Many of us in the U.S. are just coming out of a pandemic holiday weekend, getting back to work and anxious to see what this week brings us for home video releases. OK, maybe not at the top of our minds, but to those of us that watch Tuesdays for new releases, we still do look forward to it. Prior to a couple of days ago, this week's titles were all Tuesday releases, but at the last second, a Friday release has been added, which breaks the regular release pattern. Fridays are usually reserved to the music and arts releases, other days of the week are what I call confused agenda releases. Welcome to Episode 7 of the Home Video Releases articles.
Discussing the pandemic and how our holiday weekend went, even just citing facts, country by country, state by state statistics, etc would no doubt turn into a shouting match that would then turn into a heated politics war, so I am not even going to go there.
4K Ultra HD Blu-ray/Digital Releases-
This week we see just one 4K disc release, that would be Trolls World Tour, available as a standard 4K release, a Best Buy exclusive 4K SteelBook release, a standard Blu-ray disc release, a Target Exclusive gallery book edition, a 3D release and lastly, a 2-film Trolls/Trolls World Tour 2-movie collection on Blu-ray. I find it odd that the Target gallery book edition is a 2K/HD release, and not 4K. This film was one of the first of many deemed as a 'Premium Rental' release, or as some studios are calling it now, a 'virtual theater experience.' To anyone reading this in 2020, they know exactly what this means, but to someone reading it in 10 or 20+ years from now, they need a translation. With the COVID-19 pandemic in full swing during a time when this was supposed to be released in theaters, Universal Pictures made a gamble to release this as a digital streaming rental, a rental that bared a $20 price tag. When you think about it though, if a party of 2 were to go to the cinema, it would probably surpass that $20 price tag.
There are no 4K digital release this week. You would have purchased Trolls World Tour two weeks ago.
HD Blu-ray/Digital releases-
Already mentioned above, the biggest release of the week might be considered Trolls World Tour.
This week from Arrow Video, Black Rainbow, a supernatural chiller that was delayed from a couple of weeks ago. Arrow has a couple of other titles this week, all in the Foreign Film category.
Kino Lorber is releasing several titles this week, under both the Kino Lorber Studio Classics banner as well as the Scorpion Releasing label, check the release calendar for a full listing. Peter Cushing fans can purchase The Flesh and the Fiends. How many of us remember the sci-fi comedy Spaced Invaders? Well, Kino is bringing it to us this week on Blu-ray.
If you've been waiting for Season 13, err, Series 13 as the Brits call it of Murdoch Mysteries, Acorn media brings it to you this week.
Highlights from the Shout Factory label include Proximity, an alien abduction story. There are a couple of other titles as well, take a look at the release calendar.
Criterion Collection's big release of this week is H.G. Wells' classic film, War of the Worlds. A couple of weeks ago we were treated to the modern remake in 4K, starring Tom Cruise, now it is time to purchase the original that started it all. Remember hearing about the original radio broadcast of the War of the Worlds? You still have to wonder if that broadcast were new to us today how we as a public would react. I still remember the TV series from the 80's as well, I would love to see that released in HD. Maybe the original studio (Paramount) would care to weigh in on this? It could have been one of those shows made on tape, not on film, but we've seen some good upconverts and Blu-ray has better picture quality than DVD any way.
A week doesn't go by without anime titles being released. I will skip most of the 'Essentials' releases and reissues here as usual and bring you the highlights.
FUNimation is giving us Cop Craft - The Complete Series. Also from FUNimation, a series titled How Heavy Are the Dumbbells You Lift? There are five 'Essentials' releases this week specifically to the Shakugan series, both TV seasons and movies. If you bought these as they came out originally, you would have spent likely well over $300, now it's time to get them for half that price, but of course without slip covers.
Also, Sentai Filmworks brings us Tonari no Seki-kun: The Master of Killing Time the Complete Collection, as well as Uta no Prince-Sama: Maji LOVE Kingdom.
There are no digital HD releases this week.
Notable announcements from last week:
Arrow Video has announced a couple of more titles, and their special form of treatment will be given to the Kevin Smith Comedy/Romance Mallrats. It's funny, those born today or in recent years will never really understand what it was like to hang around a mall on a Saturday. When I was growing up, a trip to the mall involved a day of arcade play at 'Aladdin's Castle' and burger, fries and home-made soda at 'Dering Ice Cream.' What's funnier though is the CD Audio disc was still kind of brand new, so you would often times look at what's current and new for Vinyl, and flash forward to nowadays, we are seeing what's current and new on vinyl. What's next, VHS? Don't answer that!
Previously, it was revealed that Beetlejuice was getting a 4K release, along with a giftset release. A SteelBook has been added to the mix as well. I'm not so sure I like the cover art, maybe it would grow on me or look better in person, not judging here! Also announced from Warner, Stargirl: The Complete First Season, set for September 29, order info coming soon. They certainly have an extensive DC universe on TV. I'm sure there are a few that we'd love to see that hasn't been made yet.
Big news from Sony Pictures to announce, the 2014 drama Whiplash is making its debut to 4K disc on September 22. It will be available as a standard 4K combo pack and as a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook. Again, I'm not entirely sure about that cover either. The previous Blu-ray SteelBook was sort of blah as well. Actually, this SteelBook is making the Beetlejuice SteelBook more palatable.
The Disney company has two catalog titles also debuting in the 4K disc format in September as well. First, Hocus Pocus, and just like other catalog titles in this thread, available as a standard 4K combo pack as well as a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook. I really do like the cover art on the latter, I've already got the preoorder in. The next announced title coming to 4K is Home Alone. And, you guessed it, a standard 4K combo pack and a Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook edition as well. Cover art for the SteelBook has not been revealed yet. My reaction to seeing Home Alone coming to 4K is positive, in that Disney is actually touching a catalog title from the Fox library. The prices on both of these titles is also pretty reasonable as well for Disney titles. Links to both of these movies go to Best Buy as the Amazon and Disney feud seems to have no end in sight. Whichever one you decide on, it is much appreciated if you make a purchase via one of our links.
LionsGate has been pretty slow on their releases of the Vestron Video Collector's Series, but I would not mention it unless I had some news for you. They've announced a pair of titles, the Horror/Sci-Fi movie Shivers (1975), and Little Monsters (1989). I was actually reminded of Little Monsters when another movie by the same title was released on Blu-ray in January of this year.
If you've been following Shudder Originals, the next one announced is Satan's Slaves. With an August 4th street date, Order info coming soon.
For Anime announcements, Discotek has announced their September 29th slate, they are: Case Closed: Zero the Enforcer, Galaxy Express 999: The TV Series Collection 03 - Terminus, and Wicked City.
And finally this week, fans of Ari Aster's hit Midsommar should be delighted to see that it is being offered in 4K as a Collector's Edition Director's Cut. Although it is not being released by LionsGate, A24 shop has it listed. As of this post the pre-order is unavailable, but you can sign up for email alerts as to when it will be in stock again. When you follow the link, the shop will default to the Blu-ray Collector's Edition. Make sure you switch to the 4K if that is what you are seeking. Maybe LionsGate will eventually pick this up for a general mass release.
