The 2001 film A Beautiful Mind gets a 4K in February

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Cover of the movie 'A Beautiful Mind' featuring a man looking through blinds, with text displaying '4K Ultra HD', 'Russell Crowe', and 'Ed Harris'.
Commissions Earned

The 2001 film “A Beautiful Mind“ is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on February 3rd via Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Ron Howard directed the movie, which won four Academy Awards, including “Best Picture” and “Best Director.” It starred Russell Crowe, Ed Harris, Jennifer Connelly, Christopher Plummer, Paul Bettany, and Adam Goldberg.

The tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray include a 2160p video presentation in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) and Dolby Atmos sound, on a BD-100 disc. The release will be a 2-disc set, as a “combo pack,” with its Blu-ray Disc counterpart included, along with a digital code (copy) compatible with Movies Anywhere.

UPDATED: The 4K UHD Blu-ray is now available for preorder at Amazon and GRUV. The bonus materials included with the release are listed below.

  • Deleted Scenes
  • A Beautiful Partnership: Ron Howard & Brian Grazer
  • Inside A Beautiful Mind
  • Development of the Screenplay
  • Meeting John Nash
  • Accepting the Nobel Prize in Economics
  • Casting Russell Crowe & Jennifer Connelly
  • The Process of Age Progression
  • Creating the Special Effects
  • Scoring the Film
  • Feature Commentary with Director Ron Howard
  • Feature Commentary with Screenwriter Akiva Goldsman
  • Final Feature Comparisons
  • Creating of the Special Effects

The 2004 film Ray is coming to 4K in February

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Cover art for the film 'Ray' featuring Jamie Foxx's silhouette against a black background.
Commissions Earned

The 2004 film “Ray” is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on February 17th via KL Studio Classics [Kino Lorber]. The movie, directed by Taylor Hackford, won two Academy Awards, including “Best Actor in a Leading Role.” It starred Jamie Foxx, Regina King, Kerry Washington, and Clifton Powell. Its supporting cast included Bokeem Woodbine, Harry Lennix, Curtis Armstrong, Richard Schiff, Lorenz Tate, Terrence Howard, David Krumholtz, Wendell Pierce, Sharon Warren, and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor.

The movie has received a new 4K scan from the original 35mm camera negative, approved by Director Taylor Hackford. The tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray include a 2160p video presentation in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) and lossless sound, on a BD-100 disc. The audio format and configuration(s) have yet to be detailed by Kino Lorber, but stay tuned for an update. The 2-disc release will come as a “combo pack” with its Blu-ray Disc counterpart included.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray is not yet available for preorder at Amazon or Walmart, but stay tuned for an update on that very soon. In the meantime, you can preorder directly via the Kino Lorber website. The bonus materials included with this release are listed below, sorted by disc.

Disc 1 (4K UHD Blu-ray):

  • NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historian and Author Dwayne Epstein
  • Audio Commentary by Director Taylor Hackford

Disc 2 (Blu-ray):

  • NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historian and Author Dwayne Epstein
  • Audio Commentary by Director Taylor Hackford
  • Director’s Introduction (1:34)
  • Stepping Into the Part: Featurette (10:40)
  • Ray Remembered: Featurette (4:03)
  • The Women of Ray: Featurette (9:55)
  • The Filmmakers’ Journey: Featurette (9:22)
  • Ray: An American Story: Featurette (28:47)
  • A Look Inside Ray: Featurette (3:20)
  • 14 Deleted Scenes (with Optional Director’s Commentary) (27:36)
  • 9 Uncut Music Performances (25:33)
  • Theatrical Trailer (2:48)

Falling Skies: Complete Series on Blu-ray in January

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Blu-ray box set for the complete series of 'Falling Skies', featuring a man looking up with a serious expression and alien figures in the background.
Commissions Earned

The TNT original “Falling Skies: The Complete Series“ is coming to Blu-ray on January 6th via Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment. The show ran for five seasons and was executive-produced by Steven Spielberg, via Amblin Entertainment. It starred Noah Wyle, Drew Roy, Maxim Knight, Will Patton, and Sarah Carter.

The tech specs for the 10-disc Blu-ray set include a 1080p HD video presentation in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio and lossless Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround sound.

The Blu-ray set is now available for preorder at Amazon and MovieZyng. The bonus materials included are briefly listed below.

  • Over 11 Hours of Bonus Content
  • Exclusive Featurettes
  • Audio Commentaries
  • Character Interviews
  • Cast Interviews
  • Behind the Scenes Featurettes

The Whitest Kids U’Know’s Mars comes to Blu-ray

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Illustration for 'The Whitest Kids U Know's Mars' featuring a group of animated characters around a rocket, with one character looking surprised and others displaying various expressions.
Commissions Earned

The 2024 animated film “The Whitest Kids U’ Know’s Mars“ is finally coming to Blu-ray Disc on March 10th via Whole Grain Pictures, distributed by Media OCD. The final film by comedy troupe “The Whitest Kids U’ Know“ will get a home video release next year. This news is sure to please fans. Sevan Najarian produced and directed the film. It was written, produced by, and features the voice talents of Trevor Moore, Zach Cregger, Timmy Williams, Darren Trumeter, and Sam Brown.

The tech specs for the Blu-ray have not yet been fully detailed, but you can definitely expect a 1080p HD video presentation, likely in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio. The sound format has yet to be identified, but it is known to be in a 5.1 surround sound configuration. Stay tuned for an update on the sound format.

The Blu-ray is now available for preorder at Amazon. Also, you can preorder directly via the distributor [Media OCD] and receive a bonus slipcover. UPDATED: You can also preorder via distributor MVD Entertainment Group at the MVD Shop.

The bonus materials included with the release are listed below.

