We are halfway through the year, and physical media is still going strong. The new release schedule, where big titles wait to come out every other week, is taking more shape, as the boutique labels and exclusives appear to be filling in the gaps between big studio title weeks.
The most prominent new titles include the Walmart Exclusive 4K Steelbook of “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” my favorite release of the month. More international variations of that film will arrive in the coming weeks, both with stellar artwork. “Immaculate” and “Monkey Man” were must-have new releases, although I wish they had gotten 4K and Steelbook packaging. However, the glossy “Monkey Man” slipcover was a nice touch. “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” was another phenomenal new release this month, receiving plenty of exclusives (I passed on the Walmart Skateboard release), including two different U.S. Steelbooks, with a general 4K release that I prefer and a Walmart Exclusive Blu-Ray release with equally impressive artwork.
I’m hoping that the A24 Shop Exclusive releases are becoming more frequent, as “Love Lies Bleeding” received a 4K exclusive, and “The Zone Of Interest” is just around the corner for next month, which is one of my most anticipated releases of July. A24 often teams with Lionsgate for their releases, but hopefully, they are taking back more of their titles for self-release. Speaking of the studio, it was a quiet month for Lionsgate, with “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” remaining one of their only June releases. Their July slate appears to be a lot more stacked. Shout Factory had some worthwhile releases this month, including plenty of 4Ks from “Robocop” (2014) and “Species II” to a 4K re-release of “Matinee” and, my personal favorite of the bunch, “RoboCop II” with an alternate slipcover featuring artwork from Devon Whitehead.
The way things look right now, with a great mix of recent releases and newly upgraded ones, July is poised to be one of the best months for physical media this year. Not only is July the month of the Barnes & Noble 50% Off Criterion sale, but Kino Lorber and Shout Factory are both having additional sales. Not to mention the release of “Civil War,” which is one of my favorite films so far this year.
JUNE 4, 2024
Bad Lieutenant
1992
4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray