Tag Archives: 4K scan

The 2004 film Ray is coming to 4K in February

Posted on by
Cover art for the film 'Ray' featuring Jamie Foxx's silhouette against a black background.
Commissions Earned

The 2004 film “Ray” is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on February 17th via KL Studio Classics [Kino Lorber]. The movie, directed by Taylor Hackford, won two Academy Awards, including “Best Actor in a Leading Role.” It starred Jamie Foxx, Regina King, Kerry Washington, and Clifton Powell. Its supporting cast included Bokeem Woodbine, Harry Lennix, Curtis Armstrong, Richard Schiff, Lorenz Tate, Terrence Howard, David Krumholtz, Wendell Pierce, Sharon Warren, and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor.

The movie has received a new 4K scan from the original 35mm camera negative, approved by Director Taylor Hackford. The tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray include a 2160p video presentation in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) and lossless sound, on a BD-100 disc. The audio format and configuration(s) have yet to be detailed by Kino Lorber, but stay tuned for an update. The 2-disc release will come as a “combo pack” with its Blu-ray Disc counterpart included.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray is not yet available for preorder at Amazon or Walmart, but stay tuned for an update on that very soon. In the meantime, you can preorder directly via the Kino Lorber website. The bonus materials included with this release are listed below, sorted by disc.

Disc 1 (4K UHD Blu-ray):

  • NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historian and Author Dwayne Epstein
  • Audio Commentary by Director Taylor Hackford

Disc 2 (Blu-ray):

  • NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historian and Author Dwayne Epstein
  • Audio Commentary by Director Taylor Hackford
  • Director’s Introduction (1:34)
  • Stepping Into the Part: Featurette (10:40)
  • Ray Remembered: Featurette (4:03)
  • The Women of Ray: Featurette (9:55)
  • The Filmmakers’ Journey: Featurette (9:22)
  • Ray: An American Story: Featurette (28:47)
  • A Look Inside Ray: Featurette (3:20)
  • 14 Deleted Scenes (with Optional Director’s Commentary) (27:36)
  • 9 Uncut Music Performances (25:33)
  • Theatrical Trailer (2:48)

The 1988 film The Big Heat comes to 4K in February

Posted on by
Cover art for 'The Big Heat' in 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray, featuring four men dressed in black suits with a city backdrop.
Commissions Earned

The 1988 film “The Big Heat” is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on February 10th via Hong Kong Cinema Classics / Shout! Studios. The movie was co-directed by Yeung-Wah Kam, Johnnie To, and Hark Tsui [uncredited]. It starred Waise Lee, Matthew Wong, Kwok Tsui, and Lo King Wah. It co-starred Chu Kong, Stuart Ong, Mak Tsu Han, Peter Lai, and Joey Wong. This will be spine number 27 in the HKCC (Hong Kong Cinema Classics) line.

This comes from a new 4K scan of the original camera negative. Tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray include a 2160p video presentation in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible), accompanied by lossless Cantonese and English (dubbed) DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono sound. 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 GRUV. The bonus materials for the release are listed below, sorted by disc.

Disc 1 (4K UHD Blu-ray):

  • NEW Optional English Subtitles Newly Translated for This Release
  • NEW Audio Commentary with Author and Critic David West

Disc 2 (Blu-ray):

  • NEW Optional English Subtitles Newly Translated for This Release
  • NEW Audio Commentary with Author and Critic David West
  • NEW Big Shot!: Interview with Actor Waise Lee Speaks
  • NEW The Heat Is On: Interview with Academic Gilbert Po
  • NEW Hot In Hong Kong: Interview with Critic James Mudge
  • Theatrical Trailer

The 1972 film The Mechanic comes to 4K in January

Posted on by
Commissions Earned

The 1972 film “The Mechanic” is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on January 13th, 2026, via KL Studio Classics [Kino Lorber]. Michael Winner directed the movie, which starred Charles Bronson. It co-starred Jan-Michael Vincent, Keenan Wynn, Jill Ireland, Frank DeKova, Linda Ridgeway, Celeste Yarnal, and Enzo Fiermonte.

The movie has received a new 4K scan of the 35mm original camera negative. Technical specifications for the 4K UHD Blu-ray include a 2160p video presentation in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, with Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible), on a BD-100 disc. The audio presentation has not yet been detailed, but should come in a lossless format, such as DTS-HD Master Audio. The 2-disc release will come as a “combo pack” with its Blu-ray Disc counterpart.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray is not yet available for preorder at Amazon, but stay tuned for an update. You can preorder directly via Kino Lorber’s website. The bonus materials set to be included with the release are listed below, sorted by disc.

