Tag Archives: 1.37:1

George Stevens: A Filmmaker’s Journey on 4K in April

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Blu-ray cover of 'George Stevens: A Filmmaker's Journey' featuring a cowboy hat and a vintage film set in a desert landscape.
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The 1984 autobiography “George Stevens: A Filmmaker’s Journey“ is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on April 28th via Warner Archive (Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment).

George Stevens, Jr. directed and wrote the documentary. It features interviews with Fred Astaire, Warren Beatty, Montgomery Clift, James Dean, Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, Rock Hudson, Alan Ladd, Spencer Tracy, Frank Capra, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Elizabeth Taylor, Max von Sydow, Shelley Winters, Hal Roach, and many others.

The tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray include a 2160p video presentation in a 1.37:1 aspect ratio in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) high dynamic range with lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono sound, on a BD-66 disc. 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 MovieZyng. The bonus material included with the release is listed below.

  • Christopher Nolan speaks of Stevens’ creativity and the humanistic ethics of Shane
  • Guillermo del Toro speaks of Stevens as a modern auteur and The Greatest Story Ever Told as his most ambitious work
  • Martin Scorsese speaks of Stevens’ intensity and artistry and of The Greatest Story Ever Told as the final movement of Stevens’ multi-picture symphony

Looney Tunes Collector’s Vault Volume 2 on Blu-ray

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Blu-ray cover of Looney Tunes Collector's Vault Volume 2 featuring iconic characters like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Tweety Bird in a cartoon style.
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The “Looney Tunes Collector’s Vault Volume 2“ is coming to Blu-ray Disc on March 24th via Warner Archive Collection. This set features over 50 classic hand-drawn animated cartoons, with each making its high-def debut on Blu-ray.

Tech specs for the release include a 1080p HD video presentation in a 1.37:1 aspect ratio with lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono sound, spanning across a 2-disc set. The bonus materials for the set include audio commentaries by animation experts. You can find the Blu-ray now available for preorder at Amazon.

The specific list of shorts included with this release is listed below, after the break.

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The 1991 documentary Hearts of Darkness gets a 4K

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The 1991 documentary “Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse“ is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on December 9th via Lionsgate. The documentary chronicles the making of the 1979 Francis Ford Coppola film “Apocalypse Now” and the troubles that arose during its production. It was co-directed by Fax Bahr, Eleanor Coppola, and George Hickenlooper. This included interviews with Francis Ford Coppola, George Lucas, John Milius, Martin Sheen, Robert Duvall, Laurence Fishburne, and the late Dennis Hopper.

This has received a new 4K restoration. The tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray include a 2160p video presentation in a 1.37:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) and lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound. The release will include a digital copy of the film, likely only compatible with Fandango at Home.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray is now available for preorder at Amazon. The only bonus material set to be included on the release is “The Making of Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse.”

The 1940 film His Girl Friday on Criterion 4K

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The 1940 film “His Girl Friday“ arrives on 4K UHD Blu-ray this December 2nd via The Criterion Collection. Howard Hawks directed the movie. It starred Cary Grant, Rosalind Russell, Ralph Bellamy, Gene Lockhart, Porter Hall, Ernest Truex, and Cliff Edwards. EDITORIAL NOTE: This movie was previously released on the 4K UHD format as part of a box set from Sony [“Columbia Classics 4K Ultra HD Collection: Vol. 4“].

This features a new digital 4K restoration. The tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray include a Black and White 2160p video presentation in a 1.37:1 aspect ratio featuring Dolby Vision and HDR10, accompanied by Uncompressed (Linear PCM) Mono sound. The 3-disc set will come as a “combo pack” with its Blu-ray Disc counterpart and a bonus disc. Those Blu-rays will also include the 1931 film “The Front Page” — “Lewis Milestone’s famous pre-Code adaptation of the same material.”

The 4K UHD Blu-ray is now available for preorder at Amazon. You can also preorder directly via the Criterion website. The bonus materials set to be included with this release are listed below and span across 3 discs (one 4K, two Blu-ray).

