All right, review work is continuing here at The Bits and we should have a few new ones up soon. And in the interest of getting back to that, today’s post will be brief.

But Tim has posted his thoughts on Clint Eastwood’s High Plains Drifter (1973) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics, not to mention Michele Massimo Tarantini’s Massacre in Dinosaur Valley (1985) also on Blu-ray from Severin Films.

And Dennis has turned in his thoughts on Phil Joanou’s The Veil (2016) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics as well.

Now then... in announcement news today, Paramount has announced that Melvin Frank and Norman Panama’s 1955 musical-comedy The Court Jester will arrive on Blu-ray on 1/26/2021 as part of the studio’s Paramount Presents line of releases. [Read on here...]

We’re rounding out the week with another new disc review and some great breaking Blu-ray and 4K release news as well.

First up the disc review: I’ve just posted my thoughts on Kino Lorber Studio Classics’ new Blu-ray release of the Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979) feature film, which streets on November 24th. It’s a nice HD presentation and the first time the film has appeared on the format in its 1.85:1 theatrical aspect ratio. Do give it a look.

Also, we may check back in later today with a review of Neill Blomkamp’s District 9 in 4K Ultra HD from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. It’s definitely in progress, so keep your eyes peeled for that.

Now then, in announcement news today, our friends at the Warner Archive Collection have just revealed their December slate of Blu-ray titles, and it’s fantastic. [Read on here...]

We’re working on more new disc reviews here at The Bits today. Specifically, I’ve got District 9 in 4K from Sony, and V for Vendetta in 4K from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. So I’m going to try to get at last one of those up tomorrow. Tim and Dennis have more in progress today as well.

Meanwhile, Tim has a look at Harry Kümel’s 1971 Belgian horror film Daughters of Darkness, now available in 4K Ultra HD from Blue Underground. Tim says the new 4K scan—from the first time taken from the original camera negative—is a revelation. You’ll find his thoughts here.

The big news today is that Discotek Media has just officially announced their long-awaited 4K Ultra HD release of Hayao Miyazaki’s first animated film, Lupin the Third: The Castle of Cagliostro (1979). Look for it to street on 1/26/2021. [Read on here...]

We’re working on more disc reviews here at the site today, but we do have a couple of things for you today…

First up, on Monday night I was able to post my in-depth review of HBO’s Game of Thrones: The Complete Collection in 4K Ultra HD here at The Bits.

It’s a very impressive set, I have to say. It’s not cheap, but if you’re a fan, it’s a better picture and sound upgrade than you might be expecting. You can see all the details for yourself here.

Also, Dennis has turned in his thoughts on Lamont Johnson’s The Groundstar Conspiracy (1972), now available on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics. The Hal Roach Studios/Universal title stars George Peppard.

In announcement news today, Acorn has set the BBC One thriller The Nest for DVD release on 11/17. [Read on here...]

All right, today’s news post here on The Bits will be brief, as I’m working to complete my review of HBO’s Game of Thrones: The Complete Series in 4K Ultra HD.

There’s a LOT of content to cover in the set—but knock wood—I should have my thoughts finished by this evening. The set is impressive, I’ll say that much right now. Great 4K image quality (with both Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10), stunning Atmos sound, and it’s loaded with extras—including much of the content that was on exclusive retailer bonus discs previously. More later. The set streets tomorrow.

Also today, I posted a review over the weekend of Richard Gray’s Robert the Bruce (2019) in 4K, the Braveheart semi-sequel featuring actor Angus MacFadyen reprising his role as the title character. It’s a modest but I think quite good film that I’ve reviewed on Blu-ray previously. Now you can get it from Germany in 4K Ultra HD and it’s actually available on Amazon US right now for just $28.

You can read the review here and order the disc via this link. [Read on here...]

Afternoon, folks. We’ve got a few things for you today to close out the week.

First up, we have a trio of new Blu-ray reviews...

Tim has posted his thoughts on Scott Beck and Bryan Woods’ Haunt (2019) from Ronin Flix.

And Dennis has taken a look at Jan de Bont’s The Haunting (1999) from the Paramount Presents line, as well as Herbert Ross’ The Secret of My Success (1987) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

I’m also about to get my hands on a pretty significant Q4 4K Ultra HD release later today, so (with luck) I’ll be working on a review of the title over the weekend.

No, it’s not Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit, but let’s just say winter is near. So watch for an update over the next few days. [Read on here...]

All right, first things first today: I’m pleased to report that we did not have to evacuate from these wildfires here in SoCal after all. But it was a long night while we waited to find that out. Thankfully, when I stepped out this morning, it appeared that the fires had moved farther away from us, not closer. And this afternoon the evacuation orders all around us were lifted. So... whew!

It’s going to take a couple days to get back to normal around here, but I count that as a good problem to have, considering the alternative.

Now then... the big news today is that our industry and retail sources are telling us that Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is quietly preparing to release Neill Blomkamp’s Elysium, Rian Johnson’s Looper, and Andrew Niccol’s GATTACA in 4K Ultra HD early in 2021. Elysium and Looper are already available digitally in 4K, and a few European retailers have listed GATTACA for physical 4K release in March. [Read on here...]

Okay, we’ve just heard back from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on that audio issue with The Flintstones: The Complete Series on Blu-ray (see our review here, which notes the specific issue with the audio on Episode 17 found on Disc One). Warner has confirmed the issue, corrected it, and is now setting up a disc replacement program. They ask people to contact this email address to arrange a replacement disc:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Include in your email the following details:

• Full Name
• Phone number
• Email address
• Mailing address where the replacement disc should be shipped

It sounds like the fixed discs are being produced now. [Read on here...]

We have a little bit more interesting release news for you to check out today (by way of closing out the week)...

First of all, our friends at Arrow Video have just announced their January 2021 slate of home video titles, and it’s pretty terrific. It starts with UK only Blu-ray releases of Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza’s [Rec] and Park Chan-wook’s Oldboy. Oldboy will also be released on 4K Ultra HD (in the UK only), but remember that 4K discs are not region locked.

Next up, Arrow is releasing Park Chan-wook’s JSA: Joint Security Area and Richard Kelly’s Southland Tales on Blu-ray Disc in the UK, US, and Canada.

Finally, those of you who missed out of Arrow’s recent (and fast selling) Gamera box set (reviewed here on The Bits) will be pleased to know that its films are being reissued on Blu-ray (again in the UK, US, and Canada) in a more wide-release configuration. Three SKUs will be available: Gamera: The Heisei Era (3 films plus a documentary and the Gamera the Brave film as a bonus) as both a wide-release box set and as a Steelbook, and Gamera: The Showa Era (8 films) as a wide-release box set. Obviously, you won’t get all the swag their original big box included, but at least this gives more of you access to the films in HD. [Read on here...]

We’ve got a pair of new disc reviews for you to read today...

Tim has taken a look at Steve Beck’s Ghost Ship (2002), now available on Collector’s Edition Blu-ray from Scream Factory.

Also today, Dennis has turned in his thoughts on Simon Langton’s The Whistle Blower (1986) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

Meanwhile, I posted my in-depth thoughts on Robert Zemeckis’s Back to the Future: The Ultimate Trilogy on 4K Ultra HD from Universal on Monday, so do check that out in the event you missed it.

In announcement news today, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has set Roland Emmerich’s 2012 for release on 4K Ultra HD on 1/19. [Read on here...]