THE POOP SCOOP: Classics and Collectibles!

UPCOMING KIBBLES THAT MAKE US PURR!

KEN RUSSELL’S THE DEVILS on 4K April 20, 2027 from Warner Bros Clockwork. Ken Russell’s The Devils, the 4K restoration of the definitive, uncensored director’s cut, will be available for purchase on 4K UHD Blu-ray Disc for the first time ever. The 3-disc Collector’s Edition will include the 4K UHD presentation of the director’s cut as well as all three versions of the film for the first time ever on Blu-ray. The standard 4K UHD edition will include the director’s cut and new bonus material. Two versions of the 4K UHD disc will be available for purchase: the 4K UHD + Blu-ray Collector’s Edition as well as a standard 4K UHD Edition. The Collector’s Edition includes a rigid slipcase with an 8-panel 3-disc holder and 96-page book. There is more than 14 hours of material, including the Director’s Cut encoded by Fidelity in Motion on a 4K UHD disc; the Director’s Cut, UK X-rated cut and US R-rated cut on a Blu-ray disc; and a Blu-Ray disc including never-before-seen bonus material. The standard 4K UHD includes more than 4 hours of material in a slipcase with an 8-panel 1-disc digipak. This disc includes the Director’s Cut encoded by Fidelity in Motion and new bonus material. Both products are now available to pre-order.

PAN’S LABYRINTH 20th Anniversary Edition on Digital Now and 4K Collector’s Edition from Cineverse. Guillermo Del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth will be available on 4K + Blu-ray Collector's Edition Steelbook and Blu-ray Collector's Edition beginning December 1, 2026. The film is currently available to own on digital, and will be available for digital rental (VOD) on December 8, 2026. Due to overwhelming demand, Cineverse will release a 4K + Blu-ray Collector's Edition on December 29. The 4K restoration was overseen by del Toro, taken directly from the original 35mm elements.

MACHINE GUN KELLY On 4K December 15 from Film Masters. Hot off its triumphant global celebration as an Official Selection at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, Film Masters today announced its explosive entry into the ultra-high-definition market with its very first 4K UHD physical media release: Roger Corman’s Machine Gun Kelly (1958). This definitive two-disc UHD/Blu-ray set is being released for the first time since its original 1958 theatrical window, and completely restored to its native, ultra-wide Superscope aspect ratio. This landmark project is a crime drama directed by legendary filmmaker Roger Corman and starring Charles Bronson in a landmark early performance. 

MGA’S MINIVERSE REAL TV Makes Its Small-Screen Debut with Fully Functional Mini TV and Playable Video Tapes. MGA Entertainment (MGA) announces the launch of MGA's Miniverse Real TV Player and Video Tapes, a fully functional mini TV that plays collectible video tapes featuring clips from iconic movies and television shows. Combining nostalgia, pop culture and the thrill of collecting, Miniverse Real TV lets fans build their own miniature entertainment library with more than 30 playable mini video tapes inspired by NBCUniversal’s beloved entertainment brands including Amblin Entertainment and Universal Pictures’ Back to the Future, DreamWorks Animation’s Shrek and Kung Fu Panda as well as NBC and Peacock’s The Office and Saved by the Bell, and more. Insert a video tape into the Real TV, press play and watch a 30-second clip, transforming each mini collectible into an interactive entertainment experience. MGA’s Miniverse Real TV and Videos are available now at MGA Shop, with more retailers coming later this month. Fans can explore the entire MGA’s Miniverse product collection at MGA Shop.         

COLONY on 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD December 15 from Well Go USA. Horror master Yeon Sang-ho (TRAIN TO BUSAN) directs a new Korean zombie thriller. 

BEWARE BOIÚNA on Digital Now and Blu-ray (+Digital) December 15 from Lionsgate. Deep in the Amazon, a colossal ancient predator awakens to reclaim her domain. In the jungle where nature holds absolute power, she decides who lives and who dies. 

