Johnny Showtime: Wish List

 by JB

Yes, I am still a fan of physical media. Yes, I still love movies. Yes, I am still a 63-year-old curmudgeon.

Though studios have been releasing fewer and fewer shiny movie discs of late, there is still plenty of good news on the small boutique label front and the spiffy new 4K release front. What follows are what I consider interesting discs to be released between now and All Hallow’s Eve. Perhaps, you will find them... tasty and like them too.

ALREADY OUT:
Teenage Gang Debs

The American Genre Film Archive (AGFA) once again teams up with Something Weird Video to present vintage exploitation films on Blu-ray disc. This one comes with a bonus film, The Rebel Set from 1958; a commentary track on the main feature with Something Weird’s Lisa Petrucci, AGFA's Alicia Coombs, and author/filmmaker Janet Harvey; the shorts "Summer Decision" and "Teenage Diary"; and what is being called a “Teenage Turmoil Trailer Reel.” Sounds like an entire evening of delinquency for less than forty bucks. Tasty!

Monty Python & the Holy Grail (4K)

Buy this new UHD transfer or I will say “Ni!” to you again.

HEADS UP TO OUR SOCAL READERS: In only two nights—on Thursday, September 11—John Cleese will be accompanying a screening of this film with a live Q & A at the Thousand Oaks Performing Arts Center. Will I be there? No! I will be attending the Spinal Tap II: The End Continues IMAX premiere that night.

So many social engagements, so little time.

City on Fire (4K)

Ringo Lam’s famous Hong Kong actioner, which was one of the inspirations for Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs. This movie is terrific, stars Chow Yun-Fat, and is finally available on 4K disc. Double tasty!

The Two Jakes (4K)

This interesting follow-up to Chinatown features a troubled production history, a 4K transfer, and a new commentary track with friend of the site Heath Holland from Cereal at Midnight. A few months ago, I drove Señor Heath around downtown Ventura, and he performed the commentary track for me LIVE from his passenger seat. Memories.

Sci-Fi Four Film Collection:

Attack of the 50 Foot Woman, THEM!, Beast from 20,000 Fathoms, World Without End

Errol Flynn Six Film Collection:

The Adventures of Robin Hood, The Sea Hawk, Santa Fe Trail, Edge of Darkness, Operation Burma, Adventures of Don Juan

More goodness from the folks at Warner Archive. Good Lord! The math on these things works out to $11 a movie for the Sci-Fi batch and only $9.50 a movie for the Errol Flynn festival. Terrific Blu-ray transfers. Terrific movies. Buy in bulk!

OUT TODAY:

High & Low (Criterion Collection 4K)

Impressive, lesser-known Akira Kurosawa film that was the basis for Spike Lee’s new film Highest 2 Lowest, which premiered last Friday on Apple TV+.

OUT 9/16:

This is Spinal Tap (Criterion Collection 4K)

Packed with supplements and a new 4K transfer, this release is obviously intended to help hype the new sequel. Extras include three audio commentaries: 1) Director Rob Reiner plus actors Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer; 2) Producer Karen Murphy with editors Robert Leighton and Ken Beyda; and 3) Band members Nigel Tufnel, David St. Hubbins, and Derek Smalls. You'll also get a conversation between Reiner and actor Patton Oswalt; The Cutting Room Floor, featuring ninety-eight minutes of outtakes; the short film, Spinal Tap: The Final Tour (1982); excerpts from The Return of Spinal Tap (1992); interviews with the band for its 2009 Back from the Dead album; trailers, media appearances, and music videos; and a new essay by critic Alex Pappademas. This disc goes to 11.

OUT 9/23:

Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride (4K)

One of my top Burton films (infinitely preferable to Nightmare Before Christmas) arrives on 4K. I remember my favorite screening of this little gem: Patrick’s daughter Rosie sat down with me and Jan and, because she had watched it about a gajillion times, provided the kind of live commentary that only a six-year-old obsessed with a film can provide. Uttered twelve separate times during the film: “Oh! Watch this! This is my favorite part!” Why wasn’t THAT commentary track included here? Missed opportunity at CUTENESS.

