Recent Bluray News

The latest news on all things 4k Ultra HD, Blu-ray and Gear.
My Spidey Senses Have Detected a 4K UHD & Blu-ray Shopping Guide - September 3, 2023

 Welcome to September. That could mean a lot of things, but since we generally talk video, what it means is a general increases in volume. This week we could nab the latest Spider-Man, catalog titles like Night of the Comet, Sleepy Hollow, and more.

 Welcome to Volume 4 Episode 14 of our weekly release guide. A look at the highlights of what's coming to disc the week of September 3rd - September 9th, as well as a look at announcements from last week.

4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Releases-

 Import Monday begins with a pair of swag-filled editions that cause our BP to go up when we think about them because time and time again the US market gets passed over for these awesome editions. Dubbed Vault 005, The Shawshank Redemption and Vault 006, Jaws, these are editions many of us would love to see on our video racks. Universal has released a couple of "Essentials Collections" in the US, and hopefully we have all bought them up, right?

 

 There is one new release this week, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. For an animated movie, it did pretty well at the box office, as did its predecessor. This one is available as a Standard Edition, a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook and as a Two-Film Collection.

      

 

 On to catalog titles, Matilda dons a spiffy SteelBook from Sony Pictures.

 

 From Shout/Scream Factory, Night of the Comet gets a 4K upgrade. Having recently watched the blu-ray, I am eager to see what it looks like now!

 

 I am sure this one will appease lots of viewers, The Princess Bride gets the Criterion 4K treatment.

 

 Heads will roll with this pair of releases of Sleepy Hollow from Paramount Pictures. Available as a Standard Edition and as a Limited Edition SteelBook. The SteelBook is out of stock on Amazon, so you will probably have to seek elsewhere or hope they allocate more once street date hits.

 

 On to a couple of double-dips, and they're all SteelBooks at that. First from Disney, a "Disney 100" edition of Iron Man.

 And lastly, SteelBook releases of The Expendables, The Expendables 2 and The Expendables 3. I personally love how these ones look.

 Next week, Second Sight's fat-pack UK releases of Crimes of the Future and It Follows, animated Batman, another MVD "Laservision" title, and more.

 

Blu-ray releases-

 Blu-ray counterparts of the above releases includes just one title, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, and just like the 4K category, multiple options. Available as a Standard Edition, a Target Exclusive Fan Edition, a Walmart Exclusive SteelBook and just like above, a two-film collection. If you missed out on the first film,  Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse [SteelBook], a reprint is available as well.

 Star Trek: Picard - The Final Season is available as a Standard Edition and a Limited SteelBook from CBS/Paramount. As this is the 'Final' Season, also look for Star Trek: Picard - The Complete Series.

 

 If the Arrow Academy label were still a thing, I'm reasonably sure that Borsalino would be under that label. Either way, it's available this week, enjoy.

 Harley Quinn: The Complete Third Season is available from Warner Bros. this week.

 

 Anime highlights this week include Call of the Night: Complete Collection, The Girl from the Other Side and Shinobi no Ittoki: The Complete Season.

 

 Sandpiper reissues Clambake starring Elvis Presley.

 Honorable mention horror from Synapse Films, Black Circle.

 Imprint Films' August releases become available at Amazon US on Friday:

 

Notable announcements from last week:

 Disney has revealed they will be releasing the classic animated Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to 4K disc on October 10th. A "Disney 100" branded SteelBook is also in the mix, but this guy right here wishes it were a colorful traditional Steel release. A fresh restoration has been completed on this one, but expect a standard Disney package with HDR10 on the disc and Dolby Vision on the streaming version,  and all features on the blu-ray. Still baffles me that they never at least copy audio commentaries to the 4K disc.

 

 Sony has announced Insidious: The Red Door for a September 26 blu-ray (no 4K disc) release.

 To those curious as to why the street date for Blackhat from Arrow Video keeps getting pushed back, it's not the usual reasons. Arrow Video has announced they have located and will be including the Director's Cut as well to the package. New street date is October 28th. Great job Arrow with making this possible.

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?



KNOCK-KNOCK - Insidious: The Red Door Ready to Possess Blu-ray on September 26

The latest film in the Insidious franchise features the directorial debut of star Patrick Wilson and will haunt Blu-ray and DVD on September 26.

The original cast from the horror franchise is back for the final chapter of the Lambert family’s terrifying saga, with Patrick Wilson (also making his directorial debut), Ty Simpkins, Rose Byrne and Andrew Astor. To put their demons to rest once and for all, Josh and a college-aged Dalton must go deeper into The Further than ever before, facing their family’s dark past and a host of new and more horrifying terrors that lurk behind the door.

Insidious: The Red Door - Blu-ray 

Insidious: The Red Door 

The Blu-ray/Digital release will feature DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack and supplements include:

SPECIAL FEATURES
BLU-RAY™AND DVD

  • Special Features 
    • Past, Present, Further
    • A Possessed Director

Pre-orders for Insidious: The Red Door are available right now and here is the full press release:


TURN THE KEY TO FEAR
'INSIDIOUS: THE RED DOOR' INVITES YOU TO EXPERIENCE THE HORROR AT HOME
AVAILABLE NOW ON DIGITAL AND ON BLU-RAY™ AND DVD SEPTEMBER 26 
SYNOPSIS
The original cast from the horror franchise is back for the final chapter of the Lambert family’s terrifying saga, with Patrick Wilson (also making his directorial debut), Ty Simpkins, Rose Byrne and Andrew Astor. To put their demons to rest once and for all, Josh and a college-aged Dalton must go deeper into The Further than ever before, facing their family’s dark past and a host of new and more horrifying terrors that lurk behind the door. 

SPECIAL FEATURES
BLU-RAY™AND DVD
  • Special Features 
    • Past, Present, Further
    • A Possessed Director
Blu-ray™ and DVD include a digital code for movie and bonus materials as listed above, redeemable via Movies Anywhere for a limited time. Movies Anywhere is open to U.S. residents age 13+. Visit MoviesAnywhere.com for terms and conditions. 
 
CAST AND CREW
Directed by: Patrick Wilson
Story by: Leigh Whannell and Scott Teems
Screenplay by: Scott Teems
Produced By: Jason Blum, Oren Peli, James Wan, Leigh Whannell
Executive Producers: Steven Schneider, Ryan Turek, Charles Layton, Brian Kavanaugh-Jones
Cast: Ty Simpkins, Patrick Wilson, Sinclair Daniel, Hiam Abbass, Rose Byrne

 
SPECS
Runtime: Approx. 107 Mins.
Rating: PG-13. Violence, terror, frightening images, strong language and suggestive references. 

Blu-ray™: 1080p High Definition / 2.39:1 • Audio: English, French (Doublé au Québec), Spanish 5.1 DTS-HD MA, English - Audio Description Track 5.1 Dolby Digital • Subtitles: English, English SDH, French, Spanish • Mastered in High Definition • Color • Some of the information in the above listing may not apply to Special Features.
DVD: 2.39:1 Anamorphic Widescreen • Audio: English, French (Doublé au Québec), Spanish, English - Audio Description Track 5.1 Dolby Digital • Subtitles: English, English SDH, French, Spanish • Mastered in High Definition • Color • Some of the information in the above listing may not apply to Special Features
 FOR MORE INFORMATION
Twitter: @SonyPicsHomeEnt
Instagram: @SonyPicturesHomeEntertainment 
Facebook: 
facebook.com/SonyPicturesHomeEntertainment 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/sonypictures 
ABOUT SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Group Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition, and distribution; television production, acquisition, and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. Sony Pictures Television operates dozens of wholly-owned or joint-venture production companies around the world. SPE’s Motion Picture Group production organizations include Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, 3000 Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6 Films, AFFIRM Films, Sony Pictures International Productions, and Sony Pictures Classics. For additional information, visit http://www.sonypictures.com/corp/divisions.html

You Can't Fix A Franchise So Destroy Everything! - 4K UHD & Blu-ray Shopping Guide August 27, 2023

    Bruce Wayne: If you were to go into the past, you have no idea what the consequences would be.
    Barry Allen: Bruce, I could fix things.
    Bruce Wayne: You could also destroy everything.

 

This week we get busy with lots of releases in both the 4K and Blu-ray categories. More Chucky, the next Paramount Presents Label release, a 'Condor' movie, and more!

Welcome to Volume 4 Episode 13 of our weekly release guide. A look at the highlights of what's coming to disc the week of August 27th - September 2nd, as well as a look at announcements from last week.

4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Releases-

 Import Monday has Arrow Video's take on Terry Gilliam's Time Bandits. No doubt what's on the actual disc is identical to Criterion's release, but we do get a slipcase and swag with this edition. I personally wish Criterion would do some of this.

 The big domestic New Release this week is The Flash. Available in the usual assortment, a Standard Edition, a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook and a Walmart Exclusive. And just like so many recent assortments, Target is absent from the 4K category.

      

 

We *might* also see Infinity Pool, a SteelBook release from Decal - Neon. We cannot validate this release as Amazon shows it as being unavailable, but here is a Best Buy link that shows it available to order, but they have no cover art, which is inconclusive.

For catalog titles we begin with a trio of titles from Universal, Battlestar Galactica: The Movie, available as a standard release and a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook release, and the 1998 biopic Elizabeth with Cate Blanchett and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

 

The third and newest title in the mix is Promising Young Woman.

 

 Next, from Scream/Shout Factory, parts 4 - 7 of the Chucky (Child's Play) movies. Specs for these films are a potential mess, with only one of them listing Dolby Vision and only one of them, the blu-ray, not the 4K having Atmos sound. I get the feeling they all have Dolby Vision and 5.1 sound, multiple requests from Shout went unanswered. No doubt the inevitable reviews will clarify these specs. In sequential order, these films are Bride of Chucky, Seed of Chucky, Curse of Chucky and Cult of Chucky.

 The Paramount Presents label this week has spine number 41 available, Hustle & Flow.

 

 Pair of titles from Kino Lorber this week too, Staying Alive and Three Days of the Condor (aka 3 Days of the Condor).

 

 Amazon is now listing this one as September 12th, but other sources (including Arrowvideo.com) still say 8/29, 2009 remake The Last House on the Left.

 

 If you did not get 'em from Vinegar Syndrome's direct site, now you can get general releases for Gorgo and Terror at Tenkiller.

 And lastly, a Wednesday release at that, The Legend of Boggy Creek. This one has been talked about for some time on Facebook and it looks like it is finally coming out.

 Next week, two Universal "Vault" imports, Night of the Comet, Sleepy Hollow, The Princess Bride and more.

 

Blu-ray releases-

 Blu-ray counterparts of the above 4K releases includes The Flash available as a standard edition and a Target Exclusive. Also look for Staying Alive and Three Days of the Condor (aka 3 Days of the Condor) from Kino Lorber and The Last House on the Left (2009) from Arrow Video. For a Wednesday release, The Legend of Boggy Creek also gets a blu-ray release.

 A new romcom from Sony Pictures with No Hard Feelings.

 

 A little martial arts action from Arrow Video with New Fist of Fury.

 MGM's catalog batch this week includes Crime & Punishment, Crime + Punishment in Suburbia, Mystery Date, Nobody's Fool (1986), Play Dirty and The Wild Party.

 Anime highlights include A Couple of Cuckoos Season 1 Part 1, Cromartie High School, Re: Cutie Honey, The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2, which is available as a standard edition and as a Limited Edition, Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs and Shadows House Season 2.

 

 From Criterion this week, a drama/romance titled Drylongso.

 Warner Archive's August slate is also this week, titles include Father's Little Dividend, Gay Purr-ee, Little Women (1933), The Life of Emile Zola, Spinout and Wichita.

 

 TV on disc this week, The Flash: The Ninth and Final Season and The Flash: The Complete Series.

 Honorable Mention: Severin Films has a special interest box set titled The Sensual World of Black Emanuelle this week. If this is your type of collection, pounce immediately, it probably won't last long.

 Next week, the U.S. has the Labor Day holiday, and there is a reprieve in this category, call it another chance to recharge your wallet.

 

Notable announcements from last week:

 Let's call this one a pleasant surprise, Disney has announced that they will be bringing a few of their Disney+ shows to blu-ray and 4K SteelBooks. Shows include Loki, The Mandalorian and Wandavision.

 Universal will also be doing The Black Phone and Coacine Bear on 4K disc in September. Thank me for the latter, I bought the import.

 Arrow Video's November slate will include 3 skus of Barbarella (including 4K)(traditional art for me on that one), Tremors 2 4K and a 6-disc box set titled Inside the Mind of Coffin Joe.

 Delighted to see Pokémon XY Mega 3-Movie Collection coming to blu-ray October 17th. This closes the gap on these films not available in the US. Diancie & the Cocoon of Destruction only recently became available in Germany.

 

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?



The Walking Dead: The Complete Collection Nibbles A New Blu-ray Box Set October 17th

Own the entire AMC hit series The Walking Dead in one Blu-ray box set hitting stores just in time for Halloween on October 17.  There will also be a DVD set that will be exclusive to Walmart.  

After sheriff’s deputy Rick Grimes awakens from a coma in an abandoned hospital, he’s immediately thrust into a life-or-death struggle in an apocalyptic, walker-ravaged world. This complete collection of the Primetime Emmy® Award-winning series, based on Robert Kirkman’s acclaimed comic book, follows Rick and his band of survivors – Daryl, Morgan, Maggie, Carol, Michonne, Glenn, and more – as they struggle to survive their bleak new reality where the living pose as much of a threat as the hungry, roaming undead. From Alexandria and its promise of a better life to Negan’s ruthless Saviors to the Commonwealth’s corruption, every harrowing, suspenseful moment is here. But hope never dies, for as Rick defiantly puts it, "We’re the ones who live.”

The Walking Dead: The Complete Collection 

The Walking Dead: The Complete Collection 

The Blu-ray + Digital set includes all 11 seasons on 54 discs and this set features artwork by Clio Award-winning artist Oliver Barrett. 

  • Behind-the-scenes documentary “The Walking Dead: Making of the Final Season”
  • Additional bonus features from all previous single season releases

Pre-orders for The Walking Dead: The Complete Collection on Blu-ray (with a suggested list price of $209.97) are live and here is the full press release:


Street Date: 10/17/23
Blu-ray™+Digital SRP: $209.97
DVD SRP: $149.98 (Walmart exclusive)
 
SANTA MONICA, CA (August 25, 2023) – Here on August 25, the anniversary of the Wildfire Virus that destroyed the modern world – nearly wiping out the human race – a pandemic was declared in the universe of “The Walking Dead,” the Complete Collection of the two-time Primetime Emmy® Award-winning TV series arrives on Blu-ray and DVD October 17 from Lionsgate. Created by Academy Award® nominee Frank Darabont, “The Walking Dead” The Complete Collection follows the survivors of the walker apocalypse as they fight the dead and fear the living. The series features Norman Reedus (The Boondock Saints franchise, Blade II), Andrew Lincoln (Love Actually, Penguin Bloom, TV’s “Teachers” and “Afterlife”) and Academy Award® nominee Steven Yeun (Nope, Minari, Okja, Mayhem). “The Walking Dead” The Complete Collection includes all 11 seasons on 54 discs including a bonus disc containing a 42-minute documentary on the making of the final season, as well as a still gallery. The Blu-rayTM + Digital version will feature never-before-seen original packaging and disc artwork by Clio Award-winning artist Oliver Barrett. “The Walking Dead” The Complete Collection will be available for the suggested retail price of $209.97 (Blu-rayTM + Digital) and on DVD exclusively at Walmart for the suggested retail price $149.98.
 
OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS
After sheriff’s deputy Rick Grimes awakens from a coma in an abandoned hospital, he’s immediately thrust into a life-or-death struggle in an apocalyptic, walker-ravaged world. This complete collection of the Primetime Emmy® Award-winning series, based on Robert Kirkman’s acclaimed comic book, follows Rick and his band of survivors – Daryl, Morgan, Maggie, Carol, Michonne, Glenn, and more – as they struggle to survive their bleak new reality where the living pose as much of a threat as the hungry, roaming undead. From Alexandria and its promise of a better life to Negan’s ruthless Saviors to the Commonwealth’s corruption, every harrowing, suspenseful moment is here. But hope never dies, for as Rick defiantly puts it, "We’re the ones who live.”
 
BLU-RAY/DVD SPECIAL FEATURES
  • Behind-the-scenes documentary “The Walking Dead: Making of the Final Season”
  • Additional bonus features from all previous single season releases
CAST
Andrew Lincoln                       Love Actually, Penguin Bloom, TV’s “Afterlife”
Norman Reedus                      The Boondock Saints franchise, Triple 9, Blade II
Steven Yeun                            Nope, Minari, Okja
Melissa McBride                      The Mist, The Reconstruction of William Zero, The Happys
Lauren Cohan                          Casanova, TV’s “The Vampire Diaries” and “Supernatural”
Jeffrey Dean Morgan              Watchmen, Rampage, TV’s “Leopard Skin”
Danai Gurira                            Black Panther franchise, Avengers: Infinity War, The Visitor
 
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Year of Production: 2010-2022
Copyright: The Walking Dead © 2010–2022 AMC Film Holdings LLC. Artwork and Supplementary Materials are ™, ® and © 2023 AMC Network Entertainment LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Type: New Release
Rating: TV-MA
Genre: Horror, Drama
BD Run Time: 135 Hrs., 17 Mins.
Blu-ray Format: 16x9 (1.78:1) Presentation
Blu-ray Audio: English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD (Season 1), English 7.1 Dolby TrueHD (Seasons 2-11), French 2.0 Dolby Surround (Seasons 2-7 and 9-11), French 5.1 Dolby Surround (Season 8), Spanish 2.0 Dolby Surround (Seasons 9-11)
DVD Run Time: 135 Hrs., 9 Mins.
DVD Format: 16x9 (1.78:1) Presentation
DVD Audio: English 5.1 Dolby Audio, French 2.0 Dolby Surround (Seasons 2-7 and 9-11), French 5.1 Dolby Surround (Season 8), Spanish 2.0 Dolby Surround (Seasons 9-11)
Closed-Captioned: No
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French (Seasons 9-11)
Janus Contemporaries November Blu-ray Wave Announced

The Criterion Collection has announced their next three Janus Contemporaries Blu-ray releases coming in November: Hlynur Pálmason's Godland, two-time Palme d’Or winners Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne's Tori and Lokita, and The Eight Mountains directed by Felix van Groeningen and Charlotte Vandermeersch. All three titles will be available on November 21.

Godland - Janus Contemporaries 

Godland - Janus Contemporaries 

The struggle between the strictures of religion and humankind’s brute animal nature plays out amid the beautifully forbidding landscapes of remote Iceland in this stunning psychological epic from director Hlynur Pálmason. In the late nineteenth century, Danish priest Lucas (Elliott Crosset Hove) makes the perilous trek to Iceland’s southeastern coast with the intention of establishing a church. There, the arrogant man of God finds his resolve tested as he confronts the harsh terrain, temptations of the flesh, and the reality of being an intruder in an unforgiving land. What unfolds is a transfixing journey into the heart of colonial darkness—one that’s attuned to both the majesty and the terrifying power of the natural world.

SPECIAL FEATURES

  • Meet the Filmmakers, a new interview with director Hlynur Pálmason
  • A Painter, a 2013 short film by Pálmason
  • Trailer

Tori and Lokita - Janus Contemporaries 

Tori and Lokita - Janus Contemporaries 

From two-time Palme d’Or winners Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne comes the story of seventeen-year-old Lokita and twelve-year-old Tori, two immigrants to Belgium—from Cameroon and Benin, respectively—whose siblinglike bond is the only resource they can depend on in their struggle for survival on the margins of European society. The pair work as performers in a cheap trattoria, dealing drugs on the side, while balancing the demands of an indifferent bureaucracy. When Lokita is held captive in a marijuana grow house, events spiral out of control. Winner of the Seventh-Fifth Anniversary Prize at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival, the latest humanist drama from the Dardenne brothers is a heart-stopping thriller that casts an unflinching eye on the trials of the young and dispossessed.

SPECIAL FEATURES

  • Meet the Filmmakers, a new interview with directors Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne
  • Trailer

The Eight Mountains - Janus Contemporaries 

The Eight Mountains - Janus Contemporaries 

An epic journey of friendship and self-discovery set in the Italian Alps, The Eight Mountains is a cinematic experience as intimate as it is monumental. Adapting an award-winning novel by Paolo Cognetti, Felix van Groeningen and Charlotte Vandermeersch portray, through observant detail and stunning landscape photography, the profound relationship between Pietro (Luca Marinelli) and Bruno (Alessandro Borghi), who first meet as children in an Alpine village. Years later, the estranged friends reunite, after the passing of Pietro’s father (Filippo Timi), in order to realize his dream of rebuilding a ruined cabin on a mountain slope. This emotional project, and their subsequent explorations of the mountains, create a strong bond between the two—yet individual dreams, and the demands of society, ultimately drive them to pursue irrevocably divergent paths.

SPECIAL FEATURES

  • Meet the Filmmakers, a new interview with directors Charlotte Vandermeersch and Felix van Groeningen
  • The Making of “The Eight Mountains,” a new documentary featuring cast and crew
  • Trailer

We will update these listings as soon as the preorder links become available and all three titles will be available on Blu-ray on November 21.

Disc News Round-up: THIS IS THE WAY... We Round-up Blu-ray & 4K UHD News

It has been a relatively quiet week, but there have been a few announcements and a bunch of new titles posted to our release calendar over the past little while.  Be sure to check that out, but we've included some of the highlights here.

The major announcement this week is that Disney is prepping 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray SteelBooks for a handful of their more popular streaming shows. They include Loki (Season 1) on September 26, WandaVision: The Complete Series on November 28, and The Mandalorian (Seasons 1 & 2) on December 12. Read all about it here.

Loki 4K SB WandaVision 4K SteelBook The Mandalorian S1 4K SteelBook The Mandalorian S2 4K SteelBook

On October 3, 20th Century Fox Studios will be releasing the latest film in the Predator franchise, Prey, on both 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and Blu-ray. There will also be a Best Buy Exclusive 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray SteelBook.

Universal has set the animated film Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken for a Blu-ray release on September 26 with digital hitting August 29. The Blu-ray will include over an hour of bonus content.

Lionsgate is dropping a very sleek looking John Wick: Chapters 1-4 Blu-ray box set on October 17. There doesn't seem to be a 4K release...yet.

