What were you planning to do in June? Four films and a pair of complete series make up Warner Archive Collection's June wave arriving on the 14th.
The titles in this batch include Mr. & Mrs. Smith (1941), The Man I Love (1947), The Shining Hour (1938), Act of Violence (1948), plus The Alaskans: The Complete Series (1959-60) featuring Roger Moore and The Flash: The Original Series from 1990. Needless to say, June is going to be a busy, expensive, and very exciting month!
Mr. & Mrs. Smith (1941) - Warner Archive Collection
“If you had it to do all over again, would you have married me?” Yes, gentlemen, there is a right answer. That’s something David Smith learns the hard way when his bubbly and beautiful wife Ann queries him over breakfast.
Also right are radiant Carole Lombard and easygoing Robert Montgomery as the stars of this breezy Alfred Hitchcock comedy. For three years, the Smiths have been blissed but battling. When a technicality voids their union, Mr. misses Mrs., orbiting the tale into the delightful confection of the screwball genre. From a script by Academy Award® winner Norman Krasna, Hitchcock made his change-of-pace foray into the all-out humor memorable. “Here again are his unmistakable touches” Look Magazine declared. “The net effect is the same, too: another Alfred Hitchcock hit.”
SPECIAL FEATURES: Featurette: “Mr. Hitchcock Meets the Smiths”, Classic cartoons: THE CAT’S TALE and SPORTS CHUMPIONS ; Two Audio only radio broadcasts: Lux Radio Theater broadcast with Carole Lombard and Bob Hope, and Screen Guild Players broadcast with Errol Flynn and Lana Turner. Original Theatrical Trailer
The Man I Love (1947) - Warner Archive Collection
Torch singer Petey Brown is beautiful and smart. The beautiful gets her in trouble. She’ll need all the smarts to get out of it in this bluesy, boozy noir salute to tough dames in tough times. On a holiday visit to her family in the waning days of World War II, Petey expects a merry Christmas. Instead, she gets a tangled web of mobsters, cheating wives, war-traumatized vets and the kind of love that grabs hold fast and goes wrong faster. Ida Lupino portrays Petey, scoring a triumph under the direction of Raoul Walsh, who helped put her on the road to stardom in the Bogart classic High Sierra. The Man I Love is also notable for its songbook of sophisticated standards and as one of the inspirations for Martin Scorsese’s “New York, New York”. This new Blu-ray presentation restores 6 minutes cut from the film and unseen for nearly seven decades. Now, newly remastered the film can finally be experienced as first shown in its original theatrical release.
Special features: Classic WB cartoons “ROUGHLY SQUEAKING”, “SLICK HARE”. Includes the Original Theatrical Trailer
The Shining Hour (1938) - Warner Archive Collection
When Joan Crawford saw The Shining Hour on the Broadway stage, she pleaded with M-G-M executives to let her spread her acting wings in the film version. Ms. Crawford got her way, playing a New York siren who marries a prosperous farmer (Melvyn Douglas) and moves to Wisconsin. There she is drawn to his handsome brother (Robert Young) , even as she befriends the brother’s selfless wife (Margaret Sullavan, Crawford’s choice for the role). The passionate triangle plays out in the best tradition of classic screen melodrama, glossy and chic, but resonant with honest emotion, all under the expert direction of the great Frank Borzage. The film’s heart-stopping climax with Crawford battling flames to rescue Sullavan from certain death is both literally and figuratively, incendiary filmmaking.
SPECIAL FEATURES: Audio only vintage M-G-M radio program GOOD NEWS OF 1939, with scenes from THE SHINING HOUR, Classic cartoons: LOVE AND CURSES and THE SNEEZING WEASEL, Original Theatrical Trailer
Act of Violence (1948) - Warner Archive Collection
When two World War II veterans meet again--one a decorated war hero and successful, married businessman; the other permanently crippled and mentally deranged--the encounter will lead to a shocking Act of Violence. Frank Enly (Van Heflin) survived a German concentration camp to return home a hero and build a good life for himself. But when Joe Parkson (Robert Ryan) comes to town, Enly flees. Now, as his life and sanity rapidly unravel, is Enly really a lying traitor who sold the lives of fellow concentration camp inmates for his own survival as the mentally unstable Parkson claims, or is he a victim of survivor's guilt that has suddenly resurfaced with Parkson's return? And will the enmity between the two lead to murder in this acclaimed film noir thriller, from masterful director Fred Zinnemann.