VERITY on 4K, Blu-ray and DVD December 15 from Alliance Entertainment. Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer, moves to the estate of renowned author Verity Crawford to ghostwrite her next novel. When she uncovers what appears to be Verity’s chilling notes, she wrestles with disturbing confessions about Verity’s husband Jeremy. 

RESIDENT EVIL on 4K, Blu-ray and DVD December 29 from Sony. From the mind of visionary filmmaker Zach Cregger (Weapons, Barbarian) comes a thrilling — and terrifying — reinvention of the Resident Evil franchise. 

THE DIRTY DOZEN Limited Edition on 4K and Blu-ray November 17 from Arrow Video.  The Limited Edition release features a brand-new 4K restoration from the original 35mm camera negative by Arrow Films. A Limited Edition Blu-ray release will also be available. 

THE ODYSSEY on 4K, Blu-ray and DVD November 17 from Universal. Now audiences can venture deeper into THE ODYSSEY with an essential collection of Special Features personally overseen by Christopher Nolan. A LIMITED EDITION 4K STEELBOOK IS ALSO AVAILABLE.

ROCKY 50th Anniversary 4K SteelBook coming December 15 from Alliance Entertainment. The 4K UHD includes three commentaries, more than three hours of additional bonus content, and a mini-poster..

THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING on 4K/Blu-ray November 24 from Warner Archive. Based on a Rudyard Kipling story, Sean Connery and Michael Caine -- chins out, shoulders squared and with a sly wink -- star as British sergeants Danny Dravot and Peachy Carnehan. 

 

FALL 2: DEADPOINT on Digital now and Blu-ray & DVD November 17 from Lionsgate. On a perilous climb across Thailand's Mount Kwan, two climbers become trapped thousands of feet above the ground. 

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE 80th Anniversary Limited Edition Gift Set coming November 17 from Paramount. This new Amazon Exclusive set includes 4K, Blu-ray, DVD and digital copies, as well as a keepsake book by actor/author Jimmy Hawkins.

COYOTE VS. ACME on 4K and Blu-ray December 1 from Ketchup Entertainment. Teaming up with billboard accident lawyer Kevin Avery (Will Forte), Wile E. Coyote takes on slick corporate counsel Buddy Crane (John Cena) and ACME, Inc.. 

LOGAN’S RUN on 4K and Blu-ray December 8 from Arrow Video. This new limited edition features a new restoration with plenty of new and vintage bonus features.

BULLITT on 4K and Blu-ray December 8 from Arrow Video. This new limited edition features a new restoration with plenty of new and vintage bonus features.

Catnip Reviews: FRANKENSTEIN, THE BRADY BUNCH and FLIC STORY

Snack-sized opinions from the frisky felines at Free Kittens…

FRANKENSTEIN (Blu-ray) - While I certainly have my issues with Netflix (both philosophically and its subversive business model), it deserves a lot of crunchy cat treats for one thing: When serving up a rare movie masterpiece such as Roma or The Irishman, they’ve managed to hook up with none other than The Criterion Collection to give the film an impressive physical media release. Guillermo del Toro’s gorgeous, epic adaptation of Frankenstein is certainly deserving of the same treatment, which Criterion provides with this Blu-ray edition (it’s also available in 4K). Personally speaking, this might be the best-ever version of Shelley’s gothic horror classic, but even if one isn’t inclined to agree, there’s no denying the reverence del Toro displays for the source material, both visually and narratively. It also happens to be one hell of an entertaining horror film that transcends the genre. And even though it’s readily available on Netflix, this release not only looks and sounds better, the inclusion of a director’s cut (running eight minutes longer) and an abundance of bonus material (not just superfluous promo stuff) make it a must own. (2025/159 min/Criterion Collection).

