RIO BRAVO & EAST OF EDEN Debut On 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray July 18th!
May 30th, 2023 by Brandon Peters
As part of the year-long centennial celebration for the 100th anniversary of Warner Bros. Studio, two iconic classics from the Warner Bros. library – East of Eden and Rio Bravo – will be available for purchase on 4K Ultra HD Disc and Digital July 18. East of Eden, directed by Academy Award winner Elia Kazan and starring James Dean, and Rio Bravo, directed by Honorary Academy Award winner Howard Hawks and starring John Wayne, will be available to purchase on Ultra HD Blu-ray™Disc from online and in-store at major retailers and available for purchase Digitally from Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, Google Play, Vudu and more.
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One the year’s big surprises was the big time appreciation for Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. While people debate on the how good or worthy House of The Dragon and The Rings Of Power are on television, the original geek fantasy property took to the big screen for a well rounded, singular tale that aimed at a full enjoyment in one sitting. And now, you can own one of the year’s most like films on 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray. It comes with plenty of featurettes and an Atmos track. It was released on May 30th and you can order yourself a copy by using the paid Amazon Associates link that follows the review at the bottom of this page. Scroll…or…roll your mouse to find it.
The beloved and best-selling classic that has impacted generations, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. arrives on Digital June 6, On Demand June 27, and on Blu-ray™ + DVD + Digital Combo and DVD July 11 from Lionsgate. Abby Ryder Fortson (Ant-Man and the Wasp, Forever My Girl) is joined by a remarkable all-star cast, including Rachel McAdams (The Notebook, Mean Girls), Benny Safdie (Licorice Pizza, Good Time), and Kathy Bates (TV’s “American Horror Story,” Misery). Written for the screen and directed by Kelly Fremon Craig (The Edge of Seventeen), Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. will be available on Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Combo, and DVD.
A personal favorite comic book superhero film of mine from the last 15 years is that of David F. Sandberg’s Shazam! It hit a lot of sweet spots for me and was an all around delightful affair. With that movie doing some lighter business, I was grateful we got a sequel. It took some time to get here, but Shazam! Fury of the Gods released this past March to some disappointing numbers. But, as I said, I was happy to have just one more adventure with these heroes. Debuting on Max and 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray on May 23rd, the disc is loaded with bonus features, including a half hour of deleted material and a commentary from Sandberg. You can order yourself a copy by using the paid Amazon Associates link following the review.
One of the better ongoing franchise IPs for the last 8 years has been the resurgence of Rocky via Creed, which launched in 2016 with Ryan Coogler’s instant classic that garnered Sylvester Stallone his second acting Oscar nomination for the character of Rocky Balboa and continued the rise of Michael B. Jordan as a name above marquee star. The third film in the series, Creed III, saw the directorial debut of Michael B. Jordan. It was a big hit this past March, which was loaded with quality new releases in various franchises. The 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray release, complete with two featurettes and deleted scenes, arrived on May 23rd. You can order yourself a copy of it by clicking on the paid Amazon Associates link that follows the review.
In CREEPSHOW, masters of the macabre – writer Stephen King and director George A. Romero – conjure up five shocking yarns, each a virtuoso exercise in the ghouls-and-gags style of classic ’50s horror comics. On June 20, 2023, SCREAM FACTORY™ will release CREEPSHOW Collector’s Edition in a 4K UHD™+ Blu-ray™ combo pack. Available for the first time being released in 4K UHD™ format, this highly anticipated release features a new 4K scan (2023) from the original camera negative in Dolby Vision and comes loaded with special bonus content. The collector’s edition includes limited-edition collectible slipcover packaging with original theatrical poster art and contains a reversible art wrap featuring alternative art. Loyal fans and collectors ordering from ShoutFactory.com will receive an exclusive 18×24 roll poster featuring the original theatrical artwork, available while supplies last. 
Jam-packed with epic kung-fu tales from the legendary Hong Kong studio, Shout! Factory is proud to announce Shaw Brothers Classics, Vol. 1. Featuring eleven films from the influential filmmakers never before available on Blu-ray in North America, this deluxe box set will be available June 13, 2023. Fans can pre-order copies by visiting ShoutFactory.com
Scream Factory continues its upgrades of previous Collector’s Edition titles with Wes Craven’s The People Under The Stairs. Here’s hoping maybe some more Craven is coming somewhere down the pipeline. This updated disc will feature a 4K scan of the original camera negative. Extra from the previous edition are ported over as well as the interviews featured on the 2013 Arrow Video Blu-ray of the film. You can pre-order the release, which comes out at the very end of the month on May 30th, by using the paid Amazon Associates link that follows the end of the review.
National Lampoon’s Vacation, directed by Harold Ramis and starring Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo as Clark and Ellen Griswold, will be released on Ultra HD Blu-ray and Digital on June 27. As Warner Bros celebrates its 100th anniversary, this film is highlighted as a studio gem on its 40th anniversary. The 1983 classic comedy film from Warner Bros. Pictures was written by John Hughes and was based on his short story “Vacation ’58 which appeared in the publication “National Lampoon.” The film was produced by Matty Simmons and also stars Imogene Coca, Randy Quaid, John Candy, Anthony Michael Hall, Dana Barron, and Christie Brinkley in her acting debut. National Lampoon’s Vacation also features special appearances by Eddie Bracken, Brian-Doyle Murray, James Keach, and Eugene Levy. Ultra HD* showcases 4K resolution with High Dynamic Range (HDR) and a wider color spectrum, offering consumers brighter, deeper, more lifelike colors for a home entertainment viewing experience like never before. National Lampoon’s Vacation will be available on Ultra HD Blu-ray and includes an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc with the feature film in 4K with HDR and a Digital download of the film. Fans can also own National Lampoon’s Vacation in 4K Ultra HD via purchase from select digital retailers beginning on June 27. 
