All “Star Wars” films come to 4K UHD Blu-ray March

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The remaining films in the “Star Wars” film franchise – so far – are all coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on March 31st it seems, via Disney, according to retailer listings. There will first be a very lavish, expensive box set available (seemingly exclusive) at retailer Best Buy called “The Skywalker Saga” (pictured above) which is now available for preorder. That Skywalker Saga set will include Episodes 1-9 of the films, as well as two Blu-ray Disc counterparts for each film, filled with bonus materials – yet to be detailed. Stay tuned for further details regarding this release as it develops.

Now, as of today, there also are most certainly individual releases for Episodes 1-7 coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on March 31st as well as the film “Rogue One – A Star Wars Story” (2016). It’s certainly worth noting that these titles are now all listed over at retailer Best Buy, individually. So, as you’d expect I’ll be listing the films coming out in theatrical chronological order with direct links to the Best Buy preorder listings – not yet functional but currently placeholder pages. UPDATED: I am now adding Amazon preorder listings to this post as they are getting listed.

NOTE: The final film in the Skywalker Saga (“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker”) has been announced officially, as you can read HERE in my previous news post regarding it. This story regarding the individual releases is still developing, so once again, stay tuned.

“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” 4K and Blu-ray

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The 2019 sequel “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” is officially coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray Disc on March 31st, via Disney. The film, directed by J.J. Abrams, starred Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Anthony Daniels, Naomi Ackie, Domhnall Gleeson, Richard E. Grant, Lupita Nyong’o, Keri Russell, Joonas Suotamo, Kelly Marie Tran, Ian McDiarmid, and Billy Dee Williams. Tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray include 2160p video in the 2.39:1 aspect ratio with HDR10 form of High Dynamic Range and Dolby Atmos sound. The technical specs for the Blu-ray include HD video in the 2.39:1 aspect ratio with DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 sound. Both releases will come in the form of a “combo pack” with the 4K getting its Blu-ray counterpart, the Blu-ray getting the DVD, and each getting a digital code (copy) of the film included. While it’s not yet available over at Amazon, stay tuned. However, you can now find the 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray available for preorder over at retailers Best Buy, Target, and Walmart.

The 4K release is going to be getting several exclusives at retailers. The exclusives will include a 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook over at Best Buy (pictured below), Target will get a 4K UHD Blu-ray Gallery Book (pictured below), and a 4K UHD Blu-ray Limited Edition will be exclusive over at Walmart (pictured below). You can click on the retailer names for links to preorder those exclusives.

The bonus materials set to be included on both the 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray are listed below.

  • The Skywalker Legacy – The story lives forever in this feature-length documentary that charts the making of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
  • Pasaana Pursuit: Creating the Speeder Chase – Dive into the making of the movie’s epic landspeeder chase and discover how this spectacular sequence was brought to the screen.
  • Aliens in the Desert – See what it took to create the Pasaana desert scenes, from the sheer scale and complexity of the shoot to its colorful details.
  • D-O: Key to the Past – Explore the ship that connects Rey to the mystery of her missing parents and get to know the galaxy’s newest, irresistible droid.
  • Warwick & Son – Warwick Davis, who played Wicket in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, dons the Ewok costume once more; this time joined by his son Harrison.
  • Cast of Creatures – The team behind the film’s memorable creatures reveal the puppetry, makeup, prosthetics and digital magic that bring them to life!
  • Digital Exclusive:
  • The Maestro’s Finale – Composer John Williams reflects on his body of work for the Star Wars saga and shares insights on scoring Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

* Digital bonus offerings may vary by retailer.

Further below, after the break, you can find even further details about the upcoming home video releases of this film via the official announcement.

Read more

Sam Mendes film “1917” on Blu-ray and 4K March

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The 2019 Sam Mendes directed Academy Award-winning film “1917” is officially coming to Blu-ray Disc and 4K UHD Blu-ray on March 24th, via Universal. The film, nominated for a total of 10 and winner of 3 Oscars, starred Dean-Charles Chapman, George MacKay, Daniel Mays, Andrew Scott, Mark Strong, Colin Firth, Richard Madden, and Benedict Cumberbatch. This film was very well-received by both critics and moviegoers as, at the time of writing, it carries a “Certified Fresh” rating over at Rotten Tomatoes.

UPDATE: This title has, as of today (2/21), been officially announced by Universal. The tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray includes 2160p video in the 2.39:1 aspect ratio, on a BD-100, in HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision forms of High Dynamic Range with Dolby Atmos sound. The tech specs for the Blu-ray include 1080p HD video in the 2.39:1 aspect ratio, on a BD-50, with Dolby Atmos sound. The bonus materials set to be included are listed below.

BONUS FEATURES ON 4K ULTRA HD, BLU-RAY:

  • The Weight of the World: Sam Mendes – Academy Award® winner Sam Mendes discusses his personal connection to World War 1.
  • Allied Forces: Making 1917 – Learn how the one shot, 360-degree format was executed and the pivotal role Academy Award® winner Roger Deakins served in bringing Sam Mendes’ vision to life.
  • The Music of 1917 – Composer Thomas Newman and filmmakers discuss the important role of the Academy Award®-nominated score.
  • In The Trenches – Go behind the scenes with the cast of 1917.
  • Recreating History – Filmmakers offer a detailed look at the production design challenges of recreating the First World War.
  • Feature Commentary with Director/Co-Writer Sam Mendes.
  • Feature Commentary with Director of Photography Roger Deakins.

