Tag Archives: 4K restoration

Blaxploitation Classics Vol. 1 comes to 4K in May

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“Blaxploitation Classics Vol. 1” will be released on 4K UHD Blu-ray on May 20th via Shout Select (Shout! Studios). This release will include a total of six films in a 12-disc set.

The release will come as a “combo pack” with each 4K receiving its Blu-ray Disc counterpart. All of the films have received new 4K scans and restorations. The tech specs on the 4K release feature a 2160p video presentation in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio for each film. They include Dolby Vision (or HDR10) and DTS-HD Master Audio Mono sound. Tech specs for the Blu-ray versions include a 1080p HD video presentation in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio for each film and DTS-HD Master Audio Mono.

UPDATED: The 4K UHD Blu-ray is now available for preorder at Amazon. You can preorder directly via the ShoutFactory.com website and get a bonus poster. The six films included and their tech specs and bonus materials are listed below.

Blaxploitation Classics Vol. 1 | Synopsis

From the drive-in to 4K and Blu-ray, the heavy-duty action of the ’70s subgenre known as “Blaxploitation” has thrilled and captivated audiences for decades. Shout! Select is proud to present an explosive six-film collection of some of the coolest movies to ever hit the streets. Featuring genre legends Pam Grier, Fred Williamson, Isaac Hayes, and Yaphet Kotto, these tough-as-nails and unbelievably hip classics of the subgenre — presented here on both Blu-ray and 4K Ultra High Definition — are a tremendous entry point into the world of Blaxploitation for newcomers as well as must-haves for discerning fans of genre cinema.

“Across 110th Street” (1972)

2160p Ultra High-Definition HDR Widescreen & 1080p High-Definition Widescreen (1.85:1) / DTS-HD Master Audio Mono / 101 min.

If you steal $300,000 from the mob, it’s not robbery … it’s suicide. Anthony Quinn (Zorba The Greek) and Yaphet Kotto (Alien) lead a double-barreled cop thriller with style and violence to spare in Barry Shear’s Across 110th Street. When a crowd of gun-toting gangsters take on the Mafia, the bullets start flying … and cops start dying. In order to bring justice to the streets, two of New York’s finest (Quinn and Kotto) are forced to team up in an unlikely pairing. With the gangsters, the mob, and The Man involved in a three-way dance, one thing’s for sure – the only guaranteed way Across 110th Street … is in a body bag.

DISC 1 – Across 110th Street on 4K UHD Blu-ray

  • NEW 4K Scan/Restoration From The Original Camera Negative
  • Presented In Dolby Vision (HDR-10 Compatible)
  • Audio: English DTS-HD Master Audio Mono

DISC 2 – Across 110th Street on Blu-ray

  • NEW 4K Scan/Restoration From The Original Camera Negative
  • Audio: English DTS-HD Master Audio Mono
  • NEW It’s Where The Action Is The Blaxploitation Films Of A.I.P., Part One – An In-Depth Documentary Featuring New And Archival Interviews With Film Critic And Author Odie Henderson, Film Producer and Son Of AIP Film Producer Samuel Z. Arkoff – Lou Arkoff, Afrocentric Film Scholar Dr. Michelle B. Taylor, Author And Film Historian Chris Poggiali, Film Historian Nathaniel Thompson, “Coffy” Director Jack Hill, And Post-Production Supervisor at AIP James L. Honore
  • Trailer

“Black Caesar” (1973)

2160p Ultra High-Definition HDR Widescreen & 1080p High-Definition Widescreen (1.85:1) / DTS-HD Master Audio Mono / 95min.

Hail Caesar! Godfather of Harlem … the cat with the .45-caliber claws! Fred Williamson stars in his signature role of Tommy Gibbs in the action classic Black Caesar! Growing up on the streets and trying to make his mother proud, Gibbs resorts to running “errands” for The Man. But when a crooked cop beats him up, Tommy realizes there’s a better way to live his American dream: by making The Man deliver for him! Infiltrating – and then destroying – an infamous mob family, Gibbs takes over Manhattan … and tragically loses his hold on the most important things in his life, making him vulnerable to every cutthroat gangster who ever dreamt of ruling an empire! With Williamson’s powerhouse performance and gritty direction by cult movie legend Larry Cohen (It’s Alive, Q: The Winged Serpent, Original Gangstas), it’s little wonder that Black Caesar stands tall among the best the Blaxploitation genre has to offer.

