Post Black Friday and rolling into Cyber Monday, how well did you fare? Myself, because the entire month has been a barrage of special deals from all the various retailers, I had to take a moment to evaluate what I really can or cannot pass up. (As of the time of this writing, I have the Vinegar Syndrome Subscription sitting in my cart). Cyber Monday will probably NOT be as big a deal this year, but I could be wrong, right? Walmart is already calling it Cyber Week, I suspect other retailers are doing the same sort of thing.
Welcome to Volume 2 Episode 28 of our weekly release guide. A look at the highlights of what's coming to disc this week, as well as a look at announcements from last week.
4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Releases-
Compared to previous weeks, this week is pretty slow for new 4K discs.
From Disney's Marvel label, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Keeping with the normal release options, we get a standard package, a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook and a Target Exclusive 'Art Edition.' No disrespect to Target, but I am not a fan of the look of theirs.
Indie house Gunpowder & Sky release Horror/Mystery Summer of 84.
And indie house Vinegar Syndrome releases monster-flick Ticks.
Blu-ray releases-
An average(ish) week for volume of blu-rays. Getting the blu-ray counterpart release out of the way first, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings comes your way.
From BBC, Eden: Untamed Planet debuts on disc.
From Paramount, Heaven Can Wait (1978) starring Warren Beatty, and a remastered version of Reds (1981).
Warner Bros delivers the 2021 horror/mystery Malignant. The Warner Archive label brings us Party Girl.
LionsGate's weekly appearing includes Saint Maud, a 2019 thriller.
A week does not pass without a look at Anime highlights, and there are quite a few this week. This week look for Akudama Drive: The Complete Season in a standard package and a limited edition, Bungo and Alchemist - Gears of Judgement, and yes they put the extra 'e' in 'judgment', Food Wars! The Fourth Plate - Complete Collection (Premium Box Set) and Kakegurui: Season One Collection. This week is also the week for Discotek's November releases, and wouldn't you know it, the one single title I want doesn't have an English dub.
Honorable Mention: Jet Pilot starring John Wayne and Janet Leigh comes to us via Kino Lorber.
Friday releases are not arts releases, but rather band/concert titles.
Notable announcements from last week:
Severin's Blood For Dracula 4K disc has been pushed back yet again, this time add two more months to the street date. We did a review of this one already so what the exact hold up is is unknown.
Multiple Arrow Video titles have been pushed back again, no doubt production and supply chain issues. At this point when I hear 'The Abyss' I relate it more to the delays that are plaguing some releases rather than that James Cameron movie that seems to have fallen into one.
The 2021 film Dune has a release date of January 11th. But there's more.... a sku for a 3D blu-ray has also been added to release choices.
Arrow Video's February slate has been announced. Titles include Deadly Games (1982) and Lies and Deceit – Five Films by Claude Chabrol. Also, in collaboration with Synapse Films, the next Dario Argento 4K release in their fat-pack release category, Phenonema will appear sometime in March. Although listed as a Synapse Films release, it looks very much so like the previous Argento releases from Arrow this past year.
Which titles are you buying this week? Which ones are on your wishlist, be it to buy as an impulse buy or to wait for the right price?
Brick-and-mortar shops are shrinking their physical media selections every year. Could label-specific subscription services be the answer for boutique outfits catering to enthusiasts while preserving classics on Blu-ray, 4K Ultra HD, and DVD? Vinegar Syndrome seems to think so.
By and large boutique labels are setting the gold standard for physical media home video collecting - and Vinegar Syndrome is no different. The label was founded in 2012 by Ryan Emerson and Joe Rubin. Their initial aim was to restore and preserve lost and forgotten X-Rated and Adult films on home video. Very quickly the company expanded that mandate to include science fiction, horror, and cult films from the 1960s, the 70s, 80s, and into the early 90s. Covering all formats from DVD to Blu-ray to 4K Ultra HD, they have a vast catalog of genre favorites with impressive restoration efforts, intricate packaging, and informative bonus features.
A couple of years ago, VS introduced subscription plans - pay X dollars amount and for a year you get every month's offerings sent to your doorstep automatically at a rate of 50% off MSRP and additional 50%-off coupon codes for bigger more elaborate premier releases not covered in that month's releases. I hesitated initially. That was a lot of money to pay upfront for titles I didn't know about or would like. But as I found myself each month buying more and more of Vinegar Syndrome's releases I started to wish I had subscribed. By the time their annual Black Friday Sale hit in 2020, I was convinced. I didn't subscribe for their biggest or most elaborate package - their basic plan was enough to test the waters and see what came of it. After a year as a subscriber - was it worth it? Short answer - yes it was for me, but it might not be for everyone.
I'm going to delve into some Pros and Cons of the subscription platform and then speculate what it might be like if other labels adopted a similar option for physical media fans.
You get a lot of movies sent right to your doorstep automatically
Who doesn't like to open a package? Even when I order from Amazon and I know what is coming in that cheap plastic bubble bag, it's a thrill to cut that sucker open and see what's inside. Now picture that with a nice sturdy medium-sized box with branded Vinegar Syndrome tape and it's loaded with new Blu-rays and maybe a new 4K Ultra HD title! Seeing that box on my porch was always a thrill.
Old Favorites & New Discoveries
I was a video store brat in my day. As a kid, I rented tons of tapes. As an adult, I worked at one of the largest Hollywood Video stores in the country during the company's death rattle. I devoured tapes and discs all the time but I never saw everything. Each monthly selection of titles VS drops was this lovely blend of nostalgic favorites as well as rare cult films. I'd never heard of the three movies in the recent Camille Keaton in Italy set, but Scanner Cop 1&2, Ticks, The Fall of the House of Usher, Necromancer, Alien from L.A., etc. - those were rental favorites! It's a trip to reconnect with these old favorites while discovering something new.