Special features: Feature commentary by film historian Dr. Drew Casper, Featurette “Act of Violence: Dealing with the Devil”, Original Theatrical Trailer
The Alaskans: The Complete Series (1959-60) - Warner Archive Collection
Set against the backdrop of the 1890s gold rush in the Yukon, Roger Moore, Jeff York and Dorothy Provine star in The Alaskans. This Warner Bros. Television series built on the growing popularity of the studio’s westerns which became a mainstay on ABC in the late 1950s and early 1960s, with . Years before establishing himself as The Saint and later James Bond, Moore brought his unique stylish swagger to the series, adding distinctive class to the role of Silky Harris, an adventurer who teams up with his friend Reno McKeean (Jeff York). Joined in their ever-exciting activities by showgirl Rocky Shaw (Dorothy Provine), the trio stake their luck, love and lives on ice-coated gambles for riches and survival. The series also had the benefit of an impressive array of guest stars including James Coburn, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Troy Donahue, Lee Van Cleef, Neil Hamilton, Alan Hale, Werner Klemperer, and Julie Adams to name but a few. Long unavailable for viewing in any media, the series has now been remastered in 1080p HD for this Warner Archive Blu-ray™ release, derived from new 4K scans of the original camera negatives.
The Flash: The Original Series - Warner Archive Collection
Who-o-o-o-osh! The origins and exploits of the crimefighting DC Comics superhero come your way in this 22-episode live-action series, from the 1990-91 television season. John Wesley Shipp portrays Barry Allen, a police crime technologist endowed with sudden talents after a fluke lab accident. He pledges to use his new powers for good, powers that include ultra-speed reflexes and the ability to vibrate his molecules so rapidly he can pass through solid walls. Amanda Pays is medical researcher Tina McGee, who monitors Allen’s accelerated metabolism and guards his secret identity. The Tricksters, Captain Cold, the Ghost, mad inventors: Central City is rife with criminals. Now there’s a hero to keep pace with them. He’s called The Flash. And in our era of instant communications, he’s more in step with the times than ever.
Pre-orders for all six Blu-ray releases should be available soon and full details can be found on Warner Archive Collection's Facebook Page.
Amazon MGM Studios' Orion Pictures critically-acclaimed comedy 'American Fiction' will be available on Blu-ray this June 18th with a SRP of $22.99.
'American Fiction' stars Oscar-nominee Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Rose, John Ortiz, Erika Alexander, Adam Brody, Keith David, Leslie Uggams, Issa Rae, and Oscar-nominee Sterling K. Brown. The film was written and directed by Academy Award-winner Cord Jefferson and received five Oscar nominations including Best Picture.
American Fiction is Cord Jefferson's hilarious directorial debut, which confronts our culture’s obsession with reducing people to outrageous stereotypes. Jeffrey Wright stars as Monk, a frustrated novelist who’s fed up with the establishment profiting from “Black” entertainment that relies on tired and offensive tropes. To prove his point, Monk uses a pen name to write an outlandish “Black” book of his own, a book that propels him to the heart of hypocrisy and the madness he claims to disdain.
Pre-orders for American Fiction should be going live soon, Amazon has the listing but no ordering options yet.
“American Fiction is smart and, thanks to its fine cast, has genuine heart.”
The Hollywood Reporter / Lovia Gyarkye
AMERICAN FICTION
ARRIVES ON BLU-RAY ON JUNE 18
Burbank, CA, April 24 – The critically acclaimed, American Fiction, from Amazon MGM Studios’ Orion Pictures, will be available for purchase on Blu-ray on June 18.
Written for the screen and directed by Academy Award® winner Cord Jefferson (TV’s “Watchmen”), the film is produced by Ben LeClair, p.g.a., Nikos Karamigios, p.g.a., Cord Jefferson, p.g.a., and Jermaine Johnson, p.g.a. The film was nominated for five Academy Awards®, including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Score and winning for Best Adapted Screenplay.
American Fiction stars Academy Award® nominee Jeffrey Wright (“The Batman”, “No Time to Die”), Tracee Ellis Ross (TV’s “Blackish”), John Ortiz (“The Fast and Furious” films), Erika Alexander (TV’s “Living Single”), Leslie Uggams (The “Deadpool” films), Keith David (“Nope”) Adam Brody (TV’s “The O.C.”) with Issa Rae (TV’s “Insecure), and Academy Award® nominee Sterling K. Brown (TV’s “This Is Us”)
American Fiction will be available on June 18 on Blu-ray for $22.99 (ERP).
ABOUT THE FILM:
American Fiction is Cord Jefferson's hilarious directorial debut, which confronts our culture’s obsession with reducing people to outrageous stereotypes. Jeffrey Wright stars as Monk, a frustrated novelist who’s fed up with the establishment profiting from “Black” entertainment that relies on tired and offensive tropes. To prove his point, Monk uses a pen name to write an outlandish “Black” book of his own, a book that propels him to the heart of hypocrisy and the madness he claims to disdain.
Orion Pictures and MRC Present a T-Street Production
An Almost Infinite / 3 Arts Entertainment Production
A Film by Cord Jefferson
Written for the Screen and Directed by: Cord Jefferson
Based Upon the Novel “Erasure” by: Percival Everett
Produced by: Ben LeClair, p.g.a. Nikos Karamigios, p.g.a., Cord Jefferson, p.g.a. and Jermaine Johnson, p.g.a.
Executive Producers: Rian Johnson, Ram Bergman, Percival Everett
Cast: Jeffery Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, John Ortiz, Erika Alexander, Leslie Uggams, Adam Brody, Keith David, with Issa Rae and Sterling K. Brown
BASICS
PRODUCT
Blu-ray
Languages: English, Parisian French, Latin Spanish
Subtitles: English SDH, Parisian French, Latin Spanish, Latin Spanish- Forced,
Parisian French-Forced
Running Time: 117 minutes
Rating: Rated R for language throughout, some drug use, sexual references and brief violence.
THE CREDITS
Lionsgate is preparing Ordinary Angels for a Blu-ray + DVD + Digital combo pack release on April 30.
Ordinary Angels is a drama based on a true story about a "ticked off hairdresser with a splitting headache" who makes it her mission to help a widower's daughter receive a liver transplant starring Hilary Swank and Alan Ritchson. The Blu-ray + DVD + Digital combo pack includes Dolby Atmos audio and a few supplements with a SRP of $39.99.
Based on a remarkable true story, Ordinary Angels centers on Sharon (Hilary Swank), a fierce but struggling hairdresser in small-town Kentucky who discovers a renewed sense of purpose when she meets Ed (Alan Ritchson), a widower working hard to make ends meet for his two daughters. With Ed’s youngest daughter waiting for a liver transplant, Sharon sets her mind to helping the family and moves mountains to do it. What unfolds is an inspiring tale of faith, everyday miracles, and ordinary angels.
The Blu-ray + DVD + Digital combo pack includes Dolby Atmos audio and the following supplements:
Pre-orders for Ordinary Angels are now listed and here is the full press release:
Ordinary Angels will be available on Blu-ray™ and DVD on April 30, 2024
Starring
Hilary Swank, Alan Ritchson, Nancy Travis, Tamala Jones,
Drew Powell, Amy Acker, Skywalker Hughes, Emily Mitchell
Directed by
Jon Gunn
Screenplay by
Meg Tilly and Kelly Fremon Craig
Synopsis
Based on a remarkable true story, Ordinary Angels centers on Sharon (Hilary Swank), a fierce but struggling hairdresser in small-town Kentucky who discovers a renewed sense of purpose when she meets Ed (Alan Ritchson), a widower working hard to make ends meet for his two daughters. With Ed’s youngest daughter waiting for a liver transplant, Sharon sets her mind to helping the family and moves mountains to do it. What unfolds is an inspiring tale of faith, everyday miracles, and ordinary angels.
Lionsgate presents, a Vertigo Entertainment / Stampede Ventures production.
A Kingdom Story Company production.
Run Time: 118 min
Rated PG for thematic content, brief bloody images and smoking.
Press Materials
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/
Program Information
Title Copyright: Ordinary Angels © 2023, Artwork & Supplementary Materials ®, ™ & © 2024 Lions Gate Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Type: New Release
Closed-Captioned: N/A
Subtitles: Spanish, French, English SDH
Blu-ray Format: 1080p High Definition 16x9 (2.39:1) Presentation
DVD Format: 16x9 (2.39:1) Presentation
Blu-ray Audio: English Dolby Atmos, English Descriptive Audio, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Audio, French 5.1 Dolby Audio
DVD Audio: English 5.1 Dolby Audio, English Descriptive Audio, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Audio, French 5.1 Dolby Audio
Blu-ray SRP: $39.99
DVD SRP: $29.96
Blu-ray / DVD Special Features:
Audio Commentary with Director Jon Gunn and Producers Jon Berg and Kevin Downes
Making Ordinary Angels
Inspiring the Ordinary
Finding Your Purpose
You Are Not Alone
Deleted Scenes
Lionsgate is set to release Arthur the King on Blu-ray + DVD + Digital combo pack on May 28. Digital will be available on April 23.
