DVD & Blu-Ray News Round-up

So this is the first in what will hopefully be a continuing series of news & rumor round-up posts.  I’ll probably be refining the style and format as we go along so bear with me.

So I don’t know if you’ve heard this yet but this year marks the 100th anniversary of Universal Pictures.  To celebrate Universal is doing new restorations on 13 classic films: All Quiet on the Western Front, The Birds, Buck Privates, Dracula (the 1931 version), Dracula (Spanish version), Frankenstein, Jaws, Schindler’s List, Out of Africa, Pillow Talk, Bride of Frankenstein, The Sting and To Kill a Mockingbird.  It’s rumored that there will be more restorations to follow.   There was also this little tidbit from a recent press release:

"Universal Home Entertainment will be introducing a limited edition 100th Anniversary Collector's Series featuring some of the aforementioned film restorations on Blu-ray in collectible, book-style packaging showcasing rare movie memorabilia and brand new 10-minute video featurettes. In addition, special collections will be released throughout the year, culminating in the highly anticipated Blu-ray releases of Universal's Classic Monster and Alfred Hitchcock series. A selection of movies that have shaped Universal's legacy will also be released in commemorative packaging, many of them on Blu-ray for the first time ever."

Now, I’m excited.  Hopefully we’ll see more than the two Frankenstein and Dracula films released.  I want Creature From The Black Lagoon in 3-D goddamnit.  It’ll also be nice to finally get the remaining Hitchcock out of the vaults.  Universal’s Blu-Ray of Psycho looked fucking gorgeous so I’m excited to see The Birds.



 

Criterion just released their annual teaser for the year.  Of course it’s all in code so let’s see if we can crack it.

 

• So there are three Samurai near the top.  I’m assuming that is either The Samurai Trilogy or Three Outlaw Samurai.  Both of those are great.


• Right below that on the sign is part of the poster for Eating Raoul.  That should be obvious.


• To the right of that is a motorcycle with a bunch of mirrors.  The general consensus is that it’s the scooter from Quadrophenia.


• The big rock in the middle might be an iceberg from A Night To Remember.


• I’ve got no idea what the Coney Island sign means.


• The waves in the upper right are probably Breaking The Waves.


• I have no idea what all the cars or the straight lines are from.


• The marionette puppet is rumored to be Being John Malkovich.


• The menage-a-tois is E Tu Mama Tambien I believe.


• The woman riding the motorcycle  and the guy digging the grave supposedly Harold & Maude. Maude is wearing a medallion which is rumored to be Rosemary’s Baby.


• I have no idea what the mime or the three clams are supposed to mean.

Do you have any guesses?  Let me know in the comments...



 

German company Turbine is releasing gore classic Mark of the Devil on March 16th.  I don’t think that there’s been any word on the specs or features yet.  Blue Underground has the rights to this in America so hopefully this will see a release over here at some point.

 

 

 

 

Speaking of Blue Underground, they have announced that Killer Nun will be making it’s Blu Ray debut on April 24th.  Special features include an interview with writer/director Guilio Berruti and the trailer.  I liked this movie when I saw it last so I’m kind of looking forward to this release.  Here's the press release: