Tag Archives: Animation

The 1983 animated film Fire and Ice on 4K SteelBook

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Cover art for the animated film 'Fire and Ice' featuring characters in a fantasy landscape, with a strong warrior holding a weapon, a woman beside him, and other figures in the background, showcasing a dramatic clash between fire and ice themes.
4K SteelBook slipcover (front)
A powerful warrior stands atop a rocky outcrop, holding an axe, with a dramatic sky in the background. A woman and a blond man are crouched beside him, while defeated foes lie at their feet.
4K SteelBook (front)

The 1983 animated film “Fire and Ice“ will get an exclusive 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook release on June 30th via Blue Underground, distributed by MVD Entertainment Group.

The movie was directed and co-created by Ralph Bakshi. Bakhshi is known for his unique hand-drawn animation, which he also brought to the audiences in animated cult classics “Fritz the Cat” (1972), “Wizards” (1977), and “The Lord of the Rings” (1978).

This has received a new 4K restoration, scanned in 16-bit from the original negative. The exclusive 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook will come as a 3-disc set. 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) high dynamic range, along with Dolby Atmos, lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround, and 2.0 stereo sound.

This 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook (pictured further below) is exclusive to the distributor’s MVD Shop.

An illustration featuring two characters embracing against a blue background on the left, and on the right, a scene depicting a muscular warrior with a weapon standing on a rocky terrain surrounded by other characters in a dramatic, colorful setting.
An open DVD case showcasing detailed artwork of warriors in battle, with a focus on their fierce expressions and various weapons, including spears and shields.

The 3-disc set will include the following extras:

Disc 1 (4K UHD Blu-ray) and Disc 2 (Blu-ray):

  • Audio Commentary with Co-Producer/Director Ralph Bakshi
  • NEW! The Art Of Fire And Ice: The Frank Frazetta Legacy with Sara Frazetta
  • NEW! Frank Frazetta’s Fire And Ice with Robert Rodriguez
  • The Making Of Fire And Ice
  • Bakshi On Frazetta
  • Sean Hannon’s Diary Notes
  • Behind-the-Scenes Photo Gallery
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • NEW! Poster & Still Galleries

Disc 3 (Compact Disc):

  • BONUS! FIRE AND ICE Original Motion Picture Soundtrack CD by William Kraft

Further below, after the break, you can find a 4K UHD [2160p] trailer [on YouTube] for this new 4K restoration and the press announcement.

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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.
Commissions Earned

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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Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island Terror Time Blu-ray

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Commissions Earned

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 2024 film Flow gets Criterion 4K and Blu-ray

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Commissions Earned

The 2024 computer-animated film “Flow” is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray on September 23rd via The Criterion Collection. The movie was directed and co-written by Gints Zilbalodis. It was the 2025 Academy Award-winner for “Best Animated Feature Film.” This film is also deemed as “Certified Fresh” (by critics) and “Verified Hot” (by audiences) on Rotten Tomatoes.

This has received a 4K digital transfer. The tech specs for the 4K include a 2160p video presentation in a 2.00:1 aspect ratio with SDR (standard dynamic range). No HDR (high dynamic range) will be included with the 4K UHD release. The sound will be presented in a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 configuration. Tech specs for the Blu-ray include a 1080p HD video presentation in a 2.00:1 aspect ratio with DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 sound. The 4K release will come as a 3-disc “combo pack” with its Blu-ray Disc counterpart included. The Blu-ray release will come as a 2-disc set. More on what will be contained on those discs in a moment.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray are now available for preorder at Amazon. Also, both versions are available to preorder directly via Criterion’s website.

The bonus materials set to be included with the releases are listed below.

  • 4K digital master of “Away” (2019), Zilbalodis’s debut feature
  • One 4K UHD disc of Flow and Away and two Blu-rays with Flow, Away, and the special features
  • New audio commentary featuring Zilbalodis
  • Full feature-length animatic
  • New interviews with Zilbalodis and cowriter-coproducer Matīss Kaža
  • Dream Cat (2025), a making-of documentary produced for Latvian Television
  • Aqua (2012) and Priorities (2014), short films by Zilbalodis with new commentaries by the director
  • Unused-shot reel, with new commentary by Zilbalodis
  • Trailers, TV spots, and proof-of-concept teasers
  • English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing and English descriptive audio
  • PLUS: An essay by critic Nicolas Rapold and collectible stickers
  • Cover image by Gints Zilbalodis. Flow logo by Paula Bobrova and Pēteris Tenisons.

Disney’s “Celebrating Mickey” brings 13 classic short films to Blu-ray in October

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celebrating_mickey_bluray

UPDATE: the review of this Blu-ray can be found HERE.

Disney has plans to release “Celebrating Mickey“ Blu-ray Disc on October 23rd. The release will feature a total of thirteen animated classic short films in HD (high def) celebrating the 90 year anniversary of the Walt Disney’s cartoon mouse’s first commercial appearance in the short “Steamboat Willie” way back in 1928. No details regarding tech specs are yet known. The release is available for PRE-ORDER over at Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and Walmart. The short films set to be included are listed below.

  1. “Steamboat Willie” (1928)
  2. “The Band Concert” (1935)
  3. “Thru the Mirror” (1936)
  4. “Mickey’s Rival” (1936)
  5. “Boat Builders” (1938)
  6. “Mickey’s Trailer” (1938)
  7. “Brave Little Tailor” (1938)
  8. “Tugboat Mickey” (1940)
  9. “The Little Whirlwind” (1941)
  10. “Mickey’s Birthday Party” (1942)
  11. “Pluto’s Party” (1952)
  12. “The Simple Things” (1953)
  13. “Get A Horse!” (2013)

It also seems that another modern animated short film featuring “Mickey Mouse” will be included as a fourteenth short, and essentially a bonus material. That short is “Get A Horse” (2013). Disney had discussed this coming out later this year when discussing a exhibition for New York City, also in celebration of the 90th. Stay tuned for further details regarding this release.

UPDATE: I’ve just posted Blu-ray Screenshots for this release. The review should be coming later this week. Here’s a sample screenshot. Click the screenshot or link above for more.

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