July 2024 4K and Blu-ray Roundup: Part 1 of 2 - A Pixelated Paradise Awaits

Get ready for a listening experience that hits all the right notes! The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix on Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy delivers a crisp and clear delivery that's predominantly front-oriented but satisfies with its well-balanced dynamics. Dialogue is king here, with every one-liner from Will Ferrell’s ridiculous Ron Burgundy rendered impeccably. For those hankering for immersive soundscapes, the lack of a Dolby Atmos track might leave you slightly wanting, particularly during manic scenes like the chaotic news team brawl. Nonetheless, ambient effects round out the mix, ensuring the newsroom bustle feels palpably close.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray doesn’t just treat us to visual nirvana; it’s loaded with a bevy of extras carried over from previous editions. Expect chuckles aplenty with Wake Up Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie, made from hilarious deleted scenes and outtakes, and laugh till your sides hurt with bloopers and commentaries featuring Adam McKay, Ferrell, and even Lou Rawls. While no new content is introduced, the exhaustive collection of extras immortalizes the making of this comedy gem. Fans are treated to cast interviews, musical interludes, and even a dive into [Ron Burgundy’s ESPN SportsCenter Audition_]. Paramount has truly outdone itself with this release. Stay classy!

The auditory landscape of Civil War explodes into your living room with Dolby Atmos, orchestrating a sonic marvel reminiscent of a battlefield symphony. From the ping-ponging white noise that feels like a prelude to war, to the room-shaking rumbles of explosions—this audio mix is a dynamic beast. Gunfire ricochets across channels, helicopters buzz overhead, and dialogue punctuates through the chaos with pristine clarity. Optional English and Spanish subtitles ensure no whisper goes unheard. This isn't just sound; it's an acoustic venture into the heart of conflict, designed to make you grip the edge of your seat as your floorboards tremble.

Beyond the harrowing journey lies a treasure trove of extras. The detailed six-part documentary, Torn Asunder: Waging Alex Garland's Civil War, dives deep into the chaos behind-the-scenes, offering interviews and raw, insightful footage. Adding to the allure is the theatrical trailer, bundled in with a Blu-ray version, digital copy, and sleek slipcover. This 4K release doesn’t merely show; it invites you behind the iron curtain to witness the meticulous orchestration of Garland’s visionary storytelling. Whether you’re here for the eye-popping visuals or the bone-rattling audio, Civil War in 4K UHD is more than a purchase—it’s a cinematic experience worth revisiting.

Step into the tempestuous world of Twister with its newly minted Dolby Atmos mix that surpasses all prior audio renditions. Imagine the thunderous roar and flying debris as multi-dimensional sound blankets your room, making every twister feel alarmingly close. Dialogue clarity maintains its hold even amidst climatic crescendos, though a minor muffling glitch at the 1:03:43 mark is barely a blip on this sonic radar. Bass erupts like an F5 tornado during the opening scenes—seats shaking, rooms trembling—with Mark Mancina’s score perfectly rendered. Alternate audio tracks are generously provided in French 5.1 Dolby Digital and Spanish 2.0 stereo Dolby Digital, and subtitles are available in English SDH, French, and Spanish.

This 4K release is a tribute to Twister aficionados, packing both fresh and legacy extras that illuminate the film's storied production. Jan de Bont’s retrospective interview “The Legacy of Twister: Taken by the Wind” offers insider perspectives on those groundbreaking effects and dramatic undertakings. Though some older content is missing, there's still plenty here to dive into—Chasing the Storm: Twister Revisited, Anatomy of a Twister, and a nostalgic Van Halen Humans Being Music Video round out the offering. With such meticulously curated additions, coupled with the dazzlingly upgraded visuals and immersive audio tracks, this edition stands as a definitive celebration of Twister's impact in the disaster movie genre.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release from Kino Lorber brings Blown Away into modern cinemas with a flourish. Utilizing a native 4K scan from the original 35mm camera negative, Dolby Vision HDR, and HEVC encoding, this upgrade offers a breathtakingly sharp image. Explosions and pyrotechnics pop with an almost tangible reality, while black levels and shadow details lend depth to many key sequences. The wide color gamut ensures vibrant greens, blues, and reds, making each frame hyper-realistic.

The disc features robust audio tracks with DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 stereo mixes that envelop viewers in a rich, immersive soundscape. Dynamic range and precise audio effects heighten the thrills, even without a Dolby Atmos track. Kino Lorber delights fans further with extras including audio commentaries by Stephen Hopkins and Mike Leeder & Arne Venema, plus The Making of Blown Away: A Day in the Life of a Bomb Squad, and a music video by Joe Cocker and Bekka Bramlett. Overall, this release offers a compelling audiovisual journey for both new viewers and dedicated fans of the genre.