Jo

Also better late than never we suppose, but Universal has finally decided to give the sci-fi horror film M3GAN a 4K UHD Blu-ray release. Best Buy will have a 4K SteelBook as well. Be on the lookout for those on October 10.

Have you been down to South Park lately? If not, Paramount will be delivering six brand new episodes to Blu-ray when the show's 26th season hits hi-def on September 12. Not only that, Paramount is also giving 4K upgrades to the classic comedies Scrooged and Trading Places on November 7. 

Sony has set an October 17th release date for the fifth season of The Crown on Blu-ray. Special features include: A Royal Transformation, War of the Waleses, and Script to Screen. Pre-orders are now available here.

The Criterion Collection has revealed three new titles in their Janice Contemporaries Blu-ray library. They are Hlynur Pálmason's Godland, two-time Palme d’Or winners Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne's Tori and Lokita, and The Eight Mountains directed by Felix van Groeningen and Charlotte Vandermeersch. These will hit stores on November 21 (full details here).

And before we head of for the weekend, we have added The Wicker Man 50th Anniversary Collector's Edition - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray from Lionsgate to our release calendar. Pre-orders aren't activated yet, but the release will include Dolby Vision and what looks to be exquisite packaging.

Until next time...take care and enjoy what you can of this crazy summer!

John Wick: Chapters 1-4 Blu-ray Box Set Announced for October 17

Get all four films in the John Wick franchise starring Keanu Reeves in a slick Blu-ray boxed set on October 17. No word on a 4K UHD Blu-ray set, however.

In this stylish, electrifying action series, legendary hit man John Wick (Keanu Reeves) is forced back into the underground world of assassins, where he embarks on a ruthless quest for revenge and redemption. This complete collection of John Wick films features four art cards, along with seven pieces of interchangeable cover art. In John Wick, young thugs push John into a merciless rampage, while a blood oath sends him to Rome in John Wick: Chapter 2. John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum sees an army of assassins hoping to collect the $14 million bounty on John’s head, and in John Wick: Chapter 4, a powerful enemy with global alliances emerges, turning John’s old friends into new foes.

John Wick: Chapters 1-4

The Blu-ray + DVD + Digital package will most likely include Dolby Atmos soundtracks as with the previous releases.

BLU-RAY/DVD SPECIAL FEATURE:

JOHN WICK: 

Audio Commentary by Filmmakers Chad Stahelski and David Leitch

Don't F*#% With John Wick (approx 16 mins.)

Calling In The Cavalry (approx 13 mins.)

Destiny of a Collective (approx 6 mins.) 

Assassin's Code (approx 5 mins.) 

Red Circle (approx 7 mins.)

NYC Noir (approx 6 mins.)

Theatrical Trailer

JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 

Audio Commentary by Keanu Reeves and Director Chad Stahelski (feature length)

Deleted Scenes

RetroWick: Exploring the Unexpected Success John Wick

Training John Wick

WICK-vizzed

Friends, Confidantes: The Keanu/Chad Partnership

As Above, So Below: The Underworld of John Wick

Car Fu Ride-Along

Chamber Check: Evolution Of A Fight Scene (10 mins.)

Wick’s Toolbox

Kill Count

Dog Wick Short

Theatrical Trailer 

JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 — PARABELLUM 

Parabellum: Legacy of the High Table (10:52)

Excommunicado (9:59)

Check Your Sights (9:49)

Saddle Up Wick (5:06)

Bikes, Blades, Bridges, and Bits (7 mins.)

Continental in the Desert (10:10)

Dog Fu (7:55)

House of Transparency (7:04)

Shot by Shot (8:49)

Theatrical Trailer #1   (2:18)

Theatrical Trailer #2   (2:31)

John Wick Hex Game Trailer (1:02)

Behind the Scenes of John Wick Hex (6:52)

JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4 

Chad and Keanu: Through Wick and Thin (6 mins.)

Train Like a Killer (6 mins.)

Making A Killing (6 mins.)

The Psychology of a Killer (4 mins.)

The Blind Leading the Fight (9 mins.)

Suit Up / Shoot Up (6 mins.)

Packing a Punch (5 mins.)

One Killer Shot (3 mins.)

Killing at the Speed of Traffic (10 mins.)

A Shot in the Dark (6 mins.)

In Honor of the Dead   (5 mins.)

Theatrical Trailer 1   (2:39)

Theatrical Trailer 2   (1:30) 

Pre-orders for John Wick: Chapters 1-4 should be available soon and suggested retail price is $44.99. Here is the full press release:


Blu-ray™ + DVD + Digital / DVD Street Date: 10/17/23
Blu-ray™ + DVD + Digital SRP: $44.99
 
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Experience the entire action-packed saga when John Wick: Chapters 1-4  arrives on Blu-ray™ + DVD + Digital October 17 from Lionsgate. John Wick: Chapter 4, the highest-grossing film in the franchise, serves as the bookend for this newest collection. John Wick: Chapters 1-4 will be available for the suggested retail prices of $44.99 for Blu-ray + DVD + Digital.
 
OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS
In this stylish, electrifying action series, legendary hit man John Wick (Keanu Reeves) is forced back into the underground world of assassins, where he embarks on a ruthless quest for revenge and redemption. This complete collection of John Wick films features four art cards, along with seven pieces of interchangeable cover art. In John Wick, young thugs push John into a merciless rampage, while a blood oath sends him to Rome in John Wick: Chapter 2. John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum sees an army of assassins hoping to collect the $14 million bounty on John’s head, and in John Wick: Chapter 4, a powerful enemy with global alliances emerges, turning John’s old friends into new foes.
 
