In official release news, Scream Factory and IFC Midnight are releasing The Babadook on Blu-ray, Blu-ray special edition and DVD on 4/14. The regular Blu-ray and DVD editions will include 4 featurettes (Creating the Book with Illustrator Alex Juhasz, A Tour of the House Set, The Stunts: Jumping the Stairs, and Special Effects: The Stabbing Scene), plus theatrical trailers. To this, the special edition will add deleted scenes, director Jennifer Kent’s short film Monster, and director-approved limited edition “Pop-up Book” slipcover packaging (Note that – per Scream – the case wrap inside will be the art reflected on the standard Blu-ray edition). I’m really looking forward to seeing this film, as I’ve heard nothing but good things about it from friends who have. Here’s a look at the packaging (the image links to the special edition Blu-ray pre-order page on Amazon)…
By the way, IFC Midnight has also acquired the U.S. rights to the film Reversal from Dark Factory and will presumably release it on Blu-ray, DVD and digital later in 2015.
Shout! Factory, meanwhile, has set The Colbys: The Complete Series for DVD release on 5/12. The series stars Charlton Heston and Katherine Ross, among others. You’ll get all 42 episodes on 12 discs, plus new interviews with actors John James, Maxwell Caulfield, and Stephanie Beacham.
Here’s something that I think is a bit surprising: I mentioned yesterday that Universal’s The Andromeda Strain is coming out on Blu-ray on 2/17 as a Best Buy exclusive. Well it turns out that both Steven Spielberg’s Munich and Phil Alden Robinson’s Sneakers are going to be Best Buy exclusive Blu-rays on 2/17 as well. Given the fan demand for Munich, making the title a retailer exclusive is just crazy. Nevertheless, here’s the cover art and Best Buy pre-order links for all three...
This is interesting for classic film fans: Flicker Alley and Blackhawk Films have just announced that they’re releasing director Alexandre Volkoff and producer Joseph Ermolieff’s 1923 French serial The House of Mystery (La Maison du mystère) on DVD for the first time on 3/31.
Anchor Bay Entertainment has set Echoes for Blu-ray and DVD release on 4/15.
Lionsgate has just set Manhattan: Season One for 3-disc Blu-ray release on 4/7.
Synapse Films has set Colin Eggleston’s Long Weekend for Blu-ray release on 4/14 (SRP $24.95). The film is mastered from a new high-definition transfer, will feature remastered 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound, and will include audio commentary with producer Richard Brennan and cinematographer Vincent Monton, a motion still gallery with an audio interview of actor John Hargreaves, and the original theatrical trailer.
Big World Pictures has set the acclaimed Brazilian drama Once Upon a Time Veronica for DVD release on 2/3.
And Warner Home Video has set Teen Titans Go!: Appetite for Disruption – Season 2, Part 1 for DVD release on 4/14.
Finally today, for you soundtrack fans, La-La Land Records has just made available their entire Star Trek: The Original Series – Soundtrack Collection in individual digital volumes on iTunes, Google Play and elsewhere. So if the entire series set on CD is too pricey, or you just want to buy the music from individual episodes, you now have that option.
Here’s a look at some more Blu-ray cover artwork (with Amazon pre-order links if available)...
All right, as you probably know, the Superbowl happens on Sunday. So... go teams! Everybody have a great weekend and we’ll see you back here on Monday.
- Bill Hunt