My Two Cents
Monday, 21 October 2019 15:10

The Back to the Future Trilogy is coming to 4K in 2020, plus Monty Python’s Blu-ray Extras

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All right, first things first today...

I’m currently at work on a 4K Ultra HD review of MGM’s 007: The Daniel Craig Collection, which includes all four of the existing Craig Bond films. That will be up either later today or first thing AM.

The quick preview is that the films look very good, a nice uptick from Blu-ray in terms of the video quality, with a restrained HDR grade. For video, I’d score the films as follows… Casino Royale: B+, Quantum of Solace: A-, Skyfall: A, SPECTRE: A. The first two are 2K upsamples, while the latter two are native 4K DIs. Watch for more details in the review.

Now then... the big news today has to do with Universal and Amblin’s Back to the Future films. Universal Brand Development (a division of Universal Studios) has revealed today that The Back to the Future Trilogy will officially be coming to 4K Ultra HD next year (in 2020) in honor of the original film’s 35th anniversary. [Read on here...]

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The news was released in a press release today from Universal Brand Development. Here are the official details:

Great Scott! Back to the Future Celebrates 35 Years

From a new YouTube Originals series and merchandise that spans generations to events on the big screen and much more

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Oct. 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal is going back in time to celebrate 35 years of the beloved film franchise – Back to the Future – starting today, on the iconic fan-created anniversary date captured in the film when Marty McFly travels back to the future: October 21, 2015. Over the next year, fans around the world will be treated to new, inspired-by merchandise across a variety of categories, theatrical re-releases, anniversary celebrations, digital content and more.

Today, YouTube Originals and Ample Entertainment launched the new learning series, Could You Survive the Movies? – an exciting series dedicated to exploring the magic and science of cinema’s most iconic pop culture films, including Back to the Future. In each episode, YouTube creator and host Jake Roper takes you on an immersive journey into the world of a different movie; blending unscripted scientific exploration with narrative storytelling. In the premiere episode, Jake steps into the original 1985 film to find out if you could survive the massive pressure wave generated by a giant guitar amp, time travel paradoxes, and the electricity from a lightning bolt travelling through your body…all while desperately trying to get back to the future! Could you Survive the Movies? is available to stream on YouTube.com/Learning and the Vsauce3 YouTube channel. Press interested in embedding episode 1 directly into their stories can use this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJfcdJ7sizc.

New toy partner Playmobil has created a collection featuring fan favorite characters and vehicles including Marty McFly, Dr. Emmett Brown, the DeLorean Time Machine and more – coming in May 2020. Popular Funko POP! figures, a new themed board game from Ravensburger, collectible movie prints from Classic Stills plus other surprises from Hasbro, Mattel, 3D Retro Collectibles and more that will debut next summer.

Publishing program expands with new novelty formats from Running Press and Insight Editions, a new comic series from IDW Publishing, along with existing fan-favorites from other partners, such as: Back to the Future: DeLorean Time Machine – Owner’s Workshop Manual, Back to the Future: The Ultimate Visual History, William Shakespeare’s Get Thee Back to the Future, Back to the Future: The Classic Illustrated Storybook and much more.

A lifestyle collection of apparel and accessories includes fun, retro looks that are still relevant today. Expected partners include Criminal Damage, Box Lunch, Dumbgood, Haus of JR, Hot Topic, Just Hype, Primark, Suavecito, Super 7, Zara and more. Rubies and FUN.com will have costumes for fan celebrations beyond Halloween. With a nod to the nostalgia trend, Universal has once again partnered with the Otis School of Design for a special Back to the Future collection designed by students to be presented at the annual scholarship and benefit fashion show in Spring 2020.

Where we’re going, we don’t need roads… be on the lookout for theatrical events and the debut of the Back to the Future trilogy in 4K from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, as well as a celebration from Turner Classic Movies (TCM) later in 2020.

Fans won’t want to miss Back to the Future The Musical, directed by Tony Award winner John Rando, which opens for a 12-week run at the Manchester Opera House on February 20, 2020. The musical features a book by the film’s co-creator and co-writer Bob Gale, and new music and lyrics by Alan Silvestri (who composed the score for the original 1985 film) and Glen Ballard.

The anniversary will be commemorated by Universal Parks & Resorts, key retail partners and more. Visit the Back to the Future page on Facebook for details.

--END--

So there you go! We’ve updated our 4K Ultra HD Release List here at The Bits to include these beloved titles.

Also today, we have one more bit of information: Network in the UK has just updated their website with details on the extras you’ll find on their upcoming Monty Python’s Flying Circus: Norwegian Blu-ray Edition, which is coming on November 4 (11/12 in the US via Amazon.com for just $115).

Here are the details...

Monty Python Blu-ray extras

Monty Python Blu-ray extras

Monty Python Blu-ray extras

Monty Python Blu-ray extras

And that’s all for now. Don’t forget that the new trailer for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker debuts tonight during Monday Night Football. That means tickets go on sale today too.

Back with our Bond 4K review later. Stay tuned…

(You can follow Bill on social media at these links: Twitter and Facebook)

 

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