A Simple Plan comes to 4K and Blu-ray in November

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The 1998 film “A Simple Plan” is officially coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray Disc in Limited Editions on November 19th via Arrow Video. The film, directed by Sam Raimi, starred Bill Paxton, Billy Bob Thornton, Bridget Fonda, Brent Briscoe, and Gary Cole. It’s worth noting that this film is “Certified Fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes.

The movie has received a new 4K remaster from the original negative, approved by director Sam Raimi. Tech specs for the 4K release include a 2160p video presentation in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision and HDR10 forms of high dynamic range and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround and 2.0 Stereo lossless sound. The tech specs for the Blu-ray include a 1080p HD video presentation in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio with DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround and 2.0 Stereo lossless sound. You can now find the 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray Limited Editions available for preorder at Amazon. The 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray Limited Editions are also available directly for preorder via Arrow Video’s website. The Limited Edition 4K and Blu-ray sets will include an illustrated collector’s booklet and reversible sleeve (4K version pictured below).

Below is a list of the bonus materials and physical extras to be included with the Limited Edition sets.

  • Brand new audio commentary by critics Glenn Kenny and Farran Smith Nehme
  • Brand new audio commentary by production designer Patrizia von Brandenstein with filmmaker Justin Beahm
  • Of Ice and Men, a newly filmed interview with cinematographer Alar Kivilo
  • Standing Her Ground, a newly filmed interview with actor Becky Ann Baker
  • Dead of Winter, a newly filmed interview with actor Chelcie Ross
  • On-set interviews with Paxton, Thornton, Fonda, Raimi, and producer Jim Jacks
  • Behind-the-scenes footage
  • Theatrical trailer
  • Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Matt Griffin
  • Illustrated collectors’ booklet featuring new writing on the film by Bilge Ebiri and an excerpt from the book The Unseen Force: The Films of Sam Raimi by John Kenneth Muir

1973 film Paper Moon on Criterion 4K and Blu-ray

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The 1973 film “Paper Moon” is officially coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray Disc on November 26th via The Criterion Collection. The film, directed by Peter Bogdanovich, starred Ryan O’Neal, Tatum O’Neal, Madeline Kahn, John Hillerman, P.J. Johnson, and Jessie Lee Fulton.

The movie has received a new 4K digital restoration. The tech specs for the release include a 2160p Black & White video presentation in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision and HDR10 forms of high dynamic range and LPCM Uncompressed Mono sound. The 4K release will come as a “combo pack” with its Blu-ray Disc counterpart included. You can find the 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray available for preorder at Amazon or any other retailers but stay tuned for an update. The 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray are also available to preorder directly via Criterion’s website. The bonus materials set to be included with the releases are listed below.

  • Audio commentary featuring director Peter Bogdanovich
  • Introduction to the film by Bogdanovich
  • New video essay by Bogdanovich biographer Peter Tonguette
  • Three-part making-of documentary featuring Bogdanovich, production designer Polly Platt, associate producer Frank Marshall, and cinematographer László Kovács
  • Archival interview with Platt
  • Excerpts from a 1973 episode of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson featuring Bogdanovich and actors Ryan and Tatum O’Neal
  • Trailer
  • English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
  • PLUS: An essay by critic Mark Harris
  • New cover by Raphael Geroni

Rules of Engagement on 4K and Blu-ray in October

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The 2000 film “Rules of Engagement” is officially coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray and Special Edition Blu-ray Disc on October 22nd via KL Studio Classics. The film, directed by William Friedkin, starred Tommy Lee Jones, Samuel L. Jackson, Guy Pearce, Ben Kingsley, Bruce Greenwood, Anne Archer, Philip Baker Hall, and Blair Underwood.

The movie has received a new 4K scan of the original master and then a brand new HDR master (on 4K). The tech specs for the 4K release include a 2160p video presentation in the 2.39:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision and HDR10 forms of high dynamic range and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround and 2.0 Stereo lossless sound, on a BD-100 disc. Tech specs for the Blu-ray Special Edition include a 1080p HD video presentation in the 2.39:1 aspect ratio and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 lossless sound. The 4K release will come as a “combo pack” with its Blu-ray Disc counterpart included. The 4K UHD Blu-ray and Special Edition Blu-ray are now available for preorder at Amazon. You’ll also find that the 4K UHD Blu-ray and Special Edition Blu-ray are available for preorder directly from Kino Lorber’s website. The bonus materials set to be included with the releases are listed below.

  • Audio Commentary with Director William Friedkin (on 4K and Blu-ray)
  • A Look Inside: Interviews with Cast and Crew (13:08)
  • Behind-the-Scenes Featurette (22:35)
  • Theatrical Trailer (2:22)

The 1959 film North by Northwest is coming to 4K

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According to retailers, the 1959 film “North by Northwest” is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray and 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook on November 19th via Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment. The film, directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starred Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, James Mason, Jessie Royce Landis, Leo G. Carroll, Philip Ober, Adam Williams, and Martin Landau.

The tech specs and bonus materials for the 4K release(s) have not yet been announced but stay tuned for an update. The 4K releases will both include a digital copy. The 4K UHD Blu-ray and 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook (pictured below) are now available for preorder at Amazon. You can also find the 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook available for preorder at online retailer GRUV.

The 1974 comedy Blazing Saddles is coming to 4K

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The 1974 comedy “Blazing Saddles” is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray and 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook via Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment on November 19th, according to retailers. The film, directed & co-written by Mel Brooks, starred Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder, Slim Pickens, Harvey Korman, and Madeline Kahn.