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?
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The year is nearly half over. For some of us, where has the time gone, while others might say, when is this year going to end. I guess I see the year both ways, depending on the topic du jour. In the United States, Independence Day weekend is approaching, tourist season would normally be in full swing, and campgrounds would be at capacity. Welcome to Episode 6 of our Home Video releases calendar feature article. As far as video releases this week, it is similar to last week in that there are not major titles being released this week, but there are enough different ones that everyone should find something that interests them.
4K Ultra HD Blu-ray/Digital Releases-
There are no 4K disc releases slated for this week.
There are no 4K digital releases slated for this week.
HD Blu-ray/Digital releases-
Where we lack in 4K releases, this week brings us more title choices than last week.
What's Mel Gibson up to these days? He has a role in the 2020 movie Force of Nature, and LionsGate is bringing it to you. Next from LionsGate, Four Kids and It. When I was trying to figure out what this movie was about, it turns out there are many movies with "it." It's a family movie with a furry creature, not a horror, I know you were thinking of Pennywise for a monent. Michael Caine and Russell Brand are listed 3rd and 4th on the cover artm I think you've heard of them.
Warner Archive has a couple of titles this week. First though, it looks like a last minute switcheroo happened with Cannery Row. It was slated to release on June 30th, but was quietly released on June 9th.
Severin Films is releasing The Complete Lenzi/Baker Giallo Collection this week after a delay. I am not familiar with this set, but I have been pleased with the Severin titles that interest me that I have purchased in the past. Fans waiting for this collection should snatch it up.
Fans of Django should rejoice that the Django + Texas Adios set is finally coming this week from Arrow. This one was tied up for quite some time in legal limbo. This one is being offered in a loaded 2-disc Limited Edition, as well as an identical release, but in a SteelBook.
The musical Hair (1979) is getting the Olive Signature treatment. Releases from Olive have been rather scarce lately, it is good to see they're still releasing discs.
Miss Fisher fans can now buy the movie Crypt of Tears this week from Acorn Media.
Kino Lorber has about a half dozen releases this week, I've selected two. Check out the release calendar for the full listing. First, Ten Little Indians, based on an Agatha Christie novel. I remember this one when it was a new movie, and I was entertained by it enough to merit a mention today. Jim Belushi fans should also be happy to see Wild Palms being released this week as well. It is a TV mini-series from my early life and is, in my opinion, underrated on IMDB.
For anime fans, there's most always a release every week worth looking at. Sentai Filmworks is releasing After the Rain: Complete Collection. Titles like this are worth mentioning as many of their releases do not feature an English dub. I myself have trouble appreciating what's going on on the screen if I am focused on reading subtitles. Famous for their Premium Box sets that increase in valud over time, cannot say for sure if this one will, but Run With the Wind: Complete Series is being offered as one this week.
Discotek often times releases all their offerings in a single week. This week we see Astroganger: The Complete Series which is an SD on BD offering. When shows are not available in HD, I am still most appreciative that they are offering it on Blu-ray. Imagine entire seasons of TV shows on one single disc, with better picture clarity than if it were released as a DVD set instead. Part 2 of City Hunter: Season 1 arrives this week too. Next from Discotek, Crusher Joe: The Movie. The next Lupin the 3rd movie, titled Goodbye Partner is also coming this week. Ninja Scroll: The Series closes out the titles for the month from Discotek.
FUNimation is offering Black Clover: Season 2 Part 5 as a regular offering, as well as a set that includes an art book. Also this week, Midnight Occult Civil Servants: The Complete Series as well as several of the usual 'Essentials' releases.
A final note, the Laurel & Hardy: Definitive Restorations was delayed 2 weeks, from the 16th. You should be able to purchase that this week.
For digital releases, Warner Bros. has quietly pushed out Scoob! this week. Oddly enough though, the 4K digital is reading as "not available in your area." Where do they think my area is anyway?
Notable announcements from last week:
Warner Bros has announced Young Sheldon: The Complete Third Season via the Warner Archive. While not like going to find this on the cheap side, on a positive note, at least they're still releasing TV programs on physical media. Warner Bros also has a street date for the physical releases of Scoob! Available as a 4K Combo Pack and a Blu-ray Combo Pack on July 21.
Samuel Goldwyn Films has announced a release of Mel Gibson's Apocalypto, which means you no longer have to pay an ebay scalper $60 for this film. The previous release was over 13 years ago.
FUNimation has announced their September titles. Along with the usual glut of Essentials Releases, highlights of the regular releases are: Fire Force: Season One Part Two which is available as a standard edition and a limited edition release, Fairy gone: Seaone One Part Two, Arifureta: From Commonplace to Worlds Strongest: Season 1 available as a standard release and a limited edition, A Certain Scientific Accelerator: The Complete Series and lastly, Africa Salaryman: The Complete Series.
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?
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To all fathers and father figures across the world, Happy Father's Day. Also, depending on where you live, you are now officially in Summer, or Winter. Last week I had asked you which hit film Molly Ringwald had starred in just a year before Pretty in Pink, the answer would be The Breakfast Club. That film has been released a couple of times on Blu-ray, most recently including a Criterion Collection version and a 30th Anniversary edition. Perhaps at the time The Breakfast Club was not considered an instant hit, but as the years went on, just about every John Hughes film became that, a hit. Hell, let's admit it, he had the midas touch. (And for bonus points, Ringwald was in the belated hit, Sixteen Candles just the year before that!) Welcome to Episode 5 of our Home Video releases calendar feature article. This week brings a handful of gems, but it is not by a longshot considered a major title release week. At the very bottom of this article I had stumbled across a Russian movie with a 3-headed dragon on the cover art, it is not a new release, Amazon Prime video calls it Dobrinya and the Dragon . It sort of reminds me of Quest For Camelot which never got a Blu-ray release yet. Any thoughts on what this title is and the availability? If you click the link on the cover art there is an ebay seller, but it is out of stock. Oh, the link to the toys is found here.
4K Ultra HD Blu-ray/Digital Releases-
There are no actual 4K disc releases this week, maybe. Eagle Rock Entertainment has announced that Inxs: Live Baby Live is coming out this week in 4K with a Friday street date, but no purchase links have materialized as of yet. The regular HD release however does have a purchase link.
In the 4K digital realm though, you can now purchase to own, rather than rent, Trolls World Tour. This film is also available to purchase in Digital HD as well. This film did quite well as a premium rental, which some are now calling a 'virtual theater' experience. Years from now people might ask WTH this means. In short, it is how the studios are bringing us new movies at home, as the theaters are closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At a price of approximately $20 per 48 hour rental, it might make sense to parties of 2 or more. This release date also means the physical release is just 2 weeks away. Again, keep in mind that the digital purchase might not be available until the actual street date, it's just something funky with Amazon's listings.
