Recent Bluray News

The latest news on all things 4k Ultra HD, Blu-ray and Gear.
Time To Equalize Your Finances - HDD's 4K UHD & Blu-ray Shopping Guide November 12, 2023

 Yep, it's ramping up to be an expensive month for us collectors and enthusiasts. This week in 4K we see a bunch of SteelBooks that we were led to believe were Walmart exclusives, but aren't, an early Steven Spielberg movie titled Duel, Rudy, Equalizer 3 and more.

Welcome to Volume 4 Episode 24 of our weekly release guide. A look at the highlights of what's coming to disc the week of November 12th - November 18th, as well as a look at announcements from last week.

4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Releases-

 We have no import Monday releases to mention this week. Kicking off New Release Tuesday, The Equalizer 3 with Denzel Washington comes as a Standard Edition, a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook and as a 3-film Collection. This makes two weeks in a row that Sony breaks the mold and makes their SteelBook release a Best Buy Exclusive instead of a general release. WHY? Did they miss the memo that Best Buy is ending support for movie discs?

   

 

 Next, from Warner Bros, The Nun II gets a standard edition release. Considered a relatively weak film in the franchise, we would still love to be able to get all of them in 4K. Plus you would get the completionists buyers too. Hint Hint.

 

 Where to go from here with the hefty list if catalog titles? Why not Terms of Endearment, a "Highly Recommended" Paramount Presents release?

 

 Last week had an early George Lucas film, this week we get an early Steven Spielberg release titled Duel. This one comes as a Standard Edition and as a Gruv Exclusive SteelBook and released by Universal Pictures.

 

 Doubling back with Sony, NOT a retailer exclusive and returning to a normal Sony release pattern, Rudy dons a 4K SteelBook release this week. And sort of a double-dip, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse / Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse gets a Collector's Edition release this week.

 

 Criterion Collection this week has The Last Picture Show.

 

 First time to 4K disc, The Twilight Saga 15th Anniversary Edition gets a  Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook collection.

 

 Now for that list of SteelBooks from RLJ & Image Entertainment that were originally listed to be Walmart Exclusive SteelBooks, Arizona, Color Out of Space, The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then the Bigfoot (first time to 4K disc in the U.S.) and Sympathy for the Devil, which also debuts to 4K disc.

 

 Next week there are three new releases (Expend4bles, Oppenheimer and Saw X), Harrison Ford stars as Richard Kimble, Stalag 17, Mean Streets and more!

 

Blu-ray releases-

 Blu-ray counterparts of the above 4K releases include The Equalizer 3 and The Equalizer 3-Movie Collection from Sony, The Nun II from Warner Bros. and The Last Picture Show from Criterion. Doubling back, The Equalizer 3 also has a Walmart Exclusive SteelBook option. Again, Walmart is opting for a blu-ray exclusive and not a 4K.

 The rest of this category has got a decent quantity of releases this week.

 From Sony Pictures Classics, The Fog of War: Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara to a catalog Tri-Star Pictures of Guarding Tess. Lookie, a third release from Sony's catalog, Johnny Five in Short Circuit 2.

 

 Under the LionsGate label, a week almost never passes without an action/thriller release. This week look for Desperation Road in a DVD case that also includes the blu-ray and digital. Still unsure of the strategy of their recent blu-ray in a DVD case releases.

 The next Vestron Collectors Series release via LionsGate comes out this week, Blue Steel with Jamie Lee Curtis.

 

 Anime highlights include Bluelock Part 1, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations: Set 16, and a live-action title Spirited Away: Live on Stage.

 Under the Warner Archive Label this week, look for In Love and War and Rapa Nui.

 

 For All Mankind: Season One debuts to disc as well this week. This is the more recent highly rated TV series from Apple TV.

 More TV on disc includes Justified: City Primeval Season One from Sony and Leave It to Beaver: The Complete Series from Universal.

 

 Shout Factory has martial arts action with The Sonny Chiba Collection: Volume 2.

 Just like the last entry in the 4K releases section above, RLJ and Image Entertainment has blu-ray SteelBooks (not Walmart exclusives) for Bone Tomahawk, Clean, I Kill Giants, PG: Psycho Goreman, Vesper and Werewolves Within .

 Extra Special Interest: This week the Disney Legacy Animated Film Collection (Walmart Exclusive) streets. If I had a spare $1.5K laying around, I would seriously consider grabbing it.

 

 Next week in the blu-ray category we get sort of a break. Some of us will need it because there is a little think called Black Friday!

 

Notable announcements from last week:

 Paramount has revealed 4K and blu-ray discs for Pet Sematary: Bloodlines with a December 19th street date. I find it a pleasant surprise to see a 4K of this.

 Sony has revealed that Spike Lee's School Daze 35th Anniversary Edition will be getting a 4K release on December 12th.

 This section might be a little weak this week but believe me, it's not doom and gloom. There were a lot of smaller announcements and reveals during the week. Check out our release calendar for updates.

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?



Knight Rider Returns for a Stripped-Down Swag-Free Blu-ray Special Edition from Turbine

Turbine returns to the action-packed world of David Hasselhoff's Michael Knight with a new
swag-free Knight Rider: Special Edition Blu-ray collection! 