Cult Classics & Genre favorites Lovingly Restored
One version of the Vinegar Syndrome subscription includes a range of their adult new releases. While I enjoy a bawdy cheeky flick on occasion, it's not a genre I personally collect. Obscure cult classics, regional horror, video store favorites - I'm all for those films. While it's nice enough to get these films on disc, VS goes the extra mile giving these films the best restoration efforts possible. And since they're sent right to me direct, I don't have to weigh options or wait for reviews and then hope to remember to circle back to them in time for a sale. They're right on my shelf waiting to be watched.
Discounted Deluxe Titles and Partner Label Titles
While my subscription didn't cover every new specialty release, it did come with a coupon code for the extra titles I did want to pick up. Movies like Six String Samurai 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray weren't included with my subscription, but 50% off the MSRP with free shipping made adding it to my monthly box a lot easier! VS also currently has 14 partner labels offering their own new releases and that 50% off coupon works for those too. I hadn't seen Prospect, but that coupon made a blind buy of Dust's excellent 4k Ultra HD Blu-ray release easier - and absolutely worth it!
The Overall Value
Pulling the titles off my shelf, between the various three-film box sets, the standard subscription titles, the more elaborate deluxe editions, and Partner Label titles I picked up roughly 65 new films so far this year. November 2021's titles haven't come in yet so there will be more. But looking at my overall costs for the year subscription and additional titles, each film I picked up averaged out to roughly $15. Now I still haven't watched everything I got - and I might never get to them - I still feel I got far more than my money's worth than if I'd ordered each title on its own.
Upfront Cost
While the savings do add up with the titles you get and discounts for deluxe editions with free shipping, that is a lot of cash to drop all at once. You could use PayPal's Credit program and get six months no interest to cover that initial spread - that's what I did. But again, that's a lot to drop for a year of movies where you don't know what you're getting.
Too Many Movies To Keep Up With
If you're a collector is that really even a problem? It might be for some. While I revel in having a stack of titles to plug through, it is admittedly very daunting. I had to put myself on a schedule of grabbing at least one unseen VS title a week to keep up. If you've got a family, job, dog, and the irritating need to eat or sleep occasionally, a stack of unopened unwatched movies could sour the experience.
Titles You Don't Want Or Aren't Interested In
The biggest risk with the subscription for me was not knowing what I was going to get. While it was exciting, I did occasionally find myself in the field of "what the hell is this one?" when I opened the box. Most of the time I was very happy with what I got, so I haven't felt the need to sell off parts of the collection. I've seen some folks take to the gray market of Facebook Marketplace or eBay to sell off the discs they don't want. That may help cover the cost of the subscription, but that puts the workload on you to resell and then you risk not getting the full value between seller fees and shipping costs.
Pretty Much For Horror, Cult Classic, & Genre Film Fans Only
While VS's partner labels offer a little more diverse range of genres, this is really for those who love great horror movies, old video store favorites, and obscure cult classics. If you're someone searching for films in order to discover the inner meaning of the human condition - unless you're up for a variety of psychopaths - this really isn't for you.
As each monthly Vinegar Syndrome box showed up on my front porch, I got to wondering what it would be like for other boutique labels to do the same? Expensive. I mean, come on - with all of the great titles coming out from Kino Lorber Studio Classics, Criterion, Shout!/Scream Factory, Blue Underground - that'd a lot of coin. But at the same time, I do pay out of pocket for a lot of favorite titles each month. A discounted subscription platform might be a worthwhile option for some labels to consider:
The Criterion Collection
The Criterion Collection is now in the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray game with Citizen Kane, Uncut Gems, Mulholland Dr., and Menace II Society on store shelves with more titles coming in the new year. They've been a great source for interesting foreign and domestic releases of all genres. Because so many titles come out at a larger-than-average pricepoint, I save a lot of my Criterion buying for July and November for the Barnes & Nobel sales. Because they offer such a vast array of new, recent, and classic films I may not be up for everything they put out, but I'd at least consider what a subscription package might entail.
Kino Lorber Studio Classics
Kino Lorber Studio Classics is the fastest growing label in my collection and it expands every month with each new Blu-ray, classic television, and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray title announcement. This one might be the most expensive and unwieldy for a subscription service considering the range of titles and how many they release every month. But if they keep churning out more great MGM titles on 4K and getting more Bronson flicks on Blu-ray, it's certainly an enticing prospect.
Arrow Video
While I may not love every title they put out each month - like Criterion I'm always interested in checking out what they have to offer with their blend of fan favorites, classic comedies, dramas, horror, science fiction, and Japanese flicks. Where a subscription gets a little dodgy here is their releases are often U.K. or U.S. region-specific. I'd be down to clown since I end up getting a lot of their titles, but that'd also mean that some 4K titles like King of New York or bigger boxsets like Children of the Corn Trilogy would still need to be imported.
Shout! Factory / Scream Factory
Between Shout! Factory proper, Shout Select, Scream Factory, and their Anime offerings - a subscription service could certainly ease collecting these titles. Especially if you could subscribe to specific sub-labels only. As hard as I've tried in the past, I'm just not wildly into anime outside of a few select films. Since Scream Factory and Shout Select punch out more elaborate special editions and 4K Ultra HD titles every year, a subscription discount could be appealing.
Blue Underground
As one of the best sources for catalog Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray horror and cult classics, this one to me is a no-brainer. Because their titles feature excellent restorations and audio presentations with informative bonus features and often with the film's soundtrack - they command a high price point. While worth every cent, it does make you be a little choosy when it comes time to pre-order.
Severin Films
Severin Films is like Vinegar Syndrome in a lot of ways catering to folks who love obscure genre flicks and do their best to provide the best Blu-ray and 4K releases possible. A subscription plan could be very cool - but they do already have bundles for their monthly titles at a discount and for their featured specialty films they have bundles that come packed with a lot of fun swag like stickers, posters, patches, buttons, and the occasional figurine. A yearly subscription might be a stretch given all of the options they already provide.
