My Two Cents
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...]
Heads up, Bits readers! For those of you who are into 4K projector news, our friend John Schuermann at The Screening Room A/V in Colorado Springs is hosting a new episode of their Video Podcast tonight to run down the new 2024 lineup of JVC Projectors!
You may recall that I joined the podcast for an episode last year on the future of physical media (available here).
Tonight, John will be joined by Sammie Prescott of Projector Central and Kris Deering of Deep Dive A/V! They’ll have special coverage of JVC’s new NEW DLA-RS1200 / NZ500 projector as reviewed by Sammie and the TSR Crew!
The fun starts tonight at 7 PM Mountain (9 PM Eastern). [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.
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...]
Heads up, Bits readers!
I just wanted to jump in here this afternoon to share a bit of news and a bunch of new disc reviews that we’ve prepared for today.
Call it a hunch, but I have a strong suspicion that this release is meant to set up a second 4K Steelbook release coming in 2025, specifically of the more recent Disney+ streaming series Willow (2022). That show was cancelled and pulled from Disney+, allegedly for cost-cutting reasons, and a good way to try to recoup a little of that investment would be to sell it on 4K disc and possibly Blu-ray. So I think that’s a pretty good possibility next year.
Meanwhile, here at the site today, we’ve just posted our weekly update of the Release Dates & Artwork section (you’ll find that here) featuring all of the latest Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD cover and Amazon.com pre-order links. (Thanks to our own Russell Hammond for his work on that.)
Speaking of which, John Ford’s The Searchers (1956) is finally up for pre-order on Amazon in 4K for the stunning price of just $29.99... [Read on here...]