All right, as predicted Trek Into Darkness spoilers are starting to trickle out in the wake of today’s premiere screening in Australia, so if you’re hoping to stay spoiler free, be advised you’d better be on your guard pretty much everywhere online.

Here at the site today, our own Russell Hammond has posted the weekly update of the Release Dates & Artwork section with all the latest Blu-ray, DVD and video game cover artwork and Amazon.com pre-order links.  As always, a portion of anything you purchase from the online retailer after clicking through to them from our links goes to help support our work here at The Bits and we sure do appreciate it!

In announcement news today, Warner Home Video is diving into more Paramount catalog titles on 8/13, including some that haven’t been released on Blu-ray before.  Look for Presidio, Shaft (2000) and Flashdance.

Warner has also set Action Jackson and Passenger 57 for Blu-ray release on 8/6.

Meanwhile, Funimation will release Lupin the Third: Woman Called Fukiko on Blu-ray on 7/30.

Indomina will release Filly Brown on BD and DVD on 7/30.

Fox’s Hell on Wheels: The Complete Second Season has been set for BD and DVD on 7/16.

Here’s something cool on the classic film front: Flicker Alley has set Cinerama Holiday and Cinerama: South Seas Adventure for release on Blu-ray/DVD Combo on 10/22 (SRP $39.95 each but you can pre-order them for just $29.96 on the Flicker Alley website).  Thanks to Bits reader Anders O. for the heads-up!

And for you music fans, Eagle Rock Entertainment has set Paul McCartney and Wings: Rockshow for release on Blu-ray Disc and DVD on 7/11 (SRP $34.98 and $29.98).  The 1980 concert film has been one of Dr. Jahnke’s Most Wanted titles, so it’s nice to finally see it on disc, restored, remastered and with a new 5.1 sound mix to boot!

Here’s a look at the BD cover art for Rockshow, as well as the two Cinerama titles…

Stay tuned…

- Bill Hunt

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.  Welcome to Star Trek Into Darkness spoiler week.  Not that we’ll post spoilers here – no sir, that’s not how we roll at The Bits.  However… the first public screenings of the film begin this week (starting today at the  Australian premiere), so spoilers are inevitably going to be leaking everywhere.  If you wish to remain spoiler free, I highly recommend shutting down your Internet for the next three weeks.  (Good luck with that, I know.)  Or at least staying off Facebook!

Anyway, here at the site today, our own Tim Salmons has turned in a great new Dailies column in which he takes a look at the difference between classic Euro horror and the modern day Hollywood variety.  He’s also posted new reviews of Kino’s Zombie Lake and Oasis of the Zombies, as well as Shout!/Scream Factory’s The Vampire Lovers on Blu-ray.  Enjoy!

Speaking of Shout!, the company has just announced a new Blu-ray double-feature of Dirty Mary Crazy Larry and Race with the Devil set for release on 6/4.  Both films were released on DVD by the company previously.

Also today, Well Go USA Entertainment has set Park Hoon-Jeong’s mob thriller New World for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 7/9 (SRP $29.98 and $24.98).

And for you fans of ABC’s cancelled nuclear sub TV series Last Resort, know that Sony is planning to release Last Resort: The Complete First Season as a 3-disc DVD set.  Street date and SRP is still TBA, but extras will include 13 Last Resort Declassified featurettes (including Making the Pilot, Profiles in Courage, Conn Artists, Anatomy of an Episode: Voluntold, Grace Under Fire, Ties That Bind, Subvirtual, The Buzzard’s Nest, Turning Point, The Mole, Serrat’s Lair, I, Kylie and Epilogue).

Finally today, I’ve finally got the replacement lamp for my HD projector here, so getting it installed (and recalibrating my projector) is how I’m spending my evening.  First thing I’m diving into when that’s all done are my reviews of CBS’ new Star Trek: The Next Generation – Season Three and Star Trek: The Next Generation – The Best of Both Worlds Blu-rays.  So watch for those reviews over the next couple days.  Meanwhile, I’m mentioning all this because Amazon has Star Trek: The Next Generation – Season One, Star Trek: The Next Generation – Season Two and Star Trek: Enterprise – Season One on Blu-ray discounted to 60% off all week!  Just click on the cover artwork below to take advantage…

Stay tuned!

- Bill Hunt

You have to give it to European filmmakers.  They might not have always made effective horror films, but they usually always tried to inject some style or subtlety into them.  I’m not saying that they weren’t capable filmmakers.  They were, but they just didn’t always quite hit the mark when it came to something that would scare or disgust an audience.  Some managed to pull it off, but others fell by the wayside.  Filmmakers like Jean Rollin and Jess Franco were two of those hit or miss type filmmakers.  Both men were more interested in pushing sexuality in their films while the framework wasn’t given as much attention.  It all goes hand in hand with where you come from and what your passion is as a filmmaker.