Well Go USA
As a smaller label catering largely to Asian market martial arts titles, a subscription option would indeed be very cool. Especially if you're a martial arts movie nut. Their 4K output may not be substantial or consistent but they've been worthy purchases. Plus if you dig Korean thrillers, they have a lot of great movies you otherwise wouldn't get to see here stateside.
There are a lot of other small labels out there, but those are the boutique operations I usually spread my thin disposable income around. Like most folks, I'm up for watching just about anything, but I only have so many hours in a day and just so much cash to burn. I love physical media and as long as it's available and I have a working player I'll never give it up. I think about how many people I know who gave up discs but then frequently complain when streaming services or VOD providers don't have their favorites or the latest classic comes to 4K on disc but not streaming. I see those titles sitting on my shelf and a wry smile stitches across my face. I buy the movies I want and then I actually get to keep them.
Now with their next Black Friday Sale hitting November 26th through the 29th, I have every intention of resubscribing. A recent email VS sent out to current subscribers with a discount code to resubscribe for another year sweetens the deal a little bit (not a lot but it helps). I may not know everything Vinegar Syndrome will put out every month or I may not like everything I get in that box, but for an overall experience I felt subscribing was more than worth it. I thought this would be a fun little one-time experiment just to do for this article and that'd be it. But now I find myself eager to do it all over again. It might not be for everyone and their budget, but it's certainly worth considering if you're able.
What do think? Have you subscribed to Vinegar Syndrome before? Are you thinking about it? Let us know in the comments below!
After a successful run in theaters and on HBO Max, the latest adaptation of Frank Herbert's classic science fiction novel will come to physical media on January 11th, 2022.
Warner Brothers today officially announced Denis Villeneuve's 2021 adaptation of Dune for Blu-ray, 4K Ultra HD Bluy-ray - with a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook. As of now we expect the base HDR10 grading - no word on Dolby Vision or HDR10+, but both the 4K disc and 1080p Blu-ray will have English Atmos audio tracks with the same set of bonus features.
The 4K and Blu-ray releases are expected to include the following bonus features:
At the moment, neither the standard 4K disc, the Best Buy SteelBook, or standard Blu-ray are up for pre-order but in the coming days, we expect that to change. As soon as we get that info we'll update our listings ASAP.
Thanks again for your pre-orders! They really do go a long way towards helping our little operation stay up and running.
Here is the full press release from Warner Bros.
“An astonishingly vivid vision of the future.”
Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times
“Dune”
COMES HOME FROM
WARNER BROS. HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Premium Digital Ownership
Debuts Early on December 3
4K, Blu-ray and DVD Arrive on January 11, 2022
Burbank, CA, November 22, 2021 – Embark on a mythic and emotionally charged hero’s journey when Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ “Dune” arrives for Premium Digital Ownership at home on December 3. The critically acclaimed film, which has garnered more than $350 million at the global box office, was directed by two-time Academy Award nominee Denis Villeneuve (“Arrival,” “Blade Runner 2049”) from a screenplay he co-wrote with Jon Spaihts and Eric Roth, based on the seminal bestselling novel of the same name written by Frank Herbert. “Dune” stars Oscar nominee Timothée Chalamet (“Call Me by Your Name,” “Little Women”), Rebecca Ferguson (“Doctor Sleep,” “Mission: Impossible – Fallout”), Oscar Isaac (the “Star Wars” franchise), Oscar nominee Josh Brolin (“Milk,” “Avengers: Infinity War”), Stellan Skarsgård (TV’s “Chernobyl,” “Avengers: Age of Ultron”), Dave Bautista (the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, “Avengers: Endgame”), Stephen McKinley Henderson (“Fences,” “Lady Bird”), Zendaya (“Spider-Man: Homecoming,” TV’s “Euphoria”), Chang Chen (“Mr. Long,” “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”), David Dastmalchian (“Blade Runner 2049,” “The Dark Knight”), Sharon Duncan-Brewster (“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” TV’s “Sex Education”), with Oscar nominee Charlotte Rampling (“45 Years,” “Assassin’s Creed”), with Jason Momoa (“Aquaman,” “Game of Thrones”), and Oscar winner Javier Bardem (“No Country for Old Men, “Skyfall”). The film will also be available on 4K, Blu-ray and DVD beginning on January 11.
The film was produced by Mary Parent, Villeneuve, Cale Boyter and Joe Caracciolo, Jr., with Tanya Lapointe, Joshua Grode, Herbert W. Gains, Jon Spaihts, Thomas Tull, Brian Herbert, Byron Merritt and Kim Herbert executive producing.
“Dune” will also be available on Movies Anywhere. Using the free Movies Anywhere app and website, consumers can access all their eligible movies by connecting their Movies Anywhere account with their participating digital retailer accounts.
SYNOPSIS
“Dune” tells the story of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, who must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence—a commodity capable of unlocking humanity’s greatest potential—only those who can conquer their fear will survive.
4K, BLU-RAY & DVD ELEMENTS
“Dune” 4K UHD combo pack and Blu-ray contain the following special features:
“Dune” DVD contains the following special features:
ABOUT MOVIES ANYWHERE
Movies Anywhere is a digital movie platform that enables movie fans to discover, access, and watch their favorite digital movies in one place. Movies Anywhere brings together a library of nearly 7,500 digital movies from Sony Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox Film, The Walt Disney Studios (including Disney, Pixar, Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm), Universal Pictures (including DreamWorks and Illumination Entertainment) and Warner Bros., and will continue to expand the consumer experience as more content providers, digital retailers and platforms are added. By connecting participating digital retailers that include Amazon Prime Video, FandangoNOW, Google Play, iTunes and Vudu, movie fans can now bring together their digital movie collections (whether purchased or redeemed) in one place and enjoy them from the comfort of their living rooms, and across multiple devices and platforms, including Amazon Fire devices; Android devices and Android TV; Apple TV; Chromecast; iPhone, iPad and iPod touch; Roku® devices and popular browsers. Movie fans can also redeem digital codes found in eligible Blu-ray and DVD disc packages from participating studios and enjoy them through Movies Anywhere. Movies Anywhere – your movies, together at last.