Around this time last year German label Turbine Medien unleashed a massive (in size and scope) Knight Rider: 40th Anniversary Edition featuring every episode fully restored spread over 20 discs with two discs reserved for the follow-up films, the short-lived Team Knight Rider series, with an extra disc with over three hours of bonus features on top of posters, books, and a bunch of swag items. It was a lot and commanded a pretty hefty price tag. Now fans of the series anxious to get their hands on the excellent Blu-ray discs can now pre-order the stripped-down special edition. Reduced to the same 20 discs fo the main series and an additional Blu-ray for all of the same excellent extra features content, the set ditches the swag items, Team Knight Rider as well as the rather uneven follow-up TV films. Best of all for collectors, the price point is half the cost of the still available and very awesome 40th Anniversary Collection. Here's a look at what this set has to offer:

Knight Rider: Special Edition Blu-ray 

 

He's coming. A car, a computer, a man. Knight Rider!
Michael Knight and his talking wonder car K.I.T.T. hunt down criminals of all kinds on behalf of the Law and Constitution Foundation. The team includes Foundation director Devon Miles, computer experts Dr. Bonnie Barstow and April Curtis, and brave driver RC III. Together, they fight against Goliath, K.A.R.R. and numerous other villains to ensure that justice prevails.

20 Blu-ray Discs offer the classic series - uncut and with complete dubbing.
Bonus Blu-ray with three hours of world-exclusive interviews with the creators and much more.Special Edition with world-exclusive retro artwork by Paul Shipper.

Specifications:

  • Language/Sound: BD 1-20 (Series): German DTS-HD MA 2.0 English DTS-HD MA 2.0. Bonus Blu-ray: English
  • Aspect ratio: BD 1-20: 4:
  • 3 (1080p24 Full HD). Bonus Blu-ray: 4:3
  • Subtitles: German, English
  • Runtime: 4230 minutes

Bonus material:
+ Bonus Blu-ray with brand new world-exclusive interviews (HD, approx. 3 hours):
- Stu Phillips (composer - approx. 11 min.)
- Steven E. de Souza (Producer & Writer - approx. 32 min.)
- Rebecca Holden (Actress - approx. 25 mins)
- Jack Gill (Stunt Coordinator & KITT Driver - approx. 34 mins)
- Tom Greene (Producer & Writer - approx. 50 min.)
- Deborah Davis (author - ca. 17 min.- Knightcon 2011 - with Tom Greene (ca.
28 min.)
- myKITT.de - The fulfillment of a childhood dream (approx. 13 min.).
- Universal Archive (approx. 30 min.):
- Knight Rider - Under the Hood (approx. 16 min.)
- Knight Stunts (approx. 6 min.)
- Knight Sounds (approx. 7 min.)
- Sketch gallery (approx. 3 min.)
- Photo gallery (approx. 3 min.)
+ Audio commentary on the pilot by David Hasselhoff and Glen A. Larson.

All features with optional German & English subtitles.
Number of discs: 21 Genre: Action

The set is set to start shipping on November 23rd - so get those pre-orders in now before you over-commit to holiday shopping for friends and family! 

Car Go Vroom, 4K UHD & Blu-ray Shopping Guide - November 5, 2023 Go Aaaaaaaah

 Unlike last week, this week is a walk in the park for 4K titles. As we hinted last week though, there are still a few worthy titles to ponder. From George Lucas' beginnings, a video game adaptation of a different color with David Harbour, David Harbour in a Santa suit, and more! If you have not done so already, read Matthew's article about how ooooooows AND aaaaaaahs this month is going to have!

 Welcome to Volume 4 Episode 23 of our weekly release guide. A look at the highlights of what's coming to disc the week of November 5th - November 11th, as well as a look at announcements from last week.

4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Releases-

 Import Monday begins with an anime 4K, Nadia: Secret of the Blue Water: Part 1 - Limited Edition. I wish I had more info to share, part 2 (coming next month) appears to NOT be a Limited Edition. To make it even more confusing, there's an Ultimate Edition release on Thursday that is Part 1 and Part 2 together. I've already taken one for the team, so one would guess GKIDS will announce something soon.

 Domestic Tuesday's new release is for Gran Turismo starring David Harbour. This one is available as a standard edition and as a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook, which is actually out of the norm for Sony (SteelBook, normal, Best Buy, not).

    

 

 Next on the semi-new release list, Violent Night, with more David Harbour action. This one appears to be a true 4K release and not an MOD release, and is available as a standard edition and as a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook.

    

 

 Under the Shout Select label, Fargo finally sees light of day. This one was hinted (but not announced) quite early in the year.

 

 One of George Lucas' early success stories was with American Graffiti. And this one is available as a standard edition and as a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook.

    

 

 How about some Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd fun with Trading Places from Paramount?

 

 And a little more comedy with Scrooged, also from Paramount.

 

 Sony's next batch of 4K with Dolby Vision Upgrades in a SteelBook package are available this week, Black Hawk Down and The Guns of Navarone.

 And NOT a Dolby Vision upgrade from Universal, Scarface is available as a double-dip in a Best Buy Exclusive Steelbook option.

 Next week, a bunch of SteelBooks that we thought were Walmart Exclusives, but are not. Also, Stephenie Meyer series in 4K, Equalizer 3, Terms of Endearment, Nun 2, Duel, and a return of wallet-busting action!

 

Blu-ray releases-

 Blu-ray counterpart of the above titles includes just Sony's Gran Turismo, available as a Standard Edition and as a Walmart Exclusive SteelBook (this makes two weeks in a row now that the Walmart Exclusive has not been 4K).

 Like the 4K category, this week there is a slight dip in the number of blu-ray titles released this week.

 New comedy/drama from Sony titled The Miracle Club. Does releasing a 2023 film under the "Sony Pictures Classics" label allow them to opt out of a digital code?

 

 Paramount is tugging at your purse strings in several ways. First, the collectible mega-set Star Trek: The Picard Legacy Collection. It is a handsome looking set, but what would sell it to me is if they sold it is a hybrid 4K and blu-ray set like LionsGate did with Evil Dead.

 

 And next, a pair of South Park releases, South Park: The Complete Twenty-Sixth Season and South Park: The Streaming Wars.

 Anime highlights include Beast Tamer: The Complete Season, Classroom of the Elite Season 2, More than a Married Couple, but Not Lovers. and My Dress-Up Darling: The Complete Season, which is available as a Standard Edition and as a Limited Edition.

 Fortunately for us, a week doesn't go by without a Criterion Collection release. This week look for Jackie Chan: Emergence of a Superstar.

 

 LionsGate this week is offering Clerks I-III Premium Box Set. Just my opinion, but to me this set would be "premium" if it were 4K. It certainly is an interesting looking set though.

 Honorable Mention: The Universal MOD label (think Warner Archive Collection, but Universal) has a handful of Marx Brothers releases this week. They include Animal Crackers (1930), The Cocoanuts, Duck Soup, Horse Feathers and Monkey Business.

 Special Interest title this week, The American Buffalo - A Film by Ken Burns is certainly worth checking out, if that is your area of interest.

Notable announcements from last week:

 Shout Factory has revealed their January line-up. Although there are no 4K titles in the batch, there are a few that are definitely worth checking out. A couple of the titles feature Charles Bronson or Chuck Norris, and no doubt the budgets were a bit low for these productions that a 4K doesn't make sense. Titles include Ernest & Célestine: A Trip to Gibberitia, Forced Vengeance, Funeral Home, Jennifer 8, St. Ives, Street Girls, Telefon and (Stephen King's) Thinner.

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?



Marvel Origins Vintage Collection Blu-ray + DVD Mediabooks Coming from Turbine November 9th

Before the MCU, after The Incredible Hulk, Marvel made three of the weirdest wildest made-for-television comic films ever! Witness the first appearance of Doctor Strange on Blu-ray and Reb Brown's plastic-clad Captain America and Captain America II on DVD! 

Not to simply bring these deep-cut fan favorites to disc, Turbine offers three stylish Mediabooks. All three films appear in each set, so you have to decide which cover is best for your collection... or get all three! Honestly, it's impossible to pick just one so buying all three is rather sensible if you think about it not from a financial perspective but from saving yourself mental anguish. That said, I'd be happy with any one of these, but I'm partial to the Captain America II if for no other reason it replicates the international posters with Reb Brown right out there in the flesh. But then you've got that Frank Bruner-inspired Doctor Strange art and that first Captain America that looks like a stylish mashup of old-school John Romita and Steve Ditko. Too many choices... so yeah just get all three while you can! Each cover has a limited run of 500 units so move fast! Each set comes with a 56-page booklet by Tobias Hohmann on the origin story of the Marvel heroes and the film adaptations.

Marvel Origins Vintage Collection - All Three Mediabooks 

Marvel Origins Vintage Collection - Doctor Strange Mediabook
Limited 500 Units 

Marvel Origins Vintage Collection - Captain America Mediabook
Limited 500 Units 

Marvel Origins Vintage Collection -Captain America II Mediabook
Limited 500 Units 

 

Technical specifications:

  • Speech / Sound: German DTS-HD MA 2.0 Mono, English DTS-HD MA 2.0 Mono, German DD 5.1, German DD 2.0, English DD 5.1,English DD 2.0
  • Aspect ratio: 4:3 (full screen) (original format) 1080p24 Full HD, 4:3 (full screen) (original format) PAL / NTSC
  • Subtitles: German, English
  • Runtime: 267 minutes


Bonus material:

  • Trailer DR. STRANGE
  • Trailer CAPTAIN AMERICA I + II


All sets are up for pre-order right now! 

PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie Barks at Blu-ray on December 12

The family-friendly film will make the perfect stocking stuffer for the kids this holiday season when it arrives on Blu-ray on December 12. Digital is now available.

When a magical meteor crash lands in Adventure City, it gives the PAW Patrol pups superpowers, transforming them into The MIGHTY PUPS! But they face their mightiest challenge yet when the pups' archrival Humdinger breaks out of jail and teams up with Victoria Vance, a mad scientist, to steal the superpowers for themselves. With the fate of Adventure City hanging in the balance, the Mighty Pups have to stop the supervillains before it's too late.

PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie - Blu-ray 

PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie 

Specs have yet to be revealed, but supplements include: 

  • PAW-Somely Mighty Pups — Get ready to fly high with Skye (McKenna Grace) as she breaks down the amazing superpowers that the crystals bestow on the pups. Plus, see the team's all-new super-suits and their mighty upgraded vehicles.
  • A Totally PAW-Some Cast — Meet the pup-tastic cast and see the incredible young talent behind the voices of Chase, Skye, Liberty, and the Jr. Patrol pups. Additionally, meet the actors who brought reporter Sam Stringer and the villainous Victoria Vance to life.

Pre-orders should be available any day now and here is the full press release:


PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie™ arrives on Digital October 31 and will debut on Blu-ray™ and DVD on December 12

A hit with audiences and critics alike, the exciting and inspiring new adventure PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie™ arrives for families to enjoy together at home when it becomes available to buy on Digital October 31, 2023!  The delightfully entertaining movie will debut on Blu-ray™ and DVD on December 12, just in time for holiday gift-giving.

“An action-packed adventure for the entire family” (FOX-TV) hailed as “heartwarming and fun” (Crosswalk), PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie™ follows the fan-favorite pups as they take on new adventures with all-new superpowers and prove that even the smallest pup can make the biggest difference!

Fans who purchase the film on Digital*, Blu-ray or DVD will be on a roll with fun-filled bonus content, including a look at the team's amazing superpowers, all-new super-suits, and upgraded vehicles with none other than Skye herself.  Plus, go inside the voiceover booth to hear from the actors who voice your favorite characters!  Bonus content is detailed below:
  • PAW-Somely Mighty Pups — Get ready to fly high with Skye (McKenna Grace) as she breaks down the amazing superpowers that the crystals bestow on the pups. Plus, see the team's all-new super-suits and their mighty upgraded vehicles.
  • A Totally PAW-Some Cast — Meet the pup-tastic cast and see the incredible young talent behind the voices of Chase, Skye, Liberty, and the Jr. Patrol pups. Additionally, meet the actors who brought reporter Sam Stringer and the villainous Victoria Vance to life.
PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie™ and PAW Patrol: The Movie™ will also be available in a 2-movie collection on Digital.

Synopsis
When a magical meteor crash lands in Adventure City, it gives the PAW Patrol pups superpowers, transforming them into The MIGHTY PUPS!  But they face their mightiest challenge yet when the pups' archrival Humdinger breaks out of jail and teams up with Victoria Vance, a mad scientist, to steal the superpowers for themselves. With the fate of Adventure City hanging in the balance, the Mighty Pups have to stop the supervillains before it's too late.
Ernest & Célestine: A Trip to Gibberitia Travels to Blu-ray on January 16

Ernest & Célestine: A Trip to Gibberitia - the sequel to the Academy Award nominated Ernest & Célestine is headed for Blu-ray on January 16th. The film will be available on digital platforms on December 9.

Ernest and Celestine return in this delightful and joyous follow-up to their first Academy Award®-nominated adventure, where the bear and mouse became the unlikeliest of friends. When Celestine accidentally breaks the beloved violin of her grouchy companion, they embark on a journey to Gibberitia, home to the only artist who can repair it as well as Ernest's family. But when the duo arrives, they are shocked to discover that all forms of music have been banned for many years and the land once known for its incredible musicians has fallen silent. It is up to Ernest and Celestine and their new friends, including a mysterious masked outlaw, to bring music and happiness back to the land of bears.

From the producers of The Triplets of Belleville, Ernest & Celestine, and The Secret of Kells, the cheerful Ernest & Celestine: A Trip To Gibberitia was co-directed by Julien Chheng (Star Wars: Visions), and Jean-Christophe Roger (New Adventures of Lassie). It has become a fan favorite thanks to its uplifting tale and two characters that everyone can enjoy. 

Ernest & Célestine: A Trip to Gibberitia - Blu-ray

Ernest & Celestine: A Trip To Gibberitia Special Features

  • Making Of
  • Interview with the Directors
  • Interview with the Cast
  • Interview with Producer Didier Brunner
  • How to Draw Ernest & Celestine
  • Trailers

Pre-orders for Ernest & Célestine: A Trip to Gibberitia will be available in the coming days and the release will be in stores on January 16. 


GKIDS Presents

ERNEST & CELESTINE: A TRIP TO GIBBERITIA,

THE FOLLOW-UP TO THE ACADEMY AWARD®-NOMINATED ADVENTURE ERNEST & CELESTINE,

COMING TO BLU-RAY™ ON JANUARY 16 

On January 16 the beloved cinematic characters Ernest & Celestine are back with Ernest & Celestine: A Trip To Gibberitia arriving on Blu-ray™, from GKIDS with distribution from Shout! Studios. Special features include a Making Of, interviews with cast and directors, and more. Ernest & Celestine: A Trip To Gibberitia is available for pre-order now from GKIDS.com/storeShoutFactory.comAmazon.com, and other retailers. The film will also be available on all major digital platforms beginning December 19.

Ernest and Celestine return in this delightful and joyous follow-up to their first Academy Award®-nominated adventure, where the bear and mouse became the unlikeliest of friends. When Celestine accidentally breaks the beloved violin of her grouchy companion, they embark on a journey to Gibberitia, home to the only artist who can repair it as well as Ernest's family. But when the duo arrives, they are shocked to discover that all forms of music have been banned for many years and the land once known for its incredible musicians has fallen silent. It is up to Ernest and Celestine and their new friends, including a mysterious masked outlaw, to bring music and happiness back to the land of bears.

 

From the producers of The Triplets of Belleville, Ernest & Celestine, and The Secret of Kells, the cheerful Ernest & Celestine: A Trip To Gibberitia was co-directed by Julien Chheng (Star Wars: Visions), and Jean-Christophe Roger (New Adventures of Lassie). It has become a fan favorite thanks to its uplifting tale and two characters that everyone can enjoy. 

Ernest & Celestine: A Trip To Gibberitia Special Features

  • Making Of
  • Interview with the Directors
  • Interview with the Cast
  • Interview with Producer Didier Brunner
  • How to Draw Ernest & Celestine
  • Trailers

 

About GKIDS

Celebrating its 15th anniversary, GKIDS is the producer and distributor of artist-driven and award-winning animation from around the world. Since 2010, the company has scored an astounding 12 Best Animated Feature Oscar nominations with The Secret of Kells in 2010, A Cat in Paris and Chico & Rita in 2012, Ernest & Celestine in 2014, The Tale of The Princess Kaguya and Song of the Sea in 2015, Boy and the World and When Marnie Was There in 2016, My Life as a Zucchini in 2017, The Breadwinner in 2018, Mirai in 2019, and Wolfwalkers in 2021. GKIDS also handles North American distribution for the famed Studio Ghibli library of films, one of the world’s most coveted animation collections with titles Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke and others; as well as the critically acclaimed television series, NEON GENESIS EVANGELION.GKIDS also hosts ANIMATION IS FILM (AIF), an annual LA-based film festival which embraces the highest aspirations of animation as a cinematic art form, and is a vocal advocate for filmmakers who push the boundaries of the medium to its fullest range of artistic expressions www.gkids.com

MI: SOW (Save Our Wallets) From the 4K UHD & Blu-ray Shopping Guide - October 31, 2023

 A blue beetle, half of an impossible mission, a witness and more Hitchcock, oh my! The Halloween holiday is on Tuesday and we've got a few choices to ponder. It's hard to ignore all the great titles coming out this week, your wallet will self destruct in 30 seconds!

 Welcome to Volume 4 Episode 22 of our weekly release guide. A look at the highlights of what's coming to disc the week of October 29th - November 4th, as well as a look at announcements from last week.

4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Releases-

 Before we get to all that stuff mentioned above, import Monday has the M3GAN SteelBook set that the US should have had, just not as a very limited edition that sold out in a couple of days.

 It is a bit tough deciding which domestic new release to lead off with, a DC universe with a ton of characters or an umpteenth sequel in a successful series. Both titles scored in the 90s for audiences on Rotten Tomatoes.

 So, let's begin with Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One from Paramount, which comes as a standard edition and as a SteelBook edition (NOT a Best Buy Exclusive). This one rated high among audiences and critics.

     

 

 Blue Beetle from Warner Bros is next. On the 4K front we get a standard edition and a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook. Audiences loved it, critics were all over the place.

    

 

 Staying with Warner Bros and DC, DC Animated Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes & Huntsmen, Part Two also streets this Tuesday.

 

 Catalog titles next, a Capelight Pictures release in the US, Limbo (2021). Distributed by MVD with both German and English soundtracks, as well as the original Cantonese version.

 

 Sorry to confuse you, it's not intentional. Arrow Video's Witness, which stars Harrison Ford and Kelly McGillis streets this week. Amazon says it is due next week, but the source (Arrow Video) says this week.

 

 A pretty full week for Universal Pictures Releases, first let's look for The Alfred Hitchcock Classics Collection Vol. 3. Not like the previous two volumes, this time we also get the individual releases the same week, which are Frenzy, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Rope, Topaz and Torn Curtain.

 

 Animal House gets a Universal Essentials Collection this week.

 

 Schindler's List also gets an Essentials Collection release too. And on this one, you can also get it (minus the swag) as a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook.

 

 And the final title this week from Universal, Jurassic World: The Ultimate Collection. This is a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook Collection and, quite frankly, the individual covers for each film are actually well done. SOLD!

 

 Next week, a film that got George Lucas on the map (no, not Star Wars, no, not THX1138), Gran Turismo (no, not the video game), Scrooged, Violent Night and more.

 

Blu-ray releases-

 Blu-ray counterparts to the above titles include Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One from Paramount, Blue Beetle from Warner Bros, which includes the standard edition, a Target Exclusive Edition and a Walmart Exclusive SteelBook which I truly wish was 4K due to its better cover art, Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes & Huntsmen, Part Two which is also from Warner Bros., and Witness from Arrow Video. Amazon concurs on the release date for Witness on blu-ray.

 

 There are quite a few releases in the blu-ray category, let's sort though some of the highlights...

 As far as actual NEW stuff, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 comes to us via Universal. As of press time Amazon still doesn't realize that it comes out on Tuesday, thanks to the typical zero-day notice from Universal. And naturally, there is a three-film collection to go with this. Also, catalog title Stealing Christmas gets a blu-ray debut as well.

 

 Lionsgate this week has a couple of films in DVD cases that also include blu-rays and digital codes. Action/crime film Retribution (2023) and action/thriller King of Killers. Are they finally dumping 25+ year old technology (DVD) and just clearing out the cases?

 Criterion Collection this week has the horror/thriller Nanny (2022).

 

 The Warner Archive Collection this week is offering Dance, Fools, Dance which features a well-known cast, Double Trouble with Elvis Presley and Mad City, a crime drama with Dustin Hoffman and John Travolta.

 

 Anime highlights include Cybersix: The Complete Series, Goku Midnight Eye: The Complete OVA Series, Jujutsu Kaisen: Season 1, Part 2, which comes as a standard edition and as a limited edition, Phantom of the Idol Complete Collection and The Wonderful World of Puss 'n Boots.

 Special Interest: Over the years we have bought multiple editions of these Christmas collections and each time they give us just a little bit more, here we go again with The Complete Rankin/Bass Christmas Collection. Off the bat I can see The Year Without a Santa Claus is something that was previously unavailable and hard to find, even on DVD. Could this be the most complete, (minus a 4K aspect) to hold in your hands at one time? Probably.

 

Imprint Films' October batch is also available via Amazon US on Friday, titles include:

 

Notable announcements from last week:

 LionsGate has officially announced the 4K release of The Twilight Saga [15th Anniversary] as a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook for November 14th. We have had it listed for some time now.

 Arrow Video has revealed their January slate of releases. For North America we will be seeing Conan the Barbarian, Conan the Destroyer and The Conan Chronicles (which includes both Conan movies), available on blu-ray and 4K fat-packs. The single UK title is Carrie, available as a 4K fat-pack. No doubt we are asking if the Carrie release offers anything different (other than the swag) over the US release from Scream Factory.

 

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?



Up For Preorder - Nia Vardalos' My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 coming to Blu-ray 10/31

Academy Award-nominee Nia Vardalos' My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 - co-starring John Corbett, Louis Mandylor, Andrea Martin, and more arrives on Blu-ray and Digital from Universal on October 31.

A 3-Film Collection will be available on the same date.

When Toula (Vardalos) plans a trip to Greece to honor her late father Gus’ (Michael Constantine, The Juror) final wish, the family’s reunion becomes complicated with the reveal of a deep family secret. With non-stop laughter at every twist and turn, the highly anticipated third installment of the franchise brings a heartwarming reunion that honors the essence of what makes the original so unique. 

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 - Blu-ray

BONUS FEATURES on BLU-RAYTM, DVD AND DIGITAL for your collection:

  • GAG REEL
  • DELETED AND EXTENDED SCENES
  • ON SET WITH NIA VARDALOS – The MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING franchise comes full circle as writer and star Nia Vardalos adds a new role, and takes Toula’s ongoing adventure to another level, by taking a seat in the director’s chair.
  • OPA! THE MAKING OF MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 3 – Enjoy even more fabulous fun with the Portokalos family as the cast and crew takes you to Greece for revealing behind-the-scenes interviews, sneak peeks of beautiful locations and inside stories on the film’s creation.
  • WEDDING DRUM SONG – EXTENDED TAKE
  • FEATURE COMMENTARY - with Writer/Director Nia Vardalos

Pre-orders for My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 is up for pre-order and the release will be in stores on October 31


YOUR FAVORITE GREEK FAMILY IS COMING HOME WITH HILARIOUS, NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN BONUS FEATURES
INCLUDING DELETED AND EXTENDED SCENES

OWN ON DIGITAL, BLU-RAY™ AND DVD OCTOBER 31, 2023 
FROM UNIVERSAL PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT 

Universal City, California, October 24, 2023 – “The Portokalos family is back for another serving of ouzo and opa” (Tori Brazier, METRO) in MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 3, available on Digital, Blu-rayTM and DVD October 31, 2023, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Written and directed by Academy Award® nominee Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek WeddingMy Life in Ruins, Connie and Carla), MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 3 follows the Portokalos family to Greece for their grandest adventure yet that Collider calls “a family reunion worth flying out for.” Featuring commentary from Nia Vardalos and a behind-the-scenes look at making the film with interviews from the cast and crew, sneak peeks, and inside stories.
 
When Toula (Vardalos) plans a trip to Greece to honor her late father Gus’ (Michael Constantine, The Juror) final wish, the family’s reunion becomes complicated with the reveal of a deep family secret. With non-stop laughter at every twist and turn, the highly anticipated third installment of the franchise brings a heartwarming reunion that honors the essence of what makes the original so unique.
 
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 stars Nia Vardalos along with John Corbett ("Sex and the City," "And Just Like That...), Louis Mandylor ("NCIS," "Desperate Housewives,"), Elena Kampouris (My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2)Gia Carides (My Big Fat Greek Wedding), Joey Fatone (My Big Fat Greek Wedding)Maria Vacratsis (Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again), Elias Kacavas (“Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin”), Lainie Kazan (Beaches, Tango Shalom), and Andrea Martin (“Only Murders in the Building,” “Evil”).
 
MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 3 features an Original Motion Picture Soundtrack with music by Grammy® Award-winning composer Stephanie Economou. The soundtrack also features the original song “OLI MAZI (We Are All Together)" co-written & performed by film producer & celebrated singer/songwriter Rita Wilson p.g.a. and Academy Award®-winning songwriter Diane Warren, featuring guest vocalist Christos Mastoras. The Remix version of the song is also out, remixed by Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike - a Belgian-Greek DJ duo composed of brothers Dimitri Thivaios and Michael Thivaios who have remixed artists including Lady Gaga and The Chainsmokers.
 
Rita Wilson p.g.a., Tom Hanks, and Gary Goetzman return as producers, with Paul Brooks, Scott Niemeyer, Steven Shareshian, and Nia Vardalos serving as executive producers.
 
BONUS FEATURES on BLU-RAYTM, DVD AND DIGITAL for your collection:

  • GAG REEL
  • DELETED AND EXTENDED SCENES
  • ON SET WITH NIA VARDALOS – The MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING franchise comes full circle as writer and star Nia Vardalos adds a new role, and takes Toula’s ongoing adventure to another level, by taking a seat in the director’s chair.
  • OPA! THE MAKING OF MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 3 – Enjoy even more fabulous fun with the Portokalos family as the cast and crew takes you to Greece for revealing behind-the-scenes interviews, sneak peeks of beautiful locations and inside stories on the film’s creation.
  • WEDDING DRUM SONG – EXTENDED TAKE
  • FEATURE COMMENTARY - with Writer/Director Nia Vardalos


For more information on MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 3, please visit:
Press Advisory: https://www.uphe.com/press-release/my-big-fat-greek-wedding-3-press-release
UPHE Website: https://www.uphe.com/movies/my-big-fat-greek-wedding-3
UPHE Trailer: https://uni.pictures/MyBigFatGreekWedding3_HomeEntTrailer
X: @MBFGreekWedding
Instagram: @mbfgreekwedding
Facebook: @MyBigFatGreekWeddingMovie
#MyBigFatGreekWedding3

FILMMAKERS:
Cast:
 Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, Louis Mandylor, Elena Kampouris, Gia Carides, Joey Fatone with Lainie Kazan and Andrea Martin
Music By: Stephanie Economou
Production Designer: Grant Armstrong
Edited By: Annette Davey ACE, Craig Herring
Director of Photography: Barry Peterson
Co-Producer: Jonathan Shore
Line Producer: Michael P. Flannigan
Executive Producers: Paul Brooks, Scott Niemeyer, Steven Shareshian, Nia Vardalos
Produced By: Rita Wilson p.g.a., Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman
Written and Directed By: Nia Vardalos
 
TECHNICAL INFORMATION DVD:
Street Date: October 31, 2023
UPC Number: 191329252871 (US)
Layers: DVD 9
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 2.39:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Rating: PG-13 for suggestive material and some nudity
Languages/Subtitles: English, Latin American Spanish
Sound: English (Dolby Digital 5.1 for Feature, Dolby Digital 2.0 for Bonus Content), Latin American Spanish (Dolby Digital 5.1 for Feature)
Run Time: 01:31:50

TECHNICAL INFORMATION BLU-RAY:
Street Date: 
October 31, 2023
UPC Number: 191329252765 (US)
Layers: BD 50
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 2.39:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Rating: PG-13 for suggestive material and some nudity
Languages/Subtitles: English, Latin American Spanish
Sound: English (DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 for Feature, Dolby Digital 2.0 for Bonus Content), Latin American Spanish (DTS Digital Surround 5.1 for Feature)
Run Time: 01:31:50 

Kenneth Branagh's A Haunting in Venice Dated & Detailed for Blu-ray 11/28

After 2017’s Murder on the Orient Express and last year’s Death on the Nile, Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh) is on the case once more in A Haunting in Venice - arriving on Blu-ray on November 28th.  Digital and HULU will be available on Halloween.  

The film also stars Kyle Allen, Camille Cottin, Jamie Dornan, Tina Fey, Jude Hill, Ali Khan, Emma Laird, Kelly Reilly, Riccardo Scamarcio, and Michelle Yeoh.

A Haunting in Venice is set in eerie, post-World War II Venice on All Hallows’ Eve and is a terrifying mystery featuring the return of the celebrated sleuth, Hercule Poirot. Now retired and living in self-imposed exile in the world’s most glamorous city, Poirot reluctantly attends a séance at a decaying, haunted palazzo. When one of the guests is murdered, the detective is thrust into a sinister world of shadows and secrets.

A Haunting in Venice - Blu-ray

Bonus Features

  • Murder, Death and Haunting: Discover the secrets behind the scenes of A HAUNTING IN VENICE. Join Kenneth Branagh and his team as they bring Agatha Christie's classic Poirot novel ‘Hallowe’en Party’ to life with elaborate ensemble scenes and extravagant sets.
  • Deleted Scenes: Check out these scenes that didn’t make the final cut:
    • Morning Routine
    • The Doge’s Palace
    • Halloween Party Extended
    • Desdemona’s Warning
    • Children’s Story
    • Poirot Needs Air
    • Guarding The Gates
    • Secret Doorway Extended
    • Ferrier’s Shouts
    • Poirot Pauses for Thought
    • Journey Home

*Bonus features vary by product and retailer

Pre-orders for A Haunting in Venice should be available soon and the release will be in stores on November 28th. Here's the full press release:


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PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS FACT SHEET

 

Release Date
Digital: October 31
Physical: November 28
 
Product SKUs
Digital: 4K UHD, HD, SD
Physical: Blu-ray (Blu-ray + Digital Code), DVD
 
Feature Run Time
Approx. 103 minutes
 
Rating
U.S. Rated PG-13
      
Aspect Ratio
Digital: 1.85:1
Physical: 1.85:1

Disc Size
Blu-ray: 50GB
DVD: 8.5GB

U.S. Audio
Blu-ray: English 7.1 DTS-HDMA and 2.0 Dolby Digital Descriptive Audio, Spanish and French 5.1 Dolby Digital
DVD: English, Spanish and French 5.1 Dolby Digital, English 2.0 Dolby Digital Descriptive Audio
Digital: English Dolby Atmos (UHD only, some platforms), English 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, English Descriptive Audio 2.0 Dolby Digital (some platforms)

U.S. Subtitles
Blu-ray: English SDH, Spanish, French
DVD: English SDH, Spanish, French
Digital: English SDH, French, Spanish (some platforms)

 

Bonus Features*

Murder, Death and Haunting: Discover the secrets behind the scenes of A HAUNTING IN VENICE. Join Kenneth Branagh and his team as they bring Agatha Christie's classic Poirot novel ‘Hallowe’en Party’ to life with elaborate ensemble scenes and extravagant sets.