Disc 1 (4K UHD Blu-ray):

  • NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historians Steve Mitchell and Troy Howarth
  • Audio Commentary by Film Historian Paul Talbot, the Author of the Bronson’s Loose! Books
  • Audio Commentary by Cinematographer Richard H. Kline, Moderated by Film Historian Nick Redman

Disc 2 (Blu-ray):

  • NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historians Steve Mitchell and Troy Howarth
  • Audio Commentary by Film Historian Paul Talbot, the Author of the Bronson’s Loose! Books
  • Audio Commentary by Cinematographer Richard H. Kline, Moderated by Film Historian Nick Redman
  • Interview with Screenwriter Lewis John Carlino
  • Theatrical Trailer

The John Woo film Once A Thief on 4K in January

Posted on by
Commissions Earned

The 1991 film “Once A Thief“ is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on January 27th, 2026, via Hong Kong Cinema Classics / Shout! Studios. John Woo directed and co-wrote the film. It starred Chow Yun-Fat, Leslie Cheung, Cherie Chung, Kong Chu, and Kenneth Tsang.

This movie received a 4K scan from the original camera negative. The tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray include a 2160p video presentation in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible), accompanied by Cantonese and English (dubbed) lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono sound. It will also feature newly translated English subtitles.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray is now available for preorder at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and GRUV. For those of you who do not already know, GRUV is the new home for Shout! Factory [Shout! Studios] physical media release.

The 2-disc set will be a “combo pack” with a Blu-ray Disc counterpart included, featuring bonus materials listed below.

  • Audio Commentary with James Mudge (Hong Kong Film Critic at easternKicks)
  • Handling a Heist: Interview with Director John Woo
  • Thoughts About Thievery: Interview with Screenwriter Clifton Ko
  • Stealing Some Shots: Interview with Cinematographer Poon Hang-Sang
  • Interview with Producer Terence Chang
  • Interview with Editor David Wu
  • TBC Interview with One of Leslie Cheung’s Producers
  • Hong Kong Confidential: Inside Once A Thief with Author Grady Hendrix
  • Once a Star, Always an Icon: Film Critic Frank Djeng on Actor Leslie Cheung
  • Archival Interview with Actor Kenneth Tsang
  • Theatrical Trailer

John Woo film Bullet in the Head on 4K in January

Posted on by
Commissions Earned

The 1990 film “Bullet in the Head“ is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on January 6th, 2026, via Hong Kong Cinema Classics / Shout! Studios. The movie was directed and co-written by John Woo. It starred Tony Leung, Jacky Cheung, Simon Yam, and Waise Lee.

The movie has received a new 4K scan from the original camera negative. The tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray release include a 2160p video presentation in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible), accompanied by lossless DTS-HD Master Audio Mono in Cantonese and English. Newly translated English subtitles will optionally be available for the Cantonese language track.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray set is now available for preorder at Amazon and online retailer GRUV. Shout! Factory actually moved all of [their] online sales from the old website to GRUV, as of today. There’s no preorder listing yet at Amazon or Walmart, but stay tuned for an update later. You can also preorder the 4K UHD Blu-ray at Barnes & Noble.

The release will come as a “combo pack” with its Blu-ray Disc counterpart included. Also, the bonus materials included with this 3-disc set are listed below, sorted by disc.

Disc 1 (4K UHD Blu-ray):

  • NEW Optional English Subtitles Newly Translated For This Release
  • NEW Audio Commentary With Film Critic Frank Djeng

Disc 2 (Blu-ray):

  • NEW Optional English Subtitles Newly Translated For This Release
  • NEW Audio Commentary With Frank Djeng

Disc 3 (Blu-ray):

  • “Festival Cut” Of Bullet In The Head
  • Alternate Boardroom Ending
  • NEW “Brilliance With A Bullet” – Interview With Director/Writer John Woo
  • NEW “Head Case!” – Interview With Actor Waise Lee
  • NEW “Army Of One” – Interview With Producer Terence Chang
  • NEW “Apocalypse Woo” – Interview With Editor David Wu
  • NEW “Tumultuous Times” – Interview With Production Planner Catherine Lau
  • NEW “Hong Kong Confidential” – Inside Bullet In The Head With Author Grady Hendrix
  • NEW “Apocalypse How?” – Interview With Professor Lars Laamann
  • Trailers
  • Image Gallery

Blake Edwards Pink Panther films on 4K in December

Posted on by

Commissions Earned

Four of the original live-action “Pink Panther” films directed by Blake Edwards are coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on December 16th via KL Studio Classics. This includes “The Pink Panther” (1963), “A Shot in the Dark” (1964), “The Pink Panther Strikes Again” (1976), and “Revenge of the Pink Panther” (1978). These films all starred Peter Sellers (as “Chief Inspector Clouseau”).

The first movie features a new 4K scan of the 35mm original Technirama camera negative. The other films feature new 4K scans from the 35mm original camera negative(s). The tech specs for each film include a 2160p video presentation in 2.20:1, 2.39:1, and 2.35:1 aspect ratios, in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible), with lossless 5.1 and 2.0 sound, each on a BD-100 disc. Individually, these releases will be a 2-disc “combo pack” with their Blu-ray Disc counterpart(s) included.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray releases of “The Pink Panther” (1963), “A Shot in the Dark,” “The Pink Panther Strikes Again,” and “Revenge of the Pink Panther” are now individually available for preorder at Amazon. Blu-ray Special Edition versions of these films will also be available. Additionally, you can preorder directly via the Kino Lorber website.

The bonus materials included with the releases run rather lengthy and are listed further below, after the break, sorted by film and disc.

Read more

The 1995 film Babe and sequel on 4K in December

Posted on by

Commissions Earned

The 1995 film “Babe” and its 1998 sequel “Babe: Pig in the City” are coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray [individually] on December 16th via KL Studio Classics [Kino Lorber]. “Babe” (1995) was directed by Chris Noonan and produced and co-written by George Miller. The 1998 sequel [“Babe: Pig in the City”] was directed, produced, and co-written by George Miller. Actor James Cromwell co-starred in both films. The first motion picture was nominated for 7 Academy Awards (“Oscars”), and ended up winning for “Best Effects, Visual Effects.”

Both movies have received new 4K scans from the 35mm original camera negative(s). The tech specs [for each film] on 4K UHD Blu-ray include a 2160p video presentation in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, accompanied by Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible), and lossless 5.1 and 2.0 stereo sound, all on a BD-100 disc [for each]. The audio should be in DTS-HD Master Audio. Each release will come as a 2-disc “combo pack” with its Blu-ray Disc counterpart included.

The 4K UHD Blu-rays for “Babe” and “Babe: Pig in the City” are not yet available for preorder on Amazon, but stay tuned for an update. You can preorder “Babe” and “Babe: Pig in the City” on 4K directly from Kino Lorber’s website. The bonus materials for the films are listed below, each sorted by disc.

“Babe” Disc 1 (4K UHD Blu-ray):

  • NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historian/Writer Julie Kirgo and Writer/Filmmaker Peter Hankoff
  • Audio Commentary by Writer/Producer George Miller

“Babe” Disc 2 (Blu-ray):

  • NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historian/Writer Julie Kirgo and Writer/Filmmaker Peter Hankoff
  • Audio Commentary by Writer/Producer George Miller
  • That’ll do, Pig: NEW Interview with Actor James Cromwell (18:17)
  • Making Pigs Talk: NEW Interview with George Miller
  • The Making of Babe: Featurette (3:56)
  • George Miller on Babe: Featurette (6:19)
  • Theatrical Trailer

“Babe: Pig in the City” Disc 1 (4K UHD Blu-ray):

  • NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historian/Writer Julie Kirgo and Writer/Filmmaker Peter Hankoff

“Babe: Pig in the City” Disc 2 (Blu-ray):

  • NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historian/Writer Julie Kirgo and Writer/Filmmaker Peter Hankoff
  • A Darker World: NEW Interview with George Miller
  • Theatrical Trailer

Lastly, it’s worth noting that a “Babe” / “Babe: Pig in the City” Double Feature release on Blu-ray will also be available on December 16th via KL Studio Classics. It’s not yet available for preorder at Amazon, but stay tuned for an update. It is now available to preorder directly via Kino Lorber’s website. This is a 2-disc set, with the contents listed above and 1080p HD video presentations.

The 2011 film Paul arrives on 4K in November

Posted on by

Commissions Earned

The 2011 science fiction/comedy “Paul“ is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on November 18th via KL Studios Classics [Kino Lorber]. Greg Mottola directed the film. It starred Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and featured the voice talent of Seth Rogen. It also co-starred Jason Bateman, Kristin Wiig, Bill Hader, Sigourney Weaver, Jane Lynch, and Jeffrey Tambor.

