Latest news with #Bluray
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
For true film fans, Netflix and Amazon Prime will never replace Blu-ray
The first time I saw a Blu-ray playing on a high-definition television, it changed my life. I was in the electricals department of a shop in Cambridge, and the film was Guys and Dolls. The clarity was such that I felt I could shake hands with Marlon Brando and Jean Simmons. Within days, I had blown all my pocket money on such a television and a Blu-ray player. Then came an even more significant moment of revelation. I bought the Blu-ray of Brighton Rock, and even though it is in black and white, my breath was taken away by one of the early scenes. When Pinkie and his gang are chasing Kolley Kibber through the back streets of the town, the definition was so perfect, I felt I was there with them, in 1947. Not only did it drag me into the film in a way I had never felt before, but it gave me an entirely new conception of the past. I started upgrading my DVD collection to Blu-rays as those of my favourite films came out. Some were only minor improvements – Kind Hearts and Coronets was not quite of the standard I had hoped for – but others were stunning. The Cruel Sea transports you to the North Atlantic; the restoration of The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp is surely one of the greatest cultural feats of our times. But several really rather wonderful films are not on Blu-ray. I know there is talk of the format disappearing as everything is streamed, but (as with the streaming of music and compact discs) the quality is never as good, and real fanatics will always want a hard copy and good machinery on which to play it. Rely on streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime for viewing films and you risk an unreliable Wi-Fi connection scuppering your viewing. There is also the fear that a cherished title will be dropped from the service's library without warning, before you've had a chance to (re)watch it. Blu-ray presents no such problems. So, in an attempt to be helpful, I thought I'd suggest a few British cinema classics that someone really ought to set about restoring and putting on Blu-ray. First, however, there is one magnificent American film that one can get on Blu-ray only by buying an import, which requires a different region's player on which to watch it: William Wyler's masterpiece The Best Years of Our Lives, from 1946. It is hardly a marginal work – it won eight Oscars – and it defies belief that no British distributor has brought out an edition for our market. Similarly, two great British films can be had as imports, with all the related problems, but are not available in British editions: Powell and Pressburger's 49th Parallel, and Anthony Asquith's moving film of Terence Rattigan's The Browning Version, with an awesome performance by Michael Redgrave. One very culturally significant British film, Chance of a Lifetime, from 1950, is not even available at the moment on a commercial DVD, let alone a Blu-ray, and would seem ripe for the attentions of the British Film Institute. It was part-funded by a state film-finance corporation set up by the Attlee administration to help the native film industry survive some idiotic trade and economic policies that had almost brought it to its knees. It tells the story of a West Country agricultural-machinery firm where the workers become so militant that the owner invites them to run it. It is to an extent allegorical with the state of the country at the time; and another allegory, the charming 1944 film Tawny Pipit, should also be on Blu-ray. Instead of Nazis attacking innocent nations, bird's-egg thieves try to attack the nest of a rare bird. It is a profound gem. Will Hay's best film, My Learned Friend, is not on Blu-ray, while some of his less brilliant films are. And one of the darkest and most superbly acted films of the 1940s, The Rocking Horse Winner, about a boy with a manipulative mother, is only on DVD. The two worst omissions are, however, two of the finest films of the Second World War. Launder and Gilliat's Millions Like Us overwhelms by its realism and its sheer projection of decency and courage, and is one of the most important historical documents of the period. Even more inexplicable has been the failure to restore, Colonel Blimp-style, the film I regard as Powell and Pressburger's finest, A Canterbury Tale. Written by Emeric Pressburger, a Hungarian Jewish refugee from the Nazis, it is for me the most English film ever made, projecting all our finest values. The BFI, which does much excellent work in this regard, should start there.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Movie Buffs, Take Note — It's the Last Week to Save Up to 50% on the Criterion Collection
