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4K Ultra HD Blu-ray & Blu-ray Release Guide - June 12, 2022 - June 18, 2022If you keep your eyes open for bargains, last week was a big one for that. Upcoming Kino titles like Killer's Kiss 4K was listed at $15 and Out of Sight 4K was at $20, plus the 'bugs' disaster movies (Ants!, Tarantulas and Terror out of the Sky) listed for $12.49. Multiple Paramount 4K titles have hit sub $10-12 as well. That's great and all, but the best way to support physical media is to buy titles early on in their release cycle, but if you were on the fence about some titles or really didn't intend to buy them, I am sure you've got a price that is hard to resist, I know I do. Welcome to Volume 3 Episode 4 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- Not an incredibly busy week, but there are TWO new releases. First, from Universal, love him or hate him, Michael Bay's Ambulance is sure to send us over the top with action! Amazon still lists the 4K as 12/31/22, hope they fix it soon. Next, from Sony Pictures, Morbius, available as a standard edition, a Walmart Exclusive which comes with a collectible pin, and a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook. This one has gotten enough MeMe fanfare that it made a comeback to theaters. I missed out on the MeMes, fortunately (?) From Paramount, a SteelBook reissue by way of Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. Many have said these are the SteelBooks they should have released originally, and based on the cover art, I agree 100%. But because it is not part of the box set, it appears to lack in special features, which Matthew says cynically that they will likely include all the special features with Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. UGH. For Friday releases, Turbine Media announced (at the last second) a pair of Friday 4K media book releases, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, Cover A edition and Cover B edition. In case you've got concerns, I've had no issues in the past with purchasing from their shop, it's 100% legit. If you did save a few bucks this week, the next two weeks have a decent amount of releases in the 4K category. Blu-ray releases- As we do here every week, getting the blu-ray counterparts out of the way first, Ambulance from Universal and Morbius from Sony Pictures are available for purchase. The latter is also available as a Target Exclusive, which the trend is disturbing to me in that Target appears to be dropping out of the 4K field for exclusives. Much delayed Paramount catalog title Eurotrip (which the cover art indicates is the elusive Unrated Edition) appears to finally be available this week. From Sony Pictures, 2022 drama Father Stu starring Mark Wahlberg and Mel Gibson. A Kevin Hart comedy titled Fatherhood also arrives this week. Not done yet, a comedy drama titled Love and Human Remains. Under the Sony Pictures Classics label, biography/romance Wilde (yes, Oscar Wilde) debuts to blu-ray. From Criterion Collection, a drama/romance titled Farewell Amor. TV on disc from Universal comes as Hacks: Season One and Rutherford Falls: Season One. Anime highlights include El-Hazard: The Wanderers Collection, Hetalia: World Stars Season 7, Naruto: Set 7 and Sailor Moon: Complete First Season. Honorable mention: If you've been wondering what Paul Verhoeven has been up to, one of his recent titles Benedetta is available this week. Notable announcements from last week: Kino Lorber is still going strong with adding more Paramount catalog titles to their 4K line. We have Tropic Thunder, Leviathan and now Escape From Alcatraz in the 'coming soon' category. More catalog titles coming from Paramount so far include Down to Earth, Leap of Faith and Domestic Disturbance. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse has a release date of July 26th, see the news story here. Michael Mann's Heat has an official 4K street date of August 9th, see the news story here. I will push out only my positive thoughts on this one, it's the best this film has ever looked on disc and it truly is a great movie! My negative comments are elsewhere. 4K Release Calendar 2K/BD Release Calendar 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?Posted Sun Jun 12, 2022 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
Sam Raimi's Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness Dated and Detailed for 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and Blu-ray July 26The critically acclaimed mind-bending Marvel movie hits all major digital platforms on June 22 and on 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray on July 26. READ OUR THEATRICAL REVIEW HERE. Journey into the unknown in Marvel Studios’ Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. When the MCU unlocks the Multiverse, Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) must enlist help from old and new allies as he traverses mind-bending and dangerous alternate realities in order to confront a surprising adversary. The 4K UHD Blu-ray edition includes Dolby Atmos and both the Blu-ray and the 4K Blu-ray's supplements include an audio commentary, bloopers, deleted scenes, and featurettes. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness So far we haven't encountered any specific retailer exclusives, but we expect a Best Buy SteelBook and Target is likely to offer up another one of their book packages. Also no news of a 3-D Blu-ray release yet in the international markets but we'll keep an eye out for one. Pre-orders should be available soon and we will update as soon as possible. Here is the full press release: Unlock Alternate Realities When Marvel Studios’ DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS Arrives on Digital June 22 and 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™ and DVD July 26 BURBANK,CA (June 9, 2022) – Described as a “psychedelic mind-flip masterpiece” (Larry Carroll, Looper) Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has enthralled audiences and critics around the world. Sam Raimi’s exuberant film is a global phenomenon and “undoubtedly mesmerizing” (Jenna Anderson, ComicBook.com). Witness the mind-bending alternate realities of the multiverse when Marvel Studios’ Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness debuts on all major digital platforms June 22 and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on July 26. Embrace the madness by adding the latest MCU film to your Marvel movie collection. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will also stream on Disney+. Film Synopsis Journey into the unknown in Marvel Studios’ Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. When the MCU unlocks the Multiverse, Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) must enlist help from old and new allies as he traverses mind-bending and dangerous alternate realities in order to confront a surprising adversary. Bonus Features* Featurettes Method to the Madness - Join various crew members and Marvel employees in interviews as they discuss their love of Sam Raimi and all the details of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness that make it quintessentially Raimi. Introducing America Chavez - In this short and fun profile piece, we’ll learn about America’s humble beginnings in the comics. We’ll meet Xochitl Gomez and discuss the complications her character's unique power presents for the future of the MCU. Constructing the Multiverse - Writing a feature film for Marvel is no easy task. In this playful yet informative featurette, we’ll dive into the challenges that writer Michael Waldron faced in creating the twisting and turning story of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Bloopers Gag Reel - Take a look at some of the fun outtakes on set with the cast and crew of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Deleted Scenes A Great Team - A journalist questions Doctor Strange's integrity. Pizza Poppa - Bruce is relieved when Doctor Strange's spell ends. It's Not Permanent - Bruce tries to accuse Doctor Strange of being an imposter. Audio Commentary View the film with audio commentary by Sam Raimi, Richie Palmer, and Michael Waldron. *bonus features vary by product and retailer Cast Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Stephen Strange Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff / The Scarlet Witch Chiwetel Ejiofor as Baron Mordo Benedict Wong as Wong Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez Rachel McAdams as Dr. Christine Palmer Directed by Sam Raimi Produced by Kevin Feige p.g.a Co-Producers Mitchell Bell Richie Palmer Executive Producers Victoria Alonso Eric Hauserman Carroll Jamie Christopher Louis D’Esposito Scott Derrickson Written by Michael Waldron Music by Danny Elfman Product Specifications Street Date Digital: June 22 Physical: July 26 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. 