HD Blu-ray/Digital releases-
Anthony Quinn fans will see Caravans, a title brought to you by the Kino Lorber Studio Classics Collection.
Now for another Anthony, Anthony Hopkins, Kino is bringing us The Road to Wellville, clearly a film I have never seen, but based on the list of the all-star cast, maybe I should have!
Arrow Video brings us Dream Demon. I have not seen this film, but have blind bought a couple of Arrow titles and have been overall pleased with the presentation. This one sounds interesting to me.
Warner Archive is streeting a couple of titles this week, Hans Christian Andersen and House of Wax 3D. The latter title should have a review hopefully by NOW, check out the link. I'm curious to know if it is simply a reissue in different packaging. Also from Warner Archive, the 2019 TV series Pennyworth: The Complete First Season. I do not watch a lot of current TV programs, but the premise of this show is that Alfred, before he became Bruce Wayne's butler and personal friend, is trying to cope with life after his years as an SAS officer. Please, by all means, share your comments about the show if you've seen it. I am trying to picture Alfred as an agent, anything is possible.
Criterion Collection has a slow week this week, their offering is Portrait of a Lady on Fire. They're also releasing Tokyo Olympiad this week as well.
This week's Anime offerings... FUNimation is releasing Essentials Complete Series sets for multiple series. If you missed any of them the first time around, get them now at a lower price and with a digital copy. Also expect to see Fairy gone: Season One Part One. With the way this series is going to be split, you can probably bet that Part Two will also have a Premium Box set offering as well. I am still waiting to see the completion of Monster Hunter Stories: Ride on, they've left me hanging after 4 parts. The 4th release didn't have a slip cover either, FUNimation, are you listening?
More on the anime front, Sentai Filmworks is releasing Re:STAGE! Dream Days and also Real Girl, but as a Premium Box Set. I've recently looked at the going price for some of the Sentai premium box sets, and let's just say there are those out there asking over $1200 for a $60 set on some of these. If they can get it, more power to them.
Paramount is releasing the twenty-third season of South Park. Am glad to see them keep chugging along. I would be buying The Simpsons if Fox, now Disney, were releasing them on Blu-ray. Thank You Paramount for continuing the legacy.
As mentioned above, music fans can get Inxs: Live Baby Live, which has a Friday street date. It is a 1991 concert so it is a show by the original band. Depeche Mode has a more recent release, this one is titled Spirits in the Forest, again, a Friday release date, this one is a 4-disc set.
Finally in the new releases oddity category, a random title with a Friday release date that appears to be a region-free import, this one's titled Cleanin' Up the Town: Remembering Ghostbusters - described as a definitive retrospective documentary about Ghostbusters. No U.S. release has been announced, this one might be worth a look for GB fans. If this were to ever see a U.S. release, you would almost expect Shout Factory to pick it up.
For digital HD releases, the above mentioned Trolls World Tour is all that's being offered new for this week.
Notable announcements from last week:
Shout factory has announced two Anime/Animation titles. First under the GKIDS banner, Children of the Sea slated for September 1st. Hey, laugh it up, I'm sure you're picturing a mermaid advertising tuna right now. Next, Season One of the Netflix series B: The Beginning, slated for October 6th. Available as a Blu-ray DVD Combo and as an 'Ultimate Collection' that drops the DVDs, but adds an audio cd and some swag. Order Links will be updated as they become available.
Criterion has announced their September slate of titles, they include; Beau Travail, Brute Force, Christ Stopped at Eboli, The Elephant Man, The Naked City and lastly, Martin Scorsese's World Cinema Project, No. 3. They always manage to come up with an assortment of titles, hopefully something for everyone. The previous Martin Scorsese collection dates back 3 years. And now, it's time for my opinion. When I saw this list, I was pretty excited to see The Elephant Man announced, with the same cover art as the UK release in April to boot. Previously it had been available as just an import if you wanted the Blu-ray. Now Criterion is bringing it to the U.S., but NOT as a 4K presentation. This action of course prompted me to visit Amazon UK and order the 4K release there. Criterion's release is no doubt sourced from the same restored master that StudioCanal is using for their 4K release across the pond, so why not hop on the 4K bandwagon? Is Criterion the last hold out? I would love to hear from them, but no matter what, perhaps they could have held off on this release? If you don't have a 4K set up and do not want to mess around with importing or region code issues, the Criterion release is certainly the one to get. Order Links will be updated as they become available.
Warner Bros. has officially announced the details and specs for Scoob! which will be available as a 4K Combo Pack, Blu-ray, Digital 4K and lastly Digital HD. Again, keep in mind that preorders for either digital format are not available yet, if you follow the links you will be offered the premium rental instead. That's fine if you want to watch it now, but be aware that this will not permanently add the title to your library. I find it odd, and disparaging that they are not offering Dolby Vision HDR on the 4K disc this go round, but rather, HDR10+. This is no doubt part of their home video merger with Universal Pictures. Universal has been using HDR10+ on some of their past releases. This annoys me just a bit though as again, Dolby Vision is a STANDARD theater format. I liken this action to saying that you refuse to pay the license fee for Dolby Digital, but will be introducing your own version of compressed multi-channel capable audio.
Also from Warner, the next batch of Warner Archive titles have been announced. The titles are: Clara's Heart, Final Space: The Complete First and Second Season, Girl Crazy, Michael, Million Dollar Mermaid, Pat and Mike, Pride and Prejudice (1940) and Without Love. As always, an interesting mix of titles.
Arrow Academy will be releasing its first 4K disc in September, a foreign film titled Cinema Paradiso (1988). This release makes the 3rd movie that the Arrow company is bringing us in 4K. The previously announced titles being Flash Fordon and Pitch Black.
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?
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The previous couple of weeks have been pretty interesting for release announcements. I am pretty excited about a couple of them and have already locked my preorders in for them. Although Flash Gordon is not at the top of my list of must have movies, I still decided to order that in 4K, as well as Pitch Black in 4K. The Goonies 4K Giftset is interesting, but I'm not sure that I want to get such an unusual set for a movie that I was only moderately excited about. Some of us are probably getting very antsy with not being able to go to a movie theater or eating establishment if we are living in your average state in the U.S. I'm in the latter group - either to a favorite steak house, burger joint or even to get my fill of fried clams, but as much as I want to see things return to normal, I still feel personal safety is more important. Entertainment at home is my preferred venue, but to some, nothing takes the place of a huge screen with speakers everywhere. There are no major releases this week, but there still should be a few listed this week to satisfy your need for a new purchase. Welcome to Episode 4 of our Home Video releases calendar feature article.
Notable Releases This Week:
4K Ultra HD Blu-ray/Digital Releases-
No actual *new* titles are being released in 4K this week, but there are some great films being offered for the first time ever in this format, I am referring to the Columbia Classics Collection I. I don't know which one I am excited the most about in this collection, this is just such a good collection. It includes Mr. Smith Goes to Washington / Lawrence of Arabia / Dr. Strangelove / Gandhi / A League of Their Own / Jerry Maguire. It's an interesting mix that makes you wonder how they arrived at this selection of titles. As this is a Collection I, it leaves the door open for a collection II, III and so on. We are doing our best to review all of the titles in the Columbia Classics collection, and as of today, the titles we have so far released, they have never looked better! Check out our 4K Reviews page for the latest.
A couple of reissues this week in the 4K format. First, two different SteelBooks, Braveheart and Gladiator. I get the feeling that in 50 years from now that these titles will get reissues, in whatever the prevailing format is then for the umpteenth time. They're excellent films, but exactly how many times do you plan on buying each of these in each format you purchase for? If you're among the few that hasn't already bought these films in 4K, there's also a Double Feature release here as well.
There are no 4K Digital releases for this week.
HD Blu-ray/Digital releases-
Criterion is sure to satiate Buster Keaton fans, this week we see The Cameraman being released on Blu-ray.
In other classics, Laurel & Hardy: The Definitive Restorations is also due this week from Kit Parker Films. This set has 511 minutes of meterial, do check it out.
What would a week be without a handful of anime releases. Sentai is releasing Domestic Girlfriend (Do take note a Premium Box is coming this Summer). Also coming this week from Sentai, a Premium Box set for Mysteria Friends - Complete Collection. You have to respect Sentai Filmworks. Mysteria Friends came out a couple of months ago as a standard edition set, but at the time, Sentai did notify us that they were working on a Premium Box set. They have made such indications on other titles as well. We all love to double-dip, don't we? FUNimation is rereleasing Tales of Zestiria the X- The Complete Series as an "Essentials" release. Most recent history releases for FUNimation titles also include a digital code, which unlocks the title in your FUNimation digital locker. Also releasing this week, YU-NO: A Girl Who Chants Love at the Bound of This World, parts One and Two.
Just in case you somehow missed the boat on getting Friday the 13th on Blu-ray, Paramount is releasing it this week in a SteelBook case option. There have been multiple offerings of this movie over the years, but maybe this is the one cover you want in your collection. With a 40 year Anniversary edition, I would hope to see a 4K offering, but that could still be years away. If you're ready for the next Paramount Presents label release, this week they are releasing Pretty in Pink. Trivia: What did Molly Ringwald do just a year earlier that was a pretty major release? I will answer this next week, hey no cheating, OK?
The Guy Pearce Thriller First Snow is finally getting a Blu-ray release this week, after being delayed a time or two.
Shout! Factory has several notable offerings this week. Under the Scream Factory label, The Hills Run Red. Also this week they are releasing the Universal Horror Collection: Volume 5 featuring 4 Universal Studios classic horror films. Under their Shout Select label, the Western/Thriller starring Tommy Lee Jones, The Missing would have been released this week but got pushed back to July 14th. I guess after several years of delays, we will eventually see this one. It really is getting more within reach.
Warner Bros. has got a slow week this week, but if you like the Lego series of animated features, this week they're releasing Lego DC: Shazam! - Magic and Monsters.
In the LOL category (hey, maybe it is a good film???) - The 8th installment of the Sniper film series, titled Sniper: Assassin's End comes to Blu-ray this week. Wiki lists all of them here. Apparently if you want the complete collection (this is to say, til they come out with a Sniper 9) you can only get it on DVD, and it is a Walmart exclusive to boot.
There are no Digital HD release for this week.
Notable announcements from last week:
Shout Factory has announced most of their September 2020 titles. Notable titles that I can remember are Event Horizon, coming in a Collector's Edition, and The TV Set starring David Duchovny & Sigourney Weaver and The Masque of the Red Death (1964). Also being distributed by Shout! Factory under the GKIDS label, they are finally releasing Hayao Miyazaki's The Wind Rises. They've released multiple Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli films in the past. And as you may recall, Disney previously had owned the rights to these films, and at the time, their releases were pretty solid, but did have a couple of issues on some of them. GKIDS seemed to have corrected most of the issues and has offered new transfers as well.
Mill Creek has announced their September slate. The next installment of the Ultraman series, titled Ultraman Ginga/Ultraman Ginga S Series + Movie/Ultra Fight Victory, the John Travolta bomb Battlefield Earth, which has managed to gain its own following, the blu-ray debut of the animated version of The King and I from 1999, and a comedy double feature of Big Bully / Wrongfully Accused. I think I would like Wrongfully Accused, I've liked most of Nielsen's films, and this sounds like a satire homage to The Fugitive, and lastly, another Sigourney Weaver release announced this week, Snow White: A Tale of Terror. I have the DVD of the animated release The King and I, a Blu-ray release is certainly welcome. The release of the classic film in 4K would be nice, but at this time, we are not seeing the Disney company releasing catalog titles on 4K, and although this is a Fox title, it seems doubtful it will see the light of day any time soon.
Kino Lorber has announced the next batch of August titles as well. A lot of special interest titles that I do not personally know. There are some familiar names in the batch, but again, I apologize for not really knowing what they are. I do like how they approach multiple genres and areas of interest, they've got something for everyone. The titles in the announcement follow, keep in mind that many of them do not have pre-order links yet, do check out the Blu-ray release calendar for more info. All I Desire, Backlash, The Balcony, Beyond the Visible - Hilma af Klint, Breezy, The Eagle and the Hawk, Hell Bent, Lucky Grandma, Raid on Rommel, The Red Ball Express, She Shoulda Said 'No'! / The Devil's Sleep, The Sign of the Cross, Soldier Blue, Sonja: The White Swan, There's Always Tomorrow, Those Who Deserve to Die, Wake Island.
For 4K Disc announcements, the Robert Downey Jr films Sherlock Holmes and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows will be coming on Sep. 1. Final specs still subject to change. In case you were curious as to why, the 3rd movie in this series is currently in production, so what better time to release the first two, except maybe a week before theatrical release of the 3rd movie that is? Also from Warner Bros. we've found out about the upcoming 4K disc release for Beetlejuice. Just like The Goonies, Beetlejuice appears to be coming as a standard 4K package and as an Deluxe Giftset, along with most likely a SteelBook from Best Buy. Best guess is that both of those titles will come out the same day, September 1st.
Synapse Films has also announced The Living Dead at Manchester Morgue in a handsome SteelBook package. This is not a repackage of the Blue Underground 2009 release. There are a lot of extras included and the audio and video have been given new masters.
And lastly, Arrow's 4K pre-order of Pitch Black has been hovering at $19.99 for the pre-order for much of the week. If you're a fan of this movie, this price seems pretty much a steal, all things considered.
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?