The tech specs for the 4K release include a 2160p video presentation in the 2.39:1 aspect ratio with HDR10 form of high dynamic range and Dolby Atmos sound. The release will come with a digital copy. You can now find the 4K UHD Blu-ray and the 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook (pictured below) available for preorder at Amazon. You can also find the 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook available for preorder at online retailer GRUV.

The following bonus materials will be included on the 4K disc.

  • Inappropriate Inspiration: The Blazing Saddles Effect
  • Scene-Specific Commentary by Mel Brooks
  • Blaze of Glory: Mel Brooks’ Wild, Wild West
  • Back in the Saddle
  • Additional Scenes

The 2024 film MaXXXine gets a 4K and Blu-ray in October

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According to retailers, the 2024 film “MaXXXine” is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray Disc on October 8th via Lionsgate. The movie from A24 studios, written & directed by Ti West, stars Mia Goth, Charley Rowan McCain, Elizabeth Debicki, Giancarlo Esposito, Moses Sumney, Kevin Bacon, Michelle Monaghan, and Halsey. It’s certainly worth noting that the film is “Certified Fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes.

The tech specs and bonus materials for the 4K and Blu-ray have yet to be detailed but stay tuned for an update. It is known that the 4K and Blu-ray will both come as a “combo pack” with the 4K getting its Blu-ray Disc counterpart and the Blu-ray getting its DVD counterpart. Each release will include a digital copy. You can now find the 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray available for preorder at Amazon.

Further below, after the break, you can find the film trailer.

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The Sixth Sense and Signs come to 4K in October

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The films “The Sixth Sense” (1999) and “Signs” (2002) are both officially coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on October 22nd via Hollywood Pictures and Touchstone Pictures (Disney). The films were both written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan. “The Sixth Sense” starred Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, Toni Collette, Olivia Williams, and Donnie Wahlberg. “Signs” starred Mel Gibson, Joaquin Phoenix, Rory Culkin, Abigail Breslin, and Cherry Jones. Notably, “The Sixth Sense” is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Below is some information about the restoration process the movies have received.

“The original negatives for both films were scanned at 4K resolution and restored in High Dynamic Range (HDR).”

The tech specs for The Sixth Sense on 4K include a 2160p video presentation in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio with HDR10 form of high dynamic range and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless surround sound, on a BD-100 disc. Tech specs for Signs on 4K include a 2160p video presentation in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio with HDR10 form of high dynamic range and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless surround sound, on a BD-100 disc. Each release will come as a “combo pack” with its Blu-ray Disc counterpart included along with a digital copy.

UPDATE: The digital versions of the film include Dolby Vision and HDR10 forms of high dynamic range. However, these physical media releases on 4K UHD Blu-ray will only include HDR10 and not Dolby Vision. So, you’ll have to watch the 4K digital versions you will get included to experience these films in Dolby Vision.

You can now find “The Sixth Sense” and “Signs” on 4K UHD Blu-ray both available for preorder at Amazon. I have just been informed by someone at Disney that the films each will include their legacy bonus materials from the previous Blu-ray releases which are included in the 4K UHD Blu-ray sets. Below you can find a full list of those previously released extras, with some dating back to the DVD releases.

The Sixth Sense (1999)

  • Making Signs – 6 Part Documentary
    • Looking for Signs
    • Building Signs
    • Making Signs: A Commentary by M. Night Shyamalan
    • The Effects of Signs
    • Last Voices: The Music of Signs
    • Full Circle
  • Storyboards: Multi-Angle Features
  • Night’s First Alien Movie
  • Deleted Scenes

Signs (2002)

  • Deleted Scenes
  • Reflections From the Set
  • Between Two Worlds
  • Moving Pictures: The Storyboard Process
  • Music and Sound Design
  • Reaching the Audience
  • Rules and Clues
  • Publicity

Further below, after the break, you can find the full announcement about both films coming to 4K.

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The 1920 film The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari on 4K in October

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The 1920 German silent film “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on October 22nd via Kino Classics. The film, directed by Robert Wiene, starred Conrad Veidt, Werner Krauss, Lil Dagover, and Freidrich Feher. The movie has received a 4K restoration as described below and features a new orchestral score.

“This authoritative edition presents the F. W. Murnau Stiftung’s meticulous 4K restoration of the film, with a new orchestral score by Emmy®-winning composer Jeff Beal (House of Cards), which had its premiere performance at Carnegie Hall on June 3, 2024.”

Tech specs for the release include a Black & White tinted 2160p video presentation in the 1.37:1 aspect ratio with choices of audio presentations in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround and 2.0 Stereo lossless sound. The release will come as a “combo pack” with its Blu-ray Disc counterpart included. UPDATE: The 4K UHD Blu-ray is now available for preorder at Amazon. Also, you can preorder the 4K UHD Blu-ray directly via Kino Lorber’s website. Below is a list of the different music tracks, audio mixes, and bonus materials included with the release.

  • Music by Jeff Beal (4KUHD & Blu-ray, 5.1 Surround and 2.0 stereo)
  • 2014 Orchestral Score (4KUHD & Blu-ray, 2.0 stereo)
  • Music by Paul D. Miller, aka DJ Spooky (Blu-ray, 2.0 stereo)
  • Caligari: How Horror Came to the Cinema (Blu-ray, 52 min.)
  • Restoration Demonstration (Blu-ray)
  • Audio commentary by composer Jeff Beal (4K UHD & Blu-ray)
  • Audio description for the vision-impaired (4K UHD & Blu-ray)

Further below, after the break, you can find a trailer for the film from the 4K restoration.

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