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Pop-culture collections have become a personal signifier unlike ever before, and physical media — especially Blu-rays and 4K discs — is no exception. Whether your library is meticulously curated or a clearinghouse for every title no matter how big or small, it tells a story about your interests, appetites, and general passion for entertainment. Moreover, as the industry increasingly veers towards streaming as its primary mode of distribution, these discs still remain the best way to guarantee the availability of many titles, often in the best available presentation.
Ahead of consumers’ own winnowing of what’s available, Variety has collected its own list of releases worth checking out: there are a few titles arriving on disc after their theatrical or broadcast runs, some upgraded or featuring expanded supplemental material, and still others that have never before been released in a physical format.
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"Who’s That Girl" (Shout)
Who's That Girl [Blu-ray]
After soliciting the underrated ballad “Live to Tell” from Madonna for his underrated 1986 drama “At Close Range,” director James Foley helmed this effervescent star vehicle for the Material Girl. It depends on one’s love for the pop star whether or not it qualifies as any sort of classic, but a new 2K restoration, paired with a new commentary by film historian Russell Dyball at least guarantees that it will be properly contextualized among her film projects — much less in viewers’ hearts.
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"Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid" (Criterion)
Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (The Criterion Collection) [4K UHD]
Sam Peckinpah’s final Western (unless you count “Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia,” I suppose) has experienced a bumpy ride en route to proper canonization: after it was panned upon initial release in 1973, rediscovered alternate versions (and eventually, reconstructed new ones) slowly rebuilt its reputation as a languid, meditative and beautiful treatise on the fading myth of the American West. Criterion’s set features three of those versions, two restored in 4K, along with a new audio commentary, a making-of documentary and more.
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"Civil War" (Lionsgate Films)
Civil War 4K + Bluray + Digital AMZ Exclusive [4K UHD]
Alex Garland’s film about a band of combat photographers navigating the uncertain terrain of an America torn apart by civil conflict comes home with a six-part documentary and the film’s theatrical trailer. Divorced (or at least distanced) from the discourse surrounding its release — curiosity and judgment about its refusal to take sides, or explain the back story of its divisions — may help it play better on the small screen, while that documentary explores how Garland was able create such a vivid and palpable backdrop of war on what may have been A24’s biggest-ever budget (at a reported $40 million), but by Hollywood standards is pocket change.
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Rocky I-VI Film Collection (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment)
Rocky 6-Film Collection (4K Ultra HD + Digital) [4K UHD]
As much as “Creed” carried forward the mantle of the “Rocky” franchise, the original films — some of them, anyway — continue to endure as powerfully emotional cinematic experiences. A new 4K set collects not only all six of the “Rocky”-centric titles, but includes director’s cuts of both “Rocky IV” (now titled “Rocky vs. Drago”) and the character’s solo swan song, “Rocky Balboa.” In addition to the films themselves, there’s a documentary about the creation of the “Rocky IV” director’s cut, and a treasure trove of extras on “Rocky Balboa,” giving even longtime fans a chance to experience new material about their favorite (sometime) underdog.
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"Girl on the Bridge" (Kino Lorber)
Girl on the Bridge [Blu-ray]
About a carnival knife thrower (Daniel Auteuil) and the suicidal girl (Vanessa Paradis) who becomes his assistant, Patrice Leconte’s 1999 film explores a vivid and mesmerizing romance, even in black and white. Kino Lorber’s new edition features trailers, an audio commentary by film critic Manuela Lazic and a 1992 short film by Leconte. Criminally underappreciated — especially by cinephiles who like their love stories a little, ahem, sharper-edged.
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"Farewell, My Concubine" (Criterion)
Farewell My Concubine (The Criterion Collection) [4K UHD]
First released in 1993 during the peak of Chinese fifth wave cinema, Chen Kaige’s historical drama about two Peking opera actors remains one of the era’s most beautiful and affecting films. Criterion premieres its director’s cut in 4K for the first time along with a 2003 documentary about the film’s making, a vintage interview with Kaige, and a conversation between Chinese cultural studies scholar Michael Berry and film producer Janet Yang about its artistic inspirations and cinematic impact.
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"The Crippled Masters" (Film Masters)
The Crippled Masters (Special Edition)
As politically incorrect as it is absolutely thrilling to watch, director Joe Law’s 1979 martial arts film follows two men who train in kung fu in order to seek revenge upon the cruel teacher who disabled them. Shaw Brothers fans may find the film slightly less polished than the action epics to which they’re accustomed, but Film Masters’ new disc features a 2K transfer from the original film elements, a commentary track and a new documentary exploring its making and legacy.
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"Ted Lasso: The Richmond Way" (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment)
2001 SNOWBOUND, ALL RIGHTS RESER
Ted Lasso: The Richmond Way BD [Blu-ray]
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.
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"The Man From U.N.C.L.E." (Arrow Home Video)
The Man From U.N.C.L.E. [Limited Edition]
One of Guy Ritchie’s best films, this 2015 riff on the 1964 television series of the same name features a spectacular cast (including Henry Cavill, Alicia Vikander, Elizabeth Debicki, Jared Harris and, yes, Armie Hammer) and some of the best spy action you’re likely to see outside of the James Bond franchise. Arrow’s fantastic 4K set, which comes in beautiful packaging with a collector’s book and double-sided, fold-out poster, features a new audio commentary, two new interviews, two new featurettes, and an additional library of archival materials exploring the making of the film.
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"Ennio" (Music Box Films)
Ennio [Blu-ray]
Released in theaters earlier this year, Giuseppe Tornatore’s documentary offers an essential portrait of one of greatest film composers of all time, if not the greatest. After that limited run, Music Box’s Blu-ray guarantees that it will come to your corner of the moviegoing world, complete with an interview with Tornatore, behind the scenes footage of Morricone’s office concert, and a deleted scene.
English (US) ·