Ridley Scott's Thelma & Louise hits the Criterion road in May with a Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release. The month's slate also includes Targets as well as Petite Mama on Blu-ray and 4K releases of both Wings of Desire and Branded to Kill.

Once again The Criterion Collection expands its content with a mix of old and new titles seeing some extra TLC on physical media. With Wings of Desire already getting an excellent EU 4K release it was only a matter of time before Criterion would update theirs, but there are some other pleasant surprises for their May slate. Lets take a look at what's getting added to our shelves:

Up first on May 2 is Wim Wenders' Wings of Desire on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray

Wings of Desire - The Criterion Collection
4K Ultra HD Blu-ray

Wings of Desire is one of cinema’s loveliest city symphonies. Bruno Ganz is Damiel, an angel perched atop buildings high over Berlin who can hear the thoughts—fears, hopes, dreams—of all the people living below. But when he falls in love with a beautiful trapeze artist, he is willing to give up his immortality and come back to earth to be with her. Made not long before the fall of the Berlin Wall, this stunning tapestry of sounds and images, shot in black and white and color by the legendary Henri Alekan, forever made the name of director Wim Wenders' synonymous with film art.

DIRECTOR-APPROVED 4K UHD + BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES

• 4K restoration, supervised and approved by director Wim Wenders, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack
• One 4K UHD disc of the film and one Blu-ray with the film and special features
• Audio commentary featuring Wenders and actor Peter Falk
• The Angels Among Us (2003), a documentary featuring interviews with Wenders, Falk, actors Bruno Ganz and Otto Sander, writer Peter Handke, and composer Jürgen Knieper
• Episode of Cinéma cinémas from 1987, featuring on-set footage
• Interview with director of photography Henri Alekan
• Deleted scenes and outtakes
• Excerpts from the film Alekan la lumière (1985) and from Ganz and Sander’s 1982 film about actor Curt Bois
• Notes and photos by art directors Heidi and Toni Lüdi
• Trailers
• PLUS: An essay by critic Michael Atkinson and writings by Handke and Wenders
• Cover by Michael Boland

Seijun Suzuki's 1967 New Wave Branded to Kill will also be available on 4K UHD on May 9

Branded to Kill - The Criterion Collection
4K Ultra HD Blu-ray

When Japanese New Wave bad boy Seijun Suzuki delivered this brutal, hilarious, and visually inspired masterpiece to the executives at his studio, he was promptly fired. Branded to Kill tells the ecstatically bent story of a yakuza assassin with a fetish for sniffing steamed rice (the chipmunk-cheeked superstar Joe Shishido) who botches a job and ends up a target himself. This is Suzuki at his most extreme—the flabbergasting pinnacle of his sixties pop-art aesthetic.

4K UHD + BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES

• New 4K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack
• One 4K UHD disc of the film and one Blu-ray with the film and special features
• Interviews with director Seijun Suzuki and assistant director Masami Kuzuu
• Interview with Suzuki from 1997
• Interview with actor Joe Shishido
• Trailer
• PLUS: An essay by critic and historian Tony Rayns
• Cover by Eric Skillman

Peter Bogdanovich's Targets starring the legendary Boris Karloff arrives on Blu-ray on May 16 

Targets - The Criterion Collection

Old Hollywood collides with New Hollywood, and screen horror with real-life horror, in the startling debut feature from Peter Bogdanovich. Produced by Roger Corman, this chillingly prescient vision of American-made carnage casts Boris Karloff as a version of himself: an aging horror-movie icon whose fate intersects with that of a seemingly ordinary young man (Tim O’Kelly) on a psychotic shooting spree around Los Angeles. Charged with provocative ideas about the relationship between mass media and mass violence, Targets is a model of maximally effective filmmaking on a minimal budget and a potent first statement from one of the defining voices of the American New Wave.

BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES

• New 2K digital restoration, supervised by director Peter Bogdanovich, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack
• Audio commentary from 2003 featuring Bogdanovich
• New interview with filmmaker Richard Linklater
• Introduction to the film from 2003 by Bogdanovich
• Excerpts from a 1983 interview with production designer Polly Platt
• English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• PLUS: An essay by critic Adam Nayman and excerpts from an interview with Bogdanovich from Eric Sherman and Martin Rubin’s 1969 book The Director’s Event: Interviews with Five American Film-Maker
• New cover by Drusilla Adeline/Sister Hyde

Céline Sciamma’s 2021 film Petite Maman is due on Blu-ray on May 23 

Petite Maman - The Criterion Collection

Céline Sciamma’s follow-up to Portrait of a Lady on Fire transcends time and space to weave a delicately emotional fable about grief, family, and connection across generations. In the wake of her grandmother’s death, eight-year-old Nelly (Joséphine Sanz) accompanies her distraught mother (Nina Meurisse) to her childhood home. There, Nelly’s encounter with another young girl (Gabrielle Sanz) brings mother and daughter together in a way neither could have ever imagined. Evoking childhood’s perpetual state of wonder through luminous, richly textured images, Petite maman takes viewers on a journey inward for a quietly miraculous tale of emotional time travel.

DIRECTOR-APPROVED BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES

• 4K digital master, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack
• New conversation between director Céline Sciamma and filmmaker Joachim Trier
• Trailers
• PLUS: An essay by author So Mayer
• New cover by Carson Ellis

 Lastly on May 29 is Ridley Scott's Thelma & Louise on Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray.

Thelma & Louise - The Criterion Collection
4K Ultra HD Blu-ray

Two women, a turquoise Thunderbird, the ride of a lifetime. With this pop-culture landmark, screenwriter Callie Khouri and action auteur Ridley Scott rewrote the rules of the road movie, telling the story of two best friends who find themselves transformed into accidental fugitives during a weekend getaway gone wrong—leading them on a high-speed Southwest odyssey as they elude police and discover freedom on their own terms. Propelled by irresistible performances from Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis (plus Brad Pitt in a sexy, star-making turn)—and nominated for six Academy Awards, winning one for Khouri—the exhilaratingly cathartic Thelma & Louise stands as cinema’s ultimate ode to ride-or-die female friendship.

DIRECTOR-APPROVED 4K UHD + BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES

• New 4K digital restoration, supervised by director Ridley Scott, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack
• One 4K UHD disc of the film presented in Dolby Vision HDR and two Blu-rays with the film and special features
• Two audio commentaries, featuring Scott, screenwriter Callie Khouri, and actors Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon
• New interviews with Scott and Khouri
• Documentary featuring Davis, Khouri, Sarandon, Scott, actors Michael Madsen, Christopher McDonald, and Stephen Tobolowsky, and other members of the cast and crew
• Boy and Bicycle (1965), Scott’s first short film
• Original theatrical featurette
• Storyboards and deleted and extended scenes, including an extended ending with director’s commentary
• Music video for Glenn Frey’s “Part of Me, Part of You,” from the film’s soundtrack
• Trailers
• English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• PLUS: Essays by critics Jessica Kiang and Rachel Syme and journalist Rebecca Traister
• New cover by Sam Hadley

Preorders for Criterion's May releases should be available soon!

2022 was an absolutely insane year for cult and horror 4K Blu-ray releases, with great offerings from both major studios and boutique labels arriving nearly every week! Add on the fact that exclusive 4K Blu-ray releases were coming out in countries like Germany, UK and France, and you’ll have a tough time keeping track of everything that was coming out each and every day. Our wallets certainly felt the hit! It’s absurd that we got all of Argento’s Animal Trilogy in 4K in the same year that Alligator finally hit HD and 4K as well as a ton of nearly fogotten SOV favorites finding new life on Blu-ray. Hell, even Poltergeist and Fright Night got gorgeous new 4K transfers, with Criterion delivering the mother of all Zombie films in 4K. With so much great stuff coming out this last year, it was nearly impossible to narrow the field so Bruce Douglas, Sam Cohen, and Matthew Hartman offer up a few of their favorites and honorable mentions.

High-Def Digest's Favorite Cult Classics and Horror Releases of 2022

Thriller: A Cruel Picture (Vinegar Syndrome)

Full disclosure: The only context I had for this film was that it was some sort of grindhouse classic that Tarantino had cited as being a major influence on him, plus the general reputation it has in cult film communities of being a full-throated blend of sleazy sex and violence. What I was not prepared for was the ugly and caustic revenge film it is, like it’s in fierce opposition to the leagues of fans who have held it up as an energetic, sleazy time. Vinegar Syndrome presented us with a full 4K Blu-ray package during their big Halfway to Black Friday Sale, which of course sold out quickly and has since reappeared in a standard edition. With both cuts of the film sourced from a new 4K restoration from the negative, an incredible making-of doc that includes interviews with Christina Lindberg and Gunnar Palm, plus a stellar 4K transfer supported by HDR, Thriller: A Cruel Picture gets my highest recommendation. Just, uh…expect to be shocked. - Sam Cohen

Pink Flamingos (Criterion Collection)

What cult film list would be complete without a nod to The Sultan of Sleaze himself, John Waters! Back in June we reviewed a beautiful Criterion Collection release of his notorious film Pink Flamingos. Fully restored from 4K scans of the original 16mm source elements, the shockingly hilarious satire has never looked better. Bonus features are mostly archival but worth it for collectors to double dip. - Bruce Douglas

Dune (1984) Ultimate Edition (Koch Media)

David Lynch’s Dune is a fascinating failure. An expensive flop in theaters, the film steadily grew into a cult following with fans picking over every shred of footage to untangle the cinematic storytelling web of Frank Herbert’s iconic novel. As Arrow arranged a pretty terrific release for the U.K. and the United States, Koch Media delivered the genuine Ultimate Edition offering up not only Lynch’s Theatrical Cut in gorgeous 4K and 1080p, but also the Extended Television Cut in HD as well as the fabled Spicediver fan-edit in 720p. If that wasn’t enough there are tons of swag items including a production design booklet, the Marvel comics adaptation, and tons of new and archival bonus features including the excellent Ballyhoo Film’s feature-length documentary The Sleeper Must Awaken: The Making of Dune which was supposed to be on the Arrow disc but sadly didn’t make it due to some delays. - Matthew Hartman 

Dog Soldiers (Second Sight / Scream Factory) 

