Tag Archives: Brad Dourif

1984 David Lynch version of Dune on 4K in August

Amazon Commissions Earned

The 1984 film adaptation of “Dune” directed by David Lynch is officially coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray in the form of both a Limited Edition 2-Disc set and a 3-Disc SteelBook set on August 31st via Arrow Video.

The film, based on a novel by Frank Herbert, starred Kyle MacLachlanVirginia MadsenFrancesca Annis, Brad Dourif, Everett McGill, Freddie Jones, Linda Hunt, José Ferrer, Patrick Stewart, Sean Young, Max von Sydow, Alicia Witt, Richard Jordan, and Sting.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release comes from a new 4K restoration (from the original camera negative). The tech specs for the releases include a 2160p video presentation in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio in both HDR10 and Dolby Vision forms of High Dynamic Range with the original uncompressed (PCM) 2.0 Stereo and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound. You can now find both the 4K UHD Blu-ray Limited Edition and the 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook (pictured below) available for preorder over at Amazon.

The Limited Edition 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook 3-Disc set (pictured above) will include a double-sided foldout poster, with two choices of original theatrical artwork. Meanwhile, the 4K UHD Blu-ray Limited Edition 2-Disc set (pictured below) will include the following physical extras:

  • A 60-page perfect-bound book featuring new writing on the film by Andrew Nette, Christian McCrea and Charlie Brigden
  • A Large fold-out double-sided poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Dániel Taylor
  • Six double-sided, postcard-sized lobby card reproductions
  • Limited edition packaging with reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Dániel Taylor

The Limited Edition 4K UHD Blu-ray set will only be 2-Disc with the 4K disc and a Blu-ray bonus disc. The 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook will come as a “dual format” 3-Disc set with both the 4K and Blu-ray Disc (of the film) as well as the Blu-ray bonus disc. The bonus materials set to be included with each version are listed below, after the break.

Read more

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy comes to 4K in December

– Amazon Commissions Earned –

The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy is officially coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on December 1st via Warner. Specifically, the trilogy is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray in the form of a standard release on the format, a 4K UHD Blu-ray Giftset (pictured below), plus as a 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook exclusive to retailer Best Buy (also pictured, further below). The box set will include the films “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings” (2001), “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” (2002), and “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” (2003) — all directed by Peter Jackson. The three films starred Elijah WoodSean Astin, Ian McKellenOrlando Bloom, Viggo Mortensen, Sala Baker, Sean Bean, Cate Blanchett, Ian Holm, Christopher Lee, Billy Boyd, John Bach, Brad Dourif, Marton Csokas, and Bernard Hill.

UPDATE #7: Alright. I have now received the official announcement directly from my contact at the studio (Warner) and I have the PRESS RELEASE which you will find at the very, very bottom of this already lengthy post. I’ll try to be condensing this and putting as much based on the final word of this announcement in the coming hours. So, without further ado! Alright, the tech specs for both trilogies (The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit) will both include 4K presentations in the HDR10 and Dolby Vision forms of high dynamic range, along with Dolby Atmos sound. In fact, here’s a short bit (from the press release) regarding that.

“The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray discs of The Hobbit Trilogy and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy will feature Dolby VisionTM HDR that dramatically expands the color palette and contrast range and uses dynamic metadata to automatically optimize the picture for every screen, frame by frame. The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray discs of The Hobbit Trilogy and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy will also feature a Dolby Atmos® soundtrack remixed specifically for the home theater environment to place and move audio anywhere in the room, including overhead.”

Next! The films as I can tell, from the hi-res images that Warner has provided me, will be like this in terms of the 4K UHD Blu-ray Discs included. And, yes, ONLY 4K discs will be included in these sets with no Blu-ray counterparts. The Lord of the Rings films will get 3 discs for each film in its trilogy, consisting of the first disc for each being the Theatrical version and the second & third discs being used for the Extended Cut split into two parts. Then, for The Hobbit films, it will be 2 discs for each film in that trilogy. It will consist of the first disc (for each) being used for that film’s Theatrical version and the second disc (for each) will be used for the Extended version (of that film). I know that’s a bit much to all take in at once. But, prepare for more.

