Dark Half & Monkey Shines, new Warner, CBS & Fox TV titles & Halloween BD signing next week in LA
by Bill Hunt[Editor’s Note: Be sure to like TheDigitalBits.com page on Facebook for great Blu-ray, DVD and film discussion with other readers and for live updates on your mobile device when new content is posted here!]
We’ve got another great Blu-ray review for you today, and we suspect it’s one many of you are eager to read: Tim’s thoughts on Sony’s new Ghostbusters 1 & 2 Digipack BD set. Tim talks A/V quality and runs down all the extras, including taking the time to detail which are new, which are legacy items carried over from the previous BD and DVD releases, and what’s been omitted. Don’t miss it. [Read on here…]
THREE new columns, new Twilight Time BDs, a new Altman BD, White Christmas, The Jeffersons & more!
by Bill Hunt[Editor’s Note: Be sure to like TheDigitalBits.com page on Facebook for great Blu-ray, DVD and film discussion with other readers and for live updates on your mobile device when new content is posted here!]
We’ve got a bunch of stuff for you to enjoy here at The Bits today, starting with a trio of new columns here at the site.
First, the good Dr. Jahnke has turned in his latest installment of Burnt Offerings: MOD DVD, running down the latest in small batch, hand crafted DVDs and Blu-rays. He’s also added new component to the column that he’s calling Wide Awake in Streamland, which details worth deep catalog film and TV titles available for streaming via Warner Archive Instant, Netflix, Hulu Plus and the like. Be sure to check it out.
Also today, our own Michael Coate unloads both barrels of his History, Legacy and Showmanship column to celebrate the 50th anniversaries of TV’s Bewitched and the seminal James Bond film Goldfinger! For each column Michael conducts a roundtable discussion with film historians and experts. You definitely don’t want to miss them – here’s the Bewitched piece and here’s Goldfinger. Enjoy! [Read on here…]
The Midas Touch: Remembering “Goldfinger” on its 50th Anniversary
by Michael Coate“Only Sean Connery in 1964 could pull off wearing a baby-blue terrycloth onesie and still make every woman in the audience breathe a little more deeply and every man want to be him.” — John Cork
The Digital Bits is pleased to present this retrospective commemorating the golden anniversary of the release of Goldfinger, the classic James Bond adventure starring Sean Connery as Agent 007 and directed by Guy Hamiton. Featuring an unforgettable villain, unforgettable sidekick, unforgettable gadgets, and a Bond Girl with an unforgettable name, Goldfinger, which premiered in London 50 years ago today, delighted audiences becoming the first Bond film to be a global phenomenon, ensuring more 007 films for decades to come. [Read more here...]
Still Casting a Spell: Remembering “Bewitched” on its 50th Anniversary
by Michael Coate“Sam!”
The Digital Bits is pleased to present this retrospective commemorating the golden anniversary of the premiere of Bewitched, the magical supernatural situation comedy starring Elizabeth Montgomery that ran on ABC from 1964 to 1972 and in syndication ever since. The enchanting series premiered 50 years ago this week, and for the occasion The Bits features a Q&A with a trio of Bewitched and television historians and authors, who offer their recollections and insight into the popular series. [Read more here...]
Criterion’s December slate includes Time Bandits, Night Porter, Safe & Eclipse 41: Kinoshita and WWII
by Bill Hunt[Editor’s Note: Be sure to like TheDigitalBits.com page on Facebook for great Blu-ray, DVD and film discussion with other readers and for live updates on your mobile device when new content is posted here!]
We have one more quick news update for you this afternoon, with word that Criterion has just announced their December Blu-ray and DVD release slate. Look for Todd Haynes’ Safe on 12/9 (Cat #739 – Blu-ray and DVD), along with upgraded editions of Terry Gilliam’s Time Bandits (Cat #37 – Blu-ray and DVD) and Liliana Cavani’s The Night Porter (Cat #59 – Blu-ray and DVD – the film will also appear on Hulu Plus). These will be followed on 12/16 by a new Eclipse DVD release featuring the work of director Keisuke Kinoshita – Eclipse Series 41: Kinoshita and World War II (which includes the films Port of Flowers, The Living Magoroku, Jubilation Street, Army, and Morning for the Osone Family, made between 1943 and 1946). [Read on here…]
We’re going to be trying something a little bit different here at Burnt Offerings starting this week. Don’t worry, we’ll still take a close look at this week’s roundup of MOD releases (and considering the large number of westerns this week, “roundup” is the right word). But afterwards, we’re going to take a quick look at what’s available instantly, at your fingertips, right now on the intertubes in a mini-column-within-a-column I’m calling Wide Awake In Streamland. We’ll get to that in a minute but first, the discs (available for purchase via the banners below, thank you very much indeed). [Read on here…]
Monty Python Live (Mostly), WKRP music update, Penny Dreadful & the My Fair Lady: 50th Anniversary Edition
by Bill Hunt[Editor’s Note: Be sure to like TheDigitalBits.com page on Facebook for great Blu-ray, DVD and film discussion with other readers and for live updates on your mobile device when new content is posted here!]
We’ve got a new Doogan’s Queue column today from Todd (in Gripe Soda), running down all of this week’s best new releases on Blu-ray and DVD. Don’t miss it!
Also this morning, our own Tim Salmons has turned in a Blu-ray review of Joseph Anthony’s Tomorrow (1972) from B2MP Inc. The film stars Robert Duvall and is an adaptation of a short story by William Faulkner. Do check it out. [Read on here…]
Thanks to everyone who has checked in on me about my bum foot – it’s doing much better. I can actually walk now (with a sexy limp, thank you very much) and I’ve only needed to dip into my pain meds a little (I’m not a fan of pain pills). That’s put me in front of the TV a lot these last few weeks and what did I choose to watch, you may ask? I watched every friggin’ minute of Trailer Park Boys. Holy smoley that is a fun show. It gets derivative, but there’s a certain charm to the formula and they seem to know it because they kinda just put it right out there. Considering there are 8 seasons and 3 movies (and a special) on Netflix, I’d say you could do worse with your life if you’re bedridden. I mean, sure, build a boat if you have full use of your body – but if you’re feeling sorry for yourself and don’t feel like making a downstairs hike to your disc library – it’s a good call. As for the ‘fore-mentioned discs – there are a few shining stars out this week and a whole slew of upgrade rereleases deserving your attention. Let’s spotlight, shall we? [Read on here…]
WKRP in Cincinnati, Into the Woods, Planes: Fire & Rescue, Nocturna, a Fox TV on BD update & more
by Bill Hunt[Editor’s Note: Be sure to like TheDigitalBits.com page on Facebook for great Blu-ray, DVD and film discussion with other readers and for live updates on your mobile device when new content is posted here!]
Welcome to a new week. We’re kicking things off today with a great new Blu-ray review – Tim’s taken a look at Warner’s new Godzilla in 1080p, directed by Gareth Edwards (previously known for his clever Monsters). Sounds like the disc’s picture and sound quality deliver nicely, if not the extras. Do check it out. [Read on here…]
Final Details on Fox's Alien: 35th & Kingdom of Heaven: Ultimate BDs, plus Richard Kiel RIP
by Bill Hunt[Editor’s Note: Be sure to like TheDigitalBits.com page on Facebook for great Blu-ray, DVD and film discussion with other readers and for live updates on your mobile device when new content is posted here!]
Today’s post is a quick one, as I have family visiting this weekend. However, we do have a couple things for you today…
First, Tim has posted a review of Twilight Time’s new Blu-ray of Two Rode Together, a classic John Ford and Jimmy Stewart western from 1961. Do give it a look. [Read on here…]