Bluray News

The latest news on all things 4k Ultra HD, Blu-ray and Gear.
Might Need a Second Mortgage - HDD's 4K UHD & Blu-ray Shopping Guide, Oct. 22, 2024

 That October air is definitely getting more crisp by the day. Yeah I know, some regions still seeing 100 degree heat, but hey, it's not 115. Compared to last week, there is definitely an uptick in volume of titles, both 4K and blu-ray. If you are like me and 'must have' every major 4K release, ya might wanna take out a second mortgage. Or switch over to Ramen for the three months. Maybe this picture is more appropriate for the week... (Bing AI)

 

 Welcome to Volume 5 Episode 21 of our weekly release guide. A look at the highlights of what's coming to disc the week of October 20th - October 26th, as well as a look at announcements from last week.

4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Releases-

 Import Monday has definitely got a handful to choose from. Again it's one of those things, do you pounce at the opportunity or do you wait and hope a domestic release is coming?

 When you think classic cinema, you might think The African Queen when you list your top 10. This one is from StudioCanal's Vintage Classics label. It's a major enough title that one would imagine a domestic 4K would be coming. Maybe?

 

 Did you pass on Turbine Medien's German release or Barb Wire? Here is a more basic UK release that might entice a purchase.

 

 The final title of UK Import Monday is something you might already have recently acquired as part of a box set. Referring to the action/thriller Breakdown. The box set I was referring to was Paramount Scares Volume 2.

 You might need to dig deep into that wallet for Domestic Release Tuesday, there a a few great releases this week.

 There are three big title New Releases this week. For many, it's all about Deadpool & Wolverine. Here's a rundown of the three editions being offered. There is the Standard Edition, the Deadpool SteelBook edition and the Wolverine SteelBook edition. Both SteelBooks seem unavailable to order at press time, even with the $55 each price tag they sold out fast. Whether Amazon adds more or whether you need to seek other avenues, that is the question. If you buy all three at a retail outlet, this is a $130 movie.

 

 

 

 I myself might enjoy a Deadpool or Wolverine film, but I think I might enjoy Twisters just a wee bit more. This one comes in a Standard Edition and a somewhat snazzy looking Walmart Exclusive SteelBook.

 

 

 And the third new release title this week would be Borderlands from LionsGate. With three options to pick from, a Standard Edition, a Walmart Exclusive SteelBook, and an Amazon Exclusive SteelBook.

  

 

 From Sony Pictures, a long awaited release of Columbia Classics 4K Ultra HD Collection: Volume 5. Keep buying them, they will keep making them. Simple Satisfaction, right?

 

 Under the Paramount Presents label, Ghost finally gets that 4K release so many have been waiting for. Unchained Melody is such the perfect song for this film.

 

 Criterion Collection this week offers the dark comedy Gummo.

 

 Not really sure if these next two titles from Hollywood/Touchstone Pictures (Disney) puts us one step closer to one of my favorite popcorn action movie Armageddon getting a 4K release or if it is just in time for the Halloween season, referring to M. Night Shyamalan's The Sixth Sense and Signs.

 

 

 Thank me for this one, I took a hit for the team and imported the UK set under the premise that a US set would never materialize, referring to Hellraiser: Quartet of Torment from Arrow Video. There is also an Arrow Video store exclusive available as well.

 

 Shout! Factory has a pair of releases this week, Death Becomes Her and The Wolfman (2010).

 

 

 Warner Bros this week is offering several movie-only (no digital codes included) releases of The Hitcher, The Intern, Tag and Vacation (2015). These releases are likely small batch MOD type titles and would not be released any other way.

 

 

 Kino Classics has German silent cinema The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari available this week.

 More Tinto Brass from Cult Epics with Cheeky! The limited edition variants are very limited and only available via their direct site.

 

 In the, still not really sure it will release category, the Ultimate Edition of Caligula. Indicators are saying we might be at the end of our wait.

 

Blu-ray releases-

 Blu-ray counterparts of the above 4K releases include the UK import of The African Queen (potentially region B locked), Deadpool & Wolverine, also with a Walmart Exclusive edition, Twisters (which also has a double-feature available), Borderlands, Gummo, The Hitcher, Hellraiser: Quartet of Torment and Cheeky!.

 From Janus Contemporaries, the drama About Dry Grasses.

 

 Anime highlights include Afro Samurai: Resurrection, Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War: Part 2, which also comes as a Limited Edition, GOBLIN SLAYER - Season 2, The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen: From Villainess to Savior - Complete Collection and Outlaw Star - The Complete Series.

 

 TV on disc this week includes Doctor Who (David Tenant): Complete Series 1-4  and Veep: The Complete Series.

 

 Collectors of Kino's Cult Series discs can get #17 in the series, Hussy. Yes, this one was previously released, as a Twilight Time title.

 

 Australian Import Friday (via Amazon US) includes:

 

Notable announcements from last week:

 In another "you're welcome" moment because I had recently bought the blu-ray, White Christmas is getting a 4K upgrade as it celebrate's its 70th anniversary. The title is expected to street November 5th.

 Universal Pictures has announced the latest Dreamworks animated feature, The Wild Robot will be releasing to disc on December 3rd.

4K Release Calendar

2K/BD Release Calendar

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?



Three More Imprint Asia Limited Edition Blu-ray Releases Coming January 2025

Australian distributor Via Vision's Imprint Asia Limited Edition Blu-ray lineup has been announced for a release on January 8.

Titles in this batch include the triple feature a boxed set Erotic Ghost Story Trilogy (1990-1992), Zhou Yu’s Train (2002), and Jia Ling's YOLO (2024).

Erotic Ghost Story Trilogy (1990-1992) - Imprint Asia Limited Edition

Erotic Ghost Story Trilogy (1990-1992) - Imprint Asia Limited Edition
 

Erotic Ghost Story Trilogy (1990 – 1992) – Imprint Asia #10 – 12

The steamy Erotic Ghost Story trilogy is coming to Imprint Asia, in a Limited Edition 3-Disc Hardbox!