  • Audio commentary track with Whitest Kids and director Sevan Najarian
  • Deleted Scenes
  • Behind-the-scenes interviews
  • Production diary livestream archives
  • Original trailers

Below, after the break, you can find a teaser trailer for the movie on YouTube and Vimeo.

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The 1973 film Westworld comes to 4K in February

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Cover art for the movie 'Westworld', featuring a cowboy figure with a futuristic background that includes circuit patterns and a large sun.
Commissions Earned

The 1973 film “Westworld” is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray Limited Edition and Blu-ray Limited Edition on February 24th via Arrow Video. Michael Crichton wrote and directed the motion picture. It starred James Brolin, Dick Van Patten, Linda Gaye Scott, Victoria Shaw, and Yul Brynner.

The movie has received a brand new 4K restoration from the original negative. Tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray include a 2160p video presentation in a 2.39:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision (HDR10) form of high dynamic range. In terms of audio, both the 4K and Blu-ray versions will include a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound mix, as well as lossless 4-channel Stereo [in 2.0], Stereo 2.0, and 1.0 Mono mixes. Tech specs for the Blu-ray include a 1080p HD video presentation in a 2.39:1 aspect ratio with the same audio options.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray Limited Edition and Blu-ray Limited Edition are now available for preorder at Amazon. You can also preorder directly from Arrow Video’s website or the U.S. distributor MVD Shop. The bonus materials included with the Limited Edition releases are listed below.

  • Brand new audio commentary by filmmaker and film historian Daniel Kremer
  • Cowboy Dreams, a newly filmed conversation between actor Richard Benjamin and producer/screenwriter Larry Karaszewski
  • At Home on the Range, a brand new video interview with actor James Brolin
  • HollyWorld: Producing Westworld, a brand new video interview with producer Paul N. Lazarus III
  • Sex, Death and Androids, a brand new appreciation of the film by author and film scholar Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
  • On Location with Westworld, an archival behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film from 1973
  • Beyond Westworld, the 48-minute pilot episode of the 1980 follow-up television series
  • Theatrical trailer
  • Image gallery

Physical Extras:

  • Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Arik Roper
  • Collectors’ perfect bound booklet featuring new writing on the film by David Michael Brown, Priscilla Page, Paul Anthony Nelson, and Abbey Bender
  • Double-sided fold-out poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Arik Roper
  • Six postcard-sized artcards

You can find a glimpse at those physical extras below.

Promotional image of the 4K UHD Blu-ray Limited Edition and Blu-ray Limited Edition of the film 'Westworld', featuring the movie cover art, a disc, a booklet, and postcard-sized artcards.
4K UHD Blu-ray Limited Edition

The 1988 film The Big Heat comes to 4K in February

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Cover art for 'The Big Heat' in 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray, featuring four men dressed in black suits with a city backdrop.
Commissions Earned

The 1988 film “The Big Heat” is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on February 10th via Hong Kong Cinema Classics / Shout! Studios. The movie was co-directed by Yeung-Wah Kam, Johnnie To, and Hark Tsui [uncredited]. It starred Waise Lee, Matthew Wong, Kwok Tsui, and Lo King Wah. It co-starred Chu Kong, Stuart Ong, Mak Tsu Han, Peter Lai, and Joey Wong. This will be spine number 27 in the HKCC (Hong Kong Cinema Classics) line.

This comes from a new 4K scan of the original camera negative. Tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray include a 2160p video presentation in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible), accompanied by lossless Cantonese and English (dubbed) DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono sound. The release will come as a 2-disc “combo pack” with its Blu-ray Disc counterpart included.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray is now available for preorder at Amazon and GRUV. The bonus materials for the release are listed below, sorted by disc.

Disc 1 (4K UHD Blu-ray):

  • NEW Optional English Subtitles Newly Translated for This Release
  • NEW Audio Commentary with Author and Critic David West

Disc 2 (Blu-ray):

  • NEW Optional English Subtitles Newly Translated for This Release
  • NEW Audio Commentary with Author and Critic David West
  • NEW Big Shot!: Interview with Actor Waise Lee Speaks
  • NEW The Heat Is On: Interview with Academic Gilbert Po
  • NEW Hot In Hong Kong: Interview with Critic James Mudge
  • Theatrical Trailer

RUMOR: Ben-Hur comes to 4K SteelBook in February

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4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook edition of 'Ben-Hur' featuring a collectible case and three discs, with artwork depicting a scene from the film.
Commissions Earned

The 1959 epic “Ben-Hur” is reportedly coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook on February 24th via Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment, according to retailers. It will also come to the UK on February 27th. William Wyler directed the film. It starred Charlton Heston, Haya Harareet, Jack Hawkins, Stephen Boyd, and Hugh Griffith. It co-starred Martha Scott, Cathy O’Donnell, Sam Jaffe, Finlay Currie, and Frank Thring.

This features a 4K restoration, as previously seen at a TCM film festival. The tech specs and info about the bonus materials have yet to be detailed. However, it is known that the movie will be split up across two 4K UHD Blu-ray Discs and include a Blu-ray Disc for extras, making it a 3-disc set. You’ll have to wait until there’s an official announcement, though, for more details. There is no word on whether a digital code (copy) of the film will be included with the release or not. And, it should be noted that the artwork (above) is only temporary.

It seems that a standard 4K UHD Blu-ray release will be coming as well, according to a Barnes & Noble listing and a Zavvi listing. Those listings, however, do feature an incorrect [US] release date. It also seems a 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook Collector’s Edition will be coming as well, possibly stateside, according to a Zavvi listing. Preorder listings are now showing for the UK version, which will be released on 2/27 (as mentioned). In fact, that’s where the first hint at the US release date came from.

You can find the 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook available for preorder at Amazon, GRUV, and Walmart.

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