Saturday Night Live: The Early Years on DVD Now!
October 13th, 2020 by Gerard Iribe
On October 11, 1975, Saturday Night Live, a topical comedy sketch show, made its debut on NBC. Created by Canadian-born comedy writer Lorne Michaels, it would go on to become a renowned launch pad for generational talent and unforgettable characters and become the longest-running, highest-rated show on late-night television. The first five years of Saturday Night Live featured some of the most beloved cast members of all time, including Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Garrett Morris, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, Jane Curtin, and Laraine Newman and they set the stage for some of the most hilarious live television comedy American audiences had ever seen. Continue reading ‘Saturday Night Live: The Early Years on DVD Now!’
4K BLUsday reigns supreme again! Who has their Friday the 13th boxed set from Scream Factory already? Not me, I have mine coming from Amazon hopefully Thursday as scheduled. Announcements this week include the huge announcement of the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies coming in time for the holidays on 4K. Oh annnnnd…I’m giving away a copy of the new Back To The Future trilogy (On standard Blu-ray…but hey, its a GIVEAWAY!) On the latest episode of 4K BLUsday on The Brandon Peters Show, I go over all of this and more. Listen to the podcast version then watch here or head over to YouTube to see the video companion where I showcase some of today’s new releases as well as new review arrivals for me and more. Remember to subscribe to whatever avenue you choose and not miss out on making this stuff fun to share! 
Are you fright film fans ready for more blood and gore galore? We’re keeping our coverage going fast and furious of the amazing 
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment announced today that 1998’s Blade will be released on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and Digital on December 1. Directed by Stephen Norrington (The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen) and written by David S. Goyer (The Dark Knight trilogy), the film stars Wesley Snipes and the half-vampire, half-human vampire hunter Blade, Stephen Dorff, Kris Kristofferson, N’Bushe Wright, Donal Logue, Udo Kier, and Sanaa Lathan. Blade was produced by Peter Frankfurt, Wesley Snipes, and Robert Engelman, and is based on the Marvel “Blade” created by Marv Wolfman and Gene Colan. 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. Blade will be available on Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack and includes an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc with the feature film in 4K with HDR and a Blu-ray disc with the feature film and special features. Fans can also own Blade in 4K Ultra HD via purchase from select digital retailers beginning on December 1st. 
Get ready for the ultimate presentation of the heart-pounding supernatural thriller by heralded master of horror director John Carpenter (Halloween, The Fog, They Live), as the Prince of Darkness Collector’s Edition (4k UHD/Blu-Ray™) will be released from Scream Factory™ on January 19th. Starring Donald Pleasence (Halloween), Jameson Parker (Simon & Simon), Lisa Blount (Needful Things), rock icon Alice Cooper, Victor Wong and Dennis Dun (both from Carpenter’s Big Trouble In Little China), Carpenter’s Prince of Darkness is about a terrifying battle between mankind and the ultimate evil.
Warner Archive Collection is adding the 1990 film Reversal of Fortune to their roster for October. Based on a true story, the film tells a tale from a high profile case of law professor Alan Dershowitz and the murder trial of Claus von Bulow. Historically, besides being a well received film, it is notable for being the film that landed Jeremy Irons the Academy Award for Best Actor. The film also earned nominations for Best Director and Best Screenplay Based on Material From Another Medium. It features plenty of familiar faces in the cast sporting early roles in their respective careers. Coming along for the ride as bonus materials are a trailer and a commentary. The film is now available for pre-order. The release date is October the 13th (Oooh, big competition for that Friday the 13th set!), and you can use the paid Amazon Associates link below to pre-order and have upon release. Or you can secure a copy by ordering straight from Warner Archive Collection’s site. 
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment announced today that The Hobbit Trilogy and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, from Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson, will be available for the first time on 4K UHD on December 1. From New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, the two epic trilogies include the theatrical and extended versions of the six films in 4K UHD with HDR. The Hobbit Trilogy includes The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, and The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy includes The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, which won Academy Awards® for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay. Both trilogies will also include Digital copies of both versions of each film. 4K Ultra HD** showcases 4K resolution with High Dynamic Range (HDR) and a wider color spectrum, offering consumers brighter, deeper, and more lifelike colors for a home entertainment viewing experience like never before. The 4K remastering process was overseen by Peter Jackson. 
Two interesting concepts come together as one in the latest DC Comics Animated Universe film (Going under a “DC Showcase” banner). One of their most requested stories for adaptation is the Death in the Family arc from the late 1980s. You know, the “Death of Robin”. In a nifty little touch, that is almost a fitting tribute of how things went down back then, they are utilizing a choose your own adventure approach to the film, allowing you to pick certain fates which leads to one of seven possible endings. This is a short film, but getting through these unlocks different routes, storylines or takes on similar scenes. In addition to Death in the Family, it features four other DC Showcase shorts. And there are commentaries for everything as a bonus feature. Warner Bros is set to release this on October 13th. It well to know that the digital version does not have the choose your own path option, but does include streamlined versions of some predetermined routes. However, one of the endings is only found on the disc version. Considering the Blu-ray comes with a digital code, why not go this avenue?
When I saw the trailer for Drop Dead Gorgeous and then once the film released in 1999, later on home video, I just poked my nose up and said “nah!” and carried on. Young, adolescent, ignorant and stupid as I was in my youth as a “film lover” and one studying the art. I had heard this film had a pretty solid reputation over the years, and my curiosity to right my wrong of not even giving it a chance back in the day never scratched the itch. Once Warner Archive Collection announced it and offered it up for review, this was my opportunity to finally go back and check out the film. They’ve released it for the first time on the format this week (October 6th is the actual street day), and you can order it from them or the paid Amazon Associates link at the end of the review. Unfortunately, aside from the film’s trailer, there aren’t any old or new extras to be found on the disc. But, fans should rejoice in what is a pretty excellent presentation for the film in its first showing on Blu-ray.
The social media world was set ablaze back when it was announced that Patrick Stewart would be reprising his iconic role of Jean Luc Picard of Star Trek: The Next Generation on a new show for the CBS All Access service. Those not even curious on jumping to check out to discover were all of a sudden like “OH I LOVE CBS! HOW WONDERFUL!”. Simply titled Picard, the show picks up with him well past retirement and spurned on a new quest revolving around his long gone comrade, Data. The featured some familiar faces and a rogue mission for the aged stalwart and warmed the hearts of many a Trekkie. CBS/Paramount are doing the right thing and give them the chance to collect it in physical form when it comes to Blu-ray on October 6th. There are plenty of bonus features to go around, including the Short Treks episode that leads into the show that was not included on the Short Treks compilation Blu-ray from a few months ago. You can ahead and order yourself a copy from the paid Amazon link below.
