Super 8 (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)
May 27th, 2021 by Aaron Neuwirth
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Super 8, J.J. Abrams’ nostalgic, kid-focused sci-fi film, which is packed to the gills with homages to producer Steven Spielberg, who happened to serve as producer. The film was a decent success for its time and at the very least served as a chance for Elle Fanning to breakout earlier in her career and for Abrams to show much he loves the 80s Amblin era. Now the film has made its way to a 4K re-release, and even for a moderately budgeted feature, the gloss of a Bad Robot/Amblin production ideally means getting a superb picture and sound to go with the film. So, how the film has held up, and what does this new release has to offer?
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There are many directors which the Shout Factory (And Scream Factory) label love to celebrate and try to continue to add titles to bolster their collection of. Obviously John Carpenter has a mug at the home office. One who has seen consistent output as well is Joe Dante. A popular director of both big hits and cult films of the 1980s, one of his last remaining productions of that decade is seeing itself removed from the wishlists. His follow up to Gremlins, which featured break outs by Ethan Hawke and River Phoenix, called Explorers is getting Collector’s Edition treatment on May 25th. This 2-disc set not only comes with two different versions of the film (Home Video Cut and Theatrical Cut), but managed to produce a documentary that includes participation by not just Dante and crew, but Ethan Hawke has come back for it as well. You can order this nice set by using the paid Amazon Associates link that follows the review. 
Like Eliza DooLittle in the film, My Fair Lady is getting an upgrade in class for the home video department. The Audrey Hepburn-starring best picture winner is getting a heck of an upgrade for 4K Ultra-HD that has many (Including myself) thinking it’ll be a candidate for best of the year before it even releases. Its received an 8K scan from original 65mm elements, which make us all realize they could be future proofing for the next home video jump whenever that may be. Also armed with an upgraded 7.1 track, it’ll carry the bonus disc from the previous 50th anniversary edition for the supplemental features. Spoiler alert on the review, they did a pretty damn fine job on this release. Pre-ordering this one is a no-brainer, and you can do so by using the Paid Amazon Associates link that follows the review.
Experience the enormously popular animated feature THE TRANSFORMERS – THE MOVIE like never before! In celebration of the film’s 35th anniversary, THE TRANSFORMERS – THE MOVIE has been meticulously re-restored from a cleaner-than-ever, brand-new 4K transfer of the original 35mm film elements. Fans now can immerse themselves in this thrilling animated adventure with stunning picture quality for the optimal home entertainment experience, in 4K UHD for the first time. THE TRANSFORMERS – THE MOVIE has captured a special place in the hearts of millions and has been a staple in the pop culture zeitgeist since it premiered in theaters 35 years ago on August 8, 1986. Featuring memorable characters – the heroic AUTOBOTS, villainous DECEPTICONS and UNICRON, thrilling action and a heartfelt storyline, THE TRANSFORMERS – THE MOVIE is a cultural touchstone that spans generations. Beloved by legions of fans, this full-length animated adventure boasts the voice talent of Orson Welles in his final voice acting role and an all-star voice cast that includes Peter Cullen, Eric Idle, Casey Kasem, Judd Nelson, Leonard Nimoy, Robert Stack and Frank Welker. 
Tom & Jerry: The Movie gets a distinction of being the first film in the pandemic era to exceed its box office expectations upon coming out. The film managed to do so while also having a dual release as part of the HBO MAX premium deal going on throughout 2021. And now, its time for the animated duo and their new pal Chloe Grace Moretz to come to Blu-ray. It’ll feature an Atmos track alongside an assortment of bonus features. It arrives on May 18th. You can pre-order the Blu-ray by clicking on the paid Amazon Associates review below, if you so please to do. Or not, that’s up to you.
