“Horror movies are often overlooked or seen as being ‘less than’ other genres, but Suspiria truly is a work of art. Visually and sonically, it’s a beautiful piece of cinema.” — Vincent Pereira, Synapse Films’ Suspiria Blu-ray Original 4.0 LCRS Audio Supervisor/Producer

The Digital Bits and History, Legacy & Showmanship are pleased to present this retrospective commemorating the 40th anniversary of the release of Suspiria, Dario Argento’s influential “giallo” (Italian horror) film starring Jessica Harper, Stefania Casini and Flavio Bucci.

The acclaimed film, and first entry in Argento’s Three Mothers trilogy, recently turned forty, and for the occasion The Bits features a Q&A with Vincent Pereira, who discusses the film’s virtues and influence as well as his involvement with the recently issued Blu-ray release (reviewed here). [Read on here...]

We have just a couple release announcements for you today…

First, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has set Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle for release on Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD formats on 3/20, with the Digital HD release expected on 3/6. Extras on the Blu-ray versions will include 5 featurettes (Journey Through the Jungle: The Making of Jumanji, Meet the Players: A Heroic Cast, Attack of the Rhinos!, Surviving the Jungle: Spectacular Stunts!, and Book to Board Game to Big Screen & Beyond! Celebrating the Legacy of Jumanji), along with a Gag Reel, and the Jumanji, Jumanji music video by Jack Black and Nick Jonas. [Read on here…]

Okay, we’ve got a bunch of good stuff for you today…

First up, we’ve posted a pair of new Blu-ray reviews from Tim, featuring his thoughts on Gidget (1959) from Twilight Time and also The Witches (1967) from Arrow Academy. Do check them out.

Also today, our own Michael Coate has a new History, Legacy & Showmanship column in which he celebrates the 50th anniversary of the original classic Planet of the Apes with a new roundtable interview of film historians Jeff Bond, John Cork, and Lee Pfeiffer. It’s a great discussion, so don’t miss it. [Read on here…]

“It’s hard to overstate the influence of Planet of the Apes on the sci-fi film genre. Until then, sci-fi didn’t get much respect, but the one-two punch of that film followed by Kubrick’s mind-blowing 2001 would cause critics and audiences to reevaluate the genre as something more than hapless earthlings trying to repel creatures with ray guns.” — Lee Pfeiffer, Cinema Retro editor-in-chief

The Digital Bits and History, Legacy & Showmanship are pleased to present this retrospective commemorating the golden anniversary of the release of Planet of the Apes, the science fiction classic starring Charlton Heston (The Ten Commandments, Ben-Hur) and Roddy McDowall (The Black Hole, Fright Night).

Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner (Patton, Papillon) and based upon the Pierre Boulle novel, Planet of the Apes also featured Kim Hunter, Maurice Evans, James Whitmore, James Daly, and Linda Harrison.

The popular film turns fifty this month, opening initially in New York before a staggered spring rollout across the country. [Read on here...]

We’ve got more new Blu-ray reviews for you today...

Tim Salmons has checked out Cannonball Run from Warner Bros, Cannonball Run II from Umbrella Entertainment (a Region Free disc), and also Lionsgate’s new Vestron Video Collector’s Series release of Gothic. All are work a look, so do check them out.

In announcement news today, Paramount has just officially set Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life for 4K Ultra HD release on 2/27. Both will include the Blu-ray versions will the previous special features. The only extra on the 4K discs will be the legacy audio commentaries. Meanwhile, audio will be 5.1 DTS-HD MA on the 4K discs, presumably with video enhanced with HDR10. [Read on here…]

We do have one bit of actual home video news for you today...

20th Century Fox Home Entertainment has just set director Guillermo del Toro’s Oscar-nominated film The Shape of Water for release on Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD on 3/13, with the Digital/Movies Anywhere release expected on 2/27.

You can see the cover artwork to the left and also below. [Read on here…]

Ladies and gentlemen, I want to apologize right up front. I had planned a whole post for you today. But then this happened…

No kidding, that is Elon Musk’s red Tesla Roadster. In Earth orbit. For REAL. With a spacesuited “Starman” in the driver’s seat and the words “Don’t Panic” on the dash screen. [Read on here…]

Afternoon, folks. Let’s get right to business today...

First up, Tim has posted a review of Ian Curteis’ The Projected Man (1966) on Blu-ray Disc from our friends at Scream Factory. Do give it a look.

Also today, our own Michael Coate has just posted a new History, Legacy & Showmanship column celebrating the 50th anniversary of John Boorman’s Point Blank with historian Dwayne Epstein. It’s a fun interview, so be sure to check it out.

In announcement news today, Lionsgate has set A24’s The Florida Project for Blu-ray and DVD release on 2/13, followed by The Disaster Artist on both formats on 3/13. [Read on here…]

“The first art house action film.” —Dwayne Epstein, author of Lee Marvin: Point Blank

The Digital Bits and History, Legacy & Showmanship are pleased to present this retrospective commemorating the 50th anniversary of the release of Point Blank, the neo noir crime classic starring Lee Marvin (Cat Ballou, The Dirty Dozen) and Angie Dickinson (Police Woman, Dressed to Kill).

Directed by John Boorman (Deliverance, Excalibur) and based upon the crime noir novel The Hunter, Point Blank also featured Keenan Wynn (Annie Get Your Gun, Dr. Strangelove) and Carroll O’Connor (All in the Family, In the Heat of the Night) — and striking San Francisco locations. The film recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of its release, and for the occasion The Bits features a Q&A with film historian Dwayne Epstein, who discusses the film’s virtues and influence. [Read on here...]

This is just a quick Super Bowl Sunday post here to bring you news that Best Buy is now running ads that reveal the street date for Disney and Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi on Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD. The date is 3/27, just as we’ve said here at The Bits for weeks now. It seems reasonable to assume that the official announcement by the studio is close, so stay tuned.

Thanks to Bits reader Bryan Pistole for the art. Continue on below the break to see it for yourself. [Read on here…]