These sensual, supernatural Cat III films, the first of which takes influence from The Witches of Eastwick, explore the lustful desires of spirits, demons and humans alike.

Packed with plenty of swordplay, weird and wacky comedy, vivid and surreal imagery, and plenty of provocative pleasure, dive into the colourful orgies of the Erotic Ghost Story trilogy.

1500 copies only.

Erotic Ghost Story (1990) – Imprint Asia #10

Three vixens have meditated for a thousand years, to be able to shed their animal natures and become human. For the final month of their rigors, they have moved near a village where women pray to a god of fertility. One sister visits the god’s temple and thinks lustful thoughts. As she leaves, a priest confronts her, warning of dire consequences and of demons that will try to stop the vixens’ transformation.

Special Features & Technical Specs:

  • 1080p High-definition presentation of the 89-minute original Cantonese language release
  • NEW Audio Commentary by cult film critic Ian Jane
  • NEW From Erotic to Extreme: Costume Drama Meets Category III – interview with film historian Paul Fonoroff
  • Alternate 95-minute Mandarin language version
  • Trailer
  • Aspect Ratio 1.85:1
  • Audio: Cantonese LPCM 2.0 Mono + English Dub LPCM 2.0 Mono
  • Optional English + English HOH Subtitles

Erotic Ghost Story II (1991) – Imprint Asia #11

Wutung, a sex demon, falls for a mortal girl, but when the gods learn of this love, they turn her into ashes. Wutung, enraged by the loss, terrorizes a nearby village, and demands a virgin sacrifice every month. Only Yu Ying, a young girl with a mysterious birthmark, can potentially end Wutung’s reign.

Special Features & Technical Specs:

  • 1080p High-definition presentation of the 97-minute original Cantonese language release 
  • NEW Audio Commentary by filmmaker Calum Waddell 
  • NEW Interview with art director Raymond Lee and art assistant Cyrus Ho
  • NEW Interview with writer Casey Chan
  • Alternate 92-minute Mandarin language version
  • Trailer
  • Aspect Ratio 1.85:1
  • Audio: Cantonese LPCM 2.0 Mono
  • Optional English Subtitles

Erotic Ghost Story III (1992) – Imprint Asia #12

Chu Chung, a wandering adventurer, falls in love with a beautiful girl he sees in a portrait. With the help of a local monk endowed with magic powers, he is able to cross the human-spiritual barrier and enter the painting. Little does Chu Chung know that he is walking into a trap set by the archdemon Vixen.

Special Features & Technical Specs:

  • 1080p High-definition presentation of the 96-minute original Cantonese language release
  • NEW Audio Commentary by filmmaker Calum Waddell
  • NEW Interview with art assistant Cyrus Ho
  • Alternate 77-minute Mandarin language version
  • Category III: The Untold Story of Hong Kong Exploitation Cinema – documentary 
  • Cantonese Carnage – interview with Rick Baker
  • Aspect Ratio 1.85:1
  • Audio: Cantonese LPCM 2.0 Mono

Zhou Yu’s Train (2002) – Imprint Asia Limited Edition

Zhou Yu’s Train (2002) – Imprint Asia Limited Edition
 

Zhou Yu’s Train (2002) – Imprint Asia #13

Worldwide first on Blu-ray!

Beloved actress Gong Li stars as two characters in this passionate romantic drama, written and directed by Sun Zhou (Breaking the Silence).

Based on the novella by Bei Cun, the film was critically acclaimed on release in 2002, and was nominated for two Golden Rooster Awards.

Twice a week, Zhou Yu, a beautiful artisan, takes the train to faraway Chongyang, where she indulges in a torrid affair with Chen Qing, her poet-lover. Accompanying Zhou on her long, lonely train rides are two individuals who threaten to derail her romantic idyll: Zhang Qiang, a young doctor hopelessly obsessed with her, and Xiu, a mysterious young woman who bares a striking resemblance to Zhou and seems to be following her every move. 

1500 copies only.

Special Features & Technical Specs:

  • 1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray 
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Aspect Ratio 1.85:1
  • Audio: TBC
  • Optional English Subtitles
  • Limited Edition Slipcase with unique artwork

YOLO (2024) – Imprint Asia Limited Edition

YOLO (2024) – Imprint Asia Limited Edition
 

YOLO (2024) – Imprint Asia #14

Worldwide first on Blu-ray!

The seventh-highest grossing film of 2024 worldwide is YOLO, a hilarious comedy-drama from comedian and filmmaker Jia Ling (Hi, Mom). 

This box office smash hit is an adaptation of the 2014 Japanese film 100 Yen Love, starring Jia Ling and Lei Jiayin (Full River Red). 

Le Ying has been staying at home for many years, doing nothing in particular after choosing to withdraw from society and close herself off from social circles. One day, after several twists of fate, she decides to live life in a different way. In cautiously venturing into the outside world, Le Ying meets boxing coach Hao Kun.

1500 copies only.

Special Features & Technical Specs:

  • 1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Aspect Ratio 2.39:1
  • Audio: DTS-HD Surround 5.1 + LPCM 2.0 Stereo
  • Optional English HOH Subtitles
  • Limited Edition Slipcase with unique artwork

You can pre-order these Blu-ray releases now at the Imprint shop.

KNOCK ON WOOD! Hard Wood: The Adult Features of Ed Wood Blu-ray Set Available for Pre-Order at Severin

Severin is preparing to release a Blu-ray boxed set of Ed Wood's adult films on December 3. Pre-Orders are available on the Severin website.

The Blu-ray collection includes "3 films written/directed by Wood, a Wood-scripted bonus movie, plus 7+ hours of bonus materials featuring Bobcat Goldthwait, Dana Gould, Jonathan Ross & more."