ABOUT DIGITAL
*Digital movies or TV episodes allow fans to watch a digital version of their movie or TV show anywhere, on their favorite devices. Digital movies or TV episodes are included with the purchase of specially marked Blu-ray discs. With digital, consumers are able to instantly stream and download movies and TV shows to TVs, computers, tablets and smartphones through retail services. For more information on compatible devices and services go to wb.com/digitalmoviefaq. Consult a digital retailer for details and requirements and for a list of digital-compatible devices.
BASICS
PRODUCT
4K UHD Combo Pack
Blu-ray
DVD
Digital Ownership: December 3, 2021
PVOD: December 3, 2021
4K, Blu-ray and DVD Street Date: January 11, 2022
DVD Languages: English, English-ADS, Latin Spanish, Canadian French
BD Languages: English, English-ADS, English ATMOS, Latin Spanish, Canadian French, Japanese, Hungarian, Hindi, Czech Republic, Portuguese-Brazilian, Polish
4K Languages: English, English-ADS, English ATMOS, Latin Spanish, Canadian French,
DVD Subtitles: English SDH, Latin Spanish, Canadian French, French Parisian
BD Subtitles: English SDH, Latin Spanish, Canadian French, Portuguese-Brazilian, Bulgarian, Czech Republic, Hungarian, Japanese, Polish, Romanian, Hindi
4K Subtitles: English SDH, Latin Spanish, Canadian French, Parisian French, German, German SDH, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, Danish, Greek, Korean, Hindi
Running Time: 155 minutes
Rating: Rated PG-13 for sequences of strong violence, some disturbing images and suggestive material.
DVD: DLBY/DGTL
Blu-ray: Atmos True HD, DLBY/DGTL
4K: ATMOS True HD, DLBY DGTL
About “Dune”
Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures Present a Legendary Pictures Production, a Film by Denis Villeneuve, “Dune.”
About Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, Inc.
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) brings together Warner Bros. Entertainment's home video and digital distribution businesses in order to maximize current and next-generation distribution scenarios. An industry leader since its inception, WBHE oversees the global distribution of content through packaged goods (Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD) and digital media in the form of electronic sell-through and video-on-demand via cable, satellite, online and mobile channels. WBHE distributes its product through third party retail partners and licensees.
Hope you survived last week's volley of 4K releases, there certainly were a lot of choices and a little for everyone. With Black Friday coming, are you hoping for anything specific? I'm still looking for a decent Atmos all-in-one 9.1 or 11.1 receiver but I doubt that it will ever be on special! Ever since I switched to Denon I've become pretty brand loyal.
Welcome to Volume 2 Episode 27 of our weekly release guide. A look at the highlights of what's coming to disc this week, as well as a look at announcements from last week.
4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Releases-
With Black Friday upon us, we only get an ever so slight reprieve on 4K releases.
In this category this week, it's is actually dominated by Criterion Collection releases. The Orson Welles classic Citizen Kane leads off the list, along with Menace II Society and Adam Sandler's Uncut Gems. The latter is yet another recent LionsGate release that they did not give it a 4K disc but that has since been remedied by another company. As mentioned last week, Citizen Kane is getting a UK release in a few weeks by Warner Bros. It comes in a special 80th Anniversary Release that's loaded with swag. Based on current prices though, the UK release would be for huge fans on the film.
Kino Lorber delivers another visually stunning 4K release, this time Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978).
Delayed but now on track, The Addams Family movie debuts to 4K disc. Additionally, The Ten Commandments (1956) gets a SteelBook package this go round.
LionsGate offers Terminator 2: Judgment Day in a SteelBook release, no doubt the same discs in a different package. I might lose a few karma points here, but I much prefer the color timing of the 4K release over previous releases. Maybe there is a bit of excess dnr scrubbing, but unless you sit three feet from the screen, this presentation looks quite pleasing.
Delayed, and if delayed again I won't mention it on future release guide highlights, The Hills Have Eyes (1977) gets the fat-pack treatment. Standard editions of The Bird with the Crystal Plumage and The Cat o' Nine Tails also come via the previously delayed category.
Every year Vinegar Syndrome releases titles on Black Friday, specifically on their site. This year Flesh For Frankenstein - 3D & 4K gets an exclusive release. They also have indicated a couple of surprises will be revealed for that day. Of course each release eventually gets a general release a couple of months later if you're not inclined to purchase direct.
Blu-ray releases-
Somewhat lighter week for blu-ray releases. As always, getting the blu-ray counterpart(s) out of the way first. In this case, all are Criterion Collection releases, look for Citizen Kane, Menace II Society and Uncut Gems.
LionsGate's weekly appearance is brought to you by the letter "A" and includes an action/thriller titled American Night and a Western themed Action/Adventure titled Apache Junction.
Leslie Nielsen's comedy Dracula: Dead and Loving It comes to us via Shout! Factory. Described as a 'grand scale World War II movie,' The Eight Hundred sounds like it is certainly worth a look.
Warner Archive Collection's release this week is Lullaby of Broadway, a musical starring Doris Day and Gene Nelson. Also the next 'Thin Man' movie, The Thin Man Goes Home.
With the string of delays and possibly just bad luck, Arrow Video is currently set to release Phantom of the Mall: Eric's Revenge and Sailor Suit and Machine Gun this week (fingers crossed.) There are a couple of other titles as well scheduled for this week, but they've been listed a couple of times in previous articles and definite dates are up in the air.
Quiver Films brings us The Woody Allen Collection (1994-2003), a cost-effective way to own nine of his films in one box set.
Anime highlights are Boruto: Naruto Next Generations - Set 11 (The Mujina Gang), Girls und Panzer das Finale - Part 2, Haibane Renmei - The Complete Series, RWBY: Volume 8 and That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: Season One as a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook until January 25th. There are several more SteelBooks of this nature lined up for future dates.
Honorable mention: Kino Lorber is on track to release the series Night Gallery starring Rod Serling. Season One can be purchased this week.
Friday release include a bunch of Imprint Films Limited Editions and a concert disc.
>The The: The Comeback Special
Notable announcements from last week:
Post holiday announcements are generally a bit light, no doubt because buying during that period is light as well.
Criterion has announced their February titles. The brief listing includes Boat People, Love Affair, Miller's Crossing and Written on the Wind.
Both FUNimation and Sentai Filmworks have revealed their February slate of titles. The list is quite extensive, but some of the highlights are Onyx Equinox - Complete Collection, NANA - Complete Collection [SteelBook], Samurai Girls / Samurai Bride - Complete Series, Attack on Titan - Final Season - Part 1 (also available in a Limited Edition), By the Grace of the Gods - Season 1 (Also available in a Limited Edition), Higurashi: When They Cry GOU - Season 1 Part 2 and Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle. Order links will crop up as they become available. Viz Video also is offering Tower of God on January 18th.
The next Vestron Video Collector's Series blu-ray release will be Candyman: Day of the Dead. Expect it on January 18th.
In the shipping delays department, I just got an email from Amazon indicating that Evolution will be arriving by January 17th. With a November 9th street date, I would say they either have a broken street date or serious supply issue. The Macgyver collection which was due on November 2nd also appears to be in limbo. I am not angry, I get it that there are supply chain issues, but a more realistic delivery date up front might have been nice.
Which titles are you buying this week? Which ones are on your wishlist, be it to buy as an impulse buy or to wait for the right price?
Scott Cooper's terrifying horror flick Antlers is scarring up a Blu-ray release in the new year. The Guillermo del Toro-produced fright flick will hit streaming VOD services on December 21st with the single-disc Blu-ray release following on January 4th, 2022.
Sadly it doesn't look like this one will be getting a 4K UltraHD release on disc - or at least not here in the states. We'll keep an eye out if the import market gives us that option. The disc is expected to have a DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio mix and a nice collection of bonus features to go along with it. Check out our Theatrical Review if you haven't heard about this one yet.
Pre-orders are not yet live, but when they are we'll update our listings pronto.
And once again, thanks again for all of your pre-orders. They really do go a long way towards keeping our little operation alive and well.
Read the full press release with tech-specs and bonus features info below
“ONE OF THE BEST CREATURE FEATURES IN YEARS”
– Patrick Cavanaugh, ComicBook
Searchlight Pictures’ Antlers Terrifies on Digital December 21
and on Blu-ray™ and DVD January 4
LOS ANGELES, CA (November 15, 2021) – Acclaimed director Scott Cooper and monster maestro Guillermo del Toro bring to life a multi-dimensional terror experience with Antlers. Searchlight Pictures’ latest horror-thriller will be available on Digital December 21 and Blu-ray™ and DVD January 4, 2022.
Film Synopsis
The myth of the dreaded “wendigo” comes to shocking life in this terrifying horror thriller. When a small-town Oregon teacher (Keri Russell) and her brother (Jesse Plemons), the local sheriff, seek to help a troubled young boy who possesses a strange secret, the consequences are more dreadful than they could have possibly imagined.
Bonus Features*
*bonus features vary by product and retailer
Cast
Keri Russell as Julia Meadows
Jesse Plemons as Paul Meadows
Jeremy T. Thomas as Lucas Weaver
Graham Greene as Warren Stokes
Scott Haze as Frank Weaver
Rory Cochrane as Dan Lecroy
Amy Madigan as Principal Booth
Directed by
Scott Cooper
Produced by
Guillermo del Toro, p.g.a.
David S. Goyer, p.g.a
J. Miles Dale, p.g.a
Executive Producers
Jim Rowe
Nick Antosca
Kevin Turen
Screenplay by
C. Henry Chaisson
& Nick Antosca
and Scott Cooper
Music by
Javier Navarrete
Based upon a short story by
Nick Antosca
Product Specifications
Street Date
Digital: December 21
Physical: January 4
Product SKUs
Digital: UHD, HD, SD
Physical: Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + Digital Code) & DVD
Feature Run Time
Approx. 99 minutes
Rating
U.S. Rated R
*Rated R for violence including gruesome images, and for language
*Bonus material not rated
Aspect Ratio
Digital: 1.85:1
Physical: 1.85:1
U.S. Audio
Blu-ray: English 5.1 DTS-HDMA, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, English AD 2.0 Dolby
DVD: English 5.1 Dolby, Spanish 5.1 Dolby, French 5.1 Dolby, English AD 2.0 Dolby
Digital: English Dolby Atmos (UHD only, some platforms), English 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, English Descriptive Audio 2.0 Dolby Digital (some platforms)
U.S. Subtitles
Blu-ray: English SDH, Spanish, French
DVD: English SDH, Spanish, French
Digital: English SDH, French, Spanish (some platforms)
The week before Black Friday, with the releases hot and heavy, you really didn't think you were going to save any money for next week, did you? No matter, Black Friday itself isn't as big a deal any more, the whole month is a feast of deals.
Welcome to Volume 2 Episode 26 of our weekly release guide. A look at the highlights of what's coming to disc this week, as well as a look at announcements from last week.
4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Releases-
My oh my, get ready to feel the pain if you are trying to fill your library with 4K releases. Even if you ignore any reissues and get the standard editions, this week could be costly. Let's tackle the list studio by studio this week.
