JB sale finishes on July 19th at 23:59

For those of you who still buy Blu-ray as well as 4K UHD Blu-ray; JB Hi-Fi Australia have a Disney Blu-ray sale $AU10 each: 155 Titles.

Link: Disney Blu-ray Sale

Now that the initial glut of information has slowed somewhat, I intend to post the Upcoming Release Info sheet every Thursday.

Australia gets release information long before NZ, so I will list titles based on info from Australia, and add NZ when available.

Individual film artwork and specs will be posted as soon as its available

Some release dates may change for NZ. Films Out Now will be displayed for two Thursdays after release.

All Prices Are Quoted From JB Hi-Fi Australia and New Zealand. No Price, and neither JB have it advertised yet.

Out Now:

THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE (2023) [$NZ39.98][$AU39.98]  SteelBook [$NZ59.98] [$AU49.98] 20% off at JB Hi-Fi NZ until 23:59/July 19th 

AVATAR (2009): Ultimate Collector's Edition [$NZ29.98] [$AU29.98] 20% off at JB Hi-Fi NZ until 23:59/July 19th

AVATAR: The Way of Water (2022) [$NZ46.98] [$AU36.98] SteelBook [$AU39.98] not yet announced for a NZ release. 20% off at JB Hi-Fi NZ until 23:59/July 19th

RESERVOIR DOGS (1992): Limited Edition - 3D Lenticular Cover [$NZ74.98] [$AU64.98] 20% off at JB Hi-Fi NZ until 23:59/July 19th

TOY STORY (1995) Disney 100 SteelBook [$AU49.98]

COCO (2017) Disney 100 SteelBook [$AU49.98]

Cars (2006) Disney 100 SteelBook [$AU49.98]

July 19th:

EVIL DEAD RISE (2023) [$NZ47.98] [$AU39.98]

EAST OF EDEN (1955) [$NZ29.98] [$AU26.98]

RIO BRAVO (1959) [NZ$29.98] [$AU26.98]

NATIONAL LAMPOONS VACATION (1983) [$NZ29.98] [$AU26.98]

SCREAM VI (2023) [$NZ39.98] [$AU39.98]

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (1978) [NZ$29.98] [$AU29.98]

THE LAST OF US: The Complete First Season (2023) [$NZ74.98] [$AU59.98] SteelBook [$NZ79.98] [$AU64.98]

July 26th

RAZORBACK (1984) [$AU39.98]

August 09th

VIOLET EVERGARDEN: The Movie (Japanese Anime) [$AU49.98]

August 16th

DUEL (1971)

August 23rd:

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY Vol. 3 (2023) [$NZ46.98] [$AU39.98] SteelBook [$AU44.98] 

FAST X (2023) [$NZ39.98] [$AU39.98] SteelBook [$NZ59.98] [$AU49.98]

ENTER THE DRAGON (1973)

THE LAST WAVE (1977)

September 13th:

CROSS OF IRON (1977) Classics Re-mastered Series [Mighty Ape NZ - $NZ28.99] [$AU-TBA]

SPIDER-MAN: Across the Spider-Verse (2023) [$NZ39.98] [$AU39.98] SteelBook [$AU49.98]

SPIDER-MAN: Across the Spider-Verse/Into the Spider-Verse 2-Movie Collection [$NZ59.98] [$AU59.98]

September 27th

DR. STRANGELOVE: Or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb (1964)

U-571 (2000)

October 11th

TRANSFORMERS: Rise of the Beasts (2023) [$AU39.98] SteelBook {$AU49.98]

GHOST DOG: The Way of the Samurai (1999) Classics Re-Mastered Series

THE PIANIST (2002) Classics Re-Mastered Series

THE OTHERS (2001)

CUTTHROAT ISLAND (1995)

November 13th

THE WICKER MAN (1973)

Coming Soon

THE FLASH (2023) [$AU36.98] SteelBook [$39.98]

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 7: Dead Reckoning - Part 1 (2023)

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY Vol. 3 - SteelBook. Not yet announced for NZ, but I expect that it will be.