Near the end of his career, the angora-loving auteur behind PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE and GLEN OR GLENDA? earned his booze funds by writing and directing explicit adult films, and this eye-popping set delivers three of the most memorable: NECROMANIA – in both hard and soft versions – stars Rene Bond and The Amazing Criswell’s coffin in a tale of weird love shot in two days by Ed while wearing a pink babydoll outfit. Uschi Digard stars in THE ONLY HOUSE IN TOWN, a softcore saga of nonsensical dialog and orgiastic depravity. Wood’s bizarre final film, the thought lost THE YOUNG MARRIEDS, is presented in hard and its never-before-seen soft versions.

As a Bonus, J. Pat O’Malley and William Schallert star in the Wood-penned hicksploitation rarity SHOTGUN WEDDING, plus over 7 hours of Special Features that include three separate audio commentaries, a conversation with Bobcat Goldthwait and Dana Gould produced exclusively for this collection, the North American disc debut of The Incredibly Strange Film Show – Ed Wood Jr., plus 9 vintage sex loops and much more.

Hard Wood: The Adult Features of Ed Wood
Hard Wood: The Adult Features of Ed Wood
 

Disc 1: Blu-ray - NECROMANIA / THE ONLY HOUSE IN TOWN

  • Audio Commentary With Ed Wood Summit Host Greg Javer And Author Paul Apel (Softcore Version Only)
  • THE ONLY HOUSE IN TOWN
  • Audio Commentary With Ed Wood Summit Host Greg Javer And Spicy Goldman Of Capri Show World
  • Trailer

Disc 2: Blu-ray (THE YOUNG MARRIEDS)

  • Audio Commentary With Ed Wood Summit Host Greg Javer And Porn Archeologist/Collector Dimitri Otis
  • Sex Loops With Subtitles By Ed Wood
    • 15" Commercial
    • Devil Cult
    • Doc's House Call
    • Girl On A Bike
    • Notorious Landlady
    • The Two Faces Of Kim
    • Virgin Next Door – Part One
    • Virgin Next Door – Part Two
    • Western Lust

Disc 3: Blu-ray (SHOTGUN WEDDING)

  • The Incredibly Strange Film Show Season 2, Episode 4: Ed Wood Jr.
  • Dana Gould And Bobcat Goldthwait Talk Ed Wood's Twilight Era
  • The Mad Genius Of Ed Wood – Interview With Carl Abrahamsson, Author Of Inbetween The Lines – Essays On Occulture, Magic, And Seductive Zombie Strippers
  • A Brief Encounter With Ed – Interview With Filmmaker Fred Olen Ray On His Ill-Fated Wood Collaboration, BEACH BLANKET BLOODBATH

You can pre-order Hard Wood: The Adult Features of Ed Wood now exclusively at the Severin webstore and included below is the press announcement:


 

SEVERIN CELEBRATES ANGORA-LOVING AUTEUR

WITH THREE-DISC BLU-RAY COLLECTION

HARD WOOD: THE ADULT FEATURES OF ED WOOD

 

Includes 3 Films Written/Directed by Wood, a Wood-Scripted Bonus Movie, Plus 7+ Hours of Bonus Materials Featuring Bobcat Goldthwait, Dana Gould, Jonathan Ross & More

 

AVAILABLE NOW FOR PRE-ORDER EXCLUSIVELY

AT THE SEVERIN WEBSTORE 

Los Angeles, CA (October 16, 2024) – In celebration of his centennial, Severin Films honors iconic filmmaker Edward D. Wood, Jr. – “the man who defined the term ‘Outsider Artist’ before it was even coined” (Daily Grindhouse) – with HARD WOOD: THE ADULT FEATURES OF ED WOOD, a loaded 3-disc Blu-ray set featuring a trio of his lurid ‘70s adult features now restored uncut from the ultimate source elements for the first time ever.

 

Near the end of his career, the angora-loving auteur behind PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE and GLEN OR GLENDA? earned his booze funds by writing and directing explicit adult films, and this eye-popping set delivers three of the most memorable: NECROMANIA – in both hard and soft versions – stars Rene Bond and The Amazing Criswell’s coffin in a tale of weird love shot in two days by Ed while wearing a pink babydoll outfit. Uschi Digard stars in THE ONLY HOUSE IN TOWN, a softcore saga of nonsensical dialog and orgiastic depravity. Wood’s bizarre final film, the thought lost THE YOUNG MARRIEDS, is presented in hard and its never-before-seen soft versions.

 

As a Bonus, J. Pat O’Malley and William Schallert star in the Wood-penned hicksploitation rarity SHOTGUN WEDDING, plus over 7 hours of Special Features that include three separate audio commentaries, a conversation with Bobcat Goldthwait and Dana Gould produced exclusively for this collection, the North American disc debut of The Incredibly Strange Film Show – Ed Wood Jr., plus 9 vintage sex loops and much more.

 

DISC 1: "NECROMANIA" A TALE OF WEIRD LOVE! / THE ONLY HOUSE IN TOWN Blu-ray

 

Special Features for "NECROMANIA" A TALE OF WEIRD LOVE! / THE ONLY HOUSE IN TOWN:

 

NECROMANIA

 

  • Softcore Version (51 mins)
  • Audio Commentary With Ed Wood Summit Host Greg Javer And Author Paul Apel (Softcore Version Only)

 

THE ONLY HOUSE IN TOWN

 

  • Audio Commentary With Ed Wood Summit Host Greg Javer And Spicy Goldman Of Capri Show World
  • Trailer

 

Feature Specs for "NECROMANIA" A TALE OF WEIRD LOVE! / THE ONLY HOUSE IN TOWN:

  • Run Time: NECROMANIA: 53 mins / THE ONLY HOUSE IN TOWN: 54 mins
  • Audio: English Mono / English Subtitles
  • Region: A/B/C
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1

 

DISC 2: THE YOUNG MARRIEDS Blu-ray

 

Special Features for THE YOUNG MARRIEDS:

 

  • Audio Commentary With Ed Wood Summit Host Greg Javer And Porn Archeologist/Collector Dimitri Otis
  • Softcore Version (59 mins)

 

