It’s A Wonderful Life is getting a 4K SteelBook

Posted on by
its_a_wonderful_life_4k_steelbook_flat– Amazon Commissions Earned –

The 1946 classic Frank Capra film “It’s A Wonderful Life“ starring James Stewart is getting a 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook release on November 17th, via Paramount. This film has previously been released, last year, on the 4K format. You can find 4K screenshots of it here.

UPDATE: The release date for this 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook of the film has been pushed back by a total of two weeks from its originally slated release. To avoid confusion, I’ll only be mentioning the new updated release date here.

The film co-starred Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, Henry Travers, and Beulah Bondi. The tech specs for the release include Black & White restored 2160p 4K video with Dolby Vision and HDR10 forms of High Dynamic Range and Dolby TrueHD Mono sound. The release will come with a Blu-ray Disc of the colorized version of the film, and a digital code (copy) of the film. You can now find the 4K SteelBook is available for preorder over at Amazon. The bonus materials set to be included on the release are identical to those on the original 2019 4K and consist of the following on the 4K UHD Blu-ray Disc:

  • “Restoring a Beloved Classic” [in 4K]
  • “Secrets from the Vault”
  • “It’s A Wonderful Wrap Party”

Below, you can find a glimpse at the contents of this limited edition 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook version of the film which includes a mini reproduction of a vintage film poster.

its_a_wonderful_life_4k_steelbook

Further below, after the break, you can find the official announcement regarding this SteelBook release of the film on 4K UHD Blu-ray, as well as info about the restoration the film originally received.

Read more

1989 film DeepStar Six on Blu-ray in October

Posted on by
deepstar_six_special_edition_bluray– Amazon Commissions Earned –

The 1989 film “DeepStar Six“ is coming to Blu-ray Disc on October 13th via KL Studio Classics. The film, directed by Sean S. Cunningham, starred Greg Evigan, Nancy Everhard, Taurean Blacque, Nia Peeples, Matt McCoy, Cindy Pickett, Marius Weyers, and the late Miguel Ferrer. Tech specs for the release have not yet been detailed, however, it is presumed that it will be presented in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio in 1080p HD with a lossless sound mix. You can find the Blu-ray listed for preorder over at Amazon. As of today, KL Studio Classics has officially announced an updated set of bonus materials set to be included on this release. Below you can find a list of those bonus materials, physical extras, and further details.

  • Audio Commentary with Director Sean S. Cunningham and Visual Effects Supervisor James Isaac
  • Audio Commentary with Screenwriters Lewis Abernathy and Geof Miller
  • Isolated Score Selections and Audio Interview with Composer Harry Manfredini
  • From the Deep – Interviews with Creature Effects & Special Make-up Designer Mark Shostrom, Creature Supervisor Greg Nicotero and Creature Artist Robert Kurtzman
  • The Survivors – Interviews with Actors Greg Evigan and Nancy Everhard
  • Water Damage – An Interview with Stunt Coordinator Kane Hodder
  • Extended Vintage Interview Clips
  • Behind-the-Scenes Footage
  • Original EPK
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • TV Spot
  • Image Gallery
  • Limited Edition O-Card
  • Reversible Art
  • Dual-Layered BD50 Disc
  • Optional English Subtitles

2019 Scorsese film The Irishman on Blu-ray November

Posted on by
the_irishman_criterion_bluray– Amazon Commissions Earned –

The 2019 “The Irishman“ film directed by Martin Scorsese is officially coming to Blu-ray Disc on November 24th via The Criterion Collection. The movie originally debuted both in theaters and streaming on Netflix, and it was nominated for 10 Academy Awards (“Oscars”). The Irishman starred Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, as well as co-starred Harvey Keitel, Ray Romano, Bobby Cannavale, Anna Paquin, and Stephen Graham. The Criterion Blu-ray will feature a “new 4K digital master, approved by director Martin Scorsese” in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio (presented in 1080p HD) with Dolby Atmos sound. Right now, you cannot yet find the Blu-ray available for preorder over at Amazon but stay tuned for an update on that. You can now however find the Blu-ray available for preorder directly from The Criterion Collection website. Details about the release and the bonus materials can be found listed below.