KITTY CONSENSUS: 😼😼😼😼😼

THE BRADY BUNCH: THE COMPLETE SERIES (DVD) - Sure, these days it’s easy to turn up your nose and poke fun at the brand of quaint, corny comedy that The Brady Bunch tickled kids with for five seasons in the dark ages. Even the subsequent movie adaptations mined most of their humor at the original series’ expense. But if you’re of a certain age, don’t even try to convince me the show wasn’t once a part of your TV diet every Friday night (right along with The Partridge Family, which aired immediately afterwards), so it ain’t the Bradys’ fault you outgrew it (probably pretty quickly, too). This DVD boxed set of the entire series doesn't have all the bells & whistles as recent Paramount releases like I Love Lucy and Star Trek. But if the show was part of your childhood, revisiting Greg’s transformation into Johnny Bravo, the tragedy of the broken vase and the family’s wild 3-part trip to Hawaii is a nostalgic kick. For those too young to know what the hell I’m talking about, consider checking out the show with this in-mind: If not for the kitschy groove of the original Brady Bunch, chances are you’d have never gotten the likes of Full House or half of the current programming on Disney Channel. (1969-1974/2980 min/Paramount).

KITTY CONSENSUS: 😼😼😼

FLIC STORY (Blu-ray) - As a prolific purveyor of French Crime thrillers, director Jacques Deray never quite approached the brilliance of Jean-Pierre Melville, but he cranked out some damn fine films during his career, especially during the ‘60s and ‘70s. If unfamiliar with his work, you owe it to yourself to check out such gems as Symphony for a Massacre, Borsalino, Three Men to Kill and this one, in which Deray once again collaborates with the great Alain Delon for a crackling thriller about Roger Borniche (Delon), a dedicated detective obsessed with capturing psychopathic career criminal Emile Buisson (Jean-Louis Trintignant), who’s escaped from prison and is now leaving a trail of mayhem and bodies in his wake. Based on Borniche's autobiography, I don’t know how much of this story is historically accurate, but it’s tension-filled, violent and massively entertaining, anchored by excellent performances from the two leads. The Blu-ray disc also includes a short video essay and a new audio commentary. (1975/112 min/Kino Lorber).

KITTY CONSENSUS: 😺😺😺😺

THE REBORN and the Miracle of Movie Science

THE REBORN (DVD)

2025 / 86 min

IndiePix

Review by Mr. Bonnie, the Betrayer😺

Here’s an interesting Chilean thriller that might’ve escaped your radar…

Manuel (Pedro Fontaine) and Oscar (Marco Antonio Caponi) are brothers who once had an unusual way of making a living: They’d be hired to fake the deaths of various people who needed to disappear, then chemically resurrect them after the funeral...through the miracle of movie science. 

Though now estranged from each other, the two are coerced into performing one last job…to fake the death of a mob bookkeeper who's skimmed millions from his boss. Things go swimmingly until Oscar takes off with the bookkeeper and extorts him for money before driving him across the border to start a new life. Meanwhile, the guys who originally hired them force Manuel to help find his brother and grab the bookkeeper. It turns out their plan all along was to betray the bookkeeper by selling him to the same mob boss.

"We have to resurrect him. The man owed me 18 bucks."

The narrative is loaded with conflict, complications and plot turns, most of them pretty interesting, if not always entirely plausible. But that’s never been a prerequisite for a good thriller. In the moment, The Reborn is very engaging, with numerous tension-filled sequences and bursts of vivid violence. Despite not having a lot of words for each other, the strained relationship between Manuel and Oscar is well established with a minimum of exposition. Hence, we become invested in both of them, even with their opposing agendas.

Good performances, a gritty atmosphere and an overall serious tone make The Reborn an enjoyably intense film, which sort of plays like a more grounded (and believable) variation of Eraser. For action fans looking for something a little different from the usual Hollywood boomfest, try giving this one a spin.

HORROR OF DRACULA: Christopher Lee Sucks in 4K

HORROR OF DRACULA (aka Dracula) (4K UHD)

1958 / 82 min

Warner Archive Collection

Available at MovieZyng.com

Review by Josey, the Sudden Cat🙀

You could argue endlessly over which adaptation of Bram Stoker’s novel is the best one. But with all due respect to the groundbreaking 1931 classic with Bela Lugosi, I always thought Hammer Films’ Dracula (US title: Horror of Dracula) was the most entertaining version (and for years, the most aesthetically striking). I’d also argue that no actor played the titular character more effectively - and with more conviction - than Christopher Lee.

That ain’t intended as some kind of hot-take, a stupid term that screams “look at me being a contrarian.” Over the years, Horror of Dracula has become nearly as revered and iconic as Tod Browning’s film. It made a star out of Lee, and along with The Curse of Frankenstein, firmly established Hammer Films as the leading purveyors of gothic horror. This one proved so popular that the studio pumped out several sequels of varying quality (though Lee wisely passed on a few of ‘em). 

The movie itself remains gothic and gory good time (well, gory by 1950’s standards), with elements of sexuality and violence only hinted at in previous versions. Peter Cushing (as Dracula’s nemesis Dr. Van Helsing) and Michael Cough have more actual screen time, but Lee owns this movie with a performance that presents Count Dracula as both seductive and menacing (even when camping things up just a bit). Revisiting the film for this review was also a reminder of how fun vampires can be when portrayed as pure, insatiable evil.

"Just give me the damn ball!"

Speaking of revisiting…Warner Archive serves it up on 4K with two different editions. First is an elaborate multi-disc boxed set with five cuts of the film, loads of bonus features and physical extras (as well as a hefty price tag). We were sent the more wallet-friendly 2-disc set to review, but while it’s not quite as comprehensive in the bonus features department, there’s still some great stuff here, a lot of it brand new. This one includes four cuts of the film, including a restored ‘Director’s Cut’ that’s been largely unavailable in the past. No matter the version, the film has been beautifully restored for 4K in all its gothic, blood red glory, and has never looked or sounded better. 

Historically, Horror of Dracula is one of horror’s most influential vampire films. But setting that aside, it has held up pretty well over time and remains a fun, atmospheric experience, which is well worth revisiting in 4K, no matter what previous version you might own.

EXTRA KIBBLES

4 CUTS OF THE FILM - Uncensored 1.66:1 director’s cut; 1.66:1 UK theatrical cut; uncensored 1.85:1 director’s cut; 1.85:1 US theatrical cut.

INTRODUCTION TO DIRECTOR’S CUT - By John Gore (who owns the rights to Hammer Films).

FEATURETTES - Proving Them Wrong is an enjoyable conversation between Christopher Lee’s niece, Dame Harriet Walker, and biographer Jonathan Rigby; The Road to Dracula is largely a look at director Terence Fisher, featuring biographer Tony Dalton, writers Stephen Laws & Wayne Kinsey, and publisher Dick Klemensen (this is the best of the new bonus features); Gothic for Christians is a analytical video essay read by actor Doug Bradley (Hellraiser).

4 NEW AUDIO COMMENTARIES

ARCHIVAL AUDIO COMMENTARY

CENSOR CARD

CLAPPER BOARDS - Of selected scenes.

OPENING TITLE VARIATIONS - Italian, Spanish and textless.

4 TRAILERS - US, German, textless US, textless German.

8MM CUTDOWNS - Studios used to offer shortened versions (10-20 minutes long) of certain movies for sale on single 8mm reels (pretty much the only way to “own” a film back then). This set includes color and black & white versions. Both have aged terribly, of course, but that’s part of their charm today.

Connery Goes Topless in THE HILL

THE HILL (Blu-ray)

1965 / 123 min

Warner Archive Collection

Available at MovieZyng.com

Review by Mr. Paws😺

Released in 1965, this is notable for being an early effort by Sean Connery to do something completely different than the Bond films, even going without a toupee for the role. It’s also his first of many collaborations with director Sidney Lumet, and while it doesn’t rank among either man’s greatest films, The Hill is a gripping prison drama.