Arthur the King is based on the incredible true story of adventure racer Mikael Lindnord and the dog that changed Lindnord’s life called Arthur. The film stars Mark Wahlberg, Simu Liu and Ukai the dog, and the Blu-ray package include several supplements and a Dolby Atmos soundtrack.
In ARTHUR THE KING, an unbreakable bond is forged between pro adventure racer Michael Light and a scrappy street dog companion dubbed Arthur over the course of a grueling 10-day, 435-mile racecourse. An “inspiring story for the whole family” (Rachel Wagner, Rachel’s Reviews), and based on true events, ARTHUR THE KING follows Light, desperate for one last chance to win, as he convinces a sponsor to back him and a team of athletes for the Adventure Racing World Championship in the Dominican Republic. Pushing the team to the outer limits of endurance and sacrifice, Arthur redefines what victory, loyalty, and friendship truly mean.
The Blu-ray + DVD + Digital combo pack includes Dolby Atmos audio and the following supplements:
Pre-orders for Arthur the King are up and here is the full press release:
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Title volume ticks up quite a bit this week. Call it a bit of an appetizer to the smorgasbord of titles next week. Statham returns as a 'beekeeper,' no doubt Stathaming as best as Statham knows how!
Welcome to Volume 4 Episode 47 of our weekly release guide. A look at the highlights of what's coming to disc the week of April 21st - April 27th, as well as a look at announcements from last week.
Try not to buy something this week, just try!
Import Monday has a couple of titles to choose from. First, StudioCanal's premium label, their "Vintage Classics" presentation of The Lavender Hill Mob. A comedy/crime classic starring Sir Alec Guinness. I might have just bought my first title of the week and we are not even on to Domestic titles yet.
In my slightly annoyed leer, recent hit comedy/drama The Holdovers gets a 4K import. The leer is aimed at Universal Pictures, not Dazzler Media who brings it to us in 4K, while Uni does not. I totally get that not every film gets 4K, but this one should!
And a hard rock music title, somehow now showing up as a January release, but probably an error on Amazon's part, Mötley Crüe: The End - Live in Los Angeles.
And on to Domestic Tuesday titles we go as we look at two new release from Warner Bros!
First up, a Jason Statham action/thriller (bet you thought I was going to say romcom right?) The Beekeeper. How are you holding up for the buy nothing challenge?
Next, DC Animation's Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part 2.
Starting off catalog releases, might as well stick with Warner Bros for their star-filled, award winning director release of The Departed. You can also opt for the SteelBook if you wish.
Sony Pictures has the SteelBook of Steel Magnolias this week.
Up next, a pair of Indicator Series Limited Editions with The Demoniacs and The Nude Vampire.
A label we don't see every week, Blue Underground has Goodbye Uncle Tom, presented as a 4-Disc Limited Edition. Personally have never been steered wrong yet with the quality of any of their releases.
Criterion has foreign film I Am Cuba this week.
From team Kino, Andrei Tarkovsky's Nostalghia.
And closing out the week for 4K, Shout Select release Rolling Thunder.
How did you fare? I got 5 for sures and 3 maybes. Next week, Disc-ocalypse returns with way too many titles to summarize! (Although, a bunch of them are standard edition reissues, so there is hope yet of not quite destroying your account balance.)
Blu-ray counterparts of the above 4K releases include a lot, The Beekeeper and Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths - Part Two from Warner Bros, The Demoniacs and The Nude Vampire under the Indicator Series, Goodbye Uncle Tom from Blue Underground, I Am Cuba from Criterion, and Nostalghia from Kino Lorber.
The blu-ray category looks quite busy, even if we exclude the off-brand boutiques, there are still a lot to look at. (And maybe there are some lesser known boutique titles you want to look at.)
New action/comedy Drive-Away Dolls comes to us via Universal.
From Eureka Entertainment, Jet Li stars in Black Mask, available as a 2-disc limited edition. Wouldn't be a Eureka week if there were only one title. Also look for The Cat and the Canary, all the way back from 1927.
