Displaying items by tag: Sam Cohen

We’ve got a bunch of new disc reviews up this week for your reading enjoyment here at The Bits, including...

My thoughts on Milos Forman’s Amadeus: Theatrical Cut (1984) in 4K Ultra HD from Warner Bros. as well as Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II (2024) in 4K Ultra HD from Paramount.

Tim’s reviews of Alfred Sole’s Alice, Sweet Alice (1976) and Robert Rodriguez’s The Mexico Trilogy (1992-2003) in 4K Ultra HD from Arrow Video, as well as The Project A Collection (1983-87) in 4K UHD from 88 Films.

Dennis’ looks at Dick Lowry’s Last Stand at Saber River (1997) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection and Melville Shavelson’s Houseboat (1958) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

Stuart’s review of Gregory La Cava’s Gabriel Over the White House (1933) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.

And finally, Sam Cohen’s take on Gillian Armstrong’s Little Women (1994) in 4K Ultra HD from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. [Editor’s Note: There is apparently an audio issue with this disc that’s described in the review. Sony is aware of the problem and investigating. We’ll report back here once they figure it out and launch a disc replacement program.]

There aren’t a lot of new announcements to report today, but Kino Lorber Studio Classics has set Gary Sherman’s Vice Squad (1982) for 4K Ultra HD release on 5/13. [Read on here...]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Heads up, Bits! We’ve got some very great and long-awaited catalog 4K release news for you this morning.

But first, we also have a few more new disc reviews to share with you...

I’ve just posted my thoughts on Ahsoka: The Complete First Season in 4K Ultra HD Steelbook format from Lucasfilm, which (like all of the latest wave of Disney+ titles, now includes Dolby Vision HDR). And yesterday, I reviewed Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar (2014) in a new 10th Anniversary Limited Edition 4K box set release from Paramount.

Sam has shared his take on Oliver Stone’s Born on the Fourth of July (1989) in a new Shout Select Collector’s Edition 4K Ultra HD release from Shout! Factory.

Dennis has reviewed James Ivory’s Roseland (1977) on Blu-ray from the Cohen Film Collection via Kino Lorber.

And yesterday, Tim posted his look at Arrow’s When Titans Ruled the Earth box set, which includes Louis Letterier’s Clash of the Titans (2010) and Jonathan Liebesman’s Wrath of the Titans (2012) in 4K UHD, as well as Kino Lorber Studio Classics’ Monk: Season Four on Blu-ray.

Watching for more reviews each day the rest of the week. And you Marvel fans should know that yes, we are working on a Loki: Season Two 4K review as well. So be sure to stay tuned for that. [Read on here...]

All right, we’re closing out the short holiday week here at the site with more new disc reviews, including...

My reviews of Fede Álvarez’s Alien: Romulus (2024) in 4K Ultra HD from 20th Century Studios, as well as the BFI’s edition of Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai (1954) in 4K Ultra HD.

Tim’s reviews of Clint Eastwood’s The Eiger Sanction (1975) in 4K UHD and also Monk: Season Three (2004-2005) on Blu-ray, both from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

Dennis’ look at Martin Ritt’s Cross Creek (1983) on Blu-ray from KLSC.

And finally, Stuart’s take on Sidney Lumet’s Garbo Talks (1984) also on Blu-ray from KLSC.

We’ll have more reviews on Friday and over the weekend as well.

In news today, 20th Century Studios has just announced that Jared Hess’ Napoleon Dynamite (2004) is now available Digitally in 4K UHD. There’s no word yet on a physical 4K release, but given the title’s popularity, it’s definitely possible that one could follow in the new year. [Read on here...]

We’re starting as always today with new disc reviews! And we’ve got some good ones, including…

My look at Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai (1954) in 4K Ultra HD from the Criterion Collection.

Stephen’s take on Ti West’s MaXXXine (2024) in 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray from A24 and Lionsgate.

Tim’s review of Monk: Season Two (2003-2004) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

Dennis’ thoughts on James Watkins’ Speak No Evil (2024) on Blu-ray from Universal, as well as Zach Clark’s The Becomers (2023) on Blu-ray from Vinegar Syndrome, and Peter Markle’s Youngblood (1986) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

Sam Cohen’s look at Marco Bellocchio’s Kidnapped: The Abduction of Edgardo Mortara (2023) on Blu-ray from the Coen Media Group and Kino Lorber.

And finally, Stuart’s take on Claude Berri’s Tchao Pantin (1983) on Blu-ray from Radiance Films.

More reviews are forthcoming, including my own look on Dean Parisot’s Galaxy Quest (1999) in 4K Ultra HD from Paramount—that disc is expected to arrive here at the office today, so I’ll definitely be spinning it immediately upon its arrival! [Read on here...]

