Displaying items by tag: Bill Hunt

All right, we’ve got a trio of new reviews for you today, plus some big release news...

First, I’ve given Duncan Jones’ Source Code a look on 4K Ultra HD from Lionsgate and Summit Entertainment, featuring Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision HDR. I’ve also reviewed Scott Cooper’s western Hostiles on 4K Ultra HD, also from Lionsgate. Both are well worth your time.

And Tim Salmons has given Shout! Factory’s new Mystery Science Theater 3000: Season 11 a spin on Blu-ray Disc, featuring 14 new episodes (Reptilicus, Cry Wilderness, The Time Travelers, Avalanche, The Beast of Hollow Mountain, Starcrash, The Land That Time Forgot, The Loves of Hercules, Yongary: Monster from the Deep, Wizards of the Lost Kingdom, Wizards of the Lost Kingdom II, Carnival Magic, The Christmas That Almost Wasn’t, and At the Earth’s Core). Don’t miss it! [Read on here...]

All right, we’re kicking off the new week with some release news today before we get busy with Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD review work...

First up, Lionsgate has set Spinning Man for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 6/12, starring Guy Pierce, Pierce Brosnan, and Minnie Driver. They also have the comedy Valentina’s Wedding (La Boda De Valentina) coming on DVD only on 5/8.

Universal has set The Strangers: Prey at Night – Unrated for Blu-ray and DVD release on 6/12, with the Digital release expected on 5/22. Universal is also releasing The Purge, The Purge: Anarchy, and The Purge: Election Year as 4K Ultra HD single editions on 6/12. These were previously only available in The Purge: 3-Movie Collection on the format. We’ve updated the 4K Ultra HD Release List here at The Bits accordingly.

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has set Black Lightning: The Complete First Season for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 6/26. Also coming from the studio on DVD and Digital only on 6/12 is Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz: Emerald City – Season One, Volume Two. [Read on here...]

This is just a quick heads-up to let you all know that the Mission: Impossible films are becoming available for pre-order on Amazon in 4K Ultra HD with a street date of 6/26 (SRP $31.99 each).

They’re 2-disc sets, which would include the 4K disc and also the previous Blu-ray. We don’t yet have an official announcement with details from them yet, though we can safely presume they’ll also come with Digital Copy and all the legacy BD extras.

Up for pre-order now are:

• Mission: Impossible
• Mission: Impossible 2
• Mission: Impossible III
• Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol
• Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation

Click on the title links above to visit their respective Amazon pre-order pages. The listings don’t yet specifically indicate 4K UHD but the price point ($31.99 is the same as the studio’s 4K price for Braveheart and Gladiator) and 2-disc configuration both strongly suggest it.

We’ve updated the 4K Ultra HD Release List here at The Bits accordingly, and we’ll post final cover art when it’s available.

Stay tuned…

- Bill Hunt

(You can follow Bill on social media at these links: Twitter and Facebook)

We have just a couple things for you today, but first a quick recommendation…

If you’re a fan of Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, you really owe it to yourself to pick up a copy of Michael Benson’s new book on the making of the film, Space Odyssey. I’m only about a quarter of the way through it, but it’s incredibly comprehensive and filled with interesting and surprising revelations and insights on the production. I can’t recommend it more highly. You can find it here on Amazon.

Also today, we’ve updated the Release Dates & Artwork section with all the latest Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD cover artwork and Amazon.com pre-order links. As always, anytime you order through our links you’re helping us to continue our work here at The Bits and we appreciate it! [Read on here...]

All right, we’ve got a pair of new Blu-rays for you today and some mighty release news…

First, Tim has turned in a look at Robert Altman’s Images (1972) on Blu-ray from Arrow Academy for you all to check out.

And I’ve checked in with my thoughts on Fabulous Film’s new Region B Blu-ray box set of Northern Exposure: The Complete Series, which features all 110 episodes in HD with the original uncut music (at long last). Unfortunately, there seems to be no U.S. (Region A) release planned, so you’ll need an all-region capable Blu-ray player to take advantage of it.

