My Two Cents
As promised, we’re back today with an early update here at The Bits, featuring more announcement news and disc reviews. Let’s get to the latter first...
Stephen has taken a look at our friend Stephen Chiodo’s Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988) in 4K Ultra HD from Scream Factory, as well as Kinji Fukasaku’s Yakuza Graveyard (1976) on Blu-ray from Toei via Radiance Films.
Dennis has offered his thoughts on Fritz Lang’s Secret Beyond the Door (1947) and Edgar G. Ulmer’s Bluebeard (1944) both new on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics, as well as Karyn Kusama’s Girlfight (2000) on Blu-ray from Criterion.
And Tim has shared a review of Hanna-Barbera’s animated Yogi and the Invasion of the Space Bears (1988) on Blu-ray from our friends at the Warner Archive Collection.
Now then, the news... based on early word from retail sources, Universal is getting ready to release Joe Alves’ Jaws 3 (1983) and Joseph Sargent’s Jaws: The Revenge (1987) in 4K Ultra HD on 7/23. Also expected that same day is a new Jaws: 3-Movie Collection 4K set that also includes Jeannot Szwarc’s Jaws 2 (1978) which is already available on the format. Look for HDR10 high dynamic range with sound in Dolby Atmos format. Sadly, Jaws 3 will not be included in Blu-ray 3D format. Note that Jaws 3 and Jaws: The Revenge will also be available in 4K Steelbook packaging. You can see the cover artwork for the box set at left and that plus the regular 4K SKUs below the break. [Read on here...]
All right, we’ve got a big news update here at The Bits for you today, and we’ll be back with a second update early tomorrow morning—there’s a ton of new title announcements, breaking news, and rumors to address at the moment. So let’s get started.
First, as always, some new disc reviews...
Tim has turned in his thoughts on Hanna-Barbera’s animated Scooby-Doo! and the Reluctant Werewolf (1988) and Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School (1988) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.
And Stuart has offered his take on Giulio Petroni’s Death Rides a Horse (1967) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics, Piero Regnoli’s The Playgirls and the Vampire (1960) on Blu-ray from Vinegar Syndrome, and Éric Rohmer’s The Aviator’s Wife (1981) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber proper.
More reviews are coming in the next day or two, so be sure to stay tuned for them.
Also, just to let you all know, I’ve shared a new exclusive blog post on The Digital Bits’ Patreon page that I think will get a lot of you physical media fans pretty excited. It’s called 2025 Will Be a Big Year for 4K (and We Should Appreciate Every Minute), and there’s good news in there—remember where you heard it first!—that we’ll be talking about here at The Bits a bunch in the weeks and months ahead. Don’t forget that becoming a paid member of our Patreon (for as little as $6 a month) is a great way to help support our work here at The Bits, and we really do appreciate it!
Now then, the big news today is that Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment has just revealed that they’re releasing Friends: The Complete Series in 4K Ultra HD—no kidding—on 9/24, in honor of the series’ 30th anniversary! We don’t have any other details yet, but the set is now available for pre-order on Amazon for SRP $249.99 (click here for the link). We expect an official press release any day now. While we wait, you can see the cover artwork at left and also below. [Read on here...]
We’ve got three new disc reviews for you to enjoy today, including...
Tim’s take on Halloween II (1981) and Halloween III (1982) on Blu-ray from Via Vision Entertainment, as well as Hanna-Barbera’s animated Rockin’ with Judy Jetson (1988) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.
Watch for more reviews coming over the next few days.
In announcement news today, we have a few things to report. First, Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment has made Jan de Bont’s Twister (1996) official for 4K Ultra HD and 4K UHD Steelbook release on 7/9. As we’ve reported previously, look for Dolby Atmos audio, HDR10 high dynamic range, the new The Legacy of Twister: Taken by the Wind retrospective featurette with the director, and the legacy Blu-ray and DVD extras. You can see the cover artwork at left and also below.
Warner Bros. has also set Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers (2024) for Blu-ray and DVD release on 7/9, for Amazon MGM Studios. There’s no indication of special features on the release.
But we’re not yet done with Warner & MGM. Though they haven’t officially been announced yet, the studios have also just listed John G. Avildsen’s Rocky V (1990) and Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky Balboa (2006) for 4K Ultra HD Steelbook release on 7/16. The latter will include both the original Theatrical Version and Stallone’s new Director’s Cut. Both will offer HDR10 high dynamic range and DTS-HD Master Audio. Also listed for release that same day is a brand new Rocky: Ultimate Knockout Collection in 4K, which we expect will include Rocky, Rocky II, Rocky III, Rocky IV, Rocky V, and Rocky Balboa. [Read on here...]
We’ve got no less than eight new reviews for you guys to start the new week out right here at The Bits, staring with Tim’s look at The Good, The Bad, and Huckleberry Hound (1988) from Hanna-Barbera on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.
Dennis has offered his thoughts on Charles Brabin’s The Mask of Fu Manchu (1932) on Blu-ray also from the Warner Archive Collection, as well as Nancy Savoca’s True Love (1989) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.
Stuart has delivered four reviews, including Ulrich Seidl’s Rimini (2022) on Blu-ray from Vinegar Syndrome, Jean-Paul Salomé’s La Syndicaliste (2022) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber, John Boorman’s The Emerald Forest (1985) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics, and Robert Allan Ackerman’s Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows (2001) on DVD from Via Vision Entertainment.
And finally, Stephen has got an in-depth review of Alex Proyas’ The Crow (1994) in 4K Ultra HD from Paramount Home Entertainment, which is a gorgeous restoration that should impress most cinephiles.
All of these films are well worth a look, and more new disc reviews are certainly on the way this week, so be sure to watch for them.
Now then, my apologies for the lack of a news update here since mid last week, but I have unfortunately had COVID. Fortunately, a mild case, but enough to knock me out of commission for a few days. But I’m well on the path to recovery and feeling well enough to catch you all up on the latest news here at The Bits today. So let’s get right to it... [Read on here...]
Just another quick update today, but new disc reviews here at The Bits this afternoon include...
Stuart’s take on Kōhei Oguri’s The Sting of Death (1990) (aka Shi no toge) on Blu-ray from Shochiku via Radiance Films.
Tim’s look at Tinto Brass’ All Ladies Do It (1992) in 4K Ultra HD from Cult Epics.
And Dennis’ thoughts on Anthony Mann’s Devil’s Doorway (1950) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.
In announcement news today, Lionsgate has officially set Guy Ritchie’s The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (2024) for release on Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD on 6/25, with the Digital release expected on 6/18.
The film, which stars Henry Cavill, Eiza González, and Alan Ritchson, is based on a true story and has been well reviewed, with many critics calling it Ritchie’s best work in years. [Read on here...]