So how do you like that:  The day CBS’ Star Trek: The Next Generation – Season Three and The Best of Both Worlds Blu-rays show up for review, my HD projector bulb dies!  Talk about bad timing.  Ah… the “serious problems” of modern 21st Century life.  Some days you just have to laugh.  And remind yourself that it’s actually good having problems this mundane.  So anyway, rest assured I’ll have reviews of both titles up by probably mid-next week.

Meanwhile, we have a few new announcements for you today…

Disney has officially revealed the Blu-ray and DVD release of The Little Mermaid: Diamond Edition on 10/1.  There will be FOUR SKUs, 3-disc Blu-ray 3D, 2-disc Blu-ray in BD packaging, 2-disc Blu-ray in DVD packaging and 2-disc BD with Digital Copy (SRP $49.99, $39.99, $39.99 and $44.99).  All will include DVD.  Note that if you buy the 3-disc Blu-ray 3D edition, Amazon.com currently has a $5 off discount coupon available on pre-orders (this is a limited time offer, so act fast).

Warner Home Video has unveiled the Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray and DVD release of Jack the Giant Slayer on 6/18 (SRP $44.95, $35.99 and $28.98).  Extras on the Blu-rays will include the Become a Giant Slayer “interactive experience”, deleted scenes and a gag reel.

Warner has also set Tom and Jerry: No Mice Allowed! for release on DVD only on 7/16 (SRP $19.97).

And DC and Warner Animation will release Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox on Blu-ray and DVD on 7/30 (SRP $24.98 and $19.98).

Meanwhile, Cinemax will release Banshee: The Complete First Season on Blu-ray and DVD on 7/30, followed by Strike Back: Season 2 on both formats on 8/6.

Shout! Factory has set Cohen & Tate for release on Blu-ray on 7/9, starring Roy Scheider and Adam Baldwin.  The company has also set Transformers: Rescue Bots – Energize for DVD only release on 6/11, via its Shout! Factory Kids label.

Anchor Bay Entertainment has set Charlie Zone for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 6/4 (SRP $24.99 and $19.98).

The Disinformation Company has set a documentary on exorcism in the Catholic church, The Exorcist in the 21st Century, for DVD only release on 5/7.

And Image Entertainment has announced that it has acquired the release rights to Ruthless Pictures’ thriller Mischief Night, which has just begin filming.  Details of the eventual videodisc release will be announced at a later date.

Here’s a look at the Blu-ray cover art for two versions of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, two versions of Warner’s Jack the Giant Slayer, Cinemax’s Strike Back: Season Two and Shout! Factory’s The Producers (due 7/2)…

Have a great weekend!

- Bill Hunt

All right, we’ve got a little bit more release news for you today...

Warner Home Video has set Action Jackson for release on Blu-ray on 8/6.  Also newly announced by WHV are Berserk: The Golden Age Arc II – The Battle for Doldrey on BD and DVD on 8/6,  DCU: Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox on BD and DVD on 7/30, Bleach Uncut: Set 17 on DVD on 6/11 and Doctor Who: The Snowmen on BD and DVD on 5/28.

Also today, Magnolia Home Entertainment has set The ABCs of Death for Blu-ray and DVD release on 5/21, along with This Girl Is Badass on both formats.

Lionsgate has set the June Carter Cash biopic Ring of Fire on DVD only on 6/4 – the film stars Jewel.

And ARC Entertainment has set Marley Africa Road Trip for DVD release on 5/7, along with Mr. Hockey on both Blu-ray and DVD the same day.  Following on DVD only on 5/21 is Picture Day.  And on 5/28, ARC will release Dead Mine on both Blu-ray and DVD.

Finally, in news from around the Net today, the summer blockbuster trailer “arms race” is sure heating up big time this week.  Late yesterday (probably timed to coincide with the CinemaCon convention), Paramount released the final trailer for J. J. Abrams’ Star Trek into Darkness online.  The film hits theaters on 5/17, just one month from now.  Not to be outdone, Warner Bros. rolled out its first big full trailer for Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel, due in theaters on 6/14.  I have to say, while I’m optimistic about both films, Man of Steel especially looks terrific.  It’s easy to be fooled by a great trailer these days, but these are sure great trailers.  Anyway, here they are for you to check out if you haven’t seen them yet.  Be sure to watch ‘em big and in full 1080p...

All right, back tomorrow.  Stay tuned!

