Posted Sun Dec 31, 2023 at 09:00 AM PST by D. LaFontaine
Happy 2024 everyone, or rather it will be 2024 come Monday. Extra Dry. Frigid. Antarctica type conditions describe the release calendar this week. And a fun fact, the largest desert on the planet is actually Antarctica with only 2 inches of precipitation a year.
Welcome to Volume 4 Episode 31 of our weekly release guide. A look at the highlights of what's coming to disc the week of December 31st - January 6th, as well as a look at announcements from last week.
There is just one title in this category this week, The Apu Trilogy from The Criterion Collection. I cannot fluff this one up, I know nothing about it except that if it fits your interest, it's a Criterion release, go for it!
Next week, we beging to ramp up, if ever so slowly, with Blood Simple, Bloodrayne and Varsity Blues.
Blu-ray counterparts of the above 4K releases? NOTHING, but that's OK, Apu Trilogy came out from Criterion in 2015.
LionsGate has a 2023 crime/mystery film titled The Marsh King's Daughter.
Universal has new comedy this week, The Holdovers. Bryan rates this one pretty high, check it out.
If you were a boutique label, this week would be the time to pounce with a title release.
Shout Factory brings us Chuck Norris action with Forced Vengeance.
The lone anime title this week is The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie.
MGM has two catalog releases for us, Popi and Romantic Comedy.
Fret not at this pithy of titles, Imprint Films' December batch of titles is available at Amazon US this week, they include:
Things to do to pass the time when you are not watching a movie on your big screen or perusing High-Def Digest's Site? Glad you asked. You can visit us on FaceBook or on our YouTube Channel. The latter has some interesting videos that you may have seen when reading our reviews or news stories.
I have a few music video suggestions while I am at it. Some days I want pop music, other days dance, or even metal. Did you know Michael Jackson's Thriller and Beat It Videos got official 4K remasters? When you watch Beat It, take a close look at the pool tables in the pool hall. With the Thriller video there is minimal banding, 100% most likely due to the compression requirements of YouTube. If you have the ability to play videos in the AV1 codec the quality is a little bit better.
And then if ya want to listen to some loud and heavy stuff, check the group State of Mine. This video (Careless Whisper), Devil Went Down To Georgia, Thunder Rolls (Third Verse Edition), In The Air Tonight and more:
And remember the Cranberries? Here's is a loud and heavy cover album from another metal group!
Let's also remember THIS happens this week!! Looks like I will be re-upping based on what I have seen thus far.
Kino has updated a bunch of upcoming 4K titles with street dates and details, as well as a handful of other surprises. I know, the suspense is killing you right? Try Rampage (1987), Leviathan, Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, Fear and Desire and The Last Castle.
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 latest news on all things 4K Ultra HD, blu-ray and Gear.