More fun (and interesting) titles continue to be released--despite the best efforts of Covid-19!

Great to see a big title(s) like the Back to the Future trilogy on 4k.

Hope there's something for you! Safe shopping!

Mike Frezon said:

Target this week has an EXCLUSIVE Limited Gift Set edition of the Back to the Future release in Blu-ray (similar to the wide 4k/UHD giftset release).

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Thank you for your work, Mike. It is always appreciated. But that being said, I do have a small correction.

There is no wide gift set release.

According to the press release, the 4K UHD set with the hoverboard is an Amazon exclusive. As you noted, the Blu-ray only re-release with the hoverboard is a Target exclusive. People should not go to Target expecting to be able to find the 4K set with the hoverboard because they won't have it.

I, myself, am going with Best Buy's steelbook set. Although I don't have 4K, this is one of my favorite series and I think it looks like the nicest option available, so that's what I want. If I'm wrong and my family ever does go 4K, BTTF is something I would want, so I don't mind having the 4K discs in there even if I wish it was a little less expensive.

Also, I did not double dip in for the 30th Anniversary version in 2015 because that set included the same transfers as the original Blu-ray release in 2010. So this is the first time in a decade that I've bought these films, and probably the last time. So I'm using that as an excuse to splurge. I'm very excited to see the new Blu-ray transfers and the new extras created both now and for the 2015 release, since all of that stuff from five years ago will be new to me as well.

That's it for me this week, but it's a big one.

I figured that might be true about the Amazon Exclusivity of the 4k giftset...but you'd think Amazon itself would use the word "exclusive" SOMEWHERE in their product description on their site...



Thanks for the info, Jake.

Mike Frezon said:

but you'd think Amazon itself would use the word "exclusive" SOMEWHERE in their product description on their site...

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That would make sense. Why negotiate with Universal to carry an exclusive without promoting it as such? But as we know, Amazon often does things that don't make sense. So I'm not terribly surprised at this.

I also think this is has the potential to cause confusion among customers. Because Target will also have the hoverboard (albeit with the Blu-ray only version), I wouldn't be surprised if that causes trouble next week. How many people wanting the 4K will get the gift set at Target thinking that it includes the 4K, only to realize once they get it out of the packaging at home that their purchase only includes the 1080p Blu-rays? I hope Target is prepared to deal with irate customers. That seems like a very easy mistake to make.

I have updated the wording in the "SPECIALS" section of the WRU to reflect the correct information.

One other thing that might be of interest to some people:

Back in the Roundup thread for August 18, we discussed Best Buy exclusive steelbook of the Japanese film Your Name. It is not a Best Buy exclusive in the same sense as the steelbook trilogy for Back to the Future is where it is a limited run and they are the only retailer carrying it. In this case, Best Buy simply had a two-month window to sell the steelbook of Your Name exclusively before the same release becomes available at other retailers.

Their window is up now, so the Your Name steelbook will enter general release on October 20. Amazon is currently listing it for $24.99.

I did buy it from Best Buy during their exclusive period, so I can confirm that it contains the same Blu-ray Disc as originally released in 2017 and a digital code. However, the digital code is not like most others, in that it is only redeemable at Funimation's website and is not compatible with other services. Also, the barebones DVD included in the original keepcase release is dropped. But the steelbook is gorgeous and I'm really glad I got it. As was the case in August, I continue to recommend the film itself to anyone who thinks they might be interested. It's phenomenal.

Mike Frezon said:

I figured that might be true about the Amazon Exclusivity of the 4k giftset...but you'd think Amazon itself would use the word "exclusive" SOMEWHERE in their product description on their site...



Thanks for the info, Jake.

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BTW You can't get a Pepsi Free. You've got to pay for it ... !

Thanks for the RoundUp, Mike.

There are some wonderful classics in this week's list. I've signed up to review Sunrise at Campobello, but it nor the other Warner Archives discs I requested have arrived as yet. Here's hoping!

I'll be picking up Back To The Future and The Plot Against America mini-series this week.

Thanks for the prices, Mike!

I received my review copy of "Back to the Future" today, so my review should be up pretty soon. A word of warning though to those who pre-ordered the Blu-ray edition - the Blu-ray movie discs are identical to those included in the previous release and have not been upgraded.