126 minutes Rating U.S. Rated PG-13 Aspect Ratio Digital: 2:39 Physical: 2:39:1 U.S. Audio 4K Ultra HD: English 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos, English AD 2.0 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 7.1 Dolby Digital Plus Blu-ray: English 7.1 DTS-HDMA, English AD 2.0 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital DVD: English 5.1 Dolby, English AD 2.0 Dolby, French 5.1 Dolby, Spanish 5.1 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)Posted Thu Jun 9, 2022 at 12:01 PM PDT by: -
Michael Mann's Heat Dated & Detailed on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray August 9th - Now Up For Pre-Order!At long last, Michael Mann's iconic crime saga comes to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray with a new sequel novel on August 9th, 2022 Al Pacino and Robert De Niro dually power the momentum and large scale of this groundbreaking film written and directed by Michael Mann. In the wake of a precision heist of an armored truck, an obsessive detective (Pacino) begins to hunt ruthless, professional thief Neil McCauley (De Niro) through the streets of Los Angeles. As the stakes escalate, their lives begin to mirror and unravel, and McCauley’s crew initiates its most dangerous and complex heist. Co-starring Val Kilmer, Tom Sizemore, Ashley Judd, Amy Brenneman, Diane Venora, Natalie Portman, and Jon Voight, Heat delivers hard-hitting action, gripping suspense, and stunning performances. The 4K UHD Blu-ray edition does not appear to include Dolby Atmos and all of the supplements seem to be previously released features from the Blu-ray. However, on August 9, Heat 2 -- Michael Mann's first novel -- will be published telling "an original story woven from the lives of the characters in Heat, both before and after the events depicted in the movie." Heat - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray [UPDATED] Best Buy was a little slow to the announcement but they're also offering up their own SteelBook for this release: Heat - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray SteelBook Order your copy now and here is the full press release: . LOS ANGELES, CA (June 8, 2022) – Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino and Michael Mann will reunite at this year’s Tribeca Festival for the first public premiere of the new 4K Ultra HD version of Mann’s 1995 classic, Heat. The film’s stars, along with writer-director Michael Mann and producer Art Linson, will attend the screening on June 17 which will be followed by an on-stage conversation, moderated by journalist and filmmaker Bilge Ebiri. For more information please visit www.tribecafilm.com. This special screening celebrates the release on August 9 of the 20th Century Studios film on 4K Ultra HD Disc for the first time. The remastered film includes previously released audio commentary with Director Michael Mann, Q&As, deleted scenes and more extras. Also on August 9, Mann’s first novel, Heat 2, which tells an original story woven from the lives of the characters in Heat, both before and after the events depicted in the movie, will be published. Film Synopsis Al Pacino and Robert De Niro dually power the momentum and large scale of this groundbreaking film written and directed by Michael Mann. In the wake of a precision heist of an armored truck, an obsessive detective (Pacino) begins to hunt ruthless, professional thief Neil McCauley (De Niro) through the streets of Los Angeles. As the stakes escalate, their lives begin to mirror and unravel, and McCauley’s crew initiates its most dangerous and complex heist. Co-starring Val Kilmer, Tom Sizemore, Ashley Judd, Amy Brenneman, Diane Venora, Natalie Portman and Jon Voight, Heat delivers hard-hitting action, gripping suspense and stunning performances. Bonus Features 4K Ultra HD Director’s Audio Commentary Blu-ray Disc One Heat In High Definition Director’s Audio Commentary Bonus Blu-ray Disc Two Q&A With Michael Mann Q&A With Christopher Nolan 3-Part Making-Of Documentary Deleted Scenes Pacino and De Niro: The Conversation Return To The Scene Of The Crime Cast Robert De Niro as Neil McCauley Al Pacino as Lt. Vincent Hanna Val Kilmer as Chris Shiherlis Jon Voight as Nate Tom Sizemore as Michael Cheritto Diane Venora as Justine Amy Brenneman as Eady Ashley Judd as Charlene Shiherlis Directed by Michael Mann Executive Producers Pieter Jan Brugge Arnon Milchan Produced by Michael Mann Art Linson Screenplay by Michael Mann Music by Elliot Goldenthal Product Specifications Street Date Physical: August 9 Product SKU Physical: 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack 3 Discs (4K UHD + Blu-ray + Blu-ray Bonus Disc + Digital Code) Feature Run Time Approx. 170 minutes Rating U.S. Rated R * For violence and language Aspect Ratio Physical: 2.40:1 U.S. Audio 4K Ultra HD: English 5.1 DTS-HDMA, French 5.1 DTS Digital Surround, Spanish 2.0 Dolby Digital U.S. Subtitles 4K Ultra HD: English SDH, Spanish, FrenchPosted Wed Jun 8, 2022 at 09:26 AM PDT by: -
4K Ultra HD Blu-ray & Blu-ray Release Guide - June 5, 2022 - June 11, 2022The week after a holiday always feels like a ho-hum business as usual slow week to me, but a lot is happening with new releases and announcements, so it really is not business as usual. The Summer movie season has kicked off, Top Gun: Maverick appears to be incredible with Imax 4DV or whatever it's called being the ultimate experience. What is this 4th element, smell? Welcome to Volume 3 Episode 3 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- Before we start with domestic releases, as I mentioned last week in my mini-rant, a lot of titles are getting gift sets or other deluxe releases overseas. Zavvi is offering an Exclusive SteelBook release of The Untouchables with a Monday release, the U.S. release last week was pretty basic. It's not as elaborate as some of the overseas releases, but it does add some swag pertinent to the film. This week there are two New Releases in the 4K disc category, an action/thriller from Paramount titled The Contractor starring Chris Pine. And no, he's not a drywall or other such contractor, check out the synopsis. And from Universal, the norse movie titled The Northman. This one got a street date literally at the last second. Zavvi UK also has a SteelBook for this film releasing in July, if you prefer to go that route. The rest of this category is dominated by catalog titles, but in a way they're all considered "double-dips." First a pair of SteelBook releases, Lawrence of Arabia and The Bridge on the River Kwai. When the latter came out I was not overly impressed with the cover art they went with, I am not sure what to think on the latest cover seen here either. Each studio has their own franchise or franchises they release over and over again. In this case I'm referring to Universal and the Jason Bourne franchise. The Bourne Complete Collection this week comes as a standard edition and as