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Thanks for the rundown, Finch, disappointing as it is!

Could be Criterion is losing one or both, maybe....

Of course they are losing them since Shout Factory has access to the Golden Princess library.

What is it that they're losing? The CC discs of Hard Boiled and The Killer went OOP in the early aughts and they've never reissued either one. I don't recognize the other guy in that photo with Woo, so is there some context I'm missing?

Hah! I guess it speaks of people's implicit desire that one day Criterion could bring those OOP editions back in a newer format. Now that dream is finally crushed once it is revealed that Shout editions are imminent. Nevertheless, I wouldn't miss a hypothetical Criterion edition. Given the current circumstances Shout might be the best option available to handle these films (and there's the rumors that Arrow is their UK partner).

this isn't the same situation as the Studiocanal titles that Lionsgate retained not coming back - we have legitimately great editions of The Third Man, Contempt, and Ran that don't seem to be returning, with extras lost. these two Woo titles were so early and barely anything is there - Shout (and possibly Arrow) will do just fine handling them now. I'm sure the two commentaries will be on their editions

Hard Boiled (as well as City on Fire and A Better Tomorrow I and II) are on Tubi with Shout! Factory "Hong Kong Cinema Classics" logos. Dubbed and original versions. Impossible to tell with Tubi's streaming quality if these are the 4K restorations—and I have not seen the films in decades—but they look very good.

EDIT: Just noticed that they're also on VOD services to rent/buy in 4K.

And both Better Tomorrows have the original sound effects/mix, making these the best current versions to watch.

Yeah I have been having a great time watching these flicks again. They all look and sound great, to me anyway!

ryannichols7 wrote: Sun Mar 30, 2025 5:20 am I'm sure the two commentaries will be on their editions

I don' think that's very likely. Many, if not most of Arrows UK releases of US Criterion films omit the original commentaries. Examples include Crash, Naked Lunch, The Silence of the Lambs, Time Bandits & Videodrome.

I guess we'll just have to wait and see what Arrow do with The Killer and Hard Boiled when they finally release them. Hopefully this year, or early 2026

In 2026, Arrow announced back in May:

Arrow said the deal would mark the first time some of the films had been released in the UK with others receiving fresh releases after years of being out of physical circulation. The firm is targeting 2026 for the first wave of titles, released through its Arrow Video label.