MPI has a mediabook of Hansel and Gretel (1987) this week. If you opt for the standard release, there's that too.
From Arrow Video, The Scarface Mob, a crime/drama based on a TV pilot of the hunt for ruthless gangster Al Capone.
Friday via Amazon US, lots of Umbrella Entertainment and Via Vision (Australia) imports become available to the US market:
Criterion has announced their July 2024 disc slate. Look for Black God, White Devil blu-ray, Farewell My Concubine blu-ray and 4K, Le Samouraï in 4K, Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid blu-ray and 4K, Perfect Days blu-ray and 4K, and Risky Business blu-ray and 4K.
Which titles are you buying this week? Which ones are on your wishlist, be it to buy as an impulse buy or to wait for the right price?
Neon's latest horror effort Immaculate from director Michael Mohan will birth its first domestic Blu-ray release on June 11th. Those who have moved on to digital streaming collecting will be able to pick up the film today, April 16th.
4K UHD collectors can look to import from Capelight in Germany.
Between The First Omen and Immaculate - 2024 has been one hell of a devilishly delicious year for religiously-themed female body horror films. Given recent legal events of the past couple of years in the U.S., the timing of these films couldn't be more perfect - and they're both actually pretty damn good! Now if we can get Late Night with the Devil on disc soon, we can have a devilishly great triple feature for the collections. Taking a page from Italian Giallo and Nunsploitation classics, Immaculate enjoyed a successful theatrical run and is ready to take over your home video collection. Neon hasn't been bountiful about the disc details of A/V specs or bonus features, but we have a firm street date and it's up for pre-order right now!
Now for all those asking, "Where's the 4K, where's the 4K?" - well, right now you're going to have to import that. Thanks to Germany's Capelight Pictures. A two-disc 4K UHD + Blu-ray Mediabook; this edition is set to offer Dolby Vision HDR (and HDR10), DTS-HD MA 5.1 in German and English language tracks. Capelight hasn't yet listed any bonus features yet either. For fans who don't want to wait for a 4K to maybe, hopefully, possibly get a 4K release here stateside, importing looks to be the best way to go. So far, no other foreign territories have offered up a 4K disc release, but that could change. We'll keep an eye out.
Immaculate - 4K UHD Mediabook (German Import)
Both of these releases are now up for pre-order. As soon as we get updated info for either of these releases or if another import release enters the market, we'll update listings ASAP - Happy collecting!
Happy IRS day! Got a big refund coming? Dolby is tugging at your refund check. That is, Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision! And how bout that backlog of discs?
We get another below average slow week this week, with another disc-ocalypse just around the corner. If every week were busy, burning the candle at both ends would not really be very sustainable, agreed?
Welcome to Volume 4 Episode 46 of our weekly release guide. A look at the highlights of what's coming to disc the week of April 14th - April 20th, as well as a look at announcements from last week.
We actually do have a new release this week, that being Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan: The Final Season, brought to us via Paramount. And since it's a final season, why not include The Complete Series while we are it it? Let us also offer up the obvious money grab, Jack Ryan Ultimate 5-Movie Collection. Maybe you held off buying this collection?
From the Criterion Collection, Hungarian film Werckmeister Harmonies.
On the delayed list, The Faculty from Shout Factory to an undetermined date, and High Noon from Kino Lorber to May 7th. The latter still shows up on Amazon for a release this week, but official listings at Kino Lorber indicate otherwise.
Word of caution -- Disc-ocalypse, part two is just 2 weeks away!
Blu-ray counterparts of the above 4K releases includes Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan: The Final Season (not available to order at press time-alternate WALMART LINK) and Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan: The Complete Series from Paramount. Also available, Werckmeister Harmonies from Criterion.
For the rest of this category, it is a bit slow. But as always, here are the highlights...
Shout Factory has a new 'Select' release of 1997 drama Affliction.
Universal has the latest comedy sequel, Half Baked: Totally High. Amazon has their stupid Allied Vaughn placeholder for the studio still, but it really is Universal.
Also from Universal, the latest season in the series, The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die.
From Sony Pictures, 1991 crime drama City of Hope. Under the Sony Pictures Classics label (NOT Allied Vaughn as Amazon shows), the Polish animated drama The Peasants.
Just one release in the anime category this week, Rozen Maiden: The Complete Series.
Star Trek: Lower Decks - Season Four comes to disc this week via Paramount.