The auditory landscape of Abigail is as captivating as its visual splendor, thanks to an adeptly executed Dolby TrueHD 7.1 track. Engaging every corner of the soundscape, this mix ensures the film's atmospheric nuances are heard loud and clear. Dialogue delivered through the center channel is crisp, while surround effects paint an immersive aural picture that enhances both chills and thrills. Music, like the delicate strains of Swan Lake, weaves through the narrative with pristine clarity, immersing viewers deeper into Abigail's world. Intricate sound effects—the whispers of off-screen movements or the visceral crunches of combat—are presented with stunning fidelity. Lower frequencies add weight where needed, perfectly balancing stark realism with an edge-of-your-seat listening experience that remains enthralling from beginning to end.

For fans craving a deeper dive, 'Abigail' comes loaded with extras that take you behind the scenes of this contemporary vampire yarn. Highlights: Deleted & Extended Scenes give richer context, a Gag Reel offers lighthearted moments, and Blood Bath delves into the practical effects showcasing the liberal use of blood on set. Further enriched by Hunters to Hunted, which casts a spotlight on the film’s criminal gang, and Becoming a Ballerina Vampire, detailing Alisha Weir’s transformation into a vampire. The Feature Commentary with directors Matt & Tyler unveils insights into their creative process and narrative decisions, making each supplemental piece an intriguing addition. While the promise of a 4K release might tempt you to bide your time, this Blu-ray already sets a high bar for home entertainment. 'Abigail' delivers a hauntingly vivid HD experience that no horror aficionado should pass up.

Nestled within the action-packed Boy Kills World, Lionsgate's Dolby Atmos audio track leaps into action with immersive finesse. Surround effects shine, amplifying training sequences and hand-to-hand combat with spatial precision. The Dolby Atmos mix brings a sense of space and motion that nearly makes you feel like you’re dodging punches alongside Bill Skarsgård. Ambient sounds enwrap the viewer, with a soundtrack and LFE that ensure battle scenes hit with both depth and force. Dialogue remains consistently clear and well-balanced throughout—so whether it’s whispered plans or all-out war cries, nothing is lost to the chaos.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray of Boy Kills World isn’t just a film—it’s an experience loaded with enticing extras. Dive into Total Bedlam: Making Boy Kills World, brimming with behind-the-scenes gold and insightful interviews. Fancy a peek? Featurettes like Winter Wonderland and F**ked Up Fairytale illuminate the unique setting and narrative ducks in the film's row. The Martial Arts segment flexes the film’s action choreography while Bill Skarsgård Training showcases his journey to badassery. Highlighting the chemistry between Bill Skarsgård and Yayan Ruhian, Bill and Yayan adds yet another intriguing layer. Cap it off with trailers, and you’ve got an extras package that’s a collector's dream. Overall, while it misses HDR magic to boost its visual flair, it's still a decent upgrade for die-hard fans or collectors looking to complete their set.

StudioCanal's meticulous 4K restoration breathes new life into Narrow Margin via Kino Lorber's native 4K UHD Blu-ray. Even without HDR or Dolby Vision, the 2160p SDR presentation transforms your screen into a canvas of finely detailed panoramas and close-ups. The native 4K transfer lends superior clarity to facial features, clothing textures, and the film's intrinsic grain, all while keeping image stability immaculate. This upgrade especially benefits vast screens, painting each confined train scene with a sharpness that engulfs viewers in every tense moment. Although not quite compelling enough to replace the 2020 Blu-ray for current owners, first-time buyers will find an exceptional visual delight.

This release doesn't just visually color Hyams' claustrophobic world; it nails the auditory experience with both DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 tracks. Whether you prefer the engulfing surround sound of shootouts or the focused precision of train ambiance, both mixes deliver premium audio quality. Dive deeper into the making of Narrow Margin with extras like Peter Hyams’ and Peter Tonguette's audio commentaries, a vintage Making Of featurette, and tantalizing archival interviews. While a splash of humor here sometimes feels out of place, this 4K UHD Blu-ray remains a must-have for fans and first-time viewers alike.

The soundscape of UHF has been given an uplift with its English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (24-bit high-resolution) mix. This upgrade delivers clear and well-defined dialogue that ensures every comedic line lands perfectly. While originally graced by a simpler audio mix, this version spreads ambient sounds in delightful ways—whether it's Al’s karate class or Stanley Spadowski's water-splashing antics. Though mainly front-focused, the mix provides a satisfactorily immersive experience for Weird Al's universe, outperforming lossy streaming alternatives with a crisp, delightful auditory charm.

Fans will dive head-first into a plethora of extras included in this release. Audio commentary by Weird Al himself, alongside director Jay Levey, offers engaging tidbits and humorous trivia, while the San Diego Comic-Con panel dives deep into Al’s illustrious career. Deleted scenes, a music video, and behind-the-scenes footage add layers to your viewing. Despite some standard-definition segments, the comprehensive suite captures the film's essence perfectly. In conclusion, the immersive presentation and rich array of extras crown this UHF release as an essential collectible for both long-time aficionados and newbies seeking a hearty laugh.