Displaying items by tag: Shout! Factory

Morning everyone, and welcome to the first week of July!

I’ve been very busy over the weekend working on new disc reviews, frankly probably a little too hard—I should probably have taken more of a break to recharge. Nevertheless, I’ve completed a trio of new reviews for you all to enjoy, so today we present...

My take on Luc Besson’s La Femme Nikita (1990) new on 4K Ultra HD Steelbook from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment—a great 4K remaster of one of my favorite films.

My look at Ron Frank’s funny and poignant documentary Remembering Gene Wilder (2023) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber—which covers the actor’s life and career in detail, and features interviews with Mel Brooks and other friends.

And finally, my review of a surprise title that just arrived on Sunday morning: Jan de Bont’s Twister (1996) in 4K Ultra HD from Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment—a terrific remaster that leaves this film looking and sounding better than it ever has before.

I’m also working to finish another review today, which is Alex Garland’s Civil War. I expect to have that up here by tomorrow. And of course, the rest of the Bits team is working on new reviews as well, so be sure to check back for those over the coming days.

Now then, in announcement news this afternoon, Universal has officially set David Leitch’s The Fall Guy (2024) for release on Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD on 7/23. The package will include both the Theatrical Cut and an Extended Cut of the film with 20 minutes of additional footage. Extras will feature audio commentary on both of those with director Leitch and producer Kelly McCormick, a gag reel, alternate takes, the 5-part Stunts on Stunts: Breaking Down the Action documentary, and 6 featurettes (Making a Meta Masterpiece, How to Break a World Record, Nightclub Mayhem, The Art of Doubling, Making Metalstorm, and Falling for The Fall Guy with Rob Reese). You can see the cover artwork at left and also below. [Read on here...]

We’ve got two more new disc reviews for you to enjoy today, including...

My take on Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s Team America: World Police in 4K Ultra HD from Paramount, which streets this coming Tuesday.

Also, my review of Alfonso Cuarón’s Gravity (2013), which is available in a new reissue Blu-ray (essentially a repackage of the 2015 Diamond Luxe Edition with Dolby Atmos audio) from Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment.

I’m working on more disc reviews for early next week, including South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut (1999) and also The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (2024), both in 4K UHD. And the rest of the review team will be back next week as well with a bunch more.

In announcement news today, Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment has officially set Ishana Night Shyamalan’s The Watchers (2024) for release on Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD on 8/27. Expect the Digital release to become available on 6/28. Extras will include 4 featurettes (Welcome to the Show: The Making of The Watchers, Creating The Watchers, Constructing the Coop, and Ainriochtán and the Irish Fairy Folklore) as well as a deleted scene. You can see the cover artwork at left and also below. [Read on here...]

Sorry for the lack of a news update yesterday, but I spent the entire day on the phone with studio and industry sources digging into upcoming 4K catalog titles. Rest assured, I’ll share more on all of that in the days and weeks to come.

In the meantime, we have some great release news for you—which we’ll share in a couple of news posts today—as well as more new disc reviews. Those include...

Stuart’s look at Jerry Hopper’s Alaska Seas (1954) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics, as well as Carlotta Films’ Region B Blu-ray release of Roger Corman’s The Intruder (1962), which is one of his best films and also features one of William Shatner’s early film roles.

Dennis’ thoughts on John Farrow’s Submarine Command (1951) and Charles Vidor’s Thunder in the East (1952) both on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

Tim’s look at the complete Hanna-Barbera’s Superstars 10 (1987-1988) Blu-ray box set from the Warner Archive Collection.

And finally Stephen’s take on Wellson Chin’s The Inspector Wears Skirts 2 (1989) on Blu-ray from 88 Films, as well as Michael Benveniste and Howard Ziehm’s Flesh Gordon: 50th Anniversary Edition (1974) on region-free Blu-ray from Turbine Medien.

Now then... let’s get to the announcement news, because we’ve got a bunch of it. [Read on here...]

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...]