  • New 4K digital master, approved by director Martin Scorsese, with Dolby Atmos soundtrack on the Blu-ray
  • Newly edited roundtable conversation among Scorsese and actors Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci, originally recorded in 2019
  • New documentary about the making of the film featuring Scorsese; the lead actors; producers Emma Tillinger Koskoff, Jane Rosenthal, and Irwin Winkler; director of photography Rodrigo Prieto; and others from the cast and crew
  • New video essay written and narrated by film critic Farran Smith Nehme about The Irishman’s synthesis of Scorsese’s singular formal style
  • The Evolution of Digital De-aging, a 2019 program on the visual effects created for the film
  • Archival interview excerpts with Frank “the Irishman” Sheeran and International Brotherhood of Teamsters trade union leader Jimmy Hoffa
  • Trailer and teaser
  • PLUS: An essay by critic Geoffrey O’Brien
  • New cover by Gregory Manchess

EDITORIAL NOTE: First off, yes, I know the movie itself actually aired in 4K Ultra HD with HDR (high dynamic range) on Netflix but we’re not receiving a 4K physical release here for yet another title from Criterion. That’s pretty much a sign that Criterion really has no plans for releasing to the 4K UHD Blu-ray format, at least anytime soon. I hate that, but it is still great to see this film getting a physical release, and from the folks at The Criterion Collection, nonetheless — even if it is only in 1080p, as it is. It is what it is. Yes, I just went there. I’ll end this by stating the obvious: it’s 2020 and I think that it’s about time that maybe Criterion got with the whole 4K UHD Blu-ray game.

1979 film Mad Max is coming to 4K in November

Posted on by
mad_max_4k_slipcover– Amazon Commissions Earned –

The 1979 film “Mad Max“ starring Mel Gibson will officially be coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on November 24th via KL Studio Classics. The film, directed and co-written by George Miller, co-starred Joanne Samuel, Hugh Keays-Byrne, and Steve Bisley.

UPDATE: The tech specs for the release have now been unveiled. The 4K presentation will come with both HDR10 and Dolby Vision forms of High Dynamic Range. There will be Australian 5.1 and 2.0 lossless Mono sound mixes, as well as U.S. English dubbed 2.0 lossless Mono audio. This release will be presented on a BD100 (100 gigabytes) disc. You can now find the 4K UHD Blu-ray listed for preorder over at Amazon. Bonus materials set to be included on the release are detailed below.

Disc 1 (4K):

  • Audio Commentary with Art Director Jon Dowding, Cinematographer David Eggby and Special Effects Artists Chris Murray & Tim Ridge

Disc 2 (Blu-ray):

  • Interviews with Stars Mel Gibson & Joanne Samuel and Cinematographer David Eggby
  • Audio Commentary with Art Director Jon Dowding, Cinematographer David Eggby and Special Effects Artists Chris Murray & Tim Ridge
  • Mel Gibson: Birth of a Superstar
  • Mad Max: The Film Phenomenon
  • Theatrical Trailers
  • TV Spots
  • TRAILERS FROM HELL with Josh Olson
  • Radio Spots
  • NEW – ROAD RAGE: NEW Interview with Director George Miller

UPDATE: KL Studio Classics has just announced they will be adding the following 30-minute interview with the film’s director George Miller, listed above as the last feature on Disc 2.

 

EDITORIAL NOTE: This marks the second 4K UHD Blu-ray release from the folks at KL Studio Classics, with the first being “Hannibal“ that they released last year. That turned out to be one amazing 4K release and one can certainly expect that this will be as well. I’m honestly very glad to see this distributor announcing yet another 4K release. In fact, in regards to 4K UHD Blu-ray, they also tweeted another tweet as well as hinting at a 2021 release for yet another film: Michel Gondry‘s “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind“ (2004) — featuring a new 4K restoration. No specific release date or details yet regarding that film but it’s just great to see that Kino Lorber is embracing the 4K physical format.

1999 film The Haunting on Blu-ray in October

Posted on by
the_haunting_1999_paramount_presents_bluray_flat– Amazon Commissions Earned –

The 1999 film “The Haunting“ is officially coming to Blu-ray Disc on October 20th via Paramount Presents. This release will be spine number 10 in the Paramount Presents line. The film, based on the novel by Shirley Jackson & directed by Jan de Bont, starred Liam Neeson, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Owen Wilson, and Lili Taylor. The movie has received a new 4K transfer that was supervised by the director (as seen quoted below), however, tech specs for the release have not yet been fully detailed.

“The limited-edition Paramount Presents Blu-ray Disc™ is presented in collectible packaging that includes a foldout image of the film’s theatrical poster, and an interior spread with key movie moments.  Newly remastered from a 4K film transfer supervised by Jan de Bont, THE HAUNTING Blu-ray also includes a new Filmmaker Focus with the director, access to a Digital copy of the film, as well as a the previously released vintage behind-the-scenes featurette hosted by Catherine Zeta-Jones, and original trailers.”

the_haunting_1999_paramount_presents_blurayAbove, you can see the full package art and disc for this release. Stay tuned for an update on the tech specs. It is known that the release will come with a digital copy of the film, something new to the Paramount Presents titles. You can now find the Blu-ray is available for preorder over at Amazon. The bonus materials set to be included on the release are listed below.

  • Filmmaker Focus: Director Jan de Bont on The Haunting                     
  • Behind-the-Scenes Featurette
  • Theatrical Teaser
  • Theatrical Trailer

Further below, after the break, you can find the full info regarding this upcoming release of the film.

Read more

2005 film V for Vendetta comes to 4K in November

Posted on by
v_for_vendetta_4k– Amazon Commissions Earned –

The 2005 film adaptation of “V for Vendetta” starring Natalie Portman and Hugo Weaving is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on November 3rd, via Warner, according to sources. The film, directed by James McTeigue & based on the graphic novel (of the same title), had a screenplay adapted by The Wachowskis — Lana Wachowski & Lilly Wachowski — best known for both writing & directing “The Matrix” (1999). The film co-starred Stephen Rea, Stephen Fry, Rupert Graves, Tim Pigott-Smith, and John Hurt. The standard 4K UHD Blu-ray release will come in the form of a “combo pack” meaning that it will come with its Blu-ray Disc counterpart and a digital code (copy) of the film.

UPDATE: the standard 4K UHD Blu-ray is now listed for preorder over at Amazon.

Now, the reason that I kept calling that version the standard 4K is because there will also be an exclusive 4K UHD Blu-ray Giftset available over at Amazon which is already up and available for preorder (pictured below). This exclusive gift set seems to include not only cool packaging but also a collectible booklet about the film itself.

v_for_vendetta_4k_giftsetUPDATE: Just as I had speculated, there will be a 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook exclusive to retailer Best Buy available for this film (pictured below) which is now listed for preorder.

v_for_vendetta_4k_steelbookFinal UPDATE: This title has now been officially announced and you can find more information in another post HERE on the site.

2020 film Most Wanted on Blu-ray in September

Posted on by
most_wanted_bluray_tilted– Amazon Commissions Earned –

The 2020 film “Most Wanted“ — inspired by a true story — is officially coming to Blu-ray Disc on September 22nd via Paramount. The film, directed by Daniel Roby, stars Antoine Olivier Pilon, Jim Gaffigan, and Josh Hartnett. The release will come with a digital code (copy) of the film. Tech specs for the release include a 1080p HD video presentation with DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 sound. No bonus materials are set to be included on this Blu-ray release. You can now find the Blu-ray available for preorder over at Amazon.

Further below, after the break, you can find the full official announcement regarding the home video release of this film.

Read more

« Older Entries Recent Entries »