surprise, Disney has announced that they will be bringing a few of their Disney+ shows to blu-ray and 4K SteelBooks. Shows include Loki, The Mandalorian and Wandavision.

     Universal will also be doing The Black Phone and Coacine Bear on 4K disc in September. Thank me for the latter, I bought the import.

     Arrow Video's November slate will include 3 skus of Barbarella (including 4K)(traditional art for me on that one), Tremors 2 4K and a 6-disc box set titled Inside the Mind of Coffin Joe.

     Delighted to see Pokémon XY Mega 3-Movie Collection coming to blu-ray October 17th. This closes the gap on these films not available in the US. Diancie & the Cocoon of Destruction only recently became available in Germany.

     

    4K Release Calendar

    2K/BD Release Calendar

    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?



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  • Disc News Round-up: THIS IS THE WAY... We Round-up Blu-ray & 4K UHD News

    Posted Tue Aug 22, 2023 at 05:14 PM PDT by
    The Mandalorian Disney Plus

    It has been a relatively quiet week, but there have been a few announcements and a bunch of new titles posted to our release calendar over the past little while.  Be sure to check that out, but we've included some of the highlights here.

    The major announcement this week is that Disney is prepping 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray SteelBooks for a handful of their more popular streaming shows. They include Loki (Season 1) on September 26, WandaVision: The Complete Series on November 28, and The Mandalorian (Seasons 1 & 2) on December 12. Read all about it here.

    Loki 4K SB WandaVision 4K SteelBook The Mandalorian S1 4K SteelBook The Mandalorian S2 4K SteelBook

    On October 3, 20th Century Fox Studios will be releasing the latest film in the Predator franchise, Prey, on both 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and Blu-ray. There will also be a Best Buy Exclusive 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray SteelBook.

    Universal has set the animated film Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken for a Blu-ray release on September 26 with digital hitting August 29. The Blu-ray will include over an hour of bonus content.

    Lionsgate is dropping a very sleek looking John Wick: Chapters 1-4 Blu-ray box set on October 17. There doesn't seem to be a 4K release...yet.

    Jo

    Also better late than never we suppose, but Universal has finally decided to give the sci-fi horror film M3GAN a 4K UHD Blu-ray release. Best Buy will have a 4K SteelBook as well. Be on the lookout for those on October 10.

    Have you been down to South Park lately? If not, Paramount will be delivering six brand new episodes to Blu-ray when the show's 26th season hits hi-def on September 12. Not only that, Paramount is also giving 4K upgrades to the classic comedies Scrooged and Trading Places on November 7. 

    Sony has set an October 17th release date for the fifth season of The Crown on Blu-ray. Special features include: A Royal Transformation, War of the Waleses, and Script to Screen. Pre-orders are now available here.

    The Criterion Collection has revealed three new titles in their Janice Contemporaries Blu-ray library. They are Hlynur Pálmason's Godland, two-time Palme d’Or winners Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne's Tori and Lokita, and The Eight Mountains directed by Felix van Groeningen and Charlotte Vandermeersch. These will hit stores on November 21 (full details here).

    And before we head of for the weekend, we have added The Wicker Man 50th Anniversary Collector's Edition - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray from Lionsgate to our release calendar. Pre-orders aren't activated yet, but the release will include Dolby Vision and what looks to be exquisite packaging.

    Until next time...take care and enjoy what you can of this crazy summer!

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