Tag Archives: Restoration

1995 Terry Gilliam film 12 Monkeys arrives on 4K April

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The 1995 film “12 Monkeys” is officially coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray for the very first time on April 26th via Arrow Video here in the United States.  The film, directed by Terry Gilliam, starred Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe, David Morse, Christopher Plummer, and Brad Pitt.

The tech specs for the release include a 2160p video presentation in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio with HDR10 and Dolby Vision forms of high dynamic range and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround and 2.0 Stereo lossless sound mixes.  This is said to be using a “brand new restoration from a 4K scan of the original negative by Arrow Films, approved by director Terry Gilliam.”  

You can now find the 4K UHD Blu-ray available for preorder over at Amazon here in the US.  Also, the United Kingdom will be getting their 4K UHD Blu-ray release a day early, and on that note, here’s the Amazon UK preorder for that version.  The bonus materials set to be included with the release are listed below.

  • Audio commentary by Terry Gilliam and producer Charles Roven
  • The Hamster Factor and Other Tales of Twelve Monkeys, feature-length making-of documentary by Keith Fulton and Louis Pepe (Lost in La Mancha)
  • The Film Exchange with Terry Gilliam, a 1996 interview with Gilliam and critic Jonathan Romney, recorded at the London Film Festival
  • Appreciation by Ian Christie, author of Gilliam on Gilliam
  • The Twelve Monkeys Archives
  • Theatrical trailer
  • Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Gary Pullin
  • FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring writing on the film by Nathan Rabin and Ian Christie

Magnum P.I. The Complete Series on Blu-ray in March

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The 1980 original TV show “Magnum, P.I.: The Complete Series“ is coming to Blu-ray Disc in a box set on March 22nd, 2022 via Mill Creek Entertainment. The show, created by Donald P. Bellisario & Glen A. Larson, starred Tom Selleck, John Hillerman, Roger E. Mosley, and Larry Manetti. This will be the very first time that the show has been available on the Blu-ray format and it also has received a restoration, as noted on the back of the packaging (and below).

“… fully restored in high definition for the first time.”

Tech specs for the release include a 1080p HD video presentation in the 1.33:1 (4×3) aspect ratio and DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Stereo sound, spanning across a 30-disc set. You can now find the Blu-ray set available for preorder over at Amazon. No bonus materials appear to be included with this release.

The Birds is getting a standard 4K and SteelBook in May

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The 1963 classic film “The Birds” directed by Alfred Hitchcock will be getting both an individual standard 4K UHD Blu-ray release (pictured above) and a 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook release (pictured below) on May 25th via Universal Studios Home Entertainment, according to retailers. The tech specs for the 4K release include a video presentation in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio with HDR10 form of high dynamic range and the original Mono in a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 sound mix.

This film itself was previously released on the 4K format last September as a part of a Hitchcock-themed 4K set. Hitchcock’s 1963 film starred Rod Taylor, Tippi Hedren, Jessica Tandy, and Suzanne Pleshette. Both the standard and the new 4K SteelBook will come in the form of a “combo pack” meaning they’ll include the Blu-ray Disc counterpart as well as a digital code (copy) of the film.

UPDATE: You can now find the standard 4K UHD Blu-ray listed as available for preorder over at Amazon, as well as over at the retailer Target. Stay tuned for an update on when Amazon or any other retailers get that listed. The 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook (pictured above), as mentioned, it appears is going to be exclusive to retailer Best Buy where it is currently listed as coming soon, and not yet a fully functional preorder listing. Just keep checking the page over there for an update. The bonus materials that are contained on both 4K and Blu-ray included with the release run rather lengthy, and because of that, you can find them along with full tech details about the release listed entirely below after the break.

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Psycho is getting a standard 4K and a new SteelBook in May

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The 1960 classic film “Psycho” directed by Alfred Hitchcock will be getting both an individual standard 4K UHD Blu-ray release (pictured above) and a new 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook release (pictured below) on May 25th via Universal Studios Home Entertainment, according to retailers. This will include 2 versions of the film with “Psycho Uncut” (an extended cut as seen originally in theaters) as well as the standard version mostly seen in TV broadcasts and for the theatrical re-releases and on previous releases on physical media. The tech specs for the 4K release include a Black & White video presentation in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio with HDR10 form of high dynamic range and DTS:X sound as well as the original Mono mix presented in 2.0 Dolby Digital.