a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook. As to whether this set offers anything new, I am not sure. There's been unsubstantiated claims of new transfers, but there wasn't anything wrong with the previous ones, so I doubt that claim is true. Blu-ray releases- For the month of June, this week looks to be the busiest week for blu-ray releases. Blu-ray counterparts to the 4K titles above, that would be The Contractor from Paramount, and The Northman from Universal. Warner Archive Collection brings us a Judy Garland triple play with a drama/romance The Clock, a musical/romance titled For Me and My Gal, which also stars Gene Kelly and Ziegfeld Girl, which also stars James Stewart. From the Warner Bros. label, Eraser: Reborn, which seems similarly based on the original Eraser movie. Anime highlights this week include 5 Centimeters Per Second, BEM: Become Human - Movie, BTOOOM! Complete Collection, Children Who Chase Lost Voices, One Piece: Season Eleven - Voyage Eight, Only Yesterday, The Place Promised in Our Early Days and The Tale of The Princess Kaguya. More TV on disc with La Brea: Season One from Universal. Catalog titles from Paramount include Kinky Boots (2005), The Mexican, Pretty in Pink, She's Having a Baby, Some Kind of Wonderful and The Weather Man. Criterion has a single release this week, a musical/romance titled The Tales of Hoffmann. LionsGate's action release of the week is Fortress: Sniper's Eye. It is a followup to the movie Fortress, which was actually a pretty decent movie for its genre. MVD Rewind Collection brings us The Fabulous Baker Boys, a well known movie from '89. Also an all star comedy from 1997, Highball. Honorable Mention: Kino Lorber is releasing the next Film Noir Collection, this one is Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema VII, which includes the films The Boss, Chicago Confidential and The Fearmakers. Notable announcements from last week: Shout Factory has announced the next batch of titles among their various labels. For Scream Factory, Child's Play, Child's Play 2 and Child's Play 3 all get 4K combo releases on August 16th. You could go all in and get the set available from Shout Factory's store which comes with a NECA figure and other swag. The Shout Factory label is offering The Bionic Woman: The Complete Series on August 30th, no doubt to go with the Six-Million Dollar Man set you would have bought in July. The Shout Select label has Red Dawn (1984) coming to 4K combo pack on August 16th. Also, blu-rays of Last Days In The Desert on August 2nd, Learning To Drive and A Walk In The Woods on August 30th. The GKIDS partner label has Belle coming to 4K Collector's Edition on August 30th. No word on region coding on this one, hopefully they got enough flak for region locking Weathering With You. LionsGate has been busy as well. Mid-Century will be arriving on blu-ray on July 26th. For previously released films now getting a 4K upgrade in mid to late July, Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, The Kid and Primal. It's becoming a theme that if we see a 4K release a few months later, it's absent a slipcover. I recently got Malignant 4K from Warner and Fatale from LionsGate, no slips. 4K Release Calendar 2K/BD Release Calendar 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?Posted Sun Jun 5, 2022 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
Crack the Piggy Bank - High-Def Digest's June 2022 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Shopping GuideFrom revenge-riddled Vikings to memable superheroes to undead patriots to Nicolas Cage - June is a stacked month for great 4K Ultra HD Blu-rays May was a stacked month for exciting new and catalog releases on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray. When you have so many coming out all at once - with several on the same day - we're still trying to catch up with reviews! Just because May was stacked doesn't mean June is going to take it easy on our review staff or our wallets! The only relief we're getting is some titles that would have come out this month got pushed into July, but that just means July is going to be even crazier than it was. So let's jump into this exciting mess of titles and see what's coming our way. Once again, I'd like to take everyone who pre-orders their pickups through our links. They really do go a long way towards keeping our little operation up and running. Without further ado... High-Def Digest's June 2022 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Shopping Guide June 7th, 2022 - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Releases Most months start out a bit slow and ramp-up to a crushing final week, but not this time. June comes firing strong right out of the gate with a variety of exciting new and catalog releases. The Northman - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray The Contractor- 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray The Bridge on the River Kwai - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray SteelBook Lawrence of Arabia - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray SteelBook The Bourne Complete Collection - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray The Bourne Complete Collection - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray SteelBook June 14th, 2022 - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Releases Things slow down considerably this week giving collectors a little bit of a breather. This week sees only two major theatrical releases that were dramatic under-performers, one of which has become an internet meme sensation to the point the studio is now actually trying a second theatrical release ahead of its arrival on digital and physical media. As for re-releases, one fan-favorite title gets a good and proper SteelBook featuring the original poster art. Ambulance - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Raiders of the Lost Ark - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray SteelBook Morbius - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Morbius - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Walmart Exclusive Morbius - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray SteelBook June 21st, 2022 - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Releases After a slower week, things pick back up again for a full range of popular new, classic, and cult classic favorites. The Bad Guys - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Uncle Sam - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Giant - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Shaft - Criterion Collection 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Universal Soldier - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray SteelBook Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Walmart Exclusive Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray SteelBook June 28th, 2022 - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Releases For the final week of June we have a ton of great titles hitting the shelves ranging from two new excellent catalog titles from Kino Lorber Studio Classics to the latest from the Wizarding World to a fan-favorite romantic thriller finally getting a U.S. release Out of Sight - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray True Romance Limited Edition - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray True Romance Deluxe Limited Edition SteelBook - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray True Romance Limited Edition SteelBook - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Killer’s Kiss - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Walmart Exclusive Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray SteelBook And that covers it for U.S. domestic 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray domestic releases for the month of June, 2022. Perhaps not as exhausting as May, but it's going to be nice as we head into July and all the titles that are dropping in the middle of summer. Now there are a few import titles hitting this month we hope to cover, but with shipping time and customs delays those reviews may not come in right on street date. If any of titles in this list get bumped to a later date or if there are any last-second additions, we'll update this article ASAP. Thanks again for those pre-orders!Posted Fri Jun 3, 2022 at 06:27 AM PDT by: -