Sex Loops With Subtitles By Ed Wood

  • 15" Commercial
  • Devil Cult
  • Doc's House Call
  • Girl On A Bike
  • Notorious Landlady
  • The Two Faces Of Kim
  • Virgin Next Door – Part One
  • Virgin Next Door – Part Two
  • Western Lust

 

Feature Specs for THE YOUNG MARRIEDS:

  • Run Time: 68 mins
  • Audio: English Mono
  • English Subtitles
  • Region: A/B/C
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1

 

DISC 3: SHOTGUN WEDDING Blu-ray

 

Special Features for SHOTGUN WEDDING:

 

  • The Incredibly Strange Film Show Season 2, Episode 4: Ed Wood Jr.
  • Dana Gould And Bobcat Goldthwait Talk Ed Wood's Twilight Era
  • The Mad Genius Of Ed Wood – Interview With Carl Abrahamsson, Author Of Inbetween The Lines – Essays On Occulture, Magic, And Seductive Zombie Strippers
  • A Brief Encounter With Ed – Interview With Filmmaker Fred Olen Ray On His Ill-Fated Wood Collaboration, BEACH BLANKET BLOODBATH

 

Feature Specs for SHOTGUN WEDDING:

  • Run Time: 64 mins
  • Audio: English Mono
  • Closed Captions: English SDH
  • Region: A/B/C
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
1, 2, Gonna Shop HDD's Guide (4K UHD & Blu-ray - Oct. 15, 2024) - 3, 4, Click Buy-It-Now, 5, 6, Wait For U-P-S

 One, two, Freddy's coming for you. Three, four, Better lock your door. Five, six, grab a crucifix. Seven, eight, Gonna stay up late. Nine, ten, Never sleep again.

 (Now reread the title above in that key.)

 Hey just think, we are in the middle of the month already and Halloween is just a couple of weeks away. The volume of discs is somewhat steady, so there is plenty to ponder here.

 Welcome to Volume 5 Episode 20 of our weekly release guide. A look at the highlights of what's coming to disc the week of October 13th - October 19th, as well as a look at announcements from last week.

4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Releases-

 There are no UK imports posted for Monday, and no actual  "new" releases on Domestic Tuesday. Let's get this party started.

 The closest thing to a new release is Eli Roth's horror Thanksgiving, which comes to us in a limited edition SteelBook. I was in the crowd yelling "Where's the 4K?" when this came out on blu-ray last January, and importing a 4K was odd for this one, the imports were region locked. Here we are finally, a 4K for the US market. Overseas customers might want to wait in case this one is locked as well.

 

 Staying with Sony for the moment, 1999's comedy American Movie also comes out this week. Note: It is a Sony Pictures Classics release, meaning no digital code.

 

 The beginning of a franchise with Wes Craven's A Nightmare on Elm Street. Also available as a SteelBook Edition too. And of course, as to be expected, a swaggier UK release would have been on our Monday UK Imports calendar, buuuut you cannot buy it from the usual sites such as Amazon UK.

 

 

 Paramount is next with a Paramount Presents line title, well known director, Alfred Hitchcock Classic To Catch a Thief. Oh, and two other well known people you might know, Grace Kelly and Cary Grant.

 

 Is this considered a too-soon double-dip? The Ring (2002) gets a new Standard Release as well as a Limited SteelBook release from Paramount as well. Yeah, you probably just got the 3-film set from Shout! Factory.

 

 

 And speaking of Shout! Factory, George Romero's Land of the Dead gets a Collector's Edition release this week.

 

 After being delayed from last month, Kino Lorber brings us a pair of releases, Brick and Cowboys & Aliens.

  

 

 Criterion's appearance on the calendar this week is to bring us Japanese horror Demon Pond.

 

 Dark Sky Selects has an over the top The Texas Chain Saw Massacre - 50th Anniversary Limited Edition available this week as well. As specialty swag editions go, this one ranks right up there!

 And the final domestic release that may or may not be out this week, The Project A Collection. This one at one point was tentatively set for early in the year and saw its street date bump multiple times.

 

Blu-ray releases-

 Blu-ray counterparts of the above 4K releases include Demon Pond from Criterion and The Project A Collection (maybe) from 88 Films.

 Criterion Collection this week also has the 1929 drama/thriller Pandora's Box.

 

 TV on disc this week, look for Babylon Berlin: Season 4 (German language), The Crown: The Complete Series and Fear the Walking Dead: The Complete Collection.

 

 Anime highlights include NieR:Automata Ver1.1a - Volume 1, One Piece - Collection 35 and Vinland Saga - Season 2 Part 2.

 

 Sony Pictures Classics has a title in the blu-ray category as well, this week the crime/thriller Nine Queens.

 

Notable announcements from last week:

 The Crow (2024) has been officially announced for blu-ray and 4K releases on November 5th.

 Joker: Folie à Deux will be released to disc on December 17th.

 Warner Archive Collection's November Lineup has been announced. Check it out.

4K Release Calendar

2K/BD Release Calendar

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?



Grab Your Glasses - Turbine Delivers Next Wave of Collector's Series 3-D Blu-rays with Atmos!

3-D Blu-ray may not have caught on as the lasting home video format enthusiasts might have hoped for. Those with enabled television setups and high-end projectors have reason to celebrate with Germany's Turbine and their next wave of Collector's Series 3D Blu-ray discs!

On October 30th, fans can enjoy first time on 3D Blu-ray releases of Mission: Impossible Fallout, Migration, and the return of Robert Downey Jr's Dolittle. A couple of months back, Turbine teased their next wave of 3-D Blu-ray discs was on the way, and that tease was very exciting because it included a number of recent Paramount films that had never seen the light of day on 3D Blu-ray before. In just a couple short weeks we'll get to see the first of that Paramount deal pop out of our television screens! In addition to being presented in proper stereographic 3D, each film will also come fully loaded with a Dolby Atmos track and reversible insert artwork!

