I have been checking out the releases coming this year on the Blu Ray format and there is some really good stuff coming out.
I note Tremors is coming out again in March and i wonder if it will be a new transfer, the original release has a processed look with too much edge enhancement and perhaps studio's are now starting to fix older releases and the double dip scenario is unfolding.
Near the end of March see's the release of John Huston's classic film The African Queen. This film is a little gem and has fine performances by Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn.
Days Of Heaven will also be released the very same day as The African Queen on the Criterion label.
Days Of Heaven is directed by Terrence Malick has beautiful cinematography and hopefully The Thin Red Line will be out this year too as that one also has wonderful cinematography.
The 1974 film Vampyres released on the Blue Underground label has restored the film with missing footage the censors originally cut out. Annoyingly they seem to be only offering a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 sound mix. I would like the original mono mix too please.
Coming in April is a 25th Anniversary release of Cocoon.
Also out in April is the theatrical editions of The Lord Of The Rings trilogy. Personally i will wait until the extended editions hit the market but this should please many people.
Dreamscape also comes out in April. This 1984 film originally had nunchaku scenes removed by the BBFC although these cuts are now restored. ( Rest in peace James Ferman and frankly good riddance ) This man singlehandedly treated the British public like idiots.
The Relic is a good little monster feature but the DVD transfer was abyssmal, it was extremely soft looking and hopefully the Blu Ray edition will be a huge improvement.
The Natural is a must buy and features the orginal theatrical cut and an extended edition of the movie, the music score for this film is fantastic and memorable.
More Spielberg arrives in April with Minority Report. I thought the film was ok but i think i would rent it rather than buy it. I just wasn't blown away by it at all.
Those who love classic cinema can buy Battleship Potemkin also out in April on the Kino label.
The end of April also see's the release of Armageddon, Tombstone, Out Of Africa and Traffic. I would personally buy both Armageddon and Tombstone if they are the extended editions.
Disney lost the masters of a number of movies in a fire and Armageddon and Tombstone will have had new masters created using the latest film scanners so i hope the excessive edge enhancement seen on the Vista DVD of Tombstone is now gone and the image should be detailed and film like.
In May we get David Lean's classic Doctor Zhivago from Warner and i love classic movies so that's one i will buy.
Also in May is another Spielberg movie and this time it's Saving Private Ryan. I like the movie and the sound mix is great and should be extra special in lossless.
In May Criterion releases the classic M and Walkabout.
The end of May see's Lucio Fulci's City Of The Living Dead hit Blu Ray, hopefully Zombi 2 aka Zombie Flesh Eaters and The Beyond will follow.
The second season of True Blood arrives at the end of May and i'm now hooked on this series.
The last season of Lost arrives earlier this year in August and i have bought every season since release and will buy this too even though season 5 was a little disappointing.
Disney titles which should arrive this year include Dumbo, Fantasia, Fantasia 2000 and in October Beauty and the Beast. All must buys for me.
The Alien Quadrilogy is also expected sometime this year, personally i could live with just the first two movies but would pick up the set.
I hope they give us the original isolated alternate music score found on the original DVD of Alien.
Ben Hur missed the anniversary last year but is due out this year.
The Evil Dead is said to be coming out this year and i hope it's not a widescreen edition. The movie was filmed 1.37:1 and should be presented that way on Blu Ray.
I hear Wild Wild West may be hitting Blu Ray. Why ???