Hitchcock Heaven: The Best 4K UHD and Blu-ray Releases from the Master of SuspenseA chase across the face of Mount Rushmore. A massive flock of vicious birds perched upon a playground jungle gym poised for attack. A frantic pursuit to the top of the Statue of Liberty. A crazed, knife-wielding maniac ripping open a shower curtain. A wheelchair-bound man with a broken leg peering into the rear windows of his tenement neighbors through a camera’s telephoto lens. A woman clutching the key to a notorious wine cellar where Nazi secrets may be hidden. An assassin escaping a rain-soaked murder scene amid a sea of jostling umbrellas. A merry-go-round kicked into high gear that spins off its axis while terrified fair-goers flee. A desperate man chasing the object of his desire up the narrow staircase of a church bell tower while battling the debilitating symptoms of vertigo. These are just a handful of iconic images crafted by the Master of Suspense, Alfred Hitchcock. Elegant and sophisticated, clever and witty, yet always accessible and relatable, Hitchcock fashioned countless thrillers over the course of a career that spanned six decades. He chronicled espionage, murder, blackmail, psychosis, obsession, political intrigue, and bizarre phenomena all while pushing the cinematic envelope with innovative sight and sound techniques that enhance his arresting style. Sensual romances, risqué innuendoes, and dark yearnings also pepper his films. Along with his trademark MacGuffins, such titillations are essential distractions that add to the fun and make his stories more human. Sexual tension complements the other myriad tensions coursing through Hitchcock’s pictures and it’s often just as delectable as the nail-biting moments that make us squirm. Since I joined the High-Def Digest staff in 2009, I’ve reviewed 27 Hitchcock movies for the site. That’s about half of the legendary director’s feature film output. While a few Hitchcock pictures have yet to make their Blu-ray debut (Sabotage, Secret Agent, Young and Innocent, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith chief among them), we’re blessed to have the bulk of Hitchcock's cinematic canon in high definition, as well as nine movies in 4K UHD, and one title in its native 3D. Not all of them are classics, but even Hitchcock’s misfires have merits and are just as fascinating to watch, assess, and analyze as his more renowned works. The following list, though, isn’t about Hitchcock's failures, also-rans, guilty pleasures, and undiscovered gems. It’s about the crème-de-la-crème of Hitchcock in the home video realm. Below you’ll find a few quick takes on the best looking and the best sounding Hitchcock thrillers in 1080p and 2160p. First and foremost, this is an HD and 4K UHD list. If one of your favorite Hitchcock masterworks didn't make the cut, it's not because it isn't worthy artistically; it's because another Hitchcock masterwork boasts better picture and audio quality...at least to my eyes and ears. I've only singled out five movies, but all of them define this brilliant craftsman who not only produced some of the most exciting and entertaining motion pictures of all time, but also advanced the medium’s artistry through his creatIve vision and fluency in the nuanced language of film. Hitchcock once said, “For me, cinema is not a slice of life, but a piece of cake.” Let’s sample five of this master baker’s most delicious creations that look good enough to eat…and sound great, too. Best All-Around 4K UHD Hitchcock Release: VERTIGO (1958) "Beauty, at least in this film, is only skin deep, and Hitchcock takes that adage and runs with it..." When I reviewed the first 4K UHD Alfred Hitchcock Classics Collection in 2020, I called Vertigo “the crown jewel” of the set, and it remains the most breathtaking home video presentation of a Hitchcock film to date. The movie itself isn’t bad either. Vertigo may not rank as my favorite Hitchcock film (although it’s definitely up there), but I believe it to be the director’s finest. A masterpiece of mood, mystery, and slow-burn suspense, Vertigo casts a mesmerizing spell, and its equally hypnotic HDR10 transfer faithfully renders Robert Burks’ lush, colorful VistaVision cinematography that - believe it or not - is even more gorgeous than Kim Novak herself. As I wrote in my review, “Provocative themes, shocking twists and turns, impeccable craftsmanship, inventive imagery, finely etched performances, overarching lyricism, and tension that grows ever tauter as the narrative progresses...all those key components of Hitchcock's best works are here. Vertigo, though, ramps them up to the same dizzying heights that force retired police detective John "Scottie" Ferguson (James Stewart) to succumb to the title affliction. Like Scottie, viewers often feel a bit disoriented and imbalanced while watching Vertigo, and that's part of the film's allure, along with the obligatory icy Hitchcock Blonde (portrayed by an aloof, enigmatic, and magnetic Kim Novak), who achieves mythic status in this defining production.” The particulars of the plot, as intriguing as they may be, really don’t matter. The disturbing underlying themes are what fuel the Vertigo narrative and Hitchcock’s stylish, often brash presentation. Beauty, at least in this film, is only skin deep, and Hitchcock takes that adage and runs with it, crafting serene, seductive, picture-perfect images that hide the deceptions and nefarious motives lurking underneath. Obsession, transformation, guilt, and burning desire swirl around this noir-ish tale of a damaged detective who falls down a rabbit hole after agreeing to tail a rich man’s mentally unbalanced wife. Hitchcock pulls out all the stops in this operatic opus that features stunning San Francisco locations, striking photographic effects, and a memorable chase up the steep steps of a claustrophobic church bell tower. The video transfer has to be seen to be believed. Eye-popping color, seamless special effects, razor-sharp close-ups, and a glorious film-like feel are just a few of its joys, and though the DTS:X audio track won’t blow the roof off your house, it deftly honors this quiet film and Bernard Herrmann’s marvelous score. A bunch of great extras also enhance the disc, which is now available as a stand-alone release in both standard and steelbook packaging. I said it in 2020 and I’ll say it again: “Vertigo is one heady movie, and as Hitchcock spins his tangled yarn, he makes us dizzy...with delight.” Best All-Around Blu-ray Hitchcock Release: NORTH BY NORTHWEST (1959) "The quintessential chase film, a blueprint for the modern action epic..." If I had to pick one Hitchcock flick that completely defines the director and reflects everything he has brought to the cinematic table over the course of his illustrious career, it would have to be North by Northwest. No contest, no discussion, a no-brainer. Other Hitchcock films may have more cachet, more notoriety, more gravitas, but this breathlessly paced, consistently thrilling concoction is hands-down the most fun. So many memorable elements… Of course, tanned, debonair Cary Grant rushing into a desolate Indiana cornfield to evade a deadly crop-dusting plane intent on gunning him down tops the list, but the climactic chase across the treacherous face of Mount Rushmore - as preposterous as it is - ranks a close second. Then there’s the crackling sexual chemistry and titillating banter between Grant and the Hitchcock blonde du jour Eva Marie