First of all, this is indeed the first entry in a new Walt Disney Signature Collection series of titles, which will include “groundbreaking films created or inspired by the imagination and legacy of Walt Disney, featuring timeless stories and characters that have touched generations. Each release will offer special features for every member of your family plus a unique digital experience.” That’s a whole mouthful of marketing speak, but what it means is that this probably isn’t going to replace the Diamond Collection but rather just be an addition to it with select titles, and it will probably be tied to anniversary releases.

For Snow White, in addition to the previous Blu-ray extras, the new edition will include the following new content:

• In Walt’s Words: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs – For the first time ever, hear Walt himself talk about Snow White.
• Iconography – Explore how this film influences pop culture, art, and fashion.
• @DisneyAnimation: Designing Disney’s First Princess – Modern day Disney artists discuss the design of Snow White and how it influenced the look of some of your favorite Disney characters.
• The Fairest Facts of Them All: 7 Facts You May Now Know About Snow White – Disney Channel star Sofia Carson reveals seven intriguing facts about Snow White.
• Snow White in Seventy Seconds – Rap along with this hip reimagining of the story.
• Alternate Sequence: The Prince Meets Snow White – A never-before-seen story board sequence where the Prince meets Snow White.

So… yeah. That’s a bit of a mixed bag. A couple good things and a lot of fluff. It will be interesting to see how Disney embraces 4K, and if we’ll see Diamond or Signature Collection releases in 4K or if they’ll be called something else entirely.

In other release news today, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has set Home Invasion for DVD and digital release on 2/2.

Magnolia’s Experimenter is due on Blu-ray and DVD on 1/5.

Kino Lorber has revealed that they’re working on Peter Hunt’s Assassination (1987) for Blu-ray and DVD, along with Robert Boris’ Steele Justice (1987).

Olive Films has announced that their February release slate of catalog titles (all due 2/16) will include Amos and Andrew (BD), Beat Street (DVD & BD), Class (BD), Code 46 (BD), Moonlight and Valentino (DVD & BD), Mystery Date (BD), Pressure Point (BD), Secret Admirer (BD), Sleep With Me (BD), and Speechless (BD).

The Warner Archive has just added a batch of early 1940s catalog titles for immediate MOD DVD release, including Hitler’s Children (1943), Hitler’s Madman (1943), The Doughgirls (1944), and Pillow to Post (1945).

RLJ Entertainment has set Tom Stoppard’s Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead for Blu-ray and DVD release on 1/12 (SRP $29.98 and $14.98).

Well Go USA Entertainment will release Memories of the Sword on Blu-ray and DVD on 1/12 as well.

And PBS Distribution has set NOVA: Secrets of Noah’s Ark for DVD only release on 12/1.

In other news, file this in the category of unconfirmed, but sources are telling us to expect Sony and MGM to release SPECTRE on Blu-ray and DVD on or about 2/9. You can see the temp cover artwork above left. An Amazon pre-order link will be added when it goes live. 

Finally today, many of you have been asking us recently when we can expect to see the very first 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray titles to be released in stores. Out best and latest intel from studio and retail sources suggests that you’ll likely see them really start to arrive in late February – either on 2/22 or 2/29. There could be the odd indie studio title that sneaks out sooner just for “first dibs” cred, but multiple industry sources are telling us that late February is the timeframe that the major studios are currently targeting for their first release waves on the format. So adjust your plans accordingly. Obviously, we’ll post updates as we have them.

Speaking of 4K, DirecTV has also just announced that they’re going to start live 4K broadcasting sometime in early 2016. You can read more here via Engadget. They already offer limited 4K content to some of their consumers, but only with restrictions (you must have a Samsung 4K-ready TV, for example).

Here’s a pre-order link to Snow White again, plus a little more new Blu-ray cover artwork (with Amazon links if available)...

That’s all for now. Stay tuned...

- Bill Hunt