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission. Between price hikes and the constant flow of movies and TV shows on and off various streaming services, it's no surprise that, while the overall trendline points down, there's a devout community of collectors committed to movies on physical media. Nowhere is that more evident than the fanbase around the Criterion Collection, which restores and reissues acclaimed classics and arthouse films. More from Rolling Stone The Best Soundcore Earbuds of 2025 See Your Legends While You Can: From Guns 'N Roses to The Who, These Legacy Acts Are Hitting the Road for (Maybe) the Last Time Sling TV Review: A Highly Flexible (Yet Affordable) Way to Free Yourself from Cable for Good And while their titles tend to command a premium, Barnes & Noble is currently running a deal that offers 50% off dozens of Criterion titles, including recent releases and sought-after classics. The month-long sale kicked off last month and runs through July 27, meaning it's the last week for cinephiles to save. Barnes & Noble typically runs deals on Criterion Collection Blu-rays and DVDs twice a year, with the next sale slated for the holiday season. Even beyond the community of collectors, the Criterion Collection has continued to generate buzz among movie buffs. Take its Closet Picks series, which features actors pulling films from the shelves and discussing their favorites. To celebrate its 40th anniversary, Criterion took the closet (which is actually in a van) on the road for fans to have their own Criterion Closet experience, causing massive crowds to line up. And while not everyone got a chance to peek inside the closet, Barnes & Noble's sale is a very worthwhile consolation prize. These are our closet picks, or you can browse the entire sale here. Prices shown are for Blu-ray discs, though many of these films are available in 4K or DVD as well. Parasite $19.99 $39.99 50% off Buy Now at B&N No Country for Old Men $19.99 $39.99 50% off Buy Now at B&N Ikiru $19.99 $39.99 50% off Buy Now at B&N The Before Trilogy $49.99 $99.99 50% off Buy Now at B&N Anora $19.99 $39.99 50% off Buy Now at B&N Barry Lyndon $19.99 $39.99 50% off Buy Now at B&N Chungking Express $19.99 $39.99 50% off Buy Now at B&N Brazil $24.99 $49.99 50% off Buy Now at B&N Blue Velvet $19.99 $39.99 50% off Buy Now at B&N La Haine $19.99 $39.99 50% off Buy Now at B&N Paris, Texas $19.99 $39.99 50% off Buy Now at B&N Sorcerer $19.99 $39.99 50% off Buy Now at B&N Carnal Knowledge $19.99 $39.99 50% off Buy Now at B&N Mulholland Dr. $19.99 $39.99 50% off Buy Now at B&N The Wes Anderson Collection $349.99 $499.99 30% off Buy Now at B&N Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films $112.49 $224.99 50% off Buy Now at B&N Best of Rolling Stone The Best Audiophile Turntables for Your Home Audio System
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Best Blu-rays on Sale for Prime Day: From ‘Nosferatu' to ‘Twin Peaks'
Gather round children and listen to my lecture about the importance of physical media. Sometimes, when a person loves a show or movie so much the only way to show that love is by owning a physical copy of its contents. Plus, what if there's an apocalypse? Sure, sure we will all need clean water, shelter electricity and food but after all that's sorted out… what are you gonna watch? And if you're an Amazon Prime member, you'll get these Blu-ray disc quickly with free two-day shipping. Not a member? Sign up for a 30-day free trial to take advantage of all that Amazon Prime has to offer, including access to Prime Video, a year of free Grubhub+ for meal deliveries, discounts at Whole Foods Market, access to exclusive shopping events — like Prime Day and Black Friday — and more. More from Variety How to Watch 'Dexter: Resurrection' Online Without Cable MotoGP Germany 2025: How to Watch the Grand Prix Motorcycling Racing Live Online The 24-Movie 'James Bond' Blu-ray Collection Is Only $55 Right Now for Prime Day With only one more day until Prime Day concludes, deals on on Blu-ray disc and box sets are still running strong. Here are some of our favorites. NO. 1 BESTSELLER Buy Now On Amazon $15.99 $15.99 This Lily Rose-Depp horror drove a stake through box office expectations when it first released last December. Now, the Oscar-nominated film is available on Blu-ray for only $16 on Amazon, where it's a No. 1 bestseller. $53.79 $76.99 30% off Buy Now On Amazon 'Twin Peaks' has enjoyed a resurgence over the past year following creator David Lynch's tragic passing earlier this year. The box set features all three season of 'Twin Peaks,' including the reboot series 'Twin Peaks: The Return,' and the feature film 'Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me' — which was released one year after the original series was cancelled in 1991. Additionally, it includes more than 27 hours of bonus features across all three seasons, including cast and crew interviews, documentaries, deleted scenes and more. $17.89 $37.99 53% off Buy Now On Amazon Ridley Scott's blockbuster follow-up to his Best Picture winner comes home with more than an hour