Saint, whose duplicitous portrayal drips with icy-hot allure; the suave villainy of the mellifluous James Mason; Martin Landau as a silent, hulking henchman; Bernard Herrmann’s dramatic and playful score... The list goes on and on. As I wrote in my original review 13 years ago, “When screenwriter Ernest Lehman first began collaborating with the Master of Suspense, he aspired to create ‘the Hitchcock picture to end all Hitchcock pictures,’ and many would agree North by Northwest is just that. The quintessential chase film, a blueprint for the modern action epic, and Hitchcock's personal homage to himself, this captivating transcontinental pursuit smoothly combines suspense, thrills, comedy, romance, and intrigue, and presents them with all the elegant artistry and brash innovation that has made Hitchcock one of cinema's most esteemed and admired directors.” Though I love many Hitchcock films for many different reasons, I would definitely choose North by Northwest as my desert island Hitchcock flick. The fine grain structure, bold colors, and enhanced clarity of VistaVision make North by Northwest a Blu-ray natural, and Warner Home Video’s splashy restoration maximizes the impact of the process’ myriad attributes. The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 audio track immerses us in all the action (the bass boom when the crop-dusting plane hits the tanker truck is thunderous), and a sizable supplemental package sweetens the deal. The beautiful 50th Anniversary digibook edition is still available (albeit with a hefty price tag), but there’s also a disc-only release that fits everyone’s budget. Best Black-and-White 4K UHD Hitchcock Release: PSYCHO (1960) "Often imitated but never equaled, Psycho remains a crazy-good chiller that never loses its edge..." The shower. The stairs. The fruit cellar. Mother. Psycho is without a doubt Hitchcock’s most famous - and frightening - film, a low-budget tour de force that flipped the thriller genre on its ear and spawned the modern slasher flick. What starts as a brooding, atmospheric portrait of a woman on the run takes a hairpin turn the moment Janet Leigh steps into the shower, turns on the water, and confronts her wigged (and wigged-out) knife-wielding assailant. Psycho shocked audiences when it premiered in 1960, and though it’s tame when compared to the gory horror fare of today, it can still scare the bejesus out of you. Especially in 4K UHD. Though John L. Russell’s gritty, naturalistic black-and-white cinematography doesn’t scream 2160p splendor, the terrific clarity and contrast of the HDR10 transfer makes Psycho more immersive and creepy than ever before, while remaining true to the film’s modest roots. Add a dynamite DTS:X track that makes full use of all the speakers during the torrential rain scenes and heightens the impact of Bernard Herrmann’s deliciously screechy score, and you’ve got the definitive home video presentation of this Hitchcock masterwork. A few snippets of cut footage add extra appeal to this release that includes all the supplements from the 50th anniversary Blu-ray edition. Like Vertigo, Psycho is also available in both stand-alone and steelbook editions. As I wrote in my 2020 review, “Psycho is remembered as a physically violent film, marked by brutal slayings in the shower and on the stairs, and for its climactic chamber of horrors twist. Yet those three scenes comprise less than three minutes of the picture's 109-minute running time and feature surprisingly little gore. (Hitchcock's genius lies in his ability to make us think we see more than we actually do.) Sure, they leave an indelible impression, but they can't quite overshadow the more intriguing and complex psychological studies of both Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) and Marion Crane (Leigh), whose paths coincidentally and fatefully cross one dark and stormy night. That's where the true allure of Psycho lies, and Hitchcock expertly develops those characters so we identify and empathize with them. He also sprinkles in some welcome bits of ghoulish humor to take the edge off, and frames it all with his patented visual artistry. A close-up of an eye peering through a hole in the wall, reflections representing duality and duplicity, high and low angle shots altering perspective and enhancing a sense of unease…Hitchcock delicately and seamlessly weaves them into his fabric so we're only marginally aware of his technique.” Perkins had as much trouble shedding the skin of Norman Bates as Norman had freeing himself from his domineering mother, but that’s only because his finely etched, nuanced portrayal is so riveting. Though he would allow Norman to consume him later in his career in a series of entertaining - if misguided - sequels, Perkins could never top his original performance, which was criminally denied a Best Actor Oscar nomination. Leigh, who reportedly never took a shower again after she completed her scenes, got a well-deserved Best Supporting Actress nod for her terrific work, which stands the test of time and becomes more fascinating and dimensional each time I see the film. Often imitated but never equaled, Psycho remains a crazy-good chiller that never loses its edge, no matter how often we revisit it. As I wrote in 2020, it’s “unique among Hitchcock films in its tone, execution, and look…[and] it's a movie to watch, enjoy, study, and scrutinize over and over again.” Best Black-and-White Blu-ray Hitchcock Release: NOTORIOUS (1946) (Criterion) "...a climax that ranks among the most memorable - and quietest - in Hitchcock history." I love the Hitchcock blondes, but there’s a reason the Master of Suspense cast the brunette Ingrid Bergman in three of his films over a four-year period in the late 1940s. Aside from her breathtaking beauty (always an important attribute to Hitchcock), Bergman is a great actress. I’d even go so far as to say she’s the best actress Hitchcock worked with during his long career. Grace Kelly and Tippi Hedren may be the Hitchcock poster girls, but Bergman brings heart and soul, flesh and blood, and sweat and tears to her Hitchcock heroines. In Hitch’s artificial world of action, intrigue, and murder, she’s often the one real element. Bergman could play anything - good girl, bad girl, saint, seductress, victim, patriot - and she plays them all in Notorious, one of Hitchcock’s most fully realized, suspenseful, and elegantly crafted motion pictures. Vertigo may be Hitchcock’s most hypnotic film, Psycho may be the scariest, North by Northwest the most action-packed, but Notorious just might be the most perfect of all Hitchcock productions. Edgy, romantic, taut, sexy, substantive, and brimming with artistry and lyricism, Notorious grabs you from the first frame and holds you until that brilliant humdinger of an ending. Cary Grant, who never looked more dashing or filed a more surly performance, portrays Devlin, a cynical government agent who enlists the services of Alicia Huberman (Bergman), the “notorious” daughter of a convicted Nazi spy, to go undercover and expose a ring of exiled Nazi conspirators in Rio de Janeiro. The plot sounds straightforward, but Ben Hecht’s literate, Oscar-nominated script focuses on the tangled relationships and myriad psychological conflicts that add complexity and spice to the story. Love vs. duty is a central theme, and issues of trust, jealousy, guilt, manipulation, and self-loathing - as well as a fascinating Oedipal relationship - fuel the film, but there’s plenty of agonizing tension, crackling sexual chemistry, and illicit deeds, too. Hitchcock delivers one dynamite scene after another. In addition to the justifiably famous, lengthy zoom shot that begins on the second floor of a mansion and ends on an extreme close-up of Bergman’s hand fidgeting with a key, there’s the breathlessly tense wine cellar sequence, a telephone conversation that’s gotta be one of the sexiest things I’ve ever seen on