The quality of home video releases is certainly reaching a peak. The world has slowly transitioned from the fuzzy, horrible quality of VHS to 4K UHD, and the results are nothing short of spectacular. 4K is catching on to the wider, mainstream public, and as a result, many beloved films are receiving the 4K treatment.
These restorations are typically taken directly from the source film, and they work wonders in cleaning up a movie. They are now presented in the sharpest resolution possible, and the HDR on display helps with both contrast and color. For horror and suspense movies like The Thing or Misery, 4K restorations can bring out small details like color saturation or emphasize stellar acting performances that have stood the test of time.
Halloween (1978)
Halloween has received endless home video releases since its debut in 1978. From VHS to Blu-Ray, this horror classic has existed in many versions, often with revised visuals that didn't match the original theatrical print. The 4K edition of the film promises to change that. Released on October 5, the 4K version of Halloween was met with a generally positive response.
Befitting one of the best John Carpenter movies, the 4K restoration was sourced directly from the original negative and was officially overseen by director of photography Dean Cundey. Detail and resolution are sharp, and the Dolby Vision helps bring the color scheme back to Carpenter's original vision following a string of weirdly colored home video releases.
Deep Red (1975)
Arguably the best Dario Argento film, Deep Red has enjoyed continued critical acclaim owing to its complex story, strong writing, gorgeous use of violence (as befitting the giallo genre), and inventive camera work. A newly restored 4K version of the film is coming on October 26, and according to the press release, it will feature a "new 4K restoration of both the original 127-minute Italian version and the 105-minute export version from the original negative by Arrow." Argento's films are gorgeous, and a 4K version of Deep Red is a must for all home video enthusiasts. The giallo genre in particular looks great in high resolution as many of its films use bold colors to emphasize the violent acts that occur.
The Thing (1982)
The fall 2021 season is a rich time for all John Carpenter fans. On September 7, a 4K version of The Thing was released and displayed the movie's signature gore, cold color scheme, and nightmarish visuals in startling detail. Snow never looked as sinister as it now does in this version of the Antarctica-set thriller.
The 4K version is noticeably sharper than the existing blu ray, offering a much clearer resolution and a cleaner overall image. The Thing's beloved and multilayered characters have never looked better or more realistic. Colors are also much better thanks to the utilization of HDR10, and the opening dog chase sequence pops off the screen thanks to its blinding lights and cool blues. It's not a 4K showpiece, but it certainly gets the job done.
Children Of The Corn (1984)
A cult classic, Children of the Corn received a 4K release on September 28. The Stephen King adaptation, which spawned a small franchise of direct-to-video sequels and reboots, comes equipped with Dolby Vision and a new 2160p transfer scanned directly from the 35mm camera negative, and the results are actually rather disappointing.
The resolution is undeniably sharper and cleaner, especially in the bright outdoor shots. However, the restoration comes with a very thick grain field that can be hard to overlook for some, and the movie contains many soft images that don't take full advantage of the 4K capabilities. Still, for fans of the movie, it's a step up from previous versions, which have all contained muddy visuals that made the film seem darker than it actually was.
Scream (1996)
On October 19, 2021, Scream will receive a new 4K release for its 25th anniversary. Featuring some of the funniest and scariest scenes in the Scream franchise, the original is a classic, and the new 4K restoration is a wonderful gift for its 25th birthday. The release will not only feature a new scan of the film, but also a new special feature called "A Bloody Legacy: Scream 25 Years Later," which will contain new interviews with the cast and crew. In addition to improving the film's already crisp visuals, this restoration will give fans a refresher before the next installment in the series, the inconveniently titled Scream, hits theatres early next year.
The Universal Monster Classics
Released on October 5 was the Universal Classic Monsters Icons of Horror Collection, featuring new scans of the classic Universal horror films Dracula, Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, and The Invisible Man. Some of these classic Universal monster movies are scarier than others, but they are all icons of the genre.
Each come equipped with a new 2160p transfer and HDR10, and they have never looked better on home video than they do here. The contrast seen in the black and white visuals is nothing short of astounding. In particular, Frankenstein's climactic scene at the old mill, where the Monster is trapped by angry villagers with torches, has never looked more sharp and terrifying.
The Silence Of The Lambs (1991)
It'd be hard to beat the Criterion Collection release of The Silence of the Lambs. The movie looks astounding on its Criterion Blu-ray, both in regards to resolution and contrast. However, a new 4K version of the film is coming on October 19, complete with a brand new commentary from film historian Tim Lucas. The film's visuals, brought beautifully to life by Tak Fujimoto's photography, are key to establishing the atmosphere and tone of the story so this edition promises to make one of the scariest movies of all time even more terrifying.
Misery (1990)
Released on October 12 was a new 4K transfer of Rob Reiner's adaptation of the Stephen King novel Misery. Today, the movie is largely remembered for Kathy Bates's iconic, Academy Award-winning performance as Annie Wilkes, although its remote, snow-covered setting is also a defining feature of the film.
These bright exteriors are brought to vivid life thanks to the implementation of HDR, and the increased resolution brings about all the minute details of Annie's cozy cabin home. This transfer also emphasizes the subtlety of the two lead performances as every expression by Bates and James Caan is beautifully rendered. It's a great picture for a great movie.
Rear Window (1954)
One of Alfred Hitchcock's greatest films, Rear Window received a new 4K release on September 7. While the results certainly aren't perfect, it is undoubtedly the best that the movie has ever looked on home video - especially when comparing it with the old VHS editions.
The lighting and implementation of HDR is wonderful, breathing a new life into the decades-old film. In a film that is all about the importance of visuals, this edition of Rear Window brings out all the details of James Stewart's New York City apartment and neighborhood. From Miss Torso's cozy apartment to the spare loft of the sinister Lars Thorwald, each location is brought vividly to life with realistic colors that aren't as saturated as they had been in past releases. The bump in resolution isn't as obvious or as glowing, but the HDR makes this release more than worth it.
Demons (1985)
Released in 1985, Demons is an Italian horror film directed by Lamberto Bava that sees a group of people getting attacked by demons during a mysterious movie screening. Arriving on October 19 is a brand new 4K restoration of the first two Demons movies.
Both films will feature 2160p resolution and the implementation of Dolby Vision, all but guaranteeing that it will look great. It will also contain a host of new special features, including a new commentary and a visual essay by movie critic Michael Mackenzie.