He Who Gets Slapped

One of my favorite Lon Chaney films arrives on Blu-ray disc, restored by Blackhawk Films in 2024 from a first generation 35mm safety print and a 16mm dupe negative. It is presented here with two different scores: an original piano composition by Antonio Coppola and an original orchestral score by Alloy Orchestra, recorded live in 2013. Chaney plays discredited scientist Paul Beaumont who spends five years hiding out in the circus disguised as a clown. And then it gets weirder.

Dr. No/From Russia with Love/Goldfinger/Thunderball/ You Only Live Twice/ Diamonds Are Forever (4K)

For those of you who balked at the recent Connery Bond 4K Box, here’s your chance to buy only your favorites in the series a la carte. Triple tasty.

OUT 9/30:

The Life of Chuck

One of my favorite movies of 2025 makes its physical media debut. Prepare to dance.

Dracula Complete Legacy Collection (4K)

Sure, the original 1931 Dracula has been available on 4K for some time, but THIS is the 4K debut of Dracula’s Daughter, Son of Dracula, House of Frankenstein, House of Dracula, and Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein. I’ve purchased these movies dozens of times, but I still find this release... Yes, tasty.

Airport (4K)

If you balk at buying the new Airport Series boxset, here’s your chance to purchase ONLY THE GOOD ONE a la carte. This is one of my favorite disaster movies. Burt Lancaster famously hated it, and he’s in it!

AGFA/Something Weird Drug-O-Rama Video Party

Help Wanted Female (1968), Hedonistic Pleasures (1969), Alice in Acidland (1969), and The Hard Road (1970). More exploitation goodness from Something Weird and AGFA. I wrote about Alice in Acidland nine long years ago. What can I say? Buy this set and take some drugs.

Also, kids: Don't do drugs.

OUT 10/7:

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (4K)

Perennial cult favorite makes its 4K debut, but it will also be re-released to theaters in October to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Let’s do the “Time Warp” again! Stay tuned for a Scary Movie Month podcast on this endlessly fascinating 1970s artifact.

Black Sunday (4K)

Terrific Mario Bava film finally arrives on 4K—the film is so visually sumptuous that the 4K transfer will only make it... tastier.

OUT 10/14:

The Last Drive-In with Joe-Bob Briggs: Mayhem/Suitable Flesh

What a great idea! Two recent episodes of Brigg’s Shudder streaming service series featuring newer films, with the option to watch the whole program, just the films, or just the host segments. I don’t know about you, but-The Last Drive-In has become my destination watch on the first Friday of every month.

Hollywood Legends of Horror Six Film Collection

More Halloween goodness from Warner Archive: The Devil Doll, Doctor X, Mad Love, Mark of the Vampire, Mask of Fu Manchu, and The Return of Doctor X. I see a 1930s horror marathon in your future! I wrote about Mask of Fu Manchu last year; it’s crazy racist. Where is Leonard Maltin when we need him?

Alfred Hitchcock: The Ultimate Collection (4K)

Saboteur, Shadow of a Doubt, Rope, Rear Window, The Trouble with Harry, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Vertigo, North by Northwest, Psycho, The Birds, Marnie, Torn Curtain, Topaz, Frenzy, and Family Plot.

Fifteen... count 'em, fifteen!... Hitchcock films in 4K for less than ten bucks apiece. It’s like a freaking 4K Hitchcock fire sale. Contains my favorite Hitchcock film (His too!), Shadow of a Doubt.

OUT 10/28:

Nightmare Alley (2021) (Criterion Collection 4K)

This release contains a new cut of Guillermo Del Toro’s remake, presented in black and white. I wasn’t originally a fan of this film, but I’m willing to give it a monochromatic second chance.

The Cat and the Canary (4K)

One of my top silent horror films finally arrives in 4K. The original haunted house picture, this film is so much fun and features all the great tropes: a reading of the will; a moveable bookcase; bitter, angry relatives with a bone to pick; and a VERY HAIRY HAND. It’s going to be a terrific, tasty Halloween.

What new releases make YOU salivate into a little porcelain dish? List them in the comment section below while I still have some disposable income left.