“The first time, it will dazzle your senses. The second time, you’ll see it for the first time.”

The Digital Bits is pleased to present this retrospective commemorating the 35th anniversary of the release of Apocalypse Now, Francis Ford Coppola’s award-winning Vietnam War epic.

The Bits marks the occasion with this retrospective article featuring a compilation of box-office data that helps place the film’s performance in context, quotes from a selection of movie critics, production and exhibition information, a list of the film’s original 70-millimeter presentations, and an interview segment.  [Read on here…]

All right, we’ve got a bit of ground to cover here at The Bits today. There’s quite a bit of release news to report.

First up, Warner Home Video has announced the Blu-ray 3D Combo, Blu-ray Combo, DVD, and Digital release of Edge of Tomorrow on 10/7 (SRP $44.95, $35.99, and $28.98 for the discs). Extras on the Blu-ray versions will include deleted scenes, 5 featurettes (Operation Downfall – Adrenaline Cut, Storming the Beach, Weapons of the Future, Creatures Not of This World, and On the Edge with Doug Liman), and the usual digital copy options.  [Read on here…]

We’ve got a new review for you today and a great new column as well.

First, Tim Salmons has turned in his thoughts on Scream Factory’s Eve of Destruction on Blu-ray. Nothing like a little B-grade rampaging cyborg action. Do check it out.

Also today, our own Bud Elder has a new View from the Cheap Seats column for you as well, in which he tells more tales of his time leading Hollywood types around the state of Oklahoma on location scouting trips. Don’t miss it.  [Read on here…]

Here are a couple of other stories from the salt mines of Oklahoma location scouting. There’s many, many more. But I can only bore so much..

Both tales involve the terrific writer, film critic and Pulitzer Prize winner Stephen Hunter. In his 1993 novel Point of Impact, Hunter created the character Bob Lee “The Nailer” Swagger, which has now been featured, along with his father, Earl, in some 12 novels, the most recent of which is Sniper’s Honor.  [Read on here...]

Well… we had a server issue here at The Bits yesterday afternoon that took down the site for most of the day. No worries though: Mr. Scott and the boys down in Engineering got the bugs worked out quickly and all is now well. But it means today’s post is going to be brief.  [Read on here…]

This is a pretty, pretty big week for release volume. Lots and lots of stuff come to store shelves, so break out your check books. I know I am.

Batman: Assault on Arkham – Technically this animation falls into the Arkham videogame world and not the DCAU - but when you’re watching a film about the Suicide Squad, who cares. The Squad is tasked by Waller to infiltrate Arkham Asylum to kill Riddler while Batman is tracking down a dirty bomb set by The Joker. Action packed fun all around, and I can’t wait. [Read on here…]

Before we get to this week’s new MOD releases, I’d like to call your attention to a recently launched Kickstarter campaign. I know, I know… I swear I’ll be quick and it’s worthy of your support.

As you know, one of my pet causes here at The Bits is urging studios to release obscure and semi-forgotten movies on DVD via the ongoing JET’s Most Wanted project on the Electric Theatre Facebook page. The folks at Seattle’s Scarecrow Video have been doing that since the long-forgotten pre-internet days. Do you have a copy of Criterion’s spectacular Two-Lane Blacktop? Scarecrow Video is a big reason why it exists.  [Read on here...]

All right, we’ve got some cool news for you anime fans. FUNimation has officially announced that their planned Cowboy Bebop: The Complete Series will finally arrive on Blu-ray Disc (and also DVD) in December. Four versions are planned: A DVD standard edition, a Blu-ray standard edition, an Amazon-exclusive BD/DVD combo premium edition, and a second BD/DVD Combo premium edition that will be exclusive to the FUNimation.com site. The exclusive versions will include different packaging and collectable swag items TBA. The exact street date and further details will follow in the weeks ahead, so we’ll be sure to update when they do.  [Read on here…]

All right, we have some good announcement news for you guys today...

First thought, our own Tim Salmons has checked in with a review of Universal’s Sabotage on Blu-ray, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. Enjoy!

Now then... in announcement news today, we have a street date for you on HBO’s Game of Thrones: The Complete Fourth Season on Blu-ray and DVD. Look for it on 2/17 (SRP $79.98 and $59.99). You can pre-order it below.  [Read on here…]

Quick one for you today...

First, Tim has checked in with another Blu-ray review this afternoon, this time featuring Scream Factory’s Deadly Eyes. Enjoy!

In announcement news, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment has set Earth to Echo for Blu-ray and DVD release on 10/21.

Fox has also set Mr. Peabody & Sherman for Blu-ray Combo and DVD release on 10/14, with Fargo: Season One up for pre-order on Blu-ray and DVD that same day (SRP $59.99 and $49.98).  [Read on here…]