of bonus content, including deleted scenes, featurettes about the cast, production design, lengthy development of the film and its historical accuracy. For those who missed it in theaters, the film follows in the path of latter-day sequels like 'Top Gun Maverick,' delivering thrills that will be familiar to fans of the original while pushing forward its ideas and story. In 4K, the film looks absolutely terrific — even if it's almost too big for the small screen. Buy Now On Amazon $11.99 $11.99 Enjoy Greta Gerwig's sparkly pink fantasy comedy from your own Dreamhouse (or Mojo Dojo Casa House) thanks to this Blu-ray 4K release. $40.39 $69.98 42% off Buy Now On Amazon Every single one of Alfred Hitchcock's most iconic films in one place. This comprehensive box set is down to an unbeatbale $40 for Prime Day (a 42% discount), and features four classics: 'The Birds,' 'Rear Window,' 'Vertigo' and 'Psycho,' plus four additional discs with special features. $54.99 $119.99 54% off Buy Now On Amazon This 24-movie box set usually goes for $120 but is currently marked down to $55. Considering the wealth of content included in the package, and the popularity of the Bond franchise in general, this is a deal you won't want to miss. The comprehensive set includes every film except the latest installment ('No Time to Die'), starting with 1962's 'Dr. No,' starring Sean Connery in the titular role for the first time ever. Connery reprised his role as Bond in the next six films, followed by David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and, most recently, Daniel Craig. $29.49 $49.98 41% off Buy Now On Amazon The full Blu-ray 4k version of what is possibly one of the very best anime series of all time is now nearly half off on Amazon. Fall in love with the music, the look and bounty hunter Spike Spiegel. $39.99 $84.99 53% off Buy Now On Amazon The explosively popular Apple+ series 'Ted Lasso' comes to physical media in a set that not only collects all three seasons of the show but includes a limited-edition, double-sided 'Believe' poster, available while supplies last. $20.36 $34.98 42% off Buy Now On Amazon Warner Bros. Home Entertainment's 'Blade Runner 2049″ was the top-selling DVD and Blu-ray Disc when it came out in 2018. Now, the coveted Blu-ray release is 42% off for Prime Day, $14.99 $33.99 56% off Buy Now On Amazon Immortalize Dunder Mifflin with this physical media release of Steve Carell's beloved comedy series. $14.99 $33.99 56% off Buy Now On Amazon It may be difficult to contain Denis Villeneuve's operatic vision to the small (or smaller, anyway) screen, but this 4K release, featuring a Dolby Atmos audio track and eight featurettes, will attempt to meet that herculean challenge. After mesmerizing audiences on the big screen, the pristine transfer of this disc offers a new opportunity to explore the moral complexities of young Paul Atreides' messianic ascent. $59.99 $85.00 29% off Buy Now On Amazon You may not have gotten your invitation to Hogwarts, but you can still live out your non-muggle fantasies with the complete 8-film 'Harry Potter' collection. Each film in the set includes bonus features, such as interviews with the cast, behind-the-scenes footage and personal set tours that even the biggest fans of the fantasy series may not have seen before. $54.99 $67.80 19% off Buy Now On Amazon $125.00 $159.98 22% off Buy Now On Amazon Revisit Camp Crystal Lake and the birthplace of Jason. This insanely stacked box set includes: 'Friday the 13th' (1980), 'Friday the 13th' (1980), 'Friday the 13th Part 2,' 'Friday the 13th Part 3,' 'Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter,' 'Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning,' 'Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives,' 'Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood.' 'Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan,' 'Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday,' 'Jason X,' 'Freddy vs. Jason' and 'Friday the 13th' (2009). Plus two extra discs with hours and hours of behind-the-scenes footage and interviews, along with Alice Cooper's 'The Man Behind the Mask' music video. For more slasher fun, check out our horror gift guide here. $15.49 $35.98 57% off Buy Now On Amazon The emotionally devastating cartoon classic. If your kids haven't experienced the harrowing journey that is 'The Land Before Time' then it's time they learned the names of our favorite dinosaur heroes: Littlefoot, Littlefoot, Cera, Ducky, Petrie and Spike. Here's a lesser-known fact, the success of this film (and the sequel) would spawn 14 additional movies. That's almost a day's worth of content for your kids to consume and they're all on this DVD set. $15.56 $29.98 48% off Buy Now On Amazon Keep your favorite ogres in close quarters with this four-movie box set, which will hold you over if you've been waiting for 'Shrek 5' since DreamWorks announced its development way back in 2016. Whether