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The week of June 9th does not represent much by way of significance and with the number of releases this week, you will see what I mean when you look at the full list. Summer begins in the Northern hemispehere in just over a week, and if you read my speel for the week of May 26th you would see what the real significance is with regards to the movie industry. No trivia tidbits, no anecdotes to share, just, welcome to volume 3 of our Home Video releases calendar article. To anyone that has been waiting and wondering, Zavvi UK should finally be shipping their Exclusive SteelBook/Leather Cased verson of Frozen II this week. I had it on preorder for quite some time.
Notable Releases This Week:
4K Ultra HD Blu-ray/Digital Releases-
Actually, there are no listed 4K Disc titles slated for this week, so, moving along to the next category.
For 4K digital releases, there is one entry for the week, LionsGate brings us Think Like a Dog, a comedy about a boy and his dog, and how a science fair gone wrong creates a telepathic link with his dog. This release is getting a physical release this week, but it appears to be in 2K/HD Blu-ray disc only, see next section for details. As much as we wish that every release going forward gets a 4K physical disc, it is probably not very economically feasible
HD Blu-ray/Digital releases-
Sony Pictures Classics is bringing us the Oscar winning account of the story of Anne Frank, titled Anne Frank Remembered. The disc sounds like it is pretty inclusive on features. In the MOD category, they bring us Brian's Song released for the first time on Blu-ray.
Kino Lorber is starting to release more box sets of various actors/directors and this week we see actress Deanna Durbin highlighted in the Deanna Durbin Collection I which features three of her films spanning from 1937-1941. Their next box set coming this week is Film Noir: The Dark Side of Ceinema III - which seems to be gathering a fan following. Western fans should be interested in Western Classics I, which compiles several known Westerns from the 1940s.
BBC is bringing us the Twelfth Series of the recent Doctor Who incarnation, starring Jodie Whittaker as the Doctor. This title was delayed from an earlier date.
Universal Pictures brings us the Blu-ray of The Hunt, which was released in digital 2 weeks ago, and if you recall, was released as a Premium Rental previously (due to COVID-19) and, unlike their other efforts, did not fare well revenue-wise. IMDB lists it as a middle of the pack movie, and I might end up blind buying it. No spoilers please, but is it like JCVD's Hard Target or is it something else? I do find the cover art a bit hideous, sort of wish they stuck with the movie poster in this case with the pig on it, but looks like even the international releases copies the same choice of cover. The temporary cover featured the pig, shown at the top banner of this article. There was also an interesting movie poster featuring an actual hunting scene with wild animals and weapons driving into the ground to look like trees. See themoviedb.com to see what I mean.
Lionsgate is releasing Think Like a Dog on Blu-ray as well as Digital HD on the same date. And another Lionsgate release that I do not recall it being in the theater, I'm sure it was, just a minor release, We Summon the Darkness.
In the weekly Anime release schedule, FUNimation is bringing several Bungo Stray Dogs universe releases. This week they bring us Dead Apple, as well as Season Three of the series. Re: Zero is also getting another chapter released this week, this time titled Starting Life in Another World - Season One.
Digital HD offerings this week, the aforementioned Think Like a Dog (noted above.)
Notable announcements from last week:
Arrow Video has officially entered the 4K market and has announced U.S. releases for Flash Gordon - 40th Anniversary Restored Edition, available in a Special Edition 4K, Standard Edition 4K as well as a new Blu-ray Special Edition. As you may recall, StudioCanal had announced a UK release to this movie with several different options as well. The Arrow release will contain fewer discs, but still purports to offer the most content for the buck. Some of the discs in the UK release probably did not get ported to the U.S. release due to licensing concerns, but that should not stop you from considering the Arrow release. Also announced from Arrow this week, Pitch Black, both as a 4K Special Edition and as a Blu-ray Special Edition. Both these releases from Arrow are scheduled for release on August 18th. The Standard Edition 4K for Flash Gordon has been listed for $19.99 most of the week, which, for an Arrow Video release is actually very reasonable, add to that it's a 4K and it's astounding!
Warner Bros. has announced a new street date for The Goonies in 4K, and also will be offering an Exclusive Giftset. Do check it out.
Final details have been announced for the 4K releases of The House By The Cemetery and The New York Ripper and the list of extras is quite extensive, do check it out!
UPHE has added a 3D option for the upcoming release of Trolls World Tour. It appears to again be listed under their 'MOD' label. You ask why I state 'again' --- well, there have been a few other recent releases that they added a 3D option to as well, but those too were under the MOD label, and at a considerably higher street price. There's always the option to import the disc, but those that prefer a domestic release, this is certainly your option. Unlike previous MOD releases, this one appears to also include the digital code.
And finally, for those waiting to see The Quest (Frog Dreaming) hit Blu-ray, the long delays seem to be over, it will see the light of day on August 11th. I have memories of this one way back when, when it hit HBO.
Which titles interest you this week? Which ones are on your wish list?
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Summer is just a few weeks away from officially starting for the Northern Hemisphere and cabin fever is probably largely on our minds. Did you know that the earth's rotation around the sun is elliptical and that the point at which it passes the sun is actually on December 21st. That probably explains why Summers are more extreme down under. What do we do while the country tries to return to a normal state? How about watch a movie from the comforts of your home! Some of us have pretty elaborate setups for this activity, while others not quite so much. The important thing is that we enjoy the show and take something away from the experience. If you can detach from reality for a couple of hours and enjoy a great movie, your stressors will be subdued and a more relaxed you can emerge. Episode 2 of our weekly release update follows.
In the delayed until further notice department, looks like Warner Bros. has delayed the 4K release for The Goonies, our current info shows the beginning of September, perhaps September 1st according to a major retailer that had that date posted, but then removed.
Notable Releases This Week:
4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Releases-
There are a few titles coming to 4K disc this week that are certainly worth your time. This week's biggest 4K disc release might be considered Parasite or Jaws, depends on your interests. Parasite, you've probably heard of it, and I am not referring to the well produced 3D release from 1982 that Kino has recently released. This one is a little more recent, it's from 2019, and it's won a couple of Academy Awards. It took the world by storm when it was shown, I personally had not seen it nor did I buy the Blu-ray as I was waiting for the inevitable 4K. Criterion is reportedly working on a special edition, but they have not touched the 4K disc market yet, so will it be 4K or HD? Also bear in mind though that it is a foreign language film so if subtitles are not your thing, you might be a little more excited about the next title listed here.
Universal Pictures is releasing what's dubbed as a 45th Anniversary Edition of a rather memorable movie, Jaws which is alse reviewed at the link. Even if you've never seen the movie, unless you've lived under a rock or you're just 8 years old, you certainly know its premise and you've most certainly heard part of the score of this movie. A lesser (at the time) director named Steven Spielberg was at the helm of this one, as well as a few other lesser knowns as well, Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss. Anyone that has seen this film has got their own stories to share. Share them below in the comments if you'd like. The standard edition has a fair share of supplements, both on the disc as well as physical. If you prefer a SteelBook, Best Buy is offering that as well with the same street date.
Best Buy is also offering two other movies in a SteelBook package this week as well. Both these movies have already made it to 4K disc, but now you can get them as a SteelBook. They are Apollo 13 and Inception. Apollo 13 has just passed a milestone so it is quite appropriate to release this one. Before you ask and connect as to why there is a Universal and Warner reissue as a SteelBook in the same week, keep in mind that recently Universal and Warner has recently merged their home video distribution businesses. With physical media revenue on a decline, it makes sense to merge operations to save costs.
There are no Digital 4K releases for this week.
HD Blu-ray/Digital releases-
Although the 2K/HD field of releases for this week is quite extensive, in my opinion nothing stands out and screams major releases. But, there still are handful of notable releases that might merit a purchase. There are a handful of reissues for June 2nd, most of them are likely less expensive versions of existing releases, they appear to be void of the digital code and the DVD. They might not be less expensive than the previous releases as of this writing, but over time they will be.
Severin Films is bringing us a rather extensive box set of Al Adamson's films, dubbed Al Adamson: The Masterpiece Collection. This collection contains 31 films on 14 discs and is sure to delight the B-movie horror fans in your household.
Nearly a year later and Acorn Media is bringing Series 2 of the show Blood. Also with a Thursday release date, Detectorists, Series 2 and Series 3.
After a short delay, RLJ Entertainment is releasing Creepshow: Season 1 on disc. This is an all new series based on the movies we've all come to love near and dear. Also added to this week's mix is a SteelBook release of One Cut of the Dead, and there is an English dub to boot. It's one of those comedy/horror movies and piques my interest.
Not to be passed over, Shout! Factory has got several offerings this week. First, under their Shout Select label, Glengarry Glen Ross starring Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, Alec Baldwin, Alan Arkin & Ed Harris, perhaps you've heard of them? The premise of the movie is relatively unique, and in a time where so many plots are copied over and over again, I am certainly interested in this one. Hopefully we will have a review of that one shortly. Another Shout release this week is the Russian film The Blackout: Invasion Earth. It does appear this release will have an English language dub as well, but whether it is 5.1 or 2.0 is unknown at this time, and this appears to be an edited international version, not the 153 minute cut. Honestly, the 153 minute version might be pretty tedious, longer is not always better. Under the Scream Factory label, expect to see Witches in the Woods, a story about a modern day witch hunt. Under their anime label, which does not show "GKIDS" this go round comes Sound! Euphonium: The Movie as well as Tokyo Godfathers, do check them both out if you're an anime fan.
Screen Media has an interesting release this week, the movie is titled Robert the Bruce and is a story, or say sequel to Braveheart, which follows the events afterwards and the fallacies of trying to win independence for Scotland.
Paramount Home Entertainment has a couple of items of interest this week. Urban Cowboy (40th Aniversary Edition) makes it way to Blu-ray. Interesting that this is not a Paramount Presents title, and wow, I did not realize that this movie has turned that old. How old does that make me? Ahem, moving on.... Also for those Trekkies that are always hungry for more, this title baffles me as to what it really is, but the title is called Star Trek: Short Treks. I can read the synopsis, but is this show just an edit of Discovery? Hopefully I didn't insult anyone by askig if it is 'just' an edit.
HBO Home Video via Warner Bros. will finally be releasing Watchmen: An HBO Limited Series to Blu-ray this week as well. It is another title that was reslated earlier in the year. If you fancy the SteelBook Edition, Best Buy has that to offer as well.
Best Buy is also offering a SteelBook of Flash Gordon, but unless you missed the announcement of StudioCanal's upcoming release which is a 4K deluxe release, and a 2K/BD release will be available too, you might want to hold off on this SteelBook offering.
Our friends as Kino Lorber have a handful of titles this week as well. Again, I will be honest with you, I am terrible when it comes to determining which of these are truly gems and which ones are very niche-like and have a limited audience. Their offerings for the week are: Beanpole, Let's Kill Uncle, The Queen, Tesnota, They Came From Beyond Space. I am familiar with some of William Castle's work, and he's the man behind the camera in Let's Kill Uncle.
Finally, what's a week without more Anime titles. The week is dominated by FUNimation releases, one Sentai Filmworks release, one Right Stuf release, and the aforementioned Shout/GKIDS releases. I am eyeballing Demon Lord, Retry! - The Complete Series as this appears to be that series' first appearance on Blu-ray in North America. Is it related to the Demon Lord Dante universe? Probably not, but the premise still interests me.
There are no digital HD releases for this week.
Notable announcements from last week:
Universal Pictures has just announced the upcoming release of Spartacus (1960) coming to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray. With a previous 4K remaster, this one was inevitable, and very exciting news for classic cinema of this nature! I have already got the Columbia Classics Volume I 4K collection on pre-order, which includes several great classics as well. Many of us might wish that the Columbia Classics set were broke up into individual releases, which might be inevitable in the future, but it is still a great collection for the price.
FUNimation has just announced their titles for August, including the next chapter in the Cardcaptor series, as well as the final season of the long running series Fairy Tail.
Second Sight has announced a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release for George Romero's cult classic Dawn of the Dead (1978) in a special limited "fat pack" edition. As of press time, there is no offical news of a U.S. release. As this is a 4K disc, there should be no concerns for region coding, but any enclosed Blu-ray discs might be of concern. Most of the Second Sight Blu-ray based movies I have imported in the past have been region free.
Which titles interest you this week? Which ones are on your wish list, whether to buy on a slow week or to wait for the right price before you pounce?
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An accomplished stage actor, Shakespearian thespian, avid surfer, and jack-of-all-trades filmmaker all describe the iconic actor Robert Englund, although most would know him as the boogeyman himself Freddy Krueger. Englund shows no signs of slowing down at age 72 with three new projects on the way and a notion of wearing the finger knives once again as his most notable character to date.
His latest project is the hilarious Adult Swim animated show JJ Villard's Fairy Tales that takes Grimm's Fairy Tales and Disney stories and turns them into twisted horror remakes with a treasure trove of horror movie legends, including Englund himself. With a punk-rock animation style and some truly debaucherous visuals and dialogue, this new series is bound for the label - cult-classic.
Sitting down with the legendary horror maestro for a good amount of time, there was a wide variety of topics that were discussed. Englund's start in the entertainment business provided a hearty laugh on losing his virginity and his first role on stage. The works of Shakespeare, including a talk about the similarities between Freddy Krueger and Iago from Othello, along with stepping into the director's chair in 976-EVIL is focused on.
Additionally, we cover a fun range of topics that dive into his hobby of surfing, collecting Hollywood memorabilia and foreign movie posters, favorite scenes from films, and his love for Bobby Hill in the hit animated series King of the Hill. Englund even transforms into Freddy Krueger himself to answer a few questions, including some hidden easter eggs in Nightmare on Elm Street in this candid and entertaining talk. In addition to the Adult Swim series, Englund can be found as host/narrator on the Travel Channel in the new show True Terror with Robert Englund.
Enjoy the entertaining talk below.