Connery plays Trooper John Roberts, one of five new convicts arriving at a British military prison in the middle of the African desert. In command is Sgt. Major Wilson (Harry Andrews), who claims his methods of discipline turn criminals into men again, but are physically gruelling and cruel. Worst of all is what’s known as “The Hill,” a towering mound of sand in the center of the complex. As punishment, men are forced to repeatedly run up and down The Hill in full gear - and sweltering heat - until told to stop. And Wilson seems to have it in for Roberts.

Roberts sets a trap.

As harsh as Wilson is, his ambitious, sadistic new guard, Staff Sgt. Williams (Ian Hendry), is even worse, and ultimately responsible for the death of cellmate Private Stevens (Alfred Lynch). The incident exacerbates Roberts' open defiance, as well as his surviving cellmates, save for weaselly Private Bartlett (Roy Kinnear). Meanwhile, the treatment of these guys grows steadily worse. Private Watson (Jack Watson) remains stoic, but Jacko King (Ossie Davis), who’s subjected to vicious racism, eventually goes mad. The men gain sympathy from the medical officer (Michael Redgrave) and another guard, Staff Sgt. Harris (Ian Bannen), the latter who implores Wilson to do something about Williams.

Narratively and aesthetically bleak, The Hill is nevertheless a compelling film. Similar to 1973’s Papillon, its harsh depiction of inmate treatment is kind of exhausting, with no respite in sight. The big difference here is these characters are incarcerated for offenses where the punishment doesn’t fit the crime. Connery stands out with an excellent performance, and most of the ensemble cast is very good. However, hearing Andrews rapidly screaming most of his dialogue eventually forced me to turn on the subtitles…

…on a related note, please forgive this brief detour, but while I was watching, my daughter came into the room to ask a question, so I paused the film, freezing Sgt. Major Wilson mid-shower:

I’m sure we’ve all paused films at an amusing moment, but that screenshot of Andrews vigorously enjoying his shower - along with the subtitle - made me laugh so hard I just had to share it. I also posted it on Facebook, without context. I’m not sure why the picture (taken with my phone) has such a blue tint, but since I posted it the day after the midterm election, a few friends might have mistaken it for a Blue Wave meme. I guess it kind-of works as one, doesn’t it? It’s certainly how I felt the next day.

But back to The Hill. I wouldn’t quite call it a “fun” film, but it’s pretty fascinating. Like his classics, 12 Angry Men and Fail Safe, Lumet opts for a level of aesthetic minimalism - stark black & white cinematography; no music score; no toupee for Connery(!) - that effectively underscores the overall tone. It didn’t do well in theaters and has since been sort-of forgotten over the years, but the film is well worth rediscovering.

EXTRA KIBBLES

FEATURETTE - The Sun…The Sand…The Hill features footage of the film’s premiere at Cannes, on-set stills and interview clips.

CARTOON SHORT - The Year of the Mouse, featuring Tom & Jerry.

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By Cinema Retro editor Lee Pfeiffer and historians Paul Scrabo & Tony Latino.

TRAILER

THE POOP SCOOP: A Clowder of Thrillers!

UPCOMING KIBBLES THAT MAKE US PURR!

Yeon Sang-ho’s zombie thriller COLONY debuts on 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD December 15 from Well Go USA. Horror master Yeon Sang-ho (TRAIN TO BUSAN) directs a new Korean zombie thriller starring Gianna Jun and Koo Kyo-hwan. Professor Se-jeong (Jun) is thrust into a bloody nightmare when a rapidly mutating virus is released during a biotech conference, causing authorities to seal the facility. Trapped inside with no escape, Se-jeong, along with a small group of survivors, must fight to stay alive while the infected undergo horrific transformations. 