Universal releases the 2021 reboot Candyman, surprisingly a standard release without a SteelBook option.
From Sony Pictures, the 2001 film Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within finally makes its way to 4K. Why not right? The later (sequel) films Advent Children and Kingsglaive already got releases.
Warner Bros. takes up the most space on this week's release calendar. Completing your Mad Max 4K collection just got easier, Mad Max: The Road Warrior comes as either a standard edition or a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook and Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome, with the same two options, a standard edition and a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook. If you want the entire Mad Max series in one set, Mad Max Anthology is another option. Many of us bought the first and last movies so we would be watching for the right price. Still not done with Warner Bros., another middle-earth release, Middle Earth 6-Film Ultimate Collector's Edition in an over the top package that just screams buy me!
Disney/Buena Vista's big release this week is Jungle Cruise, available in its usual plethora of options, a standard edition, Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook and a Target Exclusive.
LionsGate has two releases, Ran [Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook] and The Evil Dead Groovy Collection, which includes the films in 4K and the TV series in HD. If you recall, Ran was previously offered on 4K disc overseas and 4K digital in the U.S., glad to see it opened up to disc now, $20 for a SteelBook is almost a steal!
Now on to botique labels...Criterion Collection's debut 4K release is Mulholland Dr. and I am sure many are eager to see how this one turns out. There is an import available from StudioCanal that includes all kinds of swag, but of course at a much higher price.
Blue Underground's two titles appear to be on track for this week after being delayed, I'm referring to Maniac Cop 2 and Maniac Cop 3.
RLJ/Image Entertainmant has got Prisoners of the Ghostland [SteelBook].
And the final 4K title of the week, Magnolia Pictures/Magnet brings us Yakuza Princess.
Blu-ray releases-
Getting the blu-ray counterparts from the 4K releases out of the way first; Candyman, Jungle Cruise, Prisoners of the Ghostland and Yakuza Princess are available to purchase. Also, The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy gets remastered releases of the Theatrical Versions and the Extended Editions as separate skus.
From Paramount, The Brady Bunch: 2-Movie Collection debuts on blu-ray. There are TWO titles this week under the Paramount Presents label, Ragtime and Vanilla Sky.
The Warner Archive gives us National Velvet. I don't think I have ever seen a film with a young Mickey Rooney, LOL, so I might have to pick this one up. A rat pack film titled Some Came Running also gets released this week.
Sony's low volume distribution (MOD) brings us Christmas with the Kranks, The Lost Leonardo and Our Ladies. Sony's standard label releases Never Back Down: Revolt.
LionsGate brings Kevin Can F*** Himself: Season 1 to the table.
MGM's Flag Day gets an MOD release. Amazon bought out MGM, so this is likely a direct product of their new company. Yay for releasing a blu-ray, boo for making it an MOD, meaning a generally higher street price.
Criterion Collection's blu-ray offering this week is Once Upon A Time In China: The Complete Films.
Contrasting last week, anime highlights include Future Boy CONAN: The Complete Series, Ikebukuro West Gate Park - The Complete Season, Muhyo & Roji's Bureau of Supernatural Investigation - Season 2, Peter Grill and the Philosopher's Time: Season 1 Complete Collection [SteelBook], Problem Children are Coming From Another World Aren't They? Complete Collection and Robotech - Part 2 (The Masters Saga).
Honorable Mention: From Kino Lorber, more classic Charles Bronson Western action with Breakheart Pass and Chato's Land. Many people think Clint Eastwood when they think Westerns, before Deathwish Bronson held his own.
Friday offers a few concert/music box sets as well as the standard offerings of Arts/Ballet/Opera. The latter categories lately have not been available to preorder on Amazon.
Notable announcements from last week:
Next week Criterion Collection's 4K release of Citizen Kane comes out. There is another import option that outdoes this release by quite a bit, but again, at a considerably higher price. Warner Bros. will be releasing a swag filled set in the UK, follow this link to Zavvi to see what the set looks like and possibly indulge.
Kino Lorber will be releasing Some Like It Hot on 4K disc on January 18th. This classic film stars Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon and will feature 5.1 sound and Dolby Vision HDR, along with bonus content.
From 20th Century Studios, Ridley Scott's The Last Duel will be coming to 4K and blu-ray on December 14th. Read our news story for more info. Also from the Disney company, Wes Anderson's The French Dispatch is Coming to Blu-ray on December 28th. Because it's Wes Anderson, I was very surprised to not see it announced by Criterion Collection. You can bet negotiations are already happening.
Which titles are you buying this week? Which ones are on your wishlist, be it to buy as an impulse buy or to wait for the right price?
Wes Anderson's long-awaited The French Dispatch will go to press on Blu-ray December 28th, 2021
Originally set to release in theaters in July 2020, Wes Anderson's latest tribute to inventively whimsical filmmaking and the power of the press - The French Dispatch was pushed back over a year thanks to the ongoing COVID pandemic. Now after a respectable theatrical outing, you'll be able to bring it home to Blu-ray in a single disc Blu-ray + Digital set as a bonus Christmas gift to yourself on December 28th, 2021.
Now for those hoping for the first Wes Anderson film to come to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, well, we'll just have to wait and see what the very likely Criterion Collection release will bring us. The press release was pretty barebones, just a synopsis, cast breakdown, and your basic tech specs - this one will hit with DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio. No mention of any bonus features. But again, that's par for the course with Wes Anderson Blu-ray releases. Ever since The Fantastic Mr. Fox, there's been a basic studio-released near-barebones release and then eventually followed by a much more elaborate and interesting Criterion Collection release. So if you're a super Wes Anderson fan you should be used to picking up each release at least twice - more if you've ever upgraded from DVD.