Mission: Impossible - Fallout
Turbine Collector's Series 3D Blu-ray 

Technical specifications:
Language / sound: German Dolby Atmos, English Dolby Atmos
Image format: 2.39:1 (1080p24 Full HD - 3D), IMAX scenes: 1.90:1 (1080p24 Full HD - 3D)
Subtitles: German, German for the hearing impaired, English, English SDH
Running time: 147 minutes

Migration - Turbine Collector's Series 3D Blu-ray 

Technical specifications:
Language / sound: German Dolby Atmos, English Dolby Atmos
Image format: 2.39:1 (1080p24 Full HD - 3D)
Subtitles: German, German for the hearing impaired, English, English SDH
Running time: 83 minutes

Dolittle - Turbine Collector's Series 3D Blu-ray 

 

Technical specifications:
Language / sound: German Dolby Atmos, English Dolby Atmos
Image format: 1.85:1 (1080p24 Full HD - 3D)
Subtitles: German, German for the hearing impaired, English, English SDH
Running time: 101 minutes

Want to save some cash? Buy all three for a discounted price!

Mission: Impossible - Fallout, Migration, & Dolittle 3D Blu-ray Bundle

These are due to start shipping out at the end of October, so polish up those 3-D glasses and get your pre-orders in NOW!

Paramount, you got some ‘splainin’ to do! 'I Love Lucy: The Complete Series' Blu-ray Box Set Coming November 5th!

Paramount is bringing the zany antics of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz to Blu-ray on November 5.

This set includes all six seasons of the classic "I Love Lucy" comedy TV series as well as the remastered "The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour (1957-1960). Also included is a newly colorized never-before-released "Lucy and the Loving Cup" episode and more!

In October 1951, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz debuted the first episode of what was to become one of the best-loved and most watched TV shows of all time. Zany redhead Lucy and her Cuban bandleader husband Ricky Ricardo, along with their neighbors and comic foils Ethel and Fred Mertz (Vivian Vance and William Frawley), got into the most hilarious predicaments ever imaginable. Overflowing with notable guest stars and escapades that never lose their entertainment value, it’s no wonder why everyone still loves Lucy.

I Love Lucy: The Complete Series

NEW TO BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:  

  • Newly colorized (and never-before-released) “Lucy and the Loving Cup” episode
  • "The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour” has been remastered, with long-missing footage restored, and presented here as "The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show," as originally broadcast (1957-1960), including original cast commercials
  • Originalopening and closing credits -- and many original cast commercials -- have been remastered
  • Three long-lost "flashback" scenes, originally used to introduce selected repeat episodes, have been remastered
  • A portion of 1959 CBS fall preview special, "Eye on CBS," featuring Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance, is presented for the first time on home video

SPECIAL FEATURES ALSO INCLUDE:  

  • Original I Love Lucy Pilot - Remastered from original 35mm kinescope
  • I Love Lucy: The Movie
  • Audio Commentaries on Select Episodes
  • Lucy on The Radio Broadcasts
  • Flubs
  • Slide Show - For Seasons 1 & 2
  • Cast Bios - For Seasons 1 & 2
  • Photo Galleries - For Seasons 1 & 2
  • Production Notes - For Seasons 1 & 2

You can pre-order I Love Lucy: The Complete Series now!

Find a Quiet Place And Shop HDD's 4K UHD & Blu-ray Shopping Guide, Oct. 8, 2024

 As mentioned last week, this week and the weeks that follow this month are very busy for us collectors. If you read Matthew's 4K Guide for October, you got a sneak peek for this week, and the weeks to come.

 Welcome to Volume 5 Episode 19 of our weekly release guide. A look at the highlights of what's coming to disc the week of October 6th - October 12th, as well as a look at announcements from last week.

4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Releases-

The October wallet fatigue begins with a sum total of 24 skus to look at this week. Let's begin with UK Import Monday...

101 Films' The Sword and the Sorcerer got pushed back to November 4th.

First up, from StudioCanal's Vintage Classics line, An Inspector Calls: 70th Anniversary Edition with Alastair Sim. Thus far, many of the titles in this line have not had US releases. Wicker Man is the only one that comes to mind and the US counterpart was barebones by comparison.

 

Nope, not that radio program by the same name, Air America with Mel Gibson comes to us via StudioCanal's standard label.

Arrow Films closes out UK Import Monday with The Exorcist III, which also gets an Arrow UK Site Exclusive release as well, which dons the poster cover art seen on the US Shout! Factory release.

Several Domestic Tuesday New Releases to get through first.

A Quiet Place: Day One from Paramount. This one is considered the prequel/origin story to the other two films already out. You can also get this as a SteelBook Release, or if you prefer a little more of the color red, a Walmart Exclusive SteelBook.

 

 

Moving over to A24 and LionsGate, the third part of the Ti West/Mia Goth trilogy, MaXXXine. To get the first two installments in 4K you have to import them. Perhaps with this out now, maybe a domestic 4K box set will be coming (?)

 

 Well Go USA this week has Asian thriller Exhuma. There is an English dub included for those that prefer it.

 

 On to catalog titles, and the first one is semi-new. Not often we see a streaming platform's physical disc on a 4K new release calendar, but here we are with Arcane: League of Legends – Season One, distributed by GKIDS and Shout! Factory. You can also head over to their shop directly and get a Shop Exclusive, over the top swag induced release as well.

 

 Universal Pictures has a couple of entries this week.

 New to 4K disc, Friday Night Lights, which also is available as a SteelBook Release.

 

 

 They know SteelBooks are an additional incentive for some buyers, so we get Steels of Five Nights at Freddy's - Walmart ExclusiveHalloween Trilogy (2018 - 2022) - Walmart Exclusive, The Mummy (1932) and Us / Get Out (Double Feature).

 

 Criterion 4K RKO Pictures Double Feature with I Walked with a Zombie / The Seventh Victim: Produced by Val Lewton.

 

 Infrequent to the weekly guide, Synapse Films offers us The Convent this week.