In the 'You're Welcome' category, Francis Ford Coppola's One from the Heart: Reprise will be coming to domestic 4K from LionsGate on May 7th. You're Welcome because I bought the import literally a month ago. Any other titles you would like me to import?
Warner Bros. has announced that Dune: Part Two will be coming to blu-ray and 4K on May 14th. Specs would indicate it will *not* include the IMAX ratio.
Sony Pictures Entertainment has announced that Madame Web will be released on April 30th to blu-ray and 4K format.
In entertainment industry news, Universal All-Access Rewards will be completely closed on July 31st. Seldom did this program offer physical rewards, but I would use it to add digital copies to my locker of titles that often times got licensed out to boutique labels for disc production. Boutique labels almost never include digital copies, so that was a nice side gig.
Which titles are you buying this week? Which ones are on your wishlist, be it to buy as an impulse buy or to wait for the right price?
Have you been redeeming those digital copy slips that come with your discs? Universal Studios' popular rewards program Universal All-Access which lets you redeem points for swag, tickets, and digital copies will be closing on June 30th. Last day to redeem points will be July 31st, 2024
For a number of film fans out there who have loved building a physical media collection, they've also been building their digital streaming collections redeeming the codes on those little slips of paper. Like fellow studios Disney and Sony, Universal Studios gave collectors a little extra incentive with their own branded rewards program - Universal All-Access. This service gave members the opportunity for a little extra juice from their media purchases by redeeming their accumulated points for fun swag items like posters and such, movie tickets, or redeem for more digital copies of favorite films. Every month a new batch of rewards would arrive giving you all the more reason to keep redeeming those codes. Well, that's all coming to a close within the next three months.
Per an email that was sent out to members this morning, Universal All-Access' last days are on the horizon. The final day to redeem codes for their point values will be June 30th. The last day to redeem those points will be July 31st. As a parting gesture to users, the final batch of new digital rewards will go live in June and they're saying it's supposed to be a much larger selection than normal. So if you've been hoarding those points (I regularly forget to redeem them for rewards and have over 21,000 points), you'll only have a couple of months to get all the goodies you can.
Here's what was in the email:
"Dear Valued Members,
Please note the following important dates and information regarding the program’s closure:
Thank you for your understanding and continued support.
Best regards,
Universal All-Access Rewards Staff"
That just about does it. While it sucks to see the program close - it's been a nice and easy way to grow my digital collection, I'm glad they're not simply turning the faucet off. You've got time to get those reward slip codes in and they're at least going to be adding more titles to the program for a couple more months so you can burn through those points.
Is not a lot of witticism to open with this week, it basically being an ordinary slow week. As far as physical media and entertainment, we keep chugging along.
Welcome to Volume 4 Episode 45 of our weekly release guide. A look at the highlights of what's coming to disc the week of April 7th - April 13th, as well as a look at announcements from last week.
4K catalog week, part deux, or is it part tres. No matter, here's what to look for this week. Two weeks to the next wallet-buster.
From Paramount Pictures, the SteelBook of King Kong (1976). Shout Factory very recently did a blu-ray release of this one. The lesson we learned from the Shout release was not to go in with high expectations as the source material has a few issues. Still, I expect this release to look the best of all the previous releases.
From the Criterion Collection, Picnic at Hanging Rock. When I ordered the Second Sight UK fat-pack some time back, I did so knowing full well that Criterion would probably be doing a US release. But at the same time, Criterion does not offer it in a fancy edition or a swag filled fat-pack, so I am still happy with what I got.
From Massacre Video and (maybe) this week, action/horror Postal.
Closing out the category, an MPI Mediabook of Don Lee's The Roundup: No Way Out. For now, to get the original film with a Mediabook, it's blu-ray only.
Blu-ray counterparts of the above 4K releases? This week look for The Roundup: No Way Out, in a standard edition blu-ray.
The rest of the category has a little bit of wallet-recharge vibe to it. Here are a few things though that you may want to ponder.
Two entries from Universal Pictures, Lisa Frankenstein: Collector's Edition and Night Swim: Collector's Edition. Are studios overusing the term Collector's Edition? If you are hollaring Where's the 4K? to truly make it a Collector's Edition, I won't disagree with you here. Not every movie gets such a physical release, but then some just seem inevitable. Whether a 4K double-dip is on our future, by Universal or Turbine, that is to be determined. [Edit: A UK 4K edition for Lisa Frankenstein is already available for preorder with a sttreet date in June, and it looks like Night Swim is coming in May, so, back to posing the original question to Universal/Blumhouse. Some people don't link importing though as there is a small chance of compatibility issues. Often times the enclose blu-ray on these UK releases are region locked.]