DISC 3 – Black Caesar on 4K UHD Blu-ray

  • NEW 4K Scan/Restoration From The Original Camera Negative
  • Presented In Dolby Vision (HDR-10 Compatible)
  • Audio: English DTS-HD Master Audio Mono
  • Audio Commentary With Writer/Director Larry Cohen

DISC 4 – Black Caesar on Blu-ray

  • NEW 4K Scan/Restoration From The Original Camera Negative
  • Audio: English DTS-HD Master Audio Mono
  • Audio Commentary With Writer/Director Larry Cohen
  • Trailer

“Hell Up in Harlem” (1973)

2160p Ultra High-Definition HDR Widescreen & 1080p High-Definition Widescreen (1.85:1) / DTS-HD Master Audio Mono / 95min.

He may never get to Heaven — but he’s raising Hell Up In Harlem. The Black Godfather, Tommy Gibbs (Fred Williamson) is back in this explosive sequel to Black Caesar! When Gibbs steals a ledger with the name of every crooked cop and politician on the mob’s payroll, he becomes the most wanted man in the city. Enlisting the aid of his father and an army of Harlem hoods, Gibbs goes from defense to offense, launching a deadly attack on his enemies that sets off a violent chain reaction from Harlem all the way to the Caribbean, climaxing in one of the most mayhem-filled turf war battles in history.

DISC 5 – Hell Up In Harlem on 4K UHD Blu-ray

  • NEW 4K Scan/Restoration From The Original Camera Negative
  • Presented In Dolby Vision (HDR-10 Compatible)
  • Audio: English DTS-HD Master Audio Mono
  • Audio Commentary With Writer/Director Larry Cohen

DISC 6 – Hell Up In Harlem on Blu-ray

  • NEW 4K Scan/Restoration From The Original Camera Negative
  • Audio: English DTS-HD Master Audio Mono
  • Audio Commentary With Writer/Director Larry Cohen
  • Trailer

“Coffy” (1973)

2160p Ultra High-Definition HDR Widescreen & 1080p High-Definition Widescreen (1.85:1) / DTS-HD Master Audio Mono / 90 min.

They call her Coffy – and she’ll cream ya! The great Pam Grier (Jackie Brown) is a one-woman instrument of justice in the no-holds-barred revenge thriller Coffy. A nurse by day and avenging angel by night, Coffy (Grier) turns up the heat when she discovers that her little sister has been doped up by a greedy drug pusher. Vowing to not only put the pusher down for good but also to follow his trail of corruption up to the top – the very top – Coffy is unaware that all is not what it seems … and that the pipeline of drugs just may lead to someone she knows! Directed by Jack Hill (Foxy Brown, Switchblade Sisters) and featuring Sid Haig (House Of 1000 Corpses, The Devil’s Rejects), Coffy is a thrilling action flick and a showcase for the unique talents of Pam Grier.

DISC 7 – Coffy on 4K UHD Blu-ray

  • NEW 4K Scan/Restoration From The Original Camera Negative
  • Presented In Dolby Vision (HDR-10 Compatible)
  • Audio: English DTS-HD Master Audio Mono
  • Audio Commentary With Writer/Director Jack Hill

DISC 8 – Coffy on Blu-ray

  • NEW 4K Scan/Restoration From The Original Camera Negative
  • Audio: English DTS-HD Master Audio Mono
  • Interview With Director Jack Hill
  • Interview With Actor Pam Grier
  • Audio Commentary With Writer/Director Jack Hill
  • Trailer

“Sheba, Baby” (1975)

2160p Ultra High-Definition HDR Widescreen & 1080p High-Definition Widescreen (1.85:1) / DTS-HD Master Audio Mono / 90 min.

Pam Grier (Foxy Brown) is hotter than dynamite and just as deadly in this hard-hitting thriller that leaps from one death-defying scene to the next. Sheba Shayne (Grier) is a private eye summoned to her old stomping grounds to help her father keep the mob from moving in on his business. But she gets too close to the fire, narrowly escaping the blast of a car bomb. Gunning for justice, Sheba vows to take revenge. Packing a .44 Magnum, a machine gun, and a few extra surprises to blow the bad guys away, Sheba leaves a blazing trail of blood in her wake, putting the mob on the defensive … until she’s lured into a plot that could flatten her curves once and for all.

DISC 9 – Sheba, Baby on 4K UHD Blu-ray

  • NEW 4K Scan/Restoration From The Original Camera Negative
  • Presented In Dolby Vision (HDR-10 Compatible)
  • Audio: English DTS-HD Master Audio Mono
  • Audio Commentary With Screenwriter David Sheldon

DISC 10 – Sheba, Baby on Blu-ray

  • NEW 4K Scan/Restoration From The Original Camera Negative
  • Audio: English DTS-HD Master Audio Mono
  • Interview With Screenwriter David Sheldon
  • Audio Commentary With Screenwriter David Sheldon
  • Trailer

“Truck Turner” (1974)

2160p Ultra High-Definition HDR Widescreen & 1080p High-Definition Widescreen (1.85:1) / DTS-HD Master Audio Mono / 91 min.

