Displaying items by tag: Franco Zeffirelli

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...]

Morning, folks! We’ve got an early update here on The Bits today with a few more new disc reviews, and some interesting release news as well. First, those reviews...

I’ve just completed a look at Universal’s new E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial: 40th Anniversary Edition 4K Ultra HD release, which came out a few weeks ago. It’s interesting in that both the 4K and accompanying Blu-ray are completely new discs, each of which carries over all the extras from the previous 35th Anniversary release while adding a couple of new features too. A/V quality is essentially the same as before, though the 4K disc is now a BD-100, presumably to allow for the addition of the special features. You can learn more here.

Tim has also just completed a review of Harry Essex’s I, the Jury (1953) which is now available in 4K from ClassicFlix. The package includes a Blu-ray as well, featuring the film in HD and also 3D. And he’s posted a review of Brian De Palma’s Dressed to Kill (1980) in 4K from Kino Lorber Studio Classics for your reading enjoyment too.

More reviews are forthcoming soon, including my take on Criterion’s new 4K Ultra HD release of WALL-E from Pixar.

Also here at the site this morning, we’d like to call your attention to Michael Coate’s retrospective look at Steven Spielberg’s sci-if classic Close Encounters of the Third Kind, which celebrated its 45th anniversary yesterday. Michael shared a great Q&A with film historians on the occasion of its 40th anniversary in 2017, and that discussion is well worth checking out if you missed it then. You’ll also find interesting details on the film’s original theatrical release. Enjoy! [Read on here...]

As promised, we’re checking back in today with another trio of new disc reviews…

First, I’ve just posted my thoughts on Clint Eastwood’s rough yet riveting western High Plains Drifter (1973) in 4K Ultra HD from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

Tim has taken a look at Ardman Animations’ A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon (2019), new on Blu-ray from Shout! Factory.

And Dennis has delivered his take on George Marshall’s Fancy Pants (1950) on Blu-ray, also from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

More reviews are on the way tomorrow, so be sure to watch for them. [Read on here...]