screen, several disorienting camera angles, and a climax that ranks among the most memorable - and quietest - in Hitchcock history. All that plus Grant, Bergman, the Oscar-nominated supporting work of the marvelous Claude Rains (it’s such a shame Hitchcock didn’t use him in any of his other pictures), and a virtuoso turn by Madame Konstantin, the film’s Machiavellian Madame Defarge. Criterion’s 2019 Blu-ray outclasses the previous 2012 MGM release with a beautiful 4K restoration that’s largely drawn from the original camera negative, strong audio, and a bunch of fascinating supplements. Until we get a 4K UHD edition, this is the definitive presentation of Notorious, which in 2019 I called “a stirring, absorbing, emotionally involving, and artistically satisfying film that hits all the right notes - a symphony of suspense, if you will, conducted with nuance and gusto by the genre's most accomplished maestro.” Bravo, Hitch! Best Blu-ray Release of a British Hitchcock Film: THE LADY VANISHES (1938) "The Lady Vanishes is a prime example of lean, focused moviemaking." There’s no denying Hitchcock made his best pictures in Hollywood, but the formative and largely admirable films he produced across the pond in his native Great Britain merit attention, too. Such exciting, engrossing, and innovative thrillers as the original The Man Who Knew Too Much (which I prefer to the bloated 1956 remake), The 39 Steps (a fantastic forerunner to such action-packed, on-the-run classics as Foreign Correspondent, Saboteur, and North by Northwest), and Sabotage all contain the patented hallmarks Hitchcock would continue to cultivate, expand upon, and refine over the ensuing four decades of his career. I’m a big fan of Hitchcock’s British period, and though I greatly appreciate and thoroughly enjoy all of the aforementioned movies, my vote for the best British Hitchcock flick goes to The Lady Vanishes. What starts as a screwball comedy and for the first half-hour seems like the antithesis of all things Hitchcock quickly evolves into another quintessential Master of Suspense movie. The disappearance of a kindly old lady (Dame May Whitty) on a European train forms the crux of the plot, but the narrative really gets interesting when no one except the woman’s fleeting travel companion (Margaret Lockwood) believes she exists at all. Though the story has been recycled and reinvented several times, this is the original version, and it has no peer. Humorous antics, vivid characters, a love/hate relationship, claustrophobic tension, and an edge-of-your-seat shootout finale pepper and propel the tale, and though at times it feels as if Hitchcock is just throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks, nothing could be further from the truth. A master planner, the Master of Suspense meticulously mapped out almost every frame of every film he directed, and The Lady Vanishes proves once again how adept he is at molding myriad, often competing elements into a cohesive whole. As I wrote in my 2011 review of the film, “There's no fluff or extraneous palaver gumming up the works; The Lady Vanishes is a prime example of lean, focused moviemaking. Though the film takes its time laying its groundwork and might seem initially aimless, don't doubt Hitchcock. Like the train on which most of the action takes place, it quickly picks up steam and barrels full throttle toward a thrilling climax. And along the way, there's plenty of snappy dialogue and witty repartee to sweeten the journey, much of it pointedly aimed at British society, apathy, and egotism.” There’s no love lost between Hitchcock and England here. In fact, Hitchcock seems almost eager to bite the hand that feeds him, which of course makes the movie more fun. Not surprisingly, Hitch would become a British expatriate just two years later when he bolted to Hollywood to make Rebecca for producer David O. Selznick and cement his status as one of cinema’s first bona fide auteurs. Criterion’s video transfer may not be a stunner, but it’s by far the best home video rendering of this timeless classic. Clean and vibrant, with great clarity, excellent contrast, and a pleasing grayscale, this film-like presentation immerses us in the action, while solid audio and plenty of extras enhance the experience. So hop aboard and hang on for a turbulent and terrific rollercoaster ride. If you haven’t yet seen any of Hitchcock’s British films, The Lady Vanishes is a great introduction to a highly interesting period, and will surely whet your appetite for more. HIGH-DEF DIGEST’S HITCHCOCK INDEXIf you’re interested in reading full reviews of dozens of Hitchcock movies, many of which come highly recommended, check out the links below, listed in chronological order by date of theatrical release with the name of the reviewer in parentheses. The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog (1927) (David Krauss) Blackmail (1929) (David Krauss) Murder! (1930) (David Krauss) Rich and Strange (1931) (David Krauss) Number Seventeen (1932) (David Krauss) The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934) (David Krauss) The 39 Steps (1935) (David Krauss) The Lady Vanishes (1938) (David Krauss) Rebecca (1940) (David Krauss) Foreign Correspondent (1940) (David Krauss) Suspicion (1941) (David Krauss) Saboteur (1942) (M. Enois Duarte) Shadow of a Doubt (1943) (M. Enois Duarte) Lifeboat (1944) (David Krauss) Spellbound (1945) (David Krauss) Notorious (1946) (David Krauss) The Paradine Case (1947) (David Krauss) Rope (1948) (Aaron Peck) Under Capricorn (1949) (David Krauss) Stage Fright (1950) (David Krauss) Strangers on a Train (1951) (David Krauss) I Confess (1953) (David Krauss) Dial M for Murder (1954) (David Krauss) Rear Window (1954) (David Krauss) To Catch a Thief (1955) (David Krauss) The Trouble with Harry (1956) (Matthew Hartman) The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956) (Aaron Peck) The Wrong Man (1957) (David Krauss) Vertigo (1958) (David Krauss) North by Northwest (1959) (David Krauss) Psycho (1960) (David Krauss) The Birds (1963) (David Krauss) Marnie (1964) (M. Enois Duarte) Torn Curtain (1966) (Aaron Peck) Topaz (1969) (Aaron Peck) Frenzy (1972) (Aaron Peck) Family Plot (1976) (M. Enois Duarte)Posted Wed Jun 1, 2022 at 10:30 AM PDT by: -
Robert Eggers' Viking Action-Epic "The Northman" Sails to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on June 7. Universal Studios' critically-acclaimed The Northman starring Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, and Ethan Hawke will be available on Digital on June 6, with the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and the Blu-ray arriving in stores on June 7. From visionary director Robert Eggers comes The Northman, an action-filled epic that follows a young Viking prince on his quest to avenge his father's murder and reclaim his kingdom. Read our theatrical review here. Both the 4K UHD and Blu-ray will feature Dolby Atmos and bonus supplements include a commentary with Robert Eggers, deleted and extended scenes, and assorted featurettes. The Northman - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray The Northman The full press release is included below: . Universal City, California, May 31, 2022 – After witnessing firsthand the murder of his father, a Viking prince (Alexander Skarsgård) devotes his life to avenge his father’s death, save his mother and reclaim his kingdom in THE NORTHMAN, available to own for the first time with exclusive bonus content on Digital June 6, 2022 and on 4K Ultra HD Collector’s Edition, Blu-rayTM Collector’s Edition and DVD June 7, 2022 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Visionary director Robert Eggers (The Witch, The Lighthouse) creates “an absolute beast of a movie” (Phil de Semlyen, Time Out) with his latest film, boasting an 89% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Featuring epic action sequences and “packed with phenomenal performances” (Ross