My personal favorite 4K horror import from 2022 was Second Sight’s hardbox digipack release of Neil Marshall’s Dog Soldiers. Yeah, I know what you’re going to say: why didn’t I buy Shout’s version in the US? Absolutely no offense is given toward Shout’s version, but I’ve been following Second Sight’s efforts on this particular title very closely and wanted to support that. Marshall shot this rough and tough horror film on Super 16mm, then it was blown up to 35mm for theatrical release. Prior releases had been sourced from 35mm prints with noise reduction really softening the whole film terribly, but here we get a stunning 2160p presentation sourced from a 4K restoration of the original 16mm camera negative. The film grain looks incredible here and colors are so much more natural, plus the bloodletting on display still hits just as hard as it did upon its original release. And for the physical media fiends, this one comes in a terrific hardbox case with a digipack and booklet inside. Scream Factory delivered their own excellent 4K release utilizing the same A/V elements with plenty of great bonus features, it just wasn't as elaborate as what Second Sight delivered. - Sam Cohen

The Sonny Chiba Collection (Shout! Factory)

The Sonny Chiba Collection brings seven underseen films from the action star’s career in a mix of sleazy exploitation actioners, yakuza crime thrillers, and samurai epics. Fans couldn’t get enough of this Shout! Factory box set in 2022! To see features like Shogun’s Shadow and Bodyguard Kiba 2 finally make their jump to home video made this set worth every penny. A/V presentations for each film are impressive given the age and availability of the earlier features. Limited special features here, but the films speak for themselves! Pair this set with Shout! Factory's excellent 2019 Street Fighter Collection and Arrow's Sister Street Fighter Collection. - Bruce Douglas

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (Turbine Medien / Arrow)

Another gift from the import markets was the one-two-punch of Arrow UK and Germany’s Turbine Medien dropping their respective editions of Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer. This grossly unnerving and shocking horror film is loosely based on real events and was shot on location in Chicago in 16mm for an extra grimy and creepy vibe. The new Dolby Vision transfer is fantastic and the film has never looked or sounded better after years of dodgy releases that left much to be desired. Both sets feature an excellent assortment of bonus features - the Arrow has more commentaries, but the Turbine disc offers up an alternate widescreen framing on Blu-ray. - Matthew Hartman

Four Flies on Grey Velvet (Severin Films)

Again, how can I choose one Dario Argento 4K Blu-ray release from 2022 to like the most? Simply, you can’t! But the Black Friday-exclusive 4K Blu-ray package of Argento’s Four Flies on Grey Velvet from Severin Films gets a special mention. The 1971 giallo film features Argento at his spine-tingling best, and the violence is frequently punctuated by farcical comedy and visual conceits that the Italian maestro would revisit throughout his career. You could even say that Four Flies on Grey Velvet is the rollicking genesis of Argento’s obsession with voyeurism, writ large into a rock anthem of sorts. Severin’s beautiful new 4K transfer is sourced directly from the original 2-perf negative, restoring all of the various differences between the Italian Director’s Cut and English Language Version and gifting the whole thing with Dolby Vision HDR that’s tuned perfectly. Add the huge collection of supplements spread across the four discs included (one 4K disc, two Blu-ray and one CD) and you have a horror fan’s dream. Here’s to hoping that Severin follows this exclusive release up with a standard edition down the road. - Sam Cohen

The Films of Doris Wishman (AGFA)

The queen of absurdist sexploitation cinema received much attention in 2022 with lavish box sets featuring her avant-garde body of work. From Something Weird Video and AGFA the two collections we reviewed feature a number of cult favorites including Bad Girls Go to Hell, Double Agent 73, and Let Me Die A Woman. Lovingly restored with breathtaking restoration work the films have never looked better. Accompanied by a wealth of bonus features, The Films of Doris Wishman is a must-have for any cult collector. - Bruce Douglas 

God Told Me To (Blue Underground) 

Larry Cohen’s masterstroke in genuine terror, God Told Me To is just a damn unsettling piece of filmmaking. I got this disc to review right as another horrific mass shooting was hitting headlines making this release unfortunately timely and prescient. As we struggle to understand why the latest incident happened in the real world, in the film, Tony Lo Bianco is obsessing over his latest case where a string of murders happened with each perpetrator uttering the same terrifying four words. Blue Underground continued their incredible streak of reference-quality catalog releases giving this film an amazing Dolby Vision transfer complete with a new Atmos track and plenty of bonus features. - Matthew Hartman

Black Christmas (Scream Factory)

The love I have for this film knows no bounds, therefore picking up a newly minted 4K Blu-ray release wasn’t really a tough decision to make. There were some well-documented issues with the original audio tracks included in Shout’s 2016 Blu-ray release, to which Shout responded back then by sending out replacement discs with an improved-but-still-bunk single-channel track. For this new release, though, they present both newly restored versions of the original mono track and 5.1 upmix. Sound engineer Brett Cameron, who gets his own special feature in this release, spent hundreds of hours restoring the original mono track to repair the many missing moments of sound effects and dialogue from previous releases. As for the new 2160p transfer aided by Dolby Vision HDR, it’s the best this dark-as-hell film has ever looked. Turn the lights off for maximum effect! - Sam Cohen

Red Lips (Saturn's Core)

2022 was a huge year for SOV productions getting the HD treatment. Vinegar Syndrome's OCN partner label Saturn’s Core has been painstakingly reviving its catalog of lost SOV horror thrillers with impressive results. My favorite of the year was 1995’s Red Lips, the trashy erotic epic that launched the 90’s lesbian vampire boom. Starring Ghetty Chasun, Michelle Bauer, and Kitten Natividad the film is packed with sleazy vibes but courting an honest love story at the center of it all. Thankfully Saturn’s Core brought the film to Blu-ray preserving the analogue patina for a new generation of fans. Special features allow fans to dive deeper into film with interviews and archival footage. It’s not for everyone, but that’s the beauty of these films making their way into our collections. - Bruce Douglas 

The Wicker Man (Imprint) 

Robin Hardy’s shocking folk horror film The Wicker Man has been remade (hilariously) and inspired numerous films in its wake. The film has had multiple cuts over the years with tons of informative bonus features, but never before has everything been pulled together into a single fantastic box set. This edition offers up the Theatrical Cut, Director’s Cut, and Final Cut of the film along with hours of bonus features complete with the film’s iconic and damned creepy soundtrack. Imprint went full out for this release and it’s a genuine treat for fans of the film and Christopher Lee enthusiasts. - Matthew Hartman

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (Turbine Medien) 

Yes, I am aware that Tobe Hooper’s classic horror film is being released in the US on 4K Blu-ray in a matter of weeks, however, attention must be paid to Turbine’s wonderful 4K Blu-ray steelbook release of the film from March 2022. As an owner of Turbine’s 2016 4K Blu-ray release of the film, which lacked HDR and had some wonky encoding, it’s my great pleasure to report that Turbine’s 2022 4K Blu-ray is a huge upgrade. Some may say that presenting a film shot on 16mm in 4K doesn’t really make sense, but to this reviewer, the enhanced resolution helps to refine the grain even more. The Dolby Vision HDR is tuned just right as well, bringing the most out of highlights, close-ups, and primaries. That way you can appreciate all the baked-in details without softening the impact of something as gritty as this film. And not that it was needed, but Turbine provides this release with a true murderer’s row of audio options, including original mono,  Dolby Atmos, and even a 13.1 Auro-3D mix for those who have the equipment. These SteelBooks quickly sold out but Turbine has reissued the discs and artwork for new Mediabooks. - Sam Cohen

Attack of the 50ft woman (Warner Archive Collection)

In November we had a chance to sit down with the b-movie classic Attack of the 50ft Woman.  The Warner Archive Collection delivered the goods for a fantastic Blu-ray release sporting a gorgeous transfer, clean audio, and a nice audio commentary. Our editor said the restoration sported “impressive details and a gorgeous grayscale”. While the film may leave much to be desired in terms of plot and execution, its impact on drive-in films and genre staples can’t be understated. - Bruce Douglas

The Frighteners Ultimate Edition (Turbine Medien) 

Before The Lord of the Rings and King Kong, Peter Jackson made another special effects extravaganza - that no one went to see in theaters. The Frighteners starring Michael J. Fox as an unscrupulous paranormal investigator didn’t become a hit until home video when word of mouth slowly turned this expensive theatrical flop into a genuine cult classic. Now thanks to the good folks at Turbine Medien, The Frighteners scares up one of the best 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray releases of the year with new Dolby Vision HDR transfers for both the Theatrical Cut and Director’s Cut with the DC also scoring a terrific Atmos mix to match. Then as an added bonus, They have the Director’s Cut with a new open matte presentation on Blu-ray on top of hours of new and archival bonus features. It’s a beautiful box set that is a genuine Ultimate Edition for one of the best horror comedies ever made - and for a while at least, this is the only place you'll be able to score this great flick in 4K! - Matthew Hartman

Honorable Mentions on Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray

There are just too many great cult classics and horror releases this year to properly highlight them all. In addition to some of our favorites listed above we had a lot of love for the following releases:

• Night Creatures aka: Captain Clegg (Scream Factory) 
• The Celebration: Dogme 1 (Criterion Collection)
• The Return of the Living Dead 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray (Scream Factory)
• Final Flesh (AGFA)
• Night of the Living Dead 4K Ultra HD (Criterion Collection)
• Highlander (Lionsgate / Studio Canal)
• Death Wish II (Vinegar Syndrome)
• Army of Darkness 4K Ultra HD (Scream Factory)
• Wild Things 4K Ultra HD (Arrow)
• Candyman (Arrow / Scream Factory / Turbine)

What were some of your favorite cult classics or favorite horror flicks you picked up this year on 4K Ultra HD or Blu-ray?

Darren Aronofsky's The Whale featuring the critically-acclaimed performance by Brendan Fraser will emerge on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital on March 14.   

Read our theatrical review for The Whale here.

From Darren Aronofsky comes The Whale, the story of a reclusive English teacher who attempts to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter. Starring Brendan Fraser and based on the acclaimed play by Samuel D. Hunter.

The Blu-ray will include a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, two behind-the-scenes featurettes, and a digital copy.

BLU-RAY / DVD SPECIAL FEATURES

• People Are Amazing: Making The Whale
• The Sounds of the Sea: Scoring The Whale 

The Whale
 

Order your copy today and here is the full press release:

.

Add every Season One episode of HBO Max's post-apocalyptic series to your home video collection (either Blu-ray or 4K UHD) on February 21.   