BLU-RAY/DVD SPECIAL FEATURE:
JOHN WICK:
  • Audio Commentary by Filmmakers Chad Stahelski and David Leitch
  • Don't F*#% With John Wick (approx 16 mins.)
  • Calling In The Cavalry (approx 13 mins.)
  • Destiny of a Collective (approx 6 mins.) 
  • Assassin's Code (approx 5 mins.) 
  • Red Circle (approx 7 mins.)
  • NYC Noir (approx 6 mins.)
  • Theatrical Trailer
JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2
  • Audio Commentary by Keanu Reeves and Director Chad Stahelski (feature length)
  • Deleted Scenes
  • RetroWick: Exploring the Unexpected Success John Wick
  • Training John Wick
  • WICK-vizzed
  • Friends, Confidantes: The Keanu/Chad Partnership
  • As Above, So Below: The Underworld of John Wick
  • Car Fu Ride-Along
  • Chamber Check: Evolution Of A Fight Scene (10 mins.)
  • Wick’s Toolbox
  • Kill Count
  • Dog Wick Short
  • Theatrical Trailer 
JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 PARABELLUM
  • Parabellum: Legacy of the High Table (10:52)
  • Excommunicado (9:59)
  • Check Your Sights (9:49)
  • Saddle Up Wick (5:06)
  • Bikes, Blades, Bridges, and Bits (7 mins.)
  • Continental in the Desert (10:10)
  • Dog Fu (7:55)
  • House of Transparency (7:04)
  • Shot by Shot (8:49)
  • Theatrical Trailer #1   (2:18)
  • Theatrical Trailer #2   (2:31)
  • John Wick Hex Game Trailer (1:02)
  • Behind the Scenes of John Wick Hex (6:52) 
JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4
  • Chad and Keanu: Through Wick and Thin (6 mins.)
  • Train Like a Killer (6 mins.)
  • Making A Killing (6 mins.)
  • The Psychology of a Killer (4 mins.)
  • The Blind Leading the Fight (9 mins.)
  • Suit Up / Shoot Up (6 mins.)
  • Packing a Punch (5 mins.)
  • One Killer Shot (3 mins.)
  • Killing at the Speed of Traffic (10 mins.)
  • A Shot in the Dark (6 mins.)
  • In Honor of the Dead   (5 mins.)
  • Theatrical Trailer 1   (2:39)
  • Theatrical Trailer 2   (1:30) 
CAST
Ian McShane                            TV’s “Deadwood,” “American Gods”
Lance Reddick                          TV’s “The Wire,” White House Down, Angel Has Fallen
Donnie Yen                               Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Ip Man, Mulan
Bill Skarsgård                           It, Barbarian, Eternals
Hiroyuki Sanada                       Bullet Train, Avengers: Endgame, 47 Ronin
 
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Years of Production: 2014-2023
Title Copyrights: John Wick © 2014 Poquito Productions, LLC. John Wick: Chapter 2 © 2017, John Wick: Chapter 3 Parabellum © 2019, Artwork & Supplementary Materials ®,™ & © 2023 Lions Gate Entertaiment Inc. and related companies. John Wick: Chapter 4 © 2023 Summit Entertainment, LLC. Artwork & Supplementary Materials ®, ™ & © 2023 Lions Gate Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Type: New Release / Catalog Re-Release
Rating: R
Genre: Action, Thriller, Crime
Closed-Captioned: N/A
Subtitles: Various
Run Time: 522 mins.
Blu-rayTM Format: Various
Blu-rayTM Audio: Various
DVD Format: Various
DVD Audio: Various

South Park: The Complete Twenty-Sixth Season Heads to Blu-ray UPDATE: Release Date 11/07

All six episodes of the 26th season of the Emmy Award-winning South Park will arrive on Blu-ray. UPDATE: Release Date 11/07.  

The boys are back as South Park returns with its 26th season! Join Stan, Kyle, Cartman and Kenny as they learn the wonders of Japanese toilets, grapple with latest developments in A.I. technology, re-open an iconic Colorado restaurant, and meet a couple who feel the need to share the importance of their Privacy with the world. For them, it’s all part of growing up in South Park!

South Park: The Complete Twenty-Sixth Season 

South Park: The Complete Twenty-Sixth Season 

The Blu-ray will include a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 soundtrack and English SDH subtitles. There doesn't appear to be any supplements. Pre-orders for South Park: The Complete Twenty-Sixth Season on Blu-ray are up now at Amazon and here is the full press release:


Stan, Kyle, Kenny and Cartman Return for More Grade School Misadventures

 Street Date:               September 12, 2023 (UPDATE: Release Date 11/07) 

Description:               School is back in session when SOUTH PARK: THE COMPLETE TWENTY-SIXTH SEASON arrives on Blu-ray™ and DVD September 12, 2023, from Paramount Home Entertainment. The newest season of the Emmy® Award-winning animated series includes six brand-new episodes featuring your favorite South Park residents.                

The boys are back as South Park returns with its 26th season! Join Stan, Kyle, Cartman and Kenny as they learn the wonders of Japanese toilets, grapple with latest developments in A.I. technology, re-open an iconic Colorado restaurant, and meet a couple who feel the need to share the importance of their Privacy with the world. For them, it’s all part of growing up in South Park!

SOUTH PARK: THE COMPLETE TWENTY-SIXTH SEASON stars creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, along with Mona Marshall (“Blue Exorcist”), April Stewart (Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol) and Jennifer Howell (“Bob’s Burgers”).

Specifications:           Widescreen Format

                                    English 5.1 Dolby Digital (DVD Only)

                                    English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD (Blu-ray Only)

                                    English SDH Subtitles

U.S. Rating:               Not Rated

Canadian Rating:     14A – Crude Content, Coarse Language

Run Time:                 2 hours, 9 minutes     

  

 

What's this? What's This!?! A 4K UHD & Blu-ray Shopping Guide August 20, 2023!