Bonaime, Collider) by Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, and Ethan Hawke now with exclusive never-before-seen bonus features including nine deleted and extended scenes and exclusive behind-the-scenes featurettes. The film is written and directed by Robert Eggers, and stars Alexander Skarsgård (Godzilla vs. Kong, The Legend of Tarzan), Nicole Kidman (Big Little Lies, Moulin Rouge), Anya Taylor-Joy (Queen’s Gambit, Emma), Willem Dafoe (Justice League, Spider-Man), Ethan Hawke (Training Day, Before Midnight), Claes Bang and Björk (Dancer In The Dark). EXCLUSIVE BONUS FEATURES on DIGITAL*, 4K UHD, BLU-RAYTM AND DVD: DELETED AND EXTENDED SCENES AN AGELESS EPIC - An in-depth look at how filmmakers, cast, and crew immersed themselves in Norse history and mythology in an effort to make THE NORTHMAN the most accurate Viking epic ever filmed. THE FACES OF VIKINGS - The cast of THE NORTHMAN, alongside director Robert Eggers, discuss the depth of the characters and their experiences working together. FEATURE COMMENTARY WITH CO-WRITER/DIRECTOR ROBERT EGGERS EXCLUSIVE COLLECTOR’S EDITION BONUS FEATURES ON DIGITAL*, 4K UHD, and BLU-RAY™: AMLETH’S JOURNEY TO MANHOOD -Aurvandil's initiation of Amleth into manhood is one of the most pivotal points on his journey. Take a deeper look at how filmmakers and cast crafted this mysterious ritual. SHOOTING THE RAID - Go behind-the-scenes of the raid and learn how different departments worked together to pull off this intricate sequence. KNATTLEIKR GAME - Learn all about this little-known game, how the scene was filmed, and why it's an essential moment for Amleth. A NORSE LANDSCAPE -We explore the spectacular shooting locations of THE NORTHMAN and discuss how filmmakers were able to overcome the unique challenges of shooting the film in Northern Ireland. *Digital bonus features available from select retailers THE NORTHMAN will be available on Digital, 4K UHD, Blu-ray™ and DVD Digital lets fans watch movies anywhere on their favorite devices. Users can instantly buy or rent. The Movies Anywhere Digital App simplifies and enhances the digital movie collection and viewing experience by allowing consumers to access their favorite digital movies in one place when purchased or redeemed through participating digital retailers. Consumers can also redeem digital copy codes found in eligible Blu-rayTM and DVD disc packages from participating studios and stream or download them through Movies Anywhere. Movies Anywhere is available only in the United States. Blu-ray™ unleashes the power of your HDTV and is the best way to watch movies at home, featuring 6X the picture resolution of DVD, exclusive extras and theater-quality surround sound. 4K Ultra HD delivers the ultimate movie watching experience, featuring the combination of 4K resolution and the color brilliance of High Dynamic Range (HDR).Posted Wed Jun 1, 2022 at 09:35 AM PDT by:
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4K Ultra HD Blu-ray & Blu-ray Release Guide - May 29, 2022 - June 4, 2022Would you consider this the last week of May or the first week of June? With Tuesday being official movie release day, the month of May goes out with a bang with the volume of titles available, so let's call it the last week of May. And of course there's the Memorial Day holiday, which solidly puts us at the end of May in case there was any doubt. Welcome to Volume 3 Episode 2 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- There are no actual 'New Releases' this week, but there are catalog titles for everyone! Starting with Sony, a 50th anniversary release of 1776 opens the pot. Upping the ante, Brian De Palma helms The Untouchables, available as a standard edition and as a Limited Editon SteelBook. In what I consider a disturbing trend, some of these limited edition releases are getting more inclusive editions overseas, ie: swag and other pack-in trinkets just about everywhere else in the world. Because it's the studio itself releasing them in both places, one cannot blame licensing issues. Would I be more likely to buy a specific version if it had the extra stuff in it? In most cases, ABSOLUTELY! The Untouchables gets a slightly spruced up release next week from the UK if you're considering that option. Kino Lorber brings us A Fistful of Dollars and For a Few Dollars More, both 4K SDR encodes. These releases are the best these films have ever looked, probably even better than when they were released in 1964/1965. A pair of releases from Scream Factory, Happy Death Day and the sequel, Happy Death Day 2U. The next 4K Criterion release comes as Double Indemnity, David says this one is a 'Must Own' presentation, and you know what that means, you must comply! I got my ship notice kind of early so I sort of expect it before this article posts on Sunday. Blu-ray releases- We do have a single blu-ray counterpart of the above 4K titles this week, Criterion Collection offers up Double Indemnity. If you didn't get the 4K, then you must get this one! Criterion Collection is also growing by one more title this week, a foreign drama/mystery titled Chan is Missing. TV on disc this week starts out with The Boys: Seasons 1 & 2 Collection from Sony Entertainment. More TV on disc comes with Lucifer: The Complete Fifth Season from Warner Archive Collection. Anime highlights (there are a lot this week) include Astro Boy 1980 Series, Darkstalkers: The Complete OVA Collection, Double Dragon - The Complete Series, Kageki Shojo!! - The Complete Season, Kemono Jihen - The Complete Season, Lupin the 3rd Part I - Classic Adventures, Mon Colle Knights, Poupelle of Chimney Town and Super Cub - The Complete Season. LionsGate's thriller of the week is titled The Devil You Know starring Omar Epps. Honorable Mention: Beauty Day, which Bryan mentions is a 'Highly Recommended' release comes to blu-ray this week. Before Jackass, Canadian legend Ralph Zavadil aka Cap'n Video pioneered dangerous home-grown stunts, this is a product of his work. The May batch of Imprint Films releases are available via Amazon on Friday, here's a run down: >After Dark: Neo Noir Cinema Collection One - Imprint Films Limited Edition >Bloody Sunday - Imprint Films Limited Edition >The Contender - Imprint Films Limited Edition >The Warriors - Imprint Films Limited Edition Notable announcements from last week: Downton Abbey: A New Era already has a listing for the blu-ray and 4K editions. No ETA yet but if it follows the typical model, look for it late July or so. The next 'Paramount Presents' title announced is Back to the Beach, a 1987 comedy/musical. This one is spine number 34 and is scheduled for an August 9th release date. Warner has made Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore official with a June 28th release date. There will be the usual assortment of skus available, if you liked what Walmart did for The Batman with their exclusive gift set, this one will get the same treatment, both blu-ray and 4K listings. And just like The Batman, Target's exclusive for Dumbledore is again a blu-ray and not a 4K combo edition. I just wonder where the decision for that comes from. Kino Lorber has acquired the rights to release multiple Paramount films. Their first teaser is that we will get Tropic Thunder as a 4K release. Date TBA soon. Makes me wonder what titles Paramount is focusing on, but with Kino Lorber behind a bunch, we are in for some great releases. On the topic of Paramount, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 has an official release date of August 9th. The week after that, Paramount has a few more catalog titles on blu-ray, they are Coneheads, What Women Want and What's Eating Gilbert Grape. Again, not sure what their operation book is saying here with the Kino Lorber deal and what they will or will not release. In time, Kino will tell us more. Arrow Video will be releasing Flatliners (1990) on both blu-ray and 4K discs on August 2nd. Also on August 30th they will release Running Out Of Time Collection on blu-ray. Hard to believe there's just 3 skus for August, but it's possible. 4K Release Calendar 2K/BD Release Calendar 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?Posted Sun May 29, 2022 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