A post-apocalyptic saga spanning multiple timelines, this limited drama series tells the stories of survivors of a devastating flu as they attempt to rebuild and reimagine the world anew while holding on to the best of what’s been lost. Based on the international bestseller of the same name by Emily St. John Mandel, Station Eleven stars Mackenzie Davis, Himesh Patel, Lori Petty, David Wilmot, and Daniel Zovatto, with appearances from Gael Garcia Bernal, Danielle Deadwyler, Timothy Simons, Caitlin FitzGerald, David Cross, and more.

Specs are still unknown, but each release will be a three-disc set containing all episodes of the first season.

Station Eleven - Blu-ray

Station Eleven - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray

Pre-orders are now available and the Blu-ray has MSRP of $29.99, while the 4K UHD Blu-ray is $39.99. Here is the full press release:

Forgotten survival horror gem P2 starring Rachael Nichols and Wes Bently is coming to Blu-ray with three Mediabooks from German label Turbine Medien

I haven't seen this movie in ages, my DVD was lost to the sands of time long ago, but I remember enjoying its simple to the point horror scheme. As you can see from the pics above, this new Blu-ray will pick up both English and German language Dolby Atmos and Auro 3D. We're trying to confirm that each disc will be region free - most of Turbine's releases have not been region locked so it's a safe bet. You get three artwork options to choose from and they're up for pre-order now.

P2 - US Artwork Mediabook
(limited to 600 units)

P2 - German Artwork Mediabook
(limited to 600 units)

P2 - International Artwork Mediabook
(limited to 300 units)

Here are all of the gory details:

Synopsis:
Survival horror from the makers of HIGH TENSION and MANIAC!

New York at Christmas. A gloomy, deserted underground car park after hours. When the young lawyer Angela finally wants to leave for the family celebration, her car won't start. The young security guard Thomas offers to help, but quickly turns out to be a maniac who doesn't want to spend the celebration of love alone. A bloody fight for survival begins for Angela...

Alexandre Aja (HIGH TENSION) and Franck Khalfoun (MANIAC) shock with close-up horror, with tension, action and brute force. Wes Bentley (YELLOWSTONE) shines as an apparently friendly psychopath who turns Christmas Eve into a bloodbath. The Special Edition offers a new level of terror with sound in Dolby Atmos and Auro 13.1! Limited Mediabook with a German motif - only 600 pieces!

Taking the bus to work suddenly seems like a very good idea. (New York Times)
 
Original title: P2
Country of production: USA 2007
Director: Franck Khalfoun
Cast: Rachel Nichols , Wes Bentley , Philip Akin

Technical specifications:
Language / Sound: German & English: Dolby Atmos, Auro & DTS 2.0
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 (1080p Full HD)
Subtitles: German, English, English (SDH)

Running time: 97 minutes

Bonus Material:
+ A new fear level - Making of* (approx. 12 min.)
+ Terror design - location and stunts* (approx. 5 min.)
+ A New Kind of Suspense - Director Franck Khalfoun* (ca. 3 min.)
+ Behind the scenes* (approx. 4 min.)
+ Audio commentary* with Alexander Aja, Franck Khalfoun and Gregory Levasseur
+ Cinema trailers, teasers and TV spots
*The bonus material has optional German subtitles.

Number of discs: 2
Genre: Horror

The gory Christmas action-comedy starring Stranger Things' David Harbour as Santa Claus will be available on Blu-ray/DVD on January 24th

When a team of mercenaries breaks into a wealthy family compound taking everyone inside hostage, they are not prepared for a surprise combatant: Santa Claus. David Harbour (“Stranger Things”) stars as St. Nick in the “wildly entertaining” (SCREEN RANT) holiday romp, delivering some serious season’s beatings to save the family and the spirit of Christmas.

There doesn't appear to be a 4K UHD Blu-ray release at this time, but the releases include over half an hour of supplements including deleted scenes, featurettes, and an audio commentary with Director Tommy Wirkola, Producer Guy Danella, Writer Pat Casey and Writer Josh Miller.

Violent Night
 

Order your copy now and here is the full press release (I love how it says that Violent Night's home video release arrives just in time for next Christmas):

The critically-acclaimed musical comedy and Best Picture winner from Rob Marshall is getting a SteelBook edition for the film's 20th anniversary on February 7th

Winner of 6 academy Awards- Chicago is a dazzling spectacle cheered by audiences and critics alike! At a time when crimes of passion result in celebrity headlines, nightclub sensation Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and spotlight seeking Roxie Hart (Renée Zellweger) both find themselves sharing space on Chicago's famed Murderess Row! They also share Billy Flynn (Richard Gere), the town's slickest lawyer with a talent for turning notorious defendants into local legends. But in Chicago, there's only room for one legend!

The release doesn't appear to have anything new aside from the SteelBook packaging, as the bonus materials are all legacy features.

Chicago 20th Anniversary Blu-ray SteelBook
 

Order your copy today and here is the full press release:

Winner of six Academy Awards®, including Best Picture, director Rob Marshall’s musical sensation CHICAGO celebrates its 20^th anniversary this year with a new, Limited-Edition Blu-ray™ SteelBook™, arriving February 7, 2023 from Paramount Home Entertainment.

Originally released wide on January 24, 2003, CHICAGO was nominated for 13 Academy Awards and won not only Best Picture, but also Best Supporting Actress for Catherine Zeta-Jones, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, and Best Sound. 

A thrilling adaptation of the Broadway musical, the film boasts sensational performances from Zeta-Jones, Renée Zellweger, Richard Gere, Queen Latifah, John C. Reilly, Christine Baranski, and more.  Filled with electrifying musical numbers, wildly entertaining satire, and plenty of razzle dazzle, CHICAGO remains a must-see cinematic spectacle.

The Limited-Edition Blu-ray SteelBook includes access to a Digital copy of the film and boasts over three hours of legacy bonus content, including commentary with director Rob Marshall and screenwriter Bill Condon, an extensive look at the film with cast and crew interviews, plus extended musical performances.  Bonus content is detailed below:

• Feature Commentary with director Rob Marshall and screenwriter Bill Condon
• Chicago in the Spotlight – A Retrospective with Cast and Crew
• Bringing Chicago to Life: Adapting the Broadway Musical to Film
• Developing the Screenplay: Collaborating with Bill Condon
• Casting the Movie: Finding Actors Who Can Sing and Dance
• The Extended Cast: The Great Dancers of Chicago
• Rehearsals: The Best of Times
• Rob Marshall: Born to Direct
• Marty Richards: In Remembrance
• Neil Meron and Craig Zadan: Renowned Musical Producers
• The Magicians Behind the Camera: Colleen Atwood - Dion Beebe - John Myhre
• The Best of Broadway: The Choreographers
• The Director's Cut: Musical History is Made
• The 75th Academy Awards: And the Oscar goes to…
• The 85th Academy Awards: A Walk Down Memory Lane
• The Relevance and Impact: The Aftermath of the Modern Day Musical
• Extended Musical Performances
• “And All That Jazz”
• “When You’re Good to Mama”
• “Cell Block Tango”
• “We Both Reached For The Gun”
• “Mister Cellophane”
• “All I Care About”
• “All I Care About” with Richard Gere
• “Nowadays” with Renée Zellweger
• “And All That Jazz” with Catherine Zeta-Jones
• “I Can’t Do It Alone” rehearsal
• “Nowadays/Hot Honey Rag” rehearsal
• “We Both Reached For The Gun” rehearsal
• “Cell Block Tango” rehearsal

 Steamboat Willie and nine other Walt Disney Animation Studios classic shorts will be available on home video next month on February 7 in celebration of Disney's 100th anniversary.

Celebrate 100 magical years of Disney with this collectible compilation of animated shorts! Mickey and Minnie share their memories in new introductions to these 10 wonderful stories, which have entertained generations of children and adults alike. Included is the iconic "Steamboat Willie," the first cartoon with synchronized sound, in which the character of Mickey Mouse was first introduced as a deckhand on a riverboat commanded by the tyrannical Captain Pete. Also included are "Brave Little Tailor," featuring Mickey as a medieval tailor given a daunting task. In "Mickey’s Delayed Date," the tardy mouse relies on his faithful pup Pluto to get him to a dance with Minnie. "Hawaiian Holiday" finds Mickey and his pals vacationing on a beautiful island. Then along with friends, Mickey and Minnie glide through a romantic date on a frozen river in "On Ice." And catch five more delightful stories in this legacy collection.

The Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy Combo Pack includes a 2.0 soundtrack with all-new introductions by Mickey and Minnie.

Mickey & Minnie: 10 Classic Shorts - Volume 1
 

Pre-orders should be available shortly but here is the full press release:

CELEBRATE 100 MAGICAL YEARS WITH MICKEY AND MINNIE!

Collect A Piece of Animation History When 

Mickey & Minnie 10 Classic Shorts – Volume 1

Arrives on Blu-ray™ and DVD February 7

BURBANK, CA (January 10, 2023) – Walt Disney Animation Studios today announced that Mickey & Minnie 10 Classic Shorts – Volume 1 will soon be available to audiences to enjoy at home. This new collection gathers together ten classic animated shorts for the first time, including the iconic “Steamboat Willie,” and features all-new introductions from Mickey and Minnie for each short.

This release is part of the planned releases coming in 2023 to celebrate Disney's 100th anniversary.

It will be available to purchase on Blu-ray and DVD from February 7. 

Film Synopsis

Celebrate 100 magical years of Disney with this collectible compilation of animated shorts! Mickey and Minnie share their memories in new introductions to these 10 wonderful stories, which have entertained generations of children and adults alike. Included is the iconic "Steamboat Willie," the first cartoon with synchronized sound, in which the character of Mickey Mouse was first introduced as a deckhand on a riverboat commanded by the tyrannical Captain Pete. Also included are "Brave Little Tailor," featuring Mickey as a medieval tailor given a daunting task. In "Mickey’s Delayed Date," the tardy mouse relies on his faithful pup Pluto to get him to a dance with Minnie. "Hawaiian Holiday" finds Mickey and his pals vacationing on a beautiful island. Then along with friends, Mickey and Minnie glide through a romantic date on a frozen river in "On Ice." And catch five more delightful stories in this legacy collection.