This film itself was previously released on the 4K format last September as a part of a Hitchcock-themed 4K set, and it’s even worth noting that the film received an individual release via a previous 4K SteelBook as well that same September of 2020. Hitchcock’s 1960 film starred Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, John Gavin, and Martin Balsam. Both the standard and the new 4K SteelBook will come in the form of a “combo pack” meaning they’ll include the Blu-ray Disc counterpart as well as a digital code (copy) of the film.

UPDATE: You can now find the standard 4K UHD Blu-ray listed as available for preorder over at Amazon, as well as over at retailer Target. Stay tuned for an update on when Amazon or any other retailers get that listed. The new 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook (pictured above), as mentioned, it appears is going to be exclusive to retailer Best Buy where it is currently listed as coming soon, and not yet a fully functional preorder listing. Just keep checking the page over there for an update. The bonus materials that are contained on both 4K and Blu-ray included with the release run rather lengthy, and because of that, you can find them along with the full technical specs listed entirely below after the break.

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1974 cult-classic The Groove Tube comes to Blu-ray in May

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The 1974 cult-classic comedy “The Groove Tube” is finally coming to Blu-ray Disc on May 25th via Hen’s Tooth Video. The film, directed and co-written by Ken Shapiro, starred Chevy Chase, Richard Belzer, and Ken Shapiro. The tech specs for the release include a 1080p HD presentation in the original 1.85:1 aspect ratio from a new 4K restoration, as detailed and quoted below. No word yet on the audio configuration or format.

“Restoration by Gamma Ray Digital from a 4K scan of 35mm archival film materials in the collections of the Library of Congress.”

You can now find the Blu-ray available for preorder over at Amazon. Below, after the break, you can find the trailer for the film and details from the official listing over at HensToothVideo.com.

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Baseball: A Film by Ken Burns comes to Blu-ray in June

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“Baseball: A Film by Ken Burns” is coming to Blu-ray on June 8th April 13th via PBS direct. UPDATE: This release has been pushed back to June now, from its original April release date. The Emmy award-winning documentary mini-series, directed by Ken Burns, originally aired in 2004 on PBS and in 2010 the series received “The Tenth Inning” as a 2-part additional episode. According to all retailers, this Blu-ray set will include that additional episode, as it carries the very same runtime as the previous DVD release. This documentary mini-series has been “fully restored in high definition” as touted on the cover art (pictured above). The tech specs for the release include a 1080p HD presentation, said to be in a widescreen aspect ratio, with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound on an 11-disc set. The bonus materials should be identical to those found on the previous DVD release, which included over 2 and a half hours of special features. No additional information is known about the high definition restoration at this time, as even PBS hasn’t listed it on their official store. You can however find the Blu-ray set now available for preorder over at Amazon as well as at retailers Best Buy, Target, and Walmart.

1980 film The Final Countdown on 4K UHD Blu-ray in April

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The 1980 film “The Final Countdown” is officially coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on April 27th via Blue Underground. The film, directed by Don Taylor, starred Kirk Douglas, Martin Sheen, James Farentino, Katharine Ross, Ron O’Neal, and Charles Durning. This movie has received a new 4K scan in 16-bit from the original film 35mm camera negative and restoration (as noted below). It will be presented in the 2.40:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision and HDR10 forms of high dynamic range and include Dolby Atmos as well as DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Stereo sound mixes.

“Now Blue Underground is proud to present THE FINAL COUNTDOWN in a stunning new restoration, scanned in 4K 16-bit from the original 35mm camera negative, with Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos audio, for the ultimate in explosive home theater excitement!”

There’s no preorder listing for the 4K UHD Blu-ray yet over at Amazon or any other retailers but stay tuned for an update on that. The bonus materials set to be included with this 3-disc limited edition set will physically include a Blu-ray and the CD Soundtrack. The traditional bonus materials (extras) set to be included on the release are listed below.

• Audio Commentary with Director of Photography Victor J. Kemper
• Lloyd Kaufman Goes Hollywood – Interview with Associate Producer Lloyd Kaufman
• Starring The Jolly Rogers – Interviews with The Jolly Rogers F-14 Fighter Squadron
• Theatrical Trailers
• TV Spots
• Poster & Still Galleries
• BONUS! THE FINAL COUNTDOWN Original Motion Picture Soundtrack CD by John Scott
• BONUS! Collectible Booklet featuring The Zero Pilot Journal

Further below, after the break, you can find the new restored movie trailer (in 1080p), the visual trade ad, and its text.

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