William Lustig's Cult Classic Uncle Sam Dated and Detailed for 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on June 21The newly restored 1997 tongue-in-cheek horror directed by Blue Underground's founder William Lustig and written by legend Larry Cohen will make its 4K debut shortly before Independence Day. The film stars Robert Forster, Timothy Bottoms, Bo Hopkins, P.J. Soles, and Isaac Hayes. Master Sergeant Sam Harper (David Fralick) is tragically killed in a horrible accident in Kuwait after his helicopter is shot down by friendly fire. Sam's charred remains are shipped back to his hometown of Twin Rivers, just as the town is preparing for its annual Fourth of July celebration. While being stored at his sister's house, Sam's dead body becomes reanimated and goes on a patriotic killing spree over the course of the holiday weekend. Uncle Sam is an over-the-top, tongue-in-cheek satire about American's obsession with military dominance and the great lengths the nation will go in order to appeal to the country's youth. This 4K edition features a recently restored presentation scanned in 4K 16-bit from the original 35mm negative in honor of the film's 25th anniversary. It will also include Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. Disc Information and Bonus Materials: Ultra HD Blu-ray (2160p) Widescreen 2.40:1 feature presentation Audio: Dolby Atmos (English); 5.1 DTS-HD (English) Subtitles: English SDH, Francais, Espanol Audio Commentary #1 with Director William Lustig, Writer Larry Cohen and Producer George G. Braunstein Audio Commentary #2 with Director William Lustig and Star Isaac Hayes Fire Stunts with Audio Commentary by Stunt Coordinator Spiro Razatos Deleted Scene Gag Reel Theatrical Trailer Poster & Still Gallery Uncle Sam - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray The SRP for this release is $49.95. Pre-order your copy now.Posted Wed May 25, 2022 at 02:26 PM PDT by: -
4K Ultra HD Blu-ray & Blu-ray Release Guide - May 22, 2022 - May 28, 2022As mentioned last week, we have reached the end of year two for our weekly release guide, and so, this week we kick off year 3. Don't know about you, but I feel it has gotten hot out there early this year! Heat waves in much of the country, snow in Denver, what a wild month. When outdoor activity is restricted, why not enjoy a good movie? Welcome to Volume 3 Episode 1 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- Speaking of hot, things are heating up on the release schedule. This week is the busiest week for 4K releases for the month. Let's dig in to the goodies now! Breaking the normal order of things this week, I think you will understand why I've done it. Dare you say his name FIVE times? It's Candyman (1992) week, and counting all the individual SKUs, we have FIVE to pick from. Monday editions first, which generally (and does here) indicate imports. From the UK, Arrow Video offers their traditional Limited Edition fat-pack that offers the movie with Atmos sound, a poster, theater cards and a book. Next, from Turbine Media in Germany, they're offering three distinct variant cover Mediabooks. We list them as Variant A, Variant B and Variant C, and each edition is a very limited quantity release. Keep in mind though that unless the specs are wrong, these do NOT include Dolby Atmos sound. Turbine has reasonable shipping rates and will get it to your door pretty quickly. Domestically, Scream Factory has a 3-disc edition which includes a 4K disc with both cuts (Theatrical and Unrated) as well as blu-rays of each cut, and bonus features sprinkled across these discs. Unfortunately there is no all-inclusive edition among all five skus, so you will need to consider each one carefully. The new release of the week is The Batman, with Matt Reeves at the helm and Robert Pattinson donning the batsuit. Available as a standard edition, a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook and a rather handsome Walmart Exclusive. Target this go round opted for a blu-ray exclusive (see below). Directional audio fans should be happy this one is not directed by Christopher Nolan, because if it was, you would be stuck with a 5.1 track! Still with Warner Bros, a kind of new(ish) release, a 4K edition of the 2021 horror Malignant. From Universal and Showtime Entertainment, Ray Donovan: The Movie. Having not been a premium channel subscriber, I am a bit in the dark on this series, so the movie is even more a mystery to me. And the final new release of the week, a Norwegian film titled The Burning Sea. Sort of gives off a Deepwater Horizon vibe. Doing some backpedaling here as we go to catalog titles, Scream Factory releases Lifeforce to 4K disc. Arrow Video gives us three different editions of Wild Things, a limited edition, a SteelBook edition and Deluxe limited edition. Blu-ray releases- Getting the new release counterparts out of the way first, The Batman gets a standard edition and a Target Exclusive edition. The Burning Sea gets a blu-ray edition as well, and lastly, Ray Donovan: The Movie. Catalog title counterpart, Arrow offers a limited edition of Wild Things. LionsGate's action/thriller entry this week is titled Agent Game. Their horror entry this week is a single letter of the alphabet, it's titled "X". Capelight Pictures is doing a 4K media book for this one in Germany, you can order direct from them HERE and HERE, depending on which cover art you prefer. I could take one for the team and buy the 4K so that a 4K will be announced for the U.S., just encourage me to do so in the comments! Criterion Collection's title this week is Mississippi Masala, a drama/romance from '91. Maybe you've heard of the stars of this film, Sarita Choudhury and Denzel Washington. Arrow Video has got another Shaw Brothers type release, this one is titled One Armed Boxer. From Universal Pictures, 2022 comedy/horror Studio 666. Also a little TV on disc, The Sinner: The Complete Series. Sony's 2022 horror Umma gets a blu-ray release this week. Liberation Hall has two titles of interest this week, TV on disc by the name of Robocop: The Series and a Steven Seagal movie from 2009, A Dangerous Man. Anime highlights include Black Clover: Season 4, available in a standard edition and as a limited edition, Skate-Leading Stars - The Complete Season and Somali and the Forest Spirit - Complete Collection. Kino Lorber has a Rodgers & Hammerstein musical titled Flower Drum Song this week. Honorable Mention: Powerhouse Video's Indicator Series title this week is The Pemini Organisation, a drama/thriller series with three films. Notable announcements from last week: Criterion has revealed their August slate of Criterion Collection titles. I honestly do not know any of these titles myself, and none of them are 4K, but I am sure that they have been carefully procured and do have appeal to some of you. The titles are Buck and the Preacher, Daddy Longlegs, Faya Dayi, Frownland and Hotel du Nord. Edge of Tomorrow will be coming on to 4K on July 5th as a standard edition and a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook. Once again Warner Bros. has snubbed the U.S. market by releasing a nicer deluxe edition overseas. Angel Heart will be getting a 4K release from LionsGate as a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook on July 12th. When that film first came out, it got an X rating. If availability frustrated you for each individual season, Paramount/CBS will be releasing Charmed: The Complete Series on June 14th. 4K Release Calendar 2K/BD Release Calendar 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?Posted Sun May 22, 2022 at 12:00 PM PDT by:
