Posted Sun Nov 14, 2021 at 12:00 PM PST by D. LaFontaine
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?
The latest news on all things 4K Ultra HD, blu-ray and Gear.