Okay, so, it’s become apparent that there will not be any bonus materials included on these releases, likely because they didn’t have the Blu-ray counterparts for a purpose. That’s because they [Warner] actually plan to do a 2021 release of these films bundled together in what is being called the Six-film “Middle-Earth (Ultimate Collector’s Edition)” 4K UHD Blu-ray set. It will contain some specially created new extras and the original Blu-ray bonus materials on newly pressed remastered versions of the film included. The info regarding this can be found quoted below (from the press release).

“In addition, it was also announced that a 4K UHD “Middle-earth” Ultimate Collectors’ Edition featuring the theatrical and extended versions of all six films, along with new bonus content, previously released Blu-ray discs of The Hobbit Trilogy, and remastered Blu-ray discs of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy will be released in the summer of 2021. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy featuring remastered Blu-ray discs of the theatrical and extended versions of the 3 films will also be released in the fourth quarter 2021, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.”

Deep breath. Now more on that, via the press release headline.

“Six-film “Middle-earth” Ultimate Collectors’ Edition with new Bonus Content to be released in 4K UHD in Summer 2021 

 The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Remastered Blu-ray™ to be released in 4K UHD in fourth Quarter 2021 to celebrate 20th anniversary of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring”

I know. I know. Okay, so moving on with what all I just learned from this official announcement. Some stuff I had previously reported, well all of it really, but namely this can still be used and I’ll leave it as-is.

According to the actor Sean Aston (in an announcement video seen below), it is known that “Peter Jackson oversaw the remastering” of all six of these films for the 4K releases, and they have all reportedly received a 4K DI (digital intermediate) new master for each. Meaning, it’s true 4K and was mastered in it for all of the films.

Now, finally, regarding the official info. It appears that no bonus materials will be included with these 2020 releases of the films. I’m trying to get a complete confirmation on that directly from Warner, but it sure seems that to be the case. Sorry to any fans this may upset, but this has been a hard year — I’m sure — to get physical media produced and projects finished like new extras, and so forth.


You can now find the standard 4K UHD Blu-ray version of the trilogy available for preorder over at Amazon. There will also be the aforementioned 4K UHD Blu-ray Giftset version of the trilogy, which is NOT exclusive to any retailer. It’s not only listed on Amazon but now is even listed over at retailer Best Buy!! And, there will be the 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook which is exclusive to Best Buy. That’s now back available for preorder and showing as in stock again. Below you can find the full glimpses at both the Giftset and the SteelBook versions of the 4K sets. Reminder, only one of these is an exclusive — despite all the confusion from earlier yesterday!!

4K UHD Blu-ray Giftset (above)
– Amazon Commissions Earned –

Best Buy exclusive 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook (above)


And now, finally, as hinted at above, just sit back and enjoy Sean Astin announcing this all officially:

PLUS! As Sean mentions, The Hobbit: The Motion Picture Trilogy is also set for a December 1st release on 4K UHD Blu-ray. What he doesn’t mention is that it will also come as a SteelBook exclusive and standard release. Its artwork can be found pictured below and the release is now available for preorder over at Amazon along with the SteelBook over at Best Buy (respectively in that order).

Finally, after the break, you can find the full PRESS RELEASE officially announcing these upcoming 4K UHD Blu-ray releases of the films.

Read more

“The Critters Collection” from Scream Factory coming November gets detailed

the_critters_collection_bluray.png

The upcoming release of The Critters Collection coming to Blu-ray Disc in a box set on November 27th via Scream Factory has officially been detailed. The release will contain the four films “Critters” (1986), “Critters 2: The Main Course” (1988), “Critters 3” (1991), and “Critters 4” (1992), spanning across a 4-disc set. Tech specs for the release have not been fully detailed, but we do know that the first two films have received new 2K scans from the original film elements. Stay tuned for further info regarding the tech specs for the films. The set is available for PRE-ORDER now over at Amazon. The bonus materials set to be included on the releases can be a tad bit lengthy, so I’ll just let you view the full announcement for the release below, after the break.

Read more