- Bill Hunt

All right, our own Russell Hammond has posted the Release Dates and Artwork update with all the latest Blu-ray, DVD and Video Game cover artwork and Amazon.com pre-order links.  As always, a portion of anything you order from Amazon in the same session after clicking through to them from our links goes to help support our work here at The Bits and we really do appreciate it.

Here at the site today, Dr. Jahnke has turned in a new Blu-ray Disc review of Twilight Time’s The Fury: Limited Edition.  It’s still available on Amazon and from the Screen Archives Entertainment website, so if you want a copy get one soon.  They’re limited to just 3,000 units.

We’ve also updated two more of Tim Salmons’ Blu-ray reviews from the original Bits site: Disney’s Alice in Wonderland: 60th Anniversary Edition and Beauty and the Beast: Diamond Edition.  Enjoy!

All right, a few announcements for you…

Criterion has revealed their July release slate, set to include Kenji Mizoquchi’s The Life of Oharu (Catalog #662 – Blu-ray and DVD) on 7/9, Peter Brook’s Lord of the Flies (#43 – Blu-ray and DVD) on 7/16, Ang Lee’s The Ice Storm (#426 – Blu-ray and DVD) and Gabriel Axel’s Babette’s Feast (#665 – Blu-ray and DVD) on 7/23, and Guillermo Del Toro’s The Devil’s Backbone (appropriately #666 – Blu-ray and DVD) on 7/30.

Eagle Rock Entertainment has set the documentary film The Rolling Stones: Crossfire Hurricane for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 5/21 (SRP $19.98 and $14.98 respectively).  Bonus content includes previously unseen concert and interview footage from 1964-65.

Also on the music front, 20th Century Fox has set The Last Ride: A Story of Hank Williams on Blu-ray and DVD on 6/4.  Extras will include a behind the scenes featurette.

Sony has set Heebie Jeebies for release on DVD on 6/25.

And Paramount and CBS have set Bonanza: The Official Sixth Season, Volume One, Bonanza: The Official Sixth Season, Volume Two, Dynasty: The Seventh Season, Volume One, Dynasty: The Seventh Season, Volume Two, Unforgettable: Season One and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Enter Shredder for DVD only release on 7/9, along with Nickelodeon’s Legend of Korra: Book One – Air on both Blu-ray and DVD.  Following on 7/16 is Matlock: The Ninth and Final Season on DVD.

Here’s a look at the Blu-ray cover artwork for a few of the new Criterion July titles (they’re not available on Amazon yet but we’ll update the cover links when they are)…

Stay tuned...

- Bill Hunt

Well… it’s been a bit of a dispiriting day given the tragic events in Boston this afternoon.  Our thoughts go out to everyone affected there.  Still we’ve got some good stuff for you here today…

First, our own Bud Elder has turned in a new View from the Cheap Seats column with a couple more good Hollywood behind-the-scenes stories, as well as a look at a few new titles in theaters and coming to disc from Warner Archive and Olive Films.  Don’t miss it!

Also, we’ve got three Blu-ray reviews for you to enjoy this afternoon:  Tim has turned in a look at Warner’s Mrs. Miniver which is now available in stores.  Jeff Kleist has also looked at a new Warner distributed BD title – The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey on Blu-ray 3D from New Line.  And we’ve ported over another BD review from the original Bits website to the database – Tim’s look at Paramount’s Paranormal Activity.  Enjoy!

In announcement news today, Shout! Factory has announced the DVD release of the classic TV series The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis on 7/2.  The Complete Series box set will include all 147 episode on 20 DVDs, plus extras (original rare pilot footage, bonus episodes from Love That Bob! and The Stu Erwin Show and more).  SRP is $139.99.

Shout! has also set The Jack Benny Program: The Lost Episodes for release on DVD.  The box will contain 3 discs full of rare and previously-unseen footage and extras.

Autonomy Pictures has set Blood for Irina for release on Blu-ray/DVD Combo on 5/14.

Finally, we’ve learned that when Anchor Bay delivers AMC’s The Walking Dead: The Complete Third Season to Blu-ray and DVD in a few months, there will be another special Limited Edition set with exclusive packaging.  This time, it’s a replica of the Governor’s zombie head aquarium.  Just add water.  Here’s what it looks like…

That’s all for now.  Stay tuned…

- Bill Hunt

I have taught college composition courses my whole life and it is not uncommon for the curriculum to ask the student to write a true story from their individual pasts.  When they collectively start bellyaching that their lives are boring and that they have no well from which to draw any autobiographical tales, I tell them one thing – everyone has stories.