The Dark Knight must combat a unified front of classic DC Super-Villains, diffuse an escalating mob war and solve the mystery of the Holiday Killer in Batman: The Long Halloween, Part Two, the thrilling conclusion to the two-part entry in the popular series of DC Universe Movies. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, DC and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, the feature-length animated film – which will be accompanied by the latest DC Showcase animated short, Blue Beetle –arrives July 27, 2021 on Digital and August 10, 2021 on Blu-ray. Batman: The Long Halloween, Part Two is rated R for some violence and bloody images. Batman: The Long Halloween, Part Two will be available on Blu-ray as well as on Digital. The Blu-ray features a Blu-ray disc with the film in hi-definition and a digital version of the movie. In 2022, Batman: The Long Halloween, Part Two will be available on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack as a combined film presentation with Batman: The Long Halloween, Part One. 
Its interesting to think there are still a lot of very classic things still not on Blu-ray. And within that, there are still a lot of all things Charles Schulz’s Peanuts characters that aren’t on the format. We’ve even had some released on 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray. Paramount has restored and put together a little set featuring Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown, Race For Your Life, Charlie Brown, A Boy Named Charlie Brown and Snoopy Come Home. It arrives on May 18th, and you can order a copy using the paid Amazon Associates link following the review if you so kindly choose.
CBS All Access which became Paramount+ totally went into the Star Trek business with the streaming service. Launching with Star Trek: Discovery, there are now three different series that have aired with more others on the way. Each taking place in different areas of the series timeline. A standout among them is Star Trek: Lower Decks, which is an animated series hinged at amore adult comedic tone. They’ll be bringing that series to Blu-ray on May 18th. The 2-disc set comes with a plentiful wealth of featurettes and will have a steelbook edition that you can get as well. You can pre-order the first season using the paid Amazon Associates link that follows the review if you so choose.
Disney continued its premium Disney+ and theater same day offerings with their big spring animated release, Raya And The Last Dragon. The film came like any other of the current era, great reviews and people on the socials raving about it. A shame I wasn’t able to see this in the theater because it really felt like this one lent itself to utilizing a giant screen. Now, its coming to glorious 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray for folks to own it in the best quality possible with the best audio available. There’s a good load of zoom/remote recorded extras on here to boot, too. This one is a new arrival this week (May 18th) and you can order it using the paid Amazon Associates link below.
The sweeping action epic from legendary director Akira Kurosawa (Rashomon, Seven Samurai) gets a stunning 4K transfer when Ran arrives on Digital July 6 from Lionsgate. The film stars Tatsuya Nakadai (Hara-Kiri, Kagemusha, The Tale of The Princess Kaguya), Akira Terao (After the Rain, Half a Confession, Letter from the Mountain), Jinpachi Nezu (Kagemusha, Farewell to the Land, Runin: Banished), and Daisuke Ryû (Kagemusha, Legend of the Devil, Metropolis). Nominated for four Academy Awards®, including Best Director, Ran will be available on Digital in 4K on July 6th.
We have to be nearing the Warner Archive Collection release of Captain Blood, right? They seem to be strolling through the catalog of legendary director Michael Curtiz with an almost monthly regularity. He and actor Errol Flynn are also one of the earliest and most famed director/actor combinations of all time. This month of May, they are releasing their collaboration on The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex, which also stars the iconic Bette Davis as Queen Elizabeth and a breakout role for a young Vincent Price. They’ve done a 4K restoration from the Technicolor negative as well as ported over some of the original bonus features. It’ll hit the (online) streets on May 18th, and when you just hear “Michael Curtiz”, “Errol Flynn”, “Warner Archive” together, know its an instant pick up. Which you can do by pre-ordering using the paid Amazon Associates link following the review.
From acclaimed writer, producer and restauranteur Eddie Huang (“Fresh Off the Boat,” “Huang’s World”) comes a rousing and inspiring New York story about basketball, young love, fractious families, and pursuing big dreams against all odds in BOOGIE, available to own for the first time on Digital May 18, 2021 and on Blu-ray™, DVD and On Demand June 1, 2021 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Showcasing a breakout performance by first-time actor Taylor Takahashi, who was Huang’s personal assistant at the time he was cast, BOOGIE also features a diverse and eclectic supporting cast including Taylour Paige (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom), Pamelyn Chee (Princess of Nebraska), Domenick Lombardozzi (The Irishman), and the late rapper Pop Smoke, in his first screen performance.