He’s a skip tracer, the last of the bounty hunters, living on blood money and borrowed time. Isaac Hayes (Escape From New York, South Park) is Truck Turner – a football star turned bounty hunter who’s tracking a sadistic pimp on the mean streets of Los Angeles. But when a tragic accident changes all the rules, suddenly the hunter finds himself being hunted by the city’s deadliest hired killers! Truck strikes back in a series of wild car chases, shootouts, and bone-crushing fistfights, knowing that the battles can lead to only one place: an intense struggle to the death against the brutal leader of L.A.’s crime syndicate, Harvard Blue (Yaphet Kotto, Live And Let Die). Featuring an outstanding score by Hayes, riveting performances by Nichelle Nichols (Star Trek) and Scatman Crothers (The Shining), and direction by Jonathan Kaplan (Over The Edge, Unlawful Entry), Truck Turner is an explosive force that can’t be stopped!

DISC 11 – Truck Turner on 4K UHD Blu-ray

  • NEW 4K Scan/Restoration From The Original Camera Negative
  • Presented In Dolby Vision (HDR-10 Compatible)
  • Audio: English DTS-HD Master Audio Mono
  • Audio Commentary With Director Jonathan Kaplan

DISC 12 – Truck Turner on 4K UHD Blu-ray

  • NEW 4K Scan/Restoration From The Original Camera Negative
  • Audio: English DTS-HD Master Audio Mono
  • Audio Commentary With Director Jonathan Kaplan
  • Trailer

The Andromeda Strain is coming to 4K in May

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The 1971 film “The Andromeda Strain” will be released via Arrow Video on 4K UHD Blu-ray on May 13th. This will be a limited edition release. The film, directed by Robert Wise, was based on the novel written by Michael Crichton. It starred Arthur Hill, David Wayne, James Olsen, Kate Reid, Paula Kelly, George Mitchell, Ramon Bieri, and Kermit Murdock.

The movie has received a 4K restoration from the original camera negative, by Arrow Films. The tech specs for the 4K release include a 2160p video presentation in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision (or HDR10) and lossless DTS-HD Master Audio mono sound.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray limited edition is now available for preorder at Amazon. You can also preorder directly via Arrow’s website. The bonus materials included with the 4K release are listed below.

  • Audio commentary by critic Bryan Reesman
  • A New Strain of Science Fiction, an appreciation by critic Kim Newman
  • The Andromeda Strain: Making the Film, an archive featurette from 2001 directed by Laurent Bouzereau and featuring interviews with director Robert Wise and screenwriter Nelson Gidding
  • A Portrait of Michael Crichton, an archival featurette from 2001 directed by Laurent Bouzereau and featuring an interview with author Michael Crichton
  • Cinescript Gallery, highlights from the annotated and illustrated shooting script by Nelson Gidding
  • Theatrical trailer, TV spots and radio spots
  • Image gallery
  • Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring writing by Peter Tonguette and select archive material
  • Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Corey Brickley

The Sound of Music Comes to 4K This Year

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The 1965 film “The Sound of Music” will be released on 4K UHD Blu-ray later this year. This release will come from 20th Century Studios (Disney). The movie is celebrating its 60th Anniversary this year. The details about the 4K restoration and upcoming release are listed below, taken from the press release.

With 4K Film Restoration and Worldwide Special Events

Add This to Your List of Favorite Things When The Sound of Music
Arrives All-New in Theaters and on 4K Ultra HD™ Blu-ray Later This Year!

BURBANK, CA (February 20, 2025) – This March 2, 2025 will mark 60 years since the tunes of Rodgers & Hammerstein brought theatrical hills alive with the cinematic treasure The Sound of Music. This year, fans of all ages will experience the heart-warming sights and sing-along sounds of the classic film in a beautifully restored and remastered version to be released in 4K image resolution, courtesy of the precise work endeavored by the Walt Disney Film Restoration team. Over the course of 9 months, the restoration team oversaw digital scanning of preserved film footage and expert clean-up efforts to correct any dirt, warping or other issues encountered. “Our team is honored to care for and re-deliver this classic film to audiences around the world so they can enjoy it in all its originally intended visual and audio glory,” says Kevin Schaeffer, Director, Restoration & Library Management. Weaving artistic skills with innovative technology in a process more delicate than the petals of an edelweiss, the 60th anniversary restoration of The Sound of Music sings with both vibrant color and resounding melody, sharing the cinematic legacy anew for generations to come.

“This enhanced version of The Sound of Music is a testament to the enduring power of this iconic masterpiece. As we enter the 60th year, the restoration will safeguard our beloved classic for generations to come,” says Imogen Lloyd Webber, who oversees the Rodgers & Hammerstein brand as EVP Marketing and Communications for Concord Theatricals and Originals.

