Posted Sun Jan 7, 2024 at 09:00 AM PST by D. LaFontaine
We begin the new year off slowly, but as indicators are suggesting, it is going to be a big year for collectors and a deflating experience for our wallets.
Welcome to Volume 4 Episode 32 of our weekly release guide. A look at the highlights of what's coming to disc the week of January 7th - January 13th, as well as a look at announcements from last week.
No teaser, let's hust get right to it.
From Paramount, rom-com Varsity Blues. It stars Jon Voight, Paul Walker and more. Have a look-see.
Next from The Criterion Collection, a crime thriller with a little bit of film-noir as well, Blood Simple.
And lastly, I could be wrong about this (and the internet will no doubt submit a hundred messages stating I am), Massacre Video's first 4K release, BloodRayne. And YES, there is a video game series based on the same name/universe.
Next week sees quite an uptick in titles, if you were expecting the Conan movies, those got moved back to the 30th though.
Blu-ray counterparts of the above 4K releases? None this week. Moving on to a tepid slate...
TV on disc, this one goes way back to 1967, Doctor Who: The Underwater Menace comes via BBC. This one is interesting as the original video masters were lost so they decided to make an animated recreation with the original audio.
Classic Eddie Murphy standup comes to disc from Paramount with Eddie Murphy: Raw. Having HBO growing up, this one is memorable.
For anime this week, look for Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?! Season 4 Part 2, One Piece: Season Thirteen - Voyage Four, 'The Tunnel To Summer, The Exit Of Goodbyes' and Tsurune The Movie: The First Shot.
If you've been collecting them, it's time to get volume 16, Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema XVI debuts from Kino Lorber.
How about a pair of Charles Bronson action films from Shout Factory, St. Ives and Telefon?
Next week in blu-ray, about 50% more volume!
A bunch of onesie twosie updates happened last week among a lot of boutique labels primarily. I think one of the big titles from Vinegar Syndrome announced during subscriber week would be Walter Hill's Southern Comfort. Their new partner label Cinématographe also revealed Little Darlings (1980). I'm anxious to see what comes next from that label. VS announced a few days into the week they were on track to have a record number of subscribers. I for one would love an "All the 4Ks" sub for Kino Lorber and Shout/Scream Factory, with options to add blu-rays at a discount price of course. That would be me signaling to them that I support their efforts and want it all.
Amazon has leaked a 4K release of Steven Soderberg's Contagion in 4K, with a February 27 street date. The packaging suggests it is a Warner Archive release.
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?
The latest news on all things 4K Ultra HD, blu-ray and Gear.