Here's the press release if you're interested:
“A LOVELY VALENTINE TO THE ADVENTUROUS EDITORS OF SOPHISTICATED LITERARY MAGAZINES, BURSTING AT THE SEAMS WITH HAND-CRAFTED VISUAL DELIGHTS. AUDIENCES WILL MARVEL AT ITS RICHLY IMAGINED WORLD.”
– David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter
Wes Anderson’s The French Dispatch Releases on Digital December 14
and Blu-ray™ and DVD on December 28
LOS ANGELES, CA (November 9, 2021) – Academy Award® nominee* and visionary filmmaker Wes Anderson presents his 10th film, The French Dispatch. An homage to literary journalism, French culture and classic cinema the film is praised by critics and audiences alike for its exquisite visuals, captivating performances and unique artistry. Add The French Dispatch to your collection on Digital December 14 and on Blu-ray and DVD December 28.
Film Synopsis
Wes Anderson’s The French Dispatch brings to life a collection of stories from the final issue of an American magazine published in the fictional 20th-century French city of Ennui-sur-Blasé. With an all-star cast that includes Benicio Del Toro, Adrien Brody, Tilda Swinton, Léa Seydoux, Frances McDormand, Timothée Chalamet, Lyna Khoudri, Jeffrey Wright, Mathieu Amalric, Stephen Park, Bill Murray and Owen Wilson, this vibrant film is a funny, moving celebration of journalism.
Cast
Benicio Del Toro as Moses Rosenthaler
Adrien Brody as Julian Cadazio
Tilda Swinton as J.K.L. Berensen
Léa Seydoux as Simone
Frances McDormand as Lucina Krementz
Timothée Chalamet as Zeffirelli
Lyna Khoudri as Juliette
Jeffrey Wright as Roebuck Wright
Mathieu Amalric as The Comissaire
Stephen Park as Nescaffier (as Stephen Park)
Bill Murray as Arthur Howitzer, Jr.
Owen Wilson as Herbsaint Sazerac
Christoph Waltz as Paul Duval
Edward Norton as The Chauffeur
Jason Schwartzman as Hermès Jones
Anjelica Huston as Narrator (voice)
Directed by
Wes Anderson
Produced by
Wes Anderson
Steven Rales
Jeremy Dawson
Executive Producers
Roman Coppola
Henning Molfenter
Christoph Fisser
and Charlie Woebcken
Screenplay by
Wes Anderson
Story by
Wes Anderson
& Roman Coppola
& Hugo Guinness
& Jason Schwartzman
Music by
Alexandre Desplat
Product Specifications
Street Date
Digital: December 14
Physical: December 28
Product SKUs
Digital: 4K SDR, HD, SD
Physical: Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + Digital Code) & DVD
Feature Run Time
Approx. 108 minutes
Rating
U.S. Rated R
*Rated R for graphic nudity, some sexual references and language.
Aspect Ratio
Digital: 1.85:1
Physical: 1.85:1
U.S. Audio
Blu-ray: English 5.1 DTS-HDMA, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, English AD 2.0 Dolby Digital
DVD: English 5.1 Dolby, French 5.1 Dolby, English AD 2.0 Dolby
Digital: English 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, English Descriptive Audio 2.0 Dolby Digital (some platforms)
U.S. Subtitles
Blu-ray: English SDH, Spanish, French
DVD: English SDH, Spanish, French
Digital: English SDH, French, Spanish (some platforms)
Ridley Scott's latest medieval epic The Last Duel starring Matt Damon, Jodie Comer, Adam Driver, and Ben Affleck comes home to Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on December 14th.
Much like every other Ridley Scott-directed medieval sword and armor film, The Last Duel failed to gain much of a following at the box office. While a hit with critics, few people braved the theater to see this film about a woman whose husband challenges her attacker to a duel to the death to restore her honor. I tried to see it myself, but it lasted at my local theater for all of a week. Even without a huge box office offering, it's nice to see Disney/Fox Studios giving this film a full 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release with Dolby Atmos audio.
The Last Duel - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray
Obviously, The Last Duel is also coming out on Blu-ray, but Disney didn't send along the cover art for that set. I imagine it'll look pretty much the same. Also, there's no word as of yet about any kind of retailer exclusive packaging or SteelBook option. We're pretty sure Disney will keep to their usual pattern and offer the disc in HDR10 with the 4K streaming picking up Dolby Vision. The 4K disc will offer Atmos audio while the 1080p disc will only be equipped with a DTS-HD MA 7.1 mix. Bonus features are pretty light, amounting to all of a single featurette. Who wants to bet since this is a Ridley Scott film there will be a Director's Cut edition with more elaborate bonus features? That said, I do hope Disney/Fox has Kingdom of Heaven lined up for a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release.
As of now neither the Blu-ray or 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray are up for pre-order, but as soon as they are we'll update our listings ASAP.
Here's the full press release:
“INTELLIGENT AND GENUINELY DARING”
– Ben Croll, IndieWire
20th Century Studios’ The Last Duel Arrives on Digital November 30
and on 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™ and DVD December 14
LOS ANGELES, CA (November 8, 2021) – 20th Century Studios’ historical epic, The Last Duel, unravels the true story about France’s last sanctioned duel. Directed by the critically acclaimed Ridley Scott, the film stars Jodie Comer and Adam Driver as well as Academy Award® winners Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Certified-Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes™, The Last Duel will be available on Digital November 30 and on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD December 14.
Film Synopsis
Jodie Comer is spellbinding in this tale of betrayal and vengeance set in 14th century France from visionary filmmaker Ridley Scott. Based on actual events, the film stars Matt Damon and Adam Driver as friends Jean de Carrouges and Jacques Le Gris, two knights who must fight to the death after de Carrouges’s wife (Comer) accuses Le Gris of assault.