Both releases will come in the form of a “combo pack” – as seen via artwork – with the 4K getting its Blu-ray counterpart, the Blu-ray getting a DVD and each getting a digital code (copy) of the film included. You can now find both the 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray Disc listed for preorder over at Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and Walmart. Lastly, it’s worth mentioning that retailer Best Buy will be getting an exclusive 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook release for the film (pictured below) which is also available for preorder. 1917_4k_steelbookFurther below, after the break, you can find the full announcement regarding the home video release of this film. Read more

2018 film “Wildlife” gets Criterion Blu-ray May

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wildlife_2018_criterion_bluray– Commissions Earned – 

The 2018 film “Wildlife“ starring Carey Mulligan and Jake Gyllenhaal is officially coming to Blu-ray Disc via The Criterion Collection on May 19th. The film, the directorial debut of actor Paul Dano (also co-writer of the screenplay), co-starred Ed Oxenbould, Bill Camp, Zoe Margaret Colletti, and Darryl Cox. The film was extremely well-received by the critics, and in fact, at the time of writing, this still carries a “Certified Fresh” rating over at Rotten Tomatoes. Tech specs for the Criterion Blu-ray include a new 2K digital master video presentation in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio with DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound. Spine #1031, the Criterion Blu-ray, is now available for preorder over at Amazon and directly via Criterion. Details about this release and bonus materials set to be included are listed below.

DIRECTOR-APPROVED SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES

  • New 2K digital master, with 5.1 surround DTS HD Master Audio soundtrack on the Blu-ray
  • New interviews with director Paul Dano, screenwriter Zoe Kazan, actors Carey Mulligan and Jake Gyllenhaal, cinematographer Diego García, production designer Akin McKenzie, and costume designer Amanda Ford
  • New conversation on the film’s postproduction with Dano, editor Matthew Hannam, and composer David Lang
  • Film at Lincoln Center conversation from 2018 between Dano and novelist Richard Ford about the film’s source material
  • PLUS: An essay by critic Mark Harris
  • New cover by Duncan Hannah

“The Great Escape” gets Criterion Blu-ray in May

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the_great_escape_criterion_bluray– Commissions Earned –

The 1963 film “The Great Escape“ is officially getting a new Blu-ray Disc release from The Criterion Collection on May 12th. The film, directed by John Sturges, starred Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, James Donald, Charles Bronson, Donald Pleasence, and James Coburn. This film is considered a classic, in fact, it’s currently (at the time of writing) rated #135 on the IMDb Top 250 movies. The upcoming Criterion Blu-ray will include a brand new 4K digital restoration in the original aspect ratio (OAR) of 2.35:1 with audio choices of the original uncompressed Mono and an Alternate DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix. You can find The Criterion Collection Blu-ray now listed for preorder over at Amazon as well as directly via Criterion. Details about the release and a list of the bonus materials set to be included on the release are listed below.

  • 4K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray
  • Alternate 5.1 surround soundtrack, presented in DTS-HD Master Audio on the Blu-ray
  • Two audio commentaries, one from 1991, featuring director John Sturges and composer Elmer Bernstein; the other, from 2004, featuring actors James Coburn, James Garner, and Donald Pleasence
  • New interview with critic Michael Sragow
  • “The Great Escape”: Heroes Underground, a four-part 2001 documentary about the real-life escape from the Stalag Luft III prisoner-of-war camp during World War II, including interviews with POWs held there
  • The Real Virgil Hilts: A Man Called Jones, a 2001 program on the United States Army Air Forces pilot David Jones, the inspiration for Steve McQueen’s character in the film
  • Return to “The Great Escape,” a 1993 program featuring interviews with Coburn, Garner, actors David McCallum and Jud Taylor, stuntman Bud Ekins, and McQueen’s son, Chad McQueen
  • Trailer
  • PLUS: An essay by critic Sheila O’Malley
  • New cover by Sean Phillips

Downey, Jr. as “Dolittle” on 4K and Blu-ray April

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dolittle_4k_titled– Commissions Earned –

The 2020 film “Dolittle” starring Robert Downey, Jr. is officially coming to both 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray Disc on April 7th, via Universal. The film, based on the story of “Dr. Dolittle” & directed by Stephen Gaghan, co-starred/featured the voice talents of Antonio Banderas, Michael Sheen, Jim Broadbent, Emma Thompson, Rami Malek, John Cena, Kumail Nanjiani, Octavia Spencer, Tom Holland, Craig Robinson, Ralph Fiennes, Selena Gomez, and Marion Cotillard. The tech specs for the 4K include video in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio with HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision forms of High Dynamic Range with Dolby Atmos sound. The tech specs for the Blu-ray include video in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio and DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 sound. Both releases will come in the form of a “combo pack” with the 4K getting a Blu-ray counterpart, the Blu-ray getting the DVD, and each including a digital code (copy) of the film. You can now find the 4K UHD Blu-ray and the Blu-ray both available for preorder over at Amazon. The bonus materials set to be included are listed below.

  • Talk to the Animals
  • RDJ & Harry: Mentor and Mentee
  • Becoming the Good Doctor
  • Antonio Banderas: Pirate King
  • The Wicked Dr. Medfly
  • A Most Unusual House
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