Product Specifications

Street Date

Physical: February 7, 2023

Product SKUs

Physical: Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + Digital Code) & DVD

Feature Run Time

Approx. 83 Minutes

Rating

Not rated

Aspect Ratio

Digital: 1.78:1

Physical: 1.78:1

U.S. Audio

Blu-ray: English 2.0 Dolby Digital, Spanish 2.0 Dolby Digital, French 2.0 Dolby Digital

DVD: English 2.0 Dolby Digital, Spanish 2.0 Dolby Digital, French 2.0 Dolby Digital

Digital: English 2.0 Dolby Digital, Spanish 2.0 Dolby Digital, French 2.0 Dolby Digital

U.S. Subtitles

Blu-ray: English SDH, Spanish, French

DVD: English SDH, Spanish, French

Digital: English SDH, Spanish, French (some platforms)

 Have you been nice this year? Did Santa bring you movies or new gear? How true they are, the "Twelve Pains of Christmas" by the talented Bob Rivers. At the close of this week, we countdown to 2023! Welcome to Volume 3 Episode 31 of our weekly release guide. A look at the highlights of what's coming to disc the week of December 25th - December 31st, as well as a look at announcements from last week.

4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Releases

 New releases this week starts out with Halloween Ends, which is available as a standard edition, a Walmart Exclusive and a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook. The Zavvi cover edition comes on January 16th. You can also get the trilogy (2018 - 2022) in a single package as well.

This one surprised me a bit, when the announcement dropped there was a lot of buzz. Talking about Terrifier 2, and the only way to get the 4K is from Best Buy. This might make me have to watch the first film to see what's up.

 Kino Lorber this week has Paul Newman's 1994 film Nobody's Fool, which is based on Richard Russo's novel by the same name.

Blu-ray Releases

 Blu-ray counterparts first, and this week it means every title above. Halloween Ends, the 2018-2022 trilogy, Terrifier 2 and Nobody's Fool.

 Anime highlights include Digimon Adventure Season 1, Goodbye, Don Glees!, Lupin the 3rd Farewell to Nostradamus, Project A-ko 3, Seven Days War - Movie and She Professed Herself a Pupil of the Wise Man - The Complete Season.

 LionsGate delivers a bio/drama titled Lamborghini. Yup, it's *that* Lambo.

 Mystery behind this one, from Universal, Prancer: A Christmas Tale. This one was supposed to be released December 27th, and right up til a few days ago, it was still listed as such. Now it is listed as a release date of November 29, so, a month ago. My joke was going to be "just in time for (50% off) Christmas (sales)."

 Honorable mention: If you got Nobody's Fool because you're a Newman fan, Kino Lorber has a blu-ray of Twilight (1998) to fill your Newman library.

 If you are OK with importing, Turbine Media has Knight Rider - 40th Anniversary Edition this Friday. There are enough differences with their set (including more discs/higher bitrate) to strongly consider this one. 

Announcements from last week:

Paramount has officially announced Dragonslayer for 4K SteelBook and standard editions with a date of March 21.

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?

The best of the classic sci-fi horror franchise, Cube Zero picks up three new limited edition Mediabooks from German label Turbine Medien. 
Just in time for Christmas, each cover option is limited to a run of 333 units, available December 16th!

This franchise was one of my favorites to pick up at the rental shop. The first Cube was a low-budget classic that did a lot with very little. Cube 2 was decent but it felt like a rehash. But then came the prequel, 2004's Cube Zero which has become a genuine sci-fi horror splatterhouse classic. It's gnarly good fun and I've been looking forward to diving back into this one and these Mediabook covers are pretty damn slick. Check 'em out:

Cube Zero - Mediabook Cover A
Limited to 333 units

Cube Zero - Mediabook Cover B
Limited to 333 Units

Cube Zero - Mediabook Cover C
Limited to 333 Units

Here's everything you're getting in the set:

Technical specifications:

• Language / sound: German DTS-HD MA 5.1, English DTS-HD MA 5.1, German DD 5.1, English DD 5.1
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1 (1080p24 Full HD), 1.78:1 (16:9 anamorphic, PAL)
• Subtitles: German, English
• Running time: 98 minutes

Bonus material:

• Audio commentary by director Ernie Barbarash*
• Making-of - Inside the Box (approx. 20 min., with German voice-over)
• Storyboard/film comparisons (approx. 4 min.)
• Music video, trailer (US & DE)
• 28-page book section by Tobias Hohmann on the history of the film including an interview with director Ernie Barbarash

Pre-orders are now live!

Thank you for your pre-orders - they really do go a long way towards keeping out little show up and running. 

Michael Knight, a lone crusader in a dangerous world. The world of The Knight Rider on Blu-ray in a new 23-Disc

40th Anniversary Complete Series Collection from German label Turbine Medien

Knight Rider 40th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray

David Hasselhoff and his supercar KITT ride off into the sunset dealing justice where ever they travel in new 23-Disc Blu-ray collection from Turbine. Limited to 3939 units, this expansive set gives fans all 90 episodes of the original 4 seasons spread out over 20 discs with a Blu-ray with over three hours of exclusive bonus features including interviews with various cast and crew. On top of that, Turbine is gassing up this set with the two follow-up TV films in SD Knight Rider 2000 and Knight Rider 2010 with another disc dedicated to the complete 23-episode run of Team Knight Rider in SD. In addition there will be a massive 332-page book (in German) giving a full episode guide as well as new interviews and trivia. Sadly due to licensing issues the 2008 Knight Rider series didn't make the cut. 

Here are some stills from the set - looking pretty good! 

Here's everything that's coming in the set:

Technical specifications:
Language / Sound: BD 1-20 (series): German & English - DTS-HD MA 2.0 - BD 21 (bonus material): English DD 2.0 - BD 22 (TV films): German & English - DD 2.0 - BD 23 (TEAM KNIGHT RIDER): German & English - DD 2.0
image format: BD 1-20: 4:3 - 1080p24 Full HD - BD 21-22: 4:3 SD - BD 23: 4:3 SD
Subtitles: BD 1-20: German & English for all episodes + bonus material - BD 21-22: German & English - BD 23: none
Running time: 5820 minutes

Bonus material:
+ TV films KNIGHT RIDER 2000* & KNIGHT RIDER 2010* (in SD)
+ TEAM KNIGHT RIDER Series (in SD)

+ Bonus Blu-ray with brand new world exclusive interviews and featurettes* (HD, approx. 3 hours):
- Stu Phillips (composer - approx. 11 min.)
- Steven E. de Souza (Producer & Writer - approx. 32 mins)
- Rebecca Holden (Actress - approx. 25 mins)
- Jack Gill (Stunt Coordinator & KITT Driver - approx. 34 mins)
- Tom Greene (Producer & Writer - approx. 50 min.)
- Deborah Davis (author - approx. 17 min.)
- Knightcon 2011 - words of welcome from Tom Greene (approx. 28 min.)
- myKITT.de - The fulfillment of a childhood dream (approx. 13 min.)
- Universal archive* (approx. 30 min.):
- Knight Rider - Under the hood (approx. 16 min.)
- Knight Stunts (approx. 6 min.)
- Knight Sounds (approx. 7 min.)
- Sketch Gallery (approx. 3 min.)
- Photo Gallery (approx. 3 min.)
+ Audio Commentary* on Pilot by David Hasselhoff and Glen A. Larson

+ 332-page book: Knight Guide to Series History
+ Design Concept Replica
+ 2 DIN A1 Posters
+ 5 Replica ID Cards (incl. Knight's driver's license & KITT's vehicle registration)
+ Artcard Set & Sticker
+ Limitation Certificate - strictly limited to only 3,939 pieces

*The Bonus material has optional German and English subtitles.

Number of discs: 23

Pre-orders are now live and you can order directly from the Turbine Shop HERE 

Thank you for your pre-orders, they really do go a long way toward keeping our little operation at High-Def Digest alive and running. 

   The horror double feature starring Corbin Bernsen will make its Blu-ray debut on January 24 which will also include a digital copy.

Where there’s a drill, there’s a way. Corbin Bernsen stars as homicidal dentist Dr. Alan Feinstone in these two horror favorites, available for the first time on Blu-ray™. In The Dentist, Beverly Hills dentist Dr. Feinstone seems to have the perfect, ordered life — until the discovery of his wife’s affair with the pool boy sends him off the deep end, unlocking the killer inside. The Dentist 2 finds the evil doctor in a maximum-security mental hospital…but not for long, as he escapes to a small town and turns his attentions to a new love interest and new victims.

Both films will include audio commentaries, isolated score selections w/audio interviews, interviews with cast and crew, trailers and still galleries.

The Dentist Collection
 

Order your copy today and here is the full press release:

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Both Abel Ferrara's 'R Xmas and J. Lee Thompson's The Evil That Men Do which will be limited to 1500 units and only available at Shout! Factory are now available for pre-order.

‘R Xmas (Shout! Factory Exclusive)
 

From the director of Bad Lieutenant comes a riveting tale of extortion, drugs, and greed! It's Christmastime in Manhattan, and one loving couple is leading a dual life: doting socialite parents by day ... and hard-hitting heroin dealers by night. Their dangerous life soon catches up with them when double-crossing dealers attempt to muscle in on the couple's reign over the local supply. When the husband (Lillo Brancato Jr., The Sopranos) is kidnapped, things spin out of control as the wife (Drea de Matteo, Sons Of Anarchy) is confronted with a heart-stopping ultimatum: pay a hefty ransom due in twenty minutes ... or face the unthinkable loss of her beloved.

Bonus Features

• Audio Commentary With Director Abel Ferrara
• Audio: 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio Stereo
• Theatrical Trailer

The Evil That Men Do (Shout! Factory Exclusive)
 

Charles Bronson is back in this tough-as-nails, hard-hitting action drama. Professional killer Holland (Bronson) is forced out of retirement to break a Central American government's political torture ring when one of his friends is assassinated. Posing as a journalist, Holland must stop the sadistic Dr. Molloch (Joseph Maher), the mastermind behind the political killings, to end his reign of terror once and for all. Theresa Saldana (Raging Bull) and José Ferrer (Cyrano De Bergerac, Dune) also star in this blistering saga of revenge from director J. Lee Thompson (The Guns Of Navarone).

Bonus Features

• R-Rated And Unrated Cuts Of The Film (1.78:1 – HD – Each Runs 90 Mins)
• TV Cut Of The Film (1.33:1 – Standard Definition With Alternate Footage – 96 Mins)
• Audio (All Versions): 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio Mono
• Theatrical Trailer

 The SRP for each release is $29.98 and they are limited to 1500 copies only available on ShoutFactory.com. Pre-order your copies today.

