River Phoenix · 1980s

dir. Steven Spielberg

S-Tier Paramount 4K. The best Indy film by popular vote. The individual steelbook has been as low as $13 USD on Amazon and under $15 USD at Best Buy. Paramount has released and re-released these steelbooks enough times that early adopters are pretty tired of it.

Paramount Pictures · Steelbook (4K + Blu-ray)

dir. Rob Reiner

Sony A-Tier 4K. The steelbook reissue added Dolby Vision, which sparked a debate about whether the DV upgrade is worth double-dipping for. The consensus leans toward marginal improvement unless you're really looking for it, but the transfer itself is strong and the Pacific Northwest summer photography has the kind of natural lighting that benefits from HDR.

Sony Pictures · 4K + Blu-ray

dir. Joe Dante

The first 4K of Joe Dante's 1985 cult favorite, with Ethan Hawke and River Phoenix in their first roles. Vinegar Syndrome's Limited Edition runs 8,000 numbered copies with a magnet box, slipcover, and 40-page book. Direct-from-VS only, no major retailers carrying it. Both the theatrical and home-video cuts get the new 4K scan from the 35mm OCN, plus an exclusive 77-minute Elijah Drenner documentary with Dante, Eric Luke, Mike Finnell, and ILM. Flash pre-order at $41.99 USD reverts to $69.98 USD by Monday night.

Vinegar Syndrome · Limited Edition