The theatrical cut of the movie has received a new 4K scan of the 35mm original camera negative (approved by Director Greg Mottola). The tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray include a 2160p video presentation in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) with lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround and 2.0 stereo sound, on a BD-100 disc.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray is now available for preorder at Amazon and Walmart. It was just added, so it’s at its MSRP, and you can expect that price to drop. Also, you can preorder directly via Kino Lorber’s website.

The bonus materials set to be included on this 3-disc “combo pack” with its Blu-ray Counterparts (of both cuts) included are listed below, sorted by disc.

Disc 1 (4K UHD Blu-ray):

  • Theatrical Cut [in 4K]
  • Audio Commentary with Director Greg Mottola, Actors Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Bill Hader and Producer Nira Park

Disc 2 (Blu-ray):

  • Theatrical Cut [in HD]
  • Audio Commentary with Director Greg Mottola, Actors Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Bill Hader and Producer Nira Park
  • Between the Lightning Strikes: The Making of Paul Documentary (40:04)
  • The Evolution of Paul: Featurette (15:05)
  • Simon’s Silly Face: Featurette (1:20)
  • Who the Hell is Adam Shadowchild?: Featurette (2:10)

Disc 3 (Blu-ray:

  • UNRATED Cut [in HD]
  • Behind-the-Scenes: Featurette (62:49)
  • Bloopers (10:51)
  • 3 Theatrical Trailers (7:29)
  • 5 US TV Spots (2:25)
  • 4 UK TV Spots (1:59)

And last, but not least, this part is always so fun to cite my original social media posts. Anyone telling me that I didn’t report it early enough is sure to look like a fool. Here, I decide when I report the news. It gets reported in various forms. This particular title lacked a preorder until just an hour ago.

Read more

The 2006 film Nacho Libre gets a 4K in December

Posted on by

Commissions Earned

The 2006 film “Nacho Libre” is officially making its debut on 4K UHD Blu-ray on December 9th via KL Studio Classics (Kino Lorber). Jared Hess co-wrote and directed the movie. It starred Jack Black, Ana de la Reguera, Héctor Jiménez, Darius Rose, Moises Arias, and Cesar Gonzalez.

This has received a 4K Scan of the 35mm original camera negative. The tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray include a 2160p video presentation in a 1.85:1 ratio with Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible), high dynamic range, and lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround and 2.0 stereo sound, on a BD-100 disc. This release will come as a 2-disc “combo pack” with its Blu-ray Disc counterpart included.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray is not yet available for preorder at Amazon or Walmart. Nevertheless, stay tuned for an update on that soon. In the meantime, you can preorder directly via Kino Lorber’s website. The bonus materials set to be included on the release are listed below, sorted by disc.

Disc 1 (4K UHD Blu-ray):

  • Audio commentary by Star Jack Black, Writer/Director Jared Hess and Co-Writer/Producer Mike White

Disc 2 (Blu-ray):

  • Audio commentary by Star Jack Black, Writer/Director Jared Hess and Co-Writer/Producer Mike White
  • Enter Sister Encarnacion: NEW Interview with Actress Ana de la Reguera
  • Detras de la Camara: Featurette (28:33)
  • Jack Black Unmasked!: Featurette (12:36)
  • Exterior – Hacienda – Night: Featurette (14:58)
  • Interior – Lucha Libre Ring – Night: Featurette (15:15)
  • Lucha Libre: Featurette (3:13)
  • Hencho en Mexico: Featurette (2:27)
  • Moviefone Unscripted with Jack Black and Héctor Jiménez: Featurette (9:12)
  • Jack Sings Behind-the-Scenes: La Cancion de Ramses
  • La Cancion de Encarnacion (6:17)
  • 3 Deleted Scenes (9:12)
  • 3 Promo Spots (1:33)
  • Theatrical Trailer (2:09)

Lastly, since people on social media like to determine what is “old news” and not an actual news site, I always like to include one of the first social media posts I did about this. You have to understand, it sometimes takes a while before there’s artwork, tech specs, details about bonus materials, and preorder listings. So, here at HDDN, the news isn’t just thrown out there to try to beat everyone else to gain clout. I do acknowledge certain websites like to rush news out. However, over the past 18 years, I’ve not done that much (if at all), and I don’t plan to anytime soon. I fully report the news once all the details are there.

Read more
« Older Entries Recent Entries »