  • One 4K UHD disc of the film presented in Dolby Vision HDR and two Blu-rays with the film, The Front Page, and the special features
  • 4K digital restoration of The Front Page, made from a recently discovered print of director Lewis Milestone’s preferred version, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack
  • Interview with film scholar David Bordwell
  • Archival interviews with His Girl Friday director Howard Hawks
  • Featurettes from 1999 and 2006 about Hawks and actor Rosalind Russell
  • Radio adaptation of His Girl Friday from 1940
  • Program about the restoration of The Front Page
  • Program about playwright and screenwriter Ben Hecht
  • Radio adaptations of the play The Front Page from 1937 and 1946
  • Trailers
  • English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
  • Plus: Essays on His Girl Friday and The Front Page by film critics Farran Smith Nehme and Michael Sragow
  • Cover by Randy Glass

The 1982 film Wild Style comes to 4K and Blu-ray

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The 1982 film “Wild Style” is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray in “Limited Edition” sets on December 2nd via Arrow Video. The movie, directed and co-written by Charlie Ahearn, was also co-written by hip-hop pioneer Fab 5 Freddy (featured in the film). It starred Fred “Fab 5 Freddy” Brathwaite, Sandra “Lady Pink” Fabara, Patti Astor, Grandmaster Flash, Busy Bee, The Fantastic Five, The Cold Crush Brothers, and The Rock Steady Crew.

The movie has received a 4K restoration from the original 16mm negative. The tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray include a 2160p video presentation in a 1.37:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision and HDR10, accompanied by newly restored lossless Mono sound. Tech specs for the Blu-ray include a 1080p HD video presentation in a 1.37:1 aspect ratio and lossless Mono sound. The 4K limited edition will come as a 3-disc “combo pack” with its Blu-ray Disc counterpart and an Audio CD featuring a new “megamix” and more. The Blu-ray will come as a 2-disc set with the CD also included.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray Limited Edition and Blu-ray Limited Edition are both now available for preorder at Amazon. Also, you can preorder the movie directly via Arrow Video‘s website. Plus, consumers can also purchase the 4K UHD Blu-ray Limited Edition and Blu-ray Edition via the United States distributor at the MVD Shop. There will also be a Blu-ray Limited Edition bundle available featuring a vinyl record. That’s available at Arrow’s website. These limited edition sets will include some physical extras (pictured below), and they are listed further below, along with the bonus materials set to be included, sorted by disc.

4K UHD Blu-ray Limited Edition

Limited Edition Physical Extras:

  • 120 page perfect bound collector’s book featuring new and archival essays and articles, alongside an extensive collection of stills and artwork from the film
  • Reversible sleeve featuring two original artwork options
  • Double-sided foldout poster featuring two original artwork options
  • Exclusive mini-version of the Wild Style issue of Hip-Hop Family Tree comic book by Ed Piskor
  • Three Wild Style logo stickers

Disc 1 (4K UHD Blu-ray):

  • Brand new audio commentary with Jeff “Chairman” Mao and Andrew “Monk One” Mason
  • Legacy commentary featuring director Charlie Ahearn and Fred “Fab 5 Freddy” Brathwaite
  • Down by Law: Creating the Music of Wild Style, a brand new interview with Charlie Ahearn, Chris Stein and Fred “Fab 5 Freddy” Brathwaite
  • Theatrical trailer
  • Image gallery

Disc 2 (Blu-ray):

  • The Origin Story, an interview with Lee Quiñones and Fred “Fab 5 Freddy” Brathwaite
  • Studio/Benchmark, an interview with Lee Quiñones
  • Archive footage from Wild Style’s 1983 Japanese Tour
  • Two panel discussions and footage from the Wild Style 40 exhibition
  • ZDF TV Wild Style 30th anniversary featurette
  • Rammellzee in the Battle Station featurette
  • Featurettes from the Wild Style 20th, 25th and 30th anniversary shows
  • Smith Projects Gym (1977)
  • Archival featurettes and interviews from the players and performers of Wild Style
  • Outtakes
  • Subway Rap music video
  • 2025 Restoration and Theatrical trailers

Disc 3 (Compact Disc):

  • Exclusive new Wild Style Megamix by Jorun Bombay
  • Original radio spots by Fab 5 Freddy and Queen Lisa Lee
  • Rare alternate mixes of Subway Rap and Wild Style Theme
  • Rare audio outtakes from the film and soundtrack
  • Rare 1983 radio interview with Charlie Ahearn

Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island Terror Time Blu-ray

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The 1998 animated film “Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island“ comes to Blu-ray via a “Terror Time Collector’s Edition” set on October 28th via Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment. Jim Stenstrum directed the straight-to-video movie. It featured the voice talents of Scott Innes, Billy West, Mary Kay Bergman, Frank Welker, B.J. Ward, Adrienne Barbeau, Tara Strong, and Mark Hamill.