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Criterion isn't taking any time off in 2023 with five releases oncluding Richard Linklater's Dazed and Confused and Krzysztof Kielowski's Three Colors trilogy on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Two Films By Marguerit wth Duras, Franco Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet (1967) and Robert Townsend's Hollywood Shuffle. 

Starting things off on February 7, is a trio of films in Kieślowski's Three Colors  on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray.

This boldly cinematic trio of stories about love and loss, from Krzysztof Kieślowski, was a defining event of the art-house boom of the 1990s. The films are named for the colors of the French flag and stand for the tenets of the French Revolution—liberty, equality, and fraternity—but that hardly begins to explain their enigmatic beauty and rich humanity. Set in Paris, Warsaw, and Geneva, and ranging from tragedy to comedy, Blue, White, and Red (Kieślowski’s final film) examine with artistic clarity a group of ambiguously interconnected people experiencing profound personal disruptions. Marked by intoxicating cinematography and stirring performances by Juliette Binoche, Julie Delpy, Irène Jacob, and Jean-Louis Trintignant, Kieślowski’s Three Colors is a benchmark of contemporary cinema.

BLUE
In the devastating first film of Krzysztof Kieślowski’s Three Colors trilogy, Juliette Binoche gives a tour de force performance as Julie, a woman reeling from the tragic death of her husband and young daughter. But Blue is more than just a blistering study of grief; it’s also a tale of liberation, as Julie attempts to free herself from the past while confronting truths about the life of her late husband, a composer. Shot in sapphire tones by Sławomir Idziak, and set to an extraordinary operatic score by Zbigniew Preisner, Blue is an overwhelming sensory experience.

1993 • 98 minutes • Color • 5.1 surround • In French with English subtitles • 1.85:1 aspect ratio

WHITE

The most playful and also the grittiest of Krzysztof Kieślowski’s Three Colors films follows the adventures of Karol Karol (Zbigniew Zamachowski), a Polish immigrant living in France. The hapless hairdresser opts to leave Paris for his native Warsaw when his wife (Julie Delpy) sues him for divorce (her reason: their marriage was never consummated) and then frames him for arson after setting her own salon ablaze. White, which goes on to chronicle Karol’s elaborate revenge plot, manages to be both a ticklish dark comedy about the economic inequalities of Eastern and Western Europe and a sublime reverie on twisted love.

1994 • 91 minutes • Color • 5.1 surround • In French and Polish with English subtitles • 1.85:1 aspect ratio

RED

Krzysztof Kieślowski closes his Three Colors trilogy in grand fashion, with an incandescent meditation on fate and chance, starring Irène Jacob as a sweet-souled yet somber runway model in Geneva whose life dramatically intersects with that of a bitter retired judge, played by Jean-Louis Trintignant. Meanwhile, just down the street, a seemingly unrelated story of jealousy and betrayal unfolds. Red is an intimate look at forged connections and a splendid final statement from a remarkable filmmaker at the height of his powers.

1994 • 99 minutes • Color • 5.1 surround • In French with English subtitles • 1.85:1 aspect ratio

4K UHD + BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES

• New 4K digital restorations, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks
• One 4K UHD disc of each film presented in Dolby Vision HDR and one Blu-ray of each film with special features
• Three cinema lessons with director Krzysztof Kieślowski
• Interviews with cowriter Krzysztof Piesiewicz, composer Zbigniew Preisner, and actors Julie Delpy, Irène Jacob, and Zbigniew Zamachowski
• Selected-scene commentary featuring actor Juliette Binoche
• Video essays by film critics Annette Insdorf, Tony Rayns, and Dennis Lim
• Documentary from 1995 featuring Kieślowski
• Three short films by Kieślowski—The Tram (1966), Seven Women of Different Ages (1978), and Talking Heads (1980)—plus the short film The Face (1966), starring Kieślowski
• Interview programs on Kieślowski’s life and work, featuring Binoche, Insdorf, Jacob, film critic Geoff Andrew, filmmaker Agnieszka Holland, cinematographer Sławomir Idziak, producer Marin Karmitz, and editor Jacques Witta
• Behind-the-scenes programs for White and Red, and a short documentary on Red’s world premiere
• Trailers
• PLUS: Essays by film critics Colin MacCabe, Nick James, Stuart Klawans, and Georgina Evans; an excerpt from Kieślowski on Kieślowski; and reprinted interviews with cinematographers Idziak, Edward Kłosiński, and Piotr Sobociński 

Next hitting stores on the 14th is the 1968 adaptation of  Romeo and Juliet  from Franco Zeffirelli.

One of the great Shakespeare adaptations, this sublime take on the Bard’s immortal romantic tragedy by Franco Zeffirelli breathed new life into the oft-told tale by casting actual teenagers in the title roles. As the young lovers whose affair threatens to inflame the tensions between their feuding families in Renaissance Verona, Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting vividly capture the mix of adolescent ardor and turmoil that fuels their destiny-driven liaison. A sensory banquet thanks to Nino Rota’s delicate score and the exquisite, Oscar-winning costumes and cinematography, Romeo and Juliet is Shakespeare at its most deeply felt and passionately alive.

SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES

• New 4K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray
• Excerpt from the 2018 documentary Franco Zeffirelli: Directing from Life
• Interviews with actors Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting from 1967 and 2016
• Trailer
• English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• PLUS: An essay by scholar Ramona Wray

1968 • 138 minutes • Color • Monaural • 1.85:1 aspect ratio

A week later on the 21st comes  Dazed and Confused  on the 4K UHD Blu-ray format.

America, 1976. The last day of school. Bongs blaze, bell bottoms ring, and rock and roll rocks. Among the best teen films ever made, Dazed and Confused eavesdrops on a group of seniors-to-be and incoming freshmen. A launching pad for a number of future stars, the first studio effort by Richard Linklater also features endlessly quotable dialogue and a blasting, stadium-ready soundtrack. Sidestepping nostalgia, Dazed and Confused is less about “the best years of our lives” than the boredom, angst, and excitement of teenagers waiting . . . for something to happen.

DIRECTOR-APPROVED 4K UHD + BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES 

• New 4K digital restoration of the director’s cut, supervised and approved by director Richard Linklater and cinematographer Lee Daniel, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack
• One 4K UHD disc of the film presented in Dolby Vision HDR and one Blu-ray of the film with special features
• Audio commentary by Linklater
• Making “Dazed,” a documentary by Kahane Cooperman
• Rare on-set interviews and behind-the-scenes footage
• Footage from the ten-year-anniversary celebration
• Audition footage and deleted scenes
• Trailer
• English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• PLUS: Essays by critics Kent Jones, Jim DeRogatis, and Chuck Klosterman; reprinted recollections of the filming from cast and crew; and character profiles from the Dazed and Confused companion book; as well as the original film poster by Frank Kozik

1993 • 102 minutes • Color • 5.1 surround • 1.85:1 aspect ratio

 Two Films By Marguerite Duras  will be available on Blu-ray on the 24th.

Marguerite Duras had already established herself as one of the major figures of postwar French literature when she launched an equally fascinating and unclassifiable career in cinema, translating her elliptical, experimental style to the screen through an unprecedented fusion of hypnotic, highly stylized imagery and radically disjunctive sound. Boldly reimagining the possibilities of dialogue, music, silence, and architectural space, the tantalizing, sphinxlike evocations of soul-deep female malaise India Song and Baxter, Vera Baxter embody Duras’s singular multisensory approach, with each opening up new spaces for the expression of women’s interior worlds.

INDIA SONG
Marguerite Duras’s most celebrated work is a mesmerizing, almost incantatory experience with few stylistic precedents in the history of cinema. Within the insular walls of a lavish, decaying embassy in 1930s India, the French ambassador’s wife (Delphine Seyrig) staves off ennui through affairs with multiple men—with the overpowering torpor broken only by a startling eruption of madness. Setting her evocatively decadent visuals to a desynchronized chorus of disembodied voices that comment on and counterpoint the action, with India Song Duras creates a haunted-house movie unlike any other.

1975 • 119 minutes • Color • Monaural • In French with English subtitles • 1.37:1 aspect ratio

BAXTER, VERA BAXTER
Marguerite Duras reunited with India Song collaborators Delphine Seyrig and composer Carlos d’Alessio for Baxter, Vera Baxter, a hypnotically unsettling journey into one woman’s existential emptiness. Ensconced in a sprawling rental villa, the world-weary Vera Baxter (Claudine Gabay) receives visits from two women, including a mysterious stranger (Seyrig) to whom she recounts a shocking story about her marriage, the way she lives, and the reasons for her malaise. Setting her languid images to d’Alessio’s incongruously breezy, endlessly looping score, Duras fashions a quietly shattering portrait of marriage as a kind of prison.

1977 • 95 minutes • Color • Monaural • In French with English subtitles • 1.66:1 aspect ratio

SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES

• New 2K digital restorations, with uncompressed monaural soundtracks on the Blu-rays
• Marguerite as She Was, a 2003 portrait of director Marguerite Duras
• Interview from 1977 with Duras
• Excerpt from a 1977 documentary on actor Delphine Seyrig
• New English subtitle translation
• PLUS: An essay by film scholar Ivone Margulies

Finally and also on the 28th is the satire  Hollywood Shuffle  on Blu-ray.

This debut feature by Robert Townsend is an ingenious guerrilla satire that takes riotous aim at the typecasting of Black actors in 1980s Hollywood. The writer-director-star’s megawatt charisma propels Hollywood Shuffle, the hilarious tale of a struggling actor attempting to break into an industry where the only roles available to Black performers seem to be hustlers, butlers, slaves, and “Eddie Murphy types”—forcing him to choose between selling out and maintaining his self-respect. Lampooning everything from film noir to zombie flicks to Siskel and Ebert, Townsend and cowriter Keenen Ivory Wayans cannily turn the frustrations of the Black artist into a subversively funny pop-culture critique.

DIRECTOR-APPROVED BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES

• New, restored 4K digital transfer, approved by writer-director-actor Robert Townsend, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack
• New audio commentary featuring Townsend 
• New interviews with actors Rusty Cundieff, Anne-Marie Johnson, and Bobby McGee
• Radio program featuring Townsend in conversation with film critic Elvis Mitchell
• Trailer
• English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• PLUS: An essay by critic Aisha Harris

1987 • 81 minutes • Color/Black & White • Monaural • 1.85:1 aspect ratio

We will update links on the site as soon as pre-orders become available or if there are any release date changes.

