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Friday, 13 November 2015 16:16

Blu-ray News – A look back at Fantasia, reviews of Ikiru & Mr. Holmes, Tower Records doc & correct Army of Darkness replacement link

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We’ve got a couple things for you today...

First up, our own Michael Coate has just posted a new History, Legacy & Showmanship column featuring a look back at Disney’s animated classic Fantasia on the occasion of the film’s 75th anniversary. It includes a new interview with film historian Jeff Kurtti. Do give it a look.

Also today, we have a pair of new Blu-ray reviews: my thoughts on Lionsgate’s new Mr. Holmes, directed by Bill Condon and starring Ian McKellen as Sherlock Holmes. And we have Doogan’s thoughts on Akira Kurosawa’s terrific Ikiru, in honor of Criterion’s new Blu-ray release which streets on 11/24. Both films are terrific and the discs are well worth your attention. Enjoy the reviews.  [Read on here…]

In announcement news today, FilmRise has just set Colin Hanks’ new documentary All Things Must Pass: The Rise and Fall of Tower Records for Blu-ray and DVD release on 1/19. We hear it’s pretty terrific and if you loved Tower like we did, it’s a must see.

Speaking of documentaries, be sure to check out Jon Schnepp’s The Death of “Superman Lives”: What Happened? The film is running on Showtime right now, and you can get it on DVD and Blu-ray directly from Jon via his website. It’s a real hoot, believe me. Enjoyable, fascinating, and perfect for fans of comic book fare and genre films.

In other news, Vesuvio Entertainment has just released The Motels Live at the Whisky a Go-Go: 50th Anniversary Celebration on Blu-ray and DVD.

Dark Sky Films has set Deathgasm for BD and DVD release on 1/5.

Around the Net today, TimeLife has created a YouTube channel dedicated to The Carol Burnett Show, complete with full classic sketches and all kinds of great and rarely-seen content. Click here for that.

Also, it looks like Fox and Amazon have finally finished their little tiff: All of Fox’s X-Files BD SKUs are back up for pre-order on Amazon. The total for The Complete Series BD set is currently $269.98. We suspect it will go on sale again later this month.

The X-Files: The Complete Series (Blu-ray Disc)

Optoma HD37 1080p 3D DLP Home Theater Projector

Speaking of Amazon, are any of you guys looking for a great deal on a new 1080p 3D DLP home theater projector? Amazon has a nice Black Friday Deal today only on the Optoma HD37 for just $749 – that’s a whopping 63% off the regular $1999 retail price. You can see the unit above there.

Elsewhere around the Net, as some of you may know, director Alejandro Jodorowsky is currently working on his new crowd-funded film, Endless Poetry (Poesía Sin Fin). Shooting on the project is nearly complete, and now he’s working to raise the money he needs for post-production. All it takes is $20 and you can get your name in the credits. Plus, come on – it’s Jodorowsky for crying out loud! Here’s the link to his IndieGoGo campaign page for the project. And check out his appeal video below. Just listen to his passion for the project. Can I get a HELL yeah? That’s a man I’d back in a heartbeat. Go give it a look.

And finally today, Shout! Factory has provided us with a new contact form link (click here) for their Army of Darkness: Collector’s Edition BD replacement program. We’ve tested it and this is the correct form and it’s working too. So there you go. If needed, use personal code: AODREPLACE

All right, that’s all for this week. Have a great weekend and we’ll see you back here on Monday. Peace out!

Bill Hunt