 

 Shout! Factory brings us Devil (2010), directed by John Erick Dowdle and produced by M. Night Shyamalan. Also, a few weeks after the standard release, a Walmart Exclusive SteelBook of The Strangers (2008) is available.

 

 

And closing out domestic releases, last year we had a digipak, this year Sleepy Hollow gets listed as a 25th Anniversary SteelBook.

Wednesday release, Thesis drops a Collector's Edition release direct from Umbrella Entertainment. A standard release comes out next week.

Friday, if you did not directly import this last week, Amazon US has Second Sight's The Hitcher, available as a Standard Edition and a Limited Edition. Warner Bros has a domestic release in 2 weeks, but it is a barebones MOD title, no digital code and probably no slipcover. Pricing wise, both the Second Sight standard release and WB's are almost the same.

 

Blu-ray releases-

 Blu-ray counterparts of the above 4K releases include (possibly region B) An Inspector Calls, Air America, domestic region A or region free releases of A Quiet Place: Day One, MaXXXine, which also has a Walmart Exclusive option, Exhuma, Arcane: League of Legends – Season One standard, as well as SteelBook, I Walked with a Zombie / The Seventh Victim: Produced by Val Lewton, The Convent and (possibly region B) The Hitcher.

 From Searchlight Pictures and Sony, 2024 fantasy Kinds of Kindness.

 

 Also from Sony, and the street date on this one is not entirely clear, but I am counting it as a Tuesday release, adventure/fantasy Harold and the Purple Crayon should be available!

 

 Ain't it great to also get TV on HD or 4K disc? This week we can buy Interview with the Vampire: Season Two and Las Vegas: The Complete Series. Count me in for Las Vegas. Which shows would you love to see? If there were blu-ray box sets for the franchises of CSI, NCIS, Law & Order, NYPD Blue, Chicago (Dick Wolf) and other type dramas, I would be all over them, even in 5 or 10 season increments.

 

 Anime/Animated highlights include Castlevania Nocturne - Season One, Ouran High School Host Club: The Complete Series, Red vs. Blue: Restoration and Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead - Season 1, which also comes as a Limited Edition.

 Friday AU imports (via Amazon US) include:

 

 

Notable announcements from last week:

 Beetlejuice Beetlejuice will be released to blu-ray and 4K discs on November 19th.

 In a short notice window, Twisters will be releasing on October 22nd.

 Shout! Factory says Merry Christmas with December releases. In no particular order, 4K titles include 'Aguirre, the Wrath of God', Ted, The Holdovers, The Gift (2000), The Faculty, Riddick, Rock 'n' Roll High School, Wallace & Gromit: The Complete Cracking Collection (not all titles in 4K), Far and Away and Silent Night, Deadly Night. Blu-rays include The Dead Don't Hurt, Golden Harvest Vol. 2: Shining Stars and Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey II.

 Legends of the Fall and Talk of the Town will be landing on 4K on December 3rd from Sony.

4K Release Calendar

2K/BD Release Calendar

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?



Warner Archive's November 2024 Blu-rays Up For Pre-Order!

The Warner Archive Collection has revealed six new Blu-ray releases coming in November. They are Humoresque (1946), Wait Till Your Father Gets Home (1972-74): The Complete Series, That's Entertainment! (1974), Must Love Dogs (2005), The Complete Thin Man Collection (1934-47), and Looney Tunes Collector's Choice: Volume 4.

All six will be available for purchase on November 26.

Humoresque (1946) - Warner Archive Collection 

Humoresque (1946) - Warner Archive Collection 

Glamorous socialite Helen Wright (Joan Crawford) takes what she wants – clothes, alcohol, men – uses them up and tosses them aside. Then she meets brilliant young violinist Paul Boray (John Garfield). But this is one toy she can’t break. Instead, her love for Paul brings Helen to the breaking point. In this acclaimed and profound exploration of desire, Crawford makes Helen a rich, layered character torn between selfless love and selfish impulses Garfield matches her as the driven genius. Humoresque’s production values extend to the musical interludes, dubbed by Isaac Stern. Garfield’s dazzling technique is thanks to two real violinists hidden behind him -one to do the fingering and one the bow work. Bravo! New 2024 1080p HD master from 4K scan of the Original Nitrate Camera Negative.

Wait Till Your Father Gets Home (1972-74): The Complete Series - Warner Archive Collection 

Wait Till Your Father Gets Home (1972-74): The Complete Series - Warner Archive Collection 

The Age of Aquarius dawned. Harry Boyle forgot to set his alarm. Inspired by the era of live-action TV series such as All in The Family comes the Hanna-Barbera generation-gap animated comedy Wait Till Your Father Gets Home. Tom Bosley provides the voice of Harry, an affable 40-something Everyman and suburban father of three whose daily routine is anything but when he faces the provocative questions of the make-love-not-war era. Women’s Lib, civil rights, hippies, sexuality, communes and the Cold War are some of the hot button petals in this series’ flower-powered laugh-fest. They’re all part of Harry’s world, where a man’s home is his hassle. This complete series set of two seasons and 48 episodes, is highlighted by guest voice appearances from Monty Hall, Don Knotts, Phyllis Diller and Rich Little. New 2024 1080pHD masters from 4K scans of the original camera negatives.

