The 2012 film “Looper” is officially coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on February 15th, 2022 via Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. The film, written & directed by Rian Johnson, starred Bruce Willis, Joseph-Gordon Levitt, Emily Blunt, Paul Dano, Noah Segan, Piper Perabo, Garret Dillahunt, and Jeff Daniels. It’s also most definitely worth noting that this film, still to this day, is “Certified Fresh” over at Rotten Tomatoes.
The film has received a new 4K scan that was “reviewed and approved by the filmmakers” — according to the press release. The tech specs for the release include a 2160p video presentation in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision and HDR10 forms of high dynamic range and a new director-approved Dolby Atmos sound mix, along with the original DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless surround sound. The release will come in the form of a “combo pack” meaning that it will include its Blu-ray Disc counterpart as well as a digital code (copy) of the film. You cannot yet find the 4K UHD Blu-ray available for preorder over at Amazon or any other retailers, but stay tuned for an update on that. The bonus materials set to be included on the release include nothing but the previous Blu-ray extras, listed below.
Feature Commentary with Director Rian Johnson, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Emily Blunt
Looper: The Future From the Beginning — Making-of Featurette
22 Deleted Scenes with Commentary
Scoring Looper
The Science of Time Travel Featurette
Looper Animated Trailer
Further below, after the break, you can find the trailer for the film and the full announcement regarding the 4K physical release here in the United States of the film. And, yes, I know this has been previously released on the 4K format in the United Kingdom but this will mark the first time it has been available in North America.
The 1996 John Carpenter film “Escape from L.A.“ starring Kurt Russell is officially coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on February 22nd, 2022 via Paramount Home Entertainment. The film, sequel to “Escape from New York” (1981), co-starred Steve Buscemi, Peter Fonda, Pam Grier, Stacy Keach, Cliff Robertson, A.J. Langer, and Bruce Campbell.
The tech specs for the 4K release include a 2160p video presentation in the 2.39:1 aspect ratio with HDR10 and Dolby Vision forms of high dynamic range and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless surround sound. The release will include a digital code (copy) of the film. You can now find the 4K UHD Blu-ray available for preorder over at Amazon. Sadly, it appears that the only extra set to be included with the release is the original theatrical trailer — according to the press release.
Further below, after the break, you can find the full announcement regarding this 4K release of the film.
The 1985 Dario Argento film “Phenomena“ starring Jennifer Connelly is officially coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on March 8th, 2022 via Synapse Films, in conjunction with Arrow Video. The film, co-written, produced, and directed by Dario Argento, co-starred Daria Nicolodi, Fiore Argento, Fiorenza Tessari, Dalila Di Lazzaro, Patrick Bauchau, and Donald Pleasence. MAJOR NOTE: This will be a limited edition set and only 6000 will be produced.
The movie has received a new 4K restoration for “all three versions of Phenomena, including the original Italian version (116 mins.), the International cut (100 mins.), and the U.S. “Creepers” cut (83 mins.).”
The tech specs for the release include a 2160p 4K video presentation in the 1.66:1 (matted) aspect ratio spanning across a 2-disc set. The first 4K UHD Blu-ray disc will contain the Italian version of the film, and the second 4K UHD Blu-ray disc will contain the International and “Creepers” versions. Now, the audio here for the 3 different versions of the film is going to have a lot of options, including multiple English and the Italian language mixes in lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 Stereo configurations as well as PCM 1.0 Mono in a few instances. As it gets a bit complex, I’ve noted all of the audio mixes included for all 3 different versions below with the subtitles offered as well.
Lossless Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and PCM 2.0 stereo soundtracks, derived from the original 4-channel Dolby Stereo elements
Lossless English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and PCM 2.0 stereo soundtracks on the international version, derived from the original 4-channel Dolby Stereo elements
Lossless English PCM 1.0 mono soundtrack on Creepers, mastered from the original 3 track DME magnetic mix
Rare alternate 2.0 stereo mix on the international version, featuring different sound effects and music cues
Lossless English PCM soundtracks on Creepers, mastered from the original 3 track DME magnetic mix and presented in two variants: 1.0 mono and an alternate 2.0 mix with stereo music
English subtitles for the Italian soundtrack
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing for the hybrid soundtrack
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
You can now find the 4K UHD Blu-ray available for preorder over at Amazon. And you can expect that price to drop some, as it’s the MSRP (list price). Remember, Amazon offers a preorder price guarantee. In fact, you can also find the 4K UHD Blu-ray available for preorder over at online retailer DiabolikDVD for a considerable bit cheaper. That said, I’d expect Amazon will drop to that price or be forced to match it.
The release will come only with the 4K UHD Blu-ray, and bonus materials will be included on it, which are listed further below along with physical extras (pictured first below).
Limited edition slipcase packaging designed by artist Wes Benscoter
Reversible sleeve artwork
Collector’s booklet featuring liner notes from Mikel J. Koven, Rachael Nisbet and Leonard Jacobs
Fold-out poster
A set of lobby card reproduction artcards
Audio commentary by Troy Howarth, author of Murder by Design: The Unsane Cinema of Dario Argento (on Italian Version)
Of Flies and Maggots, a feature-length 2017 documentary produced by Arrow Films, including interviews with co-writer/producer/director Dario Argento, actors Fiore Argento, Davide Marotta, Daria Nicolodi and others…
U.S. theatrical trailer and radio spots for ‘Creepers’
Original Italian and international theatrical trailers
“Jennifer” music video, directed by Dario Argento
Japanese pressbook gallery
Audio commentary on the international version by Argento scholar and author Derek Botelho and film historian, journalist and radio/television commentator David Del Valle
The Three Sarcophagi, a visual essay by Arrow producer Michael Mackenzie comparing the different cuts of Phenomena
The 1997 comedy “Liar Liar“ will be getting a “25th Anniversary Edition”Blu-ray Disc release on January 18th, 2022 via Shout Select (Shout! Factory). The film, directed by Tom Shadyac, starred Jim Carrey, Maura Tierney, Justin Cooper, Cary Elwes, Anne Haney, Jennifer Tilly, Swoosie Kurtz, Jason Bernard, and Amanda Donohoe. This will be spine number 127 in the Shout Select line.