We’ve got just a few more new announcements for you today, and a bit of sad news…

First, Universal is releasing a series of Blu-ray double features discs on 6/4, including Battlestar Galactica: Razor/Battlestar Galactica: The Plan, A Beautiful Mind/Cinderella Man, Dante’s Peak/Daylight, Doom/Street Fighter, Green Zone/The Kingdom, Land of the Lost/MacGruber, Leap Year/Love Happens, Miami Vice/Inside Man, Nanny McPhee/Peter Pan, Scent of a Women/Sea of Love, Shaun of the Dead/Hot Fuzz and Uncle Buck/Fletch.

Universal has also set Frankie Go Boom for Blu-ray and DVD release on 5/14.

PBS has set NOVA: Mind of a Rampage Killer for Blu-ray and DVD release on 5/28.

Cinedigm has set The English Teacher for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 8/27.  The film stars Julianne Moore, Nathan Lane and Greg Kinnear.

Video Music Inc has set IFC’s Portlandia: Season 3 for release on Blu-ray on 7/9.

Starz and Anchor Bay have set The Amazing Adventures of The Living Corpse for Blu-ray and DVD release on 6/18.  They also have Pusher and The Rambler set for Blu-ray on 6/25.

Image Entertainment has Tomorrow You’re Gone due on BD on 5/14, followed by The Numbers Station on 5/28, and Graceland and Pieta on 7/23.

Fox has set In Old Arizona for Blu-ray release on 6/4, followed by Phantom on 6/11.

Also, Olive Films has announced more deep classic catalog and indie films for release on Blu-ray, including Magic Christian, My Brothers, Father Goose, The Girl Who Knew Too Much, In Old California, The Grass is Greener, Reuben Reuben, Shanks, The File on Thelma Jordan, Lady from Louisiana, Blowing Wild and Dark Command on 5/28.  They also have The Enforcer, Cloak and Dagger, Night of the Scarecrow, The Unbelievable Truth, Hoodlum Empire, Parked, The Lonely Trail, Pals of the Saddle, The Miracle of the Bells, The Men and Three Faces West on 4/30.

And here’s something interesting: Paramount in the U.K. has announced the 6/3 Blu-ray release of The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.  Also coming that day to BD in the U.K. from Universal is Rooster Cogburn, The War Wagon, Joe Kidd and Two Mules for Sister Sara.  Thanks to Bits reader Gary M. for the heads-up!  Sure wish the studios would these in the States as well, but there’s some indication that they may at least be all-region.

Finally today, we’d like to take a moment to acknowledge the passing of veteran actor and funny man Jonathan Winters, one of the all-time great legends of improv comedy.  Winters had been expected to attend the TCM Classic Film Festival Screening of It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World in a couple weeks in Hollywood.  He’ll surely be missed.  More here.  Winters was 87.  Take a look at this bit of improv with Winters and Art Carney on YouTube.  Genius…

We’ll leave you today with a look at cover artwork for Starz/Anchor Bay’s The Star Chamber and My Super Ex-Girlfriend (both due 5/28, for Fox) and Severin’s House on Straw Hill (due 6/11)…

Back Monday with a new column from Bud Elder and more.  Stay tuned…

- Bill Hunt

All right, quick post today with a bit of release news…

The big news today is that Shout! Factory and their Scream Factory label have revealed the cover artwork for their upcoming Blu-ray/DVD Combo release of John Carpenter’s The Fog (due on 7/30).  You can see what it looks like at left.  Speaking of Shout! Factory, the company has also set George Romero’s Knightriders and William Sachs’ The Incredible Melting Man for Blu-ray release on 7/30.  In addition, they have Cohen & Tate due on BD on 7/9.  You can see more of the artwork below.  All are available for pre-order on Amazon by clicking on the art.

Meanwhile, Troma has announced the release of Father’s Day in three versions – DVD only, Blu-ray DVD Combo and Blu-ray only.  All are now available via the Troma Shop.

Entertainment One has set the CG-animated Car’s Life 3 for DVD only release on 4/23.  It’s notable for featuring the voice of Corinne Orr of Speed Racer fame.

Entertainment One has also set that Lindsay Lohan/Elizabeth Taylor Lifetime movie, Liz & Dick, for DVD only release on 5/14.

Doppelganger Releasing has set Eddie the Sleepwalking Cannibal for Blu-ray and DVD release on 8/6.

And Flicker Alley has pushed the release date for their 5-disc French Masterworks: Russian Émigrés in Paris 1923-1928 on DVD to 5/14.

Also, we’ve confirmed with Well Go USA Entertainment that their Blu-ray release of Sadako 3D, due on 6/4, will include both Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D on the same disc.

And Amazon.com is now taking pre-orders for the Blu-ray and DVD release of HBO’s Game of Thrones: Season Three.  No street date is yet available, but the SRP is set for $79.98 and $59.99 respectively.

Here’s that Shout! Factory artwork…

Stay tuned!

- Bill Hunt