We’ve got some great release news for you today to start out the new week.

And we’ve also got more new disc reviews for you, so let’s get to the latter first...

Over the weekend, Stephen posted his thoughts on Disney+ and Marvel’s new release of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier: The Complete First Season (2024) in 4K Ultra HD. He’s also given Riccardo Freda’s The Horrible Dr. Hichcock (1962) a review in 4K Ultra HD from Vinegar Syndrome.

Not to be outdone, Tim has reviewed Hanna-Barbera’s animated The Jetsons Meet the Flintstones (1987) on Blu-ray from our friends at the Warner Archive Collection, as well as Paul Leni’s The Cat and the Canary (1927) on Blu-ray from Eureka Entertainment.

Lots more reviews are on the way this week, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for them!

Now then, in announcement news, let’s start with the big one first... GKids and Shout Factory have officially set Hayao Miyazaki’s animated The Boy and the Heron (2023) for release on Blu-ray + DVD, 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray, and 4K UHD + BD Steelbook on 7/9! The Digital release expected on 6/25. [Read on here...]

We’ve got a big new disc review for you all today here at The Bits, and it’s a title that a lot of you have been waiting for: My look at Tony Gilroy’s Andor: The Complete First Season (2023) in 4K Ultra HD Steelbook from Lucasfilm and Disney! All the details are in the review, but suffice it to say that the release absolutely does not disappoint. The video quality is stunning.

We’ve also got a bunch of recent reviews that our staffers have shared over the last few days that I need to round up here for you guys, including...

Stephen’s reviews of Sergio Martino’s The Great Alligator (1979) in 4K Ultra HD from Severin Films, Rod Lurie’s The Last Castle (2001) in 4K Ultra HD from Kino Lorber Studio Classics, John Ford’s 3 Godfathers (1948) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection, and Walter Hill’s The Long Riders (1980) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

Tim’s reviews of Frank Henenlotter’s Basket Case (1982) in 4K Ultra HD from Arrow Video, Michael Laughlin’s Strange Invaders (1983) on Blu-ray from Imprint, and Hanna-Barbera’s animated Scooby-Doo Meets the Boo Brothers (1987) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.

And finally, Dennis’ review of Nancy Savoca’s Dogfight (1991) on Blu-ray from the Criterion Collection.

Meanwhile, we have a couple or housekeeping items to report here at The Bits today... [Read on here...]

We have several new disc reviews to begin the week here at The Bits, starting with...

Stuart’s take on Raoul Walsh’s Gentleman Jim (1942) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.

Dennis thoughts on Michael Epstein’s LennonNYC (2010) on Blu-ray from Via Vision Entertainment and Peter Yates’ Murphy’s War (1971) on Blu-ray from Arrow Video.

Stephen’s look at Bill Plympton’s The Tune (1992) on Blu-ray from Vinegar Syndrome.

And finally, Tim’s review of Ardman Animations’ Shaun the Sheep: The Complete Series on Blu-ray from Shout! Studios.

We also have a bunch of new announcement news for you today, but first this: Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment has listed Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two for Blu-ray, 4K Ultra HD, and 4K Steelbook pre-order on Amazon. The street date is TBA, but is likely due in May or June. There will also be a 2-Film Collection in both 4K UHD and Blu-ray.

Now, a lot of you have asked what aspect ratio Dune: Part Two will be in on disc. As many of you know, Dune: Part One was shot mostly in 2.39:1 but about an hour was in full 1.90:1. Yet Warner’s Blu-ray and 4K release were both in 2.39 only. Meanwhile, most of Dune: Part Two was shot in 1.90:1, with about forty minutes in the full 1.43:1 IMAX ratio. So people are wondering if the Blu-ray and 4K will preserve that variable IMAX ratio, and if Part One will ever be re-released on both formats with the variable ratio as well. I’ve asked Warner for clarification on this and will share it here when they reply. Meanwhile, you can find the studio’s temp cover art (with Amazon links) below the break. [Read on here...]