you have kids yourself, or are a grown millennial who grew up with the iconic animated series in the theaters, 'Shrek' is a must for any blu-ray collection. Buy Now On Amazon $22.03 $22.03 If you're looking for your next regal binge since finishing 'The Crown,' then explore one of the best historical dramas with 'Downton Abbey.' This DVD set includes the entire 52-episode series, featuring the show's most climactic episodes: 'Christmas at Downton,' 'A Journey to the Highlands,' 'The London Season,' 'A Moorland Holiday' and the action-packed finale. $29.88 $69.99 57% off Buy Now On Amazon There's no other way to watch Planet Earth than in ultra-HD resolution, made possible with this two-disc 4K set. See nature photography in a way you never have before with arguably two of the best BBC series the network has ever produced. The set also includes two 54-minute bonus features, which delve into how their astonishing footage was captured, in addition to stories behind the show's most memorable moments. $39.99 $94.99 58% off Buy Now On Amazon If you're itching for a re-watch since HBO's much-anticipated 'Friends Reunion' way back in 2021, then now's the time to snag the complete, repackaged Blu-ray collection, now more than half off for Prime Day. If you're a fan of the quirky New York City friend group looking for even more merch based off the iconic sitcom, check out our round-up of the best 'Friends' merch. Best of Variety Oscars 2026: George Clooney, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Roberts, Wagner Moura and More Among Early Contenders to Watch New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts?
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The 24-Movie ‘James Bond' Blu-ray Collection Is Only $55 Right Now for Prime Day
The James Bond franchise was thrown for a loop last month when it was announced that Denis Villeneuve will direct the next James Bond film, with Tanya Lapointe signing on as an executive producer. The news came after long-time producers and custodians Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli were announced to be stepping back and handing over control to Amazon MGM Studios. As part of the agreement, Wilson and Broccoli will remain co-owners of the iconic franchise, but Amazon MGM will have creative control. More from Variety Apple AirTags and Tile Mate Trackers Start at $13 For Prime Day - Their Lowest Prices Ever This Best-Selling Portable Projector With 14,000 Reviews Is Just $53 for Prime Day Are Labubus on Sale for Prime Day? What to Know About the Celeb Viral Bag Charm and Where to Find One Online While Villeneuve is set for the job, it'll likely be at least a few years before we see a new James Bond — and Bond film — in theaters, but fans who are still craving some 007 action are in luck. The Complete James Bond Blu-ray Collection is currently 54% off on Amazon, meaning you can revisit the franchise's earliest films from home. AMAZON DEAL $54.99 $119 54% off Buy Now On Amazon The 24-movie box set usually goes for $119 but is currently marked down to $55 for Prime Day. Considering the wealth of content included in the package, and the popularity of the Bond franchise in general, this is a deal you won't want to miss. Read More: The Best Gifts for James Bond Fans The comprehensive set includes every film except the latest installment ('No Time to Die'), starting with 1962's 'Dr. No,' starring Sean Connery in the titular role for the first time ever. Connery reprised his role as Bond in the next six films, followed by David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and, most recently, Daniel Craig. The collector's set, which boasts more than 4,000 rave reviews on Amazon, is the only one on the market to include 2015's 'Spectre,' the most recent installment before 'No Time to Die.' Buy the complete package here before the limited-time deal ends. Films Included: 'Dr. No' 'From Russia With Love' 'Goldfinger' 'Thunderball' 'You Only Live Twice' 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service' 'Diamonds Are Forever' 'Live and Let Die' 'The Man With the Golden Gun' 'The Spy Who Loved Me' 'Moonraker' 'For Your Eyes Only 'Octopussy' 'A View to Kill' 'The Living Daylights' 'License to Kill' 'GoldenEye' 'Tomorrow Never Dies' 'The World is Not Enough' 'Die Another Day' 'Casino Royale' 'Quantum of Solace' 'Skyfall' 'Spectre' NEWEST RELEASE $53.79 $89.99 40% off Buy Now On Amazon Fans can also watch the last five Bond films with this Daniel Craig Blu-ray collection, which features the extended, unrated edition of 'Casino Royale,' plus 'Quantum of Solace,' 'Skyfall,' 'Spectre,' and 'No Time to Die' in 4K Ultra HD quality. Regularly $90, get the James Bond Blu-ray set on sale for just $53 here. Best of Variety Oscars 2026: George Clooney, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Roberts, Wagner Moura and More Among Early Contenders to Watch New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts?
