Items filtered by date: March 2014

All right, we’ve got a couple of new columns for you today, one of which features a good interview, plus a bit of release news.

First, our own Michael Coate has turned in a new installment of his History, Legacy & Showmanship column looking back at the release of Field of Dreams on its 25th Anniversary. As part of this piece, he’s got a new interview with director Phil Alden Robinson. Enjoy! [Read on here...]

A Few Minutes With Writer-Director Phil Alden Robinson

The Digital Bits is pleased to present this retrospective article commemorating the silver anniversary of the release of Field of Dreams, the acclaimed fantasy-drama starring Kevin Costner as an Iowa farmer who hears voices telling him to build a baseball diamond in his cornfield. The sentimental and magical journey about much more than just baseball also starred Amy Madigan, James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta, and Burt Lancaster. [Read more here...]

With the week’s welcome release of Universal finally bringing Double Indemnity and Touch of Evil to Blu, two more classic must-own titles are finally making at long last to disc. But even with these essential titles finally coming to Blu-ray, there are still so many other wonderful titles that remain stubbornly M.I.A.

Here’s a few; some classics, some guilty pleasures, but all very most wanted. [Read on here…]

All right, we’re closing out the week with a new Blu-ray review and bit of additional announcement news.

First, though, just wanted to say thanks for your patience over the last few days. If I haven’t seemed quite as on top of posting new reviews and other content, it’s because we had a visitor here. You’ll recall that a long time Bits staffer, and our very dear friend, Barrie Maxwell passed away a couple of years ago. We had the pleasure of a visit this past week with his wife Sue. She came to town for the TCM Classic Film Festival, which is something that she and Barrie had wanted to do together but never got the chance to, and then she came down to Orange County and stayed with Sarah and me for a few days. We watched lots of movies, took her down to the beach, and just had a great time. She sends her best to all of you Bits readers, and wanted you to know how much Barrie appreciated that you enjoyed his writings on classic films here at The Bits and also hearing from you via e-mail. Anyway, it was a great visit. [Read on here…]

Just a quick post this morning...

At long last, I've finally managed to post my review of CBS' Star Trek: Enterprise – Season Four on Blu-ray. The A/V quality is good, the new extras are excellent, the season itself is terrific and the set streets on 4/29. Don't miss it.

Also, our very own Dr. Jahnke has turned in a new installment of An Honor to Be Nominated in his Jahnke’s Electric Theater column. This time around he looks back at Sidney Lumet’s Dog Day Afternoon. Need we say more?

Back tomorrow. Stay tuned!

- Bill Hunt

If it can be difficult to remember who won the Academy Award for Best Picture, it’s downright mindbending trying to remember everything else it was up against. In An Honor To Be Nominated, I’ll be taking a look back at some of the movies the Oscar didn’t go to and trying to determine if they were robbed, if the Academy got it right, or if they should ever have been nominated in the first place. [Read on here...]

As expected, Criterion announced their July release slate yesterday and it includes some definite gems as usual. Look for Peter Weir’s Picnic at Hanging Rock (Cat #29 – 2-disc DVD edition – the Dual Format version streets on 5/17) and Howard Hawks’ Red River (Cat #709 – 2-disc DVD edition – the Dual Format version streets on 5/27) on 7/8, Robert Bresson’s Pickpocket (Cat #314 – Dual Format) and David Cronenberg’s Scanners (Cat #712 – Dual Format) on 7/15, and The Essential Jacques Demy (Cat #713-719 – Dual Format box set – includes Lola, Bay of Angels, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, The Young Girls of Rochefort, Donkey Skin, and Une chambre en ville), Erik Skjoldbjærg’s Insomnia (Cat #47 – Dual Format), and Lawrence Kasdan’s The Big Chill (Cat #720 – Dual Format) all on 7/22. Extras will include new restored high-def transfers, new documentaries and – in the case of titles previously released on DVD by Criterion – virtually all of the existing extras. Be sure visit the official Criterion site for specific details and check out the cover artwork below. [Read on here...]

We’ve got some good things for you today!

First, our own Todd Doogan has his weekly Doogan’s Queue column up now on The Bits featuring a rundown of all the great new Blu-ray and DVD titles newly available on Amazon and in stores today. Do check it out.

Also, the good Dr. Jahnke has posted a new installment of his Burnt Offerings: MOD DVD column looking at the latest from Warner Archive and the 20th Century Fox Cinema Archives, as well as details of Warner Archive’s panels and events at the WonderCon convention in Anaheim this weekend.

Now, let’s get to some very cool announcement & release news… [Read on here…]

This holy week is rather weak in terms of worthy-of-mentioning new releases. But, my lack of excitement for these titles isn’t going to stop me from letting you all know what’s coming out. Just don’t kill the messenger.

Black Nativity – Langston Hughes’ gospel-themed stage play gets a modern facelift in this musical film by Kasi Lemmons. Not too much praise for this, but it can’t be too bad considering the talent behind it: Forest Whitaker, Angela Bassett, Tyrese Gibson, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Vondie Curtis-Hall  and Nas all lend a face and a voice.  [Read on here…]

There are just a handful of new MOD releases this week.

But WonderCon is invading Anaheim this weekend and Warner Archive has a big presence with several panels and a booth on the floor. Smart money says to expect a few announcements to trickle out of the con, so keep your eyes and ears open. In the meantime, here is Warner Archive’s panel schedule, for those of you heading to Anaheim. [Read on here...]