Today’s post starts with three new disc reviews, including...

Stuart’s take on the Film Focus: George Peppard box set from Imprint, which includes John Guillermin’s P.J. (1968), George Schaefer’s Pendulum (1969), Sam Wanamaker’s The Executioner (1970), and Richard T. Heffron’s Newman’s Law (1974).

Dennis’ look at Val Guest’s Assignment K (1968), also new on Blu-ray from Imprint.

And finally, Stephen’s thoughts on Vincente Minnelli and Busby Berkeley’s Cabin in the Sky (1943) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.

Note that we have lots more new disc reviews on the way, so be sure to watch for them. Also here at The Bits today, we’ve posted a significant update of our 4K Ultra HD Release List with lots of new 4K UHD titles and Amazon links.

And for our Patreon supporters, we’ve recently shared our thoughts on Ron Moore’s Battlestar Galactica and how well the series holds up some fifteen years after it ended its run on the Sci-Fi Channel, along with some preliminary commentary on changes that are brewing within the home entertainment industry, as well as Stephen’s thoughts on the ethics of film alteration and the challenges in determining how films should look on Blu-ray and especially 4K. Supporting The Bits on Patreon is a great way to help us continue our work in service of physical media, and we surely do appreciate it. [Read on here...]

We’ve got some good title announcement news to start the week off today, along with a round-up of other release news odds and ends...

First up, Paramount and CBS have finally officially set Star Trek: Lower Decks – Season Four for Blu-ray and DVD release on 4/16.

The 2-disc set contains all 10 episodes of the season, along with the following special features:

• Audio Commentary by Jack Quaid, Mike McMahan, and Brad Winters (Ep. 401)
• Audio Commentary by Tawny Newsome, Noël Wells and Gabrielle Ruiz (Ep. 404)
• Audio Commentary by Noël Wells, Eugene Cordero, Chase Masterson and Mike McMahan (Ep. 406)
• Audio Commentary by Dawnn Lewis, Tawny Newsome and Mike McMahan (Ep. 409)
• Audio Commentary by Robert Duncan McNeill and Mike McMahan (Ep. 410)
• Lower Decktionary: Setting Up Season 4 (featurette)
• Old Friends (featurette)

You can see the cover artwork at left and also below the break.

While we’re on the topic of Paramount, look for the studio to release Mark Waters’ original Mean Girls (2004) on 4K Ultra HD on 4/30. You can see that cover artwork below the break as well. [Read on here...]

There’s some good title announcement news to report today, including a long-awaited music release.

But first, we wanted to let you all know that the 3/12 James Cameron 4K titles—The Abyss (1989), True Lies (1994), and Aliens (1986)—are finally available for pre-order on Amazon. And while they currently show full price, the usual 30% off discount should be applied soon. (Anyone who pre-orders now will get that discount when it is finally applied.)

Also now available for pre-order on Amazon is John Guillermin’s King Kong (1975) in 4K Ultra HD Steelbook from Paramount. This is a title that’s been available for a couple of years in the UK from StudioCanal, but it’s finally coming to the US. The film stars Jessica Lange, Jeff Bridges, Charles Grodin, and René Auberjonois (of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine fame).

Click on the title links above to find their respective pre-order pages (and as always, whenever you order literally anything from Amazon after clicking to them through our links, you’re helping to support our work here at The Bits and we appreciate it).

Now then, the big announcement news today is that A24 is finally taking pre-orders for Jonathan Demme’s remastered Stop Making Sense (1984) in A24 Shop-exclusive Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD Collector’s Editions. Both will include Dolby Atmos audio and the original stereo mix, plus extras (including a 25-minute documentary and 2 bonus tracks—Cities and Big Business/I Zimbra) as well as a 64-page booklet. The 4K will also include Dolby Vision HDR. The title is expected to ship in sometime in May. You can find the pre-order page here. We don’t yet know if there will be a wide-release version eventually, though one is certainly possible. [Read on here...]