We’ve got more new disc reviews to share with you today, to start the new week out right…

As promised, I’ve shared my in-depth thoughts on Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest (1959) in 4K Ultra HD from Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment, and you’ll be pleased to know that it’s stunning. What’s more, those of you who saw the promotional trailer for the remaster need not worry—its missing fingers and cigarette are untouched in the actual 4K master. The film looks really great.

Also today, Stephen has taken a look at Shout! Factory’s new Limited Edition 4K Ultra HD box set of Jim Henson’s Labyrinth (1986).

Tim has offered his thoughts on Barry Sonnenfeld’s Addams Family Values (1993) in 4K Ultra HD from Paramount Pictures Home Entertainment.

And Sam has reviewed Nikhil Nagesh Baht’s Kill (2023) in 4K Ultra HD Steelbook from Lionsgate.

Next up on my review stack is Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles (1974) in 4K Ultra HD from Warner, but first I may share my look at Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai (1954) in 4K UHD from Criterion, provided my copy arrives in the mail today as expected. Either way, both reviews should be posted in the next couple days.

Speaking of Criterion, the company has just unveiled its February 2025 release slate, as follows… [Read on here...]

We’ve got more new disc reviews for you today here at The Bits and some great release news as well to close out the week. So let’s get right into it...

First up, I’ve posted my review of James Cameron’s The Terminator (1984) in 4K Ultra HD from MGM and Warner Bros. It’s the best AI remaster yet from Lightstorm and Park Road Post, not to mention one that I think is going to pleasantly surprise a lot of people. (Hint: There’s grain.) BTW, I’m also working on my review of Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest (1959) in 4K, which I expect to share over the next 24 hours or so, so be sure to keep checking back. And Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles (1974) will follow shortly after that.

Tim has turned in his thoughts of Alexandre Aja’s Crawl (2019) in 4K UHD from the Paramount Scares: Volume 1 box set. He’s also taken a look at Lindsay Shonteff’s The Million Eyes of Sumuru (1967) in 4K from Blue Underground. And he’s reviewed Monk: Season One (2002) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics as well today.

Stephen has taken a look at Elia Kazan’s On the Waterfront (1954) in 4K UHD from the new Columbia Classics 4K Ultra HD Collection: Volume 5 box set.

Sam has given Philippe Mora’s Howling II: Your Sister Is a Werewolf (1985) and Chih-Hung Kuei’s Corpse Mania (1981) a look in 4K UHD from Vinegar Syndrome.

And finally, Stuart has offered his take on John “Bud” Cardos’ Kingdom of the Spiders (1977) on Blu-ray from Kino Cult, as well as Fritz Lang’s You and Me (1938) on Region B Blu-ray from Powerhouse Films’ Indicator label. [Read on here...]

We have three new disc reviews for you this afternoon, including...

Sam’s take on Glenn Ficarra and John Requa’s Focus (2015) in 4K Ultra HD from Warner Bros.

Tim’s review of the new Scooby-Doo! and the Witch’s Ghost (1999) and Scooby-Doo and the Alien Invaders (2000) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.

And Stuart’s thoughts on Sidney Lanfield’s You’ll Never Get Rich (1941) on Region B only Blu-ray from Powerhouse Films’ Indicator label in the UK.

As for release news, there’s not a ton of it to report today, however we do have a couple of fun items for you...

First, Paramount has officially set the animated Transformers One for release on Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD on 12/17, with the Digital release expected tomorrow on 10/22. Extras will include 5 behind-the-scenes featurettes (including In the Beginning, World Building on Cybertron, Together As One, The Iacon 5000, and The Battle for Cybertron). You can see the cover artwork below the break.

Speaking of Paramount, they along with CBS have set Blue Bloods: The Final Season and Blue Bloods: The Complete Series for DVD only release on 12/17 as well. Extras on the final season will include deleted scenes, 2 featurettes (The Story of the Reagans and May the Road Rise Up to Greet You), and a gag reel. [Read on here...]

Morning everyone!

Today is a holiday here in the States, so we’re giving the team a break. But we do have a bunch of new reviews that we’ve posted recently, including...

Tim’s look at Thomas Schlamme’s So I Married an Axe Murderer (1993) in 4K Ultra HD from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

Dennis’ reviews of Alvin Rakoff’s Crossplot (1969) on Blu-ray from Imprint Films and Via Vision, and Harmony Korine’s Mister Lonely (2007) on Blu-ray from IFC Films and Vinegar Syndrome.

Sam’s thoughts on Vera Drew’s The People’s Joker (2022) on Blu-ray from Altered Innocence.

And finally, Stuart’s look at Philip Kaufman’s The White Dawn (1974) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics and Luchino Visconti’s L’Innocente (1976) on Blu-ray from Vinegar Syndrome.

Meanwhile, in announcement news today, Kino Lorber Studio Classics has set a pair of much-loved Universal live action films for release on 4K Ultra HD, including Chris Noonan’s Babe (1995) and George Miller’s Babe: Pig in the City (1998). Both are “coming soon” to the format, with details TBA. [Read on here...]