Parker Finn's critically-acclaimed horror film starring Sosie Bacon will be available digitally on Paramount+ on November 15 with a 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray arriving in stores on December 13. Read the theatrical review here.   

Certified Fresh™ on Rotten Tomatoes®, critics called SMILE “haunting” (Erik Davis, Fandango) and “scary as hell” (Alyse Wax, Collider). The film stars Sosie Bacon as Dr. Rose Cotter who, after witnessing a bizarre, traumatic incident involving a patient, starts experiencing frightening occurrences that she can't explain. As an overwhelming terror begins taking over her life, Rose must confront her troubling past in order to survive and escape her horrifying new reality.

Both the Blu-ray and the 4K UHD packages include some featurettes, an audio commentary and deleted scenes as well as a Dolby Atmos soundtrack.

Smile - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray
 

Smile - Blu-ray
 

Preorder your copy now and the full press release is available below.

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Classic movie fans know her as the saucy Cockney scullery maid in Gaslight, the animated (in more ways than one) Mrs. Potts in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and most notably as the conniving, duplicitous, and diabolically manipulative mother of a brainwashed Laurence Harvey in The Manchurian Candidate. Broadway buffs cherish the memories of her Tony Award-winning turns as the boisterous, flamboyant Mame and lovably ghoulish meat pie maker Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. (I was so obsessed with this brilliant Stephen Sondheim musical as a teen, I saw her perform the role four times on Broadway and once on tour in Chicago.) And who could forget her 12 seasons as mystery writer-cum-intrepid sleuth Jessica Fletcher on CBS-TV’s massive hit Murder, She Wrote? The role earned her an Emmy Award nomination each and every year the show was on the air, but she never won - now that’s a crime!

Of course I’m talking about the legendary Angela Lansbury, one of the greatest and most beloved actresses ever to grace the big screen, small screen, and Broadway stage. Lansbury died last week just a few days shy of her 97th birthday, ending a career that spanned eight decades and more than 100 film and television appearances. She made her movie debut at age 17 in 1944’s Gaslight and continued working in multiple mediums until the very end of her life. (Her final film credit is the upcoming Knives Out sequel, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, to be released this November.) What’s more, she never gave a bad performance. She was nominated for three Oscars and a whopping 19 Emmys and won six Tony Awards and six Golden Globes. In 2014, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presented Dame Angela with an Honorary Oscar, calling her “an entertainment icon who has created some of cinema’s most memorable characters, inspiring generations of actors.”

Lansbury’s talent overshadowed her beauty, which Hollywood never properly recognized or appreciated. Often passed over for romantic leads, she almost instantly found her niche in much older character parts, all of which she attacked with customary relish. Most actresses would cringe at the prospect of playing middle-aged women and mothers of grown men while still in their 30s, but Lansbury never batted an eye. She was just three years older than Harvey when she played his mother in The Manchurian Candidate and just nine years older than Elvis Presley when she played his in Blue Hawaii (which is slated for a 4K UHD release next month). At age 32, Lansbury portrayed the long-time, fortysomething love of crotchety Orson Welles (who himself was playing a much older part) in The Long, Hot Summer, and at age 36, she played 24-year-old Warren Beatty’s mother in All Fall Down. (Interestingly, Eva Marie Saint, who portrays Beatty’s lover in the film, is a year older than Lansbury!) And only Cecil B. DeMille would be audacious enough to cast Hedy Lamarr, who was 11 years Lansbury's senior, as her younger sister in the blockbuster biblical epic Samson and Delilah.

Ever versatile and always authentic, unaffected, and believable, Lansbury played tough career women, waifs, temptresses, prim matrons, bawdy dames, combative wives, and kooky socialites with equal aplomb. She excelled in dramas, comedies (she made a fine foil for the rambunctious Danny Kaye in The Court Jester), and musicals (though sadly she was passed over for the film version of Mame in favor of a badly miscast Lucille Ball). Most importantly, Lansbury was a generous team player who shared the spotlight with her cast mates instead of stealing it from them. Her impeccable poise, steadfast commitment to her craft, unassuming elegance, and spot-on instincts not only improve every film in which she appears, they also engender respect and admiration and cultivate a love for this indomitable and endearing performer that transcends both her passing and the passage of time.

Below, in chronological order, are several of her noteworthy films that are currently available on Blu-ray:

GASLIGHT (1944) 

Lansbury nabbed a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination for her very first film, portraying a sassy Cockney maid who shamelessly flirts with a fiendish Charles Boyer while he attempts to drive his emotionally unstable wife (Ingrid Bergman) insane. Bergman walked away with a well-deserved Best Actress Oscar, but Lansbury, with her sullen demeanor and sly wiles, rivets attention whenever she pops up in this atmospheric and suspenseful thriller directed by George Cukor.

NATIONAL VELVET (1944) 

Twelve-year-old Elizabeth Taylor plays the title role in this heartwarming family flick about a plucky, horse-crazy young girl who dreams of riding her prized Pie in England's Grand National race, but Lansbury files a warm performance as her protective and supportive older sister. It's not much of a part, but Lansbury, as she would do throughout her lengthy career, makes the most of it.

THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY (1945) 

Another Best Supporting Actress Oscar nod came Lansbury's way for her heart-wrenching turn as the tragic Sybil Vane, who falls in love with the narcissistic, ne'er-do-well Dorian (Hurd Hatfield) and falls victim to his selfish manipulations. The classic Oscar Wilde story about a man who remains forever young while his portrait ages and reflects his moral decay gets a wonderfully creepy treatment from director Albert Lewin, who never sugarcoats the tale's myriad unsavory elements. Keep an eye out for Lansbury's mother, Moyna MacGill, an established actress in her own right, in a small role as a duchess.

THE HARVEY GIRLS (1946) 

Legend has it Lansbury, who portrays a sexy, scantily-clad saloon singer in director George Sidney's enormously successful tribute to the trailblazing Harvey House waitresses who tamed the Wild West, was booed by audiences for being mean - on screen, of course - to co-star Judy Garland. She and Garland, who plays the stereotypical good girl who clashes with Lansbury's voluptuous vixen, vie for the attention of saloon owner John Hodiak in this captivating musical that mixes romance, humor, and spectacle and features the rousing, Oscar-winning song "On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe." Though MGM let Lansbury sing the plaintive ballad "Good-Bye, Little Yellow Bird" in Dorian Gray, the studio chose to dub her vocals here.

STATE OF THE UNION (1948) 

Lansbury really sinks her teeth into the role of Kay Thorndyke, a powerful newspaper publisher who shamelessly promotes the political career of her married lover, Grant Matthews (Spencer Tracy), in director Frank Capra's slick, incisive adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Katharine Hepburn plays Grant's estranged wife, who puts aside her personal feelings to aid his campaign and ultimately reform and redeem his soul. Van Johnson, Adolphe Menjou, Lewis Stone, and Wicked Witch of the West Margaret Hamilton also star in this biting, topical satire that brims with Capra's trademark idealism, but it's Lansbury's fire-and-ice portrayal that really fuels the film and rivals the priceless chemistry between Tracy and Hepburn.

THE THREE MUSKETEERS (1948)

Though largely ornamental, Lansbury looks regal and lovely as Queen Anne, the sympathetic British monarch whose priceless jewels become a central plot point in this colorful, acrobatic adaptation of Alexandre Dumas' classic swashbuckler. MGM's opulent production boasts an all-star cast that also includes Gene Kelly, Lana Turner, June Allyson, Van Heflin, Frank Morgan, Vincent Price, Keenan Wynn, and Gig Young.

SAMSON AND DELILAH (1949)

The ravishing Hedy Lamarr steals everyone's thunder as the titular temptress in this mammoth biblical epic from producer-director Cecil B. DeMille, but once again, Lansbury contributes memorable work...before her character conveniently dies to pave the way for Delilah's devious doings. Released just before Christmas in 1949, Samson and Delilah was the top-grossing film of 1950 and remains a notable example of DeMille's legendary showmanship.

THE COURT JESTER (1955) 

Prior to this riotous romp starring the irrepressible Danny Kaye, Lansbury's comic talents went largely untapped, but the actress shows off her deft flair for daffy humor as Princess Gwendolyn in this rollicking farce about a minstrel who assumes the identity of a court jester to save his skin and the infant heir to the throne. Kaye's uproarious antics dominate the film, which also stars Glynis Johns, Basil Rathbone, Mildred Natwick, and Robert Middleton. Though it flopped when first released, The Court Jester has since garnered a lofty reputation and in 2004 was added to the prestigious National Film Registry.

THE LONG, HOT SUMMER (1958)

The first movie to co-star Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, this excellent adaptation of a William Faulkner tale focuses on bad-boy barn-burner Ben Quick (Newman) and his stormy relationship with the powerful but dysfunctional Varner family that rules a small Mississippi town. Lansbury portrays Minnie Littlejohn, the brassy, earthy mistress of portly patriarch Will Varner (Orson Welles) and the only person who can knock some sense into the gruff, irascible, and oh-so-stubborn mule. Though it resembles Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in many respects, director Martin Ritt's well-made film stands as an absorbing, often steamy drama that also features top-notch work from Anthony Franciosa, Lee Remick, and Richard Anderson.

THE RELUCTANT DEBUTANTE (1958)

As a gossipy, sly-as-a-fox socialite mounting an extravagant coming-out party for her teenage daughter, Lansbury shines in director Vincente Minnelli's sophisticated romantic comedy. Rex Harrison, Kay Kendall, and Sandra Dee are the top-billed stars of this frothy confection that chronicles a rebellious American teen's rocky introduction to high-toned British society, but Lansbury is one of the film's most colorful characters and she maximizes every screen moment.

THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE (1962)

Director John Frankenheimer's riveting adaptation of Richard Condon's frightening political thriller is hands down Lansbury's finest film and contains her most iconic and enduring portrayal. As the ruthlessly ambitious and domineering mother of a brainwashed Korean War POW (Laurence Harvey) who's programmed to be an assassin while in captivity and is activated upon his return home by a subversive U.S. political faction that plans to overthrow the government, Lansbury embodies insidious evil in a deft, nuanced performance that resonates long after the movie ends. As I wrote in my 2016 review of the Criterion Collection Blu-ray, "Lansbury...steals the show, crafting a bravura performance that was justly rewarded with a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination. (She lost to Patty Duke's Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker.) Rarely has villainy been portrayed so convincingly or with such calculated precision, making it impossible to concentrate on anyone else while she's on screen. Despite the fact she was only three years older than Harvey, their relationship as mother and son is utterly believable, and their interchanges crackle with tension. Eleanor is a part that easily could have been overplayed and transformed into a caricature, but Lansbury embraces and nails every nasty element, even outshining the magnificent Meryl Streep, who gamely tackled Eleanor in the 2004 remake." Also starring Frank Sinatra, Janet Leigh, Henry Silva, and James Gregory, The Manchurian Candidate might have seemed far-fetched a decade ago, but it feels eerily plausible today and still packs a devastating punch.

BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS (1970)

Lansbury's first Disney film is a delightful fantasy that combines live action and animation á la Mary Poppins and is packed with Oscar-winning special effects. As wannabe witch Miss Eglantine Price, who hopes to use her newfound skills to stop the Nazi bombing of Britain in World War II, Lansbury files a spritely, quirky portrayal that's a fun departure from her more traditional roles.

DEATH ON THE NILE (1978) 

This all-star adaptation of the famed Agatha Christie whodunit is vastly superior to Kenneth Branagh's recent remake and features Lansbury as the outrageously over-the-top romance novelist Salome Otterbourne, one of several passengers on an Egyptian river cruise who might be a killer. Dripping in garish jewelry and donning an array of lavish costumes, Lansbury contributes a priceless comic performance that outshines many of her estimable cast mates, including Peter Ustinov (as Hercule Poirot), Bette Davis, Maggie Smith, David Niven, and Mia Farrow.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (1991) 

As the empathetic, maternal teapot Mrs. Potts, Lansbury is the heart and soul of this enchanting animated Disney classic. The tale of a prince who's transformed into a beast and the humble country lass he imprisons in his castle may be as old as time, but Lansbury's touching rendition of the beautiful title song by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman is timeless and will now carry extra emotional weight following her passing.

 My oh my, where has the month already gone? In the Northern Hemisphere Fall Begins on Thursday. How has this month been to your wallets thus far?

 Welcome to Volume 3 Episode 18 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-

 This week the 4K disc category is pretty manageable, and there actually are no 'new' releases.

 Import Monday has the same exact movies that Domestic Tuesday but come with two differences, one that the import includes various articles of swag, such as a poster, lobby cards, or other such pack-ins, and two, there is no digital code. Weigh your options here.

 Crawl (Paramount Pictures) gets a Zavvi Exclusive Collector's Edition. A standard edition of Poltergeist, as well as the swag-filled Zavvi Exclusive SteelBook comes from Warner Bros. The Lost Boys has a swag-filled Zavvi Exclusive SteelBook too.

 Domestic Tuesday's counterpart titles include Crawl from Paramount Pictures.

 From Warner Bros, Poltergeist gets a standard case release as well as a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook. The Lost Boys carries from last week to this week with a standard case release and a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook.

 Still with Warner Bros, Batman: The Long Halloween gets a deluxe edition. This includes parts 1 & 2 as a single movie.

 Old Henry gets a 4K upgrade from Shout Factory.

 And finally, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull gets a general release SteelBook with the standard movie poster cover art, just like the predecessors.

 Next week looks infinitely worse than it really is. If you missed out on a lot of SteelBook releases, Sony is reprinting them and offering them up again, so it could still be pretty pricey. But there's a lot, including dead people, summer knowledge, hitmen in Ireland, how dare you, drummer boy, a norse god, and of course HG Wells' best known work.

Blu-ray releases-

 Blu-ray counterpart this week is just Batman: The Long Halloween, in case you had not bought the previous two releases.

 From Universal Pictures, an odd combination of genres, Comedy/Mystery/Thriller Vengeance debuts to disc this week.

 Anime highlights include Dragon Ball Super: Complete Series [Collector's SteelBook], Girls und Panzer das Finale - Part 3 and SHADOWS HOUSE - The Complete Season.

 TV On Disc: From Sony, Outlander: Season 6 comes as a standard edition and as a Limited Collector's Edition. From CBS, Walker: Season One (2021). Great time to put the Chuck Norris series on blu-ray (hint hint).

 Somewhere I read that Bruce Willis had retired, but it feels like every week has another film release or two with him in it. From Vertical Entertainment, this week it is in Wrong Place.

 Criterion Collection this week is offering Exotica, a title considered a psychological thriller. If that's not your thing, maybe Le Corbeau, a French drama/war film is.

 Looking for another shark movie? The Reef: Stalked comes via RLJ Entertainment. You know you wanted another one.

 The next classic film from Powerhouse Films' Indicator Series comes out this week with Orders To Kill.

 Honorable Mention: Out of print Twilight Time titles get another go, this time via Sandpiper Pictures. Look for Woody Allen's Bananas, Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex* (*But were afraid to ask) and Love and Death.

Notable announcements from last week:

 Raw Deal 4K [Import] starring Arnold Schwarzenegger has been pushed from this week to October 24th. This one has yet to even get a blu-ray release in the U.S., we can only hope right?

 Jordan Peele's Nope has been made official for disc release on October 25th.

 Criterion Collection has announced their December titles. Call me lost, I really cannot say for sure that I know any of them.

 Halo: Season One is getting a blu-ray, 4K disc as well as a 4K disc SteelBook edition November 15th. TV on 4K disc is always a good thing!

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?

The science fiction/horror from Academy Award winner Jordan Peele (Get Out, Us) stars Oscar-winner winner Daniel Kaluuya, Emmy-winner Keke Palmer, Oscar-nominee Steven Yeun, and Brandon Perea from The OA will hit home video on October 25 with an earlier arrivial on digital September 20.  

Fans of the film will find over 90 minutes of never-before-seen bonus features including a 56-minute immersive documentary (not included on the DVD) and Dolby Atmos soundtrack.

Jordan Peele reimagines the summer movie with NOPE, an expansive epic of uncanny science fiction. Following their father’s shocking death, Hollywood animal wrangler OJ (Kaluuya) and his sister Emerald (Palmer) begin observing unexplained phenomena on their vast Southern California ranch that leads them down an obsessive rabbit hole as they plot attempts to capture the mystery on camera. Along with a former child star turned family theme park ringmaster (Yeun) who neighbors the siblings, the pair’s efforts to chase the spectacle soon bring terrifying consequences and unimaginable horror. The result is a complex social thriller that unpacks the seeds of violence, risk and opportunism that are inseparable from the romanticized history of the American West … and from show business itself.

Nope - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray
 

Nope - Blu-ray
 

Nope 4K - SteelBook (Best Buy)
 

Nope 4K - SteelBook (Zavvi) 

Nope 4K Wal-Mart Exclusive
 

Pre-orders are now live - and thank you for those pre-orders! They really do go a long way towards keeping our little operation up and running. 

The full press release is available below:

SECRETS WILL BE REVEALED AND QUESTIONS WILL BE ANSWERED IN THE EXCLUSIVE BONUS CONTENT
INCLUDING A 56-MINUTE IMMERSIVE DOCUMENTARY
 
“A THRILLING SALUTE TO SPECTACLE”
– ROLLING STONE
 
“YOU WON’T BE ABLE TO LOOK AWAY”
– THE ATLANTIC
 
OWN IT ON DIGITAL SEPTEMBER 20, 2022
4K ULTRA HD, BLU-RAY^TM AND DVD OCTOBER 25, 2022
FROM UNIVERSAL PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT

Universal City, California, September 13, 2022 – Oscar^®-winning filmmaker Jordan Peele (Get Out, Us) unleashes his latest spine-tingling thriller with NOPE, a mysterious sci-fi pop nightmare available to own for the first time as a Collector’s Edition on Digital September 20, 2022 and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray^™ and DVD on October 25, 2022 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, this “spellbinder that keeps pushing boundaries” (Peter Travers, ABC News) will have you never looking at clouds the same way ever again. The exclusive Collector’s Edition comes filled with more than 90 minutes of never-before-seen bonus content, including a revealing documentary that dives deep into the film’s rich DNA and Peele’s extraordinary vision; an exploration into the conception, design and execution of entity “Jean Jacket”; deleted scenes, a gag reel and more taking audiences behind the scenes of the out-of-this-world adventure. 
 
Featuring an incredibly talented and dynamic ensemble cast, NOPE is written, directed and produced by Jordan Peele and showcases outstanding performances by Oscar^® winner Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out, Judas and the Black Messiah), Emmy^® Award winner Keke Palmer (Hustlers, Scream Queens), Oscar^® nominee Steven Yeun (Minari, The Walking Dead), Michael Wincott (Basquiat, What Just Happened) and breakout star Brandon Perea (The OA). 

Jordan Peele reimagines the summer movie with NOPE, an expansive epic of uncanny science fiction. Following their father’s shocking death, Hollywood animal wrangler OJ (Kaluuya) and his sister Emerald (Palmer) begin observing unexplained phenomena on their vast Southern California ranch that leads them down an obsessive rabbit hole as they plot attempts to capture the mystery on camera. Along with a former child star turned family theme park ringmaster (Yeun) who neighbors the siblings, the pair’s efforts to chase the spectacle soon bring terrifying consequences and unimaginable horror. The result is a complex social thriller that unpacks the seeds of violence, risk and opportunism that are inseparable from the romanticized history of the American West … and from show business itself.

With the purchase of NOPE on digital or disc, fans are eligible to earn points towards digital movies via the Universal All-Access Rewards program. Members can redeem their points for digital movies, swag and more!  For registration and details please visit www.MyUniversalRewards.com.
 
EXCLUSIVE BONUS FEATURES ON 4K UHD, BLU-RAY^TM, DVD & DIGITAL:

• SHADOWS: THE MAKING OF NOPE* - Unpack the meaning of NOPE with Jordan Peele. Secrets are revealed with this 56-minute immersion exploring the film’s unanswered questions, taking you on an intimate journey inside every aspect of production and offering a detailed look at Peele’s revolutionary filmmaking process.
• DELETED SCENES - Watch five unreleased scenes from NOPE
• GAG REEL - A highlight reel of bloopers and outtakes featuring main cast
• CALL HIM JEAN JACKET - The object of the Haywood siblings’ fascination is an entity known only as “Jean Jacket.” Filmmakers provide insights into the conception, design, and execution of this mysterious organism.