Doom Patrol: The Complete Fourth and Final Season comes to us via Warner Bros. You can also get a Complete Series set if you waited for this point of the series.
From the MVD Rewind Collection label, action flick Mean Guns: Collector's Edition.
The only Anime Highlight this week is Peter Grill and the Philosopher's Time Super Extra (Season 2). I feel like we have been stuck at the previous season for awhile, so this is quite welcome.
If you have been waiting for the non-Walmart Exclusive edition of Winnie the Pooh: Blood & Honey, it comes as a standard release this week. Can you believe there are already two sequels to this? One is already made, the other is in the works. The film was made on a low budget, and there are a couple of territories which it is available as a 4K disc, but those releases are probably not much of an upgrade.
Worthy Mention: Fourteen years after Warner Bros releases it, Shout Factory brings us a new edition of Lost in Space: Collector's Edition.
Paramount has revealed the next Paramount Presents label title to be Chinatown, as a 4K release with a bonus blu-ray of Two Jakes. Expect to see this release June 18th.
LionsGate will be releasing a blu-ray of Blumhouse's Imaginary on May 14th. Yup, I will say it again this time .... Blumhouse, what's with the lack of 4K releases of so much of your library? Time to catch up with 2024.
Shout Factory's various labels have revealed releases for June. They are an interesting slate that include Digimon Adventure 02: The Beginning, Matinee 4K, Robocop (2014) 4K, Robocop 2 4K, The First Slam Dunk and Species II 4K. Yeah, my video wall is probably going to burst with that slate.
Which titles are you buying this week? Which ones are on your wishlist, be it to buy as an impulse buy or to wait for the right price?
Universal is preparing to release Ethan Coen's film Drive-Away Dolls on Blu-ray + DVD + Digital combo pack on April 23.
The road-trip comedy starring Margaret Qualley, Geraldine Viswanathan, Beanie Feldstein, Matt Damon, Pedro Pascal, Colman Domingo, and Bill Camp will be streaming exclusively on Peacock April 12. Digital purchases and rentals will also be available on the same date.
Written by Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke, the story follows Jamie (Margaret Qualley), an uninhibited free spirit bemoaning yet another breakup with a girlfriend, and her demure friend Marian (Geraldine Viswanathan), who desperately needs to loosen up. In search of a fresh start, the two embark on an impromptu road trip to Tallahassee, but things quickly go awry when they cross paths with a group of inept criminals along the way.
The Blu-ray + DVD + Digital combo pack includes a English Dolby TrueHD 7.1 soundtrack and the following supplements:
Pre-orders for Drive-Away Dolls are up and here is the full press release:
WATCH THE LATEST FILM FROM ACCLAIMED DIRECTOR ETHAN COEN AND WRITER TRICIA COOKE
AVAILABLE TO OWN ON DIGITAL & BLU-RAY™
EXCLUSIVE NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN BONUS CONTENT
AVAILABLE ONLY ON DIGITAL APRIL 12, 2024
AND BLU-RAY™ APRIL 23, 2022
THE HILARIOUS ROAD-TRIP COMEDY CAPER ALSO STREAMS EXCLUSIVELY ON PEACOCK APRIL 12
Universal City, California, April 5, 2024 – Bring home Academy Award® winner Ethan Coen’s (The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, The Big Lebowski) solo directorial debut with DRIVE-AWAY DOLLS. The film will be making its streaming premiere exclusively on Peacock beginning April 12th. It will also be available to own with exclusive bonus features, including a sit down with the cast and filmmakers, on Digital April 12, 2024 and on Blu-rayTM April 23, 2024, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.
This new road trip comedy caper film showcases an all-star cast including Primetime Emmy Award® nominee Margaret Qualley (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood), Geraldine Viswanathan (Blockers), Beanie Feldstein (Booksmart, Lady Bird), Matt Damon (Oppenheimer, Ford v Ferrari), Primetime Emmy Award® nominee Pedro Pascal (“The Last of Us”), Colman Domingo (Rustin, The Color Purple), and Primetime Emmy Award® nominee Bill Camp ( “The Queen’s Gambit,” “The Night Of”).
