My Two Cents
We’re very pleased this morning to bring you some great breaking release news...
Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment has just officially set director Robert Zemeckis’ ground-breaking animation/live action comedy Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) for release on 4K Ultra HD on 12/7! You can see the cover artwork at left and also below.
We first reported that this title was coming over a year ago here at The Digital Bits, with studio sources originally providing us with a street date of 10/12. More recently those same sources had suggested to us that the title could slip into early 2022. (The other 4K title we were told to expect along with it—Michael Mann’s Heat (1995)—is likely to be so delayed.) So it’s great to see that work on the Roger Rabbit 4K release has finally been completed in time for a release this year. [Read on here...]
All right, we’ve got a few odds and ends to report on for you today...
First up, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will be releasing a new Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone: Anniversary 8-Film Collector’s Edition on 11/2, featuring all 8 films in the series in both 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray, packaged in a cardboard replica of the Hogwarts Express (SRP $139.99). The box will also include a replica train ticket and a photo book featuring a look at props and other items from the films. You can see the open packaging below the break. Before you get too excited, these are the exact same discs released previously. But if you’re a fan and you haven’t yet upgraded to 4K, this might be just the thing.
Also in 4K Ultra HD news today, we’ve learned that Koch Media in Germany has delayed their wide release of David Lynch’s Dune on Blu-ray and 4K (as well as their web store exclusive Dune: Ultimate Edition 4K/Blu-ray set) to 10/14. (It was previously set to street on 8/26). The reason is that this will now be the only place you’ll be able to see Ballyhoo Motion Pictures’ feature-length documentary The Sleeper Must Awaken: Making Dune. As we’ve reported previously, the Arrow Video 4K and Blu-ray release will street on 8/31 as originally planned, but it will no longer include the documentary. Adjust your plans accordingly. [Read on here...]
All right, we’ve got a little bit of ground to cover today news-wise, so let’s get right to it...
First up, Universal has officially announced F9: The Fast Saga for release on Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD on 9/21, with the Digital release expected on 9/7. Both the Blu-ray and 4K will include Dolby Atmos audio. The 4K disc will also include HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision high dynamic range. These discs will feature both the theatrical cut and a Director’s Cut that runs about 7 minutes longer. Extras will include audio commentary on both versions with director Justin Lin, a gag reel, and 6 featurettes (F9: All In, Practically Fast, Shifting Priorities, Justice for Han, A Day on Set with Justin Lin, and John Cena: Supercar Superfan). You can see the cover artwork at left and also below.
Disney has officially announced the Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD release of The Jungle Cruise on 11/16, just four days after it goes into wide availability on Disney+. The Digital release is expected on 8/31. Look for the 4K disc to include HDR10 high dynamic range and Dolby Atmos audio. Extras will include a Jungle Cruise Expedition Mode viewing option (that includes pop-up trivia), 4 behind-the-scenes featurettes (It’s a Jungle Out There: Making Jungle Cruise, Dwayne and Emily: Undoubtedly Funny, Creating the Amazon, and Once a Skip, Always a Skip), outtakes, and 11 deleted scenes. The cover artwork isn’t available yet.
Meanwhile, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has set Space Jam: A New Legacy for release on Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD on 10/5, with the Digital release expected on 9/3. Look for HDR10 high dynamic range and Dolby Atmos audio on the 4K. Extras will include 4 featurettes (First Quarter: Game On, Second Quarter: Teamwork, Third Quarter: Out of This World, and Fourth Quarter: The Looniest), plus deleted scenes. You’ll find the cover art below. [Read on here...]
All right, the big news today is that Criterion has just officially announced their November slate of Blu-ray—and yes, 4K Ultra HD—titles!
They begin with an upgrade of Federico Fellini’s La strada (Spine #219 – Blu-ray) on 11/2, followed by an upgrade of David Lynch’s Mulholland Dr. (Spine #799 – Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD Combo) and Once Upon a Time in China: The Complete Films (Spine #1103 – Blu-ray – includes Once Upon a Time in China I-V) on 11/16, and Albert and Allen Hughes’ Menace II Society (Spine #1105 – Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD Combo) and Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane (Spine #1104 – Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD Combo) on 11/23. Let’s talk 4Ks...
Mulholland Dr. will include a new 4K digital restoration, supervised by director David Lynch and director of photography Peter Deming, with a 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack. The 4K disc will include Dolby Vision HDR.
Menace II Society will include a new 4K digital restoration of the directors’ cut of the film, supervised by cinematographer Lisa Rinzler and codirector Albert Hughes, with 7.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack. The 4K disc will include Dolby Vision HDR.
Citizen Kane will include a new 4K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack. Again, the 4K disc will include Dolby Vision HDR. [Read on here...]
All right, we have just a couple of quick updates for you here at The Bits today, but first we have a new disc review...
Stephen has taken a look at Stephen Sommers’ G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009) as newly-released on 4K Ultra HD by Paramount. Sounds like it’s a modest but decent upgrade over the existing Blu-ray, so do give it a look if you’re a fan.
Now then, in terms of announcement news, Lionsgate has set writer-director Janicza Bravo’s Zola for release on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital on 9/14. Extras will include audio commentary with Bravo and editor Joi McMillon, the Y’all Wanna Hear a Story: Making Zola featurette, and deleted scenes with optional audio commentary.
Lionsgate will also release Twist on Blu-ray and DVD on 9/28. The film stars Lena Headey and Michael Caine. Extras will include The Artful Dodger: Twist’s Underworld featurette. [Read on here...]