MYSTERY MAN OF MUYBRIDGE - A deep dive into THE HORSE IN MOTION by Eadweard Muybridge, its relationship to the Haywoods, and how it relates to the larger themes in NOPE.

• ^{*Not on DVD} 

 
FILMMAKERS:
Cast: Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, Steven Yeun, Michael Wincott, Brandon Perea
Casting By: Carmen Cuba _CSA
Music By: Michael Abels
Editor: Nicholas Monsour
Production Designer: Ruth De Jong
Director of Photography: Hoyte Van Hoytema _{ASC, FSC, NSC}
Executive Producers: Robert Graf, Win Rosenfeld
Produced By: Ian Cooper _p.g.a.
Written, Produced, and Directed By: Jordan Peele

TECHNICAL INFORMATION 4K UHD:
Street Date: October 25, 2022
Selection Number: 1000816017 (US) / 1000816025 (CDN)
Layers: BD 100
Aspect Ratio: 2.20:1 and 1.78:1 (Enhanced Aspect Ratio)
Rating: R for language throughout and some violence/ bloody images
Languages/Subtitles: English, French Canadian and Latin American Spanish
Sound: English (Dolby Atmos for Feature and Dolby Digital 2.0 for Bonus Content), French Canadian (Dolby Digital 5.1), Latin American Spanish (Dolby Digital Plus 7.1)
Run Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

TECHNICAL INFORMATION BLU-RAY^TM:
Street Date: October 25, 2022
Selection Number: 1000816016 (US) / 1000816024 (CDN)
Layers: BD 50
Aspect Ratio: 2.20:1 and 1.78:1 (Enhanced Aspect Ratio)
Rating: R for language throughout and some violence/ bloody images
Languages/Subtitles: English, French Canadian and Latin American Spanish
Sound: English (Dolby Atmos for Feature and Dolby Digital 2.0 for Bonus Content), French Canadian (Dolby Digital 5.1), Latin American Spanish (Dolby Digital Plus 7.1)
Run Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

 

 Anyone that follows some of the trade sites for disc media probably read that 4K discs just experienced their highest sales share ever. In a market that is contracting, that is overall good news. With all the good releases this month, what are you going to get? Are we going to set a new record this month too?

Welcome to Volume 3 Episode 17 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-

 By volume, this week is about the same as last week for 4K titles, but there appears to be more variety. Starting with import Monday first, Zavvi has an exclusive SteelBook of the 2021 action film Nobody, and just like so many other UK releases, it includes a bit of swag and a side load slip case to hold it all.

 There are two New Releases on Tuesday's docket, both titles were short-notice announcements. And even though September was already pretty crowded, the studios still decided to go for it anyway. First from Warner Bros., the 2022 biopic film Elvis. I've still not seen a Tom Hanks movie that I have disliked. Sure, he is not Elvis, but he's a supporting role.

 From Disney/Pixar comes Lightyear, and surprisingly this one has only two options, a standard release and a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook. No Target, No Walmart, and best I can tell, Zavvi is identical to Best Buy's. Maybe I will save a few bucks here. (When I can't decide, I tend to overspend.)

 On to catalog titles, and probably the best way to sort them out is by label. From Paramount, the steamy thriller Fatal Attraction starring Michael Douglas and Glenn Close. Well known slasher pic Friday the 13th debuts to 4K disc as well. The completionist in me says bring them all, but I sort of suspect they will do them one-by-one like the Scream films. The Addams Family (1991) also get a SteelBook repackage.

 Universal has got a single entry this week, Monty Python's The Meaning of Life. Which member of the Python cast is your favourite? <-- See what I did there?

 Sony Pictures brings 80's comedy Real Genius to 4K disc. Fond memories back when this came out have caused me to preorder this one!

 Still in the same decade, Warner Bros. offers up The Lost Boys as a standard edition and a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook. Moved to September 20th.

 Last, but certainly not least, Shout Select has the '86 drama/war film Platoon, and under the Scream Factory label, John Carpenter's The Fog, offered up in a standard package and a general release Limited Edition SteelBook Edition.

 Next week, voracious reptiles, literally channeling a TV, Batman sees pumpkins, Henry has aged and more.

Blu-ray releases-

 Let's do what we do every week, list and blu-ray counterparts of the above 4K release titles. From Warner Bros, the 2022 biopic Elvis sees blu-ray/dvd/digital combo pack. And from Disney/Pixar, Lightyear also sees the same type of combo pack. There are no retailer exclusives on the latter.

 Sony MOD is releasing 28 Days (2000) starring Sandra Bullock, Caught (1996) and A Weekend with Lulu.

 Under the standard Sony Pictures label comes Where the Crawdads Sing, based on the mystery novel of the same name.

 Warner Archive has got Abe Lincoln in Illinois (1940) for us this week.

 Cool World gets a long overdue release under the Shout Select label.

 Criterion Collectors should be looking for Take Out this week.

 TV on disc includes Eli Roth’s History of Horror: Season 3 from RLJ and  Lucifer: The Sixth & Final Season from Warner Bros.

 From Vertical Entertainment, the 2022 horror film Abandoned streets on Tuesday. In the drama category, look for The Forgiven (2021).  LionsGate has Cave Rescue, which is, as you guess, based on the event that happened recently in Thailand.

 Anime highlights include BACK ARROW - Part 2 and Saiyuki Gaiden: Complete Collection.

 Honorable mention: George A. Romero's The Amusement Park comes to us via RLJ Entertainment/Shudder Films.

Notable announcements from last week:

 Announcements keep happening and listings keep popping up, that is the way things should be.

 Kino Lorber has indicated a 4K disc release for Needful Things will be happening soon, likely late November is my guess.

 Paramount Presents' next title will be Blue Hawaii on 4K disc, the original listing indicated November 15th.

 To Kill a Mockingbird will be getting a 4K disc AND a 4K disc giftset on October 11th from Universal. I hope this is a sign of things to come, time and time again the UK gets a giftset with swag such as theater cards, book, etc and the US gets just a disc in a case. Hope you're all as excited as I am about this option.

 Universal is releasing 8 Mile to 4K disc and an exclusive SteelBook on the GRUV shop on November 8th.

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?

 First actual full week of September is upon us, pumpkin spice has been in the air a week or three, in our food and in our beer. We kind of did let you know that it is going to be a big month for 4K disc shoppers, this week is just a warm-up.

 Welcome to Volume 3 Episode 16 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-

 Let's roll! Actually, this week is not too bad for 4K shoppers, unless you are a big Star Trek fan. For me, that means it's bad! But before we do that, let's mention the single new release title first. Just like other recent titles from them, Universal chose to announce this one with practically zero notice. I haven't seen it myself but I have all of the others in the franchise on 4K disc. I have read that it was censored in China and they have also added a "Crime doesn't pay" message at the end, I'm referring to Minions: The Rise of Gru.

 Moving on to what is dubbed as "the final frontier", there are plenty'o Star Trek releases this week. Because it's logical to start at the beginning, let's start with Star Trek: The Motion Picture. The most complete edition is dubbed The Director's Edition The Complete Adventure and includes the theatrical, director's and the 1983 longer TV editions. For a breakdown of all three versions and their features, visit the link to read the review, then you can order it from there. If you're looking to add the Director's Edition which includes a new Atmos mix, a new Dolby Vision pass, and you do not care for the TV edition, the release simply labeled The Director's Edition is for you.

 Did you buy the original 4-movie collection and simply want Star Trek V: The Final Frontier and Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country? Yup, these links will send you that direction. As much as I hate to double-dip, mathematically, it might make sense to buy Star Trek: The Original Motion Picture 6-Movie Collection to get everything in one package (minus the TV version of The Motion Picture). Prefer singles for all the movies? Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home can be bought that way too, and all feature the movie poster artwork.

 Scream Factory has The Funhouse (1981) to help get in the mood for Halloween (and pumpkin spice).

 If you collect Criterion releases, or you're looking for a good flick,  Blow Out starring John Travolta can be part of your collection Tuesday.

 Semi-double-dip of 3:10 to Yuma comes out, but as one of those Best Buy Exclusive slipcover style SteelBooks. A Quiet Place - 2-Movie Collection is also available, two for the price of one, right?

Blu-ray releases-

 Thirty or so domestic release blu-ray titles this week. Just like we do every week, let's list the blu-ray counterparts of the above titles first.

 From Universal, Minions: The Rise of Gru, alternately there is a Target Exclusive to choose from, and lastly from Paramount, Star Trek: The Motion Picture (Director's Edition), Star Trek V: The Final Frontier and Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.

 Kind of a blu-ray counterpart, but new, Minions: 2-Movie Collection also comes via Universal. The 2022 comedy Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris is also available this week from Universal Pictures.

 LionsGate's entry this week is in the Thriller category with Paradise Highway.

 TV on disc this week includes Peacemaker: The Complete First Season (no order link yet, delayed??) and Young Sheldon: The Complete Fifth Season, both via Warner Bros.

 The Warner Archive label releases Rachel, Rachel this week as well.

 Anime highlights include Boruto: Naruto Next Generations - Set 13 (The Vessel), Magical Warfare: Complete Collection and RE-MAIN - The Complete Season.

 Honorable mention: Two out of print Vincent Price gems get reissued, with slipcovers this go round from Kino Lorber, they are The Oblong Box and Twice-Told Tales.

 Not leaving it there, Kino presents three 3-D Film Archive restorations packaged together and labeled as Paravision Dreams: The Golden Age 3-D Films of Pine and Thomas. Check out our review, buy your copy today. Kino Lorber keeps finding ways to take my money.

 Imprint Films' 'August' releases are available this Friday from Amazon;

 Sandpiper Pictures will be reissuing multiple Woody Allen titles in October/November, they're all titles that are all out of print Twilight Time releases.

 The cult favorite Pulp Fiction appears on track for a 4K release, word is it will be December 6th.

 Multiple Christmas Favorites will be getting 4K discs in November, check out our article here. Titles thus far include National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, A Christmas Story, The Polar Express, The Original Christmas Classics and Elf. Polar Express will also be getting a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook.

 Saturday Night Fever, and a bunch of Shout Factory titles have been announced for 4K as well, check out the article here.  Titles include The Company of Wolves, Rollerball, Used Cars, and Piranha.

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?