Movies You Forgot Robert Englund Was In:
A Star Is Born (1976)
Memorial Day, defined. From timeanddate.com and is summarized as, "Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May. It was formerly known as Decoration Day and commemorates all men and women who have died in military service for the United States. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials on Memorial Day and it is traditionally seen as the start of the summer season." That latter part of the sentence would also traditionally mean that the Movie Summer Season has begun and you would see some of the largest blockbusters timed accordingly. I still remember outings on either Memorial Day or Independence Day (U.S./July 4th) weekends , or those in between and seeing memorable movies like Terminator 2, Jurassic Park, Men in Black, Independence Day, The Patriot (Mel Gibson), Armageddon (guilty pleasure of mine), some major Disney or Pixar animated release. There were a few firsts for me during these Summer outings as well --- first DLP projected movie (Dinosaur-2000), first DTS digital sound movie (Jurassic Park---huuuge at that time.)
Under current times of course, the Summer Movie season is entirely in limbo. Major releases are being pushed back, some studios are trying something new out of necessity, offering what are called 'Premium Rentals,' which are identical to digital rentals of movies which some of us take advantage of already, but at a higher price due to the nature of the content. In this case, a movie that has not been released yet, that would normally be shown in a traditional movie theater. Premium Rentals are typically selling for around $20, which when you think about it, is not a bad deal if you plan on sharing the cost with at least one other person. Most premium rentals are good for 48 hours from the time you hit PLAY, so if you watch it as a family now, you can watch it later again as a family or as I would like to do, by myself so that I can enjoy it without all the distractions. Maybe it is a great movie that deserves a second viewing, or maybe you want to watch it again to get a better understanding. If you're like me, when I go to a theater, my bladder is the size of a walnut, but at home, there's no limits! Try watching a 90 minute movie at the theater and I try to hold it, then at the 80 minute mark, cannot hold it any longer. But at home, watch an entire trilogy and no pause button needed! Why me!?
Coming out of the Memorial Day holiday weekend for many of us across the globe, you might think it's going to be a pretty slow week for Home Media Releases, but if you held to that belief, you would not be entirely accurate. Welcome to Episode 1 of what I hope to be weekly updates on what's coming out on home video on a given week, as well as letting you get a peek at what some of the major announcements are for the calendar week leading up to it. New releases for Memorial Day week, announcements made during the previous week, got it? I'm not a 'Classic Movie' expert by any means, but I am an average movie connoisseur with an above average taste for the experience. I want my releases in the best format possible, but I do respect those that prefer digital releases instead. Actually, if you ever saw a photo of the room I keep my discs in, you can see the predicament I am in as I find more ways to not run out of room.
Notable Releases This Week:
4K Ultra HD Blu-ray/Digital Releases-
The Deer Hunter starring Robert De Niro and a winner of 5 Academy Awards. Interestingly enough, this title was picked up by Shout! Factory, and not released by Universal Studios, and released under their flagship label dubbed Shout Select. When I had originally seen this film years ago when I had the DVD, I really had no clue as to what was going on. As the years have passed and repeated viewings have occurred I have a slightly better understanding and appreciation for this film.
Meanwhile, Blue Underground is bringing us a pair of titles that seemed inevitable as their previous 3-disc editions were sourced from a 4K remaster. Needless to say, I am still delighted to see another company adopting the 4K Disc format. I can tell you that honestly I do not recall seeing either film, they are Maniac and Zombie, with the latter having a current fresh review. If you're familiar with these releases, thus far it sounds like the upgrade is worth it.
The Invisible Man starring Elisabeth Moss completes the list of 4K Disc offering this week. This film did well for Universal despite the Covid Pandemic. It was released in the Premium Rental format, production cost just a mere $7 Million to produce, made just over $64 Million in the U.S. market, and $123 Million worldwide. If you prefer the HD version on Blu-ray, you can purchase it HERE.
There are no Digital 4K releases for this week.
HD Blu-ray/Digital releases-
The Shout! Factory/Select label has a few notable releases this week. Delayed a time or two, looks like Before the Devil Knows You're Dead will finally see our disc players. Famed film maker Sidney Lumet, starring the late Philip Seymour Hoffman as well as Ethan Hawke, summarized a heist gone wrong, this one comes to us via the Shout Select label. Also coming this week is a Collector's Edition of Escape From L.A. starring a much younger Kurt Russell. It has been some time since I had seen this film, honestly this film wasn't memorable to me, but as the years pass, a repeat viewing might change my mind on this one as well. To this day, I get the Esacpe From NY and LA films mixed up. A Midnight Clear starring Peter Berg, Kevin Dillon, Ethan Hawke, Gary Sinise might interest you. Again, as a Shout Select label release, this one might be worth your time as they go all out on these releases.
Criterion has a couple of titles worth looking at. I personally have little knowledge of any of them this week, but it certainly does not take from their worthiness. The titles are Husbands, Scorsese Shorts, and Wildlife. Speaking of Martin Scorsese, he also stars in a film titled Once Were Brother: Robbie Robertson and the Band which is being release by Magnolia Pictures.
Arrow Video is releasing several titles this week. They are worth a look if you have enjoyed previous offerings by them. Blood Tide, Solid Metal Nightmares, White Fire and The Woman. Solid Metal Nightmares is a collection of ten films by renowned director Shinya Tsukamoto.
Paramount Pictures is offering several titles this week as well via their MOD label. Each studio has their own MOD label, typically these labels are selected movies released in smaller batches with a slightly higher price point and typically also do not include a digital copy code. Warner Archive is probably the best known 'MOD' label. MOD had originally meant "Manufactured On Demand" and actually meant they were burnt discs (BD-R) but that is not the case with these major releases. Keep in mind these titles might never see the light of day otherwise so if there's a film that interests you, do support their efforts. Paramount MOD is offering these titles this week: Angela's Ashes, Funeral in Berlin, On a Clear Day You Can See Forever.
There are multiple special interest titles from Gravitas Ventures this week, which most always are produced on BD-R discs. This release format means that HD titles previously unavailable can be produced on demand on BD-R discs. The only downfall is that some players do not like these discs. Most of the major disc players can handle them, last I checked, the jackets were labeled that they did not play on certain game systems.
Anime fans will also see a handful of releases this week. Offerings from Discotek, FUNimation and Sentai Filmworks are on the Release Calendar. Do keep in mind that if you click this link a week after the article is posted that the current list is no longer 'current.' This week the Anime title that interest me was KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World!: The Complete First Season + OVA which is being offered for the first time in the U.S.. There are a few other titles that mildly interest me but that is to be determined.
For digital offerings this week, we have just one. Another Premium Rental being made available to purchase. The Hunt, which I had not seen but I most likely will buy it in 2 weeks. To me it sounds like a modern version of Hard Target, minus some of the JCVD cliches. Nothing wrong with JCVD, I rather enjoy his cliches! As with any recent release, I wish they would release it in 4K! But that is a rant you can look forward to in 2 weeks.