That's Entertainment! (1974) - Warner Archive Collection 

That's Entertainment! (1974) - Warner Archive Collection 

M-G-M marked its 50th anniversary with this outstanding collection of musical performances from the studio’s reign as the king of the genre during Hollywood’s golden era. Drawing from more than 100 feature films, writer/producer/director Jack Haley Jr.’s compilation took the box-office by storm, becoming one of the highest grossing films of 1974, and brought excerpts from timeless gems from "An American in Paris" to "Ziegfeld Follies to audiences new and old in just 135 magical minutes. For this special occasion, Haley called upon great stars to ‘host’ this brilliantly conceived cinematic event: Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby, Gene Kelly, Peter Lawford, Liza Minnelli, Donald O’Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Mickey Rooney, Frank Sinatra, James Stewart and Elizabeth Taylor. This celebration of the M-G-M musical has been painstakingly remastered from the best existing elements to yield a new presentation that finally does justice to Haley's dazzling cinematic achievement, which cemented the importance of the M-G-M musical's unique place in film history. NEW 2024 1080p HD remaster, re-constructed from original negatives and preservation elements

Must Love Dogs (2005) - Warner Archive Collection 

Must Love Dogs (2005) - Warner Archive Collection 

Pretty pre-school teacher Sarah Nolan (Diane Lane) is divorced, demoralized and dateless – until her sister posts her profile at perfectmatch.com. Now she has lots of dates. With weirdos, weepers, lechers, jocks, and Jake (John Cusack), a soulful boat builder whose idea of true love come straight out of Doctor Zhivago. Jake is attractive, smart and maybe a bit too intense. So Sarah passes him by. And maybe passes up her one real chance for love. With a witty script and irresistible stars (including Christopher Plummer as Sarah’s widowed dad, weaving his own worldwide web of romance, and Stockard Channing as his new lady friend), this romantic comedy is as delightful a surprise as a perfect blind date. Don’t miss out: love could be just a mouse click away!

The Complete Thin Man Collection (1934-47) - Warner Archive Collection 

The Complete Thin Man Collection (1934-47) - Warner Archive Collection 

Now they're together in one Blu-ray collection! The sparkling M-G-M series featured the irresistible William Powell and Myrna Loy chemistry as husband and wife who solved murders with the aid of their wire-haired terrier, Asta. Set in the glamorous world of 1930s and 40s upper-class Manhattan, The Thin Man and its sequels established a timeless standard for witty comedy, clever dialogue and urbane one upmanship. The 6-Disc set includes THE THIN MAN (1934), AFTER THE THIN MAN (1936), ANOTHER THIN MAN (1939), SHADOW OF THE THIN MAN (1941), SONG OF THE THIN MAN (1944) and THE THIN MAN GOES HOME (1947). Each film has been meticulously remastered and restored for Blu-ray, from 4K scans of the best surviving preservation elements. Additionally, each feature in the collection is accompanied by its original theatrical trailer, plus vintage short subjects and animated cartoons to help re-create the way these films were first presented in theaters upon their original release. It’s an essential collection of screen classics that belong in every serious film lover’s library.

Looney Tunes Collector's Choice: Volume 4 - Warner Archive Collection 

Looney Tunes Collector's Choice: Volume 4 - Warner Archive Collection 

Who can resist a Putty Tat versus a monstrous canary, Goofy Gophers who kill their foe with kindness, Babbitt and Catstello hypnotizing the Cat, or Bugs Bunny versus a Yosemite Sam from outer space? You know all the characters on a first name basis: Daffy, Tweety, Sylvester, Speedy, Elmer, Foghorn and Wile E. You know the directors - Chuck Jones, Tex Avery, Friz Freleng, Art Davis and Robert McKimson. You know the cartoons - they are the ones fans and animation aficionados have most asked for, restored to brand new condition, in High Definition, and finally available to own. Twenty-five crown jewels  - with two additional bonus titles (featuring Bugs and Daffy) now presented in their full frame glory. Collectors Choice Vol. 4 - its 100% Looney Tunes! 

This collection contains:

  • ALONG CAME DAFFY (Friz Freleng, 1947) - Daffy Duck
  • A BONE FOR A BONE, A (Friz Freleng, 1951) - The Goofy Gophers
  • THE CAGEY CANARY, THE (Tex Avery/Bob Clampett, 1941)
  • D’ FIGHTIN’ ONES (Friz Freleng, 1961) - Sylvester
  • DANGEROUS DAN MCFOO (Tex Avery, 1939)
  • DEVIL’S FEUD CAKE (Friz Freleng,1963) - Bugs Bunny and Yosemite Sam
  • DOUBLE CHASER (Friz Freleng, 1942)
  • DOUBLE OR MUTTON (Jones, 1955) - Sam Sheepdog and Ralph Wolf
  • FOX POP (Chuck Jones, 1942)
  • HENHOUSE HENERY (1949, Robert McKimson) Foghorn Leghorn and Henery Hawk
  • HOLIDAY FOR DRUMSTICKS (Arthur Davis, 1949) - Daffy Duck
  • HOPALONG CASUALTY (Chuck Jones, 1960) - Road-Runner and Coyote
  • HYDE AND GO TWEET (Friz Freleng, 1960) - Tweety and Sylvester
  • THE IMPATIENT PATIENT, THE (Norm McCabe, 1942) - Daffy Duck
  • LEGHORN SWOGGLED (Robert McKimson, 1951)  - Foghorn Leghorn
  • MEATLESS FLYDAY (Friz Freleng, 1944)
  • MOUSE-WARMING (Chuck Jones, 1952) - Claude Cat 
  • MOUSE-MERIZED CAT, THE (Robert McKimson, 1946)
  • MUSCLE TUSSLE (Robert McKimson, 1953) – Daffy Duck
  • MUZZLE TOUGH (Friz Freleng, 1954) Tweety and Sylvester
  • PECK UP YOUR TROUBLES (Friz Freleng, 1945)  - Sylvester
  • QUACK SHOT (Robert McKimson, 1954) Daffy Duck and Elmer Fudd
  • ROAD TO ANDALAY (Friz Freleng, 1964) - Sylvester and Speedy Gonzales
  • THE SNEEZING WEASEL (Tex Avery, 1938)
  • STREAMLINED GRETA GREEN (Friz Freleng, 1937)
  • BONUS CARTOONS:
  • LIGHTER THAN HARE (Friz Freleng, 1960) Bugs Bunny
  • STORK NAKED (Friz Freleng, 1955) Daffy Duck

Pre-orders for Warner Archive's November slate are now live!

'Speak No Evil' Terrorizes Blu-ray Collectors November 19th

After terrorizing theatergoers with a barrage of trailers and a successful box-office take, James Watkins' 2024 thriller 'Speak No Evil' arrives on Blu-ray November 19th - Digital rental/sell-through October 1st! 

James McAvoy once again dials up the creepiness for James Watkins' 2024 thriller Speak No Evil. No doubt, if you went to the theater at least once in the last six months you probably saw at least three trailers for this film. Over-marketing aside, the film is actually a solid, well-made remake of the 2022 Danish thriller Gæsterne. While the film is still in theaters (and performing relatively well), Universal is pulling something of a Fall Guy and ushering the film onto digital rental and sell-through platforms on October 1st with a Blu-ray disc release due November 19th. "Why no 4K?" you might ask, we have no idea. But, if past is prologue, expect an international 4K disc down the line before a domestic release later on. 

Speak No Evil (2024) - Blu-ray  

Here's what's coming our way:
EXCLUSIVE BONUS FEATURES WHEN YOU BUY AT PARTICIPATING RETAILERS:

  • NUCLEAR FAMILIES - Learn what drew James McAvoy and the rest of the cast to this film, discover what methods they used to embody their roles, and listen as they provide insight into the subtle intricacies surrounding the film’s two families.
  • A HORRIFYING CRESCENDO - Director James Watkins and cast members take you down a dark corridor of psychology as they discuss the navigation of social spaces, dwelling in discomfort, and the grounded horror elements which escalated the story to its formidable final act.
  • THE FARMHOUSE OF HORRORS - Immerse yourself in the farmhouse and learn how this location was reimagined into a place of nightmares as cast and crew walk you through the different production design and camera elements that added to the eeriness of the film.
  • FEATURE COMMENTARY WITH WRITER/DIRECTOR JAMES WATKINS  

FILMMAKERS:
Cast: James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, Aisling Franciosi, Alix West Lefler, Dan Hough and Scoot McNairy
Casting By: Terri Taylor, CSA, Ally Conover, CSA Heather Basten, CDG
Music By: Danny Bensi and Saunder Jurriaans
Editor: Jon Harris
Production Designer: James Price
Director Of Photography: Tim Maurice Jones, BSC
Executive Producer: Beatriz Sequeira
Produced By: Jason Blum, Paul Ritchie
Written For The Screen And Directed By: James Watkins
 
TECHNICAL INFORMATION BLU-RAY:
Street Date: July 23, 2024
UPC Number: 191329267455 (US) / 191329267523 (CDN)
Layers: BD 50
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 2.39:1 Widescreen
Rating: R for some strong violence, language, some sexual content and brief drug use
Languages/Subtitles: English, French Canadian, Latin American Spanish
Sound: English (Dolby TrueHD 7.1 for Feature, Dolby Digital 2.0 for Bonus Content), French Canadian (Dolby Digital Plus 7.1), Latin American Spanish (Dolby Digital Plus 7.1)
Run Time: 01:49:54

If you're aiming to invite this disc to the collection, Pre-Orders are now live - Happy Collecting!

Start October With HDD's 4K UHD & Blu-ray Shopping Guide, Oct. 1, 2024

 Welcome to the first week of October. Relatively slow start to the month for video releases. For a lot of us, October means Halloween, horror movies, and all the jazz! Visited your local Spirit Halloween yet?

  And speaking of Spirit Halloween, SNL did a skit about it. Want a laugh? Check it out!

 

 Welcome to Volume 5 Episode 18 of our weekly release guide. A look at the highlights of what's coming to disc the week of September 29th - October 5th, as well as a look at announcements from last week.

4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Releases-

 Believe it or not, there are only TWO new SKUS this week in the 4K category and they're both appropriately themed for October.

 First up, very recent release Imaginary gets a 4K Amazon Exclusive SteelBook. There is no standard edition 4K available, and as with so many Blumhouse releases, they dropped a blu-ray only release on the original release day, making us wonder if a 4K was en route any time soon, or at all.

 

 Paramount offers up another box set of various titles, that would be Paramount Scares Vol. 2. No mystery movie this go round, but it is priced right for four decent films.

 

 Coming off retailer exclusive, The Blob (1988) SteelBook gets a general release.

 Next week is like night and day. Instead of two releases, there are roughly twenty when you also count the imports.

 

Blu-ray releases-

 Blu-ray counterparts of the above 4K releases? Not this week. We pretty much already got them!

 Import Monday has a few that might interest you. Always keep in mind though that they may be region B locked, and not playable on your setup.

 

 

 Anime highlights include To the Abandoned Sacred Beasts (Monday release, standard edition CrunchyRoll Store Exclusive) and the Tuesday release of Outbreak Company: Complete Collection.

 

 Shout Factory blu-ray horror arrives with As Above, So Below: Collector's Edition.

 

 TV on disc this week, and it's a pretty big one, The West Wing: The Complete Series. Talk about good timing.

 

 

 

Notable announcements from last week:

 Last week was a pretty busy week for announcements. In addition to the boutique label onesie twosies, and the leaks of Shout Factory's next batch, a few major ones are below.

 Alien: Romulus will be coming to blu-ray and 4K on December 3rd from 20th Century Studios.

 Deadpool & Wolverine is getting several choices for blu-ray and 4K releases on October 22nd. Both Alien: Romulus and Deadpool & Wolverine have been rumored to have Dolby Vision on them despite what the press release says, and new titles going forward as well. But this is as reported by an entertainment writer on Forbes, so accept it with a grain of salt. If true, this is very good news, now hopefully BD100s when needed.

 All restaurants are Taco Bell, right? Arrow Video's December releases include 4K editions of Demolition Man, The Great Escape and The Addiction, blu-ray of The Last Video Store, a UK 4K of The Good, the Bad, the Weird, and a snazzy blu-ray box set of Critters 1-4.

 

 I Love Lucy: The Complete Series will be coming to blu-ray on on November 5th.

4K Release Calendar

2K/BD Release Calendar

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?



Reviews

The latest news on all things 4K Ultra HD, blu-ray and Gear.