Written by Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke, the story follows Jamie (Margaret Qualley), an uninhibited free spirit bemoaning yet another breakup with a girlfriend, and her demure friend Marian (Geraldine Viswanathan), who desperately needs to loosen up. In search of a fresh start, the two embark on an impromptu road trip to Tallahassee, but things quickly go awry when they cross paths with a group of inept criminals along the way.
BONUS FEATURES on DIGITAL, BLU-RAYTM AND DVD:
• THE DRIVE-AWAY GANG – Sit down with the cast and filmmakers of DRIVE-AWAY DOLLS as they discuss their roles, getting into character, and the exciting cameo appearances.
• DRIVE-AWAY DOLLS: AN ETHAN AND TRICIA PROJECT – Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke discuss what inspired them to write this story, why they waited 20 years to bring it to life, and what it was like working together on a project from start to finish for the first time.
• ROAD TRIP ESSENTIALS
For more information on DRIVE-AWAY DOLLS please visit:
Press Advisory: https://www.uphe.com/press-release/drive-away-dolls-press-release
UPHE Website: https://www.uphe.com/movies/drive-away-dolls
Peacock: www.peacocktv.com/stream-movies/drive-away-dolls
Trailer: https://uni.pictures/DriveAwayDolls_HomeEntTrailer
Facebook: /Drive-Away Dolls |/UniversalPicturesAllAccess
X: @DriveAwayDolls | @UniAllAccess
Instagram: @DriveAwayDolls | @UniAllAccess
#DriveAwayDolls
FILMMAKERS:
Cast: Margaret Qualley, Geraldine Viswanathan, Beanie Feldstein, Colman Domingo, Pedro Pascal, Bill Camp, and Matt Damon
Casting By: Ellen Chenoweth and Rachel Tenner
Music By: Carter Burwell
Costume Designer: Peggy Schnitzer
Edited By: Tricia Cooke
Production Designer: Yong Ok Lee
Director Of Photography: Ari Wegner, ACS, ASC
Produced By: Ethan Coen, Tricia Cooke, Robert Graf, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner
Written By: Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke
Directed By: Ethan Coen
TECHNICAL INFORMATION BLU-RAYTM:
Street Date: April 23, 2024
Selection Number: 191329255988
Layers: BD 50
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 1.85:1 Widescreen
Rating: R for crude sexual content, full nudity, language and some violent content
Subtitles: English SDH, French Canadian, and Latin American Spanish
Languages/Sound: English (Dolby TrueHD 7.1 for Feature, Dolby Digital 2.0 for Bonus Content), French Canadian (Dolby Digital Surround 5.1), and Latin American Spanish (Dolby Digital 5.1)
Run Time: 01:23:37
TECHNICAL INFORMATION DVD:
Street Date: April 23, 2024
Selection Number: 191329255766
Layers: DVD 9
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Rating: R for crude sexual content, full nudity, language and some violent content
Subtitles: English SDH, French Canadian, and Latin American Spanish
Languages/Sound: English (Dolby Digital 5.1 for Feature, Dolby Digital 2.0 for Bonus Content), French Canadian (Dolby Digital 5.1 for Feature), and Latin American Spanish (Dolby Digital 5.1)
Run Time: 01:23:27
ABOUT UNIVERSAL PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT:
Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (UPHE – www.uphe.com) is a unit of Universal Filmed Entertainment Group (UFEG). UFEG produces, acquires, markets and distributes filmed entertainment worldwide in various media formats for theatrical, home entertainment, television and other distribution platforms, as well as consumer products, interactive gaming and live entertainment. The global division includes Universal Pictures, Focus Features, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, Universal Brand Development, Fandango, DreamWorks Animation Film and Television. UFEG is part of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, world-renowned theme parks and a suite of leading Internet-based businesses. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.
ABOUT PEACOCK:
Peacock is NBCUniversal’s streaming service providing audiences a singular, unmatched content destination. As one of the most complete streaming products on the market, Peacock offers exclusive breakout original series; more than 8,000 hours of live sports and entertainment programming; hit movies right after theaters from Universal Pictures, Focus Features, DreamWorks Animation and Illumination; next-day access to all new shows from NBC and Bravo; fan-favorite library content; daily live news; as well as live channels from brands including Hallmark and WWE. Built on the foundation of NBCUniversal with a spirit that is all Peacock, the platform delivers for its audiences with innovative technology, creative partnerships, and entertainment that is truly entertaining.