Notable announcements from last week:
Universal Pictures has announced an official street date for Trolls: World Tour to be July 7th for disc and June 23rd for Digital. UPHE did quite well on this movie as a Premium Rental. We of course have the listings, do look ahead on the release calendar, there are several options available, both as 4K and 2K/HD disc and digital releases. Note that the Digital links are still showing as rentals only so give it another week or two to get the pre-order in.
Warner Archive also announced their June 2020 releases. The titles are Cannery Row, House of Wax 3D (Double Feature), Romance on the High Seas, Strike Up the Band and Pennyworth: The Complete First Season. They are listed under our Release Calendar and pre-order links will be available as they get listed.
Paramount has released the final details for one of their Paramount Presents line release for Ghost starring Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore & Whoopi Goldberg.
Which titles interest you this week? Which ones are on your wish list, whether to buy on a slow week or to wait for the right price before you pounce?
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#ReleaseTheSnyderCut Wins the Day for an Unspecified 2021 Release Date
Given all of the free publicity Zach Snyder has been giving Warner Broths with hinted tidbits about his original cut of Justice League - it was only a matter of time before WB made it official. With Warner Brothers launching their HBO MAX streaming service - they need something to build the hype and this will certainly get some DC fans' mouths watering!
Even I have to admit after the Bizarr-O world hodgepodge that was the Snyder/Whedon cut we got in theaters - I'm hopeful and optimistic that this will be something more than lipstick on a pig. I hope to see something of Richard Donner's Superman 2 level of improvement - but we'll see in about a year. Until then - more speculation and rumor with cryptic reveals from Snyder! Yay!
Below is the full press release from Warner Brothers.
LOS ANGELES – May 20, 2020 – After global passionate fan calls to action and the #ReleaseTheSnyderCut movement, HBO Max and Warner Bros. Pictures announced today that it will exclusively world premiere Zack Snyder’s director’s cut of the Warner Bros. Pictures/DC feature film Justice League in 2021. Snyder surprised fans with the news this morning during a live online commentary of his film Man of Steel with Henry Cavill.
#ReleaseTheSnyderCut first became a passionate rallying social media cry among fans in 2017 and has not let up. From countless press articles and hundreds of thousands of social media mentions, it became a powerful global movement among cinephiles and comic book fans.
“I want to thank HBO Max and Warner Brothers for this brave gesture of supporting artists and allowing their true visions to be realized. Also a special thank you to all of those involved in the SnyderCut movement for making this a reality,” said Snyder.
“Since I got here 14 months ago, the chant to #ReleaseTheSnyderCut has been a daily drumbeat in our offices and inboxes. Well, the fans have asked, and we are thrilled to finally deliver. At the end of the day, it really is all about them and we are beyond excited to be able to release Zack’s ultimate vision for this film in 2021. This could never have happened if it weren’t for the hard work and combined efforts of the teams at HBO Max and Warner Bros. Pictures,” said Robert Greenblatt, Chairman, Warner Media Entertainment and Direct-To-Consumer.
“When Zack and Debbie shared the extraordinary vision of where Zack wanted to take Justice League, my team and our counterparts at Warner Bros. took it as a mission to solve the many issues that stood in the way,” said Kevin Reilly, Chief Content Officer at HBO Max, President, TNT, TBS and truTV. “Thanks to the partnership at Warner Bros. and the relentless pursuit of the entire WarnerMax team we are able to deliver this incredibly exciting moment for Zack, the fans and HBO Max.”
“Thanks to the efforts of a lot people, we’re excited to bring fans this highly anticipated version of Justice League,” said Toby Emmerich, Chairman, Warner Bros. Pictures Group. “This feels like the right time to share Zack’s story, and HBO Max is the perfect platform for it. We’re glad the creative planets aligned, allowing us to #ReleaseTheSnyderCut.”
In Justice League, fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s selfless act, Bruce Wayne enlists the help of his newfound ally, Diana Prince, to face an even greater enemy. Together, Batman and Wonder Woman work quickly to find and recruit a team of metahumans to stand against this newly awakened threat. But despite the formation of this unprecedented league of heroes—Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg and The Flash—it may already be too late to save the planet from an assault of catastrophic proportions.
The Justice League screenplay is by Chris Terrio, story by Chris Terrio & Zack Snyder, based on characters from DC, Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The film’s producers are Charles Roven, Deborah Snyder, with executive producers Christopher Nolan, Emma Thomas, Jim Rowe, Ben Affleck, Wesley Coller, Curtis Kanemoto, and Chris Terrio.
Paramount - as with many studios - have been somewhat lax or at the very least inconsistent with their back catalog of titles. Old favorites that have long deserved a true and proper Blu-ray release sat by the wayside while some films enjoy a new special edition practically every other year. The studio aims to fix that with their new Paramount Presents label dedicated to issuing new editions of fan favorites but also dig up those old classics and give them the Blu-ray release they've long deserved - all sourced from new or recent 4K transfers! To add a little extra prestige to the mix, each disc in this new collection will have a spine number - so if you're a fastidious collector that doesn't like gaps or hates an incomplete numerical presence on a shelf - you might be in trouble!
April 21st saw the release of the first three inaugural titles of the Paramount Presents label - Fatal Attraction, King Creole, and To Catch A Thief. Each Blu-ray was sourced from a 4K transfer, housed in a snazzy looking clear case with interior photos when you open the case, and the cardboard slipcover opens up to reveal the original poster artwork for the film. With the black numbered spines these are certainly classy releases for a pair of fan favorites and a new to Blu-ray release. You can take a look at the individual reviews in the links below:
Read our review of Paramount Presents Fatal Attraction
Read our review of Paramount Presents King Creole
Read our review of Paramount Presents To Catch A Thief
What I liked about the Paramount Presents releases so far:
What I want to see from Paramount Presents releases:
A promising start to a new catalog-focused label
With the first round of Paramount Presents titles, this is a solid start. I hadn't picked up Fatal Attraction or To Catch A Thief so I was happy to add these to my collection. I wasn't much of an Elvis as an actor fan, I'd only seen a couple that didn't really impress me but King Creole proved to be a nice surprise. It was far better than I'd expected and it showed Elvis' range plus it's a gorgeous looking black and white classic that hadn't been available on Blu-ray before now. With an upcoming slate that includes Pretty in Pink, Airplane!, Ghost, and Flashdance - it's an exciting slate for sure. Hopefully, we'll get a few more first-time releases, but with the commitment to quality transfers, it's a firm foundation for a studio prestige label. Hopefully Paramount will support actual 4K UHD discs in this collection in addition to these Blu-ray, but for now, it's nice to see a studio commit to supporting the back catalog.
Preorder Paramount Presents Airplane!
Preorder Paramount Presents Pretty In Pink
Preorder Paramount Presents Flashdance
Preorder Paramount Presents Days of Thunder
Paramount Presents Ghost is not up for pre-order yet - due Summer 2020