BEWARE BOIÚNA on Digital Now and Blu-ray (+Digital) December 15 from Lionsgate. Deep in the Amazon, a medical mission spirals into a fight for survival when Boiúna, a colossal ancient predator, awakens to reclaim her domain. In the jungle where nature holds absolute power, she decides who lives and who dies.Directed by Mike P. Nelson (Silent Night, Deadly Night), from a screenplay by Alan McElroy and story by Tony Giglio and Alan McElroy, BEWARE BOIÚNA stars Kiana Madeira (Fear Street film trilogy), Jessica Rothe (Happy Death Day), and Logan Marshall-Green (TV’s “Marshals”). 

VERITY, featuring Anne Hathaway, on 4K, Blu-ray and DVD December 15 from Alliance Entertainment. Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer, relocates to the remote estate of renowned author Verity Crawford to ghostwrite her next novel. When she uncovers what appears to be Verity’s chilling autobiographical notes, Lowen wrestles with disturbing confessions about Verity’s husband Jeremy, and finds it hard to separate fiction from reality, manipulation from attraction, and opportunity from obsession. 

Zack Cregger’s RESIDENT EVIL on 4K, Blu-ray and DVD December 29 from Sony. From the mind of visionary filmmaker Zach Cregger (Weapons, Barbarian) comes a thrilling — and terrifying — reinvention of the Resident Evil franchise. In an all-new story, Resident Evil follows Bryan (Austin Abrams), a medical courier who unwittingly finds himself in an action-packed, non-stop race for survival as one fateful, horrifying night collapses around him in chaos. 

THE DIRTY DOZEN Limited Edition on 4K and Blu-ray November 17 from Arrow Video.  The Limited Edition release features a brand-new 4K restoration from the original 35mm camera negative by Arrow Films. A Limited Edition Blu-ray release will also be available. 

Christopher Nolan’s THE ODYSSEY on 4K, Blu-ray and DVD November 17 from Universal. Now audiences can venture deeper into THE ODYSSEY with an essential collection of Special Features personally overseen by Christopher Nolan. A LIMITED EDITION 4K STEELBOOK IS ALSO AVAILABLE.

ROCKY 50th Anniversary 4K SteelBook coming December 15 from Alliance Entertainment. The 4K UHD includes three commentaries featuring Sylvester Stallone, members of the cast and filmmakers, and renowned boxing experts. The Blu-ray also offers more than three hours of additional bonus content, and the whole thing comes with a mini-poster..

THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING on 4K/Blu-ray November 24 from Warner Archive. Based on a Rudyard Kipling story, Sean Connery and Michael Caine -- chins out, shoulders squared and with a sly wink -- star as British sergeants Danny Dravot and Peachy Carnehan. The Empire was built by men like these two. Now they're out to build their own empire, venturing into remote Kafiristan to become rich as kings. 

 

FALL 2: DEADPOINT on Digital now and Blu-ray & DVD November 17 from Lionsgate. On a perilous climb across Thailand's Mount Kwan, two climbers become trapped thousands of feet above the ground, where vertigo-inducing heights, sheer exposure, and impossible odds turn every moment into a fight for survival. 

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE 80th Anniversary Limited Edition Gift Set coming November 17 from Paramount. This new Amazon Exclusive set includes 4K, Blu-ray, DVD and digital copies, as well as a keepsake book by actor/author Jimmy Hawkins.

COYOTE VS. ACME on 4K and Blu-ray December 1 from Ketchup Entertainment. Teaming up with billboard accident lawyer Kevin Avery (Will Forte), Wile E. Coyote takes on slick corporate counsel Buddy Crane (John Cena) and ACME, Inc.. 

LOGAN’S RUN on 4K and Blu-ray December 8 from Arrow Video. This new limited edition features a new restoration with plenty of new and vintage bonus features.

BULLITT on 4K and Blu-ray December 8 from Arrow Video. This new limited edition features a new restoration with plenty of new and vintage bonus features.