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 27th

DR. STRANGELOVE: Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying, and Love the Bomb (1964)

Nominated for four Academy Awards including Best Picture (1964), Stanley Kubrick's black comedy about a group of paranoia-inspired, war-happy generals who manage to initiate an accidental nuclear apocalypse is horribly frightening, delightfully funny and surprisingly relevant to this day. This is the saga of two psychotic generals: Joint Chief of Staff Buck Turgidson (George C. Scott) and Air Force Strategic Commander Jack Ripper (Sterling Hayden), who orders a bomber squadron to attack the USSR, triggering a Soviet secret weapon, the Doomsday Machine, a diabolical retaliatory missile system. Peter Sellers portrays a trio of men who attempt to avert this catastrophe: British Captain Lionel Mandrake, the only person with access to paranoid Gen. Ripper; U.S. President Muffley, whose best attempt at diverting this disaster depends on convincing a boozed-up Soviet Premier it's all a silly mistake; and the President's advisor, Dr. Strangelove, a demented ex-Nazi scientist. Can any one of them possibly save the world?

Via Vision Entertainment: 4K Ultra HD (1-Disc Set: 1 - BD 66)

Video: HDR10

Audio: DTS-HD MA 5.1: DTS-HD MA 2.0: Mono

Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1

Run Time: 1:35

Classification: PG

Australian release date for GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY Vol.3; Has been brought forward two weeks to August 9th

Movieman:

 

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 27th

 

DR. STRANGELOVE: Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying, and Love the Bomb (1964)

 

It'll be interesting to see how this compares to the 2016 Criterion Blu-ray. There's a limit to what you can do with 60-year-old black and white film, after all.

Edit: Actually, the booklet (and is really is "let", being 30x45 mm!) says that it was mastered at 4k, so the new release could use the same master.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 23rd

THE LAST WAVE (1977) [$AU39.98] Slipcover In Original Pressing.

Internationally acclaimed filmmaker Peter Weir explores a startling world on the brink of apocalypse in The Last Wave, a time and place where Mother Nature and human nature are destined to collide in catastrophic disaster. When lawyer David Burton (Richard Chamberlain), is assigned a case to defend a group of indigenous Australian men, he is unprepared for the nightmares and dreamscapes ahead. Accused of murdering one of their own, the men stand trial amidst suspicious circumstances and, as Burton becomes plagued by unsettling visions, he is drawn to the mysterious Chris Lee for answers to his torment. As the erratic climate turns dangerous, Burton senses a greater power at play, where tribal customs and the ancient ideas of Dreamtime may be more than just an ominous warning. Featuring atmospheric cinematography by Oscar® winner Russell Boyd, The Last Wave is a haunting journey into the depths of the unknown, where dreams and nightmares conspire as one, now presented in stunning 4K UHD for the first time.

Umbrella Entertainment: 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray (2-Disc Set)

Video: HDR10

Audio: DTS-HD MA 2.0

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1

Run Time: 1:45

Classification: PG

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 23rd

ENTER THE DRAGON (1973) [$AU26.98]

Twenty-five years following his untimely death, Bruce Lee remains the movies' supreme martial-arts star. Enter the Dragon, fully restored, and containing 3 minutes not included in the original theatrical release, stands the test of time as the most popular martial-arts epic in film history. Recruited by an intelligence agency, outstanding martial arts student Bruce Lee participates in a brutal karate tournament hosted by the evil Han. Along with champions Roper and Williams, he uncovers Han's white slavery and drug trafficking ring located on a secret island fortress. In the exciting climax, hundreds of freed prisoners fight in an epic battle with Lee and Han locked in a deadly duel.

Roadshow Entertainment: 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray (2-Disc Set)

Video: HDR10

Audio: Dolby Atmos/Dolby True HD 7.1

Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1

Run Time: 1:42

Classification: MA15+: Strong Violence

Just to state how far we are behind Australia when it comes to 4K Ultra HD releases.

Australian JB Hi-Fi have 675 results in their search engine. New Zealand JB Hi-Fi 287.

Movieman:

 

Just to state how far we are behind Australia when it comes to 4K Ultra HD releases.

 

Australian JB Hi-Fi have 675 results in their search engine. New Zealand JB Hi-Fi 287.