EDIT: Content listing is the same, so I popped the Blu-ray in of the first film into my PC's BD drive, and the author date is 8/14/2020. The My Movies database software also could not find the disc ID. Inserted the disc into my UHD Blu-ray player, and the disc has the newer style menu design, so I may have jumped the gun.

However, the Blu-ray DO NOT contain a Dolby Atmos track.

Todd Erwin said:

the Blu-ray movie discs are identical to those included in the previous release and have not been upgraded.

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Ugh, really? That's beyond upsetting.

I was sure the press release indicated the Blu-rays were remastered as well from the new Blu-ray transfers. Are you 100% sure of this?

If you're sure, you just saved me $70.

Edit: In other news, Best Buy has dropped the price of the Back to the Future steelbooks by $5, so it's now $64.99+tax instead of $69.99+tax. But, as they usually do, they put a hold on my card when I ordered it back in June for the full amount, so apparently I'm being charged $69.99. If they were going to drop the price, I wish they would have a policy like Amazon and just not touch the credit card until the item is shipped. This just keeps getting more consumer-unfriendly.

Jake Lipson said:

Ugh, really? That's beyond upsetting.

I was sure the press release indicated the Blu-rays were remastered as well from the new Blu-ray transfers. Are you 100% sure of this?

If you're sure, you just saved me $70.

Edit: In other news, Best Buy has dropped the price of the Back to the Future steelbooks by $5, so it's now $64.99+tax instead of $69.99+tax. But, as they usually do, they put a hold on my card when I ordered it back in June for the full amount, so apparently I'm being charged $69.99. If they were going to drop the price, I wish they would have a policy like Amazon and just not touch the credit card until the item is shipped. This just keeps getting more consumer-unfriendly.

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See my Edit above.

In other news, Best Buy has dropped the price of the Back to the Future steelbooks by $5, so it's now $64.99+tax instead of $69.99+tax.

But, as they usually do, they put a hold on my card when I ordered it back in June for the full amount, so apparently I'm being charged $69.99. If they were going to drop the price, I wish they would have a policy like Amazon and just not touch the credit card until the item is shipped.

This just keeps getting more consumer-unfriendly.

Todd Erwin said:

EDIT: Content listing is the same, so I popped the Blu-ray in of the first film into my PC's BD drive, and the author date is 8/14/2020. The My Movies database software also could not find the disc ID. Inserted the disc into my UHD Blu-ray player, and the disc has the newer style menu design, so I may have jumped the gun.

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Thank you for clarifying.

I know you're probably busy working on the UHD portion of the review, which is what most people want to know about. I don't want to impose on your time. But if you have a little bit of time, I would very much appreciate it if you could maybe pick a scene or two and compare the Blu-ray transfers to those of the older release. If you can confirm that the transfer is indeed new, that's enough for me to open the new set and keep it. If they're the same, it will go back to Best Buy when the delivery arrives. It's worth $70 to me to know this for sure and I would really appreciate any insight you have time to provide. Thanks.

Jake Lipson said:

Thank you for clarifying.

I know you're probably busy working on the UHD portion of the review, which is what most people want to know about. I don't want to impose on your time. But if you have a little bit of time, I would very much appreciate it if you could maybe pick a scene or two and compare the Blu-ray transfers to those of the older release. If you can confirm that the transfer is indeed new, that's enough for me to open the new set and keep it. If they're the same, it will go back to Best Buy when the delivery arrives. It's worth $70 to me to know this for sure and I would really appreciate any insight you have time to provide. Thanks.

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I can safely say the Blu-rays are new transfers, the 2015 edition has blown out contrast when compared to the new 2020 Blu-rays, which are more film-like.

Thank you @Todd Erwin! You just confirmed that my purchase will be worthwhile.

Now, if only I can figure out how to get $5 back from Best Buy since they lowered the price after already putting a hold on the funds on my card.

You shouldn't have to do anything -- for preorders usually hte price will be lowered at time of final charge or a refund within a few days of release. If you haven't seen it by Thursday midday just call the main CSR number and ask. If you are a bit more paranoid take a screenshot first at the lower price

@Mike Frezon My review of Back to the Future is up!

Todd Erwin said:

@Mike Frezon My review of Back to the Future is up!

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And the link has been added to the grid, Todd!

You've got some pretty high praise for that set. Sounds great!