One of the most anticipated sets for most home video collectors when a format changes is that of the Christopher Reeve-led Superman films that ran for a decade. Surprisingly still the pinnacle Superman on film to this day, the whole series will be arriving on 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray on May 9th. The original film had been released prior, but now we have the other 3, including the 2006 Richard Donner cut of the second one. This is a rather port the extras and update the video and audio release, but so much has been said and done with this, that’s just fine by me. My one wish would be an extended cut of Superman IV, but I know I’m in a short order of folks who would pay good money for that. You can order yourself a copy of Superman: 5-Film Collection (1978-1987) by using the paid Amazon Associates link that follows the review.
Experience a riveting, gore-filled thriller when “Evil Dead Rise” arrives for purchase Digitally at home on May 9. The film is directed by Lee Cronin, starring Lily Sullivan (“I Met a Girl,” TV’s “Barkskins”) and Alyssa Sutherland (TV’s “New Gold Mountain,” TV’s “Vikings). The film will also be available to purchase on 4K UHD Combo Pack, Blu-ray and DVD beginning on June 27. From New Line Cinema and Renaissance Pictures, the film also stars Morgan Davies (TV’s “The End,” “Storm Boy”), Gabrielle Echols (“Reminiscence”) and introducing Nell Fisher (“Northspur”). The film was produced by longtime franchise producer Rob Tapert and executive produced by series creator and horror icon Sam Raimi and cult legend and “Ash” himself, Bruce Campbell, along with John Keville, Macdara Kelleher, Richard Brener, Dave Neustadter, Romel Adam and Victoria Palmeri. 
Its nice that M. Night Shyamalan has found some footing again in being a solid filmmakers. While he’s not getting a hit every time out, the output is rather rock solid and of legit public interest. There was a a time when his name popping up in a trailer would yield audible groans from an audience. But since The Visit, he’s been a pretty dependable genre filmmaker. This time, he’s here with the apocalyptic drama Knock At The Cabin. The film was a mild success this past February and wound up hitting Peacock early. Now you’ll be able to own a pristine 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray copy of it, complete with Atmos sound and some fun featurettes. The release date is May 9th, and you can pre-order yourself a copy from the paid Amazon Associates link below.
Kicking off Marvel’s “Phase 5” of its cinematic universe, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania will be arriving on 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray on May 16th. Already available digitally and on Disney+, the film will be able to actually own and in its best possible presentation that day to go along with some nifty extras and Atmos sound. This piece of the puzzle underwhelmed from any number of perspectives and brought forth some interesting conversations regarding the state of the MCU as well as the treatment of digital artists by juggernaut studio. For those of you keeping up with the home video releases, you can pre-order yourself a copy using the paid Amazon Associates link following the review to hopefully have at your doorstep at or in close proximity to the release date.
Old friends and new foes come together when John Wick: Chapter 4 arrives On Demand May 23 and 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack (plus Blu-ray and Digital), Blu-ray Combo Pack (plus DVD and Digital), and DVD June 13 from Lionsgate. The high action-thriller, which has grossed a franchise-best $400 million+ at the global box office, directed by Chad Stahelski and written by Shay Hatten and Michael Finch, stars Keanu Reeves (The Matrix franchise) as he returns in the titular role, joined by franchise regulars Laurence Fishburne (The Matrix franchise), Lance Reddick (TV’s “Lost”), and lan McShane (“Deadwood”) while welcoming Donnie Yen (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), Bill Skarsgård (It franchise), Hiroyuki Sanada (Avengers: Endgame), Shamier Anderson (Race), Rina Sawayama (TV’s “Turn Up Charlie”), and Scott Adkins (Accident Man: Hitman’s Holiday). 
An action-packed adventure that’s fun for the whole family, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES arrives for fans to watch at home on Premium Video-On-Demand and to purchase on Digital May 2, 2023 from Paramount Home Entertainment. “Bursting with action, comedy and spectacle” (Kristy Puchko, Mashable), DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES has been hailed as “a total blast” (Scott Mantz, KTLA-TV) and “the best movie of the year” (Lex Briscuso, The Wrap). Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes® and boasting a 93% audience score, the film is “the perfect movie for the whole family!” (Joe Deckelmeier, Screen Rant).
Shout! Factory has really been coming in hot with their set releases of classic Hong Kong action films of the 70s and 80s. Touting a few Jackie Chan collections and a Sonny Chiba one, their next set features the early work of Donnie Yen. The Tiger Cage Collection features three films more known as cult classics of their “heroic bloodshed” era, sitting in the shadows of the John Woo/Chow Yun Fat epics. Armed with brand new interviews, commentaries and other goodies, this three disc set will be available on May 9th. You can pre-order yourself a copy now using the paid Amazon Associates link following the review at the bottom of the page.
Ghostface is more terrifying than ever on a rampage in the Big Apple in the “flawless” and “razor-sharp game-changer” (Meagan Navarro, Bloody Disgusting) SCREAM VI, arriving for purchase on Digital April 25, 2023 from Paramount Home Entertainment. No one is safe and everyone is a suspect in the smash hit thriller from Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group that has earned more than $167 million worldwide. The four survivors from the most recent Woodsboro Ghostface killings have moved to New York City for a fresh start. Just as they begin to feel a sense of normalcy, they receive that infamous call. Ghostface is more brutal and relentless than ever and will stop at nothing to hunt them down. 
