Initial Thoughts: 2019 was a busy year in Home Media releases onto BluRay and 4KUHD BluRay. There are some stunning restorations that deserve a look at as well as mega boxsets that should be considered. I have broken this down to a few categories that will include Best Overall release for BluRay and 4K, Best Documentary, Best Video Restoration, Best Sound Restoration. As well as notable releases to check out.
Best Sound Restoration of 2019:
Apocalypse Now: The Final Cut
Apocalypse Now is always a great film, but honestly the film has always suffered in the audio category. I have watched multiple versions of this film and in the theater. My biggest issue was always feeling a vibration in my seat and sound after the explosions go off.
Coppola and Lionsgate have gone in and gave us the Cut he wanted along with an in sync audio that matches the action of the film. The video is gorgeous, but doesn't improve much from the BluRay. With the theatrical cut, Redux at nearly 4 hours cut, and this Final Cut along with the documentary Heart of Darkness you can't ask for much more.
Maybe for the 50th we will get the 5 hour workprint version. Disney will probably step in and say no.
I would say this is the best sound restoration since Universal's Dracula BluRay.
Best Video Restoration of 2019:
Der Golem Wie Er In Die Welt Kam
This was the easiest pick of the list. Der Golem had the most to gain from the previous home media restoration. F.W. Murnau always knows who to turn to get the best restoration done. Eureka! released as part of their Masters of Cinema series. The UK equivalent of Criterion.
With 3 scores to choose from and watch. The US Version to watch. A nice video essay Where Are the Jewish Horror Films? by Jon Spira included. A nice bang for your buck release.
This release is region locked and may not play on most US players.
Best Documentary of 2019:
Severin's All the Colors of Giallo Mega Boxset with the Italian Giallo film All the Colors of the Dark
To be honest this for a long time in 2019 was my overall favorite release. 4 hours of Giallo trailers with Audio Commentary by the Queen of Giallo Kat Ellinger giving a history of these films was fantastic. You throw in a 3 hour Krimi history on top of that. A CD soundtrack of great Giallo songs from greats like Morricone you can't ask for much more unless you preordered Black Friday of 2018 and got Black Gloves to go along with this and the film All the Colors of the Dark with a brand new commentary from Kat Ellinger.
Best Overall 4KUHD Release of 2019:
Suspiria The Ultimate Edition by Koch Entertainment
This is honestly a Suspiria fans wet dream. In one boxset you got Suspiria 1977 and 2018 on 4K UHD, BluRay, soundtracks for both films, and a grab bag of goodies that leave you on the verge of overdosing from too much I love it. This was the best release overall for 2019.
Best Overall BluRay Release of 2019:
Santa Sangre by Koch Entertainment
Another superb release that gives any Santa Sangre fan just about everything they would beg for in a Santa Sangre release the soundtrack, new interviews with Jodorowsky, and possibly the greatest horror/suspense film ever made in one package. One thing is for sure Koch Entertainment set a new bar with their releases this year that all labels should look at.
Notable Mentions for 2019:
2019 was a great year for obscure and legendary films for restorations. So much so that by not mentioning a few companies I feel like I did them injustice.
Mention #1: Flicker Alley
Flicker Alley put out alot of great releases this year including The Last Warning and a film relatively unseen since the days of Cinerama The Golden Head a 70mm film that is filled with gorgeous colors and a scenic view of Europe in the 1960s
What can I say when a sequel comes out some companies go back to their back catalog and do a new restoration. The Shining's restoration almost made me vomit in the opening sequence from motion sickness. A vast improvement from the previous release surprisingly video wise.
Mention #3: Arrow's Macabre Visions: The Films of Mario Bava
This is a fantastic boxset from Arrow UK. The only thing is nothing really new since Arrow releases them separately before. You might be disappointed his best Giallo is not in this set Blood and Black Lace. Don't let that stop you if you are a Bava fan and live in the US with the ability to play region B discs. The cost is vastly cheaper than if you bought the region A discs from Kino here.
Mention #4: Second Run's BluRay releases
I think Second Run is not getting the love they deserve. They put out alot of fantastic releases by filmmakers from Europe not as well known to us for various reasons. It's always a solid product with great commentaries, video essays, written essays and more.
Closing Thoughts:
These are a few of my favorite releases from 2019 based on the hard work that went in to puta great product. What were some of your favorite 2019 home media releases?
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