I’ll also be checking back in later today with at least one more review of a 4K Ultra HD title, with more on the way soon. So be sure to watch for those. [Read on here...]

We’re kicking off the new week with a new Blu-ray review and some announcement news too. First up, that review...

Our own Tim Salmons has checked in with his thoughts on Scream Factory’s new Limited Edition Steelbook Blu-ray release of John Carpenter’s Assault on Precinct 13. Do check it out and watch for more reviews tomorrow.

Speaking of Scream Factory, the company has officially announced the extras you’ll find on their Of Unknown Origin Blu-ray on 5/22. Look for a new 2K scan from the interpositive, 3 new featurettes (The Origins of Unknown Origin, That Rat Movie, and Hey, Weren’t You in Scanners?), audio commentary director George P. Cosmatos and actor Peter Weller, theatrical trailers, and a still gallery.

In announcement news today, Paramount has revealed that they’re re-releasing Trading Places on Blu-ray on 6/12 in honor of its 35th anniversary. The same day, they’re also re-issuing Coming to America on the format in honor of its 30th anniversary. All the legacy extras will carry over and this time the discs will include a Digital Copy as well. [Read on here...]

All right, just a quick one today with some news and a couple items of interest...

First, Warner Bros. has officially announced Clint Eastwood’s The 15:17 to Paris for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 5/22, with a “4K Digital” release due on 5/1. Yes, it appears the studio has decided not to release an actual 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray version of this one. Extras on the Blu-ray will include 2 featurettes (Making Every Second Count and Portrait of Courage). You can see the cover artwork at left and below.

Warner has also set Alex & Me for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 6/19, with the Digital release expected on 6/12. Extras will include 3 featurettes (Getting to Know Alex, Aspire to Inspire: Success in Hard Work, and Soccer, Script to Set: A Playbook on Alex & Me) and an outtake. [Read on here...]

All right, big release news today...

As we first reported was coming a few weeks ago here on The Bits, HBO has just officially announced the 4K Ultra HD release of Game of Thrones: The Complete First Season on 6/5. The discs will include Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos object-based audio. You can see the cover artwork at the left and below. The package will include all 10 episodes in Ultra HD with the previous BD bonus features in their original HD, plus a Digital copy code.

That bonus content includes: Animated Histories, Anatomy of an Episode, Cast Auditions, Making of Game of Thrones, Characters Profiles, Creating the Show Open, From the Book to the Screen, The Night’s Watch, Creating the Dothraki Language, and 7 episode Audio Commentaries with the cast and crew. [Read on here...]

All right, the big news today – which has come as quite a shock to A/V enthusiasts – is that Oppo Digital has announced that they’re no longer going to be making new hardware, including 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray players and audiophile headphones and amps. The company will continue supporting existing hardware with firmware updates and technical support, as needed.

There’s no reason given on their official statement announcing the move (see this page on their website) beyond the following: “From now on, OPPO Digital will focus our main effort on organizing and ensuring long term support for the existing generation of products. As such, we will not have the resources to develop and release new generations of products.”

What does this mean? Well, for one thing, it means that if you want an Oppo 4K player, you’d better act fast while supplies last. Because in a few months they’ll be selling for big bucks on the secondary market. [Read on here...]

We’re starting today with four new disc reviews, including looks at Lionsgate and Summit’s Knowing and Sony’s Across the Universe in 4K Ultra HD by me (with our late great friend and Bits family member Barrie Maxwell), as well as Tim’s take on MVD’s Black Eagle: Special Edition and AGFA and Something Weird’s The Violent Years on Blu-ray. Enjoy!

Also today, we have an update on Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. Warner Bros. has now officially announced (see this link) that the film is returning to theaters for a limited run in 70mm starting on 5/18 in honor of its 50th anniversary. The 4K Ultra HD pre-order page was recently pulled down from Amazon and now we know why: The street date had been listed as 5/8, but the title is now slated to arrive this fall, after the theatrical run. Both the 70mm return to theaters and the 4K release are being presented by director Christopher Nolan. [Read on here...]