Software Features

It's an interesting time for cinema companies. While there's a perception that streaming platforms, home media and online piracy have dealt the commercial theatre market near-fatal blows, box office records seem to be repeatedly smashed, most recently by Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Meanwhile, attendance at UK cinemas was up 17 per cent in 2015, and new technologies (Dolby Atmos, IMAX Laser) and old (70mm) are working hard to lure punters.

Even during the early days of Laserdisc, UK film fans looked with envy across the Atlantic thanks to the effort US distributor Criterion put into its releases. Not only were titles presented in the most complete version possible and at the correct aspect ratio, they were bundled with newly-produced bonus material designed to act as a sort of 'film school in a box'.

This Summer the British Film Institute is celebrating the 60th anniversary of groundbreaking British film studio Woodfall Films. Arriving on June 11 the nine-disc Woodfall: A Revolution in British Cinema Blu-ray and DVD boxsets boast eight of the studio’s most revered films – Look Back in Anger, The Entertainer, Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, A Taste of Honey, The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner, Tom Jones, Girl with Green Eyes and The Knack… and How to Get It – plus a huge array of special features and an exclusive 80-page book.

As Arrow Films celebrates 25 years of cult success, HCC's Anton van Beek sits down with James White – Head of Technical and Restoration Services – to talk 4K, film vs digital and the hunt for the original 35mm elements of Donnie Darko...

Have you picked up The Martian on Blu-ray, only to be left hungry for more of Ridley Scott's movie-making magic? Well, there are plenty of other films by the celebrated director that deserve a spot on your disc shelf. We pick ten of the best...