 Is there such a thing as returning to normal with disc releases? Probably not, but compared to last week the 4K category has grown by leaps and bounds. This week we see a black comedy (without a Wayans brother at the helm), Jack Skellington gets a 4K update, Antonio Banderas' best known character, and more.

 Welcome to Volume 4 Episode 12 of our weekly release guide. A look at the highlights of what's coming to disc the week of August 20th - August 26th, as well as a look at announcements from last week.

4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Releases-

 

 Leading the week with a catalog upgrade, because, it has grown such a following and we are leading the guide with it. From Disney, The Nightmare Before Christmas gets a Standard Edition and a "Disney 100" style Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook.

  

 

 Shout Factory brings us Hackers, which is available as a Collector's Edition and as a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook. As a collector, I am perplexed at the lack of a slipcover on the "Collector's Edition".

 

   

 

 From Sony Pictures, The Legend of Zorro gets a 4K upgrade. Good to see the sequels also get the 4K upgrade treatment.

 

 

 Arrow Video offers up nostalgic 1985 with Weird Science.

 

 Closing out the catalog title category, barring any delays, the 'Indicator Series' releases for The Night of the Hunted and The Rape of the Vampire release on Tuesday as well.

 

 Out of sequence, I know, new release last this week, from Lionsgate we have comedy/horror titled The Blackening, which comes available as a Standard Edition and as a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook.

 Next week, a Time Bandits import (with swag), Chucky 4-7, Battlestar and more!

 

Blu-ray releases-

 Blu-ray counterparts of the above releases include The Blackening from LionsGate and the pair of Indicator Series titles, The Night of the Hunted and The Rape of the Vampire.

 The rest of this category is pretty barren. As always though, here are the highlights:

 A rather random catalog title from Sony Pictures with 1981's American Pop, an 'animated trek across the musical landscape of the 20th century'.

 

 Arrow Video this week has Unman, Wittering and Zigo, a drama/thriller.

 LionsGate this week offers something other than an action/thriller with a comedy titled You Hurt My Feelings.

 

 If you did not import the Imprint release, this week Kino has you covered with Pretty Baby.

 Another animated music film, but this time Warner Bros, look for Metalocalypse: Army of the Doomstar.

 

 Four films on four discs from Criterion with Bo Widerberg’s New Swedish Cinema.

 A minimalist week for Anime, Ranking of Kings Season 1 Part 2, which is available as a Standard Edition and Limited Edition, and Reincarnated as a Sword: Complete Collection.

 

 Worthy Mention: Shout Factory releases the thriller Coma (1978), Michael Crichton does the adaptation of a book instead of the other way around, someone adapting his book.

 Next week we do get a significant increase in titles in this category.

Notable announcements from last week:

 The Criterion Collection has announced their November line up. Do check it out!

 Kino Lorber has finalized the details for Red Dragon 4K and Cujo 4K / blu-ray releases. They are scheduled to arrive on October 24th. They have also announced a new product line titled "Kino Cult" with three titles already slated. The debut titles are Lorna the Exorcist, Alien Outlaw and The Dark Power and they all release on October 24th.

 Universal will be releasing M3GAN to 4K disc on October 10th. Before we get overly excited though, it does look like they are adding Atmos sound, but only including HDR10. Meanwhile the streaming version has Dolby Vision AND HDR10+. Still, we gain something. There is also a good chance (rumor) that The Black Phone will be out in October. Turbine Media is also releasing The Black Phone in Germany on October 5th. Will Scream Factory do them with Dolby Vision and more extras?

 

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?



Boldly Coming to Blu-ray - Picard: The Final Season, Limited Edition SteelBook & Picard Legacy Collection

Paramount is getting ready to send a farewell to Star Trek: Picard - The Final Season on Blu-ray on September 5. The last season will also be available in a SteelBook as well as a collection of all three seasons hitting stores on Blu-ray on the same day.

In the epic, thrilling conclusion of Star Trek: Picard, a desperate message from a long-lost friend draws Starfleet legend Admiral Jean-Luc Picard into the most daring mission of his life, forcing him to recruit allies spanning generations old and new. This final adventure sets him on a collision course with the legacy of his past and explosive, new revelations that will alter the fate of the Federation forever.

Star Trek: Picard Blu-ray           Star Trek: Picard Blu-ray SteelBook

Star Trek: Picard – The Final Season Special Features:

Includes exclusive-to-home-entertainment special features including never-before-seen footage and audio commentary on select episodes from the show creators and cast. Get a galactic view of the creative vision behind the show and the rebuilding of Enterprise-D. This release also features deleted scenes and a Q&A panel with cast and crew.

  • The Gang’s All Here – Featurette (Exclusive)
  • The Making of the Last Generation – Featurette (Exclusive)
  • Audio Commentary on select episodes (Exclusive)
  • Deleted Scenes (Exclusive)
  • Gag Reel (Exclusive)
  • Rebuilding the Enterprise-D – Featurette
  • Villainous Vadic - Featurette
  • Picard: The Final Season Q&A

Ultimate Trekkies may want to hold off until October, however, for Star Trek: Picard - The Legacy Collection - a limited, numbered set that will include Star Trek: The Next Generation's Complete Series, the four TNG films, and Star Trek: Picard Complete Series, PLUS loads of swag!  Check out this spread:

Star Trek: Picard - The Legacy Collection

Star Trek: The Picard Legacy Collection

  • 35 hours of bonus features
  • Premium Packaging Containing 54 Blu-ray Discs, 154 Episodes and Exclusive Collectables 
  • All Series and Films Featuring Captain Jean-Luc Picard
    • Star Trek: The Next Generation® – Seasons 1-7
    • Star Trek: Picard – Seasons 1-3
    • Star Trek: Generations
    • Star Trek: First Contact
    • Star Trek: Nemesis
    • Star Trek: Insurrection 
  • Exclusive Collectables:
    • Magnetic Captain Picard Badges
    • 4 Custom Chateau Picard Drink Coasters 
    • Custom Deck of Playing Cards
    • Exclusive Version of The Wisdom of Picard, The Wisdom of Picard: The Legacy Collection Edition
      • Featuring New Cover Art
      • Including quotes from the latest seasons of Star Trek: Picard

All of these packages that include the final season of Picard will be available on September 5. Here is the full press release:


“Best season of Star Trek ever”
(JoBlo)
 
 Star Trek: Picard  The Final Season Arrives on DVD, Blu-ray™, and Limited-Edition Blu-ray™ SteelBook on September 5
The Next Generation Cast Reunion Three Decades in the Making. Go Behind the Scenes with the Cast and Crew with Over 2 ½ Hours of Special Features
 
LOS ANGELES – June 16, 2023 – The epic and thrilling conclusion to Star Trek: Picard – The Final Season, arrives on DVD, Blu-ray, and a limited-edition Blu-ray SteelBook September 5th from Paramount Home Entertainment. Hailed as “Thrilling” and “A show worth watching — and celebrating,” (IndieWire),
Star Trek: Picard – The Final Season reunites four-time Emmy Award® nominee* Patrick Stewart as Captain Jean-Luc Picard and The Next Generation crew in this final adventure where he is set on a collision course with the legacy of his past and explosive, new revelations that will alter the fate of the Federation forever. Star Trek: Picard – The Final Season includes over 2 ½  hours of special features, including behind the scenes featurettes with the cast and crew, a hilarious gag reel, and never-before-seen deleted scenes.
 
The all-star cast includes Patrick Stewart (Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, X-Men) as Jean-Luc Picard, LeVar Burton (Star Trek: Generations) as Geordi La Forge, Michael Dorn (“Star Trek: The Next Generation,” Star Trek: Insurrection) as Worf, Jonathan Frakes (Star Trek: First ContactStar Trek: Insurrection) as Will Riker, Gates McFadden (“Star Trek: The Next Generation,  Star Trek: Insurrection) as Dr. Beverly Crusher Michelle Hurd (“Blindspot,” “Hawaii Five-0”) as Raffi Musiker, Marina Sirtis (“Star Trek: Lower Decks,” Star Trek: Generations) as Deanna Troi, Brent Spiner (“Star Trek: The Next Generation,” Star Trek: First Contact) as Commander Data, Ed Speleers (“You,” “Downton Abbey”) as Jack Crusher, and Jeri Ryan (“Bosch,” “Body of Proof”) as Seven of Nine.
 
Also available on September 5th will be Star Trek: Picard – The Complete Series which includes all three seasons of the hit show and over 7 hours of special features.
 
And coming October 17th will be the definitive release for Next Generation fans, Star Trek: The Picard Legacy Collection. The limited edition individually numbered 54-Disc Blu-ray collection features one of a kind packaging that houses every series and film featuring Jean-Luc Picard. Along with over 35 hours of special features, films and series include “Star Trek: The Next Generation – Seasons 1-7,” “Star Trek: Picard – Seasons 1-3,” Star Trek: GenerationsStar Trek: First ContactStar Trek: Nemesis, and Star Trek: Insurrection.  This limited set also includes an exclusive edition of The Wisdom of Picard featuring brand new artwork and quotes, along with a one-of-a-kind deck of playing cards, a magnet sheet featuring all of Captain Picard’s badges and four custom Chateau Picard drink coasters.
 
Star Trek: Picard – The Final Season Synopsis
In the epic, thrilling conclusion of Star Trek: Picard, a desperate message from a long-lost friend draws Starfleet legend Admiral Jean-Luc Picard into the most daring mission of his life, forcing him to recruit allies spanning generations old and new. This final adventure sets him on a collision course with the legacy of his past and explosive, new revelations that will alter the fate of the Federation forever.
 
Star Trek: Picard – The Final Season Special Features:
Includes exclusive-to-home-entertainment special features including never-before-seen footage and audio commentary on select episodes from the show creators and cast. Get a galactic view of the creative vision behind the show and the rebuilding of Enterprise-D. This release also features deleted scenes and a Q&A panel with cast and crew.
  • The Gang’s All Here – Featurette (Exclusive)
  • The Making of the Last Generation – Featurette (Exclusive)
  • Audio Commentary on select episodes (Exclusive)
  • Deleted Scenes (Exclusive)
  • Gag Reel (Exclusive)
  • Rebuilding the Enterprise-D – Featurette
  • Villainous Vadic - Featurette
  • Picard: The Final Season Q&A
Star Trek: The Picard Legacy Collection
  • 35 hours of bonus features
  • Premium Packaging Containing 54 Blu-ray Discs, 154 Episodes and Exclusive Collectables 
  • All Series and Films Featuring Captain Jean-Luc Picard
    • Star Trek: The Next Generation® – Seasons 1-7
    • Star Trek: Picard – Seasons 1-3
    • Star Trek: Generations
    • Star Trek: First Contact
    • Star Trek: Nemesis
    • Star Trek: Insurrection 
  • Exclusive Collectables:
    • Magnetic Captain Picard Badges
    • 4 Custom Chateau Picard Drink Coasters 
    • Custom Deck of Playing Cards
    • Exclusive Version of The Wisdom of Picard, The Wisdom of Picard: The Legacy Collection Edition
      • Featuring New Cover Art
      • Including quotes from the latest seasons of Star Trek: Picard

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