20th Century Studios’ The Last Duel Bonus Features*
*bonus features vary by product and retailer
Cast
Matt Damon as Sir Jean de Carrouges
Adam Driver as Jacques Le Gris
Jodie Comer as Marguerite de Carrouges
Ben Affleck as Pierre d'Alençon
Directed by
Ridley Scott
Produced by
Ridley Scott, p.g.a
Kevin J. Walsh, p.g.a
Jennifer Fox, p.g.a
Nicole Holofcener, p.g.a
Matt Damon, p.g.a
Ben Affleck, p.g.a
Executive Producers
Madison Ainley
Kevin Halloran
Drew Vinton
Screenplay by
Nicole Holofcener
& Ben Affleck
& Matt Damon
Music by
Harry Gregson-Williams
Based upon the book by
Eric Jager
20th Century Studios’ The Last Duel Product Specifications
Street Date
Digital: November 30
Physical: December 14
Product SKUs
Digital: 4K UHD, HD, SD
Physical: 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack (4K UHD + Blu-ray + Digital Code), Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + Digital Code) & DVD
Feature Run Time
Approx. 153 mins
Rating
U.S. Rated R
Bonus material not rated
Screen Format
Digital: 2.39
Physical: 2.39:1
U.S. Audio
4K Ultra HD: English 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos, Spanish 7.1 Dolby Digital Plus, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, English AD 2.0 Dolby Digital
Blu-ray: English 7.1 DTS-HDMA, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, English AD 2.0 Dolby Digital
DVD: English 5.1 Dolby, Spanish 5.1 Dolby, French 5.1 Dolby, English AD 2.0 Dolby
Digital: English Dolby Atmos (UHD only, some platforms), English 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, English Descriptive Audio 2.0 Dolby Digital (some platforms)
U.S. Subtitles
4K Ultra HD: English SDH, Spanish, French
Blu-ray: English SDH, Spanish, French
DVD: English SDH, Spanish, French
Digital: English SDH, French, Spanish (some platforms)
For starters, did you remember to 'fall back' with your clocks if you are subject to this torture?
As we inch closer towards 'the holidays' I can't help but notice the retailers are already starting early to get us hooked in on their deals. Walmart's second event which is November 9th will offer some 4K titles in addition to blu-rays. Target again has a Buy 2 Get 1 free event this week after doing it a couple of weeks ago. Amazon and Best Buy are offering Black Friday prices on many releases from the past year or two. A lot of choices indeed.
I did receive a handsome StudioCanal region B import from Amazon of Hayao Miyazaki's Spirited Away. This set weighs just over 6 pounds and the pictures online do not do it justice.
Welcome to Volume 2 Episode 25 of our weekly release guide. A look at the highlights of what's coming to disc this week, as well as a look at announcements from last week.
4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Releases-
Another slow(ish) week for 4K discs.
From Warner Bros there are three titles, Batman: Year One, The Outsiders: The Complete Novel and Reminiscence.
Everything else that was supposed to release this week in 4K has been delayed two weeks, no doubt supply chain related.
The Ten Commandments SteelBook, The Addams Family and The Hills Have Eyes.
Blu-ray releases-
An average volume week for blu-rays, let's get right to it.
Paramount delivers Evolution to go with my Shout! Factory release of Eight-Legged Freaks I got a few weeks ago. When I had the DVDs they were a matched set then.
Universal Pictures just added Beethoven's Christmas Adventure to the schedule, likely an 'MOD' disc (similar to Warner Archive titles.) The 2021 Aretha Franklin biography Respect debuts on disc this week.
LionsGate releases A Gift from Bob. Also from LionsGate, L.A. Story starring Steve Martin.
Warner Bros brings us DC's Legends of Tomorrow: The Complete Sixth Season, Reminiscence and Snowpiercer: The Complete Second Season. Their answer to Respect this week is Tina, a biography about Tina Turner.
Under the Warner Archive label it's another above average week with Fury (1936), Ladies They Talk About and The Last of Sheila.
Slow week for Anime highlights, look for One Piece: Season Eleven - Voyage Five and Redo of Healer: Complete Collection. The Neon Genesis Evangelion - Standard Edition comes out via Shout! Factory/GKIDS this week while the deluxe edition comes on December 7th.
Honorable Mention: PBS, after several delays appears to be on target this week for Ken Burns: Muhammad Ali to hit Blu-ray.
Lots of various music and arts releases Friday:
Notable announcements from last week:
88 Films is doing single releases to some of the films in Arrow Video's (currently on target for December 14th) Shawscope: Volume One. February 8th releases include The Flag of Iron and Legendary Weapons of China. Releasing this week from 88 Films is the single movie release of The Chinese Boxer.
Shout Factory has revealed January titles. Currently the list includes The Awakener, Liar Liar (Shout Select), Moffie, The Temp, Weathering With You - 4K and Whispers in the Dark.
Which titles are you buying this week? Which ones are on your wishlist, be it to buy as an impulse buy or to wait for the right price?
What better way to celebrate Christmas than with a little festive horror film dedicated to the most famous seasonal anti-hero? Krampus was a surprise hit way back in 2015 and now we get to finally see the film as it was meant to be seen with all of the little bits of gore and language that were cut to secure a family-friendly PG-13 rating.
Krampus: The Naughty Cut - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray
In addition to the new cut which looks to run at about 102-minutes, this two-disc 4K UHD Blu-ray and 1080p Blu-ray set will also snatch up a new Dolby Atmos audio mix along with a host of excellent new features that even the most misbehaved little boys and girls will want to take a look at.
Disc 1 (UHD):
Disc 2 (1080p Blu-ray):
If you're keen to upgrade your old Blu-ray - Krampus: The Naughty Cut - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray is now up for pre-order here - but if you order direct from Shout! Factory, you can pick up an 18" x 24" poster while supplies last - and as of this writing, is cheaper than what Amazon is currently listing this at.