“The Walt Disney Company couldn’t be a better partner to bring to life an amazing international celebration of The Sound of Music’s enduring and meaningful impact on culture,” adds Sophia Dilley, EVP of Concord Originals.

In this true-life story, Julie Andrews lights up the screen as Maria, a spirited young woman who leaves the convent and becomes a governess to the seven unruly children of Captain von Trapp (Christopher Plummer). Her warmth, charm and songs soon win the hearts of the children and their father. But when the threat of war rises, Maria is forced to attempt a daring escape with her new family. A five-time Academy Awards®-winning classic, and one of the most successful movie musicals of all time, The Sound of Music features unforgettable Rodgers & Hammerstein treasures like “Edelweiss,” ”My Favorite Things,” “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” and “Do-Re-Mi.”

Watch for future announcements on the rollout of 60th anniversary celebration for The Sound of Music and brush off your do-re-mi skills in the meantime!

Stay tuned for further details about this upcoming 4K UHD Blu-ray release later in the year.

1996 film The Long Kiss Goodnight on 4K in April

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The 1996 film “The Long Kiss Goodnight” is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on April 8th via Arrow Video. This release will come as a limited edition set. The film was directed by Renny Harlin and written by Shane Black. It starred Geena Davis, Samuel L. Jackson, Patrick Malahide, David Morse, and Brian Cox.

This features a new 4K restoration from the original 35mm negative approved by director Renny Harlin. The tech specs for the 4K include a 2160p video presentation in the 2.39:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision (or HDR10) with Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless surround, and lossless 2.0 stereo sound. The 4K UHD Blu-ray limited edition is now available for preorder at Amazon. You can also preorder directly via Arrow Video’s website.

The 2-disc set will include a Blu-ray with bonus materials. The physical extras and bonus materials set to be included in this release are listed below.

Physical Extras:

  • Limited edition packaging with reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Sam Hadley
  • Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Clem Bastow, Richard Kadrey, Maura McHugh, and Priscilla Page
  • Seasonal postcard
  • Thin Ice sticker

Disc 1 (4K UHD Blu-ray):

  • Brand new audio commentary by film critic Walter Chaw
  • Brand new audio commentary by film critics Drusilla Adeline and Joshua Conkel, co-hosts of the Bloodhaus podcast
  • Theatrical trailer
  • Image gallery

Disc 2 (Blu-ray):

  • Symphony of Destruction, a new interview with stunt co-ordinator Steve Davidson
  • Long Live the New Flesh, a new interview with make-up artist Gordon J. Smith
  • Girl Interrupted, a new interview with actress Yvonne Zima
  • Amnesia Chick, a new visual essay by film scholar Josh Nelson
  • The Mirror Crack’d, a new visual essay by critic and filmmaker Howard S. Berger
  • A Woman’s World, a new visual essay by film scholar Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
  • Deleted scenes
  • Archive promotional interviews with director Renny Harlin and stars Geena Davis, Samuel L. Jackson and Craig Bierko
  • Making Of, an archive promotional featurette
  • Behind the Scenes, archive EPK footage from the filming of The Long Kiss Goodnight

Desperado is getting a standard 4K in March

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The 1995 film “Desperado” will get an standard 4K UHD Blu-ray release on March 25th via Arrow Video. The film was written & directed by Robert Rodriguez. It starred Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Steve Buscemi, Joaquim de Almeida, Cheech Marin, Quentin Tarantino, and Danny Trejo.

The movie has received a 4K restoration from the original camera negative by Sony Pictures. The 4K tech specs include a 2160p video presentation in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision (or HDR10) form of high dynamic range and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless surround and 2.0 Stereo sound.

NOTE: This is not the first time the film has been available on the 4K UHD Blu-ray format. It was previously released included in a 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook. It was also part of a Blu-ray box set with “The Mexico Trilogy” in August of 2024.

You can now find the standard 4K UHD Blu-ray available for preorder at Amazon. The bonus materials set to be included with this release are listed below.

  • Audio commentary by writer-director Robert Rodriguez
  • Lean and Mean, an interview with writer-director Robert Rodriguez
  • Shoot Like Crazy, an interview with producer Bill Borden
  • Kill Count, an interview with stunt coordinator Steve Davison
  • Lock and Load, an interview with special effects coordinator Bob Shelley
  • Game Changer, an appreciation by filmmaker Gareth Evans (The Raid: Redemption)
  • Ten More Minutes: Anatomy of a Shootout, an archive featurette narrated by Rodriguez
  • Textless opening (“Morena de mi Corazón”)
  • Theatrical trailers
  • Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Paul Shipper
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