 

Annoying, isn't it? They tell us to buy locally and support local businesses. I tried to buy a blockbuster superhero movie a while ago and a fortnight after release Mighty Ape still hadn't even bothered to list it. I ended up buying it from Amazon instead.

Behodar:

 

Movieman:

 

Just to state how far we are behind Australia when it comes to 4K Ultra HD releases.

 

Australian JB Hi-Fi have 675 results in their search engine. New Zealand JB Hi-Fi 287.

 

 

Annoying, isn't it? They tell us to buy locally and support local businesses. I tried to buy a blockbuster superhero movie a while ago and a fortnight after release Mighty Ape still hadn't even bothered to list it. I ended up buying it from Amazon instead.

 

I don't use Mighty Ape anymore. Their delivery service is second to none, but their Movie prices are far too expensive, except for the occasional sale price. And yes, it is bloody annoying 😠

THE FLASH (2023) has a release date of September 13th. Final artwork has not been revealed for Australasia yet.

What is a SteelBook® case? Simply put, it is the world's most prestigious and highly-sought after collectible packaging for home entertainment media such as Blu-ray and Games. Prized by fans and collectors for its iconic design, luxurious finish and ability to showcase artwork, the SteelBook® case is a premium metal case that represents the ultimate way to store your favorite movies and games.

Often produced in limited edition print runs, which makes them especially highly desirable with collectors, SteelBook® cases have a weight, precision and quality that is unlike any other packaging.

There is no better canvas on which to showcase artwork, and film fans are thrilled when they discover the wonderful, often specially commissioned, designs that are used on SteelBook® editions.

Not only are the artworks created for SteelBook® cases usually the most beautiful of any product released by distributors, but they often incorporate design attributes that only printing on metal can give.

A unique aspect of SteelBook® packaging that makes it such an exciting product, is the ability to achieve an almost limitless array of incredible finishes.

Three particular techniques that can be used to enhance SteelBook® cases are worth highlighting.

Embossing/Debossing:
Embossing or debossing part of the design into the steel can help provide a three-dimensional effect to the artwork.  This can make the SteelBook® case even more beautiful and tactile.

Use of White:
With regular printing of artwork on paper, white is the base colour of the paper.  However with SteelBook® case the base colour is the metal layer of the steel itself. A white layer is usually first printed onto the steel before any other colours are applied.

One of the most important techniques that can be used with SteelBook® cases is to use the white layer in a creative way to enhance the design. If the SteelBook® edition is intended to look metallic, or have areas where the metal needs to show through, then white is removed from those areas.  Where the artwork needs to look bright and very colourful, then a very opaque white layer is used.  By carefully varying the opacity of the white layer within the artwork, it is possible to create some truly amazing and unique pieces of art. When colours are printed onto the steel with no white layer underneath, they will take on a metallic sheen to them. The interaction between those three elements: the base steel, the white layer and the final colours printed on top, not only allows for an enormous level of creativity, but can play a vital role in how the final SteelBook® case is perceived by collectors.

Varnish:
Once the SteelBook® edition’s artwork has been printed, a final layer of varnish is applied to seal in the artwork.

The choice of varnish applied will have a dramatic effect on colours. A gloss finish brings out brighter colours, and gives blacker blacks. Conversely a matte finish tends to create a subtler, more muted palette. Not only does the varnish dramatically affect the intensity of the colours, but it can have an impact on the tactile feel of the final SteelBook® product.  Matt varnished SteelBooks® case for instance can feel wonderfully silky and sensual to the touch.  Partial varnish options are also available, meaning, for instance, that a SteelBook® case that is mostly a matt finish could have selected elements given a gloss finish, which will highlight these further.  Lastly, varnish techniques can be creatively used to apply a texture to the final design.

Copied from the Scanavo website.

I was gonna buy two movies from the JB Hi-Fi NZ 20% off sale, but ended up buying six. Bloody sales 😬

Avatar, Avatar: The Way of Water, Dungeons & Dragons, Bullet Train, No Time To Die and John Wick 4 are the first titles in my 4K Ultra HD re-union 😃

Been waiting for a price drop on No Time To Die on iTunes, but I got tired of waiting. It'll probably be discounted now.