The tech specs for the release include a 1080p HD video presentation in a 1.37:1 (or perhaps 1.33:1) aspect ratio with lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo sound, on a BD-50 disc. The Terror Time Collector’s Edition Blu-ray is now available for preorder at Amazon.

The release will include some physical extras (pictured below) and the following bonus materials.

  • Collectible O-card slipcover
  • Clear Blu-ray case with interior artwork and chapter list inside
  • Audio commentary by filmmaker and Scooby historian Matt Dugan
  • Official Trailer
  • 12-page Collectible Booklet filled with images and an essay written by Matt Dugan
  • Limited Edition “Terror Time” packaging

EDITORIAL NOTE: This is not the first time that this movie has been available on the Blu-ray format. In fact, it was released just last year (in 2024) via Warner Archive in a double-feature.

The 1950 film Harvey is coming to 4K in August

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The 1950 film “Harvey“ is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on August 19th via Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Henry Koster directed the movie. It starred James Stewart, Josephine Hull, Charles Drake, Cecil Kellaway, Victoria Horne, Wallace Ford, and Peggy Dow. It’s worth noting this motion picture is celebrating its 75th anniversary.

The tech specs for the 4K included a 2160p Black & White presentation in a 1.37:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision and HDR10 forms of high dynamic range. It will include lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono sound on a BD-66 disc. The release will come as a “combo pack” with its Blu-ray Disc counterpart included as well as a digital copy, compatible with Movies Anywhere.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray is now available for preorder at Amazon and Walmart. The bonus materials set to be included are listed below.

  • Special Introduction by Film Star James Stewart with Photographic Montage
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • 100 Years of Universal: The Carl Laemmle Era
  • 100 Years of Universal: The Lew Wasserman Era

The 1953 Western Shane is coming to 4K in July

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The 1959 Western “Shane” is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on July 15th via KL Studio Classics. George Stevens directed the film. It starred Alan Ladd, Jean Arthur, Jack Palance, Van Heflin, Ben Johnson, Brandon De Wilde, and Edgar Buchanan. A Special Edition Blu-ray will also be available on July 15th via Kino Lorber as well.

The movie has received a new master from a 4K scan of the 35mm original camera negative. The tech specs for the 4K include a 2160p video presentation. It features a 1.37:1 aspect ratio. The presentation includes Dolby Vision or HDR10 high dynamic range. It also provides lossless Mono sound, all on a BD-100 disc. The release will come as a “combo pack” with its Blu-ray Disc counterpart included. The tech specs for the Blu-ray Special Edition include a 1080p HD video presentation in a 1.37:1 aspect ratio and lossless Mono audio, on a BD-50 disc.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray and Special Edition Blu-ray are now available for preorder at Amazon. Also, you can preorder directly via Kino Lorber’s website. The bonus materials included with the release are listed below, sorted by disc.

Disc 1 (4K UHD Blu-ray):

  • NEW Audio Commentary by Author/Film Historian Alan K. Rode, Writer of the Forthcoming Monograph, Shane, a Reel West Series Book from the University of New Mexico Press
  • Audio Commentary by George Stevens Jr. (Production Assistant and Son of the Late Director/Producer George Stevens) and Associate Producer Ivan Moffat

Disc 2 (Blu-ray):

  • NEW Audio Commentary by Author/Film Historian Alan K. Rode, Writer of the Forthcoming Monograph, Shane, a Reel West Series Book from the University of New Mexico Press
  • Audio Commentary by George Stevens Jr. (Production Assistant and Son of the Late Director/Producer George Stevens) and Associate Producer Ivan Moffat
  • Theatrical Trailer
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