The tech specs for the Blu-ray include a 1080p HD video presentation in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless surround and 2.0 Stereo sound. You can now find the Shout Select Blu-ray available for preorder over at Amazon as well as directly through Shout! Factory’s website. The bonus materials set to be included with this release are listed below.
NEW “In Session: Looking Back At The Writing of Liar Liar”
NEW “The Cases For Comedy: Looking Back At The Cast of Liar Liar”
Deleted Scene
Outtakes
Feature Commentary With Director Tom Shadyac
“Bridging The Comedy Chasm”
Theatrical Trailer
Further below, after the break, you can find the full announcement about this upcoming release of the film.
The 1981 horror film “The Howling“ is officially coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on February 15th, 2022 via Scream Factory (Shout! Factory) in a “Collector’s Edition” form. The film, directed by Joe Dante, starred Dee Wallace, Dennis Dugan, Patrick Macnee, Christopher Stone, Belinda Balaski, Kevin McCarthy, John Carradine, and Slim Pickens.
The tech specs have not yet been fully detailed but you can expect a 2160p video presentation in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio with HDR10 (and possibly Dolby Vision) form(s) of high dynamic range from a 2021 4K restoration by StudioCanal — approved by director Joe Dante. The bonus materials for the release are listed below.
DISC ONE (4K UHD)
NEW 2021 4K Restoration By StudioCanal, Approved By Director Joe Dante
Audio Commentary With Director Joe Dante And Actors Dee Wallace, Christopher Stone, And Robert Picardo
Audio Commentary By Author Gary Bradner
DISC TWO (BLU-RAY)
NEW 2021 4K Restoration By StudioCanal, Approved By Director Joe Dante
Audio Commentary With Joe Dante, Dee Wallace, Christopher Stone And Robert Picardo
Audio Commentary By Gary Bradner
“Fun. Fur. Film.” – An Interview With Dee Wallace
“Howling’s Eternal” – An Interview With Executive Producer Steven A. Lane
“Cut To Shreds” – An Interview With Editor Mark Goldblatt
Interview With Co-Writer Terence H. Winkless
Interview With Stop Motion Animator David Allen
“Unleashing The Beast: The Making Of The Howling” – Vintage Featurette
“Making A Monster Movie: Inside The Howling” – Vintage Featurette
Deleted Scenes With Optional Commentary
Outtakes
Horror’s Hallowed Grounds – A Look At The Film’s Original Locations
Theatrical Trailer
Trailers From Hell – Writer Josh Olson On The Howling
Still Gallery
As you can tell, the release will come in the form of a “combo pack” with the 4K getting its Blu-ray Disc counterpart. You can now find the 4K UHD Blu-ray available for preorder over at Amazon. You also can preorder the 4K UHD Blu-ray directly via ShoutFactory.com where you’ll receive a poster (while supplies last). Stay tuned for any further updates on the release later on.
RUMOR time, folks. It appears that the 2021 film “Last Night in Soho” is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray Disc on January 18th, 2022 via Universal Studios Home Entertainment, according to a retail source. The film, co-written & directed by Edgar Wright, stars Thomasin McKenzie, Matt Smith, Michael Ajao, and Anya Taylor-Joy.
The tech specs and bonus materials for the releases have not yet been detailed, as it has not even officially been announced by the studio. So, I’m only considering this a rumor until it is officially announced. However, as mentioned, one dependable source is indicating the aforementioned release date on physical media. Both releases it appears will come in the form of a “combo pack” meaning the 4K will include its Blu-ray counterpart, the Blu-ray will include its DVD counterpart, and each will come with a digital code (copy of the film). You can now find the 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray both available for preorder over at Amazon. And, just in case Amazon decides to remove the release date, I’ve decided to take screenshots of each listing.
Below, after the break, you can find the trailer for the film.
The 1980 horror film “Alligator“ is officially coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on February 22nd, 2022 via Scream Factory (Shout! Factory), in the form of a “Collector’s Edition” release. The film, directed by Lewis Teague, starred Robert Forster, Robin Riker, Michael V. Gazzo, Dean Jagger, Jack Carter, Sydney Lassick, Perry Lang, and Henry Silva.
The tech specs and bonus materials for the release have not yet been announced, but stay tuned for an update later on. It is known that the release will come in the form of a 3-disc “combo pack” meaning you’ll get a Blu-ray Disc counterpart as well as another Blu-ray likely entirely filled with extras (bonus materials). Across those, you’ll get two different cuts of the film.
UPDATE #1: You can now find the 4K UHD Blu-ray available for preorder over at Amazon. Also, you can still find the 4K UHD Blu-ray available for preorder directly via ShoutFactory.com for now, where you will receive a poster as an added bonus.
It’s also worth noting that the film’s sequel “Alligator II: The Mutation“ (1991) will be getting a Blu-ray Disc release on February 22nd, 2022 as well, via Scream Factory.
Further below, after the break, you can find a short announcement from the distributor about the upcoming release of the film.
Amazon Commissions Earned