 

Deleted Scenes: Check out these scenes that didn’t make the final cut:

  • Morning Routine

  • The Doge’s Palace

  • Halloween Party Extended

  • Desdemona’s Warning

  • Children’s Story

  • Poirot Needs Air

  • Guarding The Gates

  • Secret Doorway Extended

  • Ferrier’s Shouts

  • Poirot Pauses for Thought

  • Journey Home

 

*Bonus features vary by product and retailer

 



4K UHD & Blu-ray Shopping Guide Will Devour Our Wallets! - October 22, 2023

 There's no rest for our bifolds as we look at a couple of great imports, prehistoric sharks in Meg 2, that movie before Silence, a Paramount mega-set, and more!

 Welcome to Volume 4 Episode 21 of our weekly release guide. A look at the highlights of what's coming to disc the week of October 22nd - October 28th, as well as a look at announcements from last week.

4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Releases-

 Where to begin with Import Monday, that's a tough one as there are a couple of goodies.

 Will Criterion or another label do this one in the US? For now though, StudioCanal offers us Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai to 4K disc. If you want to get the SteelBook instead, there's that option too.

 

 Kino Lorber has Red Dragon this week, but Universal UK has Hannibal in a collector's edition SteelBook.

 From Arrow video, Hellraiser: Quartet of Torment. This set includes all four films in 4K. Alternately, you can get the Arrow Store Exclusive with a different cover art.

 

 I generally don't mention a title I already placed in the guide that gets moved back a few weeks at the last second, but this week I will because of its gravity. The Exorcist 50th Anniversary UK Collector's Set is available this week from Amazon US. The fancy Bible set also streets as well, but prepare to be scalped on that one.

 Now on to Domestic Release Tuesday.

 For the new release this week, Meg 2: The Trench comes as a standard edition and as a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook.

      

 

 There's a handful of catalog titles this week too, beginning with a pair of Kino Lorber titles. First, from the mind of the horror master himself (Stephen King), Cujo. Nice doggie, sit.

 

 Hannibal Lecter's next film, Red Dragon, also brought to us from Kino Lorber. This release officially means you should now own the trilogy, if you don't count the prequel that never made it to blu-ray disc.

 

 From Powerhouse/Indicator, Fascination and Lips of Blood.

 

 From Sony Pictures, The Muppets Take Manhattan. Muppets is an interesting property because most of it is owned by Disney, so it is doubtful the rest will come to 4K. Never say never though.

 

 Godzilla (1998) gets a SteelBook upgrade with upgraded HDR (Dolby Vision). How many early Sony titles still remain that did not get DV?

 From LionsGate, Le Mépris (Contempt) gets the 4K treatment. If you wish to also get it bundled with the original blu-ray for $5 more, there's this option too.

 

 The Miramax thriller The Others gets a Criterion 4K release this week.

 

 The Toxic Avenger Collection releases this week (I think) after several delays.

 Paramount Scares Vol. 1, a rather handsome looking set also debuts this week just in time for Halloween. For some of us, this means double-dipping on just about everything. However as a marketing standpoint, film #5 claims to be a debut to 4K, check out or review for more info.

 

 And lastly, Korean crime/drama Decision to Leave is also available from MUBI.

 Next week offers up DC's Blue Beetle, the next Mission: Impossible, another Hitchcock Collection and more!

 

Blu-ray releases-

 Blu-ray counterparts of the above 4K titles include Meg 2: The Trench from Warner Bros, Cujo from Kino Lorber, Fascination and Lips of Blood from Powerhouse/Indicator and The Others from Criterion. Also, as we commonly see, there is a 2-film collection for The Meg.

 From Warner Archive Collection this week, look for Before Night Falls, Christopher Strong, Palmetto and Rock Around the Clock.

 

 Kino Cult #1, Lorna The Exorcist, Kino Cult #2, Alien Outlaw and Kino Cult #3, The Dark Power become available this week. Both #2 and #3 films star Lash La Rue while #1 is helmed by Jess Franco.

 

 TV on disc this week includes The Boys: Season 3, Dark Winds: Season Two and Murdoch Mysteries: Season 16.

 

 Anime highlights include just Overlord IV Season 4, which comes as a standard edition and as a limited edition.

 Arrow Video brings more martial arts action with The Iron-Fisted Monk. This one has two choices for English dubbed audio.

 On the same topic of martial arts action, Shout! Factory also offers Shaw Brothers Classics: Vol. Three this week. Maybe a Shaw Brothers fan can help me out here... between the Arrow Video sets and the Shout! Factory sets, is there a lot of overlap? Is it all fresh?

 

 Honorable Mention: Hallmark Entertainment appears on track with releasing multiple titles to blu-ray. This week's batch includes Five More Minutes: Moments Like TheseThe Gift of Peace, Haul Out the Holly, A Magical Christmas Village and A Maple Valley Christmas.

 

Notable announcements from last week:

 Anyone that buys merchandise from Rightstuf Anime already knows this, to those that don't, here's the 4-1-1. They merged with CrunchyRoll (fka FUNimation) last year, now when you visit their site it directs you to CrunchRoll's site instead to fill your needs. This is not more doom and gloom for physical media, just another consolidation. We have seen other companies directly distribute their products, the case here is they will distribute their own product, as well as other related products. With rumors about Walmart negotiating to buy SDS, that could be a good thing too. Maybe not, your thoughts?

 Criterion Collection's January Slate has been revealed. A considerable number of titles including several 4Ks. Do check it out.

 Confirmed street dates round up includes Oppenheimer for 11/21, Saw X for 11/21